and in all things... session 21

Things I am thankful for on March 8, 2010...

1. Proverbs 2:6
2. My date day with my husband yesterday!!
   
3. Pot Roast
   
4. Sunny Weather
   
5. Tums
   
6. Godly Mentors
   
7. My mom's spaghetti sauce recipe
   
8. Notes of Encouragement
   
9. God's little reminders
   
10. Vanilla Coke
    

pomp and circumstance... and a little birthday fun

Wednesday night we had Isaac's church graduation. He will be moving up to the 4-year old class this Sunday and his teachers and friends sent him off in style.

Isaac wasn't too thrilled with the graduation cap....

... but we really wanted to get a picture of him in it, so Chris tackled him.Then it was cupcakes and ice cream for 8 little kids right before bedtime. I'm glad I only had to take 1 of those kids home! Thank you Aunt Nina for making the delicious cupcakes for all the kids... and 4 for Chris.

On Thursday Zoey spent some time with Papa and Grandma and Isaac and I went out for a Date Day. It's amazing how much this little boy talks when there isn't a cute girl with dimples screaming in his ear. We had our birthday lunch at Red Robin, picked out all the stuff for his family birthday party (we are going with race cars... original, I know) and even spent some time at the library.

{weeks in review}

I haven't been blogging a lot lately... just using any extra energy to make it through the day. Regardless, we have had plenty of things going on to keep us happy and busy... this month we had my mom's birthday, Aunt Nina's birthday and baby Christopher's birthday. We also celebrated Valentine's Day and even had a couple of family nights in the process.

Zoey even found a new hiding spot. Don't tell daddy!

Although, it probably wouldn't matter... he is so smitten he would probably just grin.
We've had plenty of time to play games and work together... sort-of. You know, Isaac builds and Zoey destroys.
We had a wonderful time at our church's LEGO NIGHT. We had an impressive turn out and the kids had more fun then I ever thought possible. Definitely something we will be having again! Each child even got an award for their creations: Isaac received one for "creative building" and Zoey received one for "looking cute while building." (Chris even got an award for building the tallest tower!)
We've also spent plenty of time in our PJs when mommy wasn't feeling too well... picnics in the living room, special movie nights and plenty of cuddling.

and in all things... session 20

Things I am thankful for on February 20, 2010...

1. Deuteronomy 6:4
2. Liquid Band-aids
   
3. The still, small voice of God
   
4. $1 side salads from McDonalds
   
5. Light Dimmers
   
6. The leading of the Holy Spirit
   
7. Cinnamon
   
8. Sunshine
   
9. TRESemme Hairspray
   
10. Psalm 27:1
    

ohhh pregnancy... I remember you.

I love being a mom.
I love having kids.
I even love labor.
I'm just not a big fan of pregnancy.

I have finally received some help from my doctor to ease the pain of the 1st trimester and I am very grateful. Now it's time to wrap my brain around adding another child to this crazy life. I'm realizing that with each new addition, I get a little more realistic on how life is going to change.

Because I have been so sick, my children haven't had my undivided attention as usual which really bums me out. I was so excited I had some really great down time with Isaac tonight as we read the Bible before bed. I'm not sure whether he was just trying to stay up later or not, but I found myself yelling for Chris to come and help me answer all of his questions. We were cracking up because we were speechless for some of them. Let me know if you have any great answers for me to give my son!

Questions from Isaac:
1. Why did God make a storm for Noah but stop the storm for his friends in the boat?
2. Why didn't Jesus try to talk to Goliath to make him love him?
3. Why are angels invisible?
4. If angels are really big and protect us, then why are there pictures of baby angels with little wings?

Kseniya Simonova

I'm sure by now most people have seen this, but in the rare chance that you haven't I wanted to pass it along.

Kseniya Simonova is a Ukrainian artist who just won Ukraine's version of "America's Got Talent." She uses a giant light box, dramatic music, imagination and "sand painting" skills to interpret Germany's invasion and occupation of Ukraine during WWII.

The Great Patriotic War, as it is called in Ukraine, resulted in one in four of the population being killed with eight to 11 million deaths out of a population of 42 million.

our little blueberry

7 weeks and counting... here comes baby #3.
We found out in the middle of January, and Isaac is so excited. He even announced it in his Sunday school class, but because he has been saying that for a year now, I think everyone assumed he was mistaken. (He did mention that his mom "peed on a stick" so there may have been some suspicion). We decided to have some fun on the winter retreat and played 20 questions with the students. Everyone cheered as Miss Jill announced that I was pregnant... then they laughed as someone yelled in the back "when is Lori NOT pregnant?" We are very excited... and although the 1st trimester doesn't agree with me very well, I am thrilled to continue adding to our family. This time I am convinced that Isaac knows exactly what is going on, except for the fact that he keeps calling it "the babies"... that is a mistake! He asks me how big the baby is getting every day and today we found out it is the size of a blueberry. Ironically, blueberries are one of the few things that sound really good to eat! Let the journey begin!

"Mama, you look sick. Is the baby running around in your belly?"
-Isaac Bunk-

It has been nice knowing about the pregnancy and not letting on. As soon as people know, the questions start to flow....
1. Yes, we were planning on having another one
2. We aren't sure if this will be our last one or not
3. No, we don't really care the gender, although Isaac is convinced he's having a brother (he's confused on why I don't think there is 2 in there)
4. Isaac wants to name his brother Jackson... I have no idea why. Zoey just wants to call it "bebe!"
5. Chris never likes the names I pick out, so I just keep saying the names until he agrees... it's going to take the whole pregnancy
6. Yes, we will find out the baby's gender... we get way too excited to wait
7. I am due at the end of September

Tent of Meeting 2010

We are back from our winter youth retreat, Tent of Meeting 2010. This year was incredible and God moved in the lives of the teenagers more than ever.

photobooth

We had so much fun at Lance and Jeni's wedding!
See the rest of the photobooth pictures HERE

Lance-n-Jeni Cupp

Congratulations to Lance and Jeni Cupp!
You are both very loved.
xoxoxI didn't have my camera, so I stole this picture from my sister. I will post more as I receive them from other people...

Wake Up Call

Yesterday I had a major wake up call. I had a parent/teacher conference with Isaac's preschool teacher followed by a quick talk with our preschool director at the church in the room he will be moving up to in March. My baby boy is growing up! I didn't think I would be that mom... the one who starts to get choked up talking about her kids getting older... but I think I failed. The time really is going by so fast and I can't seem to slow it down. Pretty soon Isaac will be starting a job, graduating from college and marrying a girl that is almost good enough. Excuse me while I go and sob my eyes out....

Our Missionary.

Me: Isaac, did you know that Papa is leaving
again to go to India to help people?
Isaac: He just went there. Why he go again?
Me: Because he is a missionary and God wants Him
to go and help people.
Isaac: I want to do that too.
Me: Well, if you were a missionary, where would you go
and tell people about Jesus?
Isaac: Disneyworld!

and in all things... session 19

Things I am thankful for on January 27, 2010...

1. Zechariah 14:9
2. Hot Showers
3. Cuddly Kids
4. Orange Juice
5. Extra Strength Tylenol
6. Compassion
7. Provolone Cheese
   
8. My son's love of puzzles
   
9. Aluminum Foil
   
10. The Peace that Passes Understanding
    

PJ Night

If you are a mom... especially one who has been in ministry... then you can probably relate to this post. I've realized that sometimes when life gets too busy, and there isn't much you can do about it, you just have to get creative with your family time. Tonight was one of those nights. Chris and I both had an overwhelming amount of work to do at the church, and instead of splitting it up and taking different nights to go and do it, we wanted to just take one night and leave the rest alone... that's how we came up with "PJ night at the church." The kids got in their PJs and we spent our family time at the church. Because I am a PK myself, I remember having some great times growing up and being at the church when no one was there. I'm hoping the same is true for my kids. I've learned not to get stressed out or allow myself to feel out of control, but instead, just get a little creative and allow my kids to just enjoy being together... wherever we are.

Any creative ways you have found time to spend with your family?

The Last Big Hoorah

Yesterday we took Jeni out for her last big hoorah before her wedding day. The day started with just the sisters and our mom... massage, pedicures and lots of coffee... with lots of laughs. We then met some of the bridesmaids for lunch, rock climbing and shopping. At night we sat by the fire and showed Jeni how much we love her. It was such a special day for such a special girl!

So... rock climbing is way harder then it looks. My arms were ON FIRE. I got pretty far, but my arms were like jelly! Such a great workout!

There was a lot of smack talk going on, so we decided to take it to the court. Big props to Sarah who dominated at Knock Out!

It was very dark during dinner so I didn't get many good pictures... but our little bachelorette looked amazing! We love you Jen and are so proud of you! Only 5 more days until you are going to live with a boy!!!