Happy Easter!

HE IS RISEN! Trust you had a blessed Easter...we are so blessed to serve a RISEN Saviour!

Natalee's Drumstick

Enjoy!

Strawberry Pickin'

The other day Molly had a chance to go strawberry picking with her cousin...YUM! We ended up with a half a flat...soooo good! We nibbled on them for a couple days and then I froze the rest...they'll be good for making smoothies for a great summer snack!

By the way, here's a great recipe for Strawberry Yogurt Smoothies---courtesy of "Family Fun" magazine:

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
1/2 pint strawberries
1 banana
2 8-oz. containers nonfat strawberry yogurt
1 cup lowfat milk

1. Ask your child to wash the fresh strawberries, hull them, and pat them dry. Peel the banana and slice it in half or in quarters, then place all the fruit in an electric blender.

2. Spoon the yogurt into the blender, then pour in the milk. After sealing the lid, press the puree button and blend until smooth and thoroughly combined, about 1 to 2 minutes.

3. Pour the shake into four 8-ounce glasses. For a creative presentation, have your child garnish each drink with a fruit kebob (a strawberry and banana slice threaded on a bamboo skewer) and a colorful plastic straw. Makes 32 ounces, or four 8-ounce shakes.

4. TIP: An adult should always be present when children use a blender. Keep the blender away from water and make sure the lid is tightly shut before pressing the puree button.

5. To make Frozen Strawberry Pops, pour smoothie mixture into a Popsicle mold or into small paper cups, cover with foil then insert a craft stick.

6. Carefully pour the Strawberry Yogurt Smoothie mixture into a plastic Popsicle mold. Freeze for 4 to 6 hours. Dip the mold in warm water, then unmold the Popsicles. Makes 6 to 8 Popsicles.

The Big 7-0

Dad turned 70 last Wednesday, May 28th! SO....we celebrated the whole week---starting with Sunday, the 25th. We had a big churchwide spaghetti dinner right after the morning service---complete with meatballs, garlic bread, BLT salad---and even egg rolls (one dear lady made 250 of them)! But I'll have to elaborate on that in a future post because I don't have pictures of that event right here. What I DO have is our little celebration on Memorial Day...
We had some friends join us for a barbecue after the parade and our family visit to the cemetery (which always concludes with a visit to Dunkin Donuts with Nana and Bumpy). I made Dad a chocolate cake and we sang to him and had him open some gifts from us.

I think he was feeling somewhat "fussed over"---especially since the day before had been geared toward him as well. That's okay, though---he deserves it! =)

Happy Birthday, Daddy! We love you...

Moving Up & Catching Up...

Well, today was an exciting and fun day at DCA...it was "Moving Up Day"! For a portion of the day everybody got to move up a grade in order to get a feel for what next year is going to be like. This included Kindergarten, so Toby got to go to the "Teddy Bear Picnic" today and see what K-5 is all about. Despite the event's title, Toby brought his dog (that remains unnamed) that he personally "stuffed" with Mimi and Buppa last year. He had SUCH a great time and wanted to go back tomorrow! I had to inform him that there is no school on Saturdays (well, usually). Sad bear. I mean dog.

So..........while Toby was at school I went down the street and visited my cousin Gregg's wife Heather (and a long time friend) and their newest "blessing": Samantha Joy! She was born about 3 weeks ago now...she's so sweet! Big sister "Emmie" let me hold her for a while and even showed me a thing or two about the proper way to do it---isn't she a pro? =0) It was so good to chat a while and enjoy the company of an old friend (the adjective "old" is not describing you, Heather...rather our relationship!). We'll have to do it again! God is good.

Teens Care...

Last night we had a neat teen activity. We're friends with a pastor in the Midwest whose family is having some extraordinary trials right now, so we thought it would be a neat opportunity for the teens to minister to them by sending some encouragement in the form of a "care package". As the teens arrived Brennen had a slide show going with various pictures of the family included. To further acquaint the teens with them Brennen gave a brief synopsis of some of the difficult things this family has been facing over the last few months. Then we split the teens into small groups at various "stations" around the room. For instance, one station was dedicated to decorating the box that we'll be sending...another was for small groups of teens to pose for pictures that we'll send in the box...We even included some video footage so the family will know more about WHO is praying for them. =) Then we ate a delicious snack of chocolate/rice crispie/marshmallow bars that a mom of a teen made---yum---followed by a special time of prayer for each member of the family. It was neat to see the teens hearts softened and burdened for these complete strangers (to them). Their hearts are bonded to them because of Christ!

To close out the evening we played "Pictionary"---always so much fun!

"Rhapsodizing Entertainment"

There are certain moments when a parent gets nervous. Sometimes the nerves are mixed with dread, sometimes fear---other times excitement. Well, last night the latter (est?) was true of me...it was Robby and Molly's piano recital at Dublin Christian Academy. I was "flying solo" because Bren was at home ushering Toby and Timmy off to their last night of Awana, taking care of Natalee and then picking the boys up and getting them all in bed before we got home (isn't he wonderful???). SO....as I was watching and listening to Robby and Molly's performances I went into that "only take in as much oxygen as is absolutely necessary to survive" mode until the very last note was played, their hands lifted from the keyboard and they stood to take their bow. Whew! How do you spell relief? (O-x-y-g-e-n...) Robby played Joplin's "The Entertainer" and delivered it very well! He dressed up in a straw hat, suspenders and even a cane to carry home the ragtime theme...the affect was appreciated by his audience (but who's keeping track?). Molly performed beautifully the "Rhapsody in Blue" theme by Gershwyn. There were some tricky spots in this piece and she rose to the challenge and graciously conquered them, giving her audience a relaxed and enjoyable performance (do I sound like a biased critic?)

Now, as anyone who has ever performed in a recital can relate, Robby and Molly were a bit anxious prior to their "moment in the spotlight" tonight. I'm so thankful for opportunities we have like this to point our children to the Lord who is able to undergird and strengthen the "faint of heart". These are times when they are able to see their faith being tested and they have a choice to make. I know our prayer is that when faced with any challenge where they feel inadequate or unable to "fight the good fight" they choose to put their trust in "the Almighty One"! After all, it's in His strength alone that we accomplish anything good---and to the glory of God. As I've been reminded in our "M&M's" Bible study: it's never too soon (or too late) to point them to the Lord---the Giver of ALL good things!