Need a Laugh?

We went out for breakfast today before Eric headed to work.  This is something we rarely do, if ever, so it was quite a treat for all of us to have the time together in the morning hours.  We ate at Cracker Barrel.  For those of you who do not know much about Cracker Barrel, there is a store that you must walk through to get to the restaurant.  Our kids love looking at all the classic toys, and they now carry Webkinz as well (and they're cheaper than other places).  The kids were having a case of the "I wants" and "Can I pleases" while we were there.  Of course they were.  They are kids, after-all.  As we were getting into the car, we spent some time talking about being grateful and not asking for more stuff all the time (like they need anything).  The entire conversation ended when Eric said to the kids, "You two need to check your attitudes, "  and Ava replied, "I checked mine, and its at 80%."

Field Day

Our homeschooling co-op had our second annual field day today.  It was your basic, traditional field day with sack races, tug-o-war, water balloons, and more.  The weather was beautiful, sunny and cool for this time of year.  I had the privilege of chaperoning the 5-6 year old group today, which was fun.  I enjoyed hanging out with Lukas and some of his friends all afternoon.  The kids were great and had a ton of fun. 

Lukas was very excited to come home with two first place ribbons.  The first was for the short dash and the second for the obstacle course.  These were both timed events, so now he thinks he is super-fast.  I don't know about that, but I do know that he and all of the kids showed great sportsmanship today!

Ava came home with three second place ribbons and one first place ribbon.  She is not nearly as competitive as Lukas, so, while she loved showing Daddy and Grandpa her ribbons, she didn't bask in the limelight quite as much as Lukas.  She also had a great time!

I was able to get some great pics, though because I was with Lukas and his class, I have more of him than Ava.  Check them out HERE.

Kids' Slide Show

We had a busy day yesterday with Lukas' last soccer game, a party and awards afterwards, and dance pics for Ava.  We took lots of pics.  Eric took the good camera to the party and awards since I had to take Ava to the dance studio at the same time.  I was able to see the game, but both the picture schedule and the awards schedule were out of my hands.  I took the old camera to the dance studio just so I could share one or two pics here of how adorable Ava looked!  There are also pics from the YMCA this past Thursday in this slide-show.  We are so proud of how much better both kids are doing in the water.  I would definitely say that Lukas is a swimmer now(both on his front and back...he even knows a couple different strokes), and Ava stays in the water willingly, lies on her back willingly, and even goes under now and then.  The Y definitely knows what they are doing when they teach swimming!

Check out the slide-show HERE.

I Fell in a Hole in Mexico

For those of you who don't know, Eric and I were on a cruise last week in the Western Caribbean.  We took a 5 day cruise with stops in George Town, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, Mexico.  It was the most relaxing vacation I have ever been on, and, at this point, it is the best vacation Eric and I have taken without the kids (because you really can't compare a vacation with kids to one without).

This was our gift to ourselves as we celebrate 10 years of marriage at the end of June.  It was the first time we had left our kids for more than 2 days ever.  I had an incredibly hard time with this as we were getting ready and packing.  I left detailed instructions for Nana and Grandma who were taking turns staying with our kiddos, much more detailed than either of them could possibly need.  It was for MY benefit and peace of mind more than anything else. 

When we were leaving for the airport on Monday morning, I gave each of the kids tons of hugs and kisses, and we prayed with them before we left.  I called them when we landed in Tampa and when we first got to the boat, and that was the end of all sappiness.  Did I think of the kids?  Of course I did, BUT, I didn't dwell on it all week.  I feel kind of guilty about that, but, the truth is that I had such a great time that it became a non-issue.  I did, however, take about 50 pictures of iguanas and 20 pictures of various ships and boats all for the sake of showing the kids.  I am only exaggerating about the number of iguanas a little, and, Lukas thinks those are the coolest pictures we took, so I'm glad I did it!  Digital photography is so great, isn't it?

The highlight of the trip for me was snorkeling on a reef near Grand Cayman.  It was the first time either of us had gone snorkeling.  It was amazing!!!  AMAZING.  One of the tour guides who was with us actually held a sting ray and we were able to touch it and take pictures (we took an underwater camera).   The fish were beautiful.  I could go on and on about the whole snorkeling experience and how great it was for me, but I can't do that without saying that we neglected to think of one issue before going.  Eric could not wear his glasses with the snorkeling mask, so he really didn't have a great experience.  If we have the opportunity to go again, he has said that he will purchase contacts beforehand so that he can see more.  I kind of feel badly that this was my favorite part of the trip because he didn't enjoy it as much as I did, but it really was incredible for me.

On Thursday, we were in Cozumel, but, the truth is that Eric and I were hardly in Cozumel at all.  Cozumel is an island, and we had booked a mainland excursion to see the Mayan Ruins of Tulum.  In case you were wondering, this is where the title of this blog entry comes into play.  We took a ferry from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen, where we had to walk 5 minutes or so to a bus that took us to Tulum.  That 5 minute walk was not so good to me.  I was looking around as I walked because, well, who walks with their head down watching for holes in the sidewalk?  Not me.  I guess that was my mistake because, as you have most likely guessed, I found a hole in the sidewalk rather unexpectedly.  As a result, my right leg has the largest scrape I have ever had in my life and a knot on my shin.  It bled quite a bit, but someone from the tour company cleaned it up for me right away and got the bleeding stopped(and then our guide asked me about 50 times throughout the day if I was okay).  I climbed onto the bus knowing that my left ankle was injured.  I walked on it all day since when you go to see Mayan ruins you really can't just drive right up to them.  This tour was the main reason we chose this particular cruise.  I wasn't about to miss it.

It wasn't too bad until I sat for an hour on the bus ride back to the ferry.  After that, the swelling and pain set in on both my right leg and my ankle.  By Friday, I couldn't wear shoes from the swelling (though I loosened the straps on one of my sandals as far as it would go so that I would have a shoe on for dinner...it was not a dressy sandal by any stretch, but at least it was on my foot).   Some of my shoes are still not fitting well, and it has been 5 days since the fall.  My ankle is wrapped, but still a little swollen, and my right leg is still very swollen.  However, not even this stole my joy on this trip!!!

I spent Friday doing exactly what I had planned to do.  I sat in the shade (because I also returned from Tulum with quite a sunburn...those temps on the Mayan Riviera, not so good even with layers of sunscreen when you are as pasty white as I usually am) and read a book most of the day.  I spent a little time in the hot tub.  I iced my ankle a little.  Eric waited on me a little more than usual when I needed something.  He never complained even once because he is an exceptional guy.  It was a peaceful day.  I have no complaints. 

This trip was so good for us.  To have five days uninterrupted with just each other is something we haven't had since Lukas was born 6 1/2 years ago.  We do not plan on waiting that long to have another vacation alone.  We were able to talk and just spend time together to an extent that I can't even remember doing before because it had been so long.  Go on vacation with your spouse.  You'll never regret it!

My favorite part of the day was sunset each night(so beautiful and romantic).  We captured each night's sunset on camera, and one night, we actually saw dolphins playing in the ship's wake as the sun set!  Amazing!  And the stars?  Did you know that they twinkle?  I have lived in or near a city for so long that I had forgotten, even so, the stars when we were at sea were more amazing than I had ever seen.  It was impossible for me to see all the gorgeous sites this past week and not commune with God.  He is an amazing God, isn't He?  I am in awe of Him because of the many blessings I received last week.  I have the most amazing God and the most amazing husband as well.  Add in the two most amazing kids in the world, and I am one blessed lady!

Of course, I have created a smilebox full of pictures (and I mean full).  I did not include all the iguanas or ships, but I put in a few.  Enjoy the slide-show by clicking HERE. 

Soccer Goals

I almost forgot to blog about this, and I REALLY should not be blogging right now.  I still have a few things on my to-do list for the day, but I'm not too concerned.  That being said, this will not be my most eloquent blog. 

There is a little boy on Lukas' soccer team named Pablo.  He is an amazing, adorable, little 5 year old boy who moves around on the soccer field as if he was born to play.  Generally, all the other kids on the team kind of just follow Pablo around the field(we're talking 4-6 year olds here).  Lukas usually likes to play goalie, and the coach often lets him, but when he's not playing goalie, he usually follows Pablo too.  It is hard to explain to a 6 year old that he has to try to be kind and gentle...except when he's on the soccer field. 

Anyway, yesterday, Pablo didn't show up until the last quarter of the game, and some of the other kids, including Lukas really got to shine.  Please don't get me wrong here.  I am so NOT faulting Pablo.  He really is just so good at the game that he just goes to town on the field.  It was, however, great that the other kids kind of broke out of their shells a little yesterday.  Lukas scored his first goal during a game!  He was so stinking excited!!!  He also stopped a couple of goals while he was playing goalie, which, as I said, is his favorite position to play anyway.

It was definitely his best game ever.  I think the game has started to really click for him, and he's learning so much this season.  We were so proud of him yesterday.  He played hard all four quarters.  I think the biggest factor in this was that he had a bigger audience.  Grandpa, Uncle Jeff, Aunt Cathy, Jochen, and Kyle were all there to cheer him on.  He was so, so excited that they were there!

It is so fun to watch your kids grow in this way.  He has learned so much about soccer since he first played last spring, and it is exciting to see the change in the way he plays.  I love going to his games and seeing how much all of the kids have improved since the beginning of the season.  They've learned so much!  We only have one game left on the 17th.  I'm looking forward to being there and cheering him on!

Soccer Goals

I almost forgot to blog about this, and I REALLY should not be blogging right now.  I still have a few things on my to-do list for the day, but I'm not too concerned.  That being said, this will not be my most eloquent blog. 

There is a little boy on Lukas' soccer team named Pablo.  He is an amazing, adorable, little 5 year old boy who moves around on the soccer field as if he was born to play.  Generally, all the other kids on the team kind of just follow Pablo around the field(we're talking 4-6 year olds here).  Lukas usually likes to play goalie, and the coach often lets him, but when he's not playing goalie, he usually follows Pablo too.  It is hard to explain to a 6 year old that he has to try to be kind and gentle...except when he's on the soccer field. 

Anyway, yesterday, Pablo didn't show up until the last quarter of the game, and some of the other kids, including Lukas really got to shine.  Please don't get me wrong here.  I am so NOT faulting Pablo.  He really is just so good at the game that he just goes to town on the field.  It was, however, great that the other kids kind of broke out of their shells a little yesterday.  Lukas scored his first goal during a game!  He was so stinking excited!!!  He also stopped a couple of goals while he was playing goalie, which, as I said, is his favorite position to play anyway.

It was definitely his best game ever.  I think the game has started to really click for him, and he's learning so much this season.  We were so proud of him yesterday.  He played hard all four quarters.  I think the biggest factor in this was that he had a bigger audience.  Grandpa, Uncle Jeff, Aunt Cathy, Jochen, and Kyle were all there to cheer him on.  He was so, so excited that they were there!

It is so fun to watch your kids grow in this way.  He has learned so much about soccer since he first played last spring, and it is exciting to see the change in the way he plays.  I love going to his games and seeing how much all of the kids have improved since the beginning of the season.  They've learned so much!  We only have one game left on the 17th.  I'm looking forward to being there and cheering him on!

Healing

I was thinking last night as I fell asleep about how much things have changed in my life in the past year, how much God has restored.  The past month has been pretty crazy around here.  We took on too many outside activities, which caused a lot of stress for all of us, but, honestly, mostly me.  There were some other outside issues causing stress too.  I have been out-of-sorts, to say the least.  I am certain that my poor family would agree with this assessment.  Even thought things have been nuts and I haven't been making all the right choices for myself or my family, we're together and pushing through.  That's what we're supposed to do, right?

Last night, however, as I said, I was focusing on how much work God has done in my life and the lives of my husband and children in the past year.  It is nothing short of amazing to me.  As Eric and I bowed our heads to pray together as we do each night, something we had stopped doing years ago and just started renewing in our lives in recent months, I was just struck at the difference in our family life and in our relationship from a year ago.  I don't always share things like this so candidly in my blog, but, hey, why not?  I have a lot to praise God about here, and I want to share it with the world!

I know that healing is a process and it takes time, much more time than I'd like.  I would surely like a quick fix to all my problems.  Wouldn't we all?  It just doesn't work that way.  God has already healed so many wounds in my life that I have no doubt that He will continue healing my heart.  He will be faithful to complete His works in my life and the lives of each of my family members and your life as well.  No matter how dismal things look for you right now, always remember that God is in control and that all you have to do is go to Him.  He'll carry you through.  I promise you that.  He who began a good work in you WILL be faithful to complete it!