Pennsylvania Vacation Days 1 & 2

I have been counting down the days for weeks to head to my sister's farm.  You would think I was off to Disney with my countdown, but no because my magic lies within my family.  (Although, for the record Disney would CERTAINLY be my 2nd choice pick for vacations)
My little brother Mark and Anthony's good buddy Will joined the kids and me for our After a long 6 hour drive, we made it to Aunt Missy's.  All the kids started off shy.  That is rather typical.  But it quickly wore off quickly.
Sunday- Day 1: Hunter went to his Cadet Camp Interview with Aunt Missy.  They got back about 45min or so after we arrived.  The kids played games and on the trampoline, and in typical jayna fashion, she asked to color and Aunt Missy had the perfect stash!  We had WORLD FAMOUS Best Way Pizza for supper.  This may seem to be "super simple" pizza, but I absolutely love it--- minus the pepperoni which I pick off.  In deed this is the ONLY place I will pick pepperoni off pizza.  It is very affordable, but even better it holds many fond memories for me.  An award in elementary school for attendance and grades were Best Way certificates.  Dad would take us and we got to play pinball.  He I am sure is still the world reigning pinball champ.  So unfair his 25cents lasted WAY longer than my dollar.  This was our preferred beloved location.  After supper, we exchanged gifts and then Aunt Missy took Jayna and I on a nice walk along with Carter (CJ) and Hunter. 

Jayna, CJ, Missy and Hunter

Feeding the cows

picking wild strawberries

Mud puddles

CJ catches a ride from big brother Hunter

The kids finding Clams

Anthony's self made water gun

Hunter holds CJ who is getting "too cold"

Will and Roxy

Monday-Day 2: It started off slow, leisurely breakfast, no alarms, just wake whenever, trampoline fun and visiting Foxy the horse.  By late morning Missy, Mark and I were sitting by the pond at the kids played in the filth, errr I mean water, of course.  It's amusing since I used to love pond swimming when we lived beside the former reservoirs turned swamps, but in my ancient aging mom self-- I am apparently too old for that type of pleasure now.  It took Will a while to get comfortable but he did.  Parker, Anthony and Jayna were water babes without any hesitations.  CJ and Hunter were more reserved and got bored of the water but still sat nearby or on the dock.  The others found 11 clams.  It was getting quite hot and Missy wanted a break from some extended family turmoil so we decided to go to Walmart get some picnic foods and hit the Ebensburg pool.  We had a great time at the pool, using their slides especially.  CJ, Tucker and Will also thoroughly enjoyed the shallow play areas.  This thoroughly tired out the kids.  we left nearing 6pm.  Anthony fell asleep while supper cooked.  Most the other kids enjoyed outside trampoline play.  Jayna spent part of that time coloring.  We had a delicious meal of shake and bake chicken, noodles and corn.  After supper for dessert we made popcorn, and I don't mean in the microwave and we got to choose our own seasonings of choice.

Anthony pushes in Will as the boys giggle

Beth slides

Mark slides

Will slides, and I catch him

Jayna Slides

Hunter and Tucker

Parker splashes

Missy and Hunter race

Kid's Say

After Marko showed Jayna a picture of a sky scraper type building from his recent business trip to Chicago.... she exclaims "It's a HI-scraper"

Jayna told me the other day when she wanted something another and I was saying no... "but I am absolutley adorable!"

In the car while driving Anthony noticed a Garage sale sign.  Obvioulsy I have neglected to share my love of yard/garage sales with them thanks to busy schedules mostly.  Anyhow he read the sign and I asked him "What's that!?"  and he thought a minute and asked "How are they going to move their garage to sell it!?"  Jayna quickly piped in with the accurate meaning.  Anthony still was not completely convinced.

Ok this would almost be funny, if it wasn't so picture perfect of kids.  I let Anthony stay at home for 10 minutes while I ran to the top of our street to get a milk.  I came home and used the bathroom.  And I heard Anthony call my name.  I say I am in the bathroom.  He says "Can I get a hug when you come out?"  I have to remember and treasure moments like this because they are fading and happening less and less.

A friend witha initially timid two year old babysat my two for a few hours tonight.  When dropping A and her daughter J off
A: did you have fun?
Jayna I had a lot o fun, but she played us (Jayna, Anthony and Alonza) out!

Anthony after picking him up from summer camp:
me: What was your favorite thing at camp?
A: The zipline and archery.... And NO shower all week!
The water at camp was broken so they had a potable water truck came but there wasn't enough water for showers, just toilets, hand washing and cooking.

While Anthony was at camp I wanted to do some fun things with Jayna, bowling, swimming, etc
Her reply was "But it won't be much/as much fun without Anthony" every single time

I wish I could remember all the so many others I hear, but it is impossible.

It's easier if I do it

True story.... cleaning and all such matters are insanely more easy and quick when I do them myself.  Now you can only imagine the lovely fighting going on within this house for the past 3-4 days...

Did you know it can take 6 hours to sweep and mop a tiny bathroom, tiny hall area and small to average sized living room and kitchen?  True story!

Marko even got called "Evil Daddy" by Jayna for forcing her to clean lol!
Anthony says he "hates living here.  I want my Uncle"

Oh the ways I can torture my kids...

So after 6 hours yesterday and 2 today, that is finally finished.... now onto the bedroom wars

On the plus side,

It' been another VBS fun filled week at Thomas Road, our home church.

Night one- 7 kids

7 extra silly kids

Night two- 8 kids, some silly

Night 3- 3 kids chickened out on coming but Kierra joined us! 

Meeting Old friends for the first time

I have been on a parenting website, formerly Parenthood for about 13 years.  I joined when I was just about to become an aunt.  I got to host the baby names forum.  I still love some baby names.  I stayed there through a second nephew and until I got pregnant with Anthony.  Then I was without internet so I did take about a year break and only hopped on occasionally.  But I have been on almost daily since my pregnancy with Jayna.  Even after the vast majority of the people from Parenthood left, we all stayed together by creating a new forum.
Blast from the past: In 2009, for our 1 year birthday of our site, we had a "birthday party" in Pennsylvania that Marko, the kids and I attended along with 9 other pod families. 

Our Birthday Cake

the 9 of us moms and our "Podlets"

Our Podlets... minus 2 who came but aren't pictured

And for my own personal amusement, Marko and I from Aug 2009

 

Anyhow all that back story, to say....
Another pod friend all the way from Wisconsin was going to be somewhat near by, in Richmond to pick up her grandson Graham.  We coordinated so we could meet in Richmond.  It was raining insanely hard almost all of the trip down.  We made it though.  It was my first time ever driving to Richmond.  I had been there very briefly before- to get birth certificates, to help Marko do installs in the O'Charley's there and then on the kids' field trip to the Science Museum, but it was my first time to drive and as the only adult in my vehicle as well.Thanks to the crazy weather my friends were running a bit late.  We met at a nifty mall called short pump.  My kids were thrilled by the elevators.

We met in the food court, grabbed a bite to eat and enjoyed the chatter of each others company while most the kids played in the kiddie play area.  It was wonderful to finally meet Robyn and to see Becky again.  Everytime I meet a pod friend, I am extremely anxious yet also nervous.  It brings back those stupid childhood insecurities.  I have a feeling no matter what I do throughout my lifetime, I am always going to feel that way and think of the negative what ifs.  But it has once again been proven we are friends.  We are here to support one another, hug one another, laugh together, give advice, listen to life's little ups and downs- both virtually and face to face.  I will remain anxious to meet future podders, and yet I know I will be nervous and still in the end everything will go smoothly! Thanks Robyn and Becky for a lovely afternoon together!

Robyn, me and Becky

Jayna, Graham, Anthony and Sam

Graham enjoying a piggy back ride from Jayna

Graham and Robyn

Robyn entertaining us with her puppet skills

Becky and Sam

The end of VBS week one summer 2013

Day 3 VBS: The peak of attendance at 34 kids

 Thursday we had a nice large, ever growing group of Shania and R.J., Tabi, Mateo and Payden and Will and Diamond plus of course my two biggest fans Anthony and Jayna along with me.  It rained like C-R-A-Z-Y allllll day long.  It continued allll night long!  Add the horrible weather to the fact, as I mentioned this was/is a small church.  about HALF of the VBS attendees were brought by me (9 of us!), True Story. 
They learned the story of Zacchaeus- Our obedience is evidence of God's transforming power in us. 
^{Luke 19:10} For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
By Friday we were able to add two more guests to our tally!  Shania's cousins Leah and Tyler came too and that required my parents to help with the transporting!
They learned about Saul of Tarsus- God's message of salvation should be shared with everyone.
^{Acts 9:8} Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus.
 That brought our weekly visitor totals to 9 and our total group was 12 total! 

The kids practicing for VBS graduation and performing Sunday morning

The kids loved it.  They enjoyed the smaller size and more focused attention that you don't get at a big church.  There was no fancy light show and giant band or big screen tvs.  There was no gigantic scenic display on every wall, in every corner.  But do you realize what there was?  There was the love of Christ. They were so loving towards all the kids  even when they were less than perfectly behaved.  They were accepting.  Even when the attendance doubled and they were likely overwhelmed, they rearranged workers and made it work.  They were able to have a larger age group 2-16 plus adults too and that allows to reach more in the community.  I wish more VBS's were more like this.  Kill some of the fanciness and add a larger age range with all the love of Christ.

Night 5 of the kiddos I brought to VBS, minus Payden and R.J.

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The adult Lessons:

Thursday:
The Trial of Paul- He was in prison for a crime he was innocent of.  Like Christ they couldn't find fault in Paul under the law.  Paul was in prison more than 2 years by Felix.  Felix put off accepting Christ.  Paul's desire was to take God's word to cities who hadn't yet heard it. So many of the people Paul told couldn't understand the spiritual side of Jesus. They couldn't embrace the extra-ordinary that is Jesus.
The Jews wanted to have judgement and peace from their enemies.  They were being ruled by the Romans.  Being a Christian in the New Testament was very difficult and full of persecussion.
All Paul went through- ship wreck, poison snake bite, stoned, imprisoned, he still said in whatever state he was in he had all he needed through Christ.
Everyone looks for contentment.  Instead you need to look for more, to do more and better spiritually.  However, we also need to ask Christ for contentment.  We don't need THINGS, the newer bigger better THINGS of this world.  If you have have Christ you have everything.
God's thoughts are way higher standards than ours and he has our best interest at mind.  The word of God pierces at the heart. 
Even while being beaten Paul tried to win his attackers souls to Christ. 
Temporary gain often means eternal loss.  Paul's temporary loss equaled eternal gain.
We were made to worship Him and to follow Him.

Friday:
My Day in Court- God is a just judges.  If we got what we deserved, we wouldn't be here.

^{Deuteronomy 16:19} Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent

^{Psalms 50:6} And the heavens proclaim his righteousness,
    for he is a God of justice.

We live in a fallen world where sin has made it a mess.  God ensures justice is upheld.  Once a Christian you have been pardoned and forgiven through His blood.  

^{1 John 1:8} If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. 

There's no condemnation for those justified through Christ.  God doesn't ignore sin.  He became sin for us to have eternal life.  If you've stood before the judge by obeying and believing you have been declared innocent.  Repent, turn to God and bring forth the proof of the change in your life.  There should be a change in you, evidence that God is within you.

^{Romans 8:9} You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. ¹⁰ But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life^[d] because of righteousness. ¹¹ And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of^[e] his Spirit who lives in you.
¹² Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. ¹³ For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
^{John 4:4} You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

VBS, Swimming and Cleaning

Each day this week the kids (and the mom) have been given a cleaning task.  They have done very well so far.
Monday:
 Monday we cleaned the laundry room, basement and did a majority of the laundry.  The rest of the piled up laundry has been getting done throughout the rest of the week.  For the first time in my adult life I even used.... A..... C-L-O-T-H-E-S-L-I-N-E!  The dryer takes forever so while one load dries in the dryer another on the line and it makes it a tad faster to wash all the blankets, towels and kids clothes that in no way can be dirty but magically ended up back in the wash. 
 The kids finished early enough to enjoy about 90 minutes at the YMCA pool.  Jayna didn't pass the green level swimming test so unhappily she was required to stay within an arm's reach of me at all times.  It mad for a sad disappointed swimmer, but she survived.
 After swimming I went to drop the kids at the Church of God Vacation Bible School.  I had never before been asked if I would be staying or coming back at pick up time.  I agreed to stay so R.J. who had joined us swimming stayed too.  You know, that is a GREAT idea.  I have been to tons of VBS programs and never once has their been an adult class.  I will admit there is not much participation in this class (2-3 in attendance each night) but first off it's a small church, it wasn't 'advertised' where as the VBS kid portion was.

The kids learned about  Joshua- God's presence and power gives us courage and strength to obey him.
^{Deuteronomy 31:6} Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

The adult portion is called The Verdict.  It's about Jesus' trial, Paul's trial and the trial we as Christian's will be on.
Night one- Who is this Jesus, who is on trial?  Know who Christ is so at the end times you will be able to see and tell apart the false prophets from the real deal.  It is important to have faith and to know the Characteristics of Christ.  Salvation is not the end of the journey, only just the beginning.  Memory verse:
John 11:25-26 ²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; ²⁶ and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Night 1 VBS: catching bugs with R.J.

 Tuesday:
 Tuesday we cleaned the down stairs- kitchen, living room, hallway, and bathroom. The laundry mountain has continued to be worked on.  
Tonight we picked up friends for VBS- Will, Diamond, Tabi, Mateo.  VBS had a record # of kids.
The kids learned about Gideon- God change us to be servants who are ready to do His will.
²³ Israelites from Naphtali, Asher and all Manasseh were called out, and they pursued the Midianites.  

Tonight's lesson was Jesus on Trial.  Father forgive them they know not what they do.  Follow Christ's example of forgiveness.  All Jesus was guilty of is being the perfect son of God and following through with the Father's plan.  They got false witnesses to lie and testify against Christ.
Memory verse

Romans 5:8

⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Night 2 VBS and Jayna helps lead the song time

 Wednesday:
 Wednesday we slept in a little.  Then we started the upstairs, got clothes put away and re-cleaned the kitchen from a very loved pig.... or else he would be a pork chop by now!  I was nice and didn't require all the cleaning to be cleaned before we hit the YMCA for two hours!  Jayna and Anthony passed the highest level swimming test and were very happy little fish!  I swam 4 laps in the lap pool and enjoyed the whirlpool.

Passed the highest level swim test and got the GREEN band!

Tonight we brought the other 4 from last night plus R.J. and Shania.  

The kids learned about Naomi and Ruth- God's love for us gives us joy no matter what happens to us

^{Isaiah 41:10} So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

 

Tonight's adult lesson was about Paul; Who is Paul. Little notes in no real order from tonight.  The guards had been paid to say that the disciples stole his body, although the guards knew something divine was happening.  Every knee shall bow and tongue confess.  Do not judge or compare yourself to others.  It is not wise.  The only person to compare yourself to is Christ and what the bible shows you as an example.  A troubled conscious provokes anger. Paul was Saul prior to becoming a Christian.  Saul was involved in the stoning of Steven, the first Christian martyr.  Saul was a religious zealotwho thought that the followers of Jesus underminded God.  Later he became saved and became known as Paul.  He embraced Christianity and made many Jewish enemies and was persecuted for his stand for the Lord.  Christians were originally afraid of Paul after he became a Christian because of his past violence against their people.  He went from being one of the biggest antichristians to one of the best Christian leaders.  He has a devine encounter with Jesus while he was fighting against Christ.  He met Jesus and turned his life around.  This is what should happen with all new Christians.  Saul had been a Pharecy.  He was offended by hearing Jesus was the son of God and that Jesus was preaching against the Pharacies.Acts 9 is the story of Paul, name changed.  Give your all to the Lord no matter the price.  Give your all to the Lord, no matter the price.  This is not our home (earth), Heaven will be.  

Memory Verse

1 Timothy 1:15 
¹⁵ Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

Day 3: Our Gang leading song time

Hello Summer

Our first two and a half days of summer have been filled with fun-- and water.  The kids played most the evening away on Thursday with Joyce's gang.  Diamond and Will came home with my two for a sleep over.  They slept in until 10:30.  It was Diamond's 7th birthday!  We went out for breakfast minutes before 11, making it just in time before they started lunch at Famous Anthony's.  Joyce, her grandkids and Lexi met us there.

 

After breakfast we headed to Riverside Park's sprayground and playground with my two plus I was now babysitting a former employee's 2 year old Jayla while they moved.  Joyce had 3 of the 4 grandkids and her three kiddos.  We were there for about 3.5 hours. 

  

After we had fun at the park, I had to go to the YMCA and sign up for our complimentary membership Jayna won at school for three months of free membership.  Then we headed back to Joyce's so the kids could play.  After several hours, I again left with Diamond and Will in tow for another sleep over.  I had to, as usual work third shift but Daddy agreed to the sleepover and was thanked by Miss Sassy (Jayna) with a rare "I love you Daddy!  You are the best Daddy ever!". 

On Saturday we took Diamond and Will home a little before 1pm.  Jayna went to the city pool with cousin Kierra and her mommy.  Then they went to Grandma's for a sleepover.  Anthony and I had our own playdate at the YMCA trying out their nice indoor pool.  After 4 hours of swimming we grabbed a snack at McDonald's.  Anthony chose an Oreo snack size McFlurry and I got a fruit and yogurt parfait.  

When we got home I attempted to out smart the pig with Marko's idea to chain the back fence.... nope that lasted less than 5 minutes.  So Stevie had to come inside and not play outside, because I needed a nap before doing 3rd shift