A Conversation with Kendrick

This post is especially for "Beth, Beth". This morning Kendrick was laying on Mom's bed holding her "Amish Doll" patting the dolls back saying "AWWW, Beth, Beth". I asked him where Bethany was and he said "Basketball, Church". Evidently he thinks that Bethany lives at the Church and the school. I wish I would have had a camera handy for that it was just too cute. So anyway "Beth, Beth" "Keh, Keh" says HI!!!!

A GREAT Accomplishment

Here is a little picture update on Kendrick who happens to be 22 months old already, can't believe we are facing the "official" 2 year mark. He is already starting to show definite signs of the "Terrible Two's" that are just around the corner. In the pic with his shorts and his hat on he is so used to putting his hat on to outside that even though it was nearly 80 (a few weeks ago) he thought he still needed his hat. In the pic of him asleep in his high chair, he had been outside with Daddy and when he came in to eat lunch, he took a nap instead. As soon as I took the pic I put him in bed, but he already had a little red mark on his cheek. POOR BABY!!! In the pic of him with my headset on, he was "calling Daddy". Funny how he always wants to call Daddy, but when I do he hardly ever talks to him. In the video he has discovered how to turnt he light on and off, OH THE JOYS OF A BOY!!!! He has also gotten out of his pack-n-play once, but got hurt on the landing, so hasn't done that again. Another milestone that has finally happened is he is BROKEN FROM THE NINNY (pacifier)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He had gotten in the habit of biting them and when he would bite through them we would tell them "bye-bye". Well on Tuesday he bit through his final ninny so we told it bye-bye and he hasn't had one since. The first night was a little challenging, it took a couple hours for him to settle down and go to sleep, but once he did, he hasn't had it since.

Graduation 2008

This past Saturday marked the end of Michael Maloyed and Michael Miller's high school career. These two young men have been a great example of Christian youth!! May God Bless them and Guide them throughout their lives. We will sure miss "The Michaels" Here are a couple videos of their talents.

Student Convention Performances

This past Sunday Night's service was the performances that are being taken to International Student Convention in Warrensburg MO. Tanj asked me if I could upload a couple videos of Justice since Larry and Debbie were unable to attend and for Naomi to see as well. Larry and Debbie, our prayers are with you!

A Good Day

Yesterday was a GOOD DAY!!! I had the awesome privilege of spending time with Emily !! Thanks for the coffee and the good chat with our "babies" at The Gathering!! I realized after we got home that I never took any pictures, so WE MUST DO THIS AGAIN before you leave for your new adventures. Today has been as busy as yesterday was fun. Not that today wasn't fun, but it was "different" fun than yesterday. Today I made potato salad for Michael's open house tomorrow. It's so hard to believe that the school year is coming to an end and for a few months there will be no fundraisers and a little lighter schedule!! Kendrick continues to grow and his newest thing is singing. His favorite song right now is "Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah" he does real well on the "hallelujah's" but still doesn't say "Praise ye the Lord". All in all it's been a good week, but I am ready for the weekend and the "family days" weekends always bring.

Graduation

Today is the 15th anniversary of the Fredonia Christian Academy class of 1993. A lot has happened in these 15 years but it thrills me to know that all three of us are following the Lord. I also want to say Congratulations to Carl on Baby Damon Boy #3!!! The FCA class of 1993 has now produced 9 boys!!!! Lets start a baseball team!! It doesn't seem like we should be old enough to be out of high school 15 years, but I guess time does fly when you are having fun!! If I get my scanner working I may add a few pics of the event in a few days. Carl and Tanj it's been a privilege to know you these past 20 something years and to have been able to graduate with you 15 years ago.

Mother's Day

Emily and her princesses (sorry don't have a pic of her and her princes)

Here are four of the five kids blessed to call Lydia Mommy

My very own Little Man
The 5 boys privileged to call Tanjala "Mom"

Teresa a very beautiful young girl who happens to be my
niece and daughter of Lisa

This is Mother's Day weekend, and I wanted to send something out to all the "special" Moms in my life. I will list a few that every young mother could use for a pattern of Godly Mothering.
I also want to say thanks especially to my Mom who has been there for me, encouraged me, and most importantly showed me the Love of Christ since my infancy.
To Mark's Mom who is an amazing woman who has raised a true gentleman who is now the father of my child. Thanks Mom Richards for all you did in shaping Mark's life. We love you!!!

I would also like to wish Tanjala a Happy Mother's Day. Your sacrificial giving of yourself for your family amazes me. I am so thankful that God brought you into my life (can you believe it 20 years ago!!) You have been a good friend through the years.

Emily As I have grown to know and love you this past year, you have become like a sister to me. It is so awesome to watch you with your little "princesses" and your "princes". You are a mother any young girl can look to and see a Proverbs 31 Woman!! You are a true "Queen Mommie".

Lisa you are simply AMAZING!! It is great having you for a sister-in-law!! I always look forward to your emails and chats just to see what you are going to be doing next! I hope you have a very special Mother's Day. Wish we could spend it together (HINT HINT!!!!)

Lydia when I think of you I think of these words, Wonderful, Beautiful, Patient, Loving and Kind, Hardworking, Dedicated, Talented (vocally and artistically), Teacher, and FRIEND!!!

Tonia, you have been added to my "other mom" list (even though you aren't old enough to be my mom)!! I LOVE YOU!!!

I received this in an email and how well it describes what its like to be a Mother. This is my third mother's day and I am still overwhelmed that God has given us Kendrick to raise to love and serve Him.

Before I was a Mom I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby. I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom - I had never been puked on. Pooped on. Chewed on. Peed on. I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts. I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests. Or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put them down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom - I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy. Before I was a Mom - I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.

Ramblings

Kendrick eating his angel food cake with "green" whipped topping and chocolate chips Marlene (one of the Friday Girls) with Marcus
Me and the always Beautiful Tanjala
Hannah with little Marcus

Thursday evening was the volunteer going away party for Emily. It was a fun time and a little sad at times too. As usual we had a ton of food and some great fellowship with friends that we don't get to see very often. After the party Kendrick and I went to Emily's house for a little more time to relax and talk. It was great to get caught up with her and her sister Amy. It was also neat to watch the kids play together. Emily's Seth is only about 4 months older than Kendrick so it was a lot of fun to watch two 2 year olds discover what they can get into. I am posting a couple pictures from the night. Thanks Em for passing these pics along!! I love you girl!!