FRIDAY PHOTO FLASHBACK

I started "Friday Photo Flashback" because I have so many pictures from my PRE-digital camera days. I thought it would be fun to scan them and share them here with you. I'm having so much fun doing this, that I would love for you to join me, too! So dig out the photo albums and put your scanner to good use! Don't forget to sign in to MckLinky so we can all visit and comment on each others blogs!

1990-Happy New Year!

I love Facebook!

You know why?

I love it when my friends post pictures from way back in the day, especially the ones that I don't even remember taking!

Like these two pictures, for example. I know it was New Years, and I remember where we were at. BUT, I don't even remember my friend having a camera!

And I loved my polka dot blazer! Remember when those were in style? And gotta love the perm!!

I'm also linking up with Amanda @Parenting by Dummies since we have similar Friday meme's! You will enjoy her blog, and also love seeing pictures of her beautiful kids! You can also link up on her blog too! So, I encourage you to go, and make new bloggy friends!

I DO...

I'm participating in a year long challenge, created by Carin at Forever In Blue Jeans. The goal is to be in one picture a week, for 52 weeks. Since us moms are always behind the camera, this gives us a chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. So, click here if you want to join in on the fun!

51/52

My, oh my!! One more to go! It took me longer than I thought, but sometimes it was hard to get in one picture!

Last Saturday, my friend's son got married. They are a young couple, but they have the Lord, and you know with the Lord, you can make it through anything!

I remember when we first met, her son was only 11 years old, and now he's a married man! Her husband married them at their church, and I don't know if there was a dry eye in there. It made me realize how fast kids grow up. I couldn't help but imagine that being one of my kids one day.

The sweetest part of the reception was when he sang a song that he made her a couple of years ago.

I know this isn't very clear, but I had my camera on super zoom!

And that his mom on the far left, our other friend Lisa, and then myself.

WORDFUL WEDNESDAY-BOYS WILL BE BOYS!!

It's amazing how boys and girls interact differently with their friends.

For the most part, girls love to talk and laugh with their girlfriends. And with girls, you either click or your don't.

Not boys though. There can be thirty of them in one room and nobody even has to talk. They can just be with each other without filling any voids.

However, with most boys, they love to be active (like as in wrestling).

And there are no hard feelings, it's just for fun!

Here's the proof to back up that fun fact!

Here you have some of the teenage boys after VBS last week (at our church). Just hangin' in the cafe. No big deal. They are all mellow and just chillin'.

All it takes is ONE person to mix it up!

And this time, one of my son's (Daniel) is one of them in the mix! Here he is wanting to wrestle one of "big boys."

What you'll notice in the pictures is how everyone in the background looks unfazed by everything that is happening right in front of them. Amazing!

Once Danny gets going, it's hard for him to stop!


See?


What do you think? Future wrestler?


Down for the count?


Tired yet?


Hardly!


They're just getting started!

And just so you know, there was nobody hurt. They all love to "play" like this. Everyone who walked by didn't blink an eye because they are just being "boys!"

Be sure to visit 7 Clown Circus for Wordful Wednesday

TIDBIT TUESDAY!

We're having another busy week! Well, my three little ones are! They are at another VBS (Vacation Bible School), and this one is really close to our home. What I love the most about it is that I just drop them off and pick them up three hours later!

I've been trying to think of things I could do with my older kids during that time, but with only three hours, we're pretty limited. But, since my oldest son was at his friends yesterday, I took Miranda to the movies to watch the first showing of Salt (Angelina Jolie). We LOVE action movies, and this was "okay." If your kids can handle fighting and blood, then they will like this!

Tomorrow, my daughter and I are planning on clearing up our entire homeschool area. All their new material will be here in a week, and I want all the old stuff outta here! She's excited to do this, and so am I!! I'm glad she's willing to help!

We had a nice surprise yesterday too. My best friends sons came by to visit. They are such great boys, and my kids love them! Just totally respectful and responsible kids! They are the two older boys in the picture! I've known their mom since we were 12 years old (which was 29 years ago)!

And I'm excited for the next couple of weeks!

My kids have one more "fun week" at our church, and my oldest daughter is going to Jr. High camp. I just want to do as much as we can before school starts! It's coming up quick!

I HEART FACES-PURPLE

This week's theme: PURPLE

I'm sure my son won't appreciate me posting this picture of him, but I saw the purple design on his shirt, and I knew I could use this for this week's theme!

To see more "Purple" entries, click the button above.

SCRIPTURE SUNDAY

On Sundays, I decided I would share a scripture(s). I pray that it will be a blessing to whoever reads it.

"Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart."-Psalm 37:3-4

MY BOYS..AND GIRL!

This is probably the most current picture I have with my husband and our boys. Well, and our youngest daughter! My oldest daughter is missing from the picture because she was sick that night. It actually would have been better if it were just the boys!

FRIDAY PHOTO FLASHBACK

I started "Friday Photo Flashback" because I have so many pictures from my PRE-digital camera days. I thought it would be fun to scan them and share them here with you. I'm having so much fun doing this, that I would love for you to join me, too! So dig out the photo albums and put your scanner to good use! Don't forget to sign in to MckLinky so we can all visit and comment on each others blogs!

1984

This was my high school, Freshman year picture!

Whoa! Look at that eyeliner! I can't believe I used to wear it like that!

Well, in the "80's," that was the style back then!

Do you remember wearing those little buttons on your shirts? The ones that had famous bands or singers on them, and some just had words?

I had to look closely at this picture because it's only a wallet size, but from what I could make out, one of them is Duran Duran, and one says "Rude Girl" on another. I can't make out what the other picture is! I just wish I still had them!

Why was I trying to look so hard core??????

And no comment on my hair!

Like I said..it was the 80's!

HAPPY 8TH BIRTHDAY, DANNY!!

Yes, that is correct...another birthday shout out!

This time, it's to my youngest son, Danny!

He is 8 years old today!

I still can't believe it!

And he's so proud to be another year older! But, please, don't try to grow up too fast!

He's so complex, yet so predictable in many ways.

That is what makes him "Danny."

So, just like I did for my other son Eli, I will post "8" things that I love about him! Of course, I can do 800, but I will narrow it down to what comes to mind first!

1. He's tough on the outside, but very sensitive on the inside.

2. He's not afraid to try anything once.

3. I love, love, love his gentle voice (well except when he's imitating the Hulk).

4. His smile can light up a room.

5. He can use his imagination to no end.

6. He's fearless...literally!

7. He has a great, big laugh!

8. He wears his heart on his sleeve.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DANNY. WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

I'M SO BLESSED TO BE YOUR MOMMY!

WORDFUL WEDNESDAY

SPLISH SPLASH!

My two boys coming down the slide!

Be sure to visit 7 Clown Circus for Wordful Wednesday

VBS IN EFFECT!

Our church is having their VBS program this week, and so far, this is their biggest turnout.

200+ kids!

I feel like I have the easiest job, because I'm helping with the picture taking! I love having the freedom to walk around and check out what everyone is doing!

I'm excited to hear how many kids come to Christ by the end of the week!!

Here's Veronica during worship!

WORKIN' 9-5...

Well..not really.

Just on Sundays, in the cafe, after service.

But, not me.

It's my 10 year old son, Eli.

You see, he felt led to serve (help) in the church cafe...

Mopping the floor and cleaning tables.

And not for money. And definitely not for recognition.

He wants to do it because he likes to clean, and ultimately, he's doing it for the Lord.

He started yesterday, and he literally takes his job seriously!

To him, this is the real deal, and he's so happy to have his first job!

Where did this boy come from???

And of course, I had to take a picture of him on his first day. He was like, "Hurry up!"

SCRIPTURE SUNDAY

On Sundays, I decided I would share a scripture(s). I pray that it will be a blessing to whoever reads it.

"But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head."-Psalm 3:3

DRIVE-IN FOR 7 = CHEAP!

In the evening of Isaiah's birthday, he wanted all of us to go to the drive-in movies. No argument here since we'd be saving an arm and a leg! My husband can't stand going to the drive-in because he'd rather be in a theater, kicking back. I don't blame him, so would I, but it's fun to do these things once in awhile. Plus, we saved $$$ just doing that! I went to Big Lots and loaded up on snacks that totaled only $15!! That's the price of popcorn and a soda if we had gone to a regular theater.

I still felt unprepared when we got there because I see every other person with blankets, tons of chairs, coolers, the works. We had some chairs, our snacks, and jackets, but the next time we go, I'll be sure to bring more.

Surprisingly, my husband enjoyed it. Actually, we all did, since the last time we were actually there was when Nacho Libre came out!

I wonder when we'll be going back?

A-ha...the big screen! We had front row seats!


My kids are SO OVER me taking their picture!

When we got home that night, we had Isaiah's cake. Yes, I know there are only 12 candles, but I couldn't find the "14" that my husband bought.

FRIDAY PHOTO FLASHBACK

I started "Friday Photo Flashback" because I have so many pictures from my PRE-digital camera days. I thought it would be fun to scan them and share them here with you. I'm having so much fun doing this, that I would love for you to join me, too! So dig out the photo albums and put your scanner to good use! Don't forget to sign in to MckLinky so we can all visit and comment on each others blogs!

JULY 1967

Here is my dad with his prized possession (1967 red Firebird) in front of my grandparents home in Norfolk, Virginia. Him and my mom were still newlyweds at the time, and my sister was only six months old.

One thing about my dad is that he LOVED his fast hot rods! He always got compliments on his cars, and was always racing other guys/men! I know where I get my good driving skills from..lol. He was very meticulous/ about his vehicles, and as crazy as this sounds, when we were older, he didn't want us to roll down the windows in the back because DUST WOULD GET IN THE CAR!!

OUTBACK...EAT FRESH!

We went to dinner to The Outback Steakhouse last night, and we haven't been there for years. The last time we ate there was when we lived in Hawaii, in 2001! And it's not that it's far from us either. It is located at the mall that is only five minutes away from our home.

Since it was Isaiah's birthday recently, he got to choose where to eat. Let me tell you, it was like pulling teeth to have him decide, so I basically chose the Outback for him. He was hesitant at first, but soon realized that he was going to enjoy the food. I think he thought they only served steak there. He didn't know there was a variety.

We started out with a couple of appetizers, and my sister in-law mentioned that the onion blossom was one of the most fattening things to eat. But, did that stop us from devouring it? NOT!

Yummy cheese fries. The kids loved this!


This was so good with the dipping sauce!

This is what I ordered. It is called "Mum's Chopped Steak." It is 10 oz. of ground steak, served with garlic mashed potatoes, topped with sliced mushrooms and Cabernet sauce. I was supposed to get fresh vegetables too, but instead, they accidentally gave me DOUBLE mashed potatoes! No argument from me!

Eli and Danny both had the Boomerang Cheeseburger from the kids menu.


Veronica had the Joey Sirloin!


My husband and Isaiah ordered this combo meal that had ribs, coconut shrimp, and fries.


Here is the Oreo Sundae that the kids had. Yummy!

I realized I didn't take a picture of Miranda's chicken strips, or my sister in-laws sandwich. But, their food looked pretty darn tasty too!

And here are the kiddos when we were done. Of course, this was a hassle just to try to get a decent shot of them. They were so not interested in taking a picture!

WORDFUL WEDNESDAY

Daddy's Little Helper

Here is Veronica all ready to help daddy make Agape boxes (tithe/offering box) for church!

Be sure to visit 7 Clown Circus for Wordful Wednesday

4TH & 5TH GRADE CHURCH LOCK IN

I don't know if I shared about how much I love our Children's Church leaders. When I say they are a huge blessing to the body, that even feels like an understatement.

I think it's so important for kids to have other activities/functions at their church besides the VBS or Awana. This way, the kids get to know each other more, and it's also a time for them to bring unsaved friends to church.

Our youth leaders go way above and beyond for the kids, and always try to plan something special and unique for the kids and parents.

However, this time, this function was just for the kids!

They had a 4th & 5th grade lock in! Meaning, they were going to spend the night at church!

Normally, they do this for the Jr. Highers & High Schoolers, so this was a new one for the younger kids.

What's amazing about the leaders is that they not only try to have fun with the kids, but their main purpose is to encourage the kids to draw closer to the Lord. They are enthusiastic about their calling with children, and it definitely shows!

So, the plan was to drop your kids off at church at 3, check them in, and let them do the rest!

First stop, they took them on a little hike!

And to cool off, they went to the water slides!

After all that, the church bus brought them back to church for dinner, where everything was already set up for them!

Don't these look yummy???? Fruit kabobs!

I took these pictures because I was there at the time. My small job that I volunteered to do was set up their plates and buffet table. This is right outside our church cafe. The man on the far right did ALL THE GRILLING and also did the fruit kabobs.

There's my son, Eli, and one of his buddies waiting for their turn to get in line for food!


I took these from Facebook.

Here is the youth pastor giving a message to the kids. This was after they had a time of worship! They even had a fire going in the middle, and made smores!

They also had more snacks that night, and watched a movie in the gym where they all slept.

"YAWN!! What? Morning stretches at 6am?"

There's another room in the gym that we call the "inner court." This is where they had their breakfast!

And finally...the kids got picked up at 9am!

THIS IS WHY...

I shouldn't give in to those cravings.

I end up making these kinds of things!

And in one day!

Since my husband doesn'tcare for pound cake, I made a yellow cake instead.