Summer slideshow

Here are just a few highlights from the summer. Enjoy!

Back on the blogging wagon!

It has been pointed out to me that I have forsaken the blog world. Yes, I repent it is true. No great excuses, just the busyness of life I guess. I thought that the kids being out of school would provide more time for such things, but no. I think that I enjoyed the vacation just as much if not more than they did. School is back in session now and we are starting to get into a routine. Kaya started Preschool and it is going well(she hasn't even need to use the "emergency clothes" that are at school). I was worried after the first day, she didn't seem too eager to go back. The apple that we made with all of her favorite things on it was just too much fun. She didn't want to leave it at school. Her teacher let her make another one, because she couldn't part with this piece of art that represented her. The name tag was for my window, until they learned what kid went with what car. When I ask her what her favorite part of the day was she usually says "Playing outside and finding treasures in the sandbox." Which is interesting because that was Canaan's favorite part too. He still has a yellow cup in his room full of sequins, and holiday shapes that he found in there daily. Classes at the charter school for Kira, Ethan and Canaan start this week. Then we'll really be on track! Thanks for bugging me to get on this...you know who you are!

Back after so many years...

Eli was invited to speak for the Church in Chico. They were having a family retreat at Sierra Bible Camp. We thought it would be fun to all go and show the kids where we met. Ethan said "So if there was no Sierra Bible Camp, we(meaning the 4 kids) wouldn't be here? Thank goodness for Bible Camp!" I guess that is one way of looking at things. We had a great weekend. The girls and I stayed in girls cabin 3 and Eli and the boys stayed in Boys cabin 7. It was pretty funny to be chasing my kids around on the logs up there. Who knew?! Ethan got quite good at Ping Pong while we were there. He was always trying to get someone to play him. Eli asked Kira on the "midnight hike", but she turned him down, so he went with Ethan. It got so cold on Sunday night that I took the little ones to bed before the devotional. In their class on Sunday, they were talking about helping one another and they went all over the camp "feeding the hungry, giving clothes to people, untying people from trees..." Kaya and Canaan loved the costumes and wore the mustaches almost all day.

BLACHLY ROAD TRIP

Yesterday we left on our road trip to drive Chris back to NY. Kara is updating her blog as we go along so you can track our progress through their blog. We had such a great time yesterday, we sang and laughed our way to Utah.

Welcome Summer!

This is the last week of school for the kids and obviously there is not a lot of schooling going on here right now. I am just as bad as them. We are all ready for summer break. When we start up again Canaan will be in Kindergarten. I will be juggling three children that all need to learn + Kaya. It should be interesting. But until then we are ready for summer fun...watering our garden, running through sprinklers, blowing bubbles(or letting the bubble machine do the work for us), going to the river, watching movies, enjoying our blessed life!

A Mother's Day Tea

Today at Canaan's school they were having a Tea Party in honor of Mother's Day. Canaan was so excited to be able to make and serve the food to me. He got dressed in a shirt and a tie and was a very handsome date! One of the other moms said that he had four girls following him around on the playground. That's what happens when you put a man in a tie I guess.

They had all of the moms wait out in the courtyard, to be escorted by our kids. Canaan had a huge smile and was really enjoying all of the formality of the day. He served me a plate of food and we ate together. Then the class had a few songs to sing for all of the moms. They had made us some presents, but the thing that was priceless were his answers to questions about his mom.

I thought that I would share them with you. His answers are in blue.

My Mom
by Canaan

My mom has black hair and green eyes.
My mom is 10 1/2 feet tall and weighs 110 pounds.
My mom likes to help kids and wash laundry.
My mom is happy when I do good jobs.
My mom's favorite TV show is the news.
My mom is very smart she knows all about that Jedi's aren't real, but in Heaven they'll be real.
My mom likes to eat Thai Food.
It really bugs my mom when I'm not doing good jobs.
If my mom could have one wish come true it would be a new stove or a new house.
My mom is special because she helps cook food and reads stories at night.

My heart was full today. It was great to just be with Canaan and to see his loving and serving heart. It is a day that I will keep with me forever.

My, My How The Family Has Grown!

Many years ago...before we were married and just barely dating, Eli and I were at Pepperdine for their big youth rally, Youthfest. We sat on this swing together and had our picture made. Last week we were down there for the lectureships and this swing was outside our dorm. My mom brought the kids down to meet us on the last day and before we left we took this picture. I was trying to find the "young and kidless" picture to share, but I'll have to keep looking. I was afraid if I didn't post now, while I'm thinking of it, it might never happen. As I was sitting there with my family (worrying that the swing might not hold us all) I was thinking about how God has blessed my life with a husband who loves the Lord and 4 great kids. I am so thankful for all that He has given to me. God is so good!