We have a preschool graduate!

Eric proudly displays his graduation certificate

Mommy and the kids celebrate with Eric at the reception

Teacher Mrs. Alexander celebrates with Eric too.

Eric announced on the way home that he was now on summer vacation! Already in the mindset of a school-age kid! We look forward to having a kindergartener in our house in the fall, but we will enjoy a long summer together, making memories and trying to keep him just a tiny boy for a few months longer. Our baby is growing up! He is very close to reading now so we will continue working on that over the summer too. So fun to see the world through a boy's eyes who is eager to take it all in! God is good!

I am MOST Thankful for...

My husband Chad, who is SUCH a loving and caring father to our children, and who is concerned foremost with being a person who loves and lives for God, and who is a wonderful husband to me, always trying in big ways and small to remind me that he loves me. Thanks for being you, Chad! Thanks for the incredible Mother's Day surprise of moving our washer and dryer to the upstairs (no more hauling hampers and baskets up and down, up and down, up and down two flights of steps)! You are truly the best husband I could ever ask for. I love you!

Graduation Day at Swimming Lessons!

The final class included boating safety

Eric and Anna wait for their turn to show off their back floats

Anna receives her certificate and her treat!

Eric is all smiles after earning his certificate too!

Fun in Houston

Mom and two of her girls on Mother's Day

Crazy Rooster car at the Houston ArtCar Parade!

Awesome Peacock car at the parade

So, yes, I survived my four plane flights between May 5- 12, and my family survived at home as well. In fact, they did better than surviving! Chad is an amazing dad and the kids had a great time with Daddy. Caleb even gave me the cold shoulder for an hour or so after I returned. He's really become Daddy's Boy in just a week! I'll post more about the kiddos later, since we've had a very busy week since I've been home and we have more pictures to share. For now, I'll just say that I had a great time visiting with my mom, sister and brother in Houston. It was a nice getaway for Mother's Day which was much needed, but I am indeed glad to be home now! I also had a good trip to Kansas City for computer training with my friends at Duquesne. What a crazy week that was!

While Mommy Was Away

We Wore Ourselves Out Playing with Daddy

We Made Pizza

We Washed the Pizza Off

Caleb played wearing Anna's Crown (backwards, of course)


And now that Mom is home, I am going to catch up on my sleep and blog more another day! Thanks to those who prayed for me! I was safe indeed!

Pray for me!!!

Those of you who know me well know that I do not like to fly. I have to fly to Kansas City tomorrow morning for a training session for three days. And it's on a 50 passenger jet. A little one. If I see propellers I will freak out. I was already told we have to board the plane using those little stairs, not by walking down a nice jetway. Please pray I will be safe, calm, and that I will trust in our powerful God who controls all things. If I can post while I'm gone, I'll let you know how the flight went! Then you can pray for me as I return Wednesday night! Thanks!

One of God's Elves

So I was driving Eric to his friend's birthday party today. We passed by a large church, and he asked why we didn't go to that church. We began to discuss how blessed we are in the church we do attend, and what a great pastor we have who teaches us God's Word. Eric thought about this for a minute, and then asked me, "So Pastor Titus must be one of God's Elves then"?

Indeed, if Santa needs Elves just to make toys and map out Santa's sleigh routes, then surely God needs Elves to tell everyone about Jesus and teach people about the bible. I certainly would never equate God with Santa, or a pastor with an elf, but this 4 year old's description of our pastor as a "helper" to God was pretty astute. And pretty funny!