We had a GREAT time w/the Rusty Russell Family during our first week in Florida. Of course, Charlie & Adam always have a GREAT time together. While the dads (& Marc) watched game 1 of the ALDS - Yankees vs Indians, the moms kept the younger ones (& those not interested in watching baseball) in the other room watching Thomas movies, etc.

 

Charlie had to get in on the action. As he says, "I need see my baby!!!"

 

My oldest & youngest just hangin' out before Lindsay's bedtime - the night before we left Orlando.

 

Joey & Shamu

 

Charlie having fun at Shamu's Happy Harbor. This was a section of free kid's rides & this was Charlie's favorite ride. He rode 4 times & cried about getting off after that!!!

Since Sea World is an Anheuser Busch park, they had a whole section devoted to the Busch family business. THIS was by far the coolest part of that - the infamous Clydesdale horses. We saw them in the stables first & then they hooked them up to the wagon & marched them around the park. They truly are beautiful animals!!

A few pictures from our fun day at Sea World. This was right outside the Manatee exhibit. It was a lot like what we have at the Columbus Zoo --- just a LOT more!!!

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY, LINDSAY!!!!

Who does this look like to you???

Happy Birthday sweet boy!!!

It was a BEAUTIFUL day, but a little windy for candles so we had to go inside for that part.

Our little 3-year old birthday boy. Love you Charlie!!!

Charlie REALLY wanted to play with those trains on his cake.....but he patiently waited until we were ready to cut it. The other 2 adorable kids here are Charlie's cousins, Adam & Ellie.

Some of the fam getting ready to celebrate Charlie's birthday!!!

A very nice usher took this picture for us. :)

Thanking God for the victory.......very cool. :)

The infamous "Script Ohio" ......

Finally getting caught up a little here.....a few shots from our FUN day at the Shoe last Saturday. This was my first visit to watch a Buckeyes game live & it was AMAZING!!! I loved the atmosphere, the band, the fans, & of course watching the Buckeyes beat Akron!!!!

 

I tried to get him to put one of the spoons down so I could take a picture of his face, but he refused. He must've thought I'd take one for myself!!

 

The 3 older boys went somewhere fun w/Dad last week & Charlie had to stay home, so we made BROWNIES!!! It didn't take him long to figure out what was so great about those spoons & that BIG bowl!!!

Emily's graduation from Word of Life Bible Institute - Schroon Lake, NY. The change in her heart & life still amazes me. God is good - all the time. We love you Emily!!!

AIR JOEY!!!

 

This photo is proof of 2 things. 1) Kyle is the one who STARTED the whole "pink shirt" trend at MBC (not my boys) & 2) You can pick your friends & you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friends nose!!!!! :)

What Remains (The Love Chapter for parents)

I read this in Focus on the Family's August magazine & have gone back to read it over several times. Something about it struck me (or maybe convicted my spirit) & I wanted to share. Hope you enjoy it too.

"The greatest of these is love." I Corinthians 13:13

If I spend my days building skyscrapers with blocks, assembling cool stuff out of LEGOs and creating relationships with other moms at Starbucks, but have not love, I am only the siren of the kids’ ride-on fire truck, annoyingly stuck on hold.

If I have the gift of knowing which child attempted to flush the Hot Wheels down the toilet and which one pushed her sister, and if I have faith that somehow we’ll survive life’s emergencies, but have not love, I am nothing.

If I save all my box tops for school and give outgrown clothing to the local shelter, and if I surrender my body to stretch marks and under-eye circles (without the benefit of BOTOX, tanning salons or diet bars), but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient when someone isn’t ready to use the big girl potty. It is kind when my husband has a hard day. It doesn’t envy my neighbor who drives the new sport utility vehicle I can’t afford.

It is not rude, snapping at my spouse or children when things don’t go my way. It is not easily angered at perceived or real injustices.

It always protects the smallest, sweetest family confidences; always trusts God to provide my children’s needs; always hopes in the freshness of tomorrow and the bright future of family; always perseveres amid hardship and doubt.

Where there are sleepless nights, they shall end. Where there are diapers, Little League and dioramas built from shoeboxes, they will cease. Where there is knowledge of baby-care trends, discipline strategies and boy-girl problems, it will pass away.

Now these three remain: faith, lived out in my daily circumstances and instilled in my children; hope, of one day rejoicing with my family in heaven; and love, which covers over a multitude of less-than-perfect moments.

But the greatest of these is love. It is what remains……long after I am gone.

(Cindy Sigler Dagnan – Focus on the Family magazine – August, 2007)

 
And, as Marc would say, what photo series is complete w/o a picture of LINDSAY???!!! She had a GREAT time in the pool, but I couldn't snap any pictures because I was too busy making sure she didn't crawl into the deep end. She's a maniac & has no fear of the water. I'm glad she likes it, but sheesh ---- it's not very relaxing!!! :( This was right before we left & I think she's trying to tell me something. Nice open mouth, Linds.

 
Joey & his friend, Jacob

 
Andrew & his friend, Kyle.

 
Can you tell that water & sun really wear this 2-yr old out?? Our friends, the Shepherds, kindly took us for a fun time of cooling off at the pool while Marc & Dad were having fun in Boston!!!

 
Miss Lindsay was NOT happy about the gate going up, despite the look of resignation on her face here. She has become quite active the last couple of weeks & one of her favorite spots is the dog's food & water bowl. This was our first effort at containment, but we have since switched to containing the dog & letting Lindsay go wild!! :)

 
Awwww.....can you feel the love??? :) But, seriously, doesn't that water look really refreshing on a hot day???

 
And Charlie being a little silly (with a little help from Mrs. Johnson).

 
A few final vacation pictures. This is Joey being a little silly at the baby pool.

 

Hi Emily!!! :)