Our Faith, Our Family, & Our Friendships.

So It's Been a minute since I've logged in here,  but our lives have been busy with gardening, canning,  church functions,  meetings, and more!   But no worries, I've got lots to share! VBS night #4 was super fun!    The theme was fruit and veggies day which was right up Brooklies ally!   She put on a cute dress and matching scarf from Gigi and filled her little basket with all her little play foods.     One of our little friends was able to join us again also! Brooklynn won one of the best "dressed" prize too!  she was so happy!  Look at that smile! Brooklynn having so much fun running around with her group,   She Appsolutely loved it! The boys got to play slip and slide soccer,  they had a blast!     It was wet soapy fun!     

 This time we invited several friends to join us and shockingly they were all available  to join!     We offered to drive everyone and have a good time,  one friend we even invited to join us for dinner before hand! This night's theme was creepy crawlies!    So everyone brought a toy bug!     Both my kids are truly enjoying this vbs!   They are in great spirits,   doing all the "homework" and are excited each night.   This church is doing a great job!   

  Its crazy hat and hair day!       Luckily this one was easy for us as we own a photo booth and have tons of fun hats.     The Kids choose matching Jester hats with little bells at the ends of each flap.       They turned in all their finished assignments ,  said their memory verses and got points towards possible prizes at the end of the week!     Ben is even going the extra mile and saying all the books of the Bible,  new testament and old,   and quoting the 10 commandments!         Oh this kid.....

 Both kids attended,  they loved the  snacks,  crafts,  bible stories,  games,  and outdoor fun!   Brooklynn was a bit unsure at first so she asked me to stay with her and she was Not in bens groups with it bring split up by grade,  so momma got to hang out too!   Each night the kids are sent away with a bible verse to memorize for the next night and a bible sheet to complete.   It's so refreshing to have my children hear about and be encouraged in the Lord.   And yes.  No shoes.   Sheesh.  She kicked them off so fast.  Lol

 It was Brooklynn's turn this time!          She was invited to a classmate's birthday party at a local roller rink and after a few falls,  she picked it up fast and was actually skating with speed!      I was pretty shocked at how well she picked it up.    and the smiles on her face made the day totally worth it!    She loved it and says she'd love to go again as a family sometime!   One Of her Best Friends Maggie was at the party too,  and Maggie's Dad was GREAT with Brooklynn!   He helped her and Maggie learn to skate and was so kind!

If you know anything about me,   you know I am very practical.   I don't like excess "stuff" and clutter.   It causes me to feel anxious,  and unorganized.      So,  When it comes to gift-giving,   I tend to have the same feelings.   I like to give gifts that are sensible,   something people will use,  and not a dust collector or something people feel obligated to hang onto but secretly have zero use for.   Especially a teacher,    after years of teaching a bunch of students,  they have to get overwhelmed by the amount of thoughtful yet "what do I do with this" gifts. So for teacher appreciation week this year,  I tried to think outside the box,  but be cost-effective as between my two kids there are 8-10 teachers and aids total!     I didn't have to give a gift to each teacher, and it probably wasn't expected,  but I figured if I could make it affordable,  we could easily give ...

Brooklynn is the star this week!   Her teachers sent us home with a poster to fill out and this week she gets to do an "all about me" presentation to her class,  along with her first show a tell!   I think she did a great job!    It was a bit out of my zone of things I enjoy (confession,  I HATE anything crafty), but we made it happen together.    She needed a little help with some of the areas,   but she very much took this project on like a pro. and it was a good time for us,     It exercised our doing something together beyond just cooking and usual daily chores,    In the end, I enjoyed it and I know Brooklynn thinks its awesome!  

 How it delights me to see my daughter and her classmates singing beautifully to our creator!   I imagine it is music to his ears!

 My kids school/church hosted a drive to gather food for those in need this Easter season,  together we were able to bless around 30 families with boxes full of food per family!   What a blessing it was to be a part!   I took Brooklynn with me to help load boxes ,  she was amazing at helping,  stayed focused ,  and the others couldn't believe how good she was at it.  Some of the older gentleman helping ,  smiled and said "starting them early!"when watching her walk around placing items on tables.     I'm not sure she fully grasped what we were doing,  but if even a little bit sticks,  it's a life long lesson to grow up learning to give to and minister to others.   And what precious memories for her to do these things with momma.    I treasure them!  ♡       

 ITs generally a tradition at my kids school that at the end of Lutherans schools week, each kid get to choose one special person in their life to come and join them for a fun day in their class with all their classmates!     It was Brooklynn's first year,  and Due to the covid yuckiness,  It's was Ben's first year for a few.     And, Of course, Pa and Gigi were the kid's first requests!  It with a 50/50 chance they could attend with Pa and Gigi in Florida on Vacation,    But I told the kids it didn't hurt to ask!     So Ben and Brooklynn send an Individual video message to each pa and Gigi requesting them as their special person and Thankfully they accepted the invite and they came home in time to attend!  yay!          

  When it snows huge so everyone has a day off from school,  and both your kids ask to help you make bread,   you decide to make it fun and have a competition!      It made a mess,  and if I'm being honest was NOT on the days to-do list,  But how could I pass up the opportunity to make memories with my kids,   teach them something useful in life AND have fresh rolls to go with dinner?!    It was a Win-win if I put my selfish desires of the day aside,  so we made rolls.     They had a blast!    I handed them the ingredients,  and each kid made their own batch of rolls,  they mixed and kneaded everything themselves,   (Ben did need some help with the mixing part as he only has one hand,  But he rocked the kneading with one hand all on his own!)    Soft dinner rolls

   So we had some bananas getting a bit ripe.    The energy wasn't there and So many other things to do.   but I knew my priorities had to be in the right order.   So Brooklynn and I started peeling,  mashing,   and mixing.    I even taught her to use the beaters,  and together we made a couple loaves of very healthy banana bread,   using farm fresh eggs,    organic bread flour,    and sweetened with only half the amount of honey that the recipe called for (lets be real,   bananas are sweet enough!)  and we even put in some walnuts to add extra protein!      They turned out sooo good!!     Like.... so good.      My guys ate and ate it!       As we made them I shared with Brooklynn that instead of wasting them we were able to make a healthy bread,   that was a fun snack and a good breakfast for mornings.   Im not sure how much she...

 Mommy daughter night Brooklynn was invited to the birthday party of one of her classmates,   a princess painting party and  We made a big deal of it,   She got in one of her new church dresses,  and we did her hair all special and she was SOOO excited.    and Since She and I were getting time away,  I suggested to Matt that he and Ben take advantage and do something together as well.  He quickly agree it was a great idea.         So apart we both hit the town.     Going our separate directions,    We had special bonding time with our little people.   I got to meet most of Brooklynns class mates and parents alike,   which was really great since I have not been able to yet this year.     It was good to put a face to the names that I hear in stories Brooklynn shares about her day at school.    Matt and Ben spent the evening going to a coin show that just happened to be t...

 Ive been known to highlight a verse or two in my readings of Gods word,   The verses that stand out to me,  or convict me, I like to have them stand out for future readings,  or when I just need a reminder of  verses that comfort me.     Bens been known to tease me about how some of the pages in my Bible are so colorful!  lol Occasionally Brooklynn will be sitting near me or will even ask me to show her in her Bible where Im reading in mine and will pretend to "read along" with me.  It blesses me so and I do love her interest in Gods word already. The Other day Matt found her sitting with her Bible and marker and was "highlighting her Bible".   He thought it was so cute and brought it to my attention later,  Sitting right there on the couch,  was her Bible with her highlighter.   she was "just like momma".   But How sobering it was to think, Our children watch everything we do.   And so often mimic what they see...

While daddy and Ben went hunting,  Brooklynn and I decided to have special time together too!      We did some of her favorite things!      First stop we went to the park,   and played with all the kids running around.   She made "friends" and had a great time!      When she was hot and sweaty we of course made our next stop ice cream at the local shop!      After ice cream we went home ,  showered,  and cuddle on the couch in our jammies and watched a movie.     It was good to have a time with her that was designated for just fun.   So often life is a hustle and a bustle with no down time,  always on the run for school,  sports, or other life events or just simple trying to catch up on responsibilities at home that we loose that one on one connection. , so to just stop and enjoy time with my little girl so special.     ♡

 First day of 4 year preschool!!!         So many tears on my end,  But Brooklynn was all smiles and so ready to give it a try!     I'm also vollenteering in the Lunch room so I can be in the building and near both my kids while they are in class!     It's an exciting new change for us all and I pray huge blessings on my precious children as they grow in education and spiritually in our Lord!    I love the fact that their school has a church service every morning and several Biblical classes a day!    In fact,   One of Brooklynns classes is called JESUS TIME!!    Thank you Father for the freedom to send my kids to a school that they can hear about him every single day!        Her teachers!    The prince,  Mrs Gurney Aka "the boss" (joke from when Ben was in preschool that stuck!  Lol)  

 It was probably their favorite yet!    The Church family was amazing,   they motivated the kids in many ways to memorize scripture,     bring their Bibles in hand to each nights event (if they didn't have one,  they were given one) and to be excited about God's teachings.    The last evening was family night where the pastor preached a small sermon and thanked us parents for being faithful and bringing our children each night.  He had an excellent message,  and stressed about the importance of remembering that these are the children of tomorrow,   and instilling God's word in them today was vital.  He emphasized that we have to make it a priority to instill a Love for Jesus in our Children's hearts,  and show them the importance of him in their lives.     It was a simple, yet such a good reminder.       Im so thankful for these opportunities for my children to learn a...

My kids loved it!    LOVED IT!