Spring Program

McKenzie had her last spring program as a Jefferson Elementary student this week.  Every year we look forward to the program and we enjoy watching the kids show off their talent, so it was bittersweet for this to be our last year doing this.  As usual, Kenz and her friends made us so proud.  We took a few pictures to remember the occasion, and for some reason the pictures this year just really touched me.  I love that we will always have these memories because of the blog.

McKenzie Kathryn, 10 years old, fourth grade.

I love this picture of Kenz and I.  I NEVER say that I love pictures of myself, but I am so rarely in pictures that I really appreciate when I am in them with the kids.

Kenzie loves Deb so much.  She is such a great friend to us and probably one of the very nicest and most genuine people I know...and I am so glad that Kenz has her for a role model.  I think that God blesses us with certain people in our lives and I really feel like Deb is one of those people.  She is so special to me and I love so much how she truly cares about my kids...if I had a sister, I hope she would love my kids like Deb does.

Here is my heart in a picture.  I love these kids so much.  They are everything to Chuck and I and we have enjoyed watching them grow and mature into the unique people that they are.  I really love and appreciate how close Brock and Kenzie are...they are so good to each other (most of the time). :)

Dane - who couldn't fall in love with that smile?

Kenz is so lucky to have Chuck for a dad.  He is amazing with the kids and they have such a good relationship.  I love how she can count on her dad to be there for her no matter what.

With Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Jack.  Grandma Darlene, Grandpa Howard, and Aunt Judy were there too, but got away before I could snap a picture.  I am so glad that the kids have grandparent who take an interest in their activities.  I know not everyone is that fortunate.

Of course, Kenzie couldn't end the night without getting a picture with her best friend.  Kenz and Mike have a special bond and she loves hanging out with him.  He and Deb are truly such a blessing in our lives and we feel so fortunate to call them our friends.  What a great way to end a fun and memorable night.

Something New

Well, track practice starts on Thursday.  I have a very excited boy...can't wait to see what this new adventure will bring!

Just For Me

I really keep this blog for me...and for my family.  Tonight I had such a great night and enjoyed time with my kids.  I just don't want to forget some of these precious moments, so I think I will try to record them here more often...just for me and for my own heart.  With that said, I just got a text from Brock (yes, he was in another room texting me...lol!) and this is what it said:

"Hey just wanted to let u know 2 things: 1. how much I love you (more than you know) 2. I just discovered a new love for the bible!!! :) Just sayin it...luv you soooooo much!"

Now, if that didn't melt my heart, nothing will.

Volleyball

Kenzie has started playing club volleyball and she had her first scrimmage today. It was really fun to watch.  She gets to play with her cousin Grace and her friend Kimberly.  She has also gotten to make lots of new friends on her team.  Her coach has done a terrific job of teaching her the fundmentals.  We were a little blown away with all that she had learned in such a short time.  I think we are really going to enjoy this!

Goodbye

We lost Grandma today.  If you have ever heard us talk about her, you know that we lovingly called her "Grandma Weezy."  Her name was Louise and she was Chuck's grandma...and my grandma...and Brock and Kenzie's great grandma...and we loved her so, so much!  You see, I had lost both grandparents on my dad's side before I had ever met Chuck.  Shortly after we were married, I lost both of my mom's parents.  So, Grandma Weezy became "my" grandma...and I loved her no less than my own.  She was kind to everyone, but still had enough "ornery" in her to be fun.  I think the thing that I most loved about her was that she loved me for me.  She was a good person...and we will miss her.  One thing that I will always remember was when Grandma accepted Jesus as her personal savior.  I remember my mother in law, Cindy, telling me with tears in her eyes that she never thought she would see the day.  It is because of that day that I can be absolutely certain that Grandma is now free from pain and suffering and she is in Heaven with Tina, Grandpa, and so many others that have gone before us.  She was so sick these past few months and my heart is glad that she no longer has to suffer, but that doesn't take the sting of losing her away.  We will spend the next few days together as a family, loving each other, comforting each other, and remembering our Grandma Weezy.  Love you, Grandma!

I Am Loved.

Well, I love cupcakes.  I especially love cupcakes made by Tiffany Spray.  So when I discovered that my favorite coffee shop was going to be selling her cupcakes, I could not wait.  The only problem is that I knew that I probably wouldn't get one because I wasn't going to have time to go up before work and I knew that after work they would probably gone.  I need not have worried because when I got out of school today, I had a voicemail from my mom telling me that my super sweet dad had gone up at 7:30 this morning and snagged me a cupcake. Yep - my dad is cool like that.  And it was... yummy!  I found out later that my awesome hubby had tried to surprise me with one too, but, as I had predicted, they were sold out! :)

Alyssa's Senior Pics

I was so honored to take my beautiful niece, Alyssa's senior pictures.  She wanted to do snow pictures, so we waited...and waited....and waited for snow.  When snow was forecast for this past weekend we began making plans.  We met up on Saturday morning and Chuck, Jodi, Alyssa and I got to work.  We loaded the Expedition with clothes and blankets and everything we would need to get the pictures she wanted.  We had so much fun going through her closet and picking out some fun things to wear.  I will always treasure the memories we made and I hope that Alyssa will too.  Alyssa, we are so very proud to call you our niece.  Enjoy your senior pictures...it was super hard to pick just a few for the blog!  Love you!

My Friend Kay - Kelly's Korner

This is my beautiful friend Kay.  Kay is a 61 year old widow.  We have been teaching partners for several years and there is no one that I admire more.  We teach in a rural Northwest Ohio school.  She is a wonderfully caring mother of three adult children and a loving grandmother of six boys (no girls yet!).  Kay suddenly lost her beloved husband, Steve, 3 years ago.  Kay and Steve were the model of what a loving, open, and honest marriage should be.  They were best friends and they valued their family relationships above all else.  Kay has amazed me with her strength and her ability to move on with her life after suffering such a loss.  She is such an encouragement to all around her.

Now, I have NEVER done anything like this, nor has Kay, but for some reason, when I saw this on Kelly's Korner blog I just had a feeling that I should ask Kay whether she was willing to give it a try.  I was pleased and surprised when she said, "Go for it!"

Kay enjoys spending time with family and friends.  She loves to travel, read, and she is a fantastic seamstress...very "in demand" in our little area. :0)  Kay is looking for a friend...someone to share experiences with.  She deserves to have a good Christian man who will treat her with the love and respect she is accustomed to.  I think that someone is out there who would be incredibly lucky to find and meet my wonderful, beautiful friend!

If you know of someone who might fit the bill, please leave a comment and contact information in the comments. Even if you don't know someone, would you consider leaving a comment for my sweet friend Kay? I think she is so incredibly brave to allow me to do this for her and I think some encouragement would sure do her heart good.  Thanks so much for visiting!!!  My fingers are crossed! :0)

Halloween 2011

I can't believe that I haven't posted anything in so long!  Life just gets so busy and it is hard to make time for blogging.  I definitely need to make time to document special times in our lives.  Time just goes by so quickly!  This year, Brock did not trick-or-treat...he actually went to Ft. Wayne with friends.  This was his first Halloween not spent with us...it is hard to deal with the fact that he is growing up and having his own life experiences that don't always involve us.  Kenzie went to a Halloween party and the girls all went trick-or-treating together...so she didn't go with us either.  Definitely apparent that my kids are growing up.  I did get to take some pics of Kenz and her friends to remember the day. :0)

 Hay Ride

 Loved this cake that Sandy made!  It had "tombstones" with each girl's initials.  Super cute!

 Cass

 Laney

 Kenz - she cracked us up with this costume!

 Our little "Pookie"

 Ciara

 Paige (aka - P-Diddy)

 Maddie

 Lexi

 Kirty

 Kimber

 Brianna

 Derek

The whole crazy gang!  Love them!