Catching Up

Ok, Ok, so I have a lot of cathcing up to do. We wrapped up another wrestling season with the boys and they did exceptionally well. They learned a lot and really enjoyed themselves. Josiah ended the season with two gold medals and a silver. Jonah got a gold and bronze. It was so exciting to watch them in competittion and see them put all that energy into something fun that they like. I highly recommend it to parents of boys. It truly is natural for them. So for now Jeshua will begin soccer and then baseball season in the summer for the big boys.
It brings me so much joy to watch each of them develop differently in sports. They all possess different talents and strengths which make it so unique and amazing to watch. This is just the beginning of our journey they will take us on and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

First Fishing Trip

The sun is out, the snow is melted and so why not go fishing. We decide to load up the canoe and all of our stuff and go fishing at the lake. The first lake we came to (Newman Lake), still frozen solid all the way across. So next stop was Couer D'Alene Lake. The boys fished for about an hour and after no luck decided collecting rocks and exploring would be more fun. Patrick and I sat by the lake, read a book and froze. However, the boys had fun, and that is all that matters. I guess you could say we jumped the gun in thinking it was actually Spring weather and that we would sit by the lake all day and stay warm. Oh well we try again in a couple of weeks. Here are a few pictures of our first day at the lake. And yes that is the wind blowing in majority of them.

Jonah is 8

Jonah was very blessed this year for his 8th birthday.  He managed to celebrate his birthday for almost a week long.  Lucky guy.  It began with a party with his classmates at school.  Jeshua and I baked him a cake and decorated the cake with Jonah's favorite animal, SNAKES.  

Then on his actual birthday he had his friend Tommy over, and cousin Jonathan.  They played and had lots of fun. We then surprised Jonah with a crab to eat for dinner.  He loves seafood and has never had crab, he was so excited and completely devoured it.

Of course a party wouldn't be a party without presents, so we did that next.  He got more magnetics, books, money, video game,and Pokemon cards from brothers. Thank you to everyone who was a part of his birthday whether you were here or not you blessed Jonah's day.  

We ended with brownie sundaes that the boys managed to put any and every topping imaginable on them.  Yummy!!!

Our last birthday festivity was taking the boys over night to a place called Raptor Reef.  It has indoor water slides, wave pool, Arcade, climbing wall, and just a lot of neat stuff for kiddos.  Believe it or not we did a lot of relaxation and just enjoyed one another.  The boys are now getting old enough to do stuff on their own so Patrick and I really hung out with each other, while watching the boys.  It was awesome.

I had to get one picture before the grand entrance.

Josiah one minute after we got to the pool.

Daddy enjoying the pool also.

We finished the weekend with a few video games, and the boys managed to score some tickets for some more toys (just what we need).  

The most wonderful thing I got out of it was family time.  We enjoyed one another and we celebrated Jonah.  I can't believe that he is 8 years old already.  As Jonah would tell his brothers "I am almost old enough to stay home alone."  Yikes he is getting close to that.  I must say I am amazed by the little man he is becoming.  He has an unbelievable understanding of what is true and right in life.  He loves Jesus, loves his family and loves others.  I am so blessed by his life and what it brings and look forward to watching him grow up to be the man God intended him to be.

Basketball

Jonah and Josiah just wrapped up another season of basketball.  They were able to be on the same team this year and they improved tremendously just in one year.  Josiah loved shooting the basketball and whether he was near of far from the hoop he would shoot and most of the time make it. He really loves playing the sport.  

Jonah however is all about defense.  He is absolutely amazing and a total team player.  He helps his team members up when they fall and is constantly looking for someone to pass to.  It is so strange how different he and Si are.  I love it though because they possess such different qualities and it makes watching them so much fun.

Upward basketball is an amazing basketball program that offers so much to children who are beginning basketball.  They incorporate so many amazing things and the boys have enjoyed themselves so much.  It is a wonderful Christian atmosphere and if your child is just beginning I highly recommend Upward basketball to anyone.

They put on an amazing banquet for all the cheerleaders and players, they all had a wonderful time.  They also brought in a ex-Globetrotter to entertain the kiddos and he had an amazing message for everyone there, including the parents.

We are sad to see the season end, however, with wrestling beginning it brings more excitement to our lives.  The boys love wrestling and I look forward to watching them compete.

Happy Valentines Day

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

John 13:34

May you all be blessed today and know that you are loved.

Happy Valentines Day

Moose Sighting in Camelot

I have seen a lot of wildlife but I think this is my most memorable one yet.  Saturday Patrick, the boys and I were walking around our neighborhood when a car pulls up next to us and says "I don't know if your boys might like to see but there is a moose in the yard to your left."  Me being shocked and a little nervous could not believe that the moose was just chillin in the yard eating off the tree. The boys wanted to get closer as did I for picture reasons but we managed to keep our distance and watch her as she walked around.  At first I thought she would come after us but she just looked at us and carried on doing what she came to do-eat.  We rushed home and got my camera and here she is hanging out in the yard looking for food.  I guess she has been hanging out for the last week in the area and there have been no incidents just a hungry moose.  It was the craziest thing I have ever seen up close. 

Being a Mom

I have had many touching moments from being a mom, when the boys come up and give me a hug or a kiss.  Or when they just do what is asked of them with a yes mom. Telling you they love you to infinite or to Hawaii, or to the moon and back.  My favorite is when they all play together without fighting and include one other.  I also love in the evenings when we relax and the boys fight over who will sit or lay next to me even after a long day of being with me.  You'd think they'd had enough of me.  There are SO many moments that I am blessed by my boys in the little things they do and the big ones too.   Last night was one of those big ones.  After the boys did there usual play time after Patrick tucks them in, Jeshua came into our room and with eyes welled up says to Patrick "your a good poppa." Of course your heart melts, I know mine did.  So after a little bit of time I went to check to see if the boys finally went to bed and Jeshie still being awake says to me "I love you to God, and your a good momma."  I can't express the joy that I felt, not because I need to hear that or because he is my son, but that I truly believe the Lord uses children to speak to us in those special moments.  When we feel like our jobs go unnoticed or we just grow tired, we get that encouragement that lets us know we are doing just what God intended us to be doing.  I am constantly amazed how He uses my boys to speak love, encouragement, laughter, peace, honesty and joy into my life and I know Patrick would agree with me also.  I hope that everyone who is a parent is able to experience what I do with my wonderful boys and never takes for granted the joy of being a parent.  May all you be blessed and look for the ways the Lord blesses your life.