Family Reunion trip to Cali

A couple weeks ago we took a trip to California for a reunion for Lenny's mom's side of the family.  Doris, Monea and Kayla came down, then we drove 2 cars down to Corning.  Lenny drove one car, I drove the other, and we split the kids up.  My car had a bit of the craziness in it....  (and some serious craziness I will post as a video)

We started off with a visit to the cemetery to take flowers to Doris's mom.  I told the kids we were going to visit great grandma where her body was, but to remember her soul was up in Heaven.  They have grasped the body/soul differentiation pretty well so far.  However, as we drove up Jazmine did say "I can't wait to see what Great Grandma is wearing."  Bless her little heart.  I reminded her we weren't actually going to be able to see her.  So as we were leaving she says, "I guess I just have to wait until Heaven to see what Great Grandma is wearing! I am so excited"  :)

 After the visit to drop off flowers it was off to the reunion!

After the reunion a big group of people went to Bubba's house.  That was a ton of fun, too!!  Everyone just able to sit around and talk and catch up for hours!  It was super hot there in Chico, and so the kids headed out to the kiddie pool!

It was a fabulous trip and we can't wait to go again!!  Lenny promised we'd try to make it every year instead of every other like we have been.  It's only a 6 1/2 hr drive from here so nothing that is too far!!  :)

Oh, here is a sneak peek of what it was like in my car with Isaac and music!  It's only a cell phone video, so not good quality....but what I can tell you is that he sang along to every song every chance he got!  

"I made Jesus my boss"

"I made Jesus my boss".... that is the phrase that the children at Vacation Bible School have been using when they accept Jesus into their hearts/lives.  That is also the phrase that my two wonderful adorable babies rushed up to a microphone in front of a room full of VBS students and teachers and spoke for everyone.

When I heard that today as I went to pick them up, my heart overflowed and I got tears in my eyes.  I was so proud of them.  They are shaping up into such Jesus loving children that I can't contain the joy it brings me. They are truly starting to "get it".  And I can see the changes in them already just from what they have learned these past two weeks.  One of the best things is to hear them talk about what they learned.

They will gladly tell you about the mean Pharaoh keeping all God's people and how a whole bunch of bad stuff had to happen before the Pharaoh finally let Moses lead God's people away.  The speak of the water splitting open so everyone could walk through.  They tell me stories of all the people who love God with their whole heart putting blood above their doorways, and the people who didn't love God didn't do it and the angels came down and took their children to Heaven.  And the mommy's and daddy's wouldn't get to see them again because they didn't love God and didn't put the blood above their doors.  And they talk of how Jesus died so we didn't have to.  They tell me how he wore a crown of thorns and had nails piercing his feet and sores on his back and his blood was shed to wash away our sins.

So today, July 1st, 2010.... my amazing 3 yr old son and wonderful 4 yr old daughter accepted Jesus KNOWING what they were doing and what it means.... and this mama couldn't be more proud.

The Pool (photo overload!)

Isaac got a pool for his birthday from Grandpa and Jenn.  It is the perfect size to fit off to the side in the yard and perfect for them to play in.  We have only had one day where they have had a chance to play  in it yet as it is still pretty chilly around here these days.  And, um, if you notice, yes, the water is only about to their ankles...LOL... mommy has issues with water, but I am working on it!  :)

Craft Time - Flowers

It has been raining....and raining....and raining.... My two toddlers have been going stir crazy, as has their mama, so we did a new craft.

This one was super easy, and a ton of fun!!  We used pool noodles to cut up and make flowers!  Mommy got a new vase of flowers out of the deal and the kids had fun.  Oh, the best part....super easy set-up and clean up!  :)

From the mouths of babes... :)

Practically every day the children say something that just either melts my heart, or literally has me laughing out loud.  I try to find ways to remember them later....like I might post them as facebook status updates or call a grandparent to share with them.  But I want to get better at actually recording my "favs". So I thought I'd do a better job of doing that here on the blog.

A couple of my favs from yesterday and today......

~Kids were riding around in the "car cart" at Safeway while I was shopping.... and they changed their names to "Honk Honk" and "Fonk Fonk" for the entire time we were in the store.  That is what they called themselves, and if I wanted them to answer me, that is what I had to call them.


~Walking across the parking lot at WalMart, Jazmine asked me what we were getting inside the store.  I jokingly asked her if she wanted to trade Isaac in for a new model since he was driving her crazy.  She says "No, I love my Buddy".  I said, well then how about we just get you ANOTHER brother so you have TWO brothers!  She said "Mommy, that would drive me crazy.  I could never handle TWO brothers, when there is only one of me!"


~Eavesdropping on the children yesterday, I heard Jazmine tell Isaac that "Mommy says all our dreams can come true so keep dreaming.  She also says we can be whatever we want to be when we grow up."


~I woke up before the sun came up today and had the living room light on.  By the time Isaac woke up and came downstairs, it was light out, but I had forgetten to turn the lamp off.  First thing he says to me this morning is "Mommy, I'm turning this light off.  You're wasting 'lectricity."  Then later he had to tell on his sister... "Mommy, sissy isn't eating her food.  That's wasting food and there are starving children."

I LOVE LOVE LOVE these kids!!  They are kind, sensitive, smart, and HILARIOUS!  :)