Audrey

I've been having a blast with my "new" camera. I know that I'm probably not very good yet but it's been really fun trying to figure out all the settings and I"m amazed at how awesome the pictures turn out compared to my point and shoot camera. Here are a few pictures I took of Audrey today.

Our first Picnic and Park Day of the year

Little Audrey snackin on a piggy cookie {that

s what my kids call 'em anyways-not sure why??}

Little Man Zander chillin'

Cutie Patooti Gianna

Just a swingin'

Pretty Lady Ava

Zander's little feet

kissin'

Sweet Melina

Owen

Random Happenings.....

I am really irritated! I had a post all written up and was about to submit it when {POOF} it disappeared! Where did it go? I don't know but now I have to start all over again and I'm not happy about that!Anyways, it was yesterday and it was going to be a Five On Friday but now that its Saturday I'll have to try something else ; / So here's just the highlights of what we've been up to the last week or two.......

~ I {finally!!!!!!} got a new {to me anyways} camera!!! I am sooooooo excited about this! Almost as excited as the birth of my children ; ) Just kidding! But its up there! I found a good deal on a Canon Rebel on Ebay and snatched it up. I got it on Wednesday and have been taking pictures almost non stop. Its been way fun and I'm so excited to have a camera that will take decent pictures instead of using the crappy one I've had to put up with for the last year and a half. I will be post lots of pictures soon!!

{O.K, I couldn't wait...Just had to put a couple pictures up}

~ Last Sunday we took the kids on a {mini} vacation up to Duluth. We stayed at The Edge Waterpark. It was so much fun and the kids didn't want to leave. They asked quite a few times if we could move there or at least stay there for 14 days. It was probably the most enjoyable to the 3 oldest since Audrey and Owen were freaked out of all the water spraying and the loud rushing of water. Ben and I took turns watching the little ones while the other had fun with the older ones. I love the water slide and had to beg the boys a few time to go with me. We went there about 4 years ago and it was way more fun this time because the kids have gotten older and could enjoy more of the park. We will most definatly be going there again!

~ Daddy and Clint are on there way to pick up a camper that we found on Craigslist. We are so thrilled about this! We love camping and its going to be so much more fun with a camper! Its really old! As old as me- made in 1982!  We figured ther was no point in spending a ton on a newer model since having 5 children will most definatley be hard on it!

~ My sister's Daughter Gianna had her "Tea" shower on Wednesday. I love having an excuse to go to our favorite Tea Shop Cricket Meadows. Its really fun when you can go with all your friends too!

{ All us girls for Gianna's Tea}

~We have scheduled Audrey's surgery for June 25th. We had hoped to get in sooner but there was some confusion with scheduling. This is probably going to work out for the best anyways sonce we'll be done with school by then and I won't have to worry about taking more time off. I'm really nervous about driving down there by myself. I do not drive well in big cities! We will have to go down the day before to meet with the surgeons. There will be 3-4 days of recovery down there too.

~We had our last Homeschool Co-op day this week. We do have a couple activivities still with the group but it was our last regular Co-op. The kids love going to our group. They learn all kids of things and love having fun with their friends. They have been working most of the year on a Musical that they will be preforming at the end of this month called "Down By The Creek Bank" I'm really excited to see how they do! I've been having fun listening to the sing the songs they are learning for it.

{Owen driving around in the Playgroup room at co-op}

{Audrey crawlin around}

{Ethan and Blake in the Art Room at co-op}

{Clint doing stretches at Gym for co-op}

~ It is such a beautiful day today. We are planning on meeting my sister and her kids for a picnic and time to play at a park. The kids are really happy and keep asking when we are going to leave! I'm hoping to be able to take pictures too.

He Is Risen!

He is alive!

Imagine what that must have been like all those years ago.

It is still amazing today!

Thank you Jesus for dying for my sins.

Earlier this week, I asked Blake what we celebrated Easter for. He answered " for fun!" It felt like I was just doused with a bucket of cold water! How could this 5 year old think that was what it was about. I realized then that I needed to explain the real reason for this celebration in an easier to understand way to this boy. I remembered my mom telling us about it when we were young with the "resurrection eggs" I looked for ones online that I could make. The kids were really excited to see what we were going to do with the eggs that I had been filling with odd things. Each egg held a different object that represented part of the the death and resurrection of Jesus. The boys were so excited to see what would be in each one as we read a different scripture that went along with each egg. I felt like they really understood what happened all those years ago. They're faces were so sad when they thought about how His hands were nailed to the cross when they opened the egg that held a nail. And how His side was pierced and bled when they opened the one with a sharp stick. But they were really excited when the last egg they opened was empty because that represented the grave that was empty because He had risen from the dead. Now I've been asked all different questions this week since we did it- it seems like they have been really thinking about it alot. Clint wanted to do it again when Daddy was home, so we did it this morning with him.

I hope that you will just for a few minutes think about that day. He died such a horrible death. He didn't deserve it. But He chose to do it for you and me. For all of us. Will you accept this amazing gift He gave to us all?

In Christ Alone

In Christ alone my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This Cornerstone, this solid Ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled when strivings ceace!

My Comforter, my All in All

Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone! -who took on flesh

fullness of God in helpless babe!

This Gift of love and righteoussness

Scorned by the ones He came to save.

Till on that cross as Jesus died

The wrath of God was satisfied-

For every sin on Him was laid:

here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain

Then bursting forth in glorious Day

Up from the grave He rose again!

And as He stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me

For I am His and He is mine-

Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life no fear in death

This in the power of Christ in me

From life's first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His hand

Till He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand!

I'm not sure who this song is written by but it brings me to tears almost everytime I hear it or sing it.

What an amazing Lord we have!

3 on Thursday

1} We bought the 3 oldest new bikes this week. They were so excited. Even Blake, who can't ride one himself yet, said to me " Mom, I don't even know how I'm going to pay you for this!" I said  "a kiss will do" so he made me shut my eyes and gave me a " double smooch". I love that boy!

2} I have been pretty sick this week with a horrible headcold and I felt better today, but have lost my voice almost completely. The kids seem to be taking advantage of my inability to yell at them and have been extra mischeivious. You'd think that Ethan would know better than to put a little rubber band around his neck without me having to squeak out that he shouldn't. And I shouldn't have to tell a certain 5 yr old not to pee in the tub ( 2 times in one minute!) I mean, come on, give mama a break! I think it going to be a while before my voice in back to normal because I can't even rest my voice completly without having to strain it to get them to hear me!

3} Next weekend Ben and I are going to our District Republican Convention. Ben is a Delegate and I'm an Alternate (although I know I won't be needed since I'm like number 10! ) It has been a couple years since Ben and I have been away for the night without any kids. Ben volunteered me to sing the National Anthem at the convention too! I'm getting a little nervous about it since I haven't been able to do much practicing now that my voice is gone- hopefully it will be back soon. I really hope I don't embarress myself, I will be doing it accapella and really hope I don't start on a wrong note. Oohh, I'm getting really nevous now just writing about it.