Father Abraham

So, my little angel sweetly asked me to do devotions with her last night.  Part stalling, Part really wants to learn something... So I open her book and decide we need to learn about Rebekah, because hey, Carly has a WebKinz that she has graced with this name.  We are reading about her going to the well and giving Abraham's servant water and watering his camels (What a thoughtful girl!) and pointing out God's Plan.  She's listening so intently and looking so thoughtful, you know, the look you REALLY want to see when you are teaching Sunday School, etc.  Just when we are about to pray she says, "I have a question."  I so should have said, "No questions allowed."  I will know in the future.  You just never know what you are going to get.  Did NOT see this coming.  

"Is this Abraham Lincoln we are talking about?"

Oh dear.  

No kidding, I made her get up and taught her the Father Abraham song.  (Which she had never heard before... we've been so remiss!)  She looked at me like I was nuts at first....

Father Abraham had many sons,

many sons had Father Abraham.

I am one of them, and so are you.

So lets just praise the Lord!

Right arm....

then she decided, "oh! A dancing song!" and was completely into it!  And was laughing so hard by the time I got to "Nod your head!" that she actually collapsed on the floor, gasping for breath for the giggles.  Glad I can be so entertaining.  If you know Carly, you can COMPLETELY picture this scene...

Cousin Beach Fun

Ok, I am somewhat remiss in posting these pictures... they are from a WEEK ago!  Our day at Coquina Beach.  With Torrey, the infamous cousin who now resides in Texas.  These 3 have practically grown up together and are STILL thick as thieves.  There was a lot of giggling this past week... lots of Nintendo DS, too!  

Wild hair girl... we went to see the movie UP! (pretty cute) and Tracy and I were completely convinced that when they show Ellie as a little girl, it's Carly.  Completely.  Especially when she took her helmet off and her hair went EVERYWHERE!!!  Um, and the constant talking, and missing front tooth.  

It's so hard to believe Torrey is 13!  She is quite the little lady now... but still makes time for her little fan club.  She also informed me that she reads my blog!  HA!  I have arrived... so, here's my shout out to TORREY!  What I really loved about this week were the glimpses of her mama I saw in her!  So sweet.

Ben and Ryan had a great time playing catch on the beach.  Ryan also made the sandcastle with Ben.  Such a great Dad!  He always makes sure his kids have a good time.  You know, by spending time with them!  Love that.

And, because I couldn't resist... Carly saw this boat speed by and went "AAAGGGGGGHHHH!!!!  A pirate ship!"  She might have run for cover, too.  I'm not sure, I was too busy cracking up and scrambling for my camera.  Always entertaining, that girl.

Papoo throwing buckets of water on the kids... Ben was the 3rd one he got, and you notice no one is running away.  The didn't mind one bit.  He could have saved his time sneaking up on them!  

We had a great time at this beach and are looking forward to many more Beach Days this summer!

A word about the header... and today

New Blog Header.  But as I changed to a new one, I realized that there would be no "record" of the old one, which was pretty meaningful to me... so here it is.

Ryan on the beach in Washington State.  September 2007.  It was our first time seeing the Pacific Ocean and we were both pretty emotional about it.  It just seemed bigger than the Atlantic Coast.  So vast.  Endless.  Our first thought was how much the kids would LOVE seeing it.  So we are taking them this summer...  

Ryan is a fantastic father.  He won't love me saying this, and I know he won't agree, but he so completely shows Ben and Carly a picture of their Heavenly Father's love in his words and actions.  He is consistent, and dedicated to showing them God... and he loves them.  Completely.  The words I wrote on this picture (www.picnik.com... love that site!) are from one of my favorite songs that we sing in church.  At Easter time, I wrote out the words here.  Good stuff...  

Now the New Header... 

Ben at Coquino Beach, last Sunday.  We had this really fantastic day with my parents and Tracy and Torrey.  We loved it so much, we are going back tomorrow.  We went in the late afternoon and the sun was amazing over the water, as you can see.  This picture has not been altered, except for the verse I added.  When I run (you know, for a block...) I so often feel like I'm not good enough (I'm SO SLOW... and I STILL just stop!!) and I have been using that as an opportunity to be thankful that I CAN run, walk, move...  And as I was watching Ben run around the beach, playing in the water with his cousin and sister, I just had to be so thankful that he CAN.  We are blessed with wonderfully healthy kids.  And after Ben's Birthday choking incident (yes, that event is STILL one of those life altering things for me, but in a completely good way), I am REALLY loving this verse.  It is perfect with the picture of him in the depths of the ocean.   And yes, while we were at the beach Sunday Ryan and I kept saying, "They are going to LOVE the Pacific Ocean!"  Can't wait.

Today.  Last day of school.  Ready for a FUN summer!  

Mr. Coffee is back...

... THANK GOODNESS!!  Ryan is so happy.  He doesn't drink coffee, but CrankPants does.  Today is a MUCH better day!

Yesterday was bad...

... I broke my coffee pot. Haven't been able to replace it yet. See? Bad.

The Teacher's are Bored

... and this is how I know:  7 days left of school and now every day has to be Some Kind of Day.  Today was "Crazy Hair Day".  Carly was THRILLED.  And Ryan was THRILLED that I was home this morning to create the hair you see above... as far as he's concerned, every day that Mom's Working is Crazy Hair day.  If you click on the picture, you'll be able to see the glitter.  I don't know, I kind of like this look.  Reminds me of the Whale Spout days when she was 15 months old.  Multiplied.

More Stealing...

Another post in which I refer you to SOMEONE else's post because, well, it's just so funny.  Actually, I will be adding to this post...

Tracy, I was just wondering if perhaps THIS was the Elf?  Because he's pretty sneaky...

Ahhh, treasures from the past.