Families that bruise together, stay together

Is it odd to anyone but me that both my kids fell down at separate times today and got strawberries on their left knees? And right before I was scheduling their portraits?

Go Skrelley- it's your birthday....

Most people who know me, know my longtime friend Shelley. Not everyone knows that I've known Shelley since elementary school when we went to the same church; since middle school when we were in the same school and for a while rode on the same bus seat (me, her, Emily and my saxophone); since high school when we went to the same church and were very involved with the youth group. (Shelley was president and the girl the cool guys dated- I was comic relief). Here we are (above pic) on an Alaskan cruise with our youth minister in 1994. No comments on my hat from Fashionista please. It was the 90s and I probably got it at Structure! ha!
Here we are at "senior day" 1996 at our church. That morning we sang a ridiculous ensemble song with three other girls. The music minister loved it so much he had us sing it at the 6:30 sunrise service.....and that's all. No really girls....it was beautiful.....we've heard enough.
Then we got to college. Oh college- the freshman dorm- living together in a co-ed (say what?!) dorm and doing pranks all day. Here we are one night breaking into blogger Stacey's dorm room to scare her and her roomate Christin. We put panty hose on our heads and used guns from a skit I'd done with AGD. Shelley's pantyhose were obviously Control Top because you can't see her face at all!
For the first two years of college I was an Alpha Gam and Shelley was an "independent." She finally did rush and became an Alpha Gam- see how happy we were? That's me, Shelly, Shana and Robyn. This is junior year. We were more mature. We had been through many different dorms, pants sizes and boys by this point. College was a blast- and we were roomates our senior year just as we had been our freshman.
And here we are. Obviously I'm leaving a lot out. We both dated our husbands in 2000, married in 2001, had our boys in 2004 and our girls in 2006 (and Shelley's last boy in 2008- I'm working on it!) It's been so much fun to have a lifetime friend on the journey with me. I love you so much Shelley- Happy Birthday!!!!

Where I'll be tonight

Okay we're going to see Iron Man! I guess I'm excited- I just want to get to a theater with Milkduds! A date night on a Monday night? Why yes, Monday at 8:00 (well after the kids are in bed) is the only time we could get a sitter. I'll take it!

Jim Caviezel- amazing man

Marc and I have always loved Jim Caviezel. We loved him in the Passion of Christ, Count of Monte Cristo, Bobby Jones, and one of Marc's favorite movies, Frequency. And we knew he was a Christian. I remember a story that he upset Jennifer Lopez once when he asked her to keep her top on during a love scene out of respect for his wife. I watched him interviewed once and he said he doesn't pick characters or movies that have perfect, holy people. They may cuss, covet, or sin in any number of ways. He tries to find movies that have a redemptive quality- a story of love and truth overcoming. He and his wife have stepped out on faith and adopted two disabled children. Oh if only more Hollywood stars would find Christ and follow Him. He says:

“We took the harder road...That is what faith is to me; it’s action. It’s the Samaritan. It’s not the one who says he is; it’s the one who does – and does without bringing attention to himself. I’m saying this because I want to encourage other people. Yes, you do feel fear, you do feel scared but you have no idea the blessings that you have coming to you if you just take a chance on faith."

"When you live in holiness, when you really try to stop sinning, you become braver. You become more courageous, you become a man of your word. You become a man of conviction that you're not willing to sell out and you're really a true knight in shining armour."

Full story here: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/apr/08042907.html

Next it's college

Marky is growing up so fast! Today we got him a pair of lace-up tennis shoes and he is learning to tie them himself. What?! And we took him bike riding on the trail today and he had his first big bike accident. He hit a bump and FLEW over the handlebars and landed all crazy-like on the concrete. Mommy screamed and started running and little man said "mommy, it's okay- I'm fine" and jumped on and kept riding before I even caught up with him. I mean, does the child even need me anymore? How did my BABY turn into a big boy? Oh- and Julia called me Donna tonight.

School Days

Here is Marky's moms-day-out class. Can you tell he is one of the youngest in the class? Yes, our kids are tall.

What's fun in the spring?

Playdate picnics!