The Twins Start School...

The first step of education is to have one's eyes opened and be turned from darkness to light. (Acts 26:18)

The day the twins turned three ~ they became eligible for the developmental preschool at our local elementary school.

We had been planning this for quite some time...

(of course any time you have Special Education children it seems as if that is all you do ~ go to meetings to plan!)

I had been talking to the boys about riding the bus with Tyler,

going into the classroom with other kids,

sharing,

being nice,

not missing mommy,

not crying,

and

not hitting.

I decided it would be easier for the boys to get on the bus and leave me versus me take them to school and leave them.  Not sure if my psychology was correct, but...it seemed to work!

Here they are...all ready to jump on the bus!

Tyler was already on the bus (he's fast!), but he was watching for Aiden...

Up he goes!

By Mom!

Look at that smile!

(ok - so he was looking at Isaiah who had decided to stay on the porch...he wasn't so sure about leaving mom)

All is well...

He climbed right up there.

(sad thoughts pushed away!)

Bye Mommy!

Wuf you!

I love you to my little one!

Keep your love for one another at full strength, because love covers a multitude of sins.

 ~I Peter 4:8

 

Tyler and Aiden immediately grabbed a seat together.

This is typically Tyler's seat, but he was happy to have his brothers with him today. 

He eagerly shared with Aiden.

Isaiah was looking a little unsure of himself so I decided I better take one last picture and get off the bus!

(This is a really cool seat...it has a harness seat belt built into it!)

The kids are only gone a total of 3 hours...

during those 3 hours of the first day...

I...

1. called Tim and told him I felt "weird".  I just felt discombobulated.

2. Picked up my mom and took her to the grocery store.

3. We both did grocery shopping.

4. I hit Starbucks.

5. Ran a few more errands.

6. Took my mom home.

7. Called my friend Tammy and told her I felt "weird".

8. Hit Starbucks again.

9. Dropped off my mom.

10. Went back to Starbucks.

11. Filled up with fuel.

12. Went home, finally.

13. Unloaded groceries.

14. Made lunch.

15. Sat outside waiting for the boys to get home.

They were so excited!

The day went great!

Here they were all showing me their handstamps.

(That means they were good!)

Since it was their birthday...

they were given crowns, a pencil, and of course

the happy birthday song.

My three boys!

He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the LORD!

(Psalms 113:9 Holy Bible ESV)

Devil's Bridge

This last October, Tim and I spent the weekend in Sedona for our 18th wedding anniversary.

We love the location because it is close to home (which means less driving and more quality alone time), and it offers a variety of hikes for me to explore!

Saturday morning I chose "Devil's Bridge"

Yup...that's me!

This is the bridge from below.  Isn't it absolutely amazing?

The truly amazing part is how it is being held up...

the rock formation on the right is simply a bunch of rocks piled together.  It just doesn't seem sturdy...

and yet, we kept moving forward!

Here's Tim...exploring the crevices along the trail.

I love the red rock of Sedona.

You can see so much history!

Awww...aren't we cute?

Here we made it to the top of the Bridge.

Tim is on the far side simply "being still with God."

It was very awe inspiring...when at the top, I just wanted to sit and listen.

It was spiritual in the God sense, not the whole crystal cruncher sense.

Christ "is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him." (Colossians 1:15-16)

Do you see the crevice to the left of Tim?

What exactly is there to hold this huge slab of rock up and together?

Here we are below again...on our way out.

OK - here is the bridge...now look above it to that weird looking rock...I made Tim find a way to get there...

I'll tell you about it another time...

It was fun...until I slid off the edge!

The Twins Are 3!

So, yeah...I'm really behind in my blogging...I'm going to make an effort to get caught up before Spring Break 2011.  The posts may not be in order, but they will be here!  Onward!  To the Birthday Bash!

It's so hard to believe that the twins are 3!  We are so very blessed to have been given such a gift.  We are thankful each and every day for their arrival into our home.

This year, we decided to take them to a movie for their birthday.  We were fortunate enough to have an appropriate movie showing in the theatre.  :) 

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...that's why you are here, right?

The Movie!

 Aiden and Tyler in front of the BIG poster of their very first theater experience.

 Isaiah, of  course, had to choose a different poster...

can you believe that he spilt water all over himself before we went in?  only my kids...

Here we are...well, we minus me...I was behind the camera doing a lovely job of focusing on the metal railing!

Yep, we separated the boys...it just seemed safer that way!

The theater did fill up...we just like those front row seats so we arrive early.

 Aiden is sure enjoying his first Icee...

Here is Tyler...he was very glad that his brothers had a movie party!

He loves movies.

He loves popcorn.

He loves Icees.

and

He loves being with the family!

Yep, Isaiah is trying very hard to spill, again!

Aiden decided that he was all settled in and ready for the movie to start...

He looked at Tim and said, "Daddy, push play please!"

It was hilarious!

Trying to show mommy three fingers...still working on that one.

Sister, being 16, didn't get a special popcorn box so she tried to share with Aiden.

He wasn't too keen on the whole sharing thing...

Don't worry, we bought Ashley popcorn, plus...she ended up with candy!

OK - so the group photo of all my kids didn't work out.

They were so DONE!

The Party!

Aiden admiring his new train...

Unwrapping...

Chick Hicks!

Getting ready to sing and blow out the candles...

Make a wish!

The three boys with Grammy and Gramps!

No party is ever complete without a tickle session with Gramps...

first Isaiah...

then Aiden...

and the grand finale...

Grandpa and Grandma Betty and Gage all called and sang happy birthday to the boys.

They love that part!

Happy Birthday Boys!

You are loved.



The Great Christmas Angel Wrap Up!

What happens when you get two women together who love the Lord and want to serve women?

You get the co-chairs for Parkside Women's Ministry!

This is Julie and I...

no, our outfits weren't planned, but weirdly/kismetly/ironically we do this matchy thing a lot.

It is almost scary.

Then, Julie and I, over a cup of coffee (with double shots) and a salad (because we try to be healthy ~ despite our caffeine addiction) we created/invited/bribed other women to join our team.

The other team members are:

Amy!

She represents the younger ladies in our church.

She is so hip and trendy...

and..

 Cecy!

Cecy represents our middle~older generation!

We like to call ourselves the Mission Possible ladies!  If you want to see a funny video that we made for our "Wrap Up" teaser...check out our Facebook page:  Parkside, Women's Ministry.  It is so funny!

For December's Mission...

Our church has a Christmas Angel tree each year.  The idea is that we find families in our church and community that are in need.  Our church congregation chooses an "ornament" off the tree and purchases gifts for our friends.

Every year we have such an amazing response from the congregation to donate gifts.  This year was no different.  So, as the Women's Ministry team ~ we decided to spend a morning wrapping the gifts to ease the burden from our staff. 

A group of women showed up on a Saturday morning to wrap the gifts.  We brought a brunch dish to share and a roll of wrapping paper ~ and wrapped away!  It was so much fun getting to know the ladies in a social atmosphere.  Thank you ladies!  Your kindness and generosity are appreciated.

Carol is a wrapping queen!  She got right to work...no chit chat for her!

Carol also volunteered at the Samaritan's Purse "Operation Christmas Box" this last November.  She and her husband went to California to the distribution center.  She said it was an amazing experience.  We love and appreciate all the she and her husband do for our church!  They are true servants of the Lord!

This is Nancy!  She brought bright conversation to the morning.  She and her husband also went to the Samaritan's Purse - distribution center.  Nancy said it is something that everyone should take the time to go and do.  She said it was a trip worth while.

Thanks for your help, Nancy!

 Julie and Betsy!

This was the first time I had ever met Betsy.  She is so much fun.  It is always nice meeting new people and making new friends.  Thank you Betsy for taking time out of your day to come help us...even if you still had your own presents waiting at home to wrap!

 This is Ms. Ellen.  Shhh....she wasn't really here this morning... or was she?

Ellen is the wife of our Shepherding Pastor...she was suppose to be home cooking and cleaning because the staff Christmas party was to be at her house that evening.

 Here are the few of us that made it through the morning from beginning to end...

Wrapping sure made us tired...

Julie and I are headed to Thanks a Latte...

Anyone else in need of an esspresso shot..or three?