Books are the BEST!

There has been a lot of reading going on in our house this summer, which is no surprise here. Both of my kids have loved books since they were old enough to sit and look at them by themselves. I often find them in their rooms looking at books. Karis can "read, recite books," that we have read her only a few times. I so enjoy listening to her read to Noah. He adores her and will sit and listen for a long time. Here are a few pictures of our book time!

Karis reading to Noah!

The "librarian" reading to Noah!

Looking at books together while Mommy makes dinner! The library is such a blessing to us! I so enjoy library day, getting them new books, reading every last one of them, and then watching them enjoy looking at them by themselves! Books really are the BEST!

My Silly Boy!

About a week ago, Noah was sitting on the potty trying to go (number 2), and he kept acting like he was falling in the potty.

"Be careful, Noah, I don't want you to fall in the potty." I said.

"I won't Mommy." he replied.

After a few more times of him doing the same thing, I said, "if you fall in the potty, you might get flushed down the little whole."

"We can just go buy a new Noah, " he replied with the cutest most sincere look on his face.
I spent the next few minutes trying to explain to him that we can't go buy new people, and telling him how special he is, one of a kind, no other Noah like you ever in the world! It was a great teaching moment for me, after I stopped laughing at his hilarious reply. I am not sure why he said that because if things break, we don't always go and buy a new one. It is neat to see how his mind works and what an imagination he has!

Toy Story 3

Last Friday, Justin and I took the kids to see Toy Story 3. I am not sure who was more excited, them or us! After arriving early, we had to wait awhile for the movie, so we got some popcorn and the kids sat and talked to us as they ate! The movie was great and seeing Noah sit still for the whole thing was a crazy. He had a hard time with the 3D glasses, since they aren't made for kids.

Thanks to Grammy and Pop Pop, the kids had Toy Story 3 t-shirts to wear. Yes, Noah looks really excited here!

We are all sporting our glasses!

Karis is making a "mean face" as Noah calls it, not sure why though.

The Pool is Cool

Go Mudcats!

A Summer Saturday

"Look at this Mommy!"

Upon arriving home from the pool with the kids, Karis excitedly exclaims, "Look at this Mommy!" As usual, I was the last one in the door. When I turned to corner to the hallway, this is what I saw:

all of Noah's cars in a row (you know your son has too many cars when the row is this long!)...

toy story 2 characters at the end of the row....

and Daddy's picture and note hanging from a barrel of monkeys!

What a fun surprise to come home to. The kids got a kick out of it, and I got to see a very creative side of Justin. It is nice to know how much "Daddy loves us." WE LOVE YOU TOO!

Side note: (the pictures were taken by our old camera because our new very nice camera is missing, I wonder where it could be?)

Our Little Photographer!

Karis Ann got a digital camera from her Aunt Courtney for Christmas last year. I wanted to share her pictures with you. It looks like we might have an upcoming photographer in the family!

Noah is her favorite person to photograph!

Karis also enjoys taking pictures of Calvin and us being silly!

She has a fetish with her feet, and I think she was taking pictures of herself when she was supposed to be napping!

Fun at the Park

Outside Day

Team RED!

Here is the team picture of my basketball girls. It was a blast playing again, especially realizing that I am no longer 18 years old and I move slower than I used to. I so enjoyed getting to know all the girls on my team. The best part of each game night was when the game was over, and my kids would run as fast at they could to hug me! It doesn't get any better than that! I am so thankful for Justin being supportive and allowing me to play. Thanks babe, you are wonderful!

BizzyBalling

Post from Justin:
I wanted everyone to see a few pics from Jeanna's basketball season. The kids and I had a great time watching all the games. The kids cheered, "Go mommy Go." And I helped the refs out by alerting them to the calls they missed, and sat in the stands proud to be the husband of the best player on the court.

Jeanna's team made it to the final game and lost by 4 points. Jeanna made the most 3 pointers of anyone in the league and played some wicked lock-down defense.

On the final night, we all wore our red in support of mommy's team.

Rehms Reunion

When we were in Texas in April, we had the annual Rehms, my mother's side, reunion. It was a lot of fun, and I enjoyed seeing the kids playing together. The last time we had the reunion at my cousin Charlotte's house, Karis was barely 2 and it was a very rough time. She has blossomed so much since then. I loved seeing her interact with her cousins. I also enjoyed a wonderful visit with my friend Michelle and her family. Their new house is beautiful, just like I imagined it would be. Here are some pictures from the reunion.

The Kids

The grownups

On another note, I am sorry to say that I accidentally erased the other pictures from our trip to Texas. All the pictures from being with Justin's family I some how erased when I was trying to make a collage. If I can get some from Courtney, I will post them soon. I will also have some great pictures from Court's wedding in Florida soon.

My blogging has been very sporadic lately. Hopefully this summer, I will get back on the bandwagon of blogging. We shall see!

Nerf guns and Justin's early birthday

Before we headed to Texas, we celebrated Justin's birthday with a homemade chiffon strawberry shortcake, courtesy of the smitten kitchen recipe. It was very good but very labor intensive. I am just glad it made Justin happy.

Justin also recently bought the kids Nerf guns. Noah can't shoot his, but we have had a great time playing war with each other: Noah and me against Justin and Karis. Karis is a very good shot. She loves to sneak up on me and shot me at any time of the day. She keeps me on my toes.

Things around here have gotten back to normal with Karis finishing her reading, she has learned all her consonant sounds and will start the vowels and learning small words. She is very excited, and we celebrated her finished books with lunch out today and a trip to Target to look at the toys!

I will eventually post pictures from our Texas trip, even though I seemed to have erased the best ones. Sometimes I don't know what the heck I am thinking or doing!

Off to Texas we Go!

The kids and I are headed to Texas tomorrow for a 10 day stay with our families. We hope you have a great couple of weeks!

Welcome Spring!

The last Saturday in March, we welcomed spring with our annual spring baskets. Thanks to Mamou, the kids had some new interesting, fun eggs to hunt for. The eggs talked until you found them, ("I am hiding, I'm over here," after it was found, you opened it and it said, "You found me!"). Noah wasn't so sure what was going on when he heard the noise, he said, "What's that Mommy?"

Hope you enjoy the pics of the fun day. The kids have enjoyed hiding the eggs for each other the last few weeks.

Just shy of 20 Years

Twenty years is a long time to call someone my friend, and I am not just talking about any friend. This friend is a tried and true, thick and thin, friend. The one word that completely describes her is: LOYAL. After almost 20 years, I can still with all certainty say that no matter the distance from her, the infrequency of our phone calls or emails, when we do talk it is easy, comfortable, like being in a safe place.


This is the only picture I could find on my computer, it is a little old and yes, I did spare you the old pictures of us back in junior high and high school. I guess I could have chalked those up to April Fool's! I am however going to post my poem I wrote for you for you. It is always good to reminisce and be transported back to our early days together. I hope you enjoy it and laugh, since we all know I am not a poet, just a want to be!!!

I REMEMBER...

I REMEMBER the gobs of makeup and big poofy hair,

I REMEMBER riding Teah in the soft, cool air.

I REMEMBER when I was the new girl how you reached out to me when I needed a friend,

I REMEMBER our ball room fights and how we promised to be friends til the end.

I REMEMBER you being my bodyguard when a certain girl was upset with me,

I REMEMBER spending days at each other's house before we would disagree.

I REMEMBER being so embarrassed at the Renaissance festival that I never went back,

I REMEMBER after junior high games the countless dinners at Cactus Jack.

I REMEMBER how you stuck by me when everyone else walked away,

I REMEMBER you calling me when my grandpa died and how it lifted my day.

I REMEMBER your many boyfriends and how you always put me before them,

I REMEMBER at state our huge hug after we stepped on each other in order to win.

I REMEMBER always locking my keys in the car every time we went somewhere,

I REMEMBER thinking that a loyal and true friend like you was unique and rare.

I will REMEMBER your loyalty, honesty, and you being my true friend.

John, you're a very blessed man to be marrying Mandy, and she she deserves to loved and cherished until both your lives end.

Mandy, I pray your birthday is very special, and I pray that you know how blessed and honored I am to be your friend. Thank you for almost 20 years of friendship, for being yourself and taking me as I am, and for being loyal without fault. I love you girl.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MANDY!!

Like Mommy, Like Kids, and a Run in with the bed

Those of you who know me, know I would rather eat the cake before it is baked, the cookie dough, and the brownie batter. I have created two monsters in my two children who, when hearing the mixer always ask for a lick, no matter what is in there! Oh, the taste of fresh cookie dough, homemade icing, or anything else sweet that can be made with mixer!

The kids enjoying licking the mixer beater!

Noah had a run in with his bed last night, and unfortunately for him, the bed won. Something about boys and eyes, at least in our family. This is at least his second black one. He seems to still fall so much, I sometimes wish he had a helmet to wear, (wouldn't that be stylish!). Thankfully, he is okay and seems to not have slowed down at all. Oh, the treasure of little boys being boys!

His sour expression matches his poor black and blue eye! You must be more careful my sweet boy!

Happy Birthday Madi

Today is my niece Madison's birthday. She is 11 years old. Madi, sorry about the old picture, it's all I could find on the computer. I remember the day you were born even though I wasn't there, I was in San Antonio doing a week long mission trip with the BSM in college. Oh the joy you brought to our family, the first baby to oh an ah over and to love. I remember many times you coming and staying with Justin and I while in college and seminary before our kids were born.
I am proud that you share my middle name and that I am your aunt. I have enjoyed watching you grow these last 11 years into a beautiful, considerate, kind, thoughtful, athletic, protective, honoring, and gracious girl. I am so thankful to call you my niece and my sister in Christ.
I love you Madi and wish I was there to spend your special day with you. We will see you soon though. I can't wait to see you strike some people out on the softball field, a girl after my own heart!

Trucks and a Tutu

Monday Karis and Noah received a few gifts from their Aunt Courtney! I have been so excited to see Noah's comforter, and I was not disappointed. Courtney, you did a fantastic job. Noah was so excited! I tried to get him to take a picture in his bed, but he didn't want to.

The whole comforter, animals and all, put just how Noah likes them!

Trucks, cars, trains, diggers, all of these are on his new bedspread. He sits on it and names all the trucks! I am surprised he naps in his bed with so many trucks to look at!

Karis got a Fancy Nancy tutu, courtesy of Aunt Courtney, she made it. I don't think she has taken it off since she got it. She even wore it on an errand, which I have always thought I would never let my kid do that, oh how I have learned not to say never!

As usual, my girl is not the picture taking kind.

I at least got a half laugh in this picture. The necklaces only enhance her fancy tutu she made sure to tell me that!

Thanks so much Courtney, you did a wonderful job as usual!

I Passed

I just received my fitness instructor certification letter in the mail. I passed and am now an AFAA group fitness instructor. Thank goodness! I was expecting to have a wait until the end of March to find out. I can now teach classes at the YMCA or anywhere else and make a little extra money doing something I enjoy and already do. Who wouldn't want to get paid to do something they enjoy!
I wanted to thank Justin for all his encouragement through this and hope this allows me to help pay for a few extra things for our family and plane tickets to Texas!!! It will also allow me to have a free membership to the YMCA.

Happenings Around Here

We have been very busy at the Childers' home, especially the last weeks of February, thus my long absence of posting. Last week alone, we busy every night, including Saturday. It was a fun week, and we got to make lots of memories. Justin and I attended the Pregnancy Centers Banquet last Thursday night. It was a great time to visit with people, and eat good food, and raise money for our Wilson Pregnancy Center. Justin is on the board this year, so he is spending many Monday nights there.

Karis took this picture of us before the banquet, quite the photographer.

On Friday, I decorated a cake for my friend, Rebecca's baby shower. It was so much fun, and I even branched out a bit to my creative side! Kind of, at least I tried! Friday night we got to watch our friends children so they could go on a date and eat pancakes and icing, who would have thought butter cream icing would be good on pancakes, it was delicious, thus the extra miles on Saturday!!

Saturday was the baby shower. It was so much fun, and I am always surprised to see how much new stuff they have for babies since even Noah was born two years ago! We are so excited for Chris and Rebecca and can't wait to watch and help them care for Evan's soul.

A few pictures of the cake:

Baby buggy and name