The Mousers

As many of you know, my good friend, Shonda, and her family are going to be moving to California for a year.  Tom is going to be doing a fellowship in hospice care (the official name is some big medical word, which I will never remember, let alone know how to spell!) at Stanford University.  Although I will miss visiting with Shonda in person during that year (unless God blesses us with the ability for a visit!), I know that we will visit via phone often...thanks to Verizon!

I think one of the hardest parts for both of us is the fact that our boys will also be apart.  Oh brother, I'm going to start crying as I write this...grr!  Tommy and John are like brothers.  Sara and Emma get along great too (for the most part), but Tommy and John are best friends.  This year John will be starting kindergarten.  Shonda's going to work with Tommy on various skills throughout the year - like she does already, even if she doesn't realize it!  Then the next year Tommy will start kindergarten.  It saddens me to think that the boys won't be in the same grade, but Shonda and I both know that this is the best decision for both boys.  And if WE'RE fine with them being in different grades, THEY will be fine with it too.  Kids' attitudes often reflect their parents' attitudes, so we're keeping things positive.

Anyway, I wasn't going to go into all that, but oh well.  Now you know what's on my heart.  This whole post started with wanting to post a few pictures from yesterday when Tommy & Sara came to our house for lunch.  Enjoy!

Friends

A Day for Play

For John's Scrapbook

For Emma's Scrapbook

 

These pages were created using the Happiness kit by Summer Designs.

Emma K's Birthday Party

After the Flip Flop Crop, I stopped in Pella to help Scott set up for a DJ gig. Then I rushed back to pick up the kids from Mom's house. Emma was still sleeping, so I ended up just taking John to Emma Kritenbrink's birthday party at the park. I like the idea of having a kids' party at the park. No games needed, and the parents can still visit with each other.

Tommy, Emma, Madison, and John cooling off with juice boxes.

Their first double date?

John and the birthday girl, Emma K

Easter

Conversation with John this morning on the way to church:

Mommy: Happy Easter! He is alive! Who is alive?

John: John

Mommy: Yes, you are also alive. But it's Easter, so who do you think I meant?

John: JESUS!

We enjoyed breakfast at church before first service and then attended first service together (for the most part anyway). I did the children's message at both services and am always amazed at the number of children at NewLife. We have a great group of kids and volunteers!

Scott took a very tired Emma home for a nap, and John stayed with me for second service. He and his friend Tommy even stopped playing long enough for me to get a picture of them dressed up. After church and a long wait in line, we enjoyed a delicious buffet at the Triple Crown Eatery (Prairie Meadows). Emma enjoyed smearing a butter packet on the table.