End of softball season

The girls tried a new sport on for size. Rebecca absolutely loved softball and Em thought t-ball was so-so. Soccer is still Emily's favorite sport. Here are the last few pictures from this season of homeschool softball/t-ball.

Emily with her team
getting her trophy

Rebecca with her friend Kasie and their trophies

They finished up the season by having trophies, cake and drinks to the park. Although most practices and games were rained out, I know they had fun and Rebecca is looking forward to playing again next year.

Awana Awards 5-17-09

This concludes another year of Awana. The girls did a fantastic job learning scripture and completing their books. Here is a curriculum outline of what Emily learned/recited this year and here is the outline of what Rebecca learned/recited this year.

Emily saying the Sparks theme verse with the other Sparkies.

Rebecca in her T & T uniform


The Truth and Training girls reciting the Books of the Old Testament.


She was also clubber of the year for the second quarter.
The "second book award" is the Excellence award, the second in a series of awards giving by the AWANA program. Here is a list of what they can earn if diligent enough to stay with it.
Like Mrs. Nancy said, Rebecca worked very very hard on completing her book and doing the silver and gold sections. The gold sections were difficult but she pulled through and got them all done. The last thing she had to do was send a letter into Awana Headquarters. She did so and was so excited when she got a personal, handwritten letter back thanking her and encouraging her to continue to hide God's Word into her heart.

She completed the second T & T book earning the Excellence Award. She was the only one to get this award this year. Way to go Bec!

Em earned her second book ribbon for completing the Hiker Handbook.

She also went on to complete the review and Hiker Workbook. You go Emily!

U10 soccer game 5-16-09

body block

Game update from the coach:"Thanks to our captains, Cameron and Jaiden for leading our team on the field on Saturday. I think that given the circumstances (one sub)that the girls performed really well. I feel that with a full roster on the field, we could have offered the opposition a much more competitive game. However, the Crazy comets proved that they can do amazing things when they put their minds and bodies to it, even when they are tired! Ultimately, we lost 4 to 0, but, were still able to hold our heads up high after the game."

Rebecca did an amazing job on the field last Saturday. She played really hard and smart. The team was short 3 players so each girl had maximum time on the field. It was very tiring but the girls pushed themselves to the limit. Although they lost, it was a really good game.

After Emily's game at 8:30 that morning, we all went for breakfast at Chick-fil-a. Yummy chicken biscuits! Then Jay took Emily to Busch Gardens for the day. They were able to ride every ride that Emily wanted and Rebecca and I had a Mommy and me day. We spent the day outside, making crafts and went out to dinner just the two of us. A couple weeks ago, it was reversed and Rebecca was able to go to Busch Gardens with her daddy while Emily and I stayed home to do the crafts of Em's choice. It's really fun to get to hang out with my daughters as a group but oh so special when it is one on one. That time is so special. We did lots of talking and even more giggling. I am so thankful to our Lord that He saw fit to bless us with 2 wonderful, obedient daughters.

U06 soccer game 5-16-09

Emily has really enjoyed soccer this season and cannot wait to get on an all girls team.

At this level, the teams are still co-ed. During the last quarter of Saturday's game, the coach put the 3 girls out there to play against the other team. Those girls were on fire. They played against 3 boys and tore it up. Those girls scored point after point. (There are 2 short videos at the end of those post.)

They only have one more game left of the season an then soccer is DONE! It's been a difficult season with the weather. They have had many practices rained out and a few games as well.

A visit with Grandma

I treasure each and every visit that we have with my grandma. We plan on spending lots of time with her this summer. Since I am no longer in the child care biz, we will have plenty more free time. I am trying to keep things light as I tend to over schedule. At this point, our only obligations are NBT in June, church on Wednesdays and Sundays, gymnastics classes once a week in the evening and an 8 week puppy training class for Rosie starting next week. I'm so excited for summer to get here so we can jump in Grandma's pool! And the best part, Grandma adores Rosie so we can bring her with us.

Isn't she just the cutest?!?!
Grandma 86, and her youngest great granddaughter 6

Grandma with her 2 great granddaughters whom they love and admire.

She is so wonderful. I will forever treasure pictures such as these.

Between rainy days...

12 year anniversary where we took an afternoon trip to Williamsburg

softball games... no practices though thanks to the lovely rain we have been steadily receiving

3 out of 5 have been canceled due to rain

They've also had soccer and we have spent plenty of afternoons outside.

I have been so busy running here and there that I really haven't taken the time to blog about it.

Hopefully things will slow down on June 20th and we can enjoy some lazy summer days!

I'm sooo looking forward to June 20th!

For tonight, it's back to back soccer practices. Did I mention that I'm looking forward to June 20th?

Between Sundays

I am reading a book by one of my favorite authors, Karen Kingsbury. It is titled "Between Sundays" and that is the theme through out the entire book. It is what you do and how you portray yourself between church services that really matters.

I am really sick of those Christians that say" at least I'm being real and am not fake." By that, they mean, "yes I go to church and worship God but I'm not giving up my sinful life nor am I going to hide it from others". Do people realize that they lose their testimony by doing that?

Psalms 5:4-5 says "For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. 5The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity."
What is iniquity? It is sin...plain and simple.

Psalms 34:14 and Psalms 37:27 says "Depart from evil, and do good;" Some folks act proud of the fact that *this is who they are*. NO, depart, leave, flee, run away, turn from evil and do good.

1Thess. 5:22 says "Abstain from all appearance of evil."

Romans 12:9 says "...Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good."

Ok, so what does God say is evil? Here are just a few examples...Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." Romans 1:29-32

II Timothy 3:2-5 says "...lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."

There is so much scripture that I could refer to as to what God says is evil but in reality, we all know what sin is. We all know what we do in our personal lives that is sin. What I don't understand is why others do not want to turn away from their sin and do good in the eyes of our Lord. Why do people play the part of being a Christian on Sunday yet live the life of the world Monday through Saturday?

Am I perfect? Oh, far from it. I am just as sinful as the next person. What you do about it is what is important.

My Preacher has tried to impress upon the congregation that who you are on the inside spills over to the outside. You can only fake it so much. If you read the Word every day, pray without ceasing, truly love your neighbors, it will spill out of your mouth and your actions will show it. If you have sin in your heart, whether it's not a walk with the Lord, proudness, anger, etc. it will be apparent to others in how you act and what you say.

I know that I am not a great child of the King but I am working on it day by day. I have the best role models in my pastor, his wife, our youth pastor and his wife and others in the church. I have 2 daughters that look up to me. I can't afford to lose my testimony over, well, anything really. I am just tired of those who act the act on Sunday but don't walk the walk on Monday. It's what you do between Sundays that really matters.

Some Cute Jokes

Attending a wedding for the first time, a little girl whispered to her mother, 'Why is the bride dressed in white?''
The mother replied, 'Because white is the color of happiness, and today is the happiest day of her life.'
The child thought about this for a moment then said, 'So why is the groom wearing black?'
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A little girl, dressed in her Sunday best, was running as fast as she could, trying not to be late for Bible class. As she ran she prayed,'Dear Lord, please don't let me be late! Dear Lord,
please don't let me be late!'
While she was running and praying, she tripped on a curb and fell,getting her clothes dirty and tearing her dress. She got up, brushed herself off, and started running again! As she ran she once again began to pray, 'Dear Lord, please don't let me be late...But please don't shove me either!'
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Three boys are in the school yard bragging about their fathers. The first boy says, 'My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a poem, they give him $50.'
The second boy says, 'That's nothing. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a song, they give him $100.'
The third boy says, 'I got you both beat. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a sermon, and it takes eight people to collect all the money!'
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An elderly woman died last month. Having never married, she requested no male pallbearers. In her handwritten instructions for her memorial service, she wrote, 'They wouldn't take me out while I was alive, I don't want them to take me out when I'm dead.'
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A police recruit was asked during the exam, 'What would you do if you had to arrest your own mother?' He answered, 'Call for backup.'
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A Sunday School teacher asked her class why Joseph and Mary took Jesus with them to Jerusalem . A small child replied, 'They couldn't get a baby-sitter.'
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A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to 'Honor thy father and thy mother,' she asked, 'Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?'
Without missing a beat, one little boy answered, 'Thou shall not kill.'
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At Sunday School they were teaching how God created everything,including human beings. Little Johnny seemed especially intent when they told him how Eve was created out of one of Adam's ribs.
Later in the week his mother noticed him lying down as though he were ill, and she said, 'Johnny, what is the matter?' Little Johnny responded, 'I have pain in my side. I think I'm going to have a wife.'
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Two boys were walking home from Sunday school after hearing a strong preaching on the devil. One said to the other, 'What do you think about all this Satan stuff?'
The other boy replied, 'Well, you know how Santa Claus turned out..It's probably just your Dad.'
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Day at the Museums

We were invited to go to the Science Museum with one of the girls on Rebecca's soccer team on Friday. The exhibit for this season is Mindbenders- something everyone loves! There were a few that stumped me but the other mom and I didn't give up until we figured the problem out...well, until they kicked us out, that is! Time got away from us and before we knew it, it was 15 minutes after closing. Since we didn't finish, I'm looking forward to going back and solving the puzzles. Hopefully we will have time one Saturday and Jay can join us.

Once we were booted out of the Sci. museum, we went over to the Children's museum. They were having family night with extended hours for the very cheap cost of $1 per person. I didn't take my camera with me, shame on me!, as we've been there and taken so many pictures before that I didn't feel that it was necessary. Little did I know that they have added exhibits and moved things around. The girls enjoyed it, not that we'd go again while it's full price, but at the next Family Night...we're there. The art department is worth it. My girls are older but still enjoy being little girls. Below are a few pictures I took with my camera phone.

Rebecca with her friend doing a banking transaction

Emily was getting me a few gold bricks from the bank vault

Em sitting at the teacher desk in the school exhibit