Photo Friday: a flashback

Found this when I was cleaning off my fridge. Thought I'd share.






While poetry may not be his strong suit, he's a smart rascal!

Wipeout! Party

Corey celebrated his 9th birthday with a Wipeout Party. Yes, Wipeout as in the TV show. We have really enjoyed watching it and when party time rolled around, Hannah suggested we do that for Corey's party. So on July 23, the contestants arrived to compete in our very own Wipeout course, complete with pool, slip n slide, dish soap, shaving cream and trampoline. The kids were timed going through an obstacle course. It was great fun for everyone.

The birthday boy was our first contestant.


The shaving cream was a big hit...I had forgotten its magical powers to turn kids into maniacs.


A few more contestants...










Even the big kid competed. He lost by 2 seconds to cousin Jordan.


The final times...


Jon Tyler gets to hang out with the big kids.


No Wipeout Party is complete without a "Big Balls" cake...



...and presents!

Out of the Mouths of Babes - OUCH

I wouldn't be human if I didn't post some of the not funny, but brutally honest, things my kids say. And my blog wouldn't reflect our real life either. So here goes.

Tonight after our family devotions, Corey prayed and when he finished his prayer, he prayed, "And please don't let Mom get mad during homework." OUCH.

I have to admit I am short-patiented and mean during homework, so tonight I vowed to work on that. As a former educator, I have to admit that I find homework to be totally useless. I probably owe my former students and their parents an apology, because I gave homework. Now as a parent I find it to be a nuisance, a thief of what's left of the day's play time.

So after my reality check, I sat with my two middle kids and worked with them, without losing my cool. It was much more pleasant, for both them and me. Sometimes what kids say is not funny, but it is what I need to hear. Has anybody else ever gotten a reality check from their kids?

I am really ashamed that I have not posted this sooner because it is the most awesome thing a parent can hope for. Last Sunday Hannah & Corey both were baptized after asking Jesus into their heart on October 25, the Monday before. Several years ago our pastor started a really cool thing where he will allow other people to baptize besides himself so Donnie got to baptize his own children. I absolutely love that! My kids did too and were adamant that he get to do it. Here is the video of their baptism for you all to enjoy. You will probably have to turn the volume way up, but I just had to share this.

Hannah has been asking questions off and on for several years now about getting saved. We kept telling her that we wanted her to wait until she was a little older so we would know that she understood. (This, by the way, is a personal preference and is just what we felt was right.) Monday night she finally got to asking again and was insistent that she get to ask Jesus into her heart. We had a big evangelistic push this year for our Fall Festival and her words to us were, "How am I supposed to tell everyone how great it is if I haven't done it myself?" Yes, she blows us away sometimes. As we ask her about what it means to have that relationship, she answered our questions and as she was answering, so was Corey. We just really felt like he understood and was ready so we prayed with both of them. I have to say it was an incredible experience to watch my children being born into the kingom! What an amazing God we serve!