Where we have been and where we are going

There has a lot happened since I last wrote in mid-April. Some I can't really talk about, but will sometime at a later date. It has been a hard couple of months, but also filled with love, learning, growing, heartache, teaching, unforgettable moments, and prayer. There have been big events which I just don't have time to put on here, but I we have the memories and some on our own computer. Our camera (and Jason's wallet) were stolen when our car was broken into early May. So, some pictures we would have taken but will be forever itched on our memories.

Emily and Kiley turned 7 and we celebrated by a "spend the night" party...the girls just didn't spend the night! It was a fun time. We made homemade pizzas, made our own lip gloss, gave each other manicures, told "ghost stories", decorated purses and then capped it off with watching The Little Mermaid on a big screen while enjoying some great popcorn. It was a great evening and I loved watching the girls just enjoy being fun little girls.

Jason graduated from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School with his Masters. It was an eight year track...but he finished strong and we were so proud to watch him cross that stage! My mom has those pictures...think of I need to download them from her computer...anyway he was the handsomest graduate out there and too bad I don't have the pictures to prove it. It would make you all jealous, really. Hmmmmm...

This past week we were able to enjoy some strawberry picking. I have gone blueberry picking, but I was really looking forward to trying my hand at strawberry picking. We had fun! Here are some photos (with our new camera!) of the fun time:

I'm a little bias, but are they the cutest kids ever!!!

Here is a picture of that handsome graduate I was talking about! Isn't he dreamy???

Below is a picture of some of the best in-laws you could have. Wes is such a trooper and fighter! He was diagnosed with brain cancer in April 2007 and given 6 months to a year...three years later he is still fighting and has such an amazing attitude. He has been an example to our whole family and tons of others who have had the privilege to meet him during this journey. We were so excited to celebrate 66 years!!!! He is such an AMAZING man of God!

We gave him a photo frame with pictures of him having some great fun times with the kids. The kids then told me what they thought of when they thought of Grandpa. So we had four frames filled with their description of him. John said he was AWESOME! Emily said she loved being with him and that he was fun and she loved seeing him. Kiley said he was funny and Karli said he was funny AND cute! He loved it. In this picture he is hiding his enthusiasm. 8-)

While we were there Grandma decided to have some special things to have around the house for the kids to play when...just when they come. The girls got some homemade paper dolls, which are amazing. Grandma told Jason and John to go to the store and pick out a basketball to have around. They came back with this:
John's first BB gun. Jason said, "At least it wasn't the skateboard he wanted"...hmmmm...
Here is a picture of John helping out Wes' physical therapist. John enjoyed helping out Grandpa. He sat up the longest he has "sat" up in a long time. I think the grand kids cheering him on had something to do with it! *-)

So that is where we have been. Where are we going...crazy, that's what! 8-) No, due to circumstance (which I can't blog about) the kids will be doing school during the summer, but that doesn't mean not having fun! Stay tuned for more about what our summer school is going to include. I can't wait to find out myself. Also, there has been some research going on in regard to ideas for workboxes and creative learning activities I want to blog about. So check back for more!