Summer... almost!

The kids are out of school now! I am so looking forward to a schedule that is not packed so our family can enjoy spending time together.

I have to work on Tuesday :( and then we head to the beach! My side of the family is going to Nags Head this year --- there will be about 30 people there at various times throughout the week. It's always a blast --- crazy, but a blast!

Last Monday afternoon, Zach started running a fever. Once we got his fever down, he acted fine. Tuesday, he stayed home with Daddy and he ran no fever so we thought he was ok until 5pm when it started again. I took a look at his throat, which looked like he had 2 red-hot fireballs (you know the hot candies?) stuck back there. When I saw that, Zach did tell me that "his tongue hurt". The child hardly ever complains! I declare that he does not feel pain the way other children do, with all that he's been through. Anyway, I took him in on Wed. mornint and the dr. said his throat looked "impressive" but the strep test came back negative. She decided to treat him with an antibiotic anyway because the strep test is only about 90% accurate. He seems to be back to his old self again and was able to finish out the week at school.

So now, as a reward for taking such good care of Zach, I am the one suffering with a sore throat and now a "like-a-faucet-runny-nose" and sneezing. UUUGGGHHH! I woke up at 5:30am and could not go back to sleep. I kept trying to sneeze but could never get it out. My eyes are watering and watering. Please pray with me that everyone else can stay healthy for our beach trip.

Also, I have a couple of other prayer requests... Our neighbors, Jo and Al, have a new grandbaby. They knew something was not right all during the pregnancy but the possible diagnosis changed with each doctor's visit. He was born on Thursday, and they know he will have surgery sometime because his esophagus and stomach do not meet. I do not even know his name yet, but you can pray for Carter and Amy, his mom and dad. Many of you with heart babies know how they are feeling right now.

Also, please pray for Emma and her family, who go to church with my mom. I think Emma has the same heart defect as Zach and she had surgery on Thursday. I do not know any other details yet but will update when I know more.

Hope you have a blessed Memorial Day Weekend! We have so much to be thankful for in our country and we owe so much to those that made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and those who are serving us at this moment. Remember them this weekend!

Graduation Day

Tonight, we attended Zach's pre-school graduation. I still cannot believe that he is 5 and ready to go to 5K! Anyway, he looked so handsome in his cap and gown. (sorry I didn't take the time to edit out the glowing eyes!)

They marched in to Pomp and Circumstance, sang a couple of songs and recited 2 Bible verses, then each of them shared their dream job for when they grow up...

Yes, you heard it right... when he grows up he wants to be a PIRATE! Too funny!

For a graduation gift, we gave Zach tickets to see the Imagination Movers at our local auditorium. He's jacked! They put on a really good show and have some great music.

We are so proud of our BIG boy! Congratulations Zach!

4 in 1

I wish I could blame my absence on the issues that Blogger has been having lately, but no, I have just been very busy and when I have had any time to update, I have been very lazy :)

So, this post is about 4 updates in 1. A lot happened in the month of April... well, let me show you...

Easter Morning

GQ!

 Daddy is so proud of his beautiful girl! So is Mommy!

Zach's 5th Birthday Party

Pigging out with Cousin Eli

Why did we buy him a playground when we could have gotten off cheap with a cardboard box?

Bill took advantage of our party guests... Brother-in-law, David and our neighbor Mr. Joe

Zach is testing out one of the swings to see if Daddy installed it properly. I think it passed inspection!

Mother's Day Tea at Zach's Preschool



This is Zach with his teacher, Mrs. Amy. She is awesome! This was such a special time for us mothers! They had all kinds of surprises for us --- artwork, a special song, and a handmade necklace.

The New Playground

Let me just brag on my husband a minute. He did such an awesome job putting together Zach's playset! It was quite an undertaking! Lots of blood, sweat, and tears!

Putting the last screw in the playground... or so we thought (more on that in a minute...)

Enjoying the slide for the first time

Thanking Daddy for all his hard work

My boys!

OK, so I promised to tell you more about Bill finishing the playground. First, answer one question:

Have you ever seen a playground do a somersault?

Neither have I, but apparently it doesn't go very well.

Unbeknownst to us, last Sunday night during the night there were some pretty strong storms that passed through. When we walked out to get in the car to go to school Monday morning, the playground was laying on its side about 30 feet away!!! I cannot believe that I didn't take a picture of it! I NEVER would have dreamed that the wind could have done that to it! I was so sick and felt so bad for Bill. The funny thing was, Zach did not get upset in the least. I don't think he really understood what had happened. Here are some pictures of the damage...

When Bill got home from taking Rebecca to school, there was a message on the answering machine from our neighbor, Mr. Joe, offering to help. Another neighbor, Mr. Al, also came over. We have some incredible neighbors! They detached the side extension and the slide, stood the house part back up, dug some really deep holes, cemented in some 4x4 posts, which are bolted to the house. Bill says it will still be standing at the Rapture!!!

Today he screwed in the last screw... again!

If we have any more disasters with the playground, I think we will go back to our trusty old cardboard box!