lately

we have caught fish, graduated Kindergarten, rode the balloons at the festival, ran a 5K, sang on stage, pretended to be Laura Ingalls on a field trip, made mom breakfast in bed for Mother's Day, fell asleep in Wal-Mart, and had a great volleyball season.

Exhibit A

Exhibit A- Ella beginning of Kind vs. end of Kind.  

Slow down!  Mama isn't ready for this!!

Its true what they say,

 "the days are long but the years are short".

favorite

my new favorite photo.

  I am so blessed!

a calling

Some people can spend their whole life trying to figure out what they are called to do.  Not me.  I have always known.  I am supposed to work with kids.  

I teach preschool and I coach and I love every minute of it!

happy mother's day to me!

*the picture at the top will not rotate. it is right on my computer but blogger is stupid! :)

man to man

I came in to the garage the other day and saw this and had to go find a camera.  I love this picture.  My big boy being taught how to be a man by his dad.  Jonathon is 14.  My husband lost his father when he was 13.  This never happened for Les.  He is in uncharted territory, but is doing a great job. 

bubby

I don't want to ever forget how Matthew runs up the sidewalk to jump in Jon's arms when we pick him up after school.

And I really don't want to forget how Jon picks him up, holds him tight and carries him all the way to the car.

It melts my heart every time.

That little boy sure does love his Bubby!

champions!

So proud of my big boy! They won their tournament this weekend. Way to go Jonathon!


*he is the big one holding the plaque :)

easter

He is risen!

Happy Easter!!

on a typical day

surfing

snoozing

homeworking

baby doll loving

curling up and taking it easy

so lucky

Today, after we dropped Jonathon at basketball practice, we were driving home. Our route takes us on a street that goes through a poor part of town. I am sure that isn't politically correct, but it is true. We had to slow down to let some high schoolers cross the street and Ella said, "they are so lucky!" I asked her why. Her reason, "they have a park just across the street!" I was proud and ashamed all in the same breath. I was so proud that she is innocent of the fact that we were in the poorest part of town. I was ashamed that I didn't see the blessings instead of the things that lacked as I was driving a road I drive every day. Oh the innocence of a child. Yes Ella, you are right. Having a park so close to home does make you lucky.

Meet us!

Today I am linking up with Kelly's Korner. She is introducing everyone to big families. Funny, but I don't think of us as a big family! We are just us. I am Amanda, wife of Les for almost 18 years. We married young. I wanted kids right away, but that took a little longer than I had planned. We have been blessed with 4!

Our oldest is Jonathon. He is 14 and is a wonderful young man. Our second kiddo is a girl, Grace. She is 10 and all girl!

Next came Ella who is 6. She is something else! One day that stubborn, got to have my way, attitude will serve her well.
We thought we were done, but surprise! Matthew is our 4th blessing! He is 3.
Never thought I would have four kiddos, but I wouldn't have it any other way! Come back and see all the adventures in our Madhouse!

Grace turns 10

We danced, painted, laughed,
ate pizza, drank soda, ate cake, laughed,
opened presents, laughed,
danced some more, watched a movie, laughed
and had a great time celebrating our wonderful "not so little anymore" girl.
Hard to believe she is 10! Love you sweetie!

wordless wednesday

my job

I am pretty sure I have the best job in the world.
I laugh.
I dance.
I "shake my sillies out".
I play with toys.
I color, cut and glue.
But best of all, I get to teach Bible verses. Today I got to explain how to
be "a new creation in Christ".
It just doesn't get much better than that!

choices

some choices are easy.
some are hard.
and some are very hard.
every choice involves others, even the little ones.
you worry about disappointing someone no matter what you decide.
you can't let that affect you choice.
you have to decide what is best for YOUR family and YOURSELF.
seek God.
let Him guide you.
let His peace be the deciding factor.
rest in that.
only that.
sometimes it really helps to put in words the permission(from you to you) to
make the hard decision.
then to realize that once that decision is made,
you feel a hundred pounds lighter.
peace.

days

Some days are just hard.
I have no "get up & go".
I just want to wallow in self-pity.
I can only see the things I don't have or the things I do poorly.
I can't see the good, the blessings, the eternal purpose in the craziness.

I have to refocus. Prioritize. Remember all I have been given.

"Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things." Philippians 4:8

basketball

really couldn't be more proud than I am- such an awesome guy, on and off the court!