I Believe I Can Fly

Everyone remember the song?

"I believe I can fly, I believe I can touch the sky, I think about it every night and day, Spread my wings and fly away..."

Well, I think we are entering the stage of boyhood (every boy seems to go through this stage, some faster than others!) of imagining how cool it would be if we could fly. Here are some pics of Elias doing what he called "Power Ranger moves" off the couch the other day. Which is funny, because he has never actually seen Power Rangers.

I think the acrobatics are impressive, but what I love most are his facial expressions!!! That is one thing I think I've got to give my kids credit for- they do have great, vivid expressions!!!

Good Friends

We have had such a great time with Andy, Lori, Jaren and Jenna this week! I am so sad to see them head back to Indiana tomorrow. It has just been so good to spend time with good friends. A good reminder that these friendships will remain, even across the miles! And when we do actually cross the miles to see one another face to face, it will be just like old times!

Here are some highlights of the week...

Welcome to Texas!

Kids after church Sunday

Yeah for friends!

Double Yeah for friends!!!

Elias had a TBall game Sunday night

Jaren and Andy went to cheer on the Mets

Playing in the playhouse outside. Nothing like the smell of fake bluebonnets!!!

Sweet girls holding hands

Daddies took the kids to a playground where they could excavate dinosaurs while Mommies had a girls' day out.

I kept the kids while Andy and Lori went to San Antonio. Here are the boys at dinner showing me their muscles.

All 8 of us at dinner at Rudy's ("The Worst Bar-B-Q in Texas") www.rudys.com

Girlfriends

Daveeeeeeeeeeeeee, Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier...

Everyone eating popcorn and watching a movie the last night

Funnies

Ok, so we all know that kids say funny things. Elias (and his friends) have said some particularly funny things lately, and I thought I would share...

#1. Elias singing...
The real words are: "The mountains are His, the valleys are His, the stars are His handiwork too."
What Elias sings: "The mountains are here, the valleys are here, the stars are in San Diego too."

#2. Last night Elias telling his best friend from Indiana, who is in town visiting, what they can do today...
Elias: "My Mommy said that tomorrow we can wear our swimming suits and play outside in the sprinklers!!!"
Jaren: "I have a sprinkler at home too. It is really big and it has a lot of sprinks!"
(FYI to all you hoosiers- yes, it IS warm enough to play in the sprinklers- it has been close to 90 for several days in a row. If, in reading that, you just decided you would like to have a trip to TX right now, Andy & Lori leave Thursday and the guest room will be available. LOL)

#3. Elias singing again...
Real words: "There is therefore now, no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus"
Elias sings: "There is therefore now, no combination for those who are in Christ Jesus"

Now I'm Ready To Start My Day

Elias composed a new song tonight in the bath. He was singing it over and over for so long that I decided I needed to capture it on "film" (does film even exist anymore??). He had no idea he was being recorded.

Rome Wasn't Built in a Day...

...and niether was this playset! In fact, it took 3 days with 3 retired men who knew what they were doing! That goodness Adaryll and I did not attempt this feat on our own! We are SOOO thankful for Charlie, John S., and John B. for showing us true servants' hearts by giving up three days of their time to put this thing together! It is already bringing hours of enjoyment to both kids!!!

The finishing touch was the flowerbox- we HAD to choose Bluebonnets for it!

(Remember, we ARE back in Texas)

:)

He Is Risen... He Is Risen Indeed!

We had a great Easter this year! Elias attended the Good Friday service with us and began really asking questions and making observations about asking Jesus into his heart. His understanding of why he needs Christ in his life seemed to really blossom by reading about Christ's death and resurrection each night leading up to Easter (if you don't have "resurrection eggs", get some! It is a dozen eggs, each with a trinket inside that corresponds with a specific scripture. Ours began the first night with Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey and ended with the empty tomb). Elias decided he liked Good Friday service so much that he wanted to go to "Big Church" with us on Easter. He went again today. I am truly amazed at what he learned by listening to the sermon, and he has informed us both weeks that Tim Hawks (Our senior pastor) is his favorite part of Big Church.

Second T-Ball Game

Today was the second game of the season. Our boys actually made 2 outs in the first inning! (They play until the defensive team gets 3 outs OR the offensive team scores 5 runs, then they switch). I don't think there were any outs at all in last week's game! Here are 2 videos of Elias hitting and another of Elena cheering for him. What great memories we are making!

Elias' first at-bat of the day...

Elias' second at-bat...

What Up, Cuz?

My sister and her boys came for a visit this week, so we took the cousins out this morning to take some pics. How hard is it to get two 5 year olds, a 20 mth old, and a 5 mth old to all look at the camera and actually smile (really, even to just get everyone to look at the camera!!!)? VERY HARD! Still, we got some really great shots. Here are a few...

The Corner

Elena had her first (and, unfortunately, second) time-outs this week. I suddenly realized one day that she is old enough to know what we have told her not to do and to remember it from one day to the next. So, when she pulled files out of the drawer last week, one piece of paper at a time, I decided it was time for her to sit in the corner. I sternly told her to "Go sit in that corner" and she quickly did. I'm not sure why I was surprised she knew what that meant- she really understands way more than I give her credit for (thus her ability to manipulate me!!!!) And so began our first "time out". As she sat there pouting silently with tears welled up in her eyes, I had to take a picture. What was really funny was when she realized what I was doing, she put on this big smile and said "Cheeeeeeese!". Then I had to tell her sternly "You did not obey Mommy. You stay in the corner." Then she pouted again. I figured the time out thing would sort of lose its effect if she thought it was all about having pictures taken! So, after a minute or so, she said "Sorry" and we hugged and I forgave the filing mess. The pouting was just too cute to keep to myself though....

Gooooooooooooooo Mets!

Elias is playing T-Ball this spring. I can't believe he is grown up enough to play, much less understand the rules of, this team sport!! But guess what- he is! Wow, how time has flown! His team is the New York Mets, so both Adaryll and I are sporting Mets caps on Saturday afternoons for the next few weeks. This past Saturday was his first game, and the pics below are his first at-bat. You can see he proudly made it to first (and eventually scored!) The last picture is the whole team at the end of the game, hands all in- Goooooooooo Mets!