Who built the Ark?

Brother Noah built the Ark!

Our church decided to put a float in the parade this year. So they asked my children's Hot Papa to build an ark. And so he did. Karla did an awesome job with the animals. Many paople have been working on this since last winter. The children made tie dye t-shirts to wear while the rode the ark and threw candy. The adults wore red t-shirts that said "I'm a team player at...Abundant Life Community Church" each with a different number on the back, like a team jersey. It was a lot of fun and a great way to reach out to the community, whith hundreds of people watching the parade...some who don't know the Lord or have a home church.
So, after months of preparation and team work, here are the results...
*you can view details by clicking on pictures for full screen view*

The night before the parade, I thought it would be cute to decorate our stroller to follow behind the Ark. So after supper Tim cut two whales out of old paneling, while I went to wal mart to pick up some cheap paint. I spent all morning, before the parade, painting whales. So Charles got to join in the fun. He rode in the belly of the whale! *smile*


*these whale pictures were taken while we waited for the parade to start*

It was a really fun time for everybody!

Mothers Day

Janelle asked permission from Papa to pick some flowers from our garden so she could make a beautiful boquet for me. She is so sweet! Saturday morning Tim built an arbor for me for a mothers day gift. Then he officially gave it to me on Sunday.
After he gave it to me, we went to dunkin donuts, then to the local greenery to pick out some flowering vines to grow on it. Timmy and Janelle helped plant some of them in a hanging basket so they would quickly spread across the roof. And then we planted one on each side to grow up the sides.

This is a picture of my children's Hot Papa and his bride standing under the arbor, just before we left for church. The wind chimes hanging on the right side was their birthday gift to me last fall when I turned 26. They sound so beautiful! I like to think of the music I hear, as a song from heaven, just for me. After all, it is the Lord who tells the wind which way to blow...

After we were finished planting all the new vines, Janelle and Timmy gave me a beautiful manicure & pedicure...with 3 different nail polishes! I had the prettiest nails in church that evening. *smile* To me they were beautiful - puddles, runns and smudges...BEAUTIFUL!



After my manicure and pedicure we all snuggled up on the love seat and watched "Little House on the Prarie" It was a perfect day...absolutely perfect. I am truly blessed!!!

Sometimes my heart still hurts...

...When I remember...

*Looking back...April 2006*

(journal entry below)

Your Papa wanted Mama to surprise him with the wonderful news that you were on your way when the Lord saw fit to bless us with another precious gift...you!

I called a nice restaurant, Steak 'N Brew, and with their help and enthusiasm we planned a delicious dinner with a baby theme. They even mailed us a gift certificate that said we won a drawing to get us there without Papa getting suspicious! When it arrived, I called your Papa at work pretending to be all excited about wining this drawing. It worked! He told me to make the reservations. What he didn't know is that I really already had everything all set and ready for us. I called him back a while later and told him we had to choose between chicken or ribs, so I chose ribs because we have chicken all the time. He fell for it!

Finally, it was 5:00pm April, 31st (2006) We sat down to a lovely meal of baby back ribs, glazed baby carrots, rice and salad. I started many conversations about babies and our server along with a few other employees asked us several times how our baby carrots were and how our baby back ribs were. Then it was time for our dessert (a baby themed cake). I had the camera hiding and ready. When I saw our dessert coming, I pulled the camera out and focused on your Papa! He was a little choked up when he asked "what are you up to?" Then I asked him "What did you have for dinner?" He looked at me kind of puzzled when he answered "I don't know." I said "You had baby back ribs and you had glazed baby carrots...and you are going to have a...BABY!

Papa's first expression...Absolutely elated!

Another Journal Entry...

May 4, 2006 at 6:00am Tim and I experienced on of the most terrifying things expecting parents could possibly face. The doctor told us to prepare ourselves to loose the precious life within my womb. The roller coaster of emotions, questions, confusion, fear, feelings of failure, etc. were spinning and twisting full speed. The next few days were absolute torture. The fear of the unknown was almost unbearable. Finally Saturday, May 6th we were given the dreaded news that it was over and my womb was lifeless.

Sunday, May 7th I passed our precious little Jayme. I held that sweet lifeless child in my hand and my heart was ripped out as my eyes took in Jayme's tiny head, arms and legs...so vivid and real. Only half the length of my pinky, Jayme was a tiny little person with a soul, a Savior and a Mother & Father who loved him with a passion.

*A letter read at Jayme's memorial Service*

Mommy, please don't cry...a beautiful angel carried me here!

I met Jesus today, Mommy! He cradled me in His big, strong, arms. He made me feel so happy inside.

Mommy, please don't cry...Heaven is a wonderful place! Did you know the streets are made of gold? Real gold!

I have lots of friends, Mommy. We run and play. We giggle and laugh. I can't wait to show you all my secret hideouts!

Mommy, please don't cry...When I fall it doesn't hurt! There are no tears in Heaven.

I've met a man named Noah. He told me about his big boat, all the animals, and the very first rainbow. Have you heard of Noah, Mommy?

Mommy, please don't cry...we have lots of parties here; with streamers and hats, and the best chocolate cake ever!

When it's time to rest angels tuck us in. I never get scared Mommy, there is no darkness here! Jesus is the light of Heaven.

Mommy, please don't cry...the angels are always singing. I love to sing with the angels! You'd be proud of me. I have a pretty good voice. I must have gotten it from you.

There is a river, Mommy, in the most beautiful garden you could ever imagine...and a huge tree with yummy fruit. The angels call it the tree of life.

Mommy, it's so wonderful to be alive in Heaven!

Mommy, please don't cry...sometimes I just like to be by myself. That's when I think of you. Someday, Mommy, we will hold each other tight! Then you will cradle me in your arms, and stroke my hair...and once again, our hearts will beat together.

Mommy, please don't cry...I'll wait right here for you.

A letter from Papa

(read at Jayme's memorial service)

Dear Jayme,

Your time with us on this earth was short. We loved you dearly. We were very excited about your arrival, anticipating it with much joy.

Farewell my dear. You are not with us, but you will never be forgotten. This crab apple tree is a reminder to us of your time here. Every spring, when it blooms, your Mama and I will remember you and think about the beauty you are enjoying in heaven, and how special you are to us.

Again, farewell. We will see you again one day. Until then...

I LOVE YOU.

Papa

All pictures (accept for the one of Tim) were taken this morning of Jayme's memorial right next to our home. We chose to build it there to always be near us. Every time we go somewhere we walk right by. I like it that way. Jayme is always close and part of the beauty that we enjoy every spring. And as his Papa said, it's a reminder of the beauty he is enjoying in Heaven. That is a comfort to me, especially on days like today...when it still hurts.

I don't even know what to title this!

Every once in a while, my otherwise predictable husband, gets this raging desire to do something really stupid. He just gets this little idea and does it, no matter who might see him. So yesterday he went about his normal day...prancing through town, Men's Bible study/breakfast (at a restaurant!), the lumber yards, on the job, etc. all the while, sporting nothing less than a mohawk! Not kidding! He even threatened to shave his whole body that way! Have you ever seen a mohawked CHEST?!! Thank the Lord, he came to his senses before he actually went through with it! This has got to be one of the stupidest/funniest things he has done-by far.




I took pictures, but didn't do a very good job...I got a lot of shadow, but you can at least get an idea of what you would have seen, had you been in town yesterday!

Now, this one really gets me! So he will prance around looking like a real...something...but then I want him to be a real sport while taking pictures and make some really silly faces, mean faces, etc. He acted all embarrassed then...and this is the best I got from him! LOL!

Real scary. I SOOOO love my husband! It's this crazy side of him that keeps me laughing and entertained. He is also such a fun dad, as you can imagine! We have such a great time in our family! I am blessed! Truly blessed!!!

A stroll through our garden

These are some pictures of a few blooms we have been enjoying this past week. I just LOVE spring!



To be continued...

Spring Planting

Last week Janelle and Timmy were VERY BIG helpers in the garden! They went through the garden picking out the big rocks and old corn stalks to make my job of wrestling the rototiller a little easier. They really worked very hard and got a lot done, especially for a 3 & 4 year old!




Charles was such a good boy. He played in his walker and watched us for a few hours while we worked the ground and proceded to start the spring planting. Everyone was taking a break and enjoying a popcicle while Mama worked at planting.

More fun outside!

I just LOVE this picture of all four of my treasures on the slide!





Timmy and Janelle love taking "butterfly rides" with Mama while we sing silly songs.

I just love my little girl! We have so much fun together! (Janelle's new thing is to make silly faces for pictures...don't know where she would get the idea to do that-certainly not from such a sophisticated mother!)

Best Friends

Charles has this thing for stones. Notice him showing you his little treasure. I must say...He sure is cute! He gets that from his Hot Papa!

Charles' first ride down the slide!

Tim started building a play ground for our kids a couple falls ago. He hasn't worked on it for a while! Hopefully this spring/summer he can get more done on it. But for now, we have a fun slide, swings and sand box.

A couple weeks ago the Howell family stayed with us (more on that later) So we were able to have Amber get pictures of Charles' first ride down the slide. It would have bee pretty tricky to get them otherwise, because Tim took charles to the top and I had to catch him. So thanks to Amber we were able to catch yet another "first" moment on camera.

Charles is looking out at the top of the tower that leads to the slide.



He looks a little scared when he gets to the bottom.

He is looking at the slide, not too sure about what just happened.

We decided that Tim better take him down again right away, so he gets a ride that feels safe so he won't be afraid of it all summer. It worked. He loved it after that.

Surprise!

Well, I mentioned a while back that our family was growing by four feet. True indeed. Now, my friend Karla has been trying her very best to get me to spill the beans. She wants to know if the four feet are on our dog, or in my womb.



Well...it's like this. We did get a dog around Easter time. A great dog. Very calm, gentle, house broke, etc. She is absolutely wonderful. Janelle named her "Princess Angela" Right now, Janelle is really into dress up, and princesses, etc. So it didn't really come as a surprise when she was absolutely elaited that we got a girl and wanted to name her Princess Angela. She didn't want "Jack" (the choice name from Timmy)



So, all this fun and games! I couldn't resist giving you a tease. Mostly for Karla. She thinks it's about that time again for our family. So she has been trying her hardest to figure out my due date, or if I even have one. LOL! I love Karla, she is a dear friend...I couldn't resist the opportunity to get her at her own game.



*Side note-just want you all to know that I'm just having fun. Karla is NOT in any way bothering me with her teasing to know. She is a wonderful person, and I enjoy her friendship and even her pestering. *grin* So, here are the pictures that she has been anxiously waiting for! And as far as any feet in the womb...well, I guess you will have to just wait and see! HA!











Princess Angela meeting her new family...




All that excitment makes everyone a little sleepy and snuggly.