Tuesday School Graduation

Matthew graduated from his first school year. He went to Tuesday School at Red Bank COC on Tuesday's mornings. He had a great year, the teachers said he was a hoot in chapel (singing), and he made a lot of good buddies. The had their graduation ceremonies on Tuesday night, and Matthew did a great job singing the songs and participating. He doesn't have a shy bone in his body, and is really good at performing!

Matthew singing and acting out "I'm in the Lord's Army". He's flying ore the enemy here.


Singing another song with his class.

Our Little Ballerina

Addie's ballet recital is this weekend. Today was dress rehearsal and the only time we could take pictures. Tomorrow is the real thing. As I sat watching her, I thought back to when I was a little ballerina myself. The recitals were the climax of the year and such a big deal. It is so hard to believe that I am now sitting and watching MY daughter be the ballerina. I have just one word....PRECIOUS!!!!!!!



(Of course, one of these things is not like the other. But, that's Addie for you!)








And, one last thing, before we went to the rehearsal, we had to go to a luncheon/shower. Matthew went with us (kids were invited, too). He was playing in the play room with a little kitchenette, and when I walked in, he held this spoon up and said, "Mommy, this is a spanking spoon". Too cute.

OCD??

Why am I so obsessed with things being just right in my life? Why can't I just enjoy things, let loose, and have fun? I am constantly thinking about things that pretty much in the scheme of life are not of real importance. Like, my house is not clean, my kids are misbehaving, I didn't spend enough time doing this or that, should I/my kids be involved in more activites, etc., etc. And then there are some things I think about that are of importance, but I probably over analyze and think about too much: should I start Addie in kindergarten, am I using the right discipline techniques, am I providing my kids with opportunities for their talents and energies to florish, am I modeling Jesus to my family and others, am I a good wife and mother. I just can't stop "thinking". I wish I could just let things happen naturally, enjoy them, and trust God (knowing whether I "think" about them or not, he is in control..not me). Does anyone else do this, or do I really need some medication to help me chill out!?!

Easter Sunday Best

Here are a couple of pics from our very cold Easter morning. I love Easter morning, not for the Easter baskets, candy, egg hunts, or anything like that...but because everyone is dressed in their best. I remember growing up, planning for Easter morning was huge. We went to the fabric store, picked out a "smocking" pattern (I forget what they are called), fabric, and a dress pattern. My mom made our dresses and then we shopped for accessories...everything from a new slip and panties, gloves, hats, purses, white shoes, socks (or hose, depending on when Easter fell). What fun memories. And I still can remember alot of my Easter's by my dress. Now I love to shop for my children. It's really the only time I tend to splurge on a whole entire outfit. But they're only young once, right?


(Addie had the cutest pair of white sandals to wear, but because it was sooo cold, we had to resort to her black ones. Too bad, but still cute!)

Glory!

I have to praise God and give him glory for things working in my life. I prayed and prayed for guidance on whether to go part-time at work. After receiving that guidance and taking a leap of faith, I started the process to move towards part-time status. It was easily approved (which is kindof a shock for where I work). But let me tell you, it is not coming cheaply for me. Although we are still overly blessed, the accountant in me thought...this will never work. So, I prayed that away also. I asked God over and over to just let this be a seamless transition. I will do my part in putting my faith in him while also being responsible and cutting corners that obviously would need to be cut for this to work. I knew he would be faithful to me. Well, last week I started part-time. I haven't got my first "reduced" paycheck yet, but I have been bracing for the trials...for my dishwasher to quit running, for my car to breakdown, for my A/C to not work...whatever to test my faith. Let me say, although my car has been making a weird noise lately when I press the brakes, quite the opposite has happened. Out of nowhere yesterday, I got 2 totally random checks in the mail. I had absolutely no clue that I was due money from one of them, and one of them I had totally forgotten about. Also, I got a coupon from the car dealer for a brake inspection, and a coupon for another store that I needed to buy something from. Coincedence? Doubt that...I don't believe in them anymore. I know that God is providing for me in ways that I cannot even imagine, and these are just 3 small tokens to remind me of that. So, praise God!! Isn't he awesome? My trials/tests of faith may begin tomorrow, and that is fine, too. I will still bring glory to God for what he has done and what he will continue to do.

Some of the Week's Activities

Yesterday Matt, Addie, and I colored Easter Eggs. (yes, my kids once again are unclothed. I promise I buy them clothes, and plenty of them. They just strip down whenever we're at home).



Today we went to our church Easter Egg Hunt. It rained on us, but it was alot of fun.

If there's a dog (or any animal, for that matter) around, Addie is always chasing it.




Last Sunday, we went to my nephew Tanner's birthday party. He turned 4 this last week, and I wanted to wish him a Happy Birthday. (Notice Matt once again on his way to being unclothed. What's the deal??)


And lastly, we finally got our new Puppy. He was missed badly, and Matt's reunion with him was absolutely precious.