Time For Tea

One of the first days of kindergarten, Aly invited her class and teachers over for a tea party. The teachers knew she hadn't checked with me, but the girls didn't. So I decided to let her have an official party with invitations and everything (after she was very clear that we don't invite people over without asking Mommy first). We had a good time. We made crowns, dressed up, decorated sugar cookie teapots, and then had a tea party! :) I was worn out when it was over, but we did have a good time. Aly was quite the hostess. When her big party was over, she made crowns for the rest of us. (She didn't make Caleb and Jake go through that, but her Daddy was a great king!) It was a good diversion from football.

Football Practice

Well, we survived the first week of practices. (I think the players did too!) One of the ways we did survive was by taking the players and coaches a cool treat. I'm glad there were enough!! Our kids had to sample them first.
Jodi picked a great day to organize the treat - it was about 97 degrees (104 heat index) and those poor boys looked like they were dying! Let's just say they were very appreciative of those icees!!
I think Anna may have had five! Her strategy was to walk around until she came to someone with one or more icees in their hand, look up and BEG!

The Top 10 Ways We Know Football Has Begun

10. I fix hot dogs and mac & cheese for supper multiple times in one week.

9. I find myself having a one-sided conversation and/or answering my own questions.

8. When I see my husband awake, he's surrounded by a bunch of sweaty college boys.

7. A "date" is eating at the college cafeteria.

6. Our yard becomes a forest.

5. My children cry themselves to sleep because they miss their daddy.

4. I catch people giving me the "Oh, that poor single Mom" look when I take the four kids out in public.

3. I feel like it's bedtime at 7:00 in the evening.

2. I watch so much football, I start to dream about it.

And the number one way that I know football has begun...

1. We stock up on candy, noise makers, and other goodies because we can't wait for the first game!!

GO WARRIORS!!!!!

Olympic Fever

We had so much fun watching the Olympics this year! I remember getting excited about watching them as a family when I was younger, but since we've been married, we haven't really ever stopped anything to watch the Olympics. This year, though, we watched almost every night. Chuck and I even stayed up past 10:00 several nights to watch the excitement!! :)One night we had an Olympic Night. We celebrated the Olympics by having a "Chinese" meal. I'm sure it was far from authentic, but we thought it was pretty tasty! I made a stir-fry, egg rolls, and a salad with chow mien noodles. We topped it off with some "won-ton sundaes." The only thing we were missing was the chopsticks! It made it even more exciting for the kids because they had been hearing about China from their Aunt Jodi and Uncle Brian who were in Beijing this summer. Caleb's soooo impressed that they went by the Bird's Nest and took a picture of the Water Cube!

Tonight as the closing ceremonies were going on, I felt sad that the Olympics were over. I even caught myself getting teary-eyed at one point. I watched with Caleb and Jake, and Caleb kept asking questions like "Why do the Olympics have to be over? Can't they last a few more days? Are we going to have them next year? I have to wait until I'm ELEVEN to watch the Olympics again???" And then as the U.S. Men's Volleyball finished up and the Chinese men at the ceremony began drumming drums with feathers on their heads, he asked incredulously, "Do they think people are going to like this stuff??" Enough of the show, he wanted more Michael Phelps!! Jake, however, was mesmerized!

What will we do now without the Olympics to watch? I guess maybe we'll get back to reading Little Pilgrim's Progress instead of staring at the TV every night!
I don't have to worry! Football starts tomorrow!! ;)

Hooray For Jakey!!!

I have been hesitant to think Jake is potty trained...yet! Even though I fear the job is far from from over, and even though I know we will have failure mingled with success, I'm going to say it: JAKE IS POTTY TRAINED!!! He is the answer to a prayer I prayed a while ago for humility! God gave me this sweet boy to remind me (just in case for some crazy reason I ever strayed from reality) that indeed I don't have it all together. But...I have resolved especially with this child to CELEBRATE the positives!!! So if you happen to be strolling by our house on one of these cool August days when I have the windows open, you may just hear a rousing rendition of "Hooray for Jakey, Hooray for Jakey! Someone in the crowd says HOORAY for Jakey! 1-2-3-4--Who ya gonna yell for? JAKEY! That's who! RAH RAH RAH!!!" (It's a Lambert family song...what can I say??) Jake loves it and really seems to be inspired by all the love, soooo we all join in after a trip to the potty! He even sings along, 'Yeah me yeah two two peup peup yeah!!!' For those of you who don't know "Jakeeze," He's singing yay for Jake I went pee (or poopy) on the potty.... Just so I'm honest with myself, I'll say it: He very well may be tricking me, giving me a glimmer of false hope, and may go back to how it was before. All I know is, I haven't had to change one of his messy diapers in FOUR days!! WHOOOO-EEEE! Yeah Jake!!










Here he is singing "the song" with me!!

Is This My Prayer?

More love to thee, O Christ, more love to thee!
Hear thou the prayer I make on bended knee.
This is my earnest plea: More love, O Christ, to thee;
more love to thee, more love to thee!


Once earthly joy I craved, sought peace and rest;
now thee alone I seek, give what is best.
This all my prayer shall be: More love, O Christ, to thee;
more love to thee, more love to thee!


Let sorrow do its work, come grief and pain;
sweet are thy messengers, sweet their refrain,
when they can sing with me: More love, O Christ, to thee;
more love to thee, more love to thee!


Then shall my latest breath whisper thy praise;
this be the parting cry my heart shall raise;
this still its prayer shall be: More love, O Christ, to thee;
more love to thee, more love to thee!

I was able to attend an all day women's conference in Hutchinson. (THANKS, Chuck for watching all 4 kiddos!!) It is always such a great day of encouragement, fellowship and of course some old-fashioned conviction!! The theme was centered around three of the names of our great God. The God who sees, The God who Sanctifies, and The God who will provide.

I was most convicted of my lack of fervency lately in my walk. My God is the God who sees ALL! I was so thankful for the opportunity to be reminded of my creator's great love for me and because of that, I was spurred on to desire to please Him more. We don't have to be burdened by trying to please Him, it is my greatest joy! I am grateful for the gentle way he drew me close and pray that you too, would be encouraged this day in your walk with our awesome Father! May He continue to draw us into His mighty and loving arms. More love to Thee, O Christ, more love to Thee!!!

First Day of School

Why is it always so hard to leave that little five-year-old in their kindergarten classroom? I thought it would be easier the second time around... I still found myself getting teary-eyed as I said good-bye to our sweet kindergarten girl. I think what makes it hard is the look on her face of excitement mixed with anxiety. I know she'll do great -- this is her element. She thrives in social settings. I think it comes down to me realizing they come to a point where Chuck and I aren't the main influence and that's scary. That's when we once again place them in the Lord's hands!! Gladly.

Caleb's first day of first grade will be spent on the couch.BAD timing for him to break out into a fever!! We're not quite sure what it is, but he has to miss the first day of first grade! I'm glad the Olympics are on...that gives him something else to think about. He's heartbroken to have to miss his first day. I hope he's always this sad when he has to miss school!

A Day at the Spa

We were able to go to a little reunion for Chuck's Mom's side of the family the end of July. We stayed in a Holiday Inn and Aly and Sylvia were living it up!! I thought these were so cute, I had to post them. :)

Grandpa Lambert Has A Farm...

We had a great trip to Smith Center a couple of weeks ago. I always feel like I go back in time when we are on 'the farm.' The land is so wide open and almost untouched by civilization. It makes me wonder what it would have been like to settle that land so many years ago...how did they know it was time to stop and set up a home for their family there?? The land must be a lot like it was then -- rocky and hilly with long prairie grass blowing in the wind and wild flowers decorating the country side. I can see how that serene land was appealing to those pioneers. I would love to hear their stories of how they came to call the Thornburg area home! How they built it up into a town where the father of my husband was born!
The older Lambert girls love to go to the old one room school house across from where Chuck's parents live and play "olden days." I can see why.


We were able to join Dennis and Nita in their busy schedule. It was full of fellowship with other believers, Bible studies, taking care of fresh vegetables, and farm work. I'm not sure Chuck and I are young enough to keep up with them for much longer than we did! They are such hard workers and servants of the Lord. The work was fun for us, though. Chuck loves to help on the farm any chance he can get and the kids think it's great fun to be right beside him! I got to help freeze a bunch of fresh corn! It was so yummy!
Even though it was a busy week, we did have time for some recreation!! Caleb had to challenge his Grandparents (and anyone else who would say yes) in several games of croquet! The kids also really enjoyed the slip-n-slide, and we got in on the Thornburg special event of the year...the Ice Cream Social!!! Wow! They have some yummy homemade ice cream!!!

Thanks, Dennis and Nita for your wonderful hospitality and for letting us join in on the fun!!


Aly and Jake thought they were pretty special to get to wear Grandma Nita's special "workin' visor!" (They each add their own style while wearing it!!!)

Olympic Hopeful!?!

Aly brought us some comic relief this evening! Of course, we were all excited to watch some of the Olympics this year...I didn't realize, however just how exciting it would be for Aly. When she heard that ladies gymnastics were on, she ran to her room, dug through her dress-up stuff and donned her 'Gymnastics outfit.' She came out ready to compete!! Jake and Anna were trying their best to keep up, but they couldn't get too close. She seems to have inherited her mother's coordination (or lack there of). :)


The funniest part was when she wanted Chuck and I to be the uneven bars! She wanted Chuck to be the high bar and I was to be the low bar. I had to turn her down, but her sweet and very strong daddy did a fantastic job! What a night! Look out 2020 Olympics!!!

Visitors from Missouri!

We had such a great time with Brian, Steph and Isaac Leach! They were able to come stay the weekend. We had a nice time relaxing a bit and talking a lot. :) The guys even watched most of the kids while Steph, Aly and I got to go shop in Wichita!!

Steph brought us some of her WONDERFUL cooking!!! Fresh homemade bread and TWO cheesecakes! She is one of the best cooks I know (slightly behind my mother and mother-in-law, of course!!!)! She just started a blog, so I'm hoping she'll pass on some of her yummy recipes every once in a while!

THANKS Brian and Stephanie for spending the weekend with us!!!

Happy Birthday, Our Alyssa Joy!

Aly had a great day turning 5! I began to wonder how the day would go when she informed me last night that she had her birthday all planned out. But...it turned out that she did a great job. :) 'Controlled choices' work out nicely every once in a while.
Her day started out with a breakfast date with Daddy. She was so excited about her pancakes with strawberries and a whipped cream smiley face! Then she got to open one present, play with her brothers and eat lunch. The rest of her presents were opened and the next highlight was registering for kindergarten. Uggh! I don't know why it's so hard to think about my children going to kindergarten. As one lady pointed out 'you have two more at home...you should be glad.' I don't share her opinion! I enjoy having my kiddos home!




Then she got to pick a friend (her cousin, Sylvia) to go to a sprinkler park and out to eat. All the kids thoroughly enjoyed that one!!





Then she spent some birthday money -- THANKS Grandma and Grandpa L.! She may have her Grandmother Odell's knack for streching the dollar! She got gifts for her brothers and Sylvia, a doll house and then she picked out some princess stuff for Sylvia and herself. They sure looked cute!

Sweet Aly, I pray that this year brings many blessings from the Lord as you learn more about Him and His Word. May you realize that you are a princess ~ a daughter of the King!!

Fun With Grandma Bev and Pop!

A couple of weeks ago, my parents were able to come and spend a few days with us. We had a great time as always! We got to go to a wedding together in Oklahoma of a very close friend of our family. It so good to be with friends that we hadn't seen for years. I'm always amazed at how easily we catch up and are able to fellowship like the 'old days'.

When we got home, Dad took the kids right out fishing! This is one of their favorite things to do with Pop!! They were able to catch quite a few. (Caleb was depressed because he got beat by his sister...she caught 3 - he caught 1.)

We also got to go to the "lake." (Sorry Kansas people - I had to put it in quotation marks! The lakes here aren't the same as the ones in Michigan and Missouri!) That was a fun trip for all.



Once again, I'm so grateful for my parents and their walk with the Lord. I'm glad we got to spend those few days together. THANKS for coming Mom and Dad!