Updates

We have already made several trips to Knoebels this year.  Lilly gets braver with every visit. There isn't a ride she wont go on for her size.

Jack is still hesitant about rides, but doesn't cry. Success!  

There was a sale at gymboree.

A really good sale.

The entire store was UNDER 12.99.

How are you supossed to resist??

Best Friends

Fun times outside

Jinx

I hate to jinx myself, but we have had a fantastic week!  Lilly went to the great wolfe lodge with some friends,  we were all jealous of her.  We have just been taking it easy this week and having fun.

p.s. This month marks the ten year anniversary for me and my car. I bought it 10 years ago and it is still the only car we drive! 197,300 miles and counting.

Welcome home Brian!

photo by Emily Aldrich

Visit

My dad came for a visit last weekend.

He and Jim did a half marathon together in our town.

It was the annual spring fling on our main street in town (that's right we have a main street with one stoplight)

We all had a great time.  

Editing

Lilly loves to take pictures with my camera.  They often come out blurry or weird. 

Thanks to photo editing I turned her weird red picture into this:

Brian is back in the USA!!!

Our soldier is back on American soil.  He will hopefully be reunited with his family this weekend. Happy Day! Here are some pictures from last year the day he left.  It has been a long year for the Barnette family, and now time to celebrate!!!!






We love you Brian!!!!!!!!!  We prayed for your safe return every single day, three times a day, since you left.

My mom was right

Growing up my mom told me lots of things.  I knew she was right about some things, other things I didn't figure out until I became a mother.

When I was cold my mom always told me to put socks on.
My mom was right.

When I wanted to eat at 4pm, my mom would not let me, for fear it would spoil my dinner.
My mom was right.

When I was sad and wanted to stay home from school she made me go, a few times she let me stay home.
My mom was right.

On Mother's Day my mom said she just wanted a clean house and hugs.
My mom was right.

When kids were mean at school my mom told me they probably had a hard home life and needed a friend.
My mom was right.

My mom would send me to my room for sassing her.
My mom was right.

My mom taught us to have good manners and to be polite at all times.

My mom was right.

My mom made me tell my friends not to take the Lord's name in vain in our house.

My mom was right.

In college when things were tough my mom ALWAYS said, pray and read your scriptures.

My mom was right.

When I got married my mom told me to think of kind things to do for my husband.
My mom was right.

Thanks for being right Mom.

Transition

Last night we attended the kindergarten transition night for our school district.  We walked around the school and checked out a bunch of classrooms. An art room, a computer lab (for kindergarten??), learning stations, etc.

When did kindergarten become so serious? When did my baby get so big?  When did I get a 5 year old who is itching to read and learn?

There are currently three elementary schools for grades K-2.  Those three schools are being torn down and in it's place will be one big primary school.

Lilly will be part of the first kindergarten class in the new school.

As we left the elementary school last night  Lilly said "I think I am a little nervous for my first day of school."

I think I am a lot nervous for the first day of school.  Next year I move from stay at home mom, to my new dual position of stay at home mom and school mom.    School mom seems serious. It's like getting a promotion I am not ready for.

I feel like I am being dragged on a leash behind Lilly skidding my feet the whole way while she races through life.

Slow down!

Outside

My kids love playing outside....what kid doesn't?  However, it's already to the point that there are major fits when it's time to come inside (mostly Jack), maybe it will get better with warmer weather.

Dress from Grandma

Sad

My mom and I attended the funeral and viewing of 7 year old Benjamin Walsman, son of Dan and Dionne Walsman, this morning.   Dan and I went to high school together, had seminary together, and even took a trip to penn state together (with my mom).

Dan greeted attendees of the funeral smiling amidst his grief and tears. He hugged me several times and told me his son was in a better place. Then with tears in his eyes and a huge smile he corrected himself and said  "In a great place." Emphasizing the word great.

Dan and Dionne were the main speakers at their son's funeral. Their presence, poise, humility, and grace floored me.  Each of them in turn stood and praised God for their son and the time they had with him.  

I silently sobbed through the whole thing while Dan and his wife stood at the pulpit in their church to testify of Christ and rejoice in the life of their child.

Benjamin had many disabilities, but his death was sudden and unexpected.  While I never met Benjamin, hearing about his life today made a big impact on me.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Walsmans today.

Funny and Strange happenings.

     My brother Oliver is in Africa.

     Here is a recent online conversation I had with him:

    Oliver:I hate Ghanaian food

    me:  what is ghanian food

    Oliver:  Food from Ghana

In case you don't find this hilarious like I do, let me explain.  I meant "what kind of food do they have in Ghana,"  I fully understood that ghanian food is food from Ghana.  We have many conversations like this. It makes me happy.

(insert picture of Lilly for story transition) 

On another note

Last night I fell asleep at 10 only to be awoken by a text message at 11:15.  It was from my sister and it read "Osama bin laden is dead."

I can honestly say that it was hands down the most unexpected and bizarre text message I have ever received.

My sister already mentioned that she just wants her husband home. I second that. I want my brother in law and nephew home.

God bless our troops.