Rehms Reunion 2011

Our first few days in Texas were spent at our annual Rehms family reunion, my mom's side of the family. I look forward to this reunion every year, it is a wonderful time for my kids to play with their second cousins and to see what has been happening in my aunts, uncles, and cousins lives. This year the reunion was in Fredericksburg, at my Aunt Barbar's house. After we arrived on Friday night, we ate dinner and the kids headed outside to play.
We stayed up late watching the softball college world series, very exciting for me! After a late night, Karis and Brooklynn slept late on Saturday, but Noah was up early wanting breakfast of course! The kids played outside ALL day Saturday! They only came in for food, drinks, and for me to kiss some bo-bos. Two days without naps for him about did him in, but he hung on until about 8:30 that night. After a bath, the kids sat down to watch a movie and within two minutes, Noah was out!

All the cousins playing: Wesley, Grayson, Brooklynn, Karis, Natalie, and Noah

minus: Madison and Austin

Noah enjoyed the rock sandpile most of all!

I didn't get many pictures of the adults this year, too much time visiting and eating and not enough time taking pictures! It was a wonderful time as always.

Noah and Papa John

My cousin Norma and her family didn't get to come. You were all missed greatly. Love you guys!

Big Shoes to Fill....

As I grow, I hope I will realize what a treasure I have in my Daddy.
Right now, he is my favorite playmate, disciplinarian, pastor, and best friend.
As the years go by, I will witness his integrity, love, patience, trust, care, discipline, open arms, and most of all his "love for the Savior."



These shoes I wear now are way too big, but my Mom prays that as I am lead by my Daddy, that I will grow into a man who "loves the Savior with all my heart," a man just like YOU!

Happy Early Father's Day Dad!

Thank you for your faithful leadership, love, and for always making me feel important and loved.

Ring Of Fire

Friday night after our usual soccer practice, homemade pizza, and movie, we took the kids in the backyard and did sparklers for the first time. I am not sure why we haven't done them before, but it was an unforgettable experience. Karis was a tad bit scared at first, but once she saw Noah swinging his sparkler around making shapes, she was all over it!

The first ring of fire


Crazy Noah

A frigtenend ring of fire

the ultimate RING OF FIRE

Late Birthday Shout

You have your flaws, but don't we all,

Maybe one day you will come when I call!

You are loved and we are thankful for you Calvin, Happy Birthday from us all!

Chicken Cheeks

My friend told me about a book called Chicken Cheeks, and the kids and I randomly found it our last trip to the library. We've had a ton of fun with it and Noah can now "read" it himself. (Warning- If "bum" humor offends you, please do not listen)!

Strawberry Picking!

We spent Monday afternoon doing one of our favorite things:

STRAWBERRY PICKING!

Spring Soccer is Here!

Spring soccer is in full swing here at the Childers' house. Karis is playing for her third season, first time playing in the spring, and our family is again enjoying being involved in sports. I cannot help looking forward to cheering our team on: Go Midnight Express! I cannot help being surprised and proud of Karis as she matures and learns how to be a TEAM player. For the first time, Karis made a great pass to her teammate almost resulting in a goal. She still likes playing "keeper" or goalie, since I only played soccer until junior high, I am not totally in the lingo for the names of each position. However, I remember how irritated I used to get when people called it a spike in volleyball when it was called a "hit or kill." (sorry for the side note!)

The Princess Destroyers are currently 1-1. Our first game, Karis scored her first two goals. I realized that I have failed as a homeschooling mom when the referee asked her how to spell her last name and she said, "I don't know." She knows now!

I have also loved seeing Karis open up and make new friends. It is a joy to see your child grow and the fruits of you labors. She made a card for her coach, and it said "I love you and God loves you."

While Karis practices and plays, Noah likes kicking the soccer ball and watching. At our game last week, Noah encountered bleachers for the first time. After specifically telling him not to go past the first bleacher, I heard a very loud bump, then a hair raising cry. Here is what he looked like a few days later.

After comforting him and holding him, he looked at Justin and said, "I won't do that again." Maybe he really learned his lesson. Maybe sometimes Mommy and Daddy are right, imagine that!

Justin's Birthday

Last Tuesday was Justin's 33rd birthday. Thanks to an edible bouquet from his sister and Mamou, we enjoyed lots of fruit for the next few days! I was so glad that we were all together this year, it seems like in the last four years, we have been in Texas on Justin's birthday. After much thought, his menu for the day consisted of:

Breakfast: blueberry muffins

Lunch: Olive Garden

Dinner: steak and baked potatoes

Dessert: strawberry pie

It was fun to make "all" his favorites! (except Olive Garden, of courses). The kids and I thought long and hard about what to get him. After all the usual suggestions, I remembered something he said he would like to have, so I went and bought it.

Justin's new "swing bench." I am not exactly sure of its proper name, but that is what we call it. It is a nice addition to our front porch, and we have enjoyed swinging on it. It was also fun to buy him a "household" birthday present. It seems we as wives and moms always get appliances and other "household" items as presents!

Happy Birthday Babe, we love you so much!

Mom aka Amma to the Rescue!

17 weeks! 17 weeks is how long I went without seeing my Mom! 17 weeks is too long, and I was in dire need of some "Mommy loving," which I received abundantly. (Thank you Mom!). Thankfully she came for a visit last week, and oh what a week it was: shopping, shopping and more shopping, eating, playing with the kids, staying up late, enjoying every last minute with each other. It truly is a blessing that my mom is also my best friend.

TUESDAY: The kids and I picked Mom up from the airport, made a trip to Sam's, visited a friend in the hospital, and then ate dinner at Moe's with Justin. We were both tuckered out but stayed up talking and gearing up for the outlet mall trip the next day. My mom has lost 20 pounds since I last saw her. She was in need of some new clothes, and I was excited to get to shop with her and for her!

WEDNESDAY: Smithfield outlet mall was our destination and "shopping until we drop" was accomplished for sure. We both some great buys and had so much fun. The kids enjoyed having Amma all to themselves. THURSDAY: We stayed home all day and just hung out letting the kids have Mom all to themselves. Here are some pictures of our fun!

Amma getting some Noah love!

Karis loving on Amma

My little inventors

My mom and I went to dinner at The Beefmaster, I have to say they really do have the best steak I have ever eaten. Justin and the kids stayed home so we could have some girl time. It was wonderful and so encouraging. Before dinner, we took some pictures.

Amma and the kids having some more fun!

The girls (it was a treat to have Karis in the picture, she usually doesn't like taking pictures).

Me and Mom

I hope I look as good as my mom does at her age!

FRIDAY: We did a little more shopping and playing outside. Karis had soccer practice and then the kids sat in Amma's lap and watched a movie. Mom and I stayed up late talking and dreading the next day.

SATURDAY: The whole family took Amma to the airport, this probably kept both of us from crying the whole way there. We only have to wait 8 weeks this time before we see each other!

I would be remiss if I did not say thank you to my Dad who talked mom into coming. Thank you Dad, you always take good care of your daughter! I also need to say that your presence, Dad, was missed greatly! We love you!

I am grateful to the Lord for giving us this special visit. It was balm to my hurting (missing my mom) heart.

March Rewind

Blogging has been forsaken this month on account of sickness and just plain laziness, at least from blogging. Sickness brought about much daily cleaning and laundry, I feel like it never ended, the laundry I mean! The beginning of the month was our annual Pregnancy Center Banquet. It is always fun to get dressed up and support such worthy cause. We also brought out the new blender to make our "green smoothies, " which Justin figured out had spinach in them. The kids really like them and they have become our snack almost everyday!

The proof is on Noah's face!

Aunt Courtney sent Karis and Noah a care package of all kinds of fun stuff. They really enjoyed doing the mosaics, it was truly a joy to watch them work together!

The middle of March brought the stomach bug to our house, with poor Noah having the worst of it. I decided to get him the much wanted "Batcave" to cheer him up. I think Karis had more fun playing with it than he did.

Look at that sad face!

School has been in full swing after our bout with sickness. Noah has become a master "puzzle doer." (as he calls himself). He doesn't need anyone's help, he can do them all by himself. What a change from just a few weeks ago.

"Look Mommy, I did it all!"

This year of teaching Karis to read has been a true joy, after the initial few weeks, she has caught on so quickly. She is reading well and comprehending easily. I am so thankful for that since I had such a hard time learning to read.

Karis doing her reading.

We have also done a few art projects this month. We did a Dr. Seuss fish and an Eric Carlisle inspired butterfly, but my favorite is this one from Karis:

It doesn't get any better than this!

Hope you enjoyed my recap, hopefully April will bring more blogging. It will have to wait until my mom leaves though. She comes next week for four days!

This Makes Me Happy!

It warms my heart to see Karis and Noah so engaged and content reading a book with Justin. It warms my heart to know they are all perfectly content to be with each other, close to each other, holding each other, loving each other.

Daily the Lord reminds me what a precious gift my husband is to me and to our children. He is not only comfortable playing and being with our children, he truly enjoys spending time with them alone, which gives me some time to run errands or spend some extra time with others. The kids love to be with him because he is always more fun than Mommy! They can play with me anytime!

Thank you Justin for pouring your heart and life into me and our children, for desiring to be with them and teach them some things on your own and for giving them security, love, time, discipline, and yourself.

I LOVE YOU!

Friends in Sickness

The last five days in our house have been full of fever, throw up, and other things. All except me have been hit by this virus, so I am just waiting my turn patiently as I take care of them. The boys are now on the mend, thankfully, but I have been so thankful for my "friends in sickness."


1. The handheld shampooer, thanks to my friend Lori for letting me borrow hers. I will have to get my own! (Maybe I should just buy her a new one and keep hers, especially after using it to clean up throw up!).

2. Lots of laundry detergent because the washing machine hasn't stopped going. I had to make some more today after I ran out this morning.

3. My kitchen aide mixer which has whipped up some homemade soft pretzels today. I also just really really LIKE my mixer, I use it all the time!

4. Clorox, clorox wipes, and lysol to disinfect the air, the floors, the tub, the sinks, the toilet, my kids and husband (oh wait, I didn't really use it on them, I wish I could though!).

These last five days have been a testimony of God's patience and gentleness with me, as I have had to be these fruits of the spirit to my family, God has reminded me that He is those fruits and all the rest every minute of everyday with me. I can honestly say that this week, I have been able to find joy and thankfulness serving my family and cleaning up things I would prefer not to, only by His grace!

Sure Sign of Spring: Barefeet!

We had a few weeks of mild weather at the end of February and the kids enjoyed playing outside in their barefeet (which they are not supposed to do, they are supposed to at least keep their crocs on)! Spring is in the air, and we are all excited about getting outside. Today the weather is much cooler, so the barefeet are covered up.

The tree is starting to bud, sure sign of spring.

Blue and pink crocs not on my kids feet!

Barefeet standing on the slide,

kids seeing new leaves on a bush in the backyard,

toes scrunching in the dirt,

and kids digging and playing happily together!