Driveway Basketball

Several weekends ago, Pops and Cory got conned into a game of driveway basketball. Max and Sam were over and teamed up wth Caden and Carter to compete against Pops and Cory. At first Cory wasn't out there, so Carter decided to play with Pops. I am not sure how fair this really was, but Max, Caden, and Sam didn't seem to mind and thought it was plenty fair. Either that or they knew they could take on a couple of old guys and a 4 year old. It was quite the game! I don't recall the final score, but everyone had a blast!

Max taking a shot over Carter.

Caden driving to the bucket.

Here goes Cory really showing them how it is done.

Pops should have had a foul called on this play...look at that elbow!

I am sure this is the first of many pickup games in the driveway! I think it is great!

Fishing

My dad, aka Pops, took the boys fishing today. They all had a blast! Caden threw his line out all by himself and reeled in 3 fish, 2 bass and 1 perch. Carter had some assitance throwing his line, but reeled in 4 by himself! Another successful day at the ol' pond!

Carter with his first catch of the day.

Caden and Carter, the master fishermen!

Lovin' the hat :)

My Heart Is Full

Cup Time Already?

Can he be this big already?

I guess so!!!!

Trampoline Fun

This morning we spent a little time introducing Crosby to the trampoline. If he is anything like Cole he will love it at an early age!

Cole, Crosby, and Carter

Crosby really loved sitting on it while the other boys bounced him (slightly bounced)!

He was ready to climb on...

Legacy of Bible Teaching

Today in our 3-4 yr old Sunday School our lesson was about Timothy and his mother and grandmother teaching him the bible.

I talked to the kids(which included Carter) about learning the bible from my Grammy and parents. I asked them to name someone who taught them the bible. Most kids said Mom, Dad, Grandma, etc. But Carter piped up with Caden! When I asked him to explain why he chose Caden he answered, "he lets me listen to his Sparks CD with him and explains the stories to me!"

We finished up the story then for the craft time we made cards to thank the people in our lives who taught us the Bible. Here is Carter's card...

Front (see Caden's name up top?)

Inside

Pretty nice moment, but it gets better folks!

When we had Carter give his brother the card, my heart melted just a bit!

Carter: here Caden I made this for you. Thank you for teaching me the Bible.

Caden: aww thanks man, this is cool! (said while putting his arm around Carter's shoulders!)

MELT MY HEART!!!!!

I have to be honest, in class today my pride was hurt Carter didn't say my name. I mean I am his Sunday school teacher and Cubbies teacher. But God opened my heart and ears and I discovered the impact Caden's example was having on his little brother and I was truly touched!

Sometimes it is just the little things that God uses to remind me of my most important job...

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."

AWANA Awards

Another year of AWANA has flown by! I can't believe we are already finished :) I think back to last year at this time and we were just about 4 months preggo with Crosby, had one kiddo in the nursery, a Puggle, and a Cubbie. This year we have a Cubbie and a Sparks!!! Can you believe next year we will have a Puggle, Cubbie, and Sparks...aggghhhh! Anyway, the kids did a great job learning verses, although I didn't put videos on here enough. I am so amazed at how eager they are to learn scripture!

In Cubbies we all complete each verse together since they are younger and can't read. They do a great job each week and I love being the director! Carter was a joy to have in class this year. I have to brag and say that Carter did so much better than last year during the awards program! He sang his little heart out and enjoyed himself so much!

He got his participation certificate and a ribbon for finishing the book! What is even more important to me is that he actually remembers lots of the verses and is understanding more and more what they mean!

Caden did a phenomenal job this year! I couldn't be more proud! He had a wonderful leader (LOVE YOU MIMI!) and a great listener (LOVE YOU MR. ED). He finished the first Sparks book before Christmas Break, then completed the review and extra section of the review book during the second semester. At first I just assumed he was racing through them just to say he finished first and not really learning them...uh no he is crazy smart. You give this boy a reference only and he can pick that verse out and tell you the whole thing. UH-MA-ZING!!! He didn't want to say a verse on stage tonight but he still looked cute!

Here he is with his certificate and book award!

And just to brag even more...I want to share a little about our girl, L. She also did fantastic this year. I wish I could post her sweet picture but I can't so I will just tell you a quick story. When she first arrived to our home about a year ago, we told her we were going to church. She said she didn't want to go because that place was boring, dumb, etc. Of course she had never been to church so that was just what she had heard. In the last year, she has made huge gains. She loves going to church and memorized so many verses this year! She finished the first Sparks book and is about 1/2 way through her second. Not bad for never being in church! She also made us proud and said a verse on stage during the awards program :) She is doing so well!

God wants us all to have faith of these children and desire Him with this hunger...let us not forget that and be inspired by not just my kiddos, but all children! I know I am! These little boogers motivate me daily and I thank God for each one of them!

Soccer Saturdays

Once again we have been hitting the field each Saturday for the last several weeks for Soccer season. This is our last quiet season...starting in the fall we will have two boys on two different

teams :) Then the madness slowly begins!

Here are a few shots from this season...

Getting instructions from the Coach (he is one handsome coach :))

Caden kicking it in for a goal.

We are having a great season once again...we have a definite athelete on our hands!