Hi friends,

It has been a while since my last post. Things here have been so busy. School is winding down for the year and we are gearing up for summer!  There are tons of end of school activities.  Plans to  be made for summer.

What summer plans do you have?  We haven’t planned an official vacation but we are looking at some places. Where are you going this summer?  Natalie will be attending a summer day camp twice a week and Phoebe is going to VBS and church camp! She is really excited about church camp. It is only one night (for kindergarten and first graders) but the cool thing is, it is the camp I went to when I was a kid. I have heard it has changed and been updated. When I went we slept in modified barns, having to drape a sheet over the rafters to keep the bugs out. We did have running water for showers and toilets but we saw spiders the size of kittens…of course I haven’t told Phoebe about any of this or she would totally back out. Not a bug liking girl.

I really just want to relax this summer. I don’t want to have my days so planned out that there is no wiggle room. I want to be able to sleep in, rest, spend time with family and friends, enjoy our evenings grilling and just relax. Is that even possible? How do you plan on relaxing this summer?

I love to read. There is a group of gals that’s reading Growing Grateful Kids by Susie Larson.  It is really good and Susie has such a passion for Christ. We are reading 2 chapters a week and hopefully going to be able to meet throughout the summer to chat about what we are reading and learning. I have 6 more books in line to read (not all this summer) but I just placed a book on hold at our local library and can’t wait to get it this upcoming week. It is by the season 5 winner of The Biggest Loser, Ali Vincent. She wrote, Believe it, Be it. I enjoy Biggest Loser and have watched it since season 3.  I will let you know how the book is and be sure to watch the season finale of Biggest Loser Tuesday at 8pm.

Have a great weekend, throw out some tips on having a relaxing, fun summer!  What do you do to make summer memorable?

I went through the pictures on my camera and realized that I had not shared some of the great times we had at the end of summer.  So here they are.

Natalie and Sam

 This is Samantha, Natalie’s friend.  This girl has such a big heart and I feel honored to know her.  She looks past Natalie’s “differences” and enjoys being her friend.  She is a blessing and I pray she is blessed for her compassion.   Samantha reads to Natalie and Natalie loves it. 

Phoebe at Christmas in July. This was at First Church

This is how the kids and some adults got wet!

Too much fun!!

This was an event held at our home church supporting a ministry that takes toys to children that are in the hospital over the holidays.  It was Christmas in July, they had a Polar Plunge, Kona Ice, all kinds of games and sweet treats.  The admission was a new toy to donate.  The kids had a blast.  As you can see the local fire department came and opened up a hydrant to “cool” off everyone.  I couldn’t tell if the fireman were having more fun than the kids.

First day of 4th grade

First day of kindergarten

The first day of school was great!  Everyone, including mom did well.  It was tough seeing Phoebe go off to school.  She’s my baby.  It is odd not having her around all the time.  She loves her teacher and is having tons of fun.  Natalie’s notebook is coming home saying she is having a terrific time in school.  She is all smiles and enjoys her class. We are getting used to the new routines of baths, stories, bed.  It is hard because it is still light out at 8:15-8:30. 

Okay, so I went to the Beth Moore Simulcast.  All I can say is “WHOA”  It was awesome.  I tried to take some pictures but they came out way to dark..bummer.  Her teaching was incredible.  She taught on Psalm 37.  I love how she gets you to a point where you want to dig and dig into God’s word. She puts it on an easy to understand, break it down way.   I had so many “moments” this weekend and I was nudged in my heart about some things.  Oh, and the worship, just let me tell you about the worship.  Rocking!! Clapping, moving, hands raised praising.  It was amazing.  It was just what I needed.  Travis Cottrell is a gifted worship leader.  If you can ever get to a simulcast or get to the real deal…GO!!  You won’t regret it.  I am forever blessed. 

Well, Phoebe turned 5 today so I will be posting pictures about that soon.  We took mini cupcakes to school and I helped in the room.  When Natalie got home we took Phoebe out to dinner and let her open one gift.  She is having a party on Saturday with family and than one with her friends the following week.  I am really tired so have a blessed rest of the week. 

Oh, Natalie is having some minor surgery on Friday, so could you say a prayer for her.  Things that are simple can get complicated quickly with kids like her.  I am confident that God will blanket her with his protection and peace.  Thanks so much and I will update you on how things go. 

We have had a fun summer.   Starting with our family trip to Disney, swim lessons, camp for Natalie, 4th of July picnic, VBS, whew it has been busy.  I thought I would share some photos.

Phoebe and Paige..swim lessons

Tricia and Phoebe, 4th of July cake

Phoebe and Natalie

The next set of pictures are from VBS.  Phoebe had a blast and learned so much about Jesus.  The pictures are of my friend Kimmie.  She was in charge of the penny war.  They gave the kids a goal and if they reached the goal the kids got to make Kimmie and some others into human ice cream sundaes!  Well, when you give a bunch of kids that kind of challenge bet your bottom they are stocking up on toppings for the sundaes.  The kids raised around $2200 for the week.  That is amazing.  The money is going to missionaries in Australia. 

Kimmie...nice and clean..

oh...chocolate, strawberry,

what a mess!!

what would you do for $3000.00..ha ha..

Adorable!!

How do you like the new look?  Kinda spunky and sheek  huh.  I wanted to have something fun. 

Can you believe that school is gonna start in 4 weeks.  That is crazy.  We have had such a mild summer.  The weather has been great but really odd.   I am nervous for school.  My baby will be in kindergarten.  This brings on a whole new hosts of worry.  She is now in the “school system.”  This is when I take a deep breathe and pray!   I know she will be fine.  Phoebe is outgoing, smart, witty and full of personality.  I know she is ready but I hope they are ready for her! 

I am kind of looking forward to getting back into a routine.  My favorite season is fall.  I love the smell of  pumpkin pie, warm cups of coffee, casseroles, apple tarts, paired with the beauty of God’s paintbrush over the earth.  The rich colors…magnificent.  I also look forward to getting back into bible study.  This semester our church is doing Esther by Beth Moore.  I started this study with another church but didn’t get to finish.  I am excited about it.  Beth Moore studies always move me.  The depth and intensity keeps me wanting more.  I have found that I need to be in a study.  That is my accountability.  I need to be surrounded by other christian women.  I need to sing the praise music.  I need to be covered in prayers and pray for others. 

What study are you doing this fall?  I have been praying about starting a study in my home this fall.  I have found that when I drench myself in God’s word, life seems to flow better..imagine that.  When I get out from under God’s umbrella, I get wet.  I am speaking from experience, trust me you get wet.  So I want to make sure I am under the umbrella at all times.  Plus, I just love doing bible study!  I am a bible study junkie. 

So, what study have you done or do you have a study that you really want to do?   Have you seen Beth Moore’s new one.  Click here to check it out.

Well, it has been a while since I posted anything.  Wasn’t the Biggest Loser finale amazing.  For those who don’t know..Helen won!!  Tara came in second and Mike third.  Jerry, who was voted off very early in the season and also in his late 60’s early 70′ won money taking the most weight off once he got home.  I tell you that show is so encouraging.  I love to see the transformations.  I also love to watch the contestants through the show and what changes they have to make.  I am not sure what trainer I would want?  Bob or Jillian?  That is a tough one. 

Well summer is here!!  I am ready to relax and enjoy the outdoors.  I do have some questions that maybe some of you can help with.  We have an adorable daughter Natalie, who has a brain injury.  She is in a wheelchair and cannot talk, eat by herself, sit, crawl, basically she is full care.  Summer brings it’s own bag of difficulties to us.  When it’s hotter than 86-88 degrees she has a hard time being outside.  So we are trying to think of fun things to do this summer.  We do take her outside to sit on our deck, go for walks, get in the pool, until it get’s too warm.  We go to the Zoo, the Museum and sometimes to the movies.  Do any of you have any other ideas.  We usually take some wash clothes and get them wet, place them in a zip-lock bag with some ice and when she’s  hot we get the cloths out and wiper her face and neck.  It does seem to help.  We are looking into getting a canopy cover for her wheelchair so she doesn’t get cooked.  It’s  just  hard because our other daughter who will be 5 soon wants some attention and loves being outside.  We feel pulled and guilty.  Any tips would be greatly appreciated. 

Has anyone gone anywhere that would be accessible and fun for a family.  Obviously things like water sports, camping and skiing are out.  Just throw us some ideas.  Thanks so much. 

Okay now onto a different note.  So, how are you gonna either lose weight this summer or maintain?  I know for me I have set a goal to work out 3 times a week.  Hopefully this will maintain and help me stay in the routine.  Now that summer is here we are doing more grilling and eating more salads.  All the fresh markets have wonderful selections of veggies and fruits.  My husband just built me a herb/lettuce box.  It is really cool.  I placed some lettuce and herbs I had in it.  We spent all day yesterday putting in our garden.  I love gardening.  It is relaxing. 

herb/lettuce box

Cross Farm

Have a wonderful Memorial Day.  Say Thank You to someone who served or is serving our country.  They have paid and continue to pay a huge price for our freedom!!  We are blessed by them and their families for their commitment to our country!  God Bless! 

I am and proud of it!!  I have lost weight…what did you think I meant? 

We are coming to the summer season.  Some of us are excited and some of us cringe thinking about shorts, tank tops and the dreaded swimsuits.  I know for me my weight loss journey has been an adventure. 

I have become addicted to the reality show, The Biggest Loser.  I think it’s such an inspiration to many people out there.  So who do you think is gonna win.  The final two are Helen and Tara.  America is going to decide who contestant #3 is.  It’s between the father-son team, Ron and Mike.  I think that America is going to pick Mike.  I also think that Helen could win this.  It is based off of percentage of weight loss, not pounds.  Who is your pick?

I was pretty thin and in shape when my hubby and I met.  Life was good, just he and I.  Than we got married.  No, no…that is great…but the weight began to creep on.  Little bit here, little bit there.  Than, baby #1.  I gained so much weight with my first child.  I was on bed rest for 10 weeks.   I got depressed, ate and than ate some more.  Well after you have a child you are so busy being the perfect mom to that baby, you yourself go out the window. 

Than my daughter suffered her injury and we lived in a hospital for 12 weeks.  Hospital cafeteria food is NOT healthy.  There I also was depressed (for a good reason if you need one to be depressed)  and I ate.  I came home with a severely disabled child and ate some more. 

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