Thankful

Today I reflect on the things of this life that bring me great joy and/or that I am thankful for:

A Holy God that loves us

Good health

My precious husband of 19 years

My 3 beautiful children

Their laughter and tears

A beautiful daughter with whom I enjoy spending time and laughing with

The energy of a 5 & 7 year old

A roof over our heads

My church family

Family and friends

My children's love of books

A great job that affords me a summer off with my children

The relationship my children have with their Nana

Life is not about what we can acquire materialistically but drawing our hearts nearer and dearer to our great Lord.

Busy Weekend

Friday: It started Friday evening...hubby home surprisingly early, a 32 mile bike ride (Awesome!!!!), homemade potato soup (Awesome again), and Family Movie Night with family. It was an Andy Griffith marathon. Good, wholesome television.
Saturday: Awana Grand Prix in the a.m., prepping Sunday school room, baseball and t-ball games early afternoon (talk about intense parents. I can't believe how intense it got at my 6 yr old's baseball game), then dinner at a friends house.
Sunday: Teaching my sweet 2nd graders, lunch, off to the school play with my boys (love the time spent with my kiddos), Brina off to a friends house (envious b/c she spent the entire afternoon riding 4 wheelers and dirt bikes and driving a jeep in the woods), home to let dog out, back to church, dinner, home.

Why do I share this? I know not. While typing it though, it reaffirmed to me that we are too BUSY. I dislike busy; however, sometimes it seems there is no way around it. I prefer more relaxed, at home, time with my family chillin' in the back yard, watching my children playing and listening to them laugh. Ahh, can't wait for the lazy days of summer. They can't get here soon enough!! Following are some pics from the weekend. Will add more later.

Awana Grand Prix: Cubbies

Awana Grand Prix: Sparks
(Pictures to come)

6 of my 10 2nd graders

CHS Play: Crazy for You!

The Signs of Spring

I'm not sure about you but I love spring time. It's a time of new birth. Yeah, it's a time of allergies as well, but oh the beauty that surrounds us this time of year. As I rode my road bike yesterday I was overwhelmed with the beauty of God's creation around me. It was just me and the road, Benton Pike to be exact, from my house to Benton. I wish I had had my camera to take pictures of it all.
Flowers in bloom, trees budding and blooming, the sweet feeling of traveling beneath a covered canopy of trees as I wind my way down a hill, the sight of cows and open fields, getting off my bike to pet a strangers horses, the smell of the animals (yes I dig it), the quaint little houses that make me desire the simple life (though I am thankful for all that God has blessed me with), old barns standing alone in open fields, animals scurrying off to the side of the road, crossing creeks that make me want to stop and take a break and soak it all in, the sunshine, the birds singing, the sound of tractors and lawnmowers, the silence (at times), people sitting on front porches, people waving and of course me waving back, the breeze in my face, bugs in my face :), the smell of honeysuckle, dogs barking at me and praying they don't get me, big oak trees that could hold old tire swings, etc.
Ahh, spring!!! I can't wait until my next road trip. Wonder where it will take me next? I guess we'll find out on my next ride.

CHS Prom 2010

Wow!!! What an incredible night. I need to give a shout out to the prom committee. They did a fabulous job. The Filauer property looked spectacular, the food was delicious, and the music was great. You'd have thought I was at my high school class reunion with all the classics they played. Whoever thought of having it there...kuddos to you. Whoever got the DJ...sweet!
And WOW, the teacher attendance was AWESOME!!!!!!
Anyway, the following are some pics from the night.

Out of the mouths

My three children are precious and some of the things they say are so funny. I wish I had documented all the funny things they have said in the past, but I haven't. Shame on me. Maybe this blog will help me do some of this.
Nathanael, my four year old and youngest of three, seems to be the jokester of the family and keeps us in stitches.
What was said this morning may not be funny to some but it is cute to me.
Ryan, my 6 year old son, has lost two teeth, days apart from each other and this morning my husband texts me and tells me what Nate said to Ryan while they were eating breakfast. Ryan was chewing his food with a sideways kind of face and Nate was watching him and said, "Ryan if you lose anymore teeth you will not be able to chomp." Well, for those of you that may not know, chomping is very important, especially to little boys who like to eat and I can hear Nate saying that with his expressive tone.
I enjoy listening to my children talk to each other and I especially enjoy when my husband shares things the boys have said or done in my absence, especially since I have to be at work before 7am and drop my daughter off at school by 6:45am, so he has 'boy' duty in the mornings and gets to be a part of some funny things.
Thank God for my little boys and my precious daughter!!
Until next time...

Easter

The Lovelace Family

The Guys

The Gals

Ryan and his friend Abby

Look at what the 'Easter Bunny' left in our front yard!!!!

The Lovelace 5

Hectic Days

Wow, I believe spring is here with all the tale tale signs: buds on trees, flowers in bloom, waking up to birds singing, nests being built, the sound of lawns being mowed, sunshiny days, Saturday's at the ball fields watching children play t-ball and baseball, golf, basketball, March madness, sunshiny days, and Easter. A time when we celebrate the resurrection of our great Lord Jesus.
Today our church had a community wide Easter egg hunt and lunch. It was a great success and there were lots of children and even more eggs. My two youngest, Ryan and Nathanael, had a great time. Afterwards, we went to Nathanael's t-ball game. It is such a joy to be able to coach 3-4yr olds. They are so precious to watch and cute to boot. When that was over it was Brina's turn and daddy took her to a birthday party and when that was over it was off to choir practice for those two. The boys and I came home, ate lunch, boys went down for naps while I prepared for my 2nd grade Sunday School lesson. Then it was off to another birthday party for one of Nathanael's pre-school friends at 5:00. After the party we headed to church to get my room ready for tomorrow. Finally at home for the evening getting ready for a wonderful Easter Sunday Service at church tomorrow.