So Spongebob isn't ALL bad......

So I don't necessarily want to start a debate about the evils or values that come from Spongebob Squarepants. But I do want to share a lovely story that warmed my heart all day and Spongebob is somewhat involved. There is a song that Spongebob & Patrick sing together on a particular episode---the lyrics are "Best Friends For--ev-----er" (Can you hear my best Spongebob voice?) Well, on Friday I took the kids to Tot Time at the City Pool. It is super cheap swimming in our town, and usually pretty crowded. It has a lazy river and a small water slide. Last time we went Eden met up with a classmate and was attached at the hip with her the entire time. Well this time it was less crowded and neither Eden or Eli had a playmate that they knew at the pool. The entire way to the pool they were singing Spongebob's song and excitedly sharing what they were going to do together at the pool as "Best Friends Forever". And this time....they did it. It was SO fun to watch the two of them play together. They come up to me together, hand in hand, laughing and Eden even said, "We are having the best time." Side note: I asked Eli if they were doing the river, slide, river, slide? And he quickly responded, "No mom, we are doing river, river, slide, slide." lol.
The kids usually get along pretty well. And of course they have played together before, but as their interests have gone different directions due to being boy/girl, and Eden already being in elementary school I wasn't so sure how many days like this I would get to see. It was such a joy to watch them thoroughly enjoy hanging out together. If I ever figure out how to get pics from my phone to my computer, I'll post one. :)

Captured Moments at GWC National Monument

The fam outside the visitor center/museum...

One of GW Carver's Prayers

Eli running towards us on the trail.

One of Chris' nature pics.

Eden taking her oath to protect our national parks.

One of my nature pics. :)

Posing by the statue of GWC as a boy.


Family pic by the coolest tree ever outside the home of Moses & Sarah Carter. Wish my kids could have climbed it.

My New Favorite Person in History

Our family recently enjoyed a "mini" vacation. Really we spent the 4th of July Holiday with my parents where we watched some home fireworks (the kids enjoyed doing some of their own firecrackers), rested & roasted marshmallows, & attempted to fish (again the kids enjoyed playing w/ the minnow bait more than the actual fishing), and on Wednesday we decided to be tourists. We headed a few miles west of Carthage to George Washington Carver National Park & Monument. Besides the fact that Tobe was not quite old enough to enjoy it, it seems that the rest of us thoroghly enjoyed it. Eli loved the nature trail and Eden became a Junior Park Ranger (which was hard work) & even had to take an oath to protect our national parks. There was also a lot of other interactive things to do in the museum. I had been to this park when I was maybe in the 5th grade. But it was nothing that I remember. It has been so well preserved. Chris also enjoyed the trail walk & took some "nature" photos. I loved reading the quotes from GWC that they had all over the museum and some carved in marble along the trail. It is amazing how humble of a man GWC really was. What he could have gotten for his talent & skills and what he got are on opposite sides of the spectrum. This man leaned on his faith at all times. GWC is a prime example that science & faith can mesh together and proves that they are intertwined quite nicely, I am sure as God intended for them to be.

uh, I'm still alive.....part 2 (Proud Wife)

SO.....again it has been an embarrassingly long time since writing. So I am catching up a few months. Since I talked about how proud I am of Eden accepting Christ, I will now tell you how proud I am to be called Chris' wife.

First off, in April, Chris & I ran our first marathon relay. Chris started the relay and ran 6 miles, our friends Andrew & Missy each ran 7 miles, and I ran the final leg of 6 miles. It totaled a full-marathon. It is the first time we had ran that distance. Chris ran the entire way. I was actually jealous of the progress he has made. It is a definate love/hate thing. I love that he is beginning to love running. I love that he is motivated to change his lifestyle. I love that he is committed and determined to see changes, even if they are slow changes. I hate that soon he will be beating my time. :) I hate that he wants to run a half-marathon, because of my competitive spirit, I think I have to follow. :) Chris due to his exercise and a few changes in our eating habits (there is still MAJOR room for improvement) has already lost a total of 44 pounds!!! I am so proud of him. Even though I am discouraged about my own lack of weight loss, I am so very proud of Chris and his hard work.

So speaking of his hard work, Chris & I celebrated being here in Washington, MO at FCC for 5 years on June 1st. It is the longest ministry we have been a part of. The house we have been in for 4 years is the longest stay at any house since Chris & I have been married (11 years). It seems like it has flown by. It doesn't seem like 5 years because we enjoy it so much. We appreciate our church's leadership and staff. We love the town of Washington. We love our friends & the ministries we are involved in. We love the school district. We love that we are near the city & the Cardinals. I am so proud of my husband's work ethic and integrity that allows security for our family. I am so proud that Chris does not give reasons for being terminated or "let go". That sounds harsh, but I am truly grateful because of his humble spirit, spiritual gifts & natural talent,listening ear and how hard he works. I know he is taking care of me & our beautiful children. I am proud to be called Chris Strickland's wife.

uh....I am still alive....part 1 (proud mama)

Well it is a little embarrassing to see how I've neglected my blog. I know it probably doesn't matter so much to the tons of readers out there (LOL). :) But there have been a few major things happen, that I would want my kids to know I noted on. By far the most exciting thing to happen is on April 18th our daughter Eden accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord & Savior and was baptized. Chris & I wrestled for a while about it, thinking is she too young and so forth. But she proved to us time and time again, she knew what she was doing. Having been her children's church teacher for the past year, I do know she has a little more maturity and knowledge than the average 7 year old. Plus her dad was baptized at age 9, I was baptized at age 11 and that is without having been to church since being 6 days old. Eden has been surrounded by church her whole life--many times 3x a week or more. One of the things that was suggested to me, was to write down some of her own words so that later I can tell Eden this is what she said to me. This was her decision, not that of her parents. So I did just that. In our mommy/daughter journal I asked her to remind me the reason she wanted to get baptized. She responded with "The Top 5 Reasons I want to be baptized..." and went on with her reasons which were all valid. I am so grateful that she made this decision. It makes me think Chris & I are doing something right. Now as long as we continue to help her/train her/guide her to stay on the wonderful path she is on---all will be good.

I will leave it to that and attempt to catch up on the lives of my boys (including Chris) a wee bit later. I hope not to neglect my blog again. If I do....someone slap me. :)