Happy Birthday Amma!

Happy Birthday Amma! We love you and can't wait to see you in a few weeks! We hope your day is as special as you are!

Mom, the kids did sing you Happy Birthday and we recorded it, but I couldn't get it to work for the post. Sorry! At least they are still shouting to you with their signs, right? I love you more than I can say and am truly blessed beyond measure to be your daughter. I didn't mail you a card either, so here's to you MOM! May your special day be filled to overflowing, and I can't wait to celebrate with you very, very soon!

Dad, give Mom a GREAT BIG HUG from me and tell her all day how blessed you are to have her as are all of us!

Saturday Silliness

I was busy cleaning the kitchen and fixing breakfast one Saturday and this is how I what I found the kids doing...

I have no idea what Karis was "teaching" Noah with her pad and pencil, or where the idea of an eye patch, sunglasses, and hats came from, but at least imaginations are free...

Waiting

Waiting.

I am waiting.

Why is this thing so hard: waiting for our turn, standing in line at the grocery store, staring at the phone waiting, hoping it will ring.

Even if the news is bad, it is still news. Whatever words are spoken will at least stop the waiting.

It is in these times that I find myself clinging to my Savior, to the one who patiently waits on his children to save them, grow them, mature them.

There is no where else to turn, no one else who holds the world that He created, in His hand. He is the only One who can bring rain and wash away my waiting.

The phone is still silent, but my heart is grasping for my Savior and crying out to Him to stop these fires that are burning and demolishing woods, homes, and towns. The fires that could have already engulfed my parents house, my sister-in-laws parents and sister's houses, and so many families I grew up with. As my heart cries out for them, the Lord reminds me:

"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,

and in His word I hope:

My soul waits for the Lord

more than the "watchmen for the morning,

more than the watchmen for the morning."

Psalm 130:5-6

God will free us from our waiting when He is ready. Whatever the outcome, I (we) must hope in Him and His Word. He will not forsake us, He will renew us, He will give us the strength we need, He is love, He is patient, and He waits for us to come to Him and lay it all down.

May I find peace and thankfulness in waiting, knowing that only His grace can see me through.

Just to say THANK YOU!

A little late in coming, but THANK YOU, none the less for our gifts Amma and Papa John!

Noah's face is priceless in both pictures, but Karis still has a hard time not being silly taking pictures.

Swim Lessons Take Two

Karis has always been a fish in the water. She has never been afraid to jump in and go under or swim. We decided to have her and Noah take swimming lessons, mostly because I wanted her to finally try for her "swim necklace" so she could be in the deep end. (She could have gotten it last summer and maybe even the summer before that, but she wouldn't even try.)

Noah wouldn't jump in by himself so we were hoping swim lessons would help him like to go under the water.

Noah's first swim lesson went great. He loved it; however, Justin and I experienced deja vu with Noah when he freaked out and started crying after hitting the water in his second swimming lesson. He never returned to the water or to another swimming lesson this summer. When Karis was three, she did the same thing at the second lesson. I don't know what scared my kids but something did. I am happy to report that now Noah is jumping in by himself and trying to "swim!" (It is strange when your children do the same thing at the same age especially when neither one could tell us why they were scared.)

Karis did fantastic and showed much improvement in her swimming. She took her swim test after the first lesson and passed easily.

Waiting patiently for her teacher, Miss Sarah

I liked seeing that BIG smile on her face, since last time she attempted swim lessons it was not there. Her teacher, Sarah, did a fantastic job and Karis learned many new swim strokes and how to dive, which her mommy can't do!

Beach Trip 2001

The last week of June, our family took our annual summer beach vacation. We spent four glorious days at Emerald Isle: basking in the sun, playing at the beach, eating way too much, and enjoying each others uninterrupted company! It is a blessing to experience God's vast creation, especially seeing His vast ocean and powerful waves. What a Savior!

Our first night we always walk on the beach, resulting in two very wet children!

We spent two wonderful days on the beach. I love seeing Noah finally enjoying the waves as much as his sister does. The kids get a kick out of playing with Daddy and having his full attention.

We let the kids sleep together, which wasn't the smartest idea, but hey, vacations are when memories are made, right? Look at those faces, see what I mean?

It rained one day so we went to the Aquarium. It was Noah's first time, and the kids seemed taken with all the sea creatures. My two little crabs!

The kids and Justin are standing in front of the BIG shark tank, that is why they look like they are screaming in the left picture and holding their breath in the right one.

We also took the kids to see Cars 2. Of course, Noah couldn't stop talking about it and is still talking about it. We really enjoyed it. I am so blessed and thankful for my family.

For Brooklynn

Six years ago

God rocked our world,

Cancer invaded

A dear baby girl.

We felt her pain

And together hoped,

In the Only One

Who could help us cope.

Our days are numbered

He holds us in His hands,

How could we question

His sovereign plan?

She belonged to God

And He loved her most,

When He spared her life

Only in Him could we boast.

He has given you

Five healthy years, my precious niece

A gift from God

And His wonderful peace.

Brooklynn, I thank God for you. On your five year anniversary of being cancer free, my hair is only a small token of my love for you and the One who is in control of ALL things. I love you sweet Brook.

Happy Monday!

The kids and Reno! Hope their smiles make you smile like they do me!

Summer in Texas

After we got back from the Rehms reunion, the kids and I packed and headed to Beaumont and Orange to visit Aunt Courtney and Uncle Orrin, Pop Pop and Grammy, and Mamou. We spent the mornings hanging out with Aunt Courtney and Uncle Orrin and playing with their three dogs! To say my kids love dogs is an understatement, and I know that Tig, Gypsy, and Lucy were ready for my kids to leave them alone!
We enjoyed a yummy lunch, a trip to HEB, and playing with new toys at Courtney's house. I really cherished this time with her. The kids also found out that they are going to have a new cousin around Christmas time! Yeah! Courtney and Orrin are expecting their first child: a BOY! Noah is very excited about having a BOY cousin since he is the only boy now!



Pop Pop and Grammy got a new dog, Reno, and yet again, the kids were all over her. This time though, with tiny sharp teeth, Noah gave her a little space sometimes! We visited Mamou several times and loved seeing her. She is a blessing to all of us! The kids got to pick their own potatoes for dinner, which only Karis ended up eating. They thought this was fantastic, helping Grammy pick potatoes! (Since our lettuce garden didn't make it, I was glad they got to experience some gardening with Grammy, who by the way is an excellent gardener).



After that, Grammy pulled out the BIG sprinkler ball and the kids and Grammy had a blast! They ran from one side of the yard to the other many times, with Grammy right alongside them.



This is how we found Noah after I bathed them and they were watching a movie waiting for dinner.

It can't be very comfortable!

Reno, Pop Pop, Grammy, Karis and Noah

We traveled back to my parents house for a few more days before we came home. The kids got to play a lot with their cousins, Madi and Brooklynn. We went swimming one afternoon, threw rocks in the pond, rode the four wheeler, shopped at the outlets, of course, and my parents took the kids to Chuch E. Cheese, while I went to dinner with my long time friend, Mandy!

The kids faces are priceless!

My kids are so very blessed to have such loving grandparents, great-grandparent, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Our visits to Texas never seem long enough, and they are always filled with fun and laughter. God is good, and we are blessed. Thank you to all of you, we love you very much.

I was also thankful for the few hours we got to spend with my brother. He has been working so many hours this last year. I love you Shawn, and I'm glad you got to see ME!

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!