Happy Birthday Crash!

I can't believe he is 6 years old!  He has been looking forward to this birthday for months.

His brothers' birthdays are in the early part of the year so he has been patiently waiting for his turn.

I miss those red curls.  The humidity really brought out the curl.

We have are having a family gathering today and the kid bash tomorrow.

He loves his brothers, legos, Star Wars, reading books, Cars especially Finn McMissile currently, and playing dress up.  (That list of favorites hasn't changed much in the past few years.)  He really came into his own at the beach this year.  He has matured so much.  We feel really good in our decision to wait a year for kindergarten.  He seems ready to conquer the world now.

Happy Birthday sweet boy!

Love my church

I just can't shake this smile on my face when I think about my church.  I love our church.  It has been a blessing to our family in so many ways over the years.  They share Christ's love to each other in so many ways.

I have been able to watch our church bless another family these past week.  A couple in our church has recently purchased a new home on our block.  Yeah for great neighbors!  The previous owners left this home in a bit of disrepair.

Members from our church have helped pack the old house, clean the old house, and participate in the major updating/renovating/cleaning project at the new house before they move in.  When I look down the street, there is always 2-12 extra cars that delivered these joyful Christian brothers and sisters to serve.

It has just shown me that there is a job for everyone.  Women were cleaning, painting, wall paper removing, and delivering food. (On a side note, wall paper should be banned from ever being used.  Ugh!)   Men were texturing, climbing dangerous looking stilts and ladders, repairing dry wall, and painting.  There were young adults/teens painting and cleaning.  Every job was needed no matter how seemingly small.

These people donated their time, trailers, and know-how to help this wonderful family.  They got paid in pizza, Dr. Pepper, and great fellowship while they worked.

It has blessed me just watching it all happen.  I wonder what the rest of the people on our block think.  I pray that this will be a powerful testimony to any witnessing unbeliever.

God thank you for this body of believers and all believers that serve sacrificially in your Name and for your glory!

Making lunch

This summer, I decided that the Test Pilot was ready for additional responsibilities.  I have been teaching him to make lunch.  

Here he is making pbj sandwiches with a fruit medley.  

We have been talking about what constitutes a balanced lunch i.e. not only chips and cookies.  He has been doing pretty good.

He asks, "Are you teaching me this for when I am a dad?"  Sweet boy, but I was hoping you would start using these skills before that point.

Almost went to the ER

Once again, this is a late post so don't flip out.  About a month ago, it's a nice Sunday evening.  I was doing the dinner dishes and the boys were out on the trampoline.  The Captain was gone somewhere.  (I forget)

The Test Pilot comes in and shouts, "He fell off the trampoline!"  I have never run that fast in my life.  

(I learned all these details later.)  Wingman had not fallen off the trampoline, but has gotten out of the net enclosure and was walking outside on the spring pad (where his mother had instructed him not to be).

He tripped, fell, and hit his head on one of the exposed springs.  Thankfully he did not fall to the ground.

If you know head wounds, they bleed a lot and this was no exception.  He was covered in blood.  Thankfully, I did not panic too much externally.  

As I cleaned him up, I knew it was a deep cut.  I really did not want to go to the ER on a Sunday night.  (Our ER is not known for it's expedient kid-friendly service.) 

A friend's husband is a doctor and he was home.  He agreed it probably needed stitches or something.  He was so nice and went to his office and rounded up supplies for some minor suturing.  

Here's Wingman after the procedure.  We used dermabond (like glue), steri-strips, with a band-aid for extra coverage.  

He healed well.  We removed the dressing a week later and it was all closed up.

A month later, it definitely looks like he is going to have a scar as a reminder of his escapade.  Thanks so much Dr. T!

More space station

This is a late post.  Now that all my electronics are functioning and in my possession, I am doing some catch up blogging.  

Here's a couple of shots of the Test Pilot with the space station.  

Here's a good shot of the trusses with all it's attachments.  Most of the attachments are made out of medicine pill bottles, toilet paper rolls, various plastic tubs and lids, with a few custom pieces out of light weight wood plus some silver and gold spray paint and there you go.

He worked on that for weeks.  The Captain would show him how to make a section, but leave most of the work for him to do.

Here's the family on presentation night.  We are so proud of him.  Can I tell you that I was a nervous wreck.  He was as cool as a cucumber.  It did not phase him at all.  He got up, did his presentation, and sat down.  No big deal!

Here's all the presenters from our homeschool group.  We have a lot of talented children.  It was fun to see.

For the love a brother

Crash's birthday is coming soon.  The Test Pilot comes up to me a few weeks ago with his gift idea for Crash.    He wants to get him the new Star Wars Lego III game for the Wii.  (I am pretty sure he is buying this gift for about 50% selfish reasons as he would love to play the game.)  

This game costs $50.  We approved, if he could raise all the money.  He seemed pretty motivated.  

He has regular chores to do each week that he does not get paid for.  It's just part of being part of the family. We came up with extra chores and certain dollar amounts for each.  

The parents are loving this.  I got my windows cleaned inside and outside.  

It is sooo hot outside and we have about 18 windows so it was a big job.

He has cleaned the bird poop off the trampoline, washed out the recycling bins (sour milk), raked the yard, hauled trash, and more.

It's been a good lesson in hard work for him.  The first several days there was a lot of complaining about how hot it was or how hard the work was.  I told him he could quit anytime, it was his gift that was on the line.  As the days went on there was less complaining and a higher quality of work.

He has almost reached his goal with a week to go.  We should be heading to Wal-mart soon with the bag of money.

Happy Birthday Captain!

Happy Birthday sweet husband!

I don't know what birthday he is celebrating in this picture.

Unfortunately, the Captain has to be out of town on a big meeting/presentation on his birthday.

Look forward to celebrating when he gets back.