GOTCHA DAY!

Romans8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.


June 11, 2001~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~June 11, 2009

Eight years ago today, Brian and Amy completed their adoption of their first two children, Isabella and Joshua. Isabella had just turned 6 and Josh had just turned two. It would be a few more days before they arrived home from Ukraine with the kids, and we couldn't wait to meet our GRANDchildren!!

Fast Forward to Today....


Isabella is a beautiful 14-year-old. She is about to embark on her freshman year of high school. She made cheerleader in the spring try-outs and is excited about that. She has a huge heart for God and for ministry and is going on a mission trip this summer. She is a happy, well-adjusted, and precious girl.


Josh, now 10, is all boy! He is smart as a whip~~ an avid reading and a good listener as well. He played softball this spring and had a good season. Josh is going into the 4th grade and has a week of camp to attend this summer.


Yesterday, June 10, was the 6th anniversary of Jarrett's adoption. At age 10, he had a more difficult time of adjusting to his new life in America. He is working hard to catch up on his school work and is growing in the Lord. It's hard to think that he will turn 16 next month.

We thank the Lord for placing these kids in our lives. They have enriched us beyond measure and are a source of so much joy.

I love you Jarrett, Isabella, and Josh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy "Gotcha Day!!!"

Josh's 4th Grade Parent Day Program

We had a fun time at Josh's 4th Grade Parent Day Program this morning. The kids were sharp and eager to exhibit some of what they have learned this year. We were proud of our Josh!

SPORTING AROUND

It's springtime which brings about another sports season with the grandkids starring as my favorite sportsters! Isabella is on the Track and Field team at her school and the boys are playing church little-league softball (or T-ball in Jaden's case.) It is a lot of fun to watch them.

Richard and I traveled about an hour out of town for Isabella's first track meet. It was a long 4 hours of sitting there for her 2 events (the one mile and the two mile) but we persevered and she was able to ride home with us. We even treated her to a yummy dinner at a local restaurant in that area.

Starring Isabella in track and field and Josh and Jaden in T-ball:


Belle running in one of her races



Belle (on the right) and her friend after their race:



Jaden running all out



Jaden is the boy in the back... he is catching up with his teammate as they run to the bases after a hit




Amy and Jaden


Josh running a base after getting a hit

Our grandkids' sports keep us on the move.... so to speak!

Josh's School Program This Morning

The 4th grade band played in the chapel program at school this morning so Richard and I ran out to hear our favorite trumpeter. They are making progress. Josh is on the back row and is the 2nd boy to the left of the blond boy. Here is a video of them playing. It is of the portion of song they played called, "Childhood hymns."

USHERING IN THE MONTH OF THANKSGIVING

Amy's December 1 birthday has always ushered in the Christmas season for me. When she was a child, I always waited until the day after her birthday to start decorating for Christmas. Chip's January 5 birthday was the always grand finale to all of the holiday season from Thanksgiving through New Years. What wonderful memories I have of my kids' birthdays when they were children.

And now we have GRANDchildren! November 2 was our youngest grandson's 4th birthday. Brian and Amy had a nice party for him on Saturday and then on Sunday, we all ate out together at Olive Garden to celebrate Jaden's life. Now, I can get on with the plans for Thanksgiving!!

Here are a few good pics from the birthday lunch on Sunday:

Pics

I would like to share a couple of pics made of Chip made this weekend and then of the GRANDkids made tonight. Brian and Amy looked too tired for pics when they came in to get the kids at 8:45 so I will catch them another time.

Chip ready for church on Sunday morning...




Chip is the "baptizing pastor" at the church and they have new converts to baptize nearly every week. We were blessed to be here for this one...






The pastors and children's director of the church were recognized at the end of the morning service as October is Pastor Appreciation Month.




Our Sunday night return home was so sweet with lots of sweet greetings and hugs from Brian, Amy, and the grandkids. I didn't make any pics last night but made these of the kids tonight when Grandpa and I had them over while Brian and Amy attended a work-related meeting. I should have made their pics earlier but forgot until after they had had their baths....

Isabella and Josh...




Jaden...

I Knew It! I Knew It!!!

Acts 15:36 ....Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city...

I knew my sister's visit would be the Balm of Gilead for my heart. I have so many GOOD and DEAR friends here, but I miss my sisters! It was such a joy when Karen called a couple of weeks ago to say they would like to come down for a quick visit. They did ~~ it took place over the past 24 hours~~ and we enjoyed having Paul and Karen here immensely.



They arrived at about 3:00 and so we sat for a while and talked. They were interested in our recent trip to Alaska so we shared a lot of information with them. Karen helped me prepared dinner ~~ in tribute to the blessed memory of our parents, I had planned to have Dad's "honeymooner" sandwiches and Mom's shrimp salad.

Brian, Amy, and the grandkids came over to have dinner with us so they could fellowship with their Uncle Paul and Aunt Karen, too. After dinner, the four of us went to a restaurant across town that specializes in a delicious key lime pie so that was fun. (Note: I cropped Paul out of this pic as I don't think he wants his picture on the internet.)

On Friday morning, we got up leisurely, enjoyed a few cups of coffee (well, Paul and I enjoyed the coffee. Richard drank his diet coke and Karen had water)' and then at about 10:00, we shoved off on an excursion. We rode out to visit a museum, left there and went to a seafood restaurant for lunch, took a scenic drive, and then visited our infant sister's grave. Sharon was born and died just a few weeks before Karen's 2nd birthday some 4-1/2 years before I was born.


















We arrived back at our house just in time for Paul and Karen to shove off and return to their home for their weekend activities:

(ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

I cannot express the joy in my heart regarding their visit. Thank you, Lord, for the fun time I had with my loved ones.

THEY'RE OFF AND HE'S HERE!!!!

THEY'RE OFF: Isabella and Joshua were out bright and early (6:45) for pics to be made on their first day of school. Belle is in 8th and Josh is in 4th. Of course, their mommy (Principal Amy) has been back to work for six weeks but today will be a busy day for her as all of her prep-work comes to fruition and she over-sees her (15+ but I didn't ask her how many this year) 4th grade through 6th grade teachers and all of the students who are under her supervision. I made some pics of them as they came out and were ready to leave this morning. We all had to chuckle at Belle when she came out the door with ALL of her stuff.






AND HE'S HERE: Kindergarten had Open House on Sunday afternoon for the students and their parents to find out who their teacher is and where their classroom is located, but they don't start class until Thursday. So, it looks like Jaden is in "Grandpa School" today!! We have plans to take him to a real nice new park just for kids for a picnic lunch.

Josh's Talented Tongue

After eating his ice cream, Josh licked his lips to the extreme. I caught it on video and here he is..........

Relaxin' by the Pool

There is nothing I enjoy more than a warm evening out at Brian's and Amy's pool watching the grandkids have fun!!! Jaden is loving the water this year. With the life vest on, he is jumping in off the side, goes under and bobs right back up, and is kicking those legs for all he is worth. Of course, Jarrett, Isabella, and Josh are all three fish. Well, Belle is a beautiful mermaid. :)

I made some pics and videos of them swimming and playing on Tuesday night as we relaxed. You will note that Jarrett wasn't in the pics because we wasn't out at the pool when I made pics, but I did get a bit of video of him.

We Pulled Off a SURPRISE Retirement Party for Richard!

Ps 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.














Amy told me a few weeks back that she wanted to throw a retirement party for her Dad. As we talked about it, we decided to host it at our house as this last week of school is so very busy for her. We decided to make it a surprise and led her dad to think that it was a going-away party for friends who are leaving in June. He had to be given a reason for the party for we would be making food and setting up tables to host about 20 people in our home!! I made the guest list and told Richard all of the couples who would be coming. He didn't know that Brian, Amy, and the kids would be here for the party so that is how we surprised him. (NOTE: Chip wanted to be here but of course, Sundays are his big day of ministry. At over 300 miles away, he just wasn't able to buzz on down after church. We spent 5 days with Chip right after Richard's retirement and he "feted" his dad's retirement during that time.)

After all of the guests (6 couples from church: James & Ann, Jerry & Peggy, John & Jeanette, Dan & Dorothy, John & Regina, Ed & Arda ) arrived on Sunday night after church, I called Amy to ask if I could "borrow" something and if she could bring it over. Well, she and her whole family walked in and that's when Jaden handed the invitation to Grandpa and said, "Here Grandpa, read this!"

URL of video of Richard reading the invitation AT the party that you can copy and paste into your favorite browser: http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=3b93043a744af0c259c5

We had a good meal with Chipped Ham Bar-B-Que sandwiches (Brian's mother's recipe that Amy recommended), potato chips, a veggie tray, and a mixed fruit bowl.

After we ate, we had a "Congratulations, Richard" cake with coffee or punch. Here is the URL for the video of the group singing and of Richard and the grandkids waiting to blow out the candle: http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=63c71afd2721bf306c53

Everyone gave Richard some retirement exhortations using words starting with the letters R-E-T-I-R-E-M-E-N-T and that was fun. Richard opened the cards from our friends and then it was time to wind down as ALL OF THOSE WORKING PEOPLE had to get home to bed and be ready for the Monday morning alarm. We didn't set ours. :) Here are some pics of our fun evening:

Josh and Jaden in Master Club's Awards Ceremony

Matthew 23:10b For one if your Master, even Christ.

Josh and Jaden both participated in Master Clubs at our church this school year. It was Jaden's first year as they start with the 3-year-olds. He did GREAT and learned a lot of verses. I have to tell a cute story on Jaden. Last week when he was with me, I was having to get on to him for not obeying me. I guess I had a stern look on my face as well as a stern tone to my voice. He so sweetly looked up at me and said, "Grandma, the Bible says, "Be ye kind one to another. Ephesians 4:32." I replied, "Yes, Jaden, and the Bible also says in Ephesians 6:1: Children, obey your parents (grandparents, too) in the Lord: for this is right." We are thrilled that Jaden has committed a lot of God's Holy Scripture to memorization this school year.

Josh has been in the Club since age 3 and had a great year in 3rd grade Masters Club. He too has committed a lot of Scripture to memory. What a help through life it will be as he recalls verses that will help him in various situations.

Grandpa and I attended last night's Awards Ceremony and were blessed to see all of the children who participated ~~ some 200 kids in our church from 3-year-olds through 6th grade. Grandpa Richard made a video of each of our boys on stage with their groups. Again, we were so far back that we didn't get great video, but it is better than nothing!

GRATITUDE IS AN ATTITUDE

I took a dear friend to the doctor yesterday. We drove her car (her insistence!), she treated me to lunch (her insistence!), and then she presented me with a tray of cookies she had made and had waiting on me when we returned to her house after the doctor appointment. Now WHO do YOU think blessed Whom yesterday? (I have no idea if I used the who and whom correctly!) I went to be a blessing to her, and she blessed me beyond measure.

My GRANDkids loved the cookies so I had them make a "thank-you" video to send to Joyce. Since my eldest grandson doesn't like to be in pics nor videos and is rarely seen; BUT he consented to be in this one last night, I thought I would post it to let everyone know that Jarrett is alive.

A Good Picture of Josh in Concert Last Week

Psalm 150:3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet:

You might remember that I didn't get any good pics of Josh in the band concert last Friday night. Brian shared his camera card with me and I was able to capture all of his pics. I loved this one of Josh playing so thought I would share it at this late date. He is the boy on the bottom middle in glasses. The handsome one. :) Double-click on pic for a better view. :)