Viper Day!

the five dollar hot tub!

This is Alex's creation. The five dollar hot tub! He was so proud! It has been in the high 80's and low 90's....so not quite sure why you need the hot tub,,,,,but he filled this tub with hot water and was so proud of his solution to mom's desire for a hot tub. " mom, mom, you don't need to save your money for a hot tub, I made one for you!" Hate to break it to you Alex, but I won't fit in that tub.

family excercise

One thing I wish I could have done growing up is to learn healthy exercise habits. I want to teach this to our kids, but show them that it can be fun and also benefit your body. I want them to learn the balance of being healthy and taking care of what God gives you, without falling into the vanity trap of the fitness world today. So for the last few months, on Saturday mornings, we have been going on bike rides/runs. This morning....Allie and Michael and I did a 3 mile run. They walked very little of it....Go Michael and Allie. Sometimes we find it is them pushing us! Alex stayed at a friends last night, or I am sure he would have been pushing us faster. He is an energizer bunny! The kids and I are making a goal to be able to do our own Golden triathalon by the end of the summer. The goal is a 3 mile run, a 500 yard swim and a 5 mile bike run. (definitely a mini, for you adults) But my hope is that it will give us good talk time, a healthy summer, and the satisfaction of completing a goal together. We'll keep you posted...Ha ha! What kind of things do your families do to stay active??? Let me know if you have cool ideas!

we celebrate 12 years

one more crazy pic from Michael's party

tournament in Concord, Ca

bored of our baseball pictures yet???

belated birthday parties

We had Michael and Allie's friend parties last weekend, a little late, due to baseball. Allie's friends were over friday and Michael's on saturday. It was a busy, fun weekend. We also celebrated my sister Jenny's birthday last week. James and Kaitlin were here for the week, so they got to celebrate with us. Here are some picture highlights.

rush of fools main site

If you want to hear these guys testimonies or their music, go to www.rushoffools.com

Their new cd is coming out Tuesday. Hope you enjoy their message!

Michael and Allie turn 11 with Rush of Fools

Yesterday was Michael and Allie's 11th Birthday. We had a full day with baseball games/practice and school. In the evening we had a little family party and then rushed off to a Rush of Fools concert. Amazing group, with amazing hearts and an incredible story. Some of you may know their new song on K-love,,,,"undo" (If you don't know these guys yet, you will soon, they are on their way to an amazing ministry) Check them out on myspace. Anyways, we had a fun day celebrating the twins, and God, the life He gave them, and the life He gives them now in Him. Great day! The group had a very "non-showy" approach, and even invited the kids/teens to come up and worship with them at the foot of the stage. at one point Alex felt comfortable enough to edge his behind up on the stage... He loved it! They ended the night with a song called "we all fall down". Such a special way to end the twins b-day, worshiping God all together as a family.

( and oh forgot to say, how nice it was of them to let an "annoying mom" take a picture with them! )

Michael and Alex have their first baseball tournament

Michael got to play pitcher...he was so excited....and Alex made some amazing plays from catcher too

Michael gets mvp

Micahel was awarded mvp for his soccer season this week. It was awesome to share in his award and be able to give God glory for the way He works through our little 10 year old.

Michael and Allie spend a week at wes camp

Michael and Allie spent last week at WES camp. (Whiskeytown Environmental School) They learned more about the nature surrounding us, then Pete and I could ever know. They are our new camping experts. It is like a 6th grade camp. They had a lot of fun, and bonded even more with their friends. Such a special last year of elementary school! Here they are with their favorite teacher and coach of all- Mr. Bourne

Easter

Easter morning

preaching?? no, just sharing my heart!

In our blog I typed on the header...."may all who come near, Know that God's glory is our highest aim"

And I just thinking today.....Is this family "sold out" Do you all see all the fun things in our life, school, soccer, activities, and think that's what are life is about,,,,,or do you see a family who is pursuing Jesus Christ as the highest prize. Is what comes out of our mouths, talk about our "earthly treasures",,,,or do you hear us consumed with the "true treasure". Are we pursuing God's glory as our highest aim?

I want this family to be different, to stick out. NOT FOR WHAT WE DO, BUT FOR WHO WE LOVE!
For any of you who read this blog, who don't know Jesus yet,,,,Know that my heart burns for you ...

To know the peace that can fill you when you watch someone you love dying!
To know the grace that can cover your worst offense
To know the love that will heal ANY hurt in your life
To know the joy that overcomes you, when the day's are mundane at best.
and to Know that you were made for more than this life!
True life is found in Jesus!

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" John 8:12

If any of you want to ask me anything about Jesus and the life He has brought me, nothing would bring me greater joy!

I love being able to share on this blog the happenings in our life, but more importantly I want to share the passsion of my heart - My savior! And it is my prayer that as you read about my family you will be drawn to the hunger we have for God to be glorified in our lives- So that He will!

Don't be impressed,,,,,,keep reading!

When I take the kids to school everyday, we always pass a lady sitting on the ground at a bus stop. We have passed her EVERY day since school started. We have gathered several things about her life in the last few months. She has a job, she doesn't have a car(rides the bus), she has a baby(we've seen her dropping off at the day care a 100 feet away) and she is VERY poor. She is always sitting in the grass, even if it is raining and wet. We have prayed for her many times, and felt sad. But we never stopped. Yesterday when I drove by, I felt my heart pounding. I told the kids, "that's the last time we'll drive by, tomorrow, we'll stop." So today, unsure of how exactly we could help her, or if she would think we were crazy, we stopped. Her name is Jennifer. I told her we drive by her eveyday, and we just wondered if there was anything we could do for her. She told me she was getting over pneumonia, and asked if I had cough medicine I could bring her. We told her we'd bring it tomorrow, and asked if I could stop and pray with her one morning a week. She seemed taken back, but said YES. (KEEP READING) When I got back in the car, I was "pumped up" . I told the kids how awesome it was that God was going to use us in her life. I was excited. Allie was crying.....I thought she was happy. NO, she told me she was sad for how many mornings we passed her. Allie had the right heart, mine was wrong. Instead of being "proud" that we could help her, I should have had the humility and repentance of Allie. Realizing that we had missed out on sharing Jesus with her every day!I am excited about being able to share Jesus with her now, but I am humbled by my daughter's response. Are there people in your life you are passing by......Don't wait as long as I did. Don't "just pray" for them as an easy way out. Maybe they need what you can give.

and the Laundry Award goes to.....

This award goes out each week in our house. It is a specail title which requires much changing to win. When I fold the clothes each weekend, I sort them into piles....when I started noticing that Michael's pile was tripple everyone else's, I teased him saying he won the title of the most laundry used in a week, since then, everytime I fold, they all three ask, whose the winner this week??? ( Just in case you are wondering about the prize, we all decided the prize should be the honor of putting ALL the laundry away!) We'll just in case Pete is reading this while he is out of town, we just all wanted you to know, honey ........YOU WON HANDS DOWN! I should have taken a picture to prove it, but Pete , wow you were busy looking good this week :):):) and as for your prize, I guess I'll claim it for you.

honoring a special man

This week, our hearts have been heavy as Pete's grandfather went home to be with Jesus! Papa was an amazing man, with the kindest heart. He loved the Lord, cherished his bible, and still flirted with his wife until his end days! Papa and Grannie leave an amazing legacy to us and our children of what love LOOKS like LIVED out! We are relieved that Papa's suffering is over, but so sad for his wife and family who will miss him so much!

Pete left to go to Deleware today, and should be with his family now as I type. Please pray for his safety and for the family to have a special times together as they honor their husband, father and grandfather.

this week with the kids....

!

We started off the week at Junior High open house. That was cool, weird and fun. Michael and Allie seem eager to cut the next set of strings.

Michael is Captain of his soccer team this year. He leads with integrity and passion. Here are a few pictures of him in action...Look for the bright blue cleats, that 's how we always find him!

Alex has been sporting a huge black eye, the complete shape of a baseball....Wow! Do I hate injuries. He is proud of his shiner and is wearing it as a badge of honor.

when we wern't dancing....

We were at the park this weekend. 3 differnt times to be exact. ( but what else do you do when it is over 80 in March.) The boys have been having a great time developing a love for skateboarding. It was a little scary for me at first, but my confidence is growing in their ability. Here are a few pictures of the boys "ripping it up"