God is faithful

He really is. Each year, as summertime approaches, Ryan and I get a little stressed because we know that money will be very tight. I don't work over the summertime, which is a blessing that allows me to have special time with my kids, but is also very tough on our pockets, because we don't have that extra income. In years past, Ryan has picked up a second job, just to get us through the summer. He'll work evenings and weekends. And it's certainly a sacrifice. But bless his heart, he's willing to do whatever it takes.

This year was different. We have become very involved in ministry at church. And we feel it has given us a renewed purpose in life other than simply working a job and making an income. So, when the financial stress began to mount this summer, Ryan was tempted to take on a second job again, which would mean backing out of ministry...but as we discussed it, we decided to trust God to make ends meet, and continue to volunteer our time at church.

I'm not kidding, I don't know how we've made it this far without that second income. But we have. And we've decided to give God the glory for this one. We feel He has honored our decision to stay in ministry, and to trust Him with the details. Thank you Lord for your faithfulness! You are so Good!

Mark's Date w/ Mommy!

Today was a special day for Mark and me. After breakfast, we went out on our usual morning powerwalk. But this time, we left the stroller and the 2 younger kids home with Daddy, who had stayed home from work today to heal from his sunburn! On our brisk walk, I asked Mark to tell me all about the waterslides he'd gone on yesterday at the waterpark. He ended up describing in detail his entire day. And I loved every moment of it.

It's so fun to hear him tell stories from his perspective. He really is a neat kid, and I love to get to know him more and more as he develops who he is.

By the end of our walk, we were dripping with sweat. Good times. We suited up and headed out to Phillip's waterpark. Again...just Mark and me. As Mark patiently waited, I enjoyed every second that I was able to lay on that lawn chair and catch some rays without having to look after little Reese and Rina. Finally, Mark convinced me to get up and go on some waterslides with him. I can't remember the last time I went on a waterslide. Probably pre-motherhood. So, it was pretty neat for Mark to see that I was willing to go on the slides with him. We hit every single one. And I got awfully drenched. Even my hair...which is another rarity for Mark to witness. He and I both savored every moment. Then, we jumped into the pool and practiced swimming for his swim test at camp. It was so fun to splash around and have each other's undivided attention. It was a very fun date w/ Mommy!

Kids say the darndest things!!!

Yesterday, Kid's Connection took a special trip to Raging Waves waterpark! Ryan went to help chaperone, and I brought the kiddies so I could hang out with Kristi and her little girls and Rachel Toftoy and her little boy. It was a lot of fun and a lot of sun!

After our little guys played their hearts out on the mini waterslides and in the huge sandpit, we met up with our hubbies and decided to have an icecream treat. We hung out for awhile and enjoyed exciting stories from the school-age kids about their waterslide experiences so far that day.

Then Kristi, Rachel, and I decided to have our kids lay down on some lawn chairs in the shade so we could take a rest from the sun. On our walk back, Reese suddenly had to go to the bathroom. But of course, being the little stinker that he is, he didn't just say, "Mommy, I have to go to the bathroom." Instead, he shouted, "Mommy! I have pee-pee coming!" Oh goodness! As I tried to hush him, he shouted even louder, "It's coming from my PENIS!" What!?! I was so embarassed! He never says that word in public! Why in the world would he say that?!?! As I reprimanded him, he must have thought he would give me one more scare...so he interrupted me and said, "I'm touching my.....Pants!" Arrrg! Reese! I thought he was going to say the other P word again. And that had been his little tricky plan! Just to get a rise out of Mommy. Little stinker! And all this in front of my friend, a pastor's wife!!!

At our chairs, we were sitting there chatting, and little Alia (the youngest of the bunch at 23 months...and also the group 'tattle-tale." LOL!) came up to us and said, "Weena! Poopy!" (Which meant Rina has poopy). Yes! Poor Rina had had an accident in her little swim suit bottoms. Yuck! So, while I was pulling her into a corner to discreetly clean her up and put some new bottoms on, she thought she was in trouble, and shouted, "No spank, Mommy! No spank!" Luckily, no one was really around to hear her. But if they had been, I'm sure I would've received some nasty frowns!

Why do my kids have to constantly say things to embarass me?? But, I've decided to find humor in it and realize that no child is perfectly behaved. These are my sweeties. Reese and his sneaky little antics. And Marina and her dramatic episodes. I'm not going to fret over how someone may perceive my kids in an off-moment like that, when I know that I am already constantly trying to teach my kids what is appropriate and what is not.

Where was Mark during all this craziness?? Actually, I have no idea. We hardly saw him all day! He rounded those waterslides and that lazy river all day long with a couple guy friends and a couple really cute girls too! What a stud-muffin!

One more thing...back on the kiddie-slides, Rachel, Kristi, and I had a great system worked out. Kristi stood at the top help our kids board the slide...Rachel stood at the bottom to catch them as they zoomed down toward the water, and I stood at the pool's edge to lift them out of the pool so they could run back up for another turn. Well, after our 'rest-time' on the lawn chairs, we decided to take the kids back over to the slides. Reese ran so fast to the top and slid down so quick, none of us had time to get to the bottom to catch him! He was a bit confused, and looked at this random lady sitting on the edge of the pool next to the slide, and he asked her, "Why didn't you catch me?!?" Poor lady! She said, "because I don't know you, darling!" Haha! Reese Alan!!! That was hilarious! Expecting some stranger lady to catch him at the bottom of the slide. Well, that's it for the waterpark. Ryan and Mark came home with nasty sunburns. So I doused them with aloe while we waited for the Grove's to come over for dinner. We ordered chinese. That's always fun! Then we challenged each other to rounds of Bomberman on playstation, till our thumbs were sore. Fun day!

Taking the Kids Downtown

Mark was so jealous that Ryan and I spent a fun weekend in Chicago without him...so we promised him that we would take the kids downtown for a special family day on Saturday.

We decided to ride the train, because we knew that it would be so exciting for Reese and Marina, who are huge fans of 'Thomas the Train.' Here's Marina with Daddy, excitedly watching the train arrive.

Mark asked Uncle Brandon to sit with him up on the top level. So cute.
Reese and Marina absolutely loved the train ride! The look on Reese's face is one of sheer excitement!

Mark was pretty impressed with this monstrous sculpture. The orange looks cool with the colors of Mark's football jersey.


After seeing all the pics from Ryan and my previous trip to the city, the kids were pretty excited to take pictures of their own at the 'Bean' in Millenium park!


Mark...you're the cutest ever!

We caught some live music while walking through the park.

Mark and Uncle Brandon were chosen to receive free t-shirts!

They asked the band to autograph their t-shirts.

I don't know who was more thrilled...Mark or the band, which was made up of 3 college kids trying to make their mark.


Brandon especially appreciated the band because they had a cellist. That is one of Brandon's favorite instruments. He has taken lessons to learn to play it. And it definitely added a unique quality to the band!



...Playing in the park...


The Brody family!

Can you tell? I love kissing on my sweeties!!!

"A little rain won't spoil our fun!"

It did drizzle on and off all day...but we were determined to keep our promise to our kids and spend the day in Chicago. What fun we had!

...walking back to the train station...after a long fun day!

It looks like Marina was pretty wiped after having so much fun!

"Mommy, are you mean?"

This is a new one! This past week, whenever I've been frustrated with my kids (like when they push and fight, or when they cram pennies into my car cd player so that it no longer works!) Marina has come out with a new line: "Mommy, are you mean?"
I'm trying to understand what she means by that. Does she mean, "are you mad?" Or does she mean, "are you being mean to us now?" Hmm...I haven't quite figured it out yet. But I do know that it certainly makes me step back at that moment and view my actions and my tone of voice through their eyes. What an enlightening experience that is.

Celebrating 10 Years!!!

On August 15th, Ryan and I will celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. But, since that month will be booked with football practice, Kid's Camp, and 'Back-to-School' madness, we decided to celebrate it this month. So, this past weekend we spent a couple days in downtown Chicago. Our close friends, Michael and Kristi, joined us, making our weekend that much more special!



We found lots of creative places to take photos. I guess that's bound to happen when you're spending the weekend with an artist...
We had dinner Friday night @ the Grand Luxe Cafe. Yummay! And then we had lunch reservations Saturday @ the Signature Room up in the Hancock building. We were lucky enough to get a window seat. Perfect!

We had some fun taking pics @ the 'bean' in Millenium Park.

Here are some more creative shots. On our way to Navy Pier, we just happened to pass a building with strangely lit windows. We thought it would be a great spot to take pics. And here is what resulted! Who knew we could laugh so hard and have so much fun in front of a bright, white window??

Add to the mix a couple theatrical performances, shopping on Michigan Ave, some crazy dancing on the stage of a hillbilly country singer (don't ask!), a very competitive game of mini golf, and a couple late night movies, and we had a very memorable weekend in the city. A perfect way to celebrate our anniversary. Thanks Michael & Kristi for celebrating with us! Let's do it again next year! xoxo

A Weekend In Chicago!

We arranged for some family members to watch the kiddies so we could spend the weekend in Chicago with our 2 best friends! It was a much needed getaway. And it was the perfect way to celebrate Ryan and my 10th wedding anniversary!

We had such a blast! Too much fun to put here into words. Lotsa pics on the way.... as soon as I upload them. Then you'll see what I mean. Total blast! xoxo

Calvary Church Picnic

Call me hokey, but the Calvary Church Picnic is one of my favorite days of the year! We have been attending the picnic every year for 2 decades, and we have built so many fun memories...on that field playing games...in those tents grabbing food...and on that hill listening to concerts and watching fireworks. When Ryan and I were dating, we would hang out together all day with our friends, and then pull up a blanket and watch the fireworks, totally 'twitterpated' with each other. It's such a blast coming now, as a married couple, and bringing our kids to relish in the same fun that we did in our youth. I love it!

Mark and his buddy Noah stood in line about 4 times to climb through the huge inflateable obstacle course.

Uncle Brandon had the priviledge of sitting in the dunk tank! So many kids, who recognized him as the Kid's Connection intern, stood in line to have a shot at dunking Brandon!

"This is the way we roll, we roll..."

Time for fireworks! Oh yeah!