Summer Spectacular and We Love Our Dad

Where has June gone?!? And whatever happened to the phrase "the lazy days of summer"?!? I want that - I really do, but June has NOT been it. July is looking a little better. I'm going to make sure August stays that way before school hits hard and fast.

But anyway, back to June - I've been wanting to post for a week now about Father's Day - we had a wonderful weekend with Donny's parents and Randy's family. We hadn't seen them in a couple of months since his Dad has been recovering from a hip replacement surgery, so it was TIME to see the grandparents! We did the ultimate "man thing" for lunch on Sunday and went to Babe's where everyone had tons of fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, creamed corn, salad and biscuits . . .makes me lick my lips and smack (and wipe away grease!) just thinking about it. Yummmmmmy. I think all the Dads were pleased.

There was not a lot of time for lingering on dear Dad, though, sadly. Summer Spectacular (RHC's version of VBS - we call it VBS on steroids) was due to start the next night, so I had to spend a chunk of the afternoon completing room decorations and setting up for the first night. I had been sick with a cold that settled in my throat and ended up being some sort of ouchy infection by Saturday morning, so not only did we have company, Father's Day plans, Summer Spec. stuff, but I also felt crummy and had to get on antibiotics to kick it. Ick. All better now, though. No fun when Mommy can't talk, but even more not funny when Kendra the speech pathologist goes to work and finally has to come home because it really doesn't work very well to have therapy with a therapist who can't hardly even squeak. Ouchy.

I had to be better by Summer Spectacular, though - we shared a room of Kindergarteners with the Yowells and with 2 other amazing couples who we've worked with the past 2 years. They are the sweetest - they built a great whale for the room, then are the hardest little worker bees you have ever seen getting the kids through all the craft stations, cleaning up, setting up for snack time, cleaning up again, making sure all the kids get all their stuff to take home - I LOVE our little team that has been together! And I really love teaming up with the Yowells - I teach, Kim is aministration, Donny makes sure all the crafts are set up and that everyone knows how to do them, and Lance leads the kids in praise time. This year, Lance was my "moveable Jonah", too - my only "prop" during the short lesson times!

There were TONS of kids this year. We had 1/2 of the room that we had last year, and had almost as many kids. I think we were up to 58 by Wednesday. That's a LOT of Kindergarteners, let me tell ya!! I don't know the final number, but I do know that there was standing room only for the show every night. And that show was amazing. Like a Broadway production. Amazing!! I'm so impressed with the talent at RHCC. And I'm so impressed with the way people take so much time, money and energy into transforming our building into a themed out experience for the kids. The boys LOVED it - Brady is still asking if we can go see more "Jonah" every day.

The room all ready to go before the first night. We learned last year that it is best to have everything all layed out and ready before one little body hit the front door. Learned that the hard way, we did!

The church looked AMAZING. These are just a few pictures I took the day before just because I wouldn't have a chance once we got started. It blows me away what creative people can do!

The entrance to the FLC area was converted into a whale's mouth. Once you were inside, the walls were covered in black butcher paper with big white ribs on either side and "stuff" floating around in the belly of the whale! This is where "Jonah" went after the show each night to sign shirts, photo opps, etc.

Craft man Donny did the "smell it feel it" experiment with the kids to let them experience what the inside of the whale's belly might have been like . . .ewww.

Look at all those little bodies!! "Jonah" Lance was such a good praise leader, and DV was a great helper (Kendra was still a little on the squeaky side, you know).

This was Ms. Patty at the end of the show - can I say again how amazing this show was?!?
The whale had "whale operators" who were under it and led it all the way down from the top of the slope, across the stage, and back up the aisle to the back of the auditorium. I loved it when the whale "spit" Jonah out on stage! Brady is still talking about the story - I love how God's word get's embedded in their little hearts through drama and music. So sweet.

We waited until the last night (and almost the last of the line) for our shirt signing with Jonah! He sure could dance and sing good! Great job, N'Kere!

The evil King of Ninevah (aka Mike Washburn, RH's senior executive minister!). He could dance pretty well, too (for an old grandpa, that is).

Whew - I'm sure sleepy - I think I'll close this down and maybe journal more adventures tomorrow.

potty training and happenings

Brady has decided it is time to grow up and do the big boy thing . . .ditch the diapers and join the brothers in sitting on the porcelain throne! Colby has made it his mission to "teach" Brady how to take care of business the big boy way. Brady is believing him and following his lead. I love it. I wouldn't use the words "potty trained", but it sure has been nice changing fewer diapers the past couple of days, and getting a little glimpse of what a world with NO DIAPERS in it might actually be like after 7 years!!! There might be some major regression to come, but man, wouldn't it be a dream if the 3rd kid got trained in record time over his brothers!?! A mommy could only dream . . .come on, Brady - you can do it!!

"Good job, Colby! You go pee pee and poop in the potty?!?" says little Brady.

In other news, we sure are enjoying being in our new home, and really have loved finding our way around the neighborhood, meeting a few neighbors, and unpacking a few more boxes (will they ever be all unpacked and organized?!?). I love my husband. The other morning, he decided to be in charge of breakfast, and he asked for permission to make table cakes. You need to know that table cakes are extremely large pancakes that he makes and serves on a table covered with press and seal paper. No plates. Not even for the eggs. Syrup goes right on the table. The boys LOVE this Daddy (new) tradition. And the clean up is pretty easy - just roll it all up and toss it in the can!

that's all for now . . need to go unpack a box now or something productive (or just go to bed . .)

Blessings-

Something's up . . .help spread the message!

With Father's Day fast approaching, many of us are looking for something to buy the Daddy's in our lives. Not sure if you have heard the message, but I'm just doin' my part to get the word out . . .there are some new things to consider for "the perfect gift"! Check it out by clicking on the pictures below.

Home at last

My sister told me I better update my blog. I really have been meaning to . . it sure hasn't been priority, but I HAVE had a lot to say. Just no time to say it.

We're in the new house, and it's felt like "home" since we walked in the door. God is good. I had a friend tell me the other day, "You guys sure did take a leap of faith moving to a new house when Donny just started a new business from scratch." He was right. It's a huge leap. And I have to recall every day that the Lord was the author of all these changes - He's in control - and He will provide and bless. As the boys and I say, "YIKSERS MIKSERS!!"

Here's a few pictures from the past couple of weeks . . .I really want to write down the details of the journey we've been on with the sell of our house, DV's job change, purchasing this place . .I want to remember the details of His faithfulness. But for now - this is for Monica! he!

Closing on Delmonico . . .yea!! Rita (far right) was so great to work with (again - she sold us our first house as well). Below is a family celebration that night as we got the key to the new place, had our first family picnic on the kitchen floor, and brought over the first (of an endless amount) load of stuff.

Tyler's 1st grade awards were the Thursday before the "big move" - all the kids shared what their favorite part of first grade was. Tyler shared, "I really loved going to the library to check out books. And I learned that it is very important to ALWAYS follow Mrs. Neimeyer's directions!!" He got a big laugh and made my heart swell a bit.

Bye bye to Emerald Street . . .this was actually the day after the big move when we all went back to bid our first family home goodbye, stick our toes in the pool one last time (and there was a little garden snake swimming around in it . . .ick), and move out the last of the trash to the curb. Notice Tyler couldn't even stick his toes in the pool without thoroughly soaking the back of his shorts.

Aric and mighty moving Dave showed up before everyone else on "the day" and between the 2 of them and Dad, had the first load out the door and down the road before any other help was even scheduled to arrive. They were MACHINES, I tell 'ya!! Amazing. Need someone to help you move? Call Aric and Dave.

Sweet Mom made it her personal mission to clean us out of the old house. She didn't stop packing / cleaning until that house was ready for the new owners to move in. It was such a blessing to not have to worry about taking care of that part of the move and just focus on getting IN the new house! Thanks, mom and dad - we sure couldn't have done it without all your help!

How many friends does it take to lower a piano down from a moving truck and get it into a house? A lot of GREAT friends. And poor Greg - I think I snapped this pic about the time that he said, "OH, that would be my foot!"

And just when everyone had about decided to pitch in money to buy us something to replace the beast of a sleeper sofa so they wouldn't have to get it upstairs to the game room, engineer Keith arrived on the scene, mapped out a mathematical strategy, and that thing was in place in no time! What a guy. Call him, too, if you need some engineering help with your next move. I wouldn't move without him available!!


Upstairs is just what we call "the really HUGE game room". It's the boy's haven - all their toys and a great running area where Colby likes to practice running for t-ball and football!! This pic doesn't do it justice of how big it is! We L-O-V-E it!!!

Brady went from his own room in a crib straight to not only a new house, but sharing a room with Colby in a big boy bed (might as well get it all done at once, right?!?) . .and he has done great. He loves his new bed, and this is a picture of him seeing it for the first time.

Tyler really wanted to have his "very own room" . ..and Mom and Dad decided we could do that for him. Now he wants to know when we can paint it to look like Indiana Jones!?!?!?

Sweet Colby on the staircase landing. I love his little face.



Mom and Dad didn't stop unpacking / organizing / decorating for us until they drove away Monday afternoon. Dad even got accents hung in the living room (with Brady's help).

Making eggs with PawPaw Sunday morning in my nice, new kitchen!! yea!

All the Vaughn boys (minus Donny) fit just fine in the jacuzzi jet tub!!



We had a very special time of blessing over our new home this past weekend with some special friends. They spoke words of blessing over each room in our home - words that I don't want to forget, and I want the Lord to honor. We are thankful for our sweet friends!




Oh, Lance and Kim were the funny ones who delivered a very special "blessing" over our home in the fashion of the one spoken on the movie "It's a wonderful life" to the Bailey family. It was FUNNY!!

That's it for now . .until next time