How Daddy...

How Daddy spends time with the kids with the kids in bed after praying with them and tucking them in. :)

AWANAS Awards 2013

Chris, Abigail and I have finally finished AWANA Cubbies! We celebrated 2 years of serving and memorizing verses with other 3 and 4 year olds. We will be moving up to the next group of AWANA kiddos, Kinders-2nd graders. The fun part is that all of us, including Isaac will be in the same group together on Wednesday nights. We are looking forward to next year!

WARM beach day...in OREGON!! True

Sand is such a great toy!!!

Making mermaid tails

It was warm enough to even splash in the waves a bit

The kids and their "tails"

This made us laugh!

Isaac happy while making Gramma do all the work!

Aubree flying her first kite

Picture of the day!!!

She even introduced "friends" to one another

When the weather says it will be near 80 at the beach, an Oregonian cancels all other plans and heads to the coast. It was the best weather we have ever had at Cannon Beach; it wasn't even that windy. We didn't put on a sweatshirt once during the day!

Isaac LOVED directing Gramma as to how to build his fort while Abigail's highlight of the day was the constant influx of butterflies that would periodically land on us. She was delighted every time and carefully took care of her beach "pets."

The Opfermans joined us, which is always wonderful. It was so wonderful, we somehow didn't notice that Aubree, their petite 2 year old wandered off. We immediately sprang into action, leaving Papa at the blanket  with the rest of the children while all the other adults headed in different directions to look for her. Within minutes, we knew she was legitimately "lost." I was in such a panic, I was literally running up and down the beach, calling aloud, "Jesus, help us!"

I was so proud of her parents. They were calm and collected on the outside (despite the panic in their hearts), asking people around to help look for her. After calling 9-1-1 to report her missing, the voice on the other end said the words that we all were desperate to hear, "Is her name Aubree?" Deep breath...she was safe. Despite her little legs, she had managed to make it 100s of yard down the beach where she approached an older lady and ask, "Where is my Mommy?" The lady reported it to beach patrol, hence the 9-1-1 operator knowing her name and the fact that she was safe.

It was SO scary, but Jesus did help us. She was safe an returned. It was a day we will not soon forget!

Tulips 2013

We made it to another wonderful, sunny day with the tulips in full bloom. I just love this tradition!

The silly boys with silly teeth

I see her so grown up in this one...

Isaac's future wife?

We'll never get a "good one," but they are so cute.

Abigail taking a pic if me taking a pic of the Opfermans

So thankful to be a "stay at home" mommy!!!

Last but not least...$1.50 kids meal night!!!

Fun Moments March, April 2013

Just love a good girl's night out!

My sweet Ben, loved with Trader Joe's stickers

Playing "dress-up" Isaac style

"I see you mom!!!"

Isaac's "car" for AWANAS (he wanted a pod racer)

Kayla and Abigail

Who would buy this, really???

Celebrating with Gma & Papa at Melting Pot

xoxo

She has a style all her own :)

Mother's Day Card 2013

Today is Mother’s Day. It is a great time to reflect how amazing of a mother Amber truly is. I often tell her how she is the best mother that I have ever seen. She often responds, “yeah right.” It is so true. She takes her role as mother very seriously, always thinking of how she can feed our children’s minds, hearts souls and yes of course their stomachs. She instills God’s word in their lives every opportunity she can with words, but more with actions.

Every year I ask the children, why do you love mommy? Over the years the reasons change, but you can see how much they love their mom.

Abigail: I love Mommy because she is pretty, she is prettier than any other person, I love her because she makes us healthy food, even if we don’t like the food, it’s still healthy, Mommy is really kind to me, to Isaac and Noah’s family (our next door neighbors) because she bakes stuff for them.

Isaac: I love Mommy because she always makes our dinner, she’s really cute and pretty, I would never want another mom because she is the best, because she is a good reader, she is the best mom in the whole world, and because she knows the truth of the Lord.

Daddy: I love mommy because she puts others first and herself very last, she is always making sure that we are all well taken care of, she takes time for each and everyone one of us, she cleans, and cleans, and cleans, and cleans some more, she has a heart of compassion for others in need and she instills that same quality in our children, she prays for others, she has a love for Jesus that is so raw and so beautiful.

Amber is truly the best mother that I have ever met. We are honored that God gave her to us. Happy Mother’s Day my love.

Love,

Your husband