Josiah's Birthday Fun

We recently celebrated Josiah's 10th birthday, with friends and later with family, and in between with some "wild" animals.
Here's a Smilebox as proof.

A free digital slideshow by Smilebox

Remembering March

In March, we took a memorable trip to Explorations in Antiquity. We "went back in time" and learned about life in a tent during Abraham's day, sheep keeping, burials, oil pressing, and mill stones. In was a chilly day, but the kids enjoyed walking through a piece of Jerusalem as it was during Jesus' time and sitting in a slice of a Roman coliseum.

Also in March, we had another important birthday. Josiah turned 9. He woke to pancakes and turkey bacon. We celebrated at Chuck E. Cheese and at Grandfather's.

 He enjoyed putting animal cookies on his cake and trekking through the Paulding County wilderness.

































Our home group joined us for a Welcome Party for our foster boy. He enjoyed helping to make the decorations.

Toward the end of the month, I took Hannah and Josiah to a program at the library about birds of prey. With Hannah's interest in owls, it was a must see. I believe the owl in the picture is a European Eagle Owl and the bird on the bottom is a falcon (it has a mask on to keep it calm). They are part of the Medieval Times Show. The ladies who brought them did a great job and it was very educational.

February Not Forgotten

I've got a bit of catching up to do, since I haven't posted since January.

Why have I not posted in six months?

Well, I have two very good reasons.

1. I was having technical difficulty with downloading pictures.

(I could not bear to post without pics. It would just be so boring.)

2. We took in a foster boy, who kept us very, very busy.

(That alone would have been reason enough, I know.)

It Only Comes Once a Year

July 23rd -
Hannah, Josiah, and myself took the long ride out to Dallas, Ga.
We were greeted by this . . .

Yes, it was my birthday

and this . . .

Western Red Cedar garden bench

and my smiling mom. A note attached said, "From Dad". Inside the house was this . . .

Glass garden tower

The note said, "From Mom".

What makes these gifts so special is that they were made by the same hands that lovingly cared for me, that worked to feed me, that labored to shelter me, that were clasped in prayer for me, that held me and guided me. The hands that I looked to imitate as I sought my own way on life's road. Such precious gifts of life and creativity.

"And pick one more," my mom said.

So I picked one more glass tower for the garden. ". . . because you need one that has a light in it," she told me. Those hands that didn't let me leave home without first giving me The Light of the World, continue to give and give and give.

Back home in my own little garden, I remember them and feel the glow of love in my heart.

There is nothing like a parent's love especially on your birthday.

Great to Be "8"

Josiah turned "8"  today and to make it special, he got a donut cake for breakfast with a candle stuck through the hole.

He also got to go to Alexander Park to fly a kite that he got for his birthday at an early party he had last month at Grandmother and Grandfather's (at which I did not take my camera).

a boy and his kite

"Come on, go up!"

"Success!"

Others also enjoyed flying kites. It was a cloudy day, but the wind was just right. We chose Alexander Park, because they have such a big open field with very few trees.

Three friends flying kites

Can you see all three?

a girl and her "bird" kite

"Whee, this is fun!"

 We ate a picnic lunch with our friends and had cupcakes under the pavilion. They had even brought cards and gifts! Josiah was so excited.

Hannah's excited, too.

a T-Rex shirt!

Josiah loves these little animals

Playtime!

When Theron got home, Josiah opened his family presents. Then it was off to Martial Arts.

"Peek-a-boo, here I am!"

More excitement

Thank you, Lord, for a wonderful day with my JOY BOY!

Hannah's Birthday Party

Hannah threw a wonderful party for her friends on Friday with a Wizard of Oz theme. They played 'Give Toto a bone', 'Wizard, may I?', had a lunch, made Valentines, and had cake and icecream. Hannah opened presents and every girl went home with a goody basket.
She's ELEVEN! Wow, how the time has flown.

Free picture slideshow made with Smilebox Friday evening, we surprised Theron with an early birthday party at Q-Zar. He got to play lazer tag with his best friends and eat cheese cake. The kids played games like Skee ball and air hockey. They brought home lots of prizes. Theron really was surprised! Thanks Groupon and Q-Zar. But thanks most of all to God, who gave me a man with such heart. Theron is thankful I forgot to bring my camera.

Josiah is Seven!

This picture slideshow made with Smilebox

Hannah's 10th and Chocolate Factory Tour

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Celebrating Summer Birthdays

On July 25th, my family came for a swim and cookout to celebrate my birthday, as well as my sister and brothers'. Their birthdays are in August, so they got to party early. I have one other brother, who lives in Oregon. His special day is in May. Too bad, he couldn't come. Guess it is just too far.
My mom had written each of us a poem and I want to share mine with you.

I got creative, too and made individual personalized cupcakes for everybody. Got the idea from a friend. Thanks, Mitzi.

Me and my siblings. Wesley, Leah, myself, and Daniel (oops, he's not there. He's in Oregon.)

And last, but not least is a game. What is it? The first person to figure it out will get. . .

. . . the satisfaction of knowing they are very clever!

Officially 6!

March 12th, 2004 is a day I remember well. A bundle of joy came into my life and we named him Josiah. Daddy was proud and Hannah excited to be a big sister. Now, he is six years old and outgrowing me calling him my baby.

He woke this morning to his big present from Mom and Dad - Planet Heroes Headquarters. Even though he knew what is was (he was with me when I bought it, because I found it on sale at Big Lots and did not want to wait to buy it since it was such a good price there might not be any next time I came to the store), he acted quite happy to see it.


I put it together and he and Hannah enjoyed it for some time, before we had to head out to the store to get eggs to make the cake, and some other things.

We picked up a frozen pizza and topped it with turkey pepperoni for lunch. Then I started on the cake. Josiah had requested only one friend to come over for his birthday. He arrived and brought two of his sisters for Hannah to play with.

The kids had a great time playing while I finished the cake, allowing Josiah to help put the finishing touches on - Sprinkles! He chose to pile them in one spot in the middle of the cake
and put the number 6 candle right in the middle of that. Wow, I never would have thought of doing it that way. :-)

The cake was good, except for when you got a big bite of sprinkles. Ha! Ha!
Rain poured outside, but it did not dampen Josiah's fun.
Happy Birthday, Son!

Double Birthday with Family

Today, some of our family came over to celebrate Hannah and Josiah's birthdays. We had Sante Fe soup and chips, and cake and ice cream, of course.


Josiah looks like the "protective big brother" here with his second cousin, Allie. She is such a cuddler!


Look at her leaning on Theron while Josiah "reads" his birthday card. So cute!

I think Josiah's favorite gift today was the Lightening McQueen remote control car from Aunt Leah and Uncle Robert. He has played with it all day.

Hannah adored this FurReal baby panda from cousin Valerie and Jesse, Mai, and Allie. It moves and makes sounds as if it's real. Good practice for her becoming a veteranarian, she says (or maybe a mom?).

Here's the cake!


And here. . .

but look again.

Yes, it's a reversible cake.

On one side it had a "9" for Hannah

and on the other it has a "6" for Josiah.

(He won't officially be six until March 12th)