Saturday, December 26, 2009

Friday, September 18, 2009

Soccer Boy


Here is a happy Jonathan showing his fabulous soccer trophy after the last game. He loves soccer so much! And also showing his very special soccer cookie that came right from his fabulous coach.



Here are a few of Katie and Jonathan ready for school today... both were in a good mood so I took the opportunity to snap a few photos! :)




Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Back to School Photos

Jonathan Prell, 3rd Grader!
Katie Grace Prell, Pre-K :)


Outside his new school.

With his new teacher and his old buddy, Michael!

Outside her school.


Headed down the stairs ~ very excited.

With her beloved Miss Rachel.

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

Back to School...

So tomorrow my boy starts 3rd grade. At a new school! And he is nervous, as am I, but we are both trusting God that He knows best, and that He led us to this perfect place for our boy. I read on one of my boards that I frequent that one of the girls who is a teacher had butterflies the day before she was to start her new school year... I know how she feels!! I have butterflies today too! And my butterflies are because I've got this feeling of nervousness, excitement, apprehension, and yet... trust. I know that my little boy will be safe, because this is where God wants him to be. But I haven't met his teacher ~ What if she doesn't "get" Jonathan? What if she doesn't understand his sense of humor? What if she doesn't appreciate him for the amazing and wonderful creation that God made him to be? Jonathan is an incredible human being ~ he is wise beyond his years ~ and thinks far too much. He has an unreal imagination. He wants to know what is going to happen with the world ~ He wants to know about Heaven, and hell, and He wants to know about the Trinity, and how exactly it works. He wants to understand about dinosaurs~ and he wants to know all about the earth's foundation and surface and core. He thinks so much ~ and he also has this creative side that is unquenchable. It comes out in his drawings and his songs that he makes up --- and it also comes out occasionally in nightmares....

So many times I look at his sweet face and feel so blessed that God chose ME to be his mom, and Brian to be his dad ~ and also feel so unworthy. He is just so special. But I know that God doesn't make mistakes, so I will do my best not to let him down, and be the best mom I know how to be to Jonathan, all the while asking God for wisdom and strength and patience... and trust that God will keep him safe as he starts tomorrow at yet another new school....

Photos to come tomorrow after his first day!!

PS: Katie starts Pre-K tomorrow too! Photos to come! :)

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

MOPS ~ IceBreaker Ideas

1) MOPS Icebreaker -- Mom goes on vacation

To complete this activity, give every mom a crayon and a sheet of paper.
Instruct the women to place the sheet of paper in front of them horizontally.

Recite the following to the women:

The event you have all been waiting for has finally arrived! You're going on a much needed vacation. Unfortunately, this is only an imaginary vacation, but it will be lots of fun! When I say so, please close your eyes, keep them closed, and then follow my directions. I will tell you when you can open your eyes again. We are going on a vacation to a tropical island. Please pick up your crayon. Close your eyes now, keep them closed, and follow my directions.


1. Draw an island on the middle of your paper.
2. To the left of the island, draw a ship.
3. You are surrounded by water, so put some fish in the sea.
4. This is a tropical island, so put a palm tree on the island.
5. It's a nice day, so put some birds in the air.
6. That ship didn't get there by itself, so put a sailor in the ship.
7. The sailor might get hungry, so put some coconuts on the palm tree.
8. Sailors like to see where they're going, so put some portholes on the ship.
9. Sailors like to see entertainment, so draw a hula dancer on the island.
10. It is a sunny day, so put a sun in the sky.

Now open your eyes and take a look at your beautiful drawing. Let's score your artwork to see who will win today's prize. 200 points are possible.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

10 pts if your island is in the middle of the page
10 pts if your ship is to the left of the island, but not touching it
15 pts if you have more then one fish
20 pts if the base of your palm tree is on the island
15 pts if two or more birds are in the air
20 pts if the sailor is on the ship, and not swimming
15 pts if any coconuts are on the tree
25 pts if any porthole is on the ship
25 pts if the hula dancer is dancing on the island
20 pts if the sun is to the left
15 pts if the sun is to the right
10 pts if the sun is in the middle






2)
Lengths of String Mixer
Everyone gets a length of string. Each string is the same length as one other person in the room. Students have to match up with their partner.

The Point: Discussion starter. Once matched, you can ask a pre-typed question for the partners to discuss.


This particular ice-breaker will work if there isn't a lot planned for the day i.e. no discussion groups, etc.



3) Speed Dating (Friendship) Questions..

Break into 2 (or 3 or 4) groups with women facing each other in chairs. Set a timer for 2 mins and keep a close watch on the time.

Here is a sample of questions that can be posted at each station:

SPEED FRIENDSHIP-FORMING QUESTIONNAIRE

HAVE YOU EVER:
Gone on a blind date?
Skipped school?
Been to Canada?
Been lost?
Swam in the ocean?
Been to Europe?
Been on the opposite side of the country?
Cried yourself to sleep?
Been to Mexico?
Played cops and Robbers or Cowboys and Indians?
Been to Africa?
Sang karaoke?
Been on a plane?
Paid for a meal with coins only?
Done something you told yourself you wouldn't?
Made prank phone calls?
Laughed until some sort of beverage came out of your nose?
Caught a snowflake on your tongue?
Baked a turkey?
Written a letter to Santa Claus?
Been kissed under the mistletoe?
Watched the sun rise on the East Coast?
Watched the sunset on the West Coast?
Been skinny dipping?
Sat outside in the rain?
Lived one of your dreams?
Eaten just cookies for dinner?
Been on TV?
Stolen traffic signs?

What is your:
Nickname?
Birthplace?
Birth order?
Dream home?

What is your favorite:
Beverage?
Vacation spot?
TV show?
Body wash?
Movie?
Holiday?
Dessert?
Food?
Toothpaste?
Smell?
Time of day?
Season?
Excuse?
Book?

How do you:
Relax?
See yourself in 10 years?
React to rude people?
Cook chicken most often?
Wash your tub?
Put your child(ren) to bed?
Make your child(ren) laugh?


Overheard at our house....


On the morning of Katie's birthday ....

Katie appears at my bedside, clutching her "lovey"

"Momma, am I four?"

Me: "Yes, you are!"

K: "Are my legs longer?"

M: "I think they are!!"

K: "Am I taller??"

M: "Yes, you are definitely taller!"

Katie: BIG happy smile

Me: "Are you still my baby?"

K: "Yes, Momma. I have a lot of love for you."

Be still my heart.

My girl is growing up but she is still my baby.

I love you, Katie Grace.

Happy 4th birthday!

Monday, August 31, 2009

My Sister ~ Happy Birthday Becky!


"A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost."
Marion C. Garretty

Monday, July 20, 2009

Beach/Vacation Pics (part one)

Katie playing in the sand :)




In our hotel room with some friends that had just arrived..

all tuckered out...


Beautiful sky...



playing in the surf..



on the way to the beach..





getting ready..






me and my girl






two sillies..



















Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Date Night ~ Need Ideas, Girls!!!

So, each summer, my sister gives us one night a week of free babysitting (I know! How lucky am I?) and Brian and I get to have one night every week that we can go out and be together, just the two of us, and be kid free, and go out to dinner, catch a movie, go for a walk, get an ice cream cone, etc.. but I need some new, fresh ideas. Also, I want to plan fun, spontaneous date nights for us, that won't cost an arm an a leg.. I know, I know, I said plan and spontaneous in the same sentence. But sometimes, we have to plan for the spontaneity don't we, girls?

So, here's where you come in! Give me a few ideas so that I can work them into our weekly dates? Please? I'll be forever grateful!! (And so will he!)

Oh, date nights will be on Thursdays this summer. Starting this week!! :) Yay for my sister, aka Aunt Becky, who is letting us do this. She's the BEST!!!

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

Wordless Wednesday (my first one!)







Visit 5 minutes for mom to see lots of other Wordless Wedndesday participants too :)
(Hoping I did this right!!)

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Too sweet not to share...

They are watching SpongeBob or something else just as mindless --
but they always snuggle up together and he plays with her hair...
This is how Brian and I sit too when we watch a movie
(only I don't get so lucky to get my hair played with lol)...





Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Nursery School Program ~ Katie Grace

All ready for the moving up program!

Me with my friends!
"K is for Katie!!" (her big line) ;)


I love my brother!




My "graduation" present..
my very own Katie Grace doll.. Baby be blessed -- The Bible verse on her tummy reads:
"The Lord your GOD is with you,
He is mighty to save,
He will take great delight in you,
He will quiet you with his Love,
He will rejoice over you with singing."
~Zephaniah 3:17






Saturday, May 16, 2009

Staying Young

Holy WOW -- 2 posts in one day?? What in the world? Well, my sister Susan sent this to me in an email and I thought it was a good one to put here, so here it is!

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We all need to read this one over and over until it becomes part of who we are!

HOW TO STAY YOUNG

1. Try everything twice.
On one woman's tombstone she said she wanted this epitaph:
"Tried everything twice.loved it both times!"
2. Keep only cheerful friends.
The grouches pull you down.
(Keep this in mind if YOU are one of those grouches!!!)
3. Keep learning:
Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever.
Never let the brain get idle.
'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.'
And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh often, long and loud.
Laugh until you gasp for breath.
And if you have a friend who makes you laugh,
spend lots and lots of time with HIM/HER.
6. The tears happen:
Endure, grieve, and move on.
The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves.
LIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love:
Whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever.
Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health:
If it is good, preserve it..
If it is unstable, improve it.
If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9.. Don't take guilt trips.
Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county,
to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
11. Forgive now those who made you cry.
You might not get a second chance.
Remember!
Lost time can never be found.

Be kinder than necessary,
for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

All About Him...


***The basic facts


Who is your significant other? Brian :)


How long have you been together? Let's see --since April '95


Dating/Engaged/Married? Married. Just celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary!



How old is your S.O.? 41


What’s his/her middle name? Timothy


*** You or him?


Who eats more? He does


Who says "I love you" first? usually me


Who sings better? hmm.. I think we both sing well :)


Who’s older? He is by 2.5 years


Who’s smarter? He is way better at math, and geography, and all that stuff... I'm better at spelling, grammar, writing, etc.


Whose temper is worse? Mine.


Who does the laundry? He does the boys' and I do the girls'.


Who does the dishes? Mostly I do.


Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? When you're facing the bed at the foot of the bed, he sleeps on the right.



Whose feet are bigger? His. Big man feet lol.


Whose hair is longer? Definitely mine.


Who’s better with the computer? Me


Who mows the lawn? He does -- I'm not allowed to touch the lawn tractor, that's his toy ;)


Who pays the bills? He does.


Who cooks dinner? I do, normally, but he does cook once or twice a week.



Who drives when you are together? He does :)


Who pays when you go out to dinner? He does. (ermm, but it's our money lol)


Who's the most stubborn? hmmm. Not sure. I don't think either one of us is stubborn.


Who is the first one to admit when they’re wrong? we can't stand arguing so usually one of us comes back and says "I don't like this" and it ends quickly.. Of course, I'm never wrong!! *wink*



Whose parents do you see more? Mine because they live way closer to us then his.


Who named your dog? umm... my niece named our *cat*


Who kisses who first? I usually kiss him first.


Who asked who out? He asked me out, but I was crushing on him awhile before it happened.


Who's more sensitive? Me


Who's taller? He is 6 ' and I'm 5'5''


Who has more friends? definitely me. I'm the more social of the 2 of us.


Who wears the pants in the relationship? He does, but if I protest loudly he will change his mind LOL


Tagging: Traci, Karianne, Carrie

Monday, May 11, 2009

A Beautiful Mothers Day!

What a gorgeous day being reminded of my wonderful, beautiful mom and my beautiful babies. I love having a day that I can tell my mom how great she is... I know I don't tell her enough how amazing she is. I have one of the best moms on earth. God has blessed me so much with her. And what an amazing day to look at my babies and breathe an extra thank you to my Father in Heaven for giving them to me. They are so much my life -- and I'm so very thankful. Here are a few photos from our special day -- made extra special by those who love me!
My handsome husband who makes it possible for me to be a mother, thank you baby!
Me and my babes

My beautiful mom and my gorgeous girl ♥

My beautiful mom and my sister and my daughter ~ the girls ;)

All of us ~ a beautiful day

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Sweet song

I found this over on Kelly's blog and oh my goodness, both Brian and I watched it and it had us both sniffling. It's such a sweet song, and SOOO true. (And wow, is it really Hootie??? He still has such an amazing voice!!)



Monday, April 13, 2009

Some bowling fun...

OK, so Brian and I discovered how lame we are, and we'd never taken them bowling! {Recently discovered when we started *bowling* together on the Wii. cough.} So over this spring break weekend, we took them on their first bowling trip! You can't imagine the excitement, LOL!
Daddy helping Katie bowl...

Katie watching it rollllll down the lane.. (it took forever)


Go Jonathan!!


Yeahhhhhhh!




Had some pretty good music going there, too.. when they weren't bowling, they were dancing!




she loved waiting for the balls to come back (almost as fun as bowling and dancing!)



Daddy's girl!




Momma's Girl too! :)