Fuel

For the past few months during the "Kids Service" at our church we have started a new program called "Fuel." What exactly is Fuel? It's unique that it is challenging our kids to grasp God in their own way. Not the ways of their parents, but THEIR way. Each month families are challenged with new scripture, ways to worship and different ways to pray. This month is focusing on different ways to pray. I thought it was interesting as the leader explained to the kids that talking with God was just as easy as talking to their parents or their friends. We were each given sheets of paper and asked to draw something we will pray about throughout this week. I drew Cheerleaders, as we starting to organize our 2011 Upward Season, Jeff drew our family, as he feels he should pray for protection and strength, Lucy drew Carlie and Jeff playing basketball and prayed God make help them. But it was Carlie's picture that instantly brought tears to my eyes. That girl has so much love and compassion in her. As you will see from the picture, she is praying for the pregnancy of my sister, Ginger. If you look real close, you will see a small baby drawn in Ginger's tummy. Yes, Ginger, know that you are not only being prayed for by your parents and your siblings, but you have prayers going up to God via an eight year old innocent, beautiful heart. I say...that's priceless.

St. Patricks Day....Gongaware style....

We love St. Patrick's Day at the Gongaware's House. Jeff had corned beef in the crockpot, I had marbled rye, sauerkraut and swiss cheese standing by to heap on top of it. Complete the meal with green milk...which creates - of course - a green mustache! What a fun day to celebrate ... and I am sure someday my girls will tell their kids, "Your grandma Gongaware was so crazy on this day...she always made us drink GREEN milk and dressed us crazy!"

St. Paddy's Day...Nicodemus Style...

If you have been following my blog over the years, you will know that my St. Patrick's Day celebrations have become somewhat...tame. But you won't hear this chica complaining. My dearest girlfriends and I have been rotating houses and hosting a "family celebration" each year around St. Patrick's Day. This year we got to head to the Nicodemus household. And it was no different than every year. The food was good, the projects were great and the fellowship was outstanding. I love that my girls will grow up with the love of St. Patrick's Day that Jeff and I so much have. I hope that when they are mommies, they will make green milk for their kids and say, "My crazy mom made green milk every St. Patrick's Day...." Yeah...I am a crazy mom that way.

Look at all our GREEN FOOD!

Our kiddy table....

My girls and all their girls....whew....that is a lot of estrogen!

Operetta

Pirates of the "I Don't Care"-ibbean was the name of Carlie's first Operetta. What is an Operetta you may ask? Simply put, it is a musical performed by the 2nd and 3rd graders of CLS. But it goes way beyond that. Without the kids even knowing, the teachers are instilling confidence and pride in these 8 and 9 year olds beyond their years. To have a 9 year old boy sing a solo, have several 8 and 9 year olds dance and sing in front of large audience, having kids memorize lines that are well beyond their years...that, my friend, is an example of God's work. This was my first Operetta at CLS, and I already can't wait for next year. Next year, Carlie will be in 3rd grade and will be able to audition for a singing and acting part. Is it crazy that I am already excited and nervous for her? After weeks of painting background scenery for the big event, I am glad to admit that it was all well worth it. As I pack my paint clothes away for next year, a smile crosses my face with anticipation.

Love that smile!

This was the fruit of many nights of painting....

...and more painting....

My future star!

GNO

GNO. Or better known as Girls Night Out. For the young mom's out there, let me tell you. Nothing re-energizes your love for your children and husband as a good Girls Night Out. And they vary. There are times when my friends are having troubles in their marriages or with their children, and I come home and thank Jeff for being the husband that he is, and appreciate my kids a little more. And there are some times when I come home envious of new vehicles, new cars, higher salary careers and exotic vacations. Darn Eve and that apple in the garden. Jealously would not be part of our life it Eve had not sinned. Friends come and go over the years. Co-workers that you promise to "keep in touch" with and parents of your children's friends, but let's admit - few friendships really STICK. Through the tears, the laughter, the births, the moves, the bad times and the good times, I can count those friends on one hand. I am thankful for these friends and hope that we continue to STICK. Last evening we celebrated Jenifer's big 4-0. I laugh, because I clearly remember celebrated her big 2-1. Big difference in celebrations. I was home on the couch in flannel pants by 8:30p last night. For her 21st, I was just eating breakfast at Denny's at 8:30 a.m...never having went to bed. Maturity is good. But memories are even better.

IBS

Well, Carlie is 1/2 Ringger. There is no way around that. She looks just like a Gongaware, but is a Ringger. She has been having stomach and bowel issues for a couple of weeks now. They come on very suddenly, and last week I even had to go pick her up at school because of it. My mama instinct kicked in and I had a feeling there was more to it than just "fiber." Yesterday we took her to the doctor and his question to me was, "Does she worry much?" Uh, yeah...like all the time. After some examination and many more questions it was determined that our lovely eight year old has Irritable Bowel Syndrome. We were informed that stress or nerves can bring this on. Seriously, how much stress or nerves can an eight year have?? Obviously enough to cause IBS. We are on medicine for a week, and then we have to "watch" for future episodes. *sigh* Just when feel like you have this parenting things mastered, you roll the dice wrong and take four steps back. God, I know you have this in the palm of your hand. Let me lay MY worries and anxieties at your feet and let me teach my child to do the same.

44 degrees in February

All winter we have been promising Carlie that we would go ice skating. Well, sunny and 44 degrees? I say today is the day! We lasted much longer than I anticipated skating. Carlie quickly caught on and was doing great by the end of the day. She is worried that if we don't skate more often, she may forget how to skate by next winter. Yeah, that makes two of us. Jeff was prepared for snacks and hot chocolate with Lucy, as we didn't think she would last long at all. But the rink had to PVC contraptions (I wonder if there is a patent on these babies...) that we snagged once we arrived. With this "help" Lucy skated the day away with very few falls. Skating always brings back memories of the chair on the pond down on the farm. Oh, we had many of long afternoons ice skating on that pond. I wonder if dad was always as freezing as we were, or if laughed and smiled as much as we did skating with our kids. I bet so.

My beauties.

The "contraption."