Latest Reads

One thing I love to do: Read
One bad habit: Starting a book and not wanting to put it down to do my chores

*Bible - The kids are so good at memorizing Scripture and it has been so good for me, too.
*Day by Day Devotions for Kids has been fabulous and isn't too long for my little ones.
*Where the Sidewalk Ends - We have enjoyed some very humorous poems.
*100,000 Baby Names - Thank goodness I only had to read through the BOY names!
*Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions - Haven't read too much yet...
*One Simple Act - Fabulous. Fabulous. Fabulous. Shows how giving is so rewarding.

Also:
The 9th Judgement/Kathleen Fuller
The Mercedes Coffin/Faye Kellerman
Twilight's Serendade/Tracie Peterson
A Promise to Believe In/Tracie Peterson
Like Dandelion Dust/Karen Kingsbury
The Thorn/Beverly Lewis

Sunday Snapshot

I got tickled at Ethan the other day when he asked why we hadn't bought any Halloween candy yet. If he only knew that our house is positioned in such a way that is 'off the beaten path' for sugar starved kids, then he probably would have understood why we didn't need to stock up on bags of candy! Doubt too many people will be walking by...;-)

Mr. B.

For those who know my family, you are very much aware of the fact that my father is the one who is constantly telling jokes - whether funny or not. It's not that my mother's side isn't funny - for they are (Uncle Craig and Uncle Ray were crazy)!
My mother, the quiet one, who is an amazing writer and publisher of many books, devotionals, and S.S. material, has a minor flaw. She is horrid (is that too harsh?) at writing words to songs that would be sung to common tunes. Our family makes sure she never forgets this. (Aren't we grand?) Or maybe it isn't the words, just the 3 different keys it took her to sing it for us. (Love you, Mom!) Although, as I mentioned that she is the quiet one, she sometimes comes up with one-liners that totally crack me up. And this last one was no exception.

She recently posted this picture on Facebook with the caption:
"Lovin' my life"


Later on in the week, my mom had commented about how I was working in the kitchen while sitting on a stool. A friend of ours saw this comment and asked, "Wait a sec. I think I missed something...again. (He is in the Army) What's going on with Melanie that she hasn't been able to be up?"
Now, you have to understand that this fellow goes by "Bill Bean". No, that is not his real name. I do believe it's for privacy issues. Or just quirkiness. If you knew him, you'd get it. That's why we love him...! ;-) So...
My mom's response was: "Baby #4, Billy B."

Totally cracking up over here. What? You're not? Well, what if I had her write you up a diddly about Moses crossing the Red Sea to the tune of London Bridge? ....er, or not....

Love you, Mom!
You are the best Mawmaw in the world. Can't wait to see you with #4!

Who likes gifts?

Thought I would share some of the goodies I have put together so far this year....some are my own idea while others are ideas I found elsewhere and liked well enough to use.

1. This was a good winter treat I made for some of the ladies in our church....
(click picture to read note)



2. My friend, Lacy, and I made these up for Valentines for the ladies at church...

-hot cocoa 'icecream' treats

-chocolate heart suckers

-chocolate covered pretzels




3. Made these for my piano students.
Just a bag of skittles, a note and lots of curly ribbon...














4. Delivered to a friend at her workplace:
Pack of gum with a card that said,
"Hope your day goes good and no one chews you out!"


5. Someone had us over and it was the first time in their new home...















6. New homeowners...

















7. Gift for Ethan's kindergarten teacher...




8. Mom's Mother's Day gift...Vera Bradley bag wrapped in none other than Vera Bradley herself...haha...

Kindergarten is behind us

Welcome to the Palace....
My parents, along with other great people,
put this 3rd Awards Banquet together for the PHA kids.
My dad drew the palace and crown (and helped the whole evening)
and my mother was a decorator, planner, overseer, etc.

PHA Kindergarten Class of 2010
Ethan said he wants to be a policeman, but doesn't want to live to far away from home.

Ethan and his wonderful teacher....
Ethan did fantastic in his work during school and is reading so well.
(I found this site that I love. It is so much fun listening to Ethan read aloud. starfall.com)

Today is your day.
You're off to great places!
You're off and away! ~Dr. Seuss

The future lies before you
Like a field of driven snow,
Be careful how you tread it,
For every step will show
(author unknown)

A couple people commented on how they remembered Shawn at his K Graduation - and that Ethan looks just like he did all those years back.

He got a Scripture trophy, Honor Roll trophy,
and a Medal that was for a Character Trait he portrayed: Kind

Papa, Nana and Ethan

Papaw, Mawmaw & Ethan

Principal (Uncle) Scott with Ethan

Papaw Kuhn had put $ in his graduation card and

wrote that if he could count it, he could have it. Ethan's response to that - "Cool!"

...here he is putting the $ in his inside pocket.

--The Awards Banquet was on Thursday which was the last event/day of school for him. Ethan asked if he had to go to school on Friday. Poor kid. He doesn't know what Summer Break means...he's never had one before!

--I told Ethan on Thursday that someone said to tell him "Congratulations!" "What for?", he asked.

Summer Break ...and then FIRST GRADE!

So Happy

Shawn and I, along with the boys, sang a song for Sunday School. The theme of our song selection was 'Happiness'. I had wanted to have Morgan sing to, but she is not ready. She knew 3 key words really well, but when you actually made her sit still and sing - oh, boy! A tear would escape and she would half sing, half sob as she tried to say 'happy'. It was hilarious!
...click below to watch and listen...
Sunday School Special

St. Patrick's Day

This little man was one of the gifts Shawn got me when he proposed 8 years ago - on St. Patrick's Day. ( a watch, flowers, and my piano were also given!)...each held the little leprechaun this year and said something we were thankful for...

Getting ready to eat our yummy cake...along with drinking our green milk...