Forever Friend

Last week, Lauren got to go to Kids Kamp at Christ Chapel with a couple of her little friends from church...She had so much fun, and even cried on the last day because it was the last day! Each day at pick up, her teacher would hand me a daily newsletter explaining all they had done and learned about...She learned about different bible verses, about the Good News, and I loved what she learned about the 5 purposes that God has for our lives: Worship (love God most, put God first), Connect (be together), Grow (be like Jesus), Serve (get into God's work), and Share (go and tell)! Something very extraordinary also happened for Lauren while she was there...On the third day, I arrived as usual to pick her and her friend Macey up, and as the teacher handed me the little newsletter, I noticed that she was also handing me a new bible and a little storybook entitled "Happy Birthday"...As I looked up at the teacher with a confused look, she proceeded to tell me that Lauren had asked to accept Christ that day! I looked at Lauren, then back at the teacher, and then back at Lauren and my eyes just filled with tears as Lauren said to me with such excitement "I'm in God's family, Mommy!" What a sweet moment, and even though I was still feeling confused about what that really meant for a 5-year-old to decide to accept Christ, I experienced such a great joy inside me knowing that Lauren had been touched by God in a special way through her experience at Kids Kamp! I'm just amazed at what a big girl this seems to make me look at her as...that she chose to take that first step in her spiritual journey towards baptism, and just wanting to grow her relationship with the One who is our "Forever Friend!" Praise God!!!

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16

(Now that's what I call good news!!!)

Dancing with...the Graduate...on Father's day...at VBS!

Here's a little of what we've been up to since my last post...More coming soon!

Dancing with our little star...She knows she can dance!!!

Me with my baby sister, the graduate...Em, you're making me feel old:) Can't believe you're off to college now!!!

Happy Father's Day...the girls are so blessed to have such a good daddy!!!

Vacation Bible School...learning about Jonah & the Whale!

The Little Mermaids

Call me Aunt Jenn!

I am so excited to announce that I'm going to be an aunt!!! Yes, it's official...Ali & Jason are expecting a baby!!! He/she, which we will not find out the until the baby is born, is due in January...Both Lauren & Meghan are so excited to have a new cousin, and Lauren has already said that it's going to be a girl since the baby will have a January birthday like her! Ali, again, I am so happy for you and I am praying for a healthy you, healthy pregnancy and, of course, a healthy baby...Love you, sis!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

I'm so excited that summer is here...and even though it is my second favorite time of the year (Christmas being the first), I have already found myself waking up each day for the last two weeks thinking "what are we going to do TODAY?" And it's only JUNE!!!

We went to our first Cats game last week and had so much fun! The girls were even willing to skip out on the kids play area they have there to watch the game...They also enjoyed getting to try every bit of junk food that you could possibly buy...Oh yeah, we went from nachos to popcorn to cotton candy to dippin' dots!!! No wonder they had such a great time:)

I really want to cherish this summer especially since Lauren is starting Kindergarten in the fall...Well, and the ages that the girls are right now are so fun! It's so nice not to be worried about planning activities that will interfere with naptime and we can eat a late lunch if we want, etc...! We have a pool here in our neighborhood which we have already spent time at almost everyday...Both Lauren & Meghan are little waterbugs! Lauren has taken swim lessons the last two years and is swimming really well! Meghan has totally surprised us this year and can hang with big sissy in the big pool, as long as she has her vest or floaties on...And it's so funny because she doesn't want anyone to help her, she just does her thing! I'm going to try to catch some video this week of them swimming so be watching for that in a few days...Enjoy the pics!

Meg, B, Lauren & Nana

Meghan enjoying cotton candy! (like daddy, like daughter:))

Lauren enjoying the game! (also like daddy, like daughter:)) Oh yeah, I was there too!

It's a Splash!

Ok...I am testing out the whole posting a video thing...The girls had their end-of-the-year program for their preschool the other night and the video is of Lauren's class performing "He mele no lilo"...It was sooooo cute! The program was extra special this year because Lauren graduated from Pre-K to Kindergarten! Also, due to the remodeling that will take place at our church (beginning sometime in the summer), ARK School is closing its doors for awhile. Needless to say, it was an emotional evening but so precious...and I feel so blessed that our girls got to be a part of the special place that ARK School has been!

Mother's Day...and more!

Here are a few pics from Mother's Day...and then just more of the girls!