Vacation Bible School, a busy week, and an amazing gift!

What a week! We started off the week with Vacation Bible School’s opening night on Monday. I taught the 3 and 4 years olds and felt extremely overwhelmed most of the week. We had fun, but I’m not sure what they learned! We painted, made several crafts, played outside, participated in the penny offering, and I taught the two lessons, over and over. I wanted our focus to be on obedience to parents, that we are all sinners, and that Jesus loves us and died for us. It was an amazing week, with over 200 kids coming through the doors of the church to hear about Jesus! There were several professions of faith in Jesus Christ, and many, many visitors. I’m thankful that I had the opportunity to help out, and I’m also thankful that I have 365 days to recover before it comes again!

                                                                                                                  


My children spent time this week visiting neighbors, asking me to call friends and relatives, looking for visitors to come to Vacation Bible School. Chandler was especially diligent and asked me daily, “Who can I invite today?”. But all their hard work paid off…Garett placed 5th in the bring the most visitors contest, Wyatt placed 3rd, and Chandler placed 1st! They were ecstatic about the gifts they received, and they were up early this morning to play with the new toys!

We also visited the strawberry patch this week! My children had a great time, and I’m thankful that I didn’t need a whole lot of strawberries as they quickly lost interest! I had a hard time convincing Travis that I wanted to keep the strawberries in the box! We were able to go with my sister and a friend with her two boys, so it was a strawberry party in the field…with lots of little boys!

Busy Boys!

My helping hands

What fun memories we created! The boys had a great time, and I’m so thankful for each one of them!

Boys, Boys, Boys!

Travis

Strawberry Hands

                                                                                           


And now for the most exciting news of all! I received a wonderful gift this week as the result of lots of prayers, faithful teachers, a wonderful church family, and a special little boy. This week Garett asked Jesus to come into his heart! He woke up on Wednesday morning, June 13, 2012, and the first thing he told me was, “Mom, I got saved last night!”. I asked him if he had asked Jesus to come into his heart at Vacation Bible School, and he replied, “No, but they talked about it, and when I came home and got in my bed, I asked Jesus to come into my heart and take away my sin”. I asked him if he knew what it meant to ask Jesus to come into his heart. He gave a very clear response in replying that he knew he was a sinner, Jesus had died for him, Jesus lives in heaven, and when Garett dies he’s going to Heaven to be with Jesus! How I’ve prayed for this day, and it is with great rejoicing that I give glory to God.

Catching up in a nutshell!

I never seem to have the time to write on here like I'd like to, but I consider this blog like my online journal of my family life. Hence, I am playing catch-up! The summer is officially here, with Garett finishing his year of 4K, a family camping trip over Memorial day weekend, plus a canoe trip with friends, running a 5K, and Chandler's surgery (tonsils and adenoids removed). All that to say, I've been very, very busy! And next week starts Vacation Bible School at our church. I'll be teaching the 3-4 year olds, and I definitely feel out of my comfort zone here! I have my own children in this age group and know how much time and effort is required to help them grow, so I'm a little overwhelmed. I do not want to waste 2 1/2 hours every night for five nights, I really want this group of little people to learn something!

My awesome husband and Travis

On May 19th, I ran a 5K in our local town. It was a very warm day, about 90 degrees, and the race was at 11:30am. Another friend from our church, Jared, ran as well. My husband walked around with the kids and cheered me on. I placed 6 out of 215 women and third in my age group. I ran a time of 23:54, which in college, would have been awful for me, but 7 years out of college...I'm very happy with that! 

The friend that also ran in the race... he's lost over 100 lbs.!

Also, on May 19th, we took a canoe trip with some close friends of ours, the Longsines and the Schuberts, and a family from my dad's church. It was the perfect length for children as the water was high and moved along quickly. All of our kids went and seemed to have a great time!

The final week in May wrapped up school for Garett, followed by a camping trip with other families from our church. We went to a little campground in the Dells, and we had a great time! Saturday was a little rough as it rained off and on, and the mosquitoes were terrible! But, Sunday was beautiful! After church, we went down to the water and played water games. The mosquitoes were not nearly as bad making the day much, much better!

Getting ready to go swimming!

Loved the water

Travis has lots of little mothers!

Following the camping trip, Chandler had surgery to remove his tonsils and adenoids. I was really dreading the whole affair...not necessarily the surgery, but the aftermath of the sore throat and a possible very whining child! He came through the surgery with flying colors. He had the surgery at 8am, and we were home by noon. That was with a stop to Wal-mart to get Popsicles and ice cream, and McDonald's for french fries...yes, he ate french fries the day of his surgery! We are now on day five following the surgery and other than acting a little more tired and asking for extra fluids, my boy is the same! We are supposed to try to get him to rest and relax, but also let him take the lead in activities...so he's been riding his bike, climbing trees, and eating more Popsicles...I think he'll be fine!

Before surgery...he didn't want to wear the gown, "It's a dress!"

After surgery...resting, cuddling, and drinking

Already the summer is looking full with lots of fun family times planned. First is Vacation Bible School, then I'm taking the kids to North Carolina to see my sister and other extended family. Followed by one of my best friends from college coming to visit for a few days, then special meetings at our church. After that the family reunion with all of my husbands side, plus a few camping trips, canoe outings, and whatever else we find to do in the summer! I'm looking forward to the future, and all that God has in store for us. I know that the summer will be busy and full, but I treasure these moments with my family and the memories we are creating for a lifetime!