Even after 2 snow days and 1 delay during the week of Prayer activities at the kiddos' school, they still managed to pull off a great Sabbath Education service.
The kiddos had to be there at 10am to get in a final practice session. As is typical of our weekends, we had extra kids. Will and Alonza had spent Friday afternoon and evening, slept over so of course joined us for church. Oh man the boys were so handsome and Jayna lovely for church. I am bummed I was so rushed yesterday I missed a group shot. The boys were all in khakis and button down dress shirts. Although we attend church weekly, we have a very casual dress code so this was a rarity. Alonza and Will went to Sunday school (ok I am sure it isn't called that) where they proudly brought home their yoyos and paper made (folded into) boats. Alonza was also thrilled he got a prize for praying too! I went to an adult class. I was late, because I had no intentions of attending Sunday school and also obviously didn't know when it started. I hate being late to anything.
At 11 the main service began. We sand two or three songs with the kids leading worship: Give me that Old Time Religion, Here I am to Worship, and oh my I should remember the last... was it I love you Lord... yeah I'm not certain! Anyhow all the kids sang that all together and did great!
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| courtesy of www.desmondtdoss.org |
Special music was by 4-5 of the girls. 4 of the boys played the part of ushers and passing the off
ring plates. Mr Doss, The principal (and 7th and 8th grade teacher) spoke about Desmond T Doss and their mission and his love for the school. (He also shocked me last Thursday when I was volunteering at the school and asked if he could read my blog
My small private school Love Story as part of the service.) So after he spoke he basically said he could go on and on, but here was a perspective to a first year family here and read a majority of my blog while showing an awesome slide show from many years back to current of our school in action. Then Kindergarten to 2nd grade sung two more songs, He's Got the Whole World in His Hands (the very educational version, complete with naming each continent and doing a brief activity of placing the continent at the correct spot while singing) and Kumbaya My Lord.
The Older kids put on a puppet show for "Childrens Moment" about spiritual hunger vs spiritual hunger.
Mr Billy, the assistant principal (and 5th and 6th grade teacher) asked for personal testimonies on Christian Education (basically)-- not necessarily from this school, though most included this school. Then the kids sand Awesome God. Mr. Doss gave the message based on a letter he read to his students several years ago. Basically, it was about what he learned from his students and how he wants his children to carry on their biblical/moral standards. It was awesome to hear his love for his students. I am far from shocked. You should see these teachers here. They are extremely loving and personal towards each student. After the service, the church family shared lunch with us all.
I had to rush off to a baby shower then for my former employee from 10 years ago and his lovely wife Ashley. They had a great baby shower for baby Eden and were blessed with some amazing food, company and gifts! Mom and Dad took the kids while I was there for a few hours and they got to spend time with Uncle Alden who was in town. We have the unfortunate timing of 2 of his 3 visits happening during Sabbath weekends where the kids and I had full and overflowing schedules.
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| Favorite game: eating baby food--- your feeder is blind folded... first one done or who doesn't give up wins--- The Daddy won, but I can guarantee they didn't enjoy that snack :-) |
Then I headed to mom and dad's where the kids were. I took the boys home as Alonza was going to Fun Quest and we wanted a few hours as family without extras. Dad and I took the kids to amazement square since it was discount day. We were there for 2 hours having fun. It confirmed what was already known, Dad is just a big kid!
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| Dad climbed up to enjoy the view |
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| then he said he saw a bear in the binoculars so the other kids u on story 4 look out started searching haha |
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| Dad listens to his favorite recording artist |
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| Yes, Yes she is in a poodle skirt, in the spot light wearing a poodle skirt |
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| yes they even need to wrestle in a children's museum but as you can see no one else was nearby so they were fine for a few minutes |
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| Hey Ms. Jeannie.... |
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| Jayna's fav- the paint room |
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| Dad playing hair dryer basketball... he did score :-) |
Then it was time for Bounce Night, hosted by a mix between the kid's school and the adjoining church! Bounce night went from 6:30-11 (or maybe 12, not sure). It was basically open to anyone, w/o parents present from Kindy and up. I picked up Joyce with her adventure clubbers Tabi, Will, Diamond and this time Lexi too. I started off at the little bounce house mostly for grades 2 and under. But I was mostly supervising the big bounce house, and handed the little one off to Joyce. Since I mostly was supervising I didn't get very many pictures, but we all still had a lot of fun. We left at 10:30 so I could get to work by 11.
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| Jayna and Aspen racing |
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| Jayna and her preferred Bounce buddy Brandon |
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| Will and Anthony |
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| The advantage of being shorter than typical age: Brandon was allowed in the younger kid bounce house w/ Jayna--- and they had plenty of time to jump and goof off since the wait line for it was often a line of zero |
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| Anthony in action! |
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| Just Dance on the Wii was a hit for most the kids |
I worked all night as usual and got off at 8:30am. Jayners stayed with me at work, which is her typical if she can' sleep over at Grandma and Poppy's.
I again picked up Joyce and kids to take them to church and swooped by my house to get Ant. After church, I dropped Joyce's gang off nd headed to the mom and dad's to get to visit with Uncle Alden over lunch before he had to leave. Dad got called into a work emergency so I was put in charge of making the blueberry pancakes. Yes that was a first--- 2nd for any type of pancakes 1st for blueberry. Simple reasoning: there is no reason for me to make pancakes when I can't beat dad's pancakes so would be disappointed, so I don't make them! They say don't mess with perfection and quite frankly if you've had dad's world famous Apple Pancakes you have experienced perfection :-D
Uncle A left about 3 so the kidlets and I headed home and I grabbed a nap after my 75 hour stretch without any sleep!
