School Campout

CCS has a wonderful tradition of an all school Campout at the end of each school year. Although I think that they need to have it at the beginning of the year, it is still a fun trip and one that my daughter and I won't soon forget!

The plan is to arrive at Field Springs at about 1:00 and that is exactly what we did. The kids hit the ground running, once they had received proper instruction. They built forts, hiked, ran, chased, did everything you can possible imagine before it started to snow and they headed inside for craft time. One of the moms in Brooklyn's class was in charge of crafts and she did a wonderful job. There was everything from Kool Aid play dough, to coloring, to rock painting, games, or making beaded key chains. As soon as the weather cleared again, those that wanted to go back outside did while others stayed in and crafted.

I have been on alot of campouts, but this one was one of the most organized I have been to. Kindergarten - 3rd grade were at this particular campsite, 42 kids total and everything went off without a hitch. I thought that the parents would have to spend most of the time working and preparing food, etc., but instead we sat around and visited. It was so relaxing. Even the parents that were in charge of the kitchen were relaxed. It was a total team effort and I loved seeing and being a part of this very organized event.

Most everyone stayed the night, but since we were leaving for Nampa the following day, I just decided to stay for the day and head home around bedtime. It worked out wonderful and to be truthful, I loved getting to be home and in my own bed.:) After dinner they had a Praise & Worship time, followed by s'mores and a slideshow with pictures of all the kids and the happenings from the day, it was so cute! Then it was time for pj's and we slipped out the door. I thought that perhaps there would be a little bit of tears, but Brooklyn was so excited and tired all at the same time that she literally talked my leg off until she went to sleep. Upon arriving home, we jumped into the tub and then let the kids 'campout' on our floor in our bedroom. They thought this was so wonderful. It was the end to a perfect day. Can't wait until next year.


We've arrived and it's time for some instructions.


Helping out in the kitchen.


Me & my little camper.


Brooklyn & Ashley playing together with the playdough.


Brooklyn at the coloring table.


My dear friend & Brooklyn's teacher, Wendy.



Wendy, me, & Marnie.






Going on a hike.


The kids singing along during Praise & Worship.

Easter '09

Easter with the Crane Family...


Brittan with his Easter basket.


Brooklyn with her Easter basket.


My little Brooklyn!


Brittan thought it was to bright to be outside.:)


Ready to go to church.





My precious Husband & Kids.





My Amazing Parents!


The girls - minus Chera


The Guys - minus Jaron (Brittan & Keaton were DONE with the whole picture taking thing.)


The girls - Rochenda, Mindy, Me, & LaRona with our Easter plates from mom.





And guess who found the most eggs? This is before he had to share.:)

Easter Tea

This year we did a little something different, the Saturday before Easter we had an afternoon tea at my sister-in-law Rochenda's house. It was so fun that we have decided to make it an annual tradition.

She fixed a delicious chicken salad with breadstick, veggies, chocolate dipped strawberries, and of course, tea. After we finished lunch and tea, Rochenda set up an Easter egg decorating table and the kids colored and decorated the eggs. My children LOVED it! Before long we were all dipping, coloring, and decorating eggs. We spent most of the day there just talking, laughing, and enjoying being together. It was a wonderful way to start our Easter weekend. So, thanks to Rochenda for hosting the start of many "Easter Tea's" to come. (I apologize, I had more pics of the table, etc. but don't know how to import them from Facebook.)





Brittan & Rena ready to eat!


My mom and all her grandkids.





Brooklyn LOVES to color eggs!


Trying my hand at being creative.


A very happy Brittan coloring an egg!

What Do I Know?

First let me explain why I chose these pictures to go with this post. I have been really working on losing some weight. Along with some eating habit changes, I have been busting my tail exercising. My children think that this is great fun and love to join in. When asked by my kids why I was doing my exercises I told them that "I didn't want to be fat". This sparked their interest as to what fat is and then they come out to show me what they would look like.:):)

Although I am a whole lot older than my two children, I realize that my age does not necessarily make me any smarter. In fact, just the opposite is true. I am finding that all that I don't know, my children will school me on. Here are two instances in which I was 'schooled' by my little ones just this week and I had to share them.

Brooklyn was given an assignment for show and tell that required her to find several different objects around the house that were different shapes. Together we wrapped up a little box in yellow wrapping paper, covered it with several different cut out shapes and inside she placed her treasures. Finding things that were the shape of a triangle was a little more difficult than just a circle or a square. I was so excited when she found a crayola crayon that had several little crayons attached to it. It looks like 6 little triangles attached to one main holder. As I was talking to her about it I said, "and just think Brooklyn, you have an extra shape to share with the class. This is the shape of an octagon with all the little triangle colors attached to it." She ever so nicely, but with such confidence said, "Mom that is a hexagon, it has six sides." Did I ever feel stupid?!? I didn't know that she knew that, but have to say right here, "Go, 'Techur'. Keep up the good work!" I was unaware that they learn Geometry in Kindergarten.


Brooklyn showing me what she "looks like fat."

Then there is Brittan and all his wisdom...
Brooklyn's verse for this week is, "You shall have no other God's before me." We were working on it this afternoon and Brittan was right there trying to let me know that he knew it as well. After saying it over and over several times, I asked the kids if they knew what that meant. I was trying to get in a little Bible lesson.:) They both said that they didn't and that they would like for me to tell them what it meant. So, I started going on about how God must be first in our lives before all things. Before loving mom and dad, before loving food, toys, etc. I explained that God made all things and He wants us to be thankful and to praise Him for all these blessings and we do that by placing Him first in our lives. Brittan promptly responded with great enthusiasm, "Well, God made all things, but He didn't make toys...Santa did!"


And Brittan's 'fat' impression.:)

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Not much sleep, but I still LOVE being a mommy!

All that I ever desired and dreamed of being when I was growing up, was a mom. In my mind, there was no greater thing in the world than to have your own baby to hold. No matter what I heard or saw (with 3 younger siblings you get to experience alot)I wasn't to be detoured from my dream. And so at the young age of 27, I became a mom, thus ful-filling my dream. It has been the greatest blessing ever bestowed upon me and I cherish the honor each and everyday.

We have sickness here in our home. Brittan has been sick with some sort of crud since Saturday and he hasn't been able to shake it. The last 3 nights have been sleepless for me and him, and though I am tired I have not once wished a single minutes away. I still wouldn't trade being a mommy for all the sleep in the world. Now don't get me wrong here, I am in no way saying that I want my children to be sick, but when they are...I love how they long to be held, how very sweet and snuggley they are, and even though they don't feel well they still use manners, and tell you they love you over and over again. It is sweetness to me. I hold and softly squeeze, rub and kiss, and hold and softly squeeze some more. I love this time of closeness, I cherish it! Soon they are well, I thank the Lord for this, but then it is back to running and playing and the snuggles are fewer and farther between.

So today, as I am in somewhat of a sleepless daze and haven't accomplished much, I hold and softly squeeze. I do this knowing that it is only a fleeting moment in time that will soon pass and I wouldn't want to miss hearing, "Mommy, your my bestest gill" for any nap that would provide rest for my tired body. Those words alone keep me going for hours. Everything else will still be there tomorrow, but for now I have a little boy that needs held and kissed...rest will come soon enough! If you call and I don't answer just know this "bestest gill" is holding her bestest little boy!

Spring...A Fresh New Start

I am finding myself asking, "Spring, where are you?" but am reminded that, "March - in like a lion and out like a lamb." It is just that my 'spring fever' was tempted with those few warm days a couple of weeks ago and now I can't seem to embrace this cold front with open arms and a smile on my face. I am just ready for Spring, warm sunshine, and new life.

New life...ahhh the refreshing thought. I have taken alot of time thinking and processing that on a very personal level and have started to apply it to myself. I don't want to welcome spring with extra weight or a drabby exterior, so I have challenged myself, along with my unmentioned accountability partner, to start peeling off the old self and replacing it with a new and fresher me.:) Once I set my mind to it, or rather took a good look in the mirror without the disguise of clothes, I was shocked and extremely inspiried to lose my 'side kick' for sure! And by 'side kick' I don't mean a friend, this is truly the worst of enemies. This fella follows me everywhere I go. He causes me to... say excuse me when I carelessly bump into someone...buy bigger sizes of clothing so that he can fit in as well... want to walk out of a room backwards because I don't want anyone to see him, he's got my back no matter where I go, but that's just it, I want to go everywhere without him! I have realized that if I don't kick him to the curb soon, I will only have bigger more unpleasant issues to deal with in the future. All kidding aside, I just want to feel good about myself and have realized that I am the only that stands in the way of that. It takes disicipline and hard work. And although I know that I will never be a size 2 again in my life, nor do I have the desire to be, I do however want to be healthy and in shape. I realize that if it is an extra 20 pounds now at the age of 33, it will be double that or worse at the age of 66. So the time to start is now.

My friend and I decided that we would work on this together. Never in my life have I ever disclosed my weight for the purpose of accountability and weight loss. We decided that in order to really mean business that we needed to humble ourselves and completely confide in each other as to where we are at, where we want to be, and what or where our weakness lie. We wrote out what we would like to change or add into our lives and we are responsible to check in, encourage, and help out each other to finish this journey together. Enter healthier food selections, water, and exercise. Whew...it has only been a week and I find myself thinking this is going to be a LONG road.:) That and the fact that I seem to always have a growling stomach. We e-mailed each other the other evening and the content of the message was, "I'm hungry!" It's true, I feel like I am starving. I think now more than anything my mind knows that I am cutting back and not allowing myself to have certian things so since I am not walking around with a chocolate chip cookie, it says, 'you're hungry." Not helpful, but still I forge on!

Exercise, exercise, exercise, is so key for me. I can eliminate foods, but if I don't really exercise I don't see results. I am not one of those people that can just drop the weight like a hot potato, it takes me a long time and alot of hard work! So perhaps this cold weather is for me, a reminder that it takes the cold days to bring forth the Spring. So when I weigh in this Sunday and report it to my friend and have nothing to say as far as pounds being gone...I know that if I am patient, work through those cold, dreary days, one day I am going to wake up and see new life starting to sprout up out of the ground and perhaps a few pounds less on the scale.

Hang on friends...spring is on it's way and I think that I am going to like the way it looks:)!!!

And it was...A Very Happy Valentine's Day!

Our Valentine's Day was so fun. We actually decided to celebrate our Valentine's Day on Friday since we knew that we would want to spend Saturday working on our house project. The day started out with me helping put on the party for Brooklyn's class. All the children had a fun time playing games and making Valentine's for their mom's and dad's.

Brook kept Brittan for me while I was at the school and they had their own little party at the shop. While we were at the school Brittan told his Daddy that "they had to buy mommy flowers and roses." I really don't know how he knows that you are to do that on Valentine's Day, but he was insistent. Brook drove them into town thinking that they would just pick up something real quick, I had asked for a massage for my Valentine. Brittan has other ideas. He wanted flowers and roses, thus the pics of roses and tulips. You see, tulips are flowers, but roses are roses. I was indeed thrilled to come home to them both sitting on the table.

That evening we went out to dinner at Red Lobster, returned home to watch a family movie, pass out our Valentine's to the kids and Brook (sorry I forgot to grab my camera) and have chocolte covered strawberries, a special request from both of my little ones.:) It was a wonderful evening!

Brook and I did sneak in time Sunday evening to watch Fireproof together. It was amazing. If you have not yet seen it, please take the time to do so. It is well worth your time. It is a movie that we both want to purchase.

I trust that you all had a wonderful day as well. Ours wasn't out of the book spectacular, but it was exactly what I wanted it to be, filled with time with my husband and children and I couldn't ask for more!


Brooklyn diligently working on her valentine for her teacher


Thought that you might want to see what it said so that you would understand the 'gift' that accompanied it.


Brooklyn's Valentine for her teacher, complete with a container filled with chocolate chip cookie 'dough'!!


Brooklyn's class party.


Time to open Valentine's.





Brooklyn & her friend, Benett


Decorating foam crafts and having such a good time.


Not beautiful by any stretch of the imagination, but still my children's favorite 'special treat'!


The "flowers"


The "roses".


My flowers from the little boy who picked them out.:)


The ULTIMATE flower lover! There is truly nothing that she would rather give.


My gifts of love from God! Thank you Lord, for Brooklyn & Brittan!!!


Oh, how wonderful is my husband?!This is exactly what I asked for.:)