Super at 60!

My mom's birthday week has come to an end, but it was a lot of fun celebrating her big 60th! We started by heading to KC last Friday to celebrate with family there. We hit some of our favorite restaurants including Houston's and Andre's. If you like chocolate and Swiss food, you must stop by Andre's for lunch. My mom has been eating there since her single days....

Tony and Parker had a blast at their very first 3-D movie. We saw Journey to the Center of the Earth. We're sure it isn't going to win any Oscars, but it was a lot of fun in 3-D!
A heat advisory didn't keep us from heading to Theater in the Park. My brother and the star, JB, was in Titanic, The Musical. Parker only made it to intermission. I have no idea how my brother and the cast didn't keep from fainting between the heat, the lights, and the period costumes.
We were able to worship at Red Bridge Church of Christ, my growing up church. It was good to see my friend, Lindsey, who I grew up with and is expecting her second child, a baby girl who is also nameless, next week. While we there, I was reminded of God's faithfulness and love. I saw people who have known me for a long time and missed the faces of people who have passed on or moved away. I was so thankful that my parents were committed to making our church family an important part of our childhood. I also thanked God for the family there who made me feel, even as a child, that I was a vital part of God's family. It is the same feeling I hope Tony and I communicate to our kids at McKnight. I want them to grow up feeling that they are part of something bigger and that their family at McKnight lifts them up to the Father. Sunday afternoon, Mom headed back to St. Louis with us for more fun! Well, fun is a relative word. We managed to squeeze in some shopping and lunch out between working in my classroom and Parker's first dentist appointment. Hurray - no cavaties!
Friday night's weather was so beautiful that we headed to the zoo! Parker loved showing Grandmaw the dinos! Saturday night was Munchin' With the Martins. Then Sunday, it was time to head back to KC. Happy Birthday, Mom! Thanks for all your help this week at home and at school! We love you!

Busy July!

I cannot believe July is almost over! I keep asking myself where did it go! Then I start reviewing: Tony's family was here, Parker was sick for a few days, got ready for VBS, had VBS, did Munchin' With The Martins #2, recuperated from VBS, and here we are! Time does fly when you're having fun! Parker and I did have some fun today when we took Maddy, along with Mommy Marcia and Wells, to the Magic House to celebrate Maddy's first birthday. Parker loves both Maddy and Wells, but he is fascinated with Maddy. He loves to make her smile! Happy Birthday sweet Maddy!

Look Closely!

I looked out our kitchen window and thought for sure a squirrel had died on top of Parker's swing set. I immediately texted Tony about it. He reassured me that the squirrel was just taking a nap because he had seen the squirrel do the same thing a couple of days ago. When I went to take the picture, he did open his eyes but when back to sleep when I went inside. I guess he knows how to beat the heat!

A House Full of Company!

Gamma (Tony's Mom) arrived on the 24th from Austin! Parker took her to the Magic House and showed off his fishing skills.

Then Great-Grandmother (on the left) arrived on the 2nd from Hot Springs, AR. Then Great Aunt Nan and Great Uncle Carl arrived on the third from Arvada, CO. We were glad to be their layover on their way to Paducah, Kentucky for a high school reunion. They left this morning and will return Sunday evening to spend the night again. We can't wait to hear their stories! Then everyone heads home on Monday. Our house is going to seem very empty!

It only took 10 years!

While Christy was away exploring uncharted territory, we did our best to keep John and Jillian company! We made our first ever trip to Six Flags and visited Hurricane Harbor. Parker and Jillian had a blast despite waiting out a thunderstorm that gave a whole new meaning to the words water park! Getting ready for bed Saturday night, Parker declared that this his been the best day of his life! Thanks John and Jillian for a great day!

Happy Father's Day!

This picture is for you, Dad! After our last blog, he pointed out that I never put pictures of myself on the blog. I replied that there was a good reason for that! Thanks to the Gills for teaching in King's Kids today, I got to hear David preach which is always a treat. He gave a great Father's Day lesson. He had three main points of how Dads should let their children hear them: 1) Say you claim them, 2) Say you love them (using 1 Cor. 13 as the basis), and 3) Say you are proud of them. I got tears in my eyes as I thought about my dad who did and does all three of those things. I have never once doubted my father's love for me even when I have been a disappointment. Dad, there are so many things I appreciate about you. You have taught me that faith is found in the imperfect part of our lives, but made perfect through Christ. You give more than second chances. You are quick to laugh. You never meet a stranger. Throughout the whole time I was growing up, you demonstrated that you come to church to serve, not to be served. Thank you for being my dad! I love you! As I was listening to David preach, I also thought of how grateful I am for Tony. He too does a great job of letting Parker hear him. I know that Parker will never doubt his father's love. Happy Father's Day, honey! Finally, I thought of Pa. I like a lot of things about him, but one of the things I like best is how he listens to my grandma. I don't know where he got it from since he didn't grow up in that generation. But he always gives her his undivided attention and takes what she says seriously. Then if doesn't agree (which doesn't happen that often), he always finds a way to compromise so she feels heard. He always puts what she wants ahead of what he has wanted. I appreciate his example of unselfish love.
I can't end this blog without saying Happy 12th Anniversary, Tony! Here are 12 things I love about you - not in any particular order:

1. You are relaxing to be with.

2. You're a great father!

3. You're patient when it takes me 30 minutes to decide what I want for dinner.

4. You cook a lot.

5. We laugh at the same things.

6. You listen to my worries.

7. You will watch a chick flick with me and not complain.

8. You shop with me.

9. You love all kids.

10. Each year when I come home from school with a student to adopt, you always say "Let's do it!"

11. When we met, you didn't like to read at all. But now you read a lot!

12. You put God first and foremost.

Finally...Summer Vacation!

I start counting down to Summer Vacation right after Spring Break. But I spend my summer vacation counting up. Parker got a head start on summer vacation. On my last day of school, he started his very first swimming lessons. His favorite part was playing Simon Says in the water.
Next, we finished Spring Soccer on my fourth day of summer vacation. It's a good thing that we didn't keep score. Tony was a super coach despite our lack of talent, I mean our lack of experience. :)
Despite the forecast for storms and rain, we headed to the zoo on my sixth day of summer vacation. Parker loves dinos so he couldn't wait to go through the exhibit. It's a real bargain for Friends of the Zoo - only a $1.50 per person. Parker wanted to take a picture with every single dinosaur.
The T Rex (aka the Sharp Tooth for Land Before Time fans) made him a little nervous so Daddy braved the Sharp Tooth to gaurantee a picture with every dinosaur.
Parker spent a lot of time digging for dino bones while his daddy and I enjoyed a seat in the shade.

Parker got to yell "All Aboard" the zoo train! We shared a snow cone which Parker loved because he had the bluest tongue!

Even though I doubted that this was the best day to go to the zoo, Tony was right. When all the weather people are calling for rain in St. Louis, you're almost gauranteed no rain! It was a perfect day for the zoo!