Independence Day Celebrations 2010

On July 4th some friends from our old church came over with their kids and a friend. They brought the fireworks which they won from the local Christian radio station.

We hadn't seen them since the first birthday of their youngest girl and that was three years ago. They brought a friend who is like their niece and she was expecting her first baby.

She had a baby boy last week. She is so happy. She is beaming through FaceBook with her love for her little baby boy. I haven't seen them in person yet, but the pictures are great.

Here's everyone. The new momma is standing.

It was a cold and windy 4th of July so we were trying to stay warm while we enjoyed the fireworks & Rice Krispie Treats in our front yard.

Here are some pictures of some of the fun fireworks. A little blurry with my camera.





This is what a toy light sabre looks like waving in the dark.





Here are all the kids. They had a great time even though there is an age difference. My daughter invited the girls into her room to play with some of her toys she has hung onto (Littlest Pet Shop, Mini Polly Pockets, etc.) My son had fun taking pictures.

And we can't forget the food. These are some of my summer favorites.

Dream Center May 2010

We learned about the Dream Center when the youth group participated in the lunch making program during their Thirty Hour Famine (THF) weekend back in April. The organizer of the THF expressed her desire to have the youth and anyone else interested go once a month and help make lunches and pass them out. So we decided to go. This is our first month, but we've gone three times now.

Here's my son in his hairnet wrapping a bagel.


This is my daughter in hairnet as well.

My hubs on the right. No hairnet needed, ha!

Nan's kid on the left. A great friend on the right.

The fearless leader on the left and her cohort.

Nan from momstheword. Check out her blog. My son again.

My hubs and daughter.



Eating the extra sandwiches.

Then we played a fun game which had everyone laughing. I can't remember the name, but you move one seat to the left if you answer Ms Jenny's question with a yes. It's clear to see you end up sitting on laps and Ms Jenny tries to get people stacked 6 or 7 high. Oh ya, it's called "Stack 'Em". Enjoy seeing Nan sitting on people and people sitting on me.









Some how my son managed to continue drinking his soda throughout the game.

After the game it was time to load up the lunches and seek the hungry and homeless. We went to a hotel each time. The people there either live there day to day or week to week or depend on someone to pay for their stay in hopes that they'll find a way to get a place of their own.

The Dream Center helps them with training, getting showers, clothing and other meals throughout the week. They are on my prayer list. Great people making a difference in the world and some of them were homeless at one time. God bless the volunteers and those they help.

Relatives Came To Town

Recently my SIL moved back here to stay with her mom. Her two sons and a girlfriend of one helped her to drive out here from Indiana. Long road trip, but they made it all in one piece. We got to spend three hours with them while they were all here & we had a good time eating, celebrating a graduation from college and playing Rock Band 2.

My MIL and my SIL from Indiana.

My oldest nephew and his girlfriend.

My youngest nephew connecting with his new home in Alaska.

My BIL who hosted this event. He BBQd Salmon and corn on the cob & they had a wonderful salad. It was delicious.

My hubs with his little sister.

My hub's older brother and his friend.

My kids and my nephew playing some Rock Band 2.

My SIL, who also hosted this event, singing with my daughter and my nephew.

My son.



The weather was so beautiful that one week in May. We were able to eat outside on their very nice deck and sit out there a while & visit.

Back in for some more Rock Band 2.







Here are some of the women in the family with me. Two SIL's & me standing and my nephew's girlfriend in front.



My SIL and my daughter singing together.

My oldest nephew and my son.

As you can see by the smiles on our faces we had a great time.

Good food + good company = good times!!

J's Birthday 2010

My son turned 15 on July 1st!!!

J's birthday was during all of the floor refinishing and painting days so we just had a lunch with grandma and a little cake.

Later he took a couple of friends to some Pawn Shops as a day of fun. I never thought teens would think going to Pawn Shops was fun, but these guys sure like buying DVD's and video games.

J spent all of his money on DVD's and a Play Station 2. Before that he bought an XBOX 360. So Rock Band 2 is back in action at our house.

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, J!

The New Furniture Is In Place

Thanks to my SIL we have newer furniture. She gave us her furniture when she moved and didn't have room for it. What a blessing. Of course this furniture is what started the whole refinishing process.

As you can see here there were two unmatching couches and an old dirty carpet. This was at my daughter's birthday party back in March.

Here's my son posing in the newly painted & refinished room with the furniture. We have been given a lot of furniture over the years and we are thankful, but we were definitely overdue for this refinishing project.

Thanks to a lot of people this project was possible. They helped in many ways to make it an easy tansition for us. My hubs, my son, my MIL & SIL did work hard to get things ready while I was at work still.

Thanking God for family and friends who gave of their time and money.

Someone's Been In My Bed... And He's Still There

JAAAAAAACK!! What are you doing? Lazy boy. Happy Sunday everyone!