Birthday Week, cont...

Stop #2: Mommy & Carter date to pAiNT yoUrSElf sIllY !! This little guy loves to paint so it was an easy choice for where to take him on a special birthday outing. He painted to his hearts content and loved every minute.... and I enjoyed every minute watching him!! As soon I remember to go pick them up I'll post some pictures of the finished product!!

And we couldn't walk by our favorite smoothie place without stopping for a quick treat on the way home!!!

A huge thanks to "Aunt" Leslie for keeping Turner so we could share this special time together!

More birthday pics to come... next up the PARTIES!!! :D

Let the celebrations begin....

Instead of just celebrating on Carter’s birthDAY this year, we ended up making it a weeklong celebration… here is the summary of the week…

Stop #1: Easter Party at the Gudeman’s (my brave friend Rachel had us along with 5 other friends and their kiddos over for some Easter festivities including egg dying)

and egg-hunting….

and a fun lunch together that ended with birthday cupcakes!!!

It was a FUN morning, but the birthday celebrations had only begun…

(I had planned to do one LONG post... but alas that would take too long, so more to come!!)

Go FOUR it!!

To my dear sweet, Carter,

Today you are turning 4! Mommy can hardly believe how BIG you are getting. I keep asking you to "slow down and stop growing" but you tell me you can't! And you are right.

I am so proud of the little man you are becoming, such a friendly guy with a smile and hello for everyone you meet. And you are becoming quite the social butterfly always wanting to go find friends to play with or have them to our house... in fact, you've initiated some fun, unplanned, hang-outs at our place lately (although Daddy & I are trying to teach you to run things past us FIRST)!!

You talk non-stop and always want to know "why" and refuse to settle with anything less than a full, detailed explanation. You want to be a " struction worker" when you grow up, just like your Papa in Hastings. You have always loved big trucks, tractors and anything with wheels. You also love to do crafts... you would glue, cut, color, paint, & create all day if I'd let you. You are a passionate & very determined little guy and everything you do is to the fullest!!

You are an awesome big brother and are just beginning to realize how fun it can be to play alongside your little brother. Teba wants to be just like you and we pray you be a worthy example to him. We can't wait to see the two of you grow up as brothers and friends and hopefully keep each other out of trouble!!!

You started AWANA this fall and love being with Miss Sue and all your friends. It has been fun for us to watch you hide God's Word in your heart and begin to seek after Jesus. We pray you will seek Him ALL the days of your life.

Next fall you'll start preschool and you are so excited to be in Mrs. Kugel's class with your friend, Luke! We can't wait to see you expand your horizons, though it will be hard to let you go! It was just recently that conquered your ABC's & counting to 10 and seem ready to learn (and hopefully soon you'll learn to listen!!).

Buzz, you are the sweetest of kids and we are so blessed to have you as part of our family. You teach us so much every day and we cannot wait to see what God has in store for your life as a FOUR-year old. Thank you for sharing your smiles, laughs, & everyday life with us.

We love you so much!!

Momma, Daddy & Teba

Carterisms #9

After an unfortunate experience of "tossing his cookies" in the middle of night, (yes, it was all over the bed & the wall - no fun for Momma or Carter!) he & I had this conversation....

M: What did you have for snack at AWANA last night?

C: Popcorn with green stuff on it.

M: Well that shouldn't have made you sick, did you eat a lot of it?

C: Ya. I don't think it was the popcorn though, it was one of those casseroles you made us this week.

Isn't he sweet?

PS: This is coming from a kid who gobbled up the ONE casserole I made this week AND who actually likes to eat grapefruit AND corned beef (and who will eat about anything else!).

Beautiful Feat

"How beautiful upon the mountains

are the feet of him who brings good news,

who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,

who publishes salvation,

who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns.'"

Isaiah 52:7

For the past 11 years my parents have traveled to Sonora, Mexico on a Medical Missions Trip. There, they visit several (I think they are up to 5 or 6) small villages and put on medical clinics for the people of the area who for the most part are unable to pay for reasonable medical care. They do this through the local churches. The goal is for the people to not only have their physical needs met.... but that they would be introduced to 1) their local church and 2) the opportunity to know Christ as their Lord and Savior... thus having their spiritual needs met as well.

Todd and I were able to join Dad & Mom on their trip the first several years - now it's been about 7 years since we've gone along.... someday we hope to go back. This year I was able to contribute a small bit to the group - I sent along these totes to be shared with the wives of the pastors at each of the churches they visited. It was fun for me to practice my sewing & reach out to these women as well.

Dad & Mom will be finishing up their last day in Mexico today and heading back to AZ before flying home. I pray God would continue to protect them and allow HIS name to be proclaimed to those who lives have been impacted by their trip!

Thanks Dad & Mom (and Pete, Steve, Mary, Andrea, Mary, & Wes who went along this year!).... for giving to people of Mexico and sharing the good news!!

A beautiful feat indeed!

Meet Kate

On Friday, February 12 our dear friends,

Chad & Danielle, welcomed their 4th little blessing,

Kate Marie!!

Kate joins two rambunctiously sweet big brothers Evan & Levi,

and one adorable big sister, Mia!

Kate's claim to fame as a newborn is the fact that she was born with a tooth!

At 4 days old, Kate had her 2nd appointment (the 1st was a quick exam at the hospital!) with Dr. Todd and her "baby tooth" was extracted. This was by far Dr. Todd's youngest patient yet!!

Welcome, Kate!

We're excited to watch you grow up!

xoxo,

No accidents!!

and he had them on for 5 minutes!!

next time we'll try 10!

I never thought "Thomas" could look so cute!

p.s. no we're not in unders, yet!