Two Wasscally Wabbits

Are these two funny or what? Not really sure why Ted's ears were floppy. Maybe he is a flopeared bunny. Faith could not stop laughing so hard. This was fun on the egg hunt day.

These two are perfect for eachother. Great friends too.

EGG HUNT

Connor Bo Bonner!!!!

Mason doing a fine job.

The hunt was so much fun for all the kiddies. All the kids enjoyed it and the adults had fun watching them look all over. Grandpa Vandlen hid the golden eggs really well and it took the kids a while to find them. They found two and the other four after a while of searching had to have clues and play hot and cold. What a riot!

Grandpa Vandlen
This is Lindey and Seth in background. Big smile!

Shawn on the hunt, wonder if he got 92 eggs?.

The gang sorting out their eggs.

This is Case enjoying the yellow egg. He likes to put it in his mouth.

Aaron, Tom, and Rod waiting for the food. LOL

Ted and Kara waiting for the hunt to begin. Notice the bunny ears on Ted have kinda lost their perkyness!
Sommer hunting for the eggs. Had to get another bag because her basket runneth over.

Good Butt shot of the adults. LOL Jaeden and Ellie having fun.

Roselle and Isaac. He is so cute! He has such a cute smile and he loved getting the eggs too.

I am so glad that everyone came and had a great time. Even though Easter is not about the egg, bunnies etc., the kids have a blast! That is what life is about, having fun!

Sunday Morn

Hey everyone, just wanted to let you know that we are going to become members at our local church that we have been attending for the past year. We love this church and love how welcome we feel when we go there. I love the way I feel as if the spirit is actually working through us. God is speaking to us in many ways.

Pretty soon I have to get out all of the eggs and hide them for the big hunt that I have annually. I have close to 1500 of them and 6 golden eggs that have five dollar bills in them and then a bunch of huge chocolate bunnies and three huge Easter baskets for grand prize. I love watching the kids clean up the yard like a big vacuum. Plus, the other part I really enjoy is making food and have everyone get together and visit. Good time had by all.

I will post some pictures sometime soon after the big day.
Bless one and all!

What Kind of Flower are you?

I am a Sunflower What Flower Are You?

"When your friends think smile, they think of you. There is not a day that goes by that you can't find something good about the world and your fellow human."

I took this little quiz from Mari's blog and this is what I am. I do like how pretty sunflowers are. Plus, I like sunflower seeds too. Use to have them all the time when played softball in High School. When there was a tournament and we would sit in bleachers waiting for the next game to play, that is when you could look down on the ground and see all the empty sunflower seeds that people would spit out. Ahhhh, the memories!

High School Musical On Ice Tour

We had a wonderful time. The kids were so into it and were clapping and singing to the songs. Faith and I were too. There was a cute bunch of girls that sat ahead of us and they really sang loud and knew the words. I commented on how good they were, and they were all slapping me five when they were going to go get a snack.

AS you can see from the pictures it was a really great show. Definitely Disney Quality. The skaters were great and did flips and they really knew all the motions and expressions just like in the movies. The tour consisted of the movies one and two.

I would recommend this tour to anyone. If it comes to your town and you have little kids, take them. You won't regret it!

Getting to the Arena was time consuming. The roads were all ice and snowing pretty good. Once we got up to the Standale area, it was bumper to bumper. We finally got up to Wendy's and ate then went to the arena. So, we did get over six inches of snow. Wowsie! It will be gone by next weekend though. :)

2007 Hyundai Santa Fe

Did I ever tell you how much I really like my crossover? This is the second best car that I have ever owned. My first was my Chevy Impala. I loved that car! Then when I got married I got a Dodge Grand Caravan with stow and go seating. We thought that would be good for all six of us and it was. I just did not like it very well because I like to be more sporty. So, what did we do? We went and got me this Santa Fe. It drives just like my Impala did. VERY SMOOTH!!!!! We can seat seven people when we need to.

The only draw back is when all six of us go on a trip and where do we put luggage for six of us? Thinking about getting something that can go on the hitch to help with that situation. So, we will see. We also talked about just renting when we go on our trip to Main. But, it would be nice to have something for the back of it. Half the time we have to take two vehicles when we go camping anyway, because we need to hall the camper with the truck and we have so much stuff with all of us and we usually have more than just us going on the camping trips.

This vehicle is also rated one of the top vehicles to have safety and all.

Just a little info on the my little Santa Fe.

Some people name their vehicles and I have not thought of a name of mine yet. Does anyone have an idea for a name for me? Does anyone else name their vehicle? If so, what is the name of it?

The snow is starting to fall now. Even though I am ready for Spring, it sure is pretty floating down.

Tonight we go to High School Musical on ice tour. I am taking the kids and going with my friend Faith and her daughter Kara. Should be a blast!

Snap Fitness

Just wanted to let everyone know that I am excited about going to Snap Fitness. Faith and I go at least five days a week-sometimes six. Think that the weight would come off quick, but it does not. I am not going to get discouraged. I enjoy working out and glad that I have a friend that goes with me.

I have increased my times on the elliptical and the bike. I really get my heart rate up so that is good. Eventually, I will see a difference I think. I already see the difference in the endurance part. My legs pedal so fast on that bike, I don't think they could go any faster. I always feel refreshed when I get done exercising. The only thing is that I sweat like crazy! Drips right off my head when I am working out hard. Now I have to take a towel along to wipe my sweat as I go.

That place is getting more people that work out in there. We have tried different times of going and the best time is during the day or after 7pm. Then we don't have to wait for some machines that we like. Snap is already talking about building the wall out more and making it bigger. Allendale always needed something like that and I am glad that I am a part of it.

Enjoy your day!

Pictures-Pictures-Pictures!!!

Wow! What a morning. I was going to start off by cleaning the basement living area and shampoo the rug and whatnot. Then I noticed the pile and huge Rubbermaid container of pictures that I had started a couple weeks ago. I would do a little organizing of the pictures every so often and then I noticed that I was tired of them sitting there today. Those pics kept looking at me and yelling--"WOULD YOU PLEASE ORGANIZE US?" So, I listened. LOL

Now I started doing this at 9am and ended around 12:30pm. So, that will show you how many pics that I actually have and had not organized yet. Now, they are in the little photo boxes that I bought. I think I am going to buy me a desk for upstairs so I can keep my photos in one area and do all my scrapbooking there. If I had it layed out easier then it would make it a lot nicer to just go do a little every now and then.

I have to put Amanda's photo album together for next year. Since she graduates next year, I need to get started on that. This will be a busy year. Planning for the graduation and all that jazz. Senior pics, etc. It will be an expensive year too. YIKES!!!!

Well, I have my music cranked and I better get to cleaning some of the house now.
It is nice having the windows cracked and getting some fresh air in the house. Sweating too much otherwise! LOL

God bless you all!

Absolutely Incredible Kids!!!!!

Hello! My friend Mari, my little corner of the world, has said that Tuesday is Absolutely Incredible Kids day. So, I decided to join her in showing the pics of my kids. I have two by natural birth and now I also have two step-sons. I always wanted four kids and now I have them. Kids certainly are a joy to have, sometimes they can be challenging, but God has a sense of humor too. It is so interesting how each kids is made up differently and not one is exactly alike. They have similar interests, but yet they are their own individual person.

To the right is a picture of the kids being silly with some red lips that I bought at a candy factory in Indiana. At top is Mitch (step-son), Amanda, Shawn, Mason (step-son) at bottom.

In the next picture is when we went to Mackinaw for camping last August. We try to go up every year around Tom's birthday. We went to see castle rock and see Paul Bunyan and the blue ox. Also, across the bridge we went to the Mystery Spot. That was fun! We have two extra kids in the picture. At top going left to right--Amanda, Matt (Amanda's boyfriend), middle row, Shawn, Mitch, Mason, Connor in front in orange (Tom's sister's boy-our nephew). Climbing up to the top of Castle rock was fun and exhausting at the same time. We all made it. Sometimes the little one's make you nervous being up that high and all. The weather was beautiful when we went there.

In the next picture is when we went out to West Virginia last spring break. We had a great time visiting my Dad and Sister Regina, husband Steve and nephew Steven. It is always nice to go out and visit them and see the nice scenery. My Dad really enjoys showing everyone around. We went down by the New River Gorge and watched the white water rafters going down river, did a lot of hiking and sight seeing. We had a really good time.

Me, Amanda, Shawn, Mason, Mitch and to the right another sightseer!

SACRIFICE

Every year when I travel to West Virginia I see three crosses placed on the mountains throughout the state. The first time that I ever seen that was many years ago (18yrs or so), and I was amazed and how that it moved me so. I was reminded of that day over 2000 years ago that God sacrificed His Son Jesus for all of us. God knew how wicked we would be and that He wanted us to be rewarded with a heavenly home. So, in order to do this He has to sacrifice his Son for all of us. I really don't know if I could sacrifice my children that way. In fact, I know that I would not be able to. I would be able to sacrifice my life for my children. You know, God was not losing His Son. He gained him to sit by him at his Right hand on the throne. When I first started becoming a believer this was all hard to imagine. Sometimes it still is. God knew all of this before he created all creation. It is so interesting how he knows all. He knows what decisions we will make in our lives. Interesting how he puts certain circumstances in your life to see how you will choose. He knows already, but he gave us freedom of choice to do with it what we want and hopefully we choose the right path. If we do not, there are ways that He is always with us and guides us through our lives. As long as we let him. He is in control. Sometimes it is hard for me to let God be in control of my life. I am so independent and want to do things my own way that it makes it difficult. But, sometimes I do listen.

So, next time you travel to West Virginia, take notice on the mountainsides. I wonder who put those all up anyway?! There is one spot on the way to my Dad's in WV that is a scenic overlook and at the top of a very high mountain you can see the crosses and that is on route 19.

JESUS MOCKED: Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked Him. "hail king of Jews!" they said. They spit on Him and took the staff and struck Him on the head again and again. After they had mocked Him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on Him. Then they led him away to crucify Him.


THE CRUCIFIXION: As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha (which means the place of the skull). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall (Gall:Tradition says that the women of Jerusalem customarily furnished this pain-killing narcotic to prisoners who were crucified. Jesus refused to drink it because he wanted to be fully conscious until his death), but after tasting it He refused to drink it. When they crucified him they divided up his clothes by casting lots. Then they sat and watched over him. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Then two robbers were crucified on each side of Jesus. People kept making insults and wondered why he could not save himself if he truly was the son of God.

Jesus cried out: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" After he cried out he gave up his spirit. Then the earth shook and rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of the many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people. The people were terrified when the earthquake happened and the exclaimed--"surely he was the Son of God".



Jesus was put into the tomb and on the third day rose from the dead.



There was a violent earthquake, for the angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.


The angle told the women to not be afraid, for Jesus was risen. They had to gather the disciples and then Jesus spoke to them to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Pine Tree Crosses

Did you know that God is amazing in letting us know that he is the almighty God? He has a way of making our minds think of Him as we should. How can one not think that God did not create the Heavens and the Earth. When you look at a pine tree a couple weeks before Easter, you will know that God is powerful, omnipresent, loving, compassionate, etc. He did create the Heavens and the Earth. Take a look at your pine trees a couple weeks before Easter and you will see a tiny cross budding at the tip of each branch. That is amazing to me!

Since Easter is early this year it makes you wonder if this is timing to Easter being in April or will it actually happen in March too. Keep your eye out for God's way of telling you about Him in our nature. Take time to see the tips of the trees and Thank God that He died on the cross for all of us. What would we be without our Heavenly Father? Nothing!

Another thing that I have noticed is the Easter lily. Did you ever look at the inside of the lily? Why is that our Easter flower? Take a look at the inside of the lily. There is a heart in there (the stigma). The bright gold is the anther attached by a stem called the filament. Anyway, back to the heart. That is also another way that God shows he loves us! PRAISE HIM, PRAISE HIM!!!

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONE AND ONLY SON, THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE--JOHN 3:16

FOR GOD DID NOT SEND HIS SON INTO THE WORLD TO CONDEMN THE WORLD, BUT TO SAVE THE WORLD THROUGH HIM--JOHN 3:17

LIFETIME FRIENDS

Times are never forgotten. The Lord brings people into our lives for a reason, sometimes those times are only for a moment and sometimes they are for a lifetime. The friend I am talking about is one that started when we were on the High School softball team. This friend of mine, Karen, has been a great friend over the years. She was always someone that I could count on just to listen or to be there for whatever the reason. I have known Karen since 1983. So, that is a long time now. This friend of mine got me involved in going to church and accepting Christ as my personal saviour. When I left home after graduating High School, Karen and her husband Brian helped me to get on my own two feet. They let me live with them for a couple months while I got a job and found my own place to live. I have played softball with these guys for years also.
We were not always able to get together very often after I went off to college and they went to minister at a church. But, every time that we did get together, it seemed like not much time had past and we were always able to continue where we left off.
When I was going through a horrible time of losing my first husband to ALS (amyotrophiclateralsclerosis) Brian was able to preach at the funeral and Karen also spoke.
Five years have went by and there has not been times where I have not thought about them or wondered what has happened or if they were still preaching at the same church or not. Life gets away from ya. I got busy trying to raise my two kids on my own and just adjusting to life. Well, now I am happily remarried and was on my way to get my daughter from her boyfriends, and I got a hunch to call them. God was speaking to me to just call. So, I did! I am so glad that I did. Like I said, just updated on the phone what has been happening in each other's lives and things were like they always seemed to be. "LEFT OFF TO WHERE WE WERE".
I am thankful for my friends and glad that God brought them into my life. Does anyone else have a friend that they have not contacted in a while? If you do, try giving them a call. See what is going on in their lives? You might be blessed!
Congratulations to my friends for God making their church do very well. I am glad that they are able to build onto their church. God is awesome!

Noah Update

I just wanted to let you all know that Noah is doing fine and will be heading back to preschool. He was at the children's hospital in Pittsburgh and found out that he had an infection that was in his sinuses and then went through a hole that went behind his eye. The doctor's had to go in and drain that and make the original hole bigger so it would drain normally. I am so glad that God was watching out after this little fella. God provides comfort and care in so many ways. Thank you Lord for your comfort and protection over Noah.

SUNNY DAYS

Sunny Days--Sweeping the cares away--on my way--(can you do the next line of this sesame street tune?)

I sure am enjoying all the sunshine we have been having the past few days. I am enjoying seeing the grass where the snow has melted. I know we will have some more snow now and then, but I am excited that we will change our clocks back and that is a sure sign of spring coming.

Speaking of changing clocks back. What do you think of changing the clocks? I do like the longer hours at night in the summertime. Able to enjoy that more. But, why not keep the time in the Daylight savings time frame? You can look up daylight savings time and know how it first began. Kinda interesting.

Snap into Fitness!

Hi There!
Just wanted to tell everyone that I have joined a workout gym called Snap Fitness. The place that I go to is located in Allendale and have worked out the past week. I like all the equipment that is available to work out with. Just working there this past week, I have noticed how much easier some of the equipment is getting. For example, the elliptical machine. Never ever did one of those before and the first time I was on it was just to figure it out and struggled with just five minutes. It is a different kind of machine and really works out the legs in a strange yet satisfying way. My feet kept slipping from where they started had to keep readjusting that. Now the funny part is when I went to stop. I thought okay, let's stop. Well, my feet and mind wanted to stop but the machine takes a little bit to stop. It will keep pedaling gradually, so that was kinda funny. Good thing I wasn't going very fast. I could have flew off there. LOL Seriously though. I spend an hour and a half there with my friend Faith and we have fun and now my daughter is going to she can get a jump start on getting in shape for track. I like all the weight equipment too. The arm stuff seems easy to me. I could put on more poundage to lift, but I don't want my muscles to get sore and I want to be able to do more reps. If you want, come and join me!

Prayer for Noah

Hi There,

I just wanted to say that my nephew Noah out in Pennsylvania is having some medical complications. Doctors first thought maybe Leukemia due to a petechia rash so sent him to Children's Hospital. He is in the Hospital and he has some kind of infection behind his eye. Doctors don't know if antibiotic will work or if he will have to have surgery. Please pray for the little goober! Thanks! Here is a picture of the little guy with Shawn. Now you can put a face to who you are praying for. Thanks so much!

Noah is full of life and loves little cars and tractors to play with, just like any little boy. Even though he can't see his cousin Shawn very much, he loves him so much!