day 5

well, it was another hot and sticky day on our trip.  we went to the creation museum and at 10:00 it was already 97 degrees.  the creation museum was really awesome!  they had life sized dinosaur replicas and fossils, creation evidence and really neat displays.  we walked around pretty quickly, but with little ones... you have to.  then we came back to jos and ginger's and i had put a roast in this morning so, i worked on that a bit and got the rest of dinner going.  we then ate and the boys worked on jos' vw bug for a while and then we went to jos' softball game.  he played pitcher and they lost, but the other team had to forfeit so it didn't really matter, but it was a good game.  the kids really enjoyed watching uncle jos and cheering for him.  it was cute!  they would yell... "go uncle jos" and "good pitch uncle jos" and "that's my uncle"  and "get him out"  one time... without prompting, jacob even yelled at the other team when jos was at bat and he yelled, "well, that was a bad throw!"  it was soooo cute watching them!  then we came home and jos had a little more help and they worked on the car for a few minutes, taking the body off the chassis.  it's been a long day and i'm ready to hit the hay... can't wait to get all these pictures loaded!

day 4

so... day 4 of our trip...  today we went shopping for groceries, which of course, seemed to take F-O-R-E-V-E-R !!!  it of course didn't, but it seemed like it!  then we came home, to jos' house, and took naps and started dinner.  we had a cook out and just chilled for a while.  the kids played with auntie ginger and uncle jos and had fun with their new squirt guns.  then we all went to dave and busters for a while.  opa wasn't going to go, but we begged him and he joined us.  before we left he said he doesn't do those "fun things" but we all got a chuckle when we finally convinced him to play a few games and then we saw him reloading his card. :)  jayden surprised us all by being the big winner.  she hit the jackpot on one game and got 1000 tickets and then hit another jackpot and one 300 tickets.  she was just as happy with those as she was the 1 ticket wins. ;)  then the kids got quite the loot when we cashed in our wins... 3,970 somethin' tickets.  they of course thought the candy and little things were great! overall, a good time was had by all.  the kids got quite the loot and the adults had fun wasting a few hours.

as you've noticed... there are no pictures... i'll put those up in a couple days. ;)
good night all!  tomorrow is another busy day!

day 3

we went to church this morning with uncle jos and auntie ginger.  definately not my style of worship, but ... to each his own.  it did amaze me though, how much work goes into setting up their church.  they meet in the local high school, but you would never know it's not their own building, except for the school book store and basketball players practicing.  ;)  the church has signage and a coffee shop with starbucks, free t-shirts for visitors, amazing sunday school displays for the children fancy, schmancy bulletins and print outs, visitor bags, and more.  WOW!  it amazed me how much energy they had.
after church we went to subway for a yummy lunch and then home to rest... well, almost all of us.  auntie ginger had to go to work. :(  but oma and opa went to visit her at work (for the 50% discount for 50 and olders... and because they love her! )  :)  so, tonight it's off to olive garden... yummmmmmm!

day 2

Well, the first day went well.  We stayed aunt “uncle russ” and “auntie vickie’s” house and the kids got to play with xander.  They love him!  They always have sooo much fun with him and they love playing with his cool toys. ;)  we slept on a wonderfully soft mattress and I felt like a princess and didn’t want to wake up, but alas, another 12 hours on the road today becons me. :(   praying today goes well…   

... well, it went o.k.... we arrived in ohio at jos and ginger's at 11:30 P.M. and we are all alive... 

ohio or bust!

What a wonderful blessing it is to have in laws that are willing to let God use them!  My in laws are retired and live in a motorhome.  They travel all over the u.s. and they knew that we wanted to go see my brother in ohio for a quick vacation.  So, one day this spring, they called and said they would be willing to come and watch the shop for us.  PRAISE THE LORD!!  This gave us the opportunity to take a whole week off and drive the long trek to cincinatti. 

I had that initital AHHHHHHHHHHH…. WHAT AM I DOING? I HAVE SO MUCH WORK TO DO!  I CAN’T LEAVE NOW!!  I AM SOOO STRESSED!  IT’S THE END OF THE MONTH… STATEMENTS… TAXES…. CHECKS… AHHHHHHH!!!   But God always knows how to calm our hearts in the midst of chaos.  My mother in law stepped right back into her old job and took over at the shop.  Poor her… it now looks different than when she was there daily.  Toys have replaced tools, drawers of supplies are now drawers of diapers… hand prints line the windows and display cases… little bits and pieces of my beautiful children are all over the shop and showroom.  I look at them when I’m at work and think “what in the world!?! I am nuts to bring 3 kids to work with me!”  but I know I am truly blessed to be able to do so and enjoy every bit of their little lives.  So now as my mother in law looks around at my messy shop, I know she is probably shedding a tear missing us and seeing my kids everywhere around her… just the way I like it!  ;) 

So on we go to Omaha for the evening and then on our way to ohio in the morning…  OHIO OR BUST!!!!

(written on friday, but posted a little late. ;)

friendliness

jacob recieved the award of friendliness yesterday evening at his school's graduation program.  his verse chosen for him was prov. 17:17 i believe... "A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."  his character trait does describe him... he knows no stranger.  as he yells "freeze" at a customer and says to him... "hey!  are you a clown?"  i just have to laugh... what a friendly little boy he is  ;) 

lil' froggy

jacob had a school program last night and he was such a cute lil' froggy!  i just had to share some pics...  we were soooo proud of him!  we love you lil' froggy. ;)

jacobisms

jacob says sooooo many funny things i really should be writing these down... but because i'm not very good at that... here's a few to make you laugh...
"dear God, thank you for this food and for our family and thankyou that we could spend the day together and please help mommy to get rid of her big fat tummy and learn how to do push-ups. amen."
a few days later....
"dear God, thank you for this food and for our family... and... please help mommy to feel better. amen.  .... see, i didn't pray for her big fat tummy!"