Almost Six

"When was I born?  Really born?"

Awwwww, Matthew.  I love these trips down Memory Lane.  My memory isn't the best, so I am thankful for pictures that get me jogging down Memory Lane rather than tripping.  Pictures plus the memories of older siblings are very helpful.

Matthew, you were born on a Monday right before lunch almost six years ago.  Six years that have gone speeding by.  This will be the first year that your birthday will fall on the same day of the week that you were born.  Monday.  "Monday's child is fair of face."  Yes, Matthew, you were--and are--fair of face.

I look at these pictures and am so thankful that you still walk up behind me and hug me.  That you still squeeze my neck tight when I call you to come over to me "just because."  That you still want to just sit and read books together on the couch.  I do love you, Matthew, and am so thankful to be your Mommy.

Passover Moon...Passover Snow...Passover Cast

We did it!  We got up at 3:20 am on Tuesday morning so that we could see the Lunar Eclipse and Blood Moon!  Carrie was put in charge of setting her alarm and then waking William and me.  It was cold and cloudy, but shortly after stepping onto the driveway, this is what we saw...

My next four pictures were completely black, so I deleted them and tried to get a picture of the April 15th snow on the top of the house instead...

And a picture of the moon-gazing crew, temporarily blinded by the flash...

 Another awesome picture of the moon...

And another!

Ummmmm...not mine.  After standing out in the biting cold for about 20 minutes, we decided that there MUST be something live on the NASA site.  Yep!  This is what we found.  Amazing!

We went to bed around 4:00 and this is what we found when the sun came up!  Seriously???  Seriously beautiful!

All of it beautiful!  The moon...the snow...the flowers covered in snow....

"...The heavens declare the glory of God.  The skies proclaim the work of His hands."  --Psalm 19:1 (NIV)

And I love this one...
"For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky.  Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities--His eternal power and divine nature.  So they have no excuse for not knowing God."  --Romans 1:20 (NLT)

Amen!

And another of my most favorite of God's creation...

That green cast is looking good, Joshy!
And check out that LEGO man that William drew!  Man, oh man!  Did he set the bar or what?  I still haven't signed, because I am wondering what on earth won't disappoint after that!

Passover.  Easter Week.  One of my favorite times of the year.  The kids are all old enough now to have some really amazing conversations during our Bible time in the morning.  Matthew will be getting baptized in less than two weeks.  I love hearing his amazing childlike faith and pray that mine is like his.

Hey Now

We thought that Carrie had played her last high school basketball game.  She had turned in her uniform and attended her end-of-season banquet.  Then we got an email congratulating her for being nominated to the ICBA South All-Star Team!  The All-Star Game was played on Saturday afternoon at Taylor University.

What a fun day!  She played with girls who she has played with and against for the past several years and played under a really super coach.  She really enjoyed her day!  And, even though I was a bit nervous about her fingers (especially after Josh's broken arm the night before), I really enjoyed watching her play one more game too.  Basketball has been a big part of our lives for quite a few years now.

Here she is being announced and given an all-star medal...

The team from the South!  Although, now that I say that and look at the picture, I realize that the gal on the left is from a South Bend team.  You would think that South Bend would be south, but it pretty far north.  Hmmmm...

Carrie and #2 played on the Marlins together last season.  They became pretty good friends.  So when Crystal moved to another basketball team this past year, Carrie was sad to see her go, but they kept in touch.  Through this friendship, Carrie was introduced to Crystal's friend, RJ.  They are all buddies off the court and were excited to play together on the court too.

Some pre-game coaching going on...

The seniors!

Fist bump!

This was a long day for Josh.  He was taking extra-special care with his freshly wrapped arm which caused it to be a little sore.

William with a book in his hand.  This is how I most often find him lately.

And Matthew on the floor.  He always asks if he can lay on the floor at church too.  More comfortable than sitting, I guess.

Here are the girls listening to a Taylor basketball player (who was homeschooled in high school) and Taylor's girls' coach.

Announcing the players...

Get your game on!

We haven't seen Shawn all season!  The boys were pretty happy to see him again.

Almost the final score.  My camera batteries died right before the end of the game.  The girls from the North defeated the girls from the South...but not by much!  The final score was 51-48.

I'm so proud of Carrie for so many reasons!  She is not afraid to get out there and give it her best.  She's not afraid to take the high road or the narrow road.  And she's not afraid to take the road less-traveled.  God has some really great things awaiting this young lady!  I am so excited to travel along and see what God has planned!  Carrie, you are an all-star!

"Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, "children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation."  Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.  And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain."  --Philippians 2:14-16 (NIV)