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!