Women of Faith Conference, Over The Top!

A group of 26 women from Newington went to Women of Faith this past weekend. It was held in Washington D.C. at the same time as the Restore America Rally. It was crowded. :) We got up way to early on Friday and drove into Maryland and took the metro into D.C.

It was an incredible time. Being surrounded by 20,000 women and listening to amazing speakers. There were wonderful stories, fantastic music, lots of tears, lots of laughs, and lots of walking.

I couldn't tell you any one moment that was better than the other. It was just incredible. Mandisa and Steven Curtis Chapman had me in tears. Patsy Clairmont and Anita Renfroe had me in fits of laughter. The women we were traveling with made it all even better.

There are a few stories to tell though. First, during one of the breaks, they aired a video clip for World Vision. It was an amazing story about a woman who sponsored a little girl and after 8 years, actually got to go to Africa and meet the family. It was tear jerking (and was half the weekend). So I decided to 'just go look' at the table for World Vision. There were a few tables and a few people walking around with kids photos. I had a small stack in my hand and there was a lady next to me looking. She flashed a little boy's photo at me and said "isn't he cute?" I replied "yes, he is" and went back to my pile. I looked back at his photo one more time and noticed his birthday. (the lady was looking at him and another boy). His birthday was July 13th! My birthday!!! I literally took him out of her and and said "he has my birthday!" She said "Well, I guess he's yours then." So we are now sponsoring Nicholas from Colombia.

Second story. Brandy thought it would be fun to meet up on Friday night after the conference for coffee or just to hang out for a minute. She was in D.C. for her orientation to seminary! So we did. At 10pm after the conference Elisabeth, Brandy, Jermaine, and I wandered D.C. to Brandy's coffee shop place. I had water. Then they decided that it would be better for us to take the metro to their car and then would drive us back to the hotel. Hmmm...good plan in theory. Sadly Brandy's handy dandy Iphone 4 didn't like Jermaine and sent us on a tour of D.C. I felt so badly for Elisabeth 26 week pregnant and going on 24 hours of no sleep.

So at 1:45am we finally laid down to sleep. Only to have to get up at 6 for another full day of the conference and a 3 hour drive home. (sorry Elisabeth!) However, it was fun to see them. BUT, Brandy and I are only 10 days away from seeing each other again for our Forks, WA trip.

So that was that. It was great, a wonderful experience, that I totally plan on doing again next year. So here's to an "Over the Top" year!!!!

9 years and counting.

Yesterday was our 9th anniversary. I had plans for a year by year photo blog. But the three little boys we've created in those 9 years took my attention! :) My wonderful hubby brought home flowers, chocolates and two books. The books are touring NYC books. We have been trying to decide what to do for our 10 year anniversary next year. I wanted NYC, he wanted something more beachy or hiking. I've only been to NYC once with my mom. I loved it. The teeny part of me that is single and childless is such a city girl!!! That part has never been allowed toexist (and I pray it never is)...however, I love the city. So the books were his gift to me for next year! NYC for our 10th anniversary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I so excited.  Also, the red card sang our wedding song! "I Could Not Ask For More!" So cool.

We did go out this year though. Since we have been foster parents (a year tomorrow) we haven't been out alone. We had to have an approved sitter with our first placement and just never got around to it. With this county, we just have to trust the person. So my amazing friend Charity watched the kids at our house yesterday. We went to dinner at Red Lobster and giggled the whole way through.

We then went over to LifeWay book store. I love bookstores, but can't take kids. I just zone in them. I love browsing and deciding! I was sitting on the floor at one point with a pile of books. The lady from the store looked a little concerned. :) When we finally left, it was dark. We looked at each other, then at the clock. We had been in there for an hour and 15 minutes. It felt like minutes!

That was all. A great, much needed, night with my favorite person in the world. I have loved every minute of the last 9 years. We've been so blessed, so happy, and together! :)

Marble Jar 2

So Shane finished his jar up. He was waiting to see a movie, but all that's out is Nanny McPhee and he'd have to wait until Monday. So he chose new shoes. Perfect! Payless is having their BOGO sale and I have a 20% off coupon. So he bought some 'super cool' pirate/skull/flame shoes and cool new socks. He's so proud of his shoes, he put them on in the store, and took them off to play outside. We'll see how long they stay white!

He wanted to make sure I got the flame of his socks. 

Yeah, and his eyes are closed, so much for looking cool LOL!

Marble Jar!

On the day he filled the jar!

We have a marble jar. Each kid has assigned chores that they have to do because they are part of the family. Anything above and beyond that they get marbles. Unkind behavior, they lose marbles. Anyway, over the past three days, we've had two kids fill their jar. There is a reward list to pick from. Jackson was the first to fill up. His pick was to watch a movie at home and have a 'snack of his choice'. His movie? Voltron on Netflix. Some weird 80's He-Man wannabe movie. His snack of choice? Popcorn with M&M's in it and chocolate on the side. Jackson was really sweet and asked if the boys could have some popcorn with a few chocolates. Then he told them to back off and stop begging when they came after his bowl :)

With his snack of choice.

Earlier today, Shane finished his jar. Shane and Jackson have been neck and neck for awhile. Shane picked a movie at the theater with daddy. The ONLY kid movie and either of our theaters is Nanny McPhee. I hoped he would hold out until Despicable Me came to our cheap theater, but he doesn't want to wait. So, Nanny McPhee it is.

Shane, today, with his full jar.

The boys and Little Miss with their treats.

                                       

Upcoming Trips!

One week until Women of Faith in D.C! It's my first big event like this since I started going to church. I am beyond excited!

And then in 3 weeks, the event Brandy and I booked over 8 months ago!!!!! We are flying to Seattle, WA and driving in to Forks for Stephenie Meyer Weekend!

Description

STEPHENIE MEYER WEEKEND SCHEDULE 2010 (4TH ANNUAL)
A Forks Chamber of Commerce Event
Friday, September 10:
TIME EVENT LOCATION
9PM                     Bella's Ball                  Twilight Lounge (sponsored by Dazzled by Twilight)
Saturday, September 11:
8-11am  Bella's Birthday         Congregational Church (across from Forks High School) ($10/person)
9am-1pm Bella Loves Books Book Sale       Forks Memorial Library
10am-6pm Vendors in the park                    Tillicum Park
11am Tour of high school                            Forks High School ($3 fee/person)
12noon Tour of high school                        Forks High School ($3 fee/person)
12:30pm  Music in the park                        Tillicum Park
1pm Tour of high school                            Forks High School ($3 fee/person)
1:30pm  Mayor of Forks Proclamation      Tillicum Park
2pm Group photo                                      Tillicum Park
2:30pm Twilight look-alike contest          Tillicum Park
3:30pm Decorated Twilight car judging    Forks Memorial Library
8:30pm Bonfire/Quileute Storytelling       First Beach at La Push (sponsored by Quileute Tribe)
9pm-11pm  Mitch Hansen Band              Twilight Lounge (Free admission - all ages welcome) Sponsored by Dazzled by Twilight
Sunday, September 12:
10am - 4:30pm  Vendors in the park        Tillicum Park
11am Music in the park                           Tillicum Park
1pm Birthday cake for Bella's Birthday   Tillicum Park
2pm Group photo                                   Tillicum Park
2:30pm   Bella's 1963 Chevy Pick-up drawing   Tillicum Park (donated by Elwha River Casino)
3pm  Twilight Trivia contest (team activity)   Tillicum Park

 And we're staying at the Miller Tree Inn also known as The Cullen House. 3 days in Forks and a day in Seattle playing tourist! So excited!.

Family Reunion Fun

We actually have a very large family. We don't know many of them.  My grandfather was one of 10. There are cousins roaming all over this countryside. You might be one of them. My aunt Kat found Tricia a few years ago. Tricia's mom and my mom are first cousins. Tricia came to our family reunion in PA a few years ago with her little sister Amanda. A series of graduations and a baby boom had closed off the PA reunion for a few year. I invited a few cousins to come to my house for a gathering this summer. I'm so excited that it all worked out. It wasn't very long, but we got to see each other. We did go to a playground for a bit, but it was mostly just sitting and talking. Amanda has had three kids and gotten married since the last time I saw her, so it was great to meet her babies. And now for pictures: (which are not in any order, posting is being weird)

S'more goodness!

Row of ducks at the lake.

Baby girl pigtails!

Jackson with s'more leftovers.

Getting ready for s'mores

Kiddos waiting for s'mores

Our S'more platter.

two year old hand and the giant marshmallows.

Butterflies at the lake.

Gathering.

Yummy!

Giant S'more

Fun!

She ate that thing for like 30 minutes.

Cereal Fun!

We recently painted our kitchen a burnt red color. I love it! My mom found this great cereal dispenser at a yard sale that matches perfectly. She had not seen the kitchen when she bought it. Mother/daughter bonding???

The kids really like them. "You twist to get your cereal". Anyway, these fun little guys reminded me of my friends blog over at A Perfect Pairs Collection. She collects pictures of great ideas. Take a peek. Okay that's all from here :)