Lots of Sledding!

The big kids have been really into sledding lately, with all the great snow, how could they not be!

Jacob and his friend Drew were even brave enough to snowboard down the driveway....not me though :) I'll supervise, thank you very much!

Best Buddies!!!

In Jacob's kindergarten class his teacher asked these questions, and this is what he replied...

1.) At school I like to play with...Sam, West, TJ, and every boy in class.

2.) My favorite free choice activity is.... I like them all.

3.) My favorite part of the day is....being by my friend Nick (Pictured above)

4.) I want to learn...how to read.

These two have been around each other since they both could walk. They are best buddies!

Heaven has a New Angel

My friend Cari, the one who has been battling an agressive form of breast cancer for the past two years passed away yesterday. We met a few years back at church and spent three years in a small group bible study. I feel so blessed to have had her in my life. She was a wonderful, generous, courageous, and witty girl. A wonderful mom and great friend. Cari always wanted to make sure people felt special and celebrated. Always sharing her faith, and always seeking to grow and deepen in her faith. She was very transparent about life in general, which I truly appreciate about people. You can witness this by reading her blog http://www.undomestic.blogspot.com/. The picture above was taken last fall.

I learned so much from Cari before and during her battle with Cancer; it began in August of 2007. Having lost my own mom to Cancer when I was 8, I felt blessed by being able to support and pray for Cari during her journey. Being Cari's friend during her battle with Cancer helped me better understand what my mom went through during her 5-year Cancer fight. The tears flow readily today; each time I think of Cari....and the kids...and Melvin...and her parents...and all the lives she touched. I am going to miss her kind soul.

My heart just breaks for Melvin, and the kids. I know all too well that their journey will continue for many years to come. I pray that they can find comfort and peace knowing that now Cari is free from pain and with our loving Savior. I know she will watch over them. Continuing to pray for the Ashford/Spitz families in the days, months, and years to come. Please pray for Melvin and Cameron, Max, and Ella...oh, my heart just aches for them.

Beach & Boating Time

This is what summer is all about! Fun in the Sun with friends and family!

The Past Week

Dave has been in CA the past week for an intensive seminar....I wasn't sure how the week would go; fast, super slow, somewhere in between?

I thought I would get a lot of projects done...at least that is what I'd hoped.

I did get the house cleaned up, (well kind of)
cared for a food-poisoned 4 year old,
bought a NEW TV!!, (which involved going to 4 stores w/ all 3 kids)
had 4 HS friends and our 8 kids over to play,
took Jake to Vacation Bible School,
worked out at the gym,
went to a bonfire with my HS girlfriends,
bought a new rug for the sunroom,
brought Sydney to gymnastics,
carried the new TV into the house and got it setup,
took the kids to Friday's for lunch to celebrate Father's Day,
had Dairy Queen ice cream cake w/ at my father-in-law's house,
6 loads of laundry,
I'm meeting some girls for dinner tonight, and then picking up my honey from the airport.

(I know I am missing so things we did, but I really can't remember, things are kind of blurring) The kids were great, but missed their daddy. Jake asked me on day 4 when his dad was going to be home because he REALLY missed him....sweet!

I'm excited to hear about Dave's week and hang out with him! It is the longest we've been away from each other since 1996!

Maybe tomorrow I'll go to bed super early and rest!!!!!

CHEERS TO DADDY @ FRIDAYS BELOW:

Farm School Picnic

Sydney loved going to preschool at the Children's Farm Preschool this year. It is so up her alley; being outside so much and being able to help take care of the animals. Whenever I've asked her what her favorite thing to do at farm is, she always says the same thing; riding the horses. Personally, I think holding the baby kittens is a very close second. She made some great friends in the class! She is sad she can't go there all summer. I decided not to do the summer camps they offer this year, and try some different activities.

Our Visiting Friends

A girlfriend of mine asked if two of her kids could come and spend some time at our house while she took care of some things out of town. We were thrilled to have Levi and Mitchell with us for two "sleepovers" The kids completely entertained each other...lots of giggling all throughout the time. Levi and Mitchell were both great! Very well mannered, listened well, and of course were lots of fun to have around. Levi looked at me at lunch today and said, "I really like being able to stay here all day and play!"

I quickly realized while trying to take a picture of all 5 of them, that is was kind of rediculous to think it would look anywhere near normal. But this one is a perfect representation of all the fun that was had by all :)

Hockey was a big hit with Levi and Jacob. They got really into it. Jacob insisted that they wear his helmets for safety. Pretty cute!

Regan ran her fastest to try to get into the picture, but she didn't quite make it in time, so this is her courtesy shot! She is such a ham, always loves to have her picture taken!

What a beautiful day!

Loving this weather today, just gorgeous!

Today I gave Regan her first Oreo cookie, she was thrilled and enjoyed it :)

Little Sydney is sick. I think it is food poisoning. She woke up from her nap yesterday and lost her cookies. She was completely fine yesterday all morning, so we'll see. Sydney doesn't have a fever. I hope it passes quickly, it has now been 24 hours. Although she hasn't thrown up for a long time, she is moving quite slowly.

I am sad to be leaving her soon for the weekend. But looking forward to the warmer weather. The forecast is high 70's all weekend. I hope things go smoothly for Dave this weekend.

My friend Cari has another surgery tomorrow morning. They will be installing a chemo drip in her head. My heartaches for her and her family. They've been through so much! But she is strong and is going to beat this terrible cancer. Please pray for her and keep her in your thoughts on Friday and this weekend.

Praying for Cari

Cari was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 07. She finished her chemo and radiation last spring. She had a brain tumor removed last month. The cancer has now been found in her spine.

Please pray for Cari's complete healing, and for her comfort. She is having extreme headaches. Pray for her family, pray that she can get the rest she needs.

You can read more about her on blog Undomestic.

Alexandria Pictures

11 Kids and 4 Moms! Good times....

We tried to get a picture of all the kids, well, that didn't work very well. There are quite a few missing from this one :)

The Beach was a big hit!

Jake learned to kayak, and was confidently cruising around after Drew gave him a quick lesson!

Campfire and Smores...

A quick movie will we got dinner ready for the masses....

Thanks to the expert meal planner Jess, the kids all stayed full and happy!

What a fun way to spend a week during the summer! Thanks girls!!!