I Scream, You Scream...

...we all scream for ICE CREAM, of course! BUT, perhaps like me, you are conscious of the many calories/high fat content the delicacy includes. We have discovered a solution! Tonight Ken scooped out some Chocolate Moose Tracks ice cream - wow, yum! I even went and scooped out a little more, it was so good. It was then I noticed it was Light Ice Cream. I've had light in the past (and passed on it after that - it just didn't cut it), but this was great! To think that Ken had purchased a light version was a bit shocking...when he said it was quite good, I asked if he knew it was light...no, he did not - he inadvertantly purchased it! So, we're just going to have to try some of the other flavors. Watch for a sale on Country Fresh and give it a try - it's the Country Churn type.
Smooth and Silky, says the package - 55% less fat, 38% fewer calories. Mmmmm...

Of course, if I have two helpings, does that defeat the 'lightness' of it?!

Let me know if you try another tasty flavor!

Note to Self...

When your three year old says, "My throat hurts," remember that to him the throat is in the vicinity of the stomach and you'd better grab a bucket-fast!!!

OR - you may just have to clean yourself, your son, all clothes from both of you, your couch cushion, and your kitchen floor VERY THOROUGHLY.

That was our Thursday morning.

Thankfully, the kitchen floor needed mopping and it had been on my to-do list for a few days. Thank you, Ray, for disinfecting and cleaning that cushion. The kitchen floor has never been so clean. Without going into detail, let's just say that the smell of that stuff almost makes me do it myself.....

Poor Seth. He usually is bouncing with energy, and he was pretty lethargic that day.

Oh - other variations from a three-year-old may include: "My tummy is high," "My tummy is hot," "My tummy is rumbly," and other variations on that theme. Once stomach is settled, introduce other foods very slowly, or you may have a recurrence (we know this from experience, too)

When my kids are sick, it always reminds me of how grateful I must be that they are healthy; that there are children who suffer from illnesses or diseases. A friend just told me about a 16 MONTH old who she saw who has no hair - she talked with the mom and the little guy has cancer and is undergoing treatment. Wow - no complaining. We are blessed - you, too?

They're Over!

Garage Sales 2008...DONE! Yes, that is 'sales' plural at our old house - had one at the end of May scheduled for Thurs and Fri. Thursday went great (i.e. sold lots of stuff, made lots of money), and then we woke Friday to a deluge (i.e. torrential rains). The stuff was quickly packed in boxes and tables shoved into the garage. SO, we didn't want to leave it there forever, so Saturday had a one day only sale with our friends Ben and Kristy. With young children, having a sale with a friend or two is the way to do it. Sat. was also a success...lots of stuff gone, lots of deals made! The best feeling was when Kristy's huge (22 cubic feet) chest freezer sold. We also sold some other big items and Ken had hauled some miscellaneous items from the old church over.


Two sales in one season is a bit much for me...I'm calling it quits for garage sales this year.

Of course, only in the SELLING category! :) It's becoming a tradition for the kids and I to head to a sale or two or four most Thursday mornings...maybe I'll see you at one?!

Celebrations!

Father's Day & Ken's Birthday were on the same day this year! It was a weekend of celebrations...wedding Friday night, Lifewalk for Alpha Family Center Sat AM (we love walking in this each year - they raised almost $20K for this valuable ministry in our area), then we enjoyed having Dad & Mom Vanderwest over on Saturday night for dinner...Ken's request was steak kabobs - mmmm! I marinade them for many hours in a honey/soy sauce/garlic/spices mixture, add the veggies, and YUM! The dessert was not for Ken, but for his Dad - strawberry shortcake with lots of whipped cream.

On Sunday afternoon Ken opted to stay home with Seth & Aaron to nap with them. N, R, and I headed to an open house for Gideon. In addition to Bertha's wonderful food, Gideon gave a classical guitar recital outdoors. It was a charming setting - him up on the deck, chairs set up under a massive shade tree, flower beds, their black cat swaying in and out of the people, etc. They had a sound system to hear his beautiful musical well. He is SO very talented - it was soothing to the soul to listen! After that we went home and all took naps. Later we said goodbye to our friends the Gregg's at an open house for them at church. A bittersweet time - happy for them, sad to see them go. Carolyn is an awesome singer and we have had lots of sweet music memories together over the years - church praise band, offertorys, weddings, funerals, etc. They are special people and we will miss them as they 'Go Light Their World' in Nevada. We then zipped home and the Southwell's (our good friends who are living in our 'old' house for the year while they are on furlough) came over for GHIRADELLI brownies and ice cream. This was Ken's choice of dessert! :) Whew...a busy but good weekend.

This week ad next the kids (3 oldest) are taking swimming lessons at the high school pool. They are eager to go and Mom is glad they can all go at the same time! Monday night was a celebration with the Richards' side. A little basketball, soccer, banter, delicious charcoal-grilled burgers, cute nieces and nephews, chatting, etc...a fun time for all. We are eager for June 25 to come - when Bronya (sister-in-law) will give birth to our newest nephew!

Happy Father's Day to:

The Father of My Four Children - You are fun, involved, patient, godly, and admired by all of us. You are the Dad I dreamed of for our children and are my best friend.

My Dad - You motivate us to do things well, have a relationship with Christ, are full of life and fun, and we all love being with you. How grateful to have YOU as our Dad and Grandpa!

My Dad by marriage - Thank you for being so friendly (do you know half of Muskegon?), laidback, teaching us by your example, working hard for your family, enjoying life, and most of all for raising a wonderful son and father and loving all of us!

Thank you, God, for being My Heavenly Father and giving me these three wonderful men in my life!

Isn't it good to have Hallmark Holidays? They give us reasons to give cards and tributes to those who are so important to us.

Field Day Fun

And he's off! Good form, Nathan!

Leap Frog, Anyone?
A parachute + kids = FUN! That's his wonderful teacher, Mrs. Vanderlaan, behind him.
Cool picture, Dad! Katelyn & Nathan share a laugh.
Friends Dolan & ClarkThe BOYS of Nathan's 1st grade class. Our son is the one advertising the local funeral home (his soccer shirt :)
Best Buds Anna & Katelyn

Nathan had Field Day last week - a fun day for all! I was scheduled to help with the obstacle course. A little later, I looked around the track and there was Ken! He came over and asked for the camera and said, "I was at church and I just couldn't miss Field Day!" Hearing the kids' laughter, cheers, and watching them enjoy the activities was great. I was amazed at the variety of sizes of the children - height, weight, and all. Nathan said he enjoyed the races the best of the 'field' events. The schedule for the day included an hour of field day activities, an hour of bounce party (inflatables) activities, culminated with a pizza lunch at the local park. He had a wonderful first grade year, but on Monday at breakfast he thanked God that "summer vacation is finally here." (we all are!) I'm glad he's home & we're looking forward to a great summer together.

Here's Smiling at You!

(Like Father, Like Son - Aaron and Daddy dressed alike today!)

Grins like that warm our hearts! Aaron's been smiling for a while...here are some pics taken this week. He is quick to smile when you talk to him, looks at you with wide blue eyes, seems to enjoy the activity and bustle that occurs in our home, tries hard to 'talk' - so cute!! I adore that boy...often call him "sweet boy" because that's the best description of what he is. He had a major case of cradle cap and once that was taken care of, much of his newborn hair was gone - sad, because it was so soft and there was lots of it (though typically falls out around this time). He's our boy - still a champion eater and grower - probably about 18-19 lbs. My high school basketball coach would have liked my current biceps back 15 years ago when I was playing ball! Who needs to life traditional weights? If you want to tone up, come on over and hold our Aaron!