Five on Friday

1.  Last week was beautiful in Paris.  Fred had the idea to go play frisbee golf at our local park.  We had the BEST time!  However, Fred was a little prone to tossing his frisbee in to the woods...often.  Unfortunately, we think he got poison ivy while searching the woods to retrieve his frisbee.  He is at the doctor now begging for a shot. Begging.  Here's to hoping he gets a shot...fingers crossed!!
2.  As you know I have been keeping up with loads of laundry for 2012.  As of May 31st, I am standing at 187 loads.  Good times. 
3.  Clayton has been saving for a Kindle Fire since the beginning of the year.  He is a little over half way to his goal.  While he has many good qualities that are just who he is, being sensitive to others and those around him does not come naturally.  This week while attending Bible School at FBC Paris they told him of a need for mediation for those in needy countries.  Before he left that morning he dug out enough of his money (almost 15%) to give someone medicine for 2 years.  This is nothing more than the power of the Lord working in his life.  Tears filled my eyes as I watched him leave that morning, not out of pride, but out of a testimony that God is working in his heart and life.
4.  Jack's birthday is June 16th.  We were recently discussing his party and what he would like to do, what to eat, etc.  We started getting specific about food and he requested, "Hot dogs, Cheetos, cookie bars, Frito twists, watermelon and that's it. (Brief pause...) Oh, and fried okra.  Yeah, that's about it."  Best.party.ever.
Also, Jack told me this week he wants to start collecting money.  I'm all for it.  Anybody that would like to contribute to his collection please let me know.
5.  I pray I never forget what Andrew's 2 year old voice sounds like.  He chatters all the time.  Some of the things he says right now that are particularly cute are: "What does that mean?", "Is that funny?", "Why you laughing at me?", "I wanna eat Dragon Gold today." (Golden Dragon is a Chinese restaurant here and he loves it.) and my personal favorite from the week...he was not getting his way one morning and he put his foot down, looked at me in the eyes and said emphatically, "I wanna go to Mimi's house!"

Random Catch Up

Things have been moving around here and there's a lot I need to catch on, so here goes...

1.  Fred has meetings out of town occasionally, but the boys and I rarely get to tag along because of school.  Well, since school let out Fred had a meeting at Linden Valley Retreat Center (a.k.a. Camp Linden...I spent a week here every summer for years).  The man in charge of the meeting asked us to come with Fred and we did.  Apart from a rough night in a hotel room, we had the BEST time together!!  We hiked to the water fall, canoed the Buffalo River and I even read a book.  I didn't have to cook or make up a bed and it was incredible!! 

 I have no pictures of the canoe trip, because Fred and I decided it was not a good idea to take electronic devices on a 2 hour canoe trip.  Bummer, right?!?  Those would have been some great pictures.

2.  Andrew lost his night night and we FINALLY found it after a week.  FINALLY!  Is this not the sweetest picture?!?  That's some true love right there. 

 3.  Andrew does not like the water.  Does not like it one bit.  He screamed on the canoe ride listed above.  He screamed at the pool.  He screamed on my brother's boat.  When we are at a pool he just walks the perimeter until I finally just force/pull him in.  Before you start sending me hate mail, please know that when he is out of the water for over an hour, it gets hot.  Plus, I just held him above the water, in my arms.  Needless to say this did not go well.  We are working on a plan to get through this. You can't tell by this picture, but this is where he is happiest...in a raft, with his floaties on, on the side of the pool.  Good grief.

 

 4.  My brother took us out on his boat for Memorial Day.  By us, I mean my parents, Jeffrey's family and my crew.  It was a blast!  (Minus Andrew screaming over everything.)  I'm pretty sure we reached the weight limit on his boat, but it was totally worth it.  The boys in the tube below could not have had a better time.  By the end of the day they were exhausted. 

  

5.  Our church is going on a mission trip to Seattle, Washington this summer.  Fourteen people are going, including Fred, me, Clayton and Jack.  (Andrew will stay with grandparents.)  In an effort to reduce the financial burden on those going we have had several church wide events.  One of those was a yard sale at our house this weekend.  It could not have been a better weekend for it!  I was so blown away with the generosity of our church and friends with items donated.   We all counted it a success! 

 

Fred and I like the show Antiques Roadshow.  (I know, what are we, like 72?!?)  Occasionally, Clayton will see it.  Well, during the sale Clayton found a vase.  He is convinced that it is worth some money.  I think he thinks we will show up on Antiques Roadshow to be one of the success stories.  He is so proud of that vase. 
6.  June is going to be a fun month!  We have Vacation Bible School, a trip to Aunt Janice's house, vacation (which will include the beach and a trip to New Orleans), Jack's birthday and a mission trip to Seattle, Washington.  July looks just as exciting! 

I heart summer.