Changes

I know it's been a while and we have had a busy and fun summer (more in another post). There are a lot of changes in store for our family this year. Kelsie is starting 2nd grade in 2 weeks and Amy is going back to work as a Ministry Coordinator for First Baptist Church Aledo (which is 10 minutes from K's school). What's that? A secretary that keeps the calendar and publishes weekly communciations. Should be fun and best of all it's going to be flexible and allow us to still take and pick up Kelsie from school each day.

Having mom gone during the day equals adjustments for everyone, including Bogey who will be alone for the better part of 6-7 hours a day. Wayne and Kelsie both now have chores, complete with a list posted on the frig. The upside for Kelsie is that she will get an allowance - not sure what the upside for Wayne is yet. We are still trying to sell our house so we can move closer to Kelsie's school and now my job. I guess we will try until September. Well, better go for now. I know I have been terrible about posting regularly - will try and get better. Have tons of pics to post - I promise they will be forthcoming!

We're Back

We are finally back in the real world as our computer was returned to us today. What did we do without e-mail communication back in "the day?" and I can't tell you how many times Wayne and I were going to look something up online - DENIED!!!

Anyway, as you could guess a lot has happened since our last post a month ago. Kelsie finished up First Grade!! She had such a good year and it was topped off with their musical and Kelsie had her first solo - did great!! She got several awards at the Awards Ceremony. She got certificates for being on A/B honor roll all year, having a 97% average for the whole year in Conduct, Spelling and Bible. She received an award for best Music student, her red (excellent) ribbon for her entry (she did an original painting) in the art competition, her Presidential award for completion of the National Physical Fitness test. She also participated in her first piano recital in May. She played 2 selections from memory "The Very First Day of School" and "Winnie the Pooh" - she did well and was most nervous about saying her selections in the microphone before playing. Needless to say, we are very proud of her!!!

We finally got to drag out the boat and have some time at the lake. Since we sold our lake cabin last year, we had to find a new place to go so we rented a little cabin on Lake Alvarado for a few days before Memorial Day weekend. The weather was wonderful - we were there Thursday through Saturday. Just as we were ready to leave on Saturday, it started to get windy and unpleasant on the water so we were glad we went earlier in the week. Kelsie picked right back up where she left off water skiing last summer - we both still liked tubing and swimming. Wayne enjoyed driving us around and getting in a little skiing and tubing too while I reluctantly drove the boat - scary I know.

Well, that's all for now - I have about 7 rolls of film to develop - when I do, there will be lots of picture entries. Also, in the process of our computer being repaired, a lot of info was erased including my address book - so if you don't mind, please e-mail me so I can have your address again and include in your e-mail your physical address so I can add that as well - all of it was erased and now I have to reconstruct it from scratch!! YUK!!!!

GO MAVS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Computer Problems

Our computer is acting up AGAIN!!! This is the 3rd time to send it off for repairs - I am hoping this time they will actually fix it. Don't get extended warranties in stores - they really don't care if things get fixed or not once they pass you off to the 3rd party repair company. Well, enough venting- all that to say that I will not be able to update for at least a week but when I get it back, I will put Easter pics up as well as Field Day pics at K's school. See you back here soon!

Easter Cookies

A friend of mine gave this recipe to me via e-mail and we are going to make these tonight - thought you might want to try too. Here is the recipe below:

1 cup whole pecans
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch of salt
zipper bag and wooden spoon
tape
Bible

PREHEAT OVEN TO 300 DEGREES (THIS IS IMPORTANT - DO NOT WAIT UNTIL YOU ARE HALF DONE WITH THE RECIPE)!

READ JOHN 19:1-3 - Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.

READ JOHN 19:28-30 - Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink.

READ JOHN 10:10-11 - Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.

READ LUKE 23:27 - Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.

READ PSALMS 34:8 AND JOHN 3:16 - So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.

READ ISAIAH 1:18 AND JOHN 3:1-3 - Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents--in God's eyes--the purity of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.

READ MATTHEW 27:57-60 - Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper-covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.

READ MATTHEW 27:65-66 - Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.

READ JOHN 16:20 AND 22. - Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair and sad when the tomb was sealed.

GO TO BED!
On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow!

READ MATTHEW 28:1-9
On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.

All of our Easter festivities have been fun - today a day of relaxing at home!! Will post pictures sometime next week. Hope you are having a peaceful Easter celebrating the gift of salvation from our Savior. Thank you Jesus for your redemptive sacrifice - the once and for all sacrifice for my sin.

Hotel Bartley

WHEW! After the last week, I think I have realized that opening a bed and breakfast (which is something I thought I might want to do when we are older) is NOT something I want to do now. I've always enjoyed having friends and family come to visit and stay in our home and in one week's time, we had three different groups of family and friends stay with us. We loved visiting with each one of them but I have never washed and changed so many sheets and towels in one week before, not to mention cleaning tubs and toilets and vacuuming. I am so glad we have a home that we can accommodate people and I do love having everyone stay with us - anytime - I just don't think it's something I care to do for strangers.

Wayne's mom and aunt came in last weekend to visit and stay with Kelsie while Wayne and I had to be at the church for our Night of Praise recording with the choir. Thank goodness that project is almost complete - it's been a lot of planning and work but think it will be a good night and a good CD. It was great for Kelsie because she got to be with MaMaw and Aunt Joy instead of childcare and it makes me feel better about participating wholeheartedly. Then, on Tuesday my mom and Nana were here b/c Nana had hand surgery on Wednesday morning and they stayed with us (it was outpatient). The surgery went well and it was good that mom and I could tag team getting up in the night to administer pain meds (felt like a hospital nurse - it was fun). Nana is doing well and coming back this week for a check up. Then on Friday, friends from Corpus were here for the races at TMS. We had a great time with them - staying up too late and playing poker - the girls loved being together and the boys went to the races while we finished up our Easter shopping. Well, we are ready for Easter!!! Better go now though - gotta clean house and get ready for mom and Nana to come on Wednesday. More soon - with Easter pictures.

Busy Week

Very busy week with us all trying to get back into the swing of real life. Kelsie adjusted about Wednesday to getting up early again and going to school. Friday night we had 2 couples from church over for dinner - fun evening. Saturday was restful except for the many loads of laundry to do and Sunday was very busy with rehearsals, meetings and a reception for the pastor's daughter and her new husband, celebrating their recent wedding. I guess we are officially no longer on vacation, but it's good to be home.

Spring Break - Final

California Screamin'

Breakfast with Tigger.

Who doesn't love Minnie??

Last 2 days - on Wednesday, we finished all the rides at the California park. We all rode California Screamin' and Wayne and Kelsie rode the Orange Stinger and the Golden Zephyr (both spinning, dizzy rides) and Kelsie and I had fun on the jellyfish. We also saw the Aladdin show - great little mini musical. Wed. night we headed to downtown Disney again for the Jazz Kitchen - the guitarist was great and the food had a New Orleans flavor - Bananas Foster - yum!!! Thursday was the last day, we had breakfast with Minnie and friends and got in a few last rides. Our plane was scheduled at 2:55 so we had to check out of our hotel and get to the airport. Once we checked in, we found out that our flight would be delayed b/c our plane had mechanical problems. At 6:00 p.m., we found out that we would be leaving soon. We finally got out around 7 and got home around midnight. We were tired and glad to be home - Bogey was glad for us to be home too. Well, back to reality. We had a very fun vacation - made many memories! Hope you enjoyed it too. More about real life to come.

Spring Break - Part 3

Mickey Mouse Ice Cream - a favorite treat!!

Kelsie climbing at Tom Sawyer's Island

Kelsie peeking through the caves.

Kelsie and Princess Aurora - pretty in pink.

Kelsie, Amy and Minnie at Goofy's Kitchen -she is one of our favorite characters!!!

Sitting on Main Street curb waiting for the parade.

Day 5 and 6 - Monday and Tuesday:

Monday we slept in a little (thank goodness - we needed it) and then contacted Disney to change hotels. As I said before, Desert Palms was disgustingly unclean, the shower went stone cold as soon as someone upstairs turned theirs on and then Amy had a hair on her breakfast danish - that was it!!! So, Disney moved us to a much nicer hotel called the Crowne Plaza Resort and Hotel. It was MUCH better - they let us check into our room early and get on with our day at Disney, the hotel also had it's own shuttle to and from Disney that was on time and had a regular schedule (unlike the trolley system, which we waited 30 minutes for on Sunday to get to our hotel). So, with that little inconvenience behind us, we were off to finish Disneyland side of the park on Monday so we could do the California Adventure side on Tuesday and Wednesday. Monday's highlights were riding Indian Jones ride (Kelsie HATED this ride), seeing the "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience" 3-D show, Star Tours ride, riding the Mark Twain river boat and hanging out at Tom Sawyer's Island - it was fun crossing bridges and going through caves. We had dinner that night at Goofy's kitchen and saw Goofy, Pluto, Minnie, the Mad Hatter, Pinocchio and Gepetto but the highlights were Minnie and Princess Aurora (from Sleeping Beauty). We had a full day and off to bed.

Tuesday we were headed to California Adventure side of the park. Favorites in the park this day was the Monsters, Inc. ride, the Bug's Life 3-D show (Kelsie didn't like the glasses), Talk Time with Crush (from Nemo - really cute show), we went to an animators class and learned how to draw Donald Duck, we saw Mr. Incredible on the street and got a pic with him. We had a great time over in the Bug's Life area doing all the "fair" rides - bumper cars, spinning lady bugs, etc. After a full day we decided we still had the energy to stay for the parade and fireworks show in the Disneyland park. We had great seats for both and really enjoyed it. After the fireworks show, we closed down the park by doing the Buzz Lightyear ride again, the Runaway Mountain Train ride and ended the night by finally riding Space Mountain. Kelsie and I were nervous to ride it but it ended up being our favorite ride yet - really fun - it was the first time the line wasn't over an hour. Since it was 11 p.m. by the time we left - we were exhausted and were planning to sleep in!!! More to come.....

Spring Break - Part 2

Kelsie, Josiah and Caleb at Ruby's (Friday)

Entrance to Disneyland Park - Kelsie took this picture with her camera!

Day 3 and 4 - Saturday and Sunday

UPDATE - added picture (still have one missing roll of film that I got to Wal-Mart today - was buried in my purse)....here's the descrip to go along with these 2 days. Saturday we met up with the Mackey's and this was the day to get a tour of Saddleback Church (where the Mackey's serve on staff now). The guys were more interested in the detailed tour but the girls and kids were satisfied with the overview so we took the short tour with the kids and then headed to the mall leaving the guys behind to talk church in detail. YAWN!! The kids had a great time in Discovery Store and Build A Bear and then we hit a few sales. Had a good time - then headed back to change into warmer clothes - still cold and rainy! Went to the 6:30 service at Saddleback - I went to hear the music in the Ohana service (Hawaiian) and Wayne went into the big room - Kelsie went with Caleb to Bible Study. I enjoyed the music and then went to the big room with Wayne for the rest of the service. It is a very big church but friendly and welcoming - with great kids facilities - Rick Warren was preaching the week we were there so that was good - really enjoyed the services and being with our friends. After church we went to Miguel's Mexican Food Restaurant and said goodbye to the Mackey's until summer when they come to Texas to celebrate birthdays.

Sunday morning Kelsie and I were slow getting around - Wayne got up to go to a couple of other music venues at Saddleback. His favorite service was the rock and roll service where you get earplugs when you enter! After he got back, we drove to Anaheim to begin our Disneyland adventure. It was cold and cloudy so we didn't stay late that day but we got to do a lot in the Disneyland park because it wasn't that crowded - highlights were we rode Snow White's Scary Adventure, Alice in Wonderland, Storybook Land canal boats, Matterhorn bobsled (FUN!), and Buzz Lightyear Astroblaster - a favorite that we did several times. We checked into the Dessert Palm hotel - YUCK!!! We will move hotels tomorrow - that hotel was horrible but we endured one night there. Off to ESPN ZONE for dinner and playing games. More pictures to come soon once I get my missing film.

Spring Break-Part 1

Kerry, Stephanie, Caleb and Josiah Mackey.

At the top of Dana's Point looking over the beach. BEAUTIFUL VIEW!!!

Sunset at Huntington Beach as we walked down the pier.

Caleb and Kelsie in front of a museum boat on display.

Caleb and Kelsie running from the waves - too cold to stay in long.

Kelsie splashing in the water!! BRRRR.......

Well, I got a lesson on how to update this blog site (thanks Stephanie) so hopefully now I can keep up with posting more often. The next few posts will be dedicated to our trip over Spring Break. We went to sunny Southern California to visit friends (the Mackey's - Kerry, Stephanie, Caleb and Josiah) who just recently moved there and then off to Disneyland for a few days. I will update by posting pics and description a few days at a time so I can remember for future reference (scrapbooking) and so it will be short and enjoyable to read.

Days 1 and 2 - Thursday and Friday:

Our trip started out Thursday with a flight delay (weather), but it worked out great b/c we passed the time eating lunch at Chili's in the airport and left just an hour late. We got to California, checked into our hotel and then headed to the Mackey's for burgers on the grill and a good time to catch up and hang out. The kids had a great time and little Josiah had more attention than he could stand with Kelsie wanting to be a little mom. We soon realized that evening that we were packed for SUNNY California but we were really in cold and rainy California. Everyone said it was highly unusual weather for this time of year. We headed back late to our hotel hoping that going to bed late would cause us to wake up late and that we would then be on CA time. That didn't exactly work as Kelsie popped up ready to go on Friday at 5:45 a.m.(really 7:45 TX time). Kelsie and Wayne went to breakfast together and let me catch a few more zzz's. We had a LONG but leisurely morning and then had to head to Old Navy for some warmer clothing - picked up some jeans and sweatshirts. We met the Mackey's for lunch and then we were off to a day of sightseeing - the beaches were beautiful even if it was cold. We went to Dana's Point and then to Huntington Beach - played in the sand (the kids splashed in the really cold water), went to a couple of little museums and then went to dinner at Ruby's diner - it was at the end of a pier and the view was great. When we got back to the Mackey's, the kids put on a little show for us with their guitars - they were funny. We had a great day and took our exhausted bodies back to our hotel. Days 3 and 4 at laster posts!!!