We have already had alot of things going on and it’s the first week of June.  Our pool is open and feels terrific.  We have been grilling and entertaining, which is fun.  Elliott and I decided this summer we are getting some cookbooks from the library and trying new things. (there is always carry out..)  That should be fun.   The schedule has camp’s, a beach vacation, VBS and relaxing by the pool on it.

We have some awesome news to share, but before I do I want to share some pictures to get you up to speed.

my new favorite dessert

FairyTale Ball

great friends

chillin

I am so excited to share with you the BIG news…but you will have to come back later to find out what it is.  I don’t have all the pictures yet.  I am so excited about summer.  I am excited in the relaxed routine.  Excited about some family time!  Time to just grow together, laugh together and make memories.

One thing that will not become relaxed is my time in God’s word.  It’s our playbook for life.  I am in the process of looking for the bible study I will do this summer.  What are you doing?

A group of us are heading to the Deeper Still event this weekend in Louisville.  I can’t wait!!  Kay Arthur, Beth Moore and Pricilla S.  I am confident we will receive a word from Jesus!   Ah, a girls weekend.  What a way to start off summer!!   I am sure I will have tons of pictures and a few stories to tell.  Something funny always happens with this group of friends  and I don’t think this time will be different.

Phoebe and I went to Happy Hills Church Camp with our church.   I have to admit, I was a little nervous,  about the bugs.  But, we had fun and Phoebe learned so much.  It was only one night but she told me she can’t wait till she can stay many many nights. 

The best was the “water slide”  This thing is incredible.  They had a guy come in with a backhoe and trench this thing out.  The kids and adults had a blast!

Ms. Tonya

Camp was so much fun and tons of memories were made.  This will be something Phoebe does every summer.  Oh, by the way, we didn’t see that many bugs…hahah.

We spent tons of times with friends, having fun, eating yummy food and snacks.  Isn’t that what summer is all about!

Phoebe and Megan

Karla and Hannah

Phoebe and Emma

My girls w/ the Coop kids

last yippee before school starts!!

 So as you can see we did alot of swimming and visiting which was terrific.  School started today for our county which brings mixed feelings.  Natalie is in 5th grade, which is hard to believe, and Phoebe is in 1st.  My home is empty and quiet.  This will be a huge change for me but I am ready for routine and for fall.  I hope to help out at school and dive into bible study in a few weeks!  It does sadden me a bit.  Where has the time gone?  For those out there with little ones at home still, cherish you time.  It flies by! 

First day of school 2010-2011

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?

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. 

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!!

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 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! 

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. 

Well over the years I have ping ponged with my weight but in 2006 I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.  This is a disease of the intestines.  Things got bad.  Two hospital visits and stays.  I did loose weight with that but it was not a healthy way to do it and it came back.  In 2007 I had a bowel resection to fix complications with my Crohn’s disease.  I lost weight again only to put some of it back on.  I joined an aerobics class at our church called:

I began to loose weight and inches.  Tammy is the instructor and she has  a passion for fitness and nutrition.  She is adorable on the inside and out.  I contribute much of my weight loss to her.  Her classes are so much FUN!!  She encourages  women in her class to press on, work hard and have fun.  She is such an inspiration.  Tammy loves Jesus and shines for him.   She offers  cardio mix, cardio kick boxing, step aerobics, strength training and  some dance (similar to zumba).  I adore this class.  It is offered twice a week and has been a blessing.  She has really encouraged me, pushed me  and become a great friend. 

In April 2008 a friend of mine invited me to go to Weight Watchers.  I told her that I would go but I knew I would not do the program.  Well…once I got there and saw how inspiring and encouraging it was I decided to give it a whirl.  I joined and fell in love with the points program.  It became a game to me.  I would take my counter to the grocery and stand figuring out points.  I attended meetings and weight was coming off.  Two pounds here, three pounds the next week.  I couldn’t believe it.  I was loosing weight.  I knew I needed to be healthy to be able to care for Natalie.  I had to be in tip top shape.  This was crucial.  This was my new goal.

In August 2008 I became a lifetime member with Weight Watchers.  This was HUGE for me.  I set a goal and achieved it.  I have lost 30 pounds and feel great.  I did have to make some changes to my life and I will be blogging about that soon.  Take a look,  

Please feel free to share.  I would love to hear about books you have read.  Exercise routines you have tried and loved or not.  Recipes.  Anything that worked for you or didn’t work for you.    Looking forward to chatting about this for a few days.  Summer is right around the corner!!!  Oh, and go ahead and throw out who you think is gonna be the next Biggest Loser!!