Coolest Aunt!

I have two sisters and two brothers. They are all married which means I have two sisters-in-law and two brothers-in-law as well. So really I have four sisters! We are always talking about who the "coolest Aunt" is... It's never me.

That's probably because I'm organized and not very spontaneous. (Oldest Child Syndrome) It's hard work being a mom, let alone having to worry about being the "Coolest Aunt" too! But yesterday I had my moment.

It was a very hot day and after feeding breakfast to my 3 boys, 3 nieces and 1 nephew we went to the park. On our way home from the park I got a genious idea!

We stopped at the local Fred Meyer and picked up 375 water balloons and a hose attachment to fill them.

I got right to work when we got home. I filled at least half of the balloons and had them in a big plastic bin. After lunch the kids all went out to the grass and had a huge free-for-all water balloon fight! It was hillarious to watch!

We finished up with fudgesicles all around. (Very cool)

They had a great time, and while I know the "Coolest Aunt" title won't remain mine for very long, (I believe it's already been passed on.) I was definately in possession of it yesterday!

Giving is Better than Receiving

Today in church we heard from some of the missionaries we support. Laurel Hoyt is in Germany and Terry and Lori Lingel are in Mexico.

While we were watching the Lingel's presentation, we saw a pic of the kids in their orphanage riding bikes around the building. This picture wasn't a significant point in the presentation, but it opened my eyes in a very special way.

You see, my five-year-old son Daniel has just outgrown his bike. It's the cutest Thomas the Train bike that someone gave to us a couple years ago. We've been asking several of our friends if they wanted the bike for their children, but nobody had a need for it. I was at a loss, and thought we'd just have to take it to the Goodwill or something.

Until I saw that picture in the Lingel's presentation!

I asked Daniel if he would like to give his bike to the little kids in that picture. I explained that they lived in Mexico and didn't have nice bikes like ours.

Right from the beginning Daniel was so excited about giving his bike to these children! Everytime we saw a picture of the kids in the orphanage, he asked if thost kids would be using his bike. I told him yes, and that they would probably really like it. He seemed very happy about that.

I'm just so proud of my little man for his wonderful giving spirit! I hope to have the chance to grow that gift in him as he gets older.

This is Daniel riding his old bike. I'm sure he'll miss it, but it will be so much fun to see it being used by those children in Mexico!

Let's Go Fly A... Plane?

My friend George is a pilot. He offered to take some of us for a flight around the city. I thought that sounded like fun! So today my other friend Nathan and I met George at the Troutdale Airport for our flight. George flies a little four seater (172) airplane.














Now, I should tell you that I was already nervous about this flight because I wasn't sure if I'd get motion sickness. I asked George and he said nobody had ever gotten sick in the plane. He said there were some people who had felt a little nauseous, but never actually throw up. Sounded good to me! I didn't bother with the Dramamine... big mistake!

Our plan was to fly over Crown Point then over to the Milwaukie area so we could see our houses from the sky.

I took several pics of the mountains surrounding the Portland area and Crown Point. Then as we got close to Milwaukie, I started feeling sick. I concentrated on my breathing like George told us to. But when I reached for my camera to take another shot, I noticed my hands weren't working properly and they were all tingly. I mentioned this to George, and he said that's something that happens when you're nervous. He told me to take some deep breaths.

Didn't work... Just as we flew over our house, I started throwing up. It was bad for a few minutes, but I recovered and was able to enjoy the rest of our trip. George decided we needed to go back to the airport (which I was thankful for). So our flight was cut a little short.

Now I know NOT to leave the Dramamine at home! Here's a pic of me with my "souvenir". (Nathan insisted that I needed a pic of it.) I've never been more thankful for those little plastic sacs in my life!

Monkey See, Monkey Do

Today my Mom called me and said I should bring the boys over so they could decorate cupcakes with their cousins. Sounded like fun to me! I didn't know she had a specific design in mind for them, but let me tell you, this was perfect!

In my family we call the children "monkies". When I was a child that's what I was called and I'm sure my grandchildren will be called that as well. So, now you understand just how perfect this project was for the kids!

I particularly love the pic of my Mom demonstrating that you can make your monkey's eyes crossed, "Like this!".

Role Models

I would like to take a minute to tell you about one of my bigest role models in life.

His name is Kelly Carlisle, or Mr. C to those who had him as a teacher. Kelly was my choir teacher in high school. In fact, it was in his class that I met my husband! The reason he's been a big influence in my life wasn't his teaching abilities, his musician-ship or even his humor. It was his friendship and genuine intrest in my life that affected me the most.

During my senior year in high school, my family went through some really hard situations. On one particular day when I was supposed to be a TA for Kelly, he listened to me talk and cry about my struggles for the whole period. I'm sure he had lots of work he could have gotten done during that time, as well as work he could have put me to. The thing that stands out the most, is after hearing my pain for 80 minutes, he took me into his office and prayed with me. Something I'm sure he could have gotten into big trouble for.

To this day it stands out in my mind as a practical lesson showing how God's work is more important than the work of men. Thanks Kelly!

Kelly and I had coffee together last week. We had a lovely time visiting and sharing the latest news from each of our lives. He's pictured here with my boys.

For the Love of Books

I'm sure you've already met them, but in case you're new, these are my twin sons. Daniel and Taylor are five-years-old. They will be going into kindergarten this coming fall. Oh, did I mention, they can already read? That's right! I'm a proud mama!

Because I home school, Daniel and Taylor are always around when I do school work with Ethan, my seven-year-old. Naturally they wanted in on the "fun". So, I got some preschool workbooks for them to do while I worked with Ethan. To my great surprise, they blew through all their preschool work and half of their kindergarten work in one school year!

Being an avid reader myself, I hope to pass that love of books onto my children. I was almost moved to tears when I came around the corner the other night and witnessed this precious scene! Can I say it again? Those are MY five-year-old boys, READING!!! (Please excuse my pride!) ; )

Sew Excited!

This week I got a new sewing machine! I never thought I'd be one to sew. My Mom sewed when I was a kid. We had lots of homemade clothes. We even had matching outfits for our dolls!

I don't plan on being a clothing designer by any means. I don't even really want to sew clothing. I want to quilt! I had no idea what I was missing until last Christmas when my friend helped me make my grandmother a quilt. They aren't kidding when they say it's like a disease!

I still need to take a couple classes to learn all the ins and outs of my new machine, but I went ahead and completed one project on my own. I was just "sew" excited to use my awesome new sewing machine!

This is my friend Susan wearing her new birthday apron!