This past Saturday, we spent a hot afternoon at Busch Gardens again. I really prefer to go when the weather is cooler so will probably go every other Friday in October! We didn't go by ourselves this time. My sister Misty, her husband Brandon and his sister Shannon also went. It was so hot and Rebecca refused to ride any of the water rides. She hates that wet feeling and I don't blame her. I really don't like wearing wet clothes either. Here are a few photos taken on Saturday.

This photo above is Rebecca crying as she got on the Flying Machine. Like I said, it was HOT! The seats were extremely hot and the part where you put your legs down were metal. She burned her leg when she sat down. She was fine once the ride started because of the wind in our face! After this one, we only rode rides in the shade.

This is us on the tea cups. As you can see, she is much happier. And guess what?!?! That's not sunburn on my face! I was unbelievably HOT. Actually, I wore a hat and the only part of me that even got a little bit of sun was my feet. We did a few other rides while waiting for the rest of the gang to ride the Roman Rapids.
Misty and Brandon while waiting in line for Dark Castle. The line was long so I took out my camera and started taking pictures. (All the ones with me look dumb because I have my hat on so I'm not sharing those.) Emily and I don't even like it but we go on it for Rebecca and Jay's sake.Here's Jay and me waiting... See, redness gone since I cooled down a bit while waiting in line.
Then it began to rain... The thunder and lightening were pretty bad so we decided to make a run for it and leave since they temporarily closed down all the rides. We were going to go somewhere else and get dinner. We didn't quite make it out of the park before the bottom dropped out and it poured. We were in Ireland and ran to the quickest store. That just happened to be the china store. There were things up to $40,000 a piece! Wrong place to get stranded! So, we just sat and waited it out. This picture is of Brandon and Shannon looking at the map, Misty gazing lovingly at her husband and Emi ready for a nap.

We were all pretty stinky on the ride home, wet from the water rides (those who were able to go...) and sweat (ewww) but we had a fun day. It was hard to get up Sunday morning and even though the message at church was unbelievable, as always, I still spent the morning yawning.

Would a nap be possible today? Of course not, too much to do. Hopefully I can go to bed at a decent time tonight. I have a meeting with the co-op the girls are participating in this fall so hopefully it'll go smoothly and quickly. We shall see... Until next time...

Check out this blog http://cbcteens.blogspot.com/ for pictures of Magnificent Monday. There are 2 pictures where you can just barely make Rebecca out. The second picture, second row is Emily in a striped colored dress and beside her is Rebecca. In the picture of balloon volley ball, Rebecca's face is at the bottom - She is looking up and wearing a blue shirt. Just thought I'd share it with you.

Just another Thursday....

We were planning on going to the movies today but the choices didn't look appealing so we are having a movie day here. Becca and Emily were pleased. They watched Scooby Doo and Adventures in Oddessy. Now all 4 little ones (Bec, Em, H. and B.) are playing and I'm about to fix spaghetti for lunch.
While they were occupied, I tried to figure out what to do for Emily's birthday next month. Money is tight because of our Disney vacation in Sept. Emily wants to have a jammie party (sleepover) with 3 of her friends so it's going to work out beautifully. Since her birthday is actually on a Sunday, I'm sure we'll go out for lunch. That'll be a great time for family to come along and celebrate her birthday with her- hint hint.
It's been relaxing this week compared to last week. Monday was Magnificent Monday at church. We gave our baseball tickets away so we were able to come home and get some schooling done before gymnastics.
Tues. was a fun day spent at home. I'm such a homebody that it was nice not to have to get up and go somewhere. Plus all the running is killing us in gas!
Yesterday, Rebecca had a friend over in the morning. They didn't get much of a chance to play because we had signed up to see a singing cowboy at the library. Yehaw!! We'll have to schedule another morning for her to play with her friend. Although I've found that with Rebecca's bossiness, it's easier for all involved if she has friends over in small doses. It's just enough to keep things at an even kilter. Any one else have a problem with their oldest being bossy? Any advice? Sad to say but she's just like her mother. She gets it honestly.
Well, children are hungry so now would be a good time for me to fix lunch. later taters...

Ok, this is my last post for the day! Please be sure to check out the 2 below this one as I have updated my blog.

Today was the last day of VBS and they ended it with a lunch. Beforehand, Emily's class went up on stage and sang a cute song. I think I'm going to have to make some calls and get the words to it. She was so cute. It amazes me how little she still is. Since I'm with her day in and day out, it's easy to lose focus and forget that she's just a little child. She won't even be 5 for another month.

Now let me give you this wonderful testimony of my sweet Rebecca. They gave us a CD of the music the other day, Wed. maybe, and we went through them together. If anyone knows me well enough, I'm very conservative in my music and am very cautious over "Christian" music. There was only 1 song that I approved of and told her so. However, I'm trying to let her have her own convictions over certain things and we talk about how she handled things afterward to see if God would approve or not. With that being said, I didn't tell her she couldn't participate in the music time or that she had to take a stand.

After Emily's class left, they had all the other children grades K-5 sing for the parents. The children voted on which song to sing and the "good" one was picked. However, when it came time to sing, the lady had them sing a different song. I wish I had taken my camera in. There was my daughter, the only one in a skirt, standing there with her eyes closed, face to the floor, fingers in her ears in the mist of 60+ children. I was so proud of her for taking the stand on what she knew was bad music.

Who was this you are probably asking! This is Rebecca's friend from church. She was at VBS today. She is special to Becca because when we started to go to Calvary, D. was the one to take Becca under her wing and showed her the ropes.
Smilin' pretty

As I was pulling into the driveway this afternoon, Rebecca said she thought she saw a rainbow. She jumped out of the car and showed me this. It's a cloud! Beautiful isn't it? Isn't God amazing? I love it!
Again, please be sure to check out the other 2 posts below this one if you already haven't.

Yesterday was the first day that I felt completely well again so I took full advantage of it. It started off with dropping Rebecca and Emily off at VBS at a local church. It's the same one they did AWANAs at last year so they knew several children in their classes. It went well. It was the first time I've dropped Emily anywhere and she enjoyed it but not to the extent like Rebecca. Anyway, I had the morning with H. and B. so we went to the $1 movie and saw Over the Hedge. Since I was sick on Tuesday, H.'s nanaw took her to see the same movie so she got to see it twice this week, which was fine with her. Afterwards, we still had some time to kill before getting the girls so we went to the library and read a few books.

After lunch, the children played house with Rebecca being the boss, of course. Then we went outside to play in the sprinkler. It's been so dry lately that I thought it would actually help our sorry yard. Little did I know that a quick storm was to blow in just minutes after we finished playing outside. Praise God for the rain- even though it only lasted a few minutes.

Hope you enjoy the photos.

These 2 pictures are of my silly daughter doing just that: being silly! She was playing the guitar and humming a Hawaiian tune while doing a little Elvis-type dance.

And my other silly daughter! She found these bubba teeth in our playroom one day and constantly has them in her mouth. She will do anything to get a laugh out of you. She always has. I absolutely love her sense of humor.

Some new pictures

Here are a few photos I took last Friday while the girls were outside playing. I wasn't feeling quite right (beginning of a 4 day stomach virus) so I got out the camera to have a little fun. Aren't my girls the most precious gems you ever did see?
Just goofing off
Playing in the sandbox is a favorite outside activity for Emily.

Posing pretty

A Godly Woman

The Bible speaks to everyone who follows in the Way,But some parts are specific in the things they have to say.The fathers are encouraged, and those alone in life,And there are admonitions for the mother and the wife.

I always linger over these; they speak to my estate.They offer me direction in the small things and the great.To be a godly woman is the goal I want to reach,And so I need to study what the Scriptures have to teach.

A woman who is called to be a mother and a wife,Who takes the cross and purposes to live a godly life,Is ever growing in the faith she’s chosen to profess,And there are certain qualities she covets to possess.

The godly woman stays at home, her duties keep her there.She rises while it yet is night and gives herself to prayer.Her days are full of service and her heart is full of love;Her mind is full of gratitude and praise for God above.

Though not employed outside the home, she has no mind to shirk,She eats not bread of idleness, but fruit of honest work.Her brother and her sister, her parents and her neighbor,Her husband and her children share the blessing of her labor.

The love her husband feels for her is easy to reflect,And she not only loves him, but she gives him her respect.In her his heart may safely trust; she does him only good;When he confides his inner thoughts, he finds them understood.

She’s mindful, too, of Eden, where the woman was deceived.She knows it’s not her place to teach, as others have believed,Nor to usurp authority, but listen with subjection,In meekness and humility, accepting his direction.

When all the church assembles in a solemn, formal way,The godly woman listens to what the brethren have to say;And if she hears a statement made that makes her sit up straighter,The question forming in her mind she asks her husband later.

Still, there is a congregation where her voice is often heard,And her children are attentive as she teaches them the Word,When she sits within her house, and when she walks along the way;When she lays them down at night and when she rises with the day.

The godly woman is discreet, not seeking other’s praise;She’s modest in appearance, and she’s modest in her ways.She isn’t prone to gossip, but her neighbors know she cares,And any help her hands can give is certain to be theirs.

The godly woman isn’t gay; she’s left that all behind.She’s pleasant and she’s cheerful, but she has a sober mind.Her covered head, her simple dress, her modest mien are one;Her singular adornment is the good that she has done.

When years of faithful laboring have bent her body low,She’ll teach the younger women in the way that they should go.And verily, I say to you, she’ll have a rich reward.

Oh, make of me that woman, Lord! And guide me in that way.Behold, thou art the potter, and I the softened clay.Encourage me where I am right; rebuke me where I’m wrong.I read these Scriptures often and I ponder on them long.

Janice Etter

Happy Saturday!

It's that time again. We haven't done any home improvements since Thanksgiving and I'm getting stir crazy! I picked a small room to redecorate. The girls bathroom. It was in the theme of hippos because that it what I collected as a child and teenager. I'm now over and done with that phase in my life so why punish the girls by having their bathroom done up in hippos? Rebecca is old enough to make up her mind as to what she wants so she's in charge. She picked a Hawaiian theme (with my guidance) and it has Emi's seal of approval. I've added a photo of it before we pulled everything out, including that hideous border from the previous owners.

We went to Walmart yesterday afternoon and bought everything that goes along with redoing a bathroom: soap dispenser, shower curtain, curtain, trash can, tooth brush holder, the works. Want to hear the funny part? I was just looking at Target.com for a new towel rack and toilet paper holder, I saw the cutest beach themed stuff for children's bathroom. After having Becca look at it, she picked a few items that she wants instead. So, I guess we will run up to Target at some point this weekend and get what they have at the store and return the others to Walmart. We need to figure it all out before we go buy the paint.

In involving Jay in this, he wants to do it "right". So, in a few minutes we are off to a decorating store that is one of his clients to look at counter tops and cabinets. We have to demo the bathroom and replace it all... according to him. Money is always an object so we shall see. After that, we will go to Home Depot to look at lighting fixtures and towel rods. The lights in there really do need to go. It's very hard to conserve energy when there is 12, yes 12, light bulbs on each time you turn the lights on. If they are in their bathroom at night and I need to go into mine, that's 24 lights on at one time.

Well, we're off to do some window shopping. I'll update you later if we make any decisions! Have a great weekend!

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Happy Fourth of July! What a great country we live in. Be sure to give thanks to God on this Independence Day!

Busch Gardens

Yesterday was a great day to be outside. By the time we got there, it was 78 degrees. It was cool enough and best of all, no humidity! We didn't get to ride many rides but we did enjoy a bunch of the shows. Aren't my girls just the cutest?

Here they are by the tree in Ireland. They love to play in there.

The "Fire in the Sky" fireworks show was great. We sat on the bridge for an hour to have the best view. This was our 4th year going there for fireworks. I guess it's become a tradition to see fireworks at Busch Gardens now.

Rebecca said the fireworks dispay made her hungry. She said she saw cookies in them along with smilie faces and hearts. We were too full after our huge dinner that we didn't get a funnel cake. Next time...

We've continued on our busy streak. As long as God gives me the energy, I'm certainly not going to complain! I thought I would rest on Saturday after a week of NBT but Jay had other ideas. He wanted to sell some of his computers so we had a yard sale. I didn't put a lot out there since it was spur of the moment but we made a bit of money. Praise God! We plan on having another one before our vacation in Sept.
Yesterday was a typical Sunday with church in the morning and evening. After the evening service, we had a farewell party for the Foster's. They are moving to Kansas. He was a terrific music director. The person who takes his place has some mighty big shoes to fill.
Today, the girls and I got up early to clean and get a fresh start on our day. I ironed and did some laundry while the girls cleaned their bathroom and bedrooms. Now, they are both hard at work on schooling.
After running some errands, we are planning on going to Busch Gardens. Jay is going to get off work early, hopefully! Since the fourth of July is on a Wed. and we go to church on Wed. evenings, we are going to see fireworks tonight. I'm excited. I just love to see fireworks. There's something wonderful, magical, and patriotic about them. I'm glad B. G. is shooting them off 4 times this week so we don't have to miss out.
Well, I need to do some more housework and over see some learning. Until next time...

What time is it? BIBLE TIME!!!

This past week was Neighborhood Bible Time at our church. If you've never experienced Bible Time, you are missing out! It's so much better than VBS. It is completely centered around Christ. We had the privilege to have a total of 208 children come to NBT this past week. Of those, 63 children made decisions. 36 of those decisions were for salvation. It was a wonderful, fun but exhausting week for all! I had the privilege of teaching the missionary story of Hudson Taylor to the primary's- first through third grade. Emily was in the preschool class. We had an award ceremony on Friday evening and here are a few pictures from it.

The incentive for the children to learn verses, doing their study guide and bring neighbors was to get as many ribbons as you can. This first photo is of our unbelievable preacher, Pastor Haskett giving Rebecca an award. She won the coloring contest, most verses learned, and first place over all for the third graders. There were an average of 40 children in her class. WAHOO BEC!

This next one is of Emily on stage with her class. They are laughing at Mr. Matt and the puppet. He was being very silly when trying to sing I'm inright, upright...Happy with the Lord. See all of Emily's ribbons? She won fourth place in her class of 28 children.

Both girls earned a cream pie. Did they eat it? NO! They smashed it in Mr. Andrew's face! What a mess!

Here is sweet Emily showing off her ribbons. She learned 4 new verses.

Here is my over achiever! She's showing off her awards and Bible that she won. She worked very hard learning 12 verses in 4 days.

See how long her ribbons are? It's no wonder she won first place for her class.