VBS - Agency D3

Last week at VBS we spent our days as "special agents" exploring the truth about Jesus!  The motto was "Discover, Decide, Defend!"  I taught the Kindergarten class again this year and we had 25 kiddos!  This was a lot more than expected but we made it just fine!  We felt so blessed to be given the opportunity to share the love of Jesus with them but I must admit that it got wild and crazy at times!!  Owen decided to be in my class again this year :)

On the first day we had a special Bible story character join us, John the Baptist!  :)

Other than time in the classroom our "special agents" enjoyed worship rally, music, recreation, missions and snack time.  We kept them very busy with activities, games and projects galore!  They made T shirts, canvas crosses, binoculars, spy glasses, magnifying glasses, paper plate empty tombs and more!  They each had quite a collection of arts and crafts to take home on Friday.

 The Kindergarten and first grade classes performing at family night:

A - Admit that you are a sinner.
B - Believe that Jesus is God's Son.
C - Confess that Jesus is Lord and Savior.

...But honor the Messiah as Lord in your hearts.  Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.  

-1 Peter 3:15

Football Camp 2014

Trinity Tiger football camp was held last week.  With the first day postponed due to rain, camp was fast and furious!

Owen was thrilled to be able to participate in camp for the first time.  He wanted to wear his jersey all day long and could hardly wait all day until it was go time!

Emma is naturally very physically strong so we decided to let her try it out :)  She had a great time even though she was the only girl out there!

Too cool for school {and too cool for his mama until he needed a water break!}

Push ups for talking in line

Future Baylor Bear {class of 2033}

Coach Smith with the youngest campers

A quick game of 'tiger ball'

So proud of our little athletes and the effort they both put forth at camp!!  :)

The W!LD 2014

Emma thoroughly enjoyed the three fun filled days she spent at Carolina Creek Christian Camp last summer.  She loved it so much that when we went to pick her up on the last day she practically begged us to allow her to stay longer!  Needless to say, by the end of last summer she was registered for a full week this summer!  She was part of Wild week one and helped kick off summer 2014!  CCCC will serve over 12,000 campers this summer!  It seemed to rain constantly the week before and after camp.  Thank you Lord for beautiful weather for our camper!

There are so many amazing things about camp.  Upon entering the gates on the first day counselors were literally jumping up and down waving, smiling and energetically greeting each car as it entered.  We rolled our windows down to meet them and they told Emma how excited they were to have her again!  She had the biggest smile plastered on her face :)

As soon as we pulled in a counselor announced on the microphone "we have another zebra girl!" and another counselor came out to help us haul her luggage inside.  Of course little brother insisted on helping, too!

Our camper is such a sweet social butterfly and truly has a God given gift of making others feel included.  She makes friends quickly and adapts quite well to new situations.  Luckily Emma was assigned to the zebra cabin again this year {We had a momentary fear that she was assigned to the giraffe cabin.  The only problem was that we had purchased SO much zebra in preparation for camp!!}  This time she was upstairs and on a bottom bunk.  Cabins are assigned by age and the counselor to camper ratio is 1:4 (one of the most reassuring things for me!)

We are absolutely blessed to have such an amazing place so close and we highly recommend it to others! Carolina Creek has the very best directors and counselors anywhere!  Counselors are college aged and are carefully chosen and trained.  It just so happened to work out that Emma got the same counselor she had last year, Shelby.  The only two favors I asked of Shelby were that she would contact me if Emma got homesick and that she would help Emma put her hair up every day :)

Emma had a fun package to open each day when mail was distributed.  Before she left for camp she even reminded me to send some (haha!)  Thank you SO much to those of you who so generously contributed - we greatly appreciate it and Emma enjoyed receiving it!

Each Summer has a different theme accompanied by awesome decorations and music.  It is kept top secret until the first week of camp.  This year's theme is 'Change the World'.  Emma learned so much more about sharing the love of Jesus with her peers as well as everyone she comes in contact with.  She did a super job of this at school this year and I believe she will continue to do so.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world. but the save the world through Him.  
- John 3:17

I am so incredibly thankful that photos are taken and uploaded on a daily basis.  Since we couldn't talk to her for the entire week it was so reassuring to see her bright smile over and over again!  There were several different theme days and nights.  Some of these included camo, creek gear, carnival, super hero, red out, house shoes and tie dye.

All meals were served family style in "The Beastro".  Emma really seemed to enjoy the menu.  There are so many activities to keep campers busy.  Emma's group enjoyed the zip line (which Emma looked forward to all year and says is "just awesome!"), archery, rafting, and putt putt, just to name a few.  Perhaps her favorite activity of them all was "The Ocean".  This is a spacious 2.5' max water play area.  I'm sure she frequented it at every free time provided.  She came home with a perfect golden tan :)

On the last day Emma was given the 'Three-in-one' cabin award.  This means that she puts God first, others second and herself third.  Although this didn't surprise me a bit I had tears of streaming down my face.  It's such a blessing to know that she acts that way even when we aren't there reminding her to do so.  Shelby said that she comforted fellow campers who were homesick.  She offered to lead a prayer for them and to do their daily chores.  Wow.

When I asked Emma if she missed us she replied "not so much"!  She said she had too much fun and didn't have time to really think about home.  We missed her lots but know that she had the best week!  She is already looking forward to attending Summer 2015.

Cousins at the zoo

Last month we visited the Cameron Park Zoo with cousins Anaiah and Kannon.  What a crew!

Getting a closer look at the beautiful birds

Fun on the tube slide near the river otters:

Lions and tigers and....elephants!  Oh my!

Lita with the kiddos

{Emma-7, Owen-4, Anaiah-3 & Kannon-2}

Goodbye Preschool!

This guy finished Preschool this week!!  He is looking forward to many Pre K adventures!

He had such a fun year!  He genuinely looked forward to "school days", enjoyed learning new things, had the best teacher ever and made lots of new little best friends!  We are so fortunate to have Mrs. Anitra moving up with us to Pre K this Fall :)

The class enjoyed a beach theme lunch party before heading outdoors for splash fun!

One of Owen's favorite splash day activities was the car wash!  Shaving cream + water = endless fun!

Kiddy pools, water sprinklers and toys galore!  The kiddos had a super time!

It's amazing the difference a year makes!!

Last day of First grade

Emma's last day of first grade was a half day.  We had a fun class party!  Jarrod created a slide show of the year and helped organize 'minute to win it' games.  The kids LOVED them!  First they participated in toilet paper mummy races:

Next they tried their best to shake ping pong balls out of these empty tissue boxes.  Hilarious!!

Lastly they tried to balance a cookie on their forehead and then work it down to their mouth without using their hands.  Tricky but funny!

Of course little brother had to participate.  He thinks he is part of the class :)

Fun friends

Emma was blessed with an amazing teacher and lots of sweet friends this year.  She enjoyed school and learned so much!  She especially enjoyed reading and finished in second place in the reading counts system (with 141 points)!  

First grade awards

I'm really beginning to believe that every year is going to pass by faster than the one before.  I can't believe Miss Emma is now on her way to second grade!!  The first grade awards ceremony was held the last week of school.  Each teacher carefully selected two students from her class to receive the citizenship award.  We were so honored that Emma was chosen again this year :)

First grade citizenship award recipients {such a great bunch of kiddos!}

Emma was also one of only eight first graders who made all A's throughout the school year.  We are so proud :)

It has been such a joy to watch the class of 2025 grow and develop over the past couple of years.  Their class consists of so many sweet and spunky personalities and it has been fun for Coach and I to get to know them.

Emma with Rebecca - one of her very best friends on earth :)

We are so thankful God chose us to be this sweet girl's parents!  She is such a delight.  We are proud of the example she sets for others and for the way she makes them feel.  She does her very best at everything she tries and puts forth the effort necessary to excel in life.

Second grade here she comes!!!!..........