Fireworks

This weekend Matt Powell came to visit. He is one of Brian's college buddies. We had some great meals, but the main reason for the visit was for Brian and Matt to take a road trip to Maryland to get some serious fireworks. They had a safe drive only to arrive and find out that Maryland has the same laws as Pennsylvania. So they drove to Maryland to buy what they could have purchased in our local grocery store parking lot. Whoops!

Matt is still amazed that Brian now have 3 kiddos. Brian was such the clown in college it is amazing that he is a family man now.

Thanks for a great visit Matt! The kids miss you already.

Of course he needed at least one "model shot" on his visit.

Flinestone Style

Who knew pool toys could be as much fun inside?

Daddy left the blue car raft outside. Carter didn't seem to mind.

Baby in back

The kids just had a blast driving Flinestone style around the house.

Foto Friday

I still can't believe that SJ is trying to walk. Yikes.

Bypass Baby

So here is the story on the front page of our paper today. Click the paper and you can read the story.

Answered Prayers

So yesterday I got an urgent phone call. "Nancy. It's time. Can you come get Isaiah?" Patrick said in a hurried voice. So of course I ran over and got Isaiah as they sped away to the Birthing Center. Carter and Isaiah had a great time playing. Little did we know what was going on. At 10:15a Amanda started labor with typical labor pain. I picked up Isaiah at 11:05a . Then Patrick delivered the baby on the side of route 30 with the assistance of a passing officer at 11:25a. All is well Mom & Baby are at home resting and taking interviews form the local media.

Welcome!

Genesis Eve
June 24th @ 11:25am

weight: unknown (they didn't have a scale in the car)

Congrats! As for the title, Amanda was praying for a good night of rest before going into labor and for a speedy delivery. The Lord answered her prayers. It's amazing to have answered prayers even when it is a different answer then we expected.

I will post photos soon.

Burgers

We have had a wonderful weekend! Wednesday, I spent the day at Hershey Park with Susanne and had a great time hiking around the entire park. It was my longest trip with the kiddos so far. We arrived at 10AM and stayed until 4PM. Thursday, Brian and I took the kids to Mt Gretna. Friday, we hosted a cookout for 5 other couples. Hannah had a blast learning how to make hamburgers. I think she actually worked on the same one the entire time. Saturday, we had a family day of washing the cars. Sunday, we had church and then enjoyed the afternoon at a pool party. Sarah Jane loved splashing in the pool.

Now that you know where I have been hiding I have a question for you. As a new Christian I am learning more everyday, but I am still trying to learn about how to use the Bible and when the Lord is speaking to me directly. Recently, I had one of those nights where I sat straight up in bed and was really unsure as to why I was so wide awake at 2AM. Of course I went to check on the kids. Yes they were sleeping soundly as was Brian. So I truly felt like the Lord just needed some time with me. I picked up my Bible and read a little and then lay my head back on the pillow and just began to pray. I prayed for the Lords will and I prayed that he would reveal what I needed to focus on. Since that night I feel like every night I am going through this same routine and I am now begging the Lord to try a better time like 8AM or even 11PM. I don't think that is working he seems to prefer 2AM. So how do you know when the Lord is directing you to a certain passage and how do you know when the Lord is speaking to you. As I have read the Bible I noticed how the Lord spoke so clearly to people. I don't feel like it is so clear for me. Any advice?

Baby Love

Hannah has been talking about being a Mommy. She was asking me the other day how many minutes she had to wait before she could marry a prince and have a baby in her belly. She loves to take care of Bitty. Actually, she as planned her birthday party around Bitty Baby. I just love watching her grow. I love that she is reading her American Girl Catalog while sleeping with Bitty.

Another favortie moment with Hannah was during a big thunder storm a few nights ago. I put the kids to bed and suddenly the thunder storm rolled in and woke up the kiddos. Hannah called me in her room first and I talked to her about what the Thunder was and why we need the rain. We also talked about why we need to pray in a moment of fear. Then, Carter called and I took Hannah in his room. Hannah explained everything to Carter and told him they needed to pray. Hannah started to pray with her eyes squeezed so tight as if that would help her prayer to be heard, "Jesus, please stop making that thunder. I am really scared. So please stop the thunder Jesus." She opened her eyes and said "Momma, Jesus listened he stopped that thunder." BOOM. Another thunder rumbled in the clouds. Hannah looks at Carter and yells, "Carter it is your fault you need to pray to Jesus to stop the thunder. Pray Carter Pray Carter tell Jesus you want him to stop the thunder too." That night we learned that Jesus doesn't always answer our prayers the way we expect him to.

Miss U

Today we had to say good bye to Grandma. We were really sad to see her go!! We miss you already. Although we had a great time and have made memories that will last. I am sorry that I can't erase some of Brian's late night comments. I think we would all be better off without those details. wink. Moreover, I think the biggest disappointment was the Wii.

Thanks for my new outfit Grandma.

Grandma's Sweetie

Good bye kisses.

Hershey Park

Saturday we took Grandma to Hershey Park. We did a some riding and a TON of walking. I will say that the park is much more enjoyable during the week. I usually take the kids 2 or 3 times during the week and we never have to wait in line, but Saturday was another story!

Hannah Grace loves the Frog Hopper. Carter well just look at his face. Hannah is such a dare devil she even went on some of the 'adult rides' with me. I could not believe how fearless she was.

Trees & Flowers

On Friday we took Grandma to the Hershey Garden. We had such a nice time walking through the gardens, climbing trees, smelling flowers and watching the butterflies.

The roses were in bloom and so beautiful!

Sarah Jane just loves going on adventures.

Grandma just loved watching the kids run and giggle.

We took tons of photos so just click here and view them all.

Foto Friday

Hot Summer Days

If only everyone loved laundry day as much as my kiddos.

Morning Surprise

Brian and I have decided that we want to have traditions that the kids grow up loving and that are honoring to the Lord. So a few years ago Brian find this book, Creating Family Traditions by Gloria Gaither & Shirley Dobson. So anyway one of the traditions is the 'May Day Morning Surprise'. Basically, you make a basket of spring flowers and hang them on a doorknob of someone you want to surprise or hand deliver it with a smile. So we decided that we were going to make brownies instead. We have lived in this house for almost 2 years and we still have never met our one neighbor. He is a single man with a teenage son. I see him come and go, but never say more then hello. So anyway for some reason my kids love to sit on his porch every time we play in the yard they will wander over to his yard and sit on the porch. I am always telling them to come back to our yard. The other day they even drew on the porch with chalk. Yikes.

Needless to say we baked him brownies and attached a little note and had Brian deliver them. I don't know that anything will really change, but I will share that it makes me feel so 'high'. Are you someone that could be broke, but still give your last $20 to a friend? Giving is such a gift.

So anyway I have decided to challenge you to do something for someone. Something that is unexpected. You could pick flowers from your garden or have the kids draw a special picture. Anyway I would love to hear what you decide to do!!

Lunch at the Square

Today we went to the square for lunch. I must say there was a huge turn out since the Fractured Prune was serving lunch. No we didn't eat donuts! They actually made really good wraps. Brain met us for lunch and crafts. Jared and Brian were working really hard the entire time. wink wink. Hannah had so much fun hanging with her girlfriends.

Carter was just happy for a kids meal toy.

They got face paint or arm paint for Carter.

Hannah and Carter had way too much fun with the glue during the craft time.

As I said earlier the men were hard at work the entire time. What did people do before mobile phones and email?
Although I will share that Brain has really been working on me to get a Blackberry. Can you picture it me at the grocery store shopping with 3 kiddos 3 and under. I am in the cereal aisle emailing Jena that cheerios are buy one get one. I update the blog while in aisle 9 and by the time we get the the bakery for a free cookie I have already sent out 10 emails and written on 20 facebook walls. Right? Anyway I think I like to be unreachable. You?

CLICK TO VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS FROM TODAY

Lunch @ Square 2

The Yellow Dress

The photo on the right was taken of me in 1983 and the photo to the right is Hannah Grace in 2008.

My Grandmother had this dress made for me to wear to my Aunt's wedding. The other day I got the dress and of course Hannah had to try it on. It is now a special treasure that I will always hold onto.

Dinner Parties

As most of you know I LOVE to bake. This morning I got up at sunrise to do some baking before the kids were out of bed. It was so peaceful and the house smelled amazing all day. I just hope that I don't gain back the pounds from any airborne calories.

Anyway I want to thank my dear friend Sue for my next two cakes. Above is a Key Lime (my FAVORITE) Cake with White Chocolate Frosting. Yummy. Below is a Dream Chocolate Mousse Cake. Yum Yum.

So here is the deal... as many of you have experienced Brian and I love to entertain and cook for friends. What can I say parties frequent the Turk Home. So if you and or your family would like to be the lucky ones that get to experience these amazing cakes ( I can't promise they will be perfect) let me know by leaving a comment or write on my facebook wall. Brian and I may take these submissions into serious consideration as we make our dinner party schedule for June. At this point I think the Robinson Family should get first pick since our last dinner plans were canceled due to weather or was it Brian's golf league tournament? Either way I look forward to reading your replies.