OUR MIRACLES & BLESSINGS

Well, after my husband tore off all of our gutters, siding and paper, look at what a mess we had!

A little progress has been made by this shot.
Now I am seeing some action!
Better!
Yeah BABY! Looking GOOD!!

Can't wait until the siding is on, my shingles are on, my shutters are on and I can sit on my front porch while it is raining!!

I will post pictures as we improve!!

Luke saying "CHEESE"

A very sweaty, sweet Luke!
Emy, Hannah, Billy, Isaac & Luke riding the golf cart around.
Yep, they are on TOP of my house.
We are so blessed beyond words to have a wonderful church family--we had 11-12 people come over and spend their Saturday with us (or portions of it) and helped us build a cover over our porch. We have lived here for 14 years and I have wanted one as long--please excuse the ugliness of the house, but wanted to show you that Emy climbed to the top and LOVED it.

Darrell didn't have to climb up to get a phone signal--WE aren't THAT far in the country!! HA!

Luke & Cristian & Josh

Josh is a bunny (with a pacifier in his mouth)
Cristian is a bunny too!
Emy, the pink princess bunny
Josh, Luke & Cristian

Emy LOVES chocolate ice cream with cool whip.

Luke LOVES grits--any kind of grits--LOTS of grits!
Emy fell asleep after lots of playing.
Luke fell asleep while playing.
Emy tried to watch the whole movie but fell out half way through--while sitting in Luke's booster seat!! Silly Willy GIRL!

Josh, Emy & Cristian in 2005

Josh, Emy & Cristian 2008
Emy came home in 2004--didn't want to confuse anyone. She had been home over a year when the first picture (above was taken). I just ran across these pictures when browsing my scrapbook and thought I would post them. . how time flies, huh?

Cristian (my nephew) & Emy

Josh (my nephew) & Luke
Again.
Cristian, Luke & Emy
Emy (I had to take a picture of her last Sunday--she looks beautiful in her dress, huh?)

She actually said this "Mama, I look like a little Mexican girl don't I?" I told her yes, she did look a little bit Mexican and how absolutely BEAUTIFUL she looked!! She's so funny--she NEVER says she looks Indian--she just cracks me up!

Jeanie--you will have to tell Roberto this one!!

We went to Fun Gym tonight! After we went out to eat with Christy, Kenneth, Haylei & Cole. We had some good ole Mexican food! YUMMY!

This is Emy on the trampoline.

Haylei on beam.
Cole on the slide.
Luke--whoops, he fell down on the trampoline.
Emy runs so fast to jump into the pit!!

Emy may have a future as a photographer--isn't this a nice shot of this cute little bunny that comes up in the yard at least twice a day???

Luke & Emy want to wish their Aunt Darlene a very Happy Birthday today!! Hope you have a wonderful day!!

We love you!!

Darrell, Cindy, Emy & Luke

Darrell and the younguns.

Darrell & his dad, Martin
Darlene, Darrell, Diane

(Darrell and his sisters)
Darrell, his sisters, his niece, Heather and her son, Carrson (they belong to Diane (on the right))
Guess who!!

I cannot believe it. I have tracked the visits or hits to our blog since 4/17/08 and there have been over 600 visitors to this blog!! That is so AWESOME!! We just wanted to say THANK YOU so much for caring enough to visit our blog. We love keeping everyone informed about what's going on in our lives and we appreciate all of your visits, comments and emails!! Thanks so much.

Love y'all--keep on coming back for more!!!

Later!

This is Mr. Loyd

Singing Songs
Me & my favorite teacher of ALL time!
Yep, Emy on the nature trail (she called it a snake walk) because Mr. Loyd LOVES snakes and used to find baby black snakes and bring them into the classroom.
Emy asking Mr. Loyd a question (waiting very patiently for her turn). She told me she wanted to meet "that boy in the red, mama"--he got a kick out of that one!

Mr. Loyd was my 3rd grade teacher. He still teaches 3rd grade at the school where I went--amazing huh? However, he is retiring after this school year (so sad to see him go).

Today they are having a get together for Mr. Loyd at the school and I absolutely cannot wait to see him again! My nephew, Josh, had him two years ago and loved him just as much as I did.

Mr. Loyd is the BOMB! He loves to teach kids and he knows how to do it so the kids don't even realize they are learning. . he is not afraid to get down on their level--he makes a real difference in their lives. He takes the children on nature walks, he has sing alongs with them and invites their families, he plays string games, 4-square, and anything to keep them active. That is a GOOD thing!

When I was in his class, we went to an old school house in the town where we live and we dressed up in "old timey" clothes for this special day. . he made us memorize a Bible verse and we prayed (back then, I guess it wasn't such a big deal) but he did it all the same . . and we played good old fashioned games like Red Rover, throwing the ball over the school house, all kinds of things. I remember NOTHING negative about Mr. Loyd AT ALL. .

I am very sorry to see him leave this school, as Emy will will start Kindergarten there this August! Yes, how the time does fly!!

I just wanted to give Mr. Loyd a shout out to let him know that he made a difference in my life! He is the teacher that made me WANT to go to school everyday. I never wanted to miss a day in his class!! That was a miracle in itself. . I love you Mr. Loyd--I think you are the BEST!! And I know there are MANY, MANY people out there who feel the EXACT same way!

Happy Retirement & You WILL BE MISSED!!

Added this evening:

I wanted to let everyone know that Emy and I went to Mr. Loyd's retirement party and we had a ball. . . He is the same as ever, singing songs, playing the piano, praying at the beginning of the party, moment of silence, pledge of allegiance, that is what school used to be about--we walked down the nature trail with him (there were about 20 people with us for the hike--Mr. Loyd was impressed that Emy kept up with us so well--proud mama moment). We had such a good time. he pointed out different types of flowers, trees, roots, gave us a little history lesson. Emy LOVED it!!

Emy got to see pictures of me from 3rd grade and some of me from 8th grade. She saw pictures of Angie Pangie playing volleyball and Christy F in the 7th grade. What fun to go back in time and visit with so many old friends we lost track of. What a GREAT evening!!

Will post pictures soon!!

Hey Josh B.

We have been praying for you today. Hope everything went well and we wanted to send you some hugs across the internet!!

Let us know something soon Ingrid!!

Love y'all,

Cindy, Darrell, Emy & Luke

Emy in Ma's tub (with lots and lots of bubbles) and yes, she is wearing her swimsuit!!

Darrell & Luke

This is one of my VERY favorite pictures!!