I survived the Youth Mission Trip '07

As the title says, I survived! It was a great week overall and I would happily go again! We took a group of 40 to Port Charlotte, Fla. and worked for several groups while there. I even helped build a house!
The theme song of the week was, "Let it Be Said of Us." Not sure by which group, but it is a good song. Tony, the youth director, did a fantastic job with keeping the kids serving and with nightly devos. It was a well done trip all around. The housing was great! We stayed at a Habitat for Humanity volunteer housing center and it was big and had a/c as well as an industrial size kitchen, which we so needed due to many hungry mouths to feed. Lisa Layton was in charge of food. Let me just say that no one went hungry. We ate very well all week!
My favorite day was when Tony and I took the jr. high kids to do odd jobs around Venice. We ended the day at a park where we were asked to look for Gopher Tortoise burrows and mark them with stakes and ribbons so the mowers did not cave them in. We actually came across a real gopher tortoise! It hissed at Tony which made me laugh. Also I didn't know that Tortoises can move so fast!
Seth went along and seemed to enjoy and learn from the trip as well. Randy was there also, as he drove the bus. We tried to stay out of Seth's way as much as possible. lol....
One bummer moment was when I realized I had lost my memory card whichwas full of pics from the trip.... I am praying, but have had no sign of it yet. Must be a mission trip thing with me. Last year, after going to Kenya, I lost my journal on a plane.
Anyway, we talk about our trip and show slides Sunday at church and I can't wait for people to see how God worked through and with these kids this week!

The never ending bus ride

Details later, but Randy, Seth and I leave Saturday at 3 p.m., with our church's youth group, for a mission trip. We are DRIVING all the way to Florida on a school bus. Those who survive the 21 hour straight through trip will be doing some work for Agape missions and Habitat for Humanity. Please pray for safety. Randy is one of two drivers. and I am one of 40 riders.....please Lord, help me not complain! lol

Bedtime routines

I have really been enjoying my time at home with my kids, or should I say with Jonah? You see, Seth is gone all week at camp, and Mallory has spent the last two nights at the houses of friends. She spent last night at Brett and Bailey's and tonight at Jordyn Jackson's. She is spending tomorrow night with Sue Itterly. So you can see why I ammend my statement to say that I am really enjoying my time with Jonah. He is so smiley and fun!
He even likes going to bed. I still find myself putting on his pjs, although I think he could do most of it himself. But you know how tight those fireproof pjs can be. He runs to his toddler bed, grabs his current favorite book and gets his binky from under his pillow. Right now his favorite book is My F Book. As you can guess, it is filled with things that start with F. I think Jonah loves it because there is a fire and firemen.
After we read that book, which we both have memorized, we read his nightly bible study and then he prays. He always prays that God will help him to eat, and so do I. He is too cute!

I know I know, he shouldn't still need a binky at 3 1/2, but he is so small. Is it true that kids won't go to kindergarten with their binkies and diapers still intact?

busyness

Seth goes to OWL Camp today. He will be staying in a dorm at Ohio Wesleyan, taking classes all week on fun topics. I am excited for him! It will be a great experience........for him. Me on the other hand......
First of all, Randy has been working all weekend, so it has been my responsibility to make sure Seth has everything he needs. That has been mildly stressful. Also I have to get him (and his stuff) there and the attend the family meeting without Randy. I did talk my mom-in-law into going with us. Thanks Carol! Second, I didn't realize how much I depend on Seth, as far as chores and watching Jonah while I go to Curves. Now I have to survive a whole week without him! Plus, I'll just miss him and his goofy sense of humor!
Just to make this all a little more exciting, I pick Seth up next Friday night and we leave on the youth group mission trip to Florida on Saturday afternoon! AAARRRGGGGHHHH! Busyness indeed!

Bring on summer!

OK, so I get out of school, finally, and the temperatures drop to the 60s! What is the about? I am longing for the pool and the bright warm sunshine. Aw well, Sarah and I did attempt a trip to the Columbus Zoo on Monday. We didn't even make it into the entrance before the heavy rain showers hit. So it was off to the Polaris Mall Playland for us and the kidlings. Of course that wasn't the best idea for my bank account, but it was fun. It was Sidney's actual 10th birthday. She and Mallory bought matching outfits (on clearance yeah!) at Childrens Place and a best friends necklace. All the kids got some rockin sunglasses, even Jonah. He picked out a pair and posed in front of the trifold mirror, doing the Saturday Night Live dance moves. That's my boy! Seth, being 12 and almost a 7th grader, chose to stay home instead of being part of our zoo. One of the first steps toward big boy independence....sigh! I tried to make staying home undesirable by leaving a long list of chores, but no dice. He stayed home and he did the chores, so it was a lose/win for me this day.

Last Day of School

One of the many reasons I became a teacher is very superficial. I love the school year calendar. I love the fresh start at the beginnning of a year and I love the last day excitement. Well today is the last day and everyone is excited. We are having a field day of sorts, with wiffle ball, volleyball, kickball and team building. Also there are gifts! Chris Fattig just came in and brought me a plant and a High School Musical poster. HS Musical is one of my favorite movies!

Anyway, even though I am exhausted and stressed about getting all my work done, this excitement from the kids will carry me through.