~ Busy, Busy Dreadfully Busy ~

So sorry, I have slacked very much in keeping those of you following us Konnected!!! Life has been super busy. Jeremy works out of town for about 5 weeks in the summer. He left Wednesday :0( I am working on getting the kids and myself ready to go now. Preparation has seemed too easy. I feel like I have forgotten things. I guess we will see if the third time is the charm and it is easier, or if I really forgot half the house....We stay in a college apartment for the best part of summer. I really have to pack a kitchen, bathroom, kids toys, entertainment, bedroom sets, etc. It is a big task. This year, I started making a list on the computer a few months ago. I am hoping that is why it appeared to take me less time to pack all of us. It is amazing to me how much less we can live with. I have taken a three drawer tote with things for the kids to do. One drawer has Little People, Play food and a tea set. The second drawer has coloring books, kids craft supplies (paint, scissors, construction paper, sidewalk chalk) The last drawer is filled with books to read and musical instruments!!!! I will pack some cars for Andrew. Dolls for Emmy, and I will take both of their leapsters. We have a TV, play ground, and hopefully the pool will be open. The kids usually have a very nice time. I am pretty much ready. I have to pack a few last minute things.
I was hoping to hit the beach one last time before we left, but it is a little on the cloudy side. So, I guess that they can enjoy their last day at home :0)
So, if you would please pray for us for traveling mercies and a good time away from  home. I would really appreciate it.
I will work on updating my blog while we are there. I have more free time there!!!!



Storms of Life

While sitting by the ocean. I was watching the waves roll in. A few times, I shut my eyes. I had to open them. The waves sounded like they were enormous. As I sat there, I started to think about the waves, or trials in our lives. If we only listen to what is going on around us,it can become overwhelming. Opening our eyes causes us to see things from a new perspective. Those HUGE waves, actually were just rolling in and causing a washing by the shore.

Matthew 14:24-31 

But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus, stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

 I often have read this and thought, Why would Jesus say that Peter had such little faith? This guy stepped out of a boat in the middle of a storm, trusting that he could walk on water. I think that that takes a lot of faith. As I was reading this portion the other day, I started to think maybe he had little faith because, He didn't fully trust Him.

I find myself being a lot like Peter at times. I tend to allow myself to be overwhelmed by the storms around me instead of trusting the Lord to carry me through them.

Matthew 4:35-39 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

 

It is so important to remember, He is the one who allows the storms. He will bring us through the storms. 

 I want to come to the point where I trust the Lord fully. Complete trust, in the Lord, gives us complete peace.

2 Corinthians 12:9

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

May each of us find the grace that we need for the storms that we are facing. Take each day at a time and find His Peace that surpasses all understanding!

~ Melting~

It is a Perfect Day for a Sprinkler!

Just thought I would share some cute pictures with you...Ok, well, at least I think they are cute!!!!

Enjoy....

Testing the Waters

Ready to fly through!

This tastes amazing :0)

So, what do you do to beat the heat?

~ Enjoying the Beautiful Days ~

This post will be a little bit of this and that! Note: It all is us enjoying the beautiful days outside!!!

Please meet Frost. He loves to hang out in our backyard. We see him many times a week! Andrew came up with a name for him all on his own!!!!

FROST

I think it is really a cute name...So, here is Frost...He really is a friendly fella! We have enjoyed watching him!

Here you see our small front yard. I have decided I am very tired of mowing such a small section of lawn...it is on a hill, not very even. So, it was time to take out the grass and do something else with it.....

Taadaaaa...Here is what the front looks like at the Moment. Ok...it is a little different and many of the plants have completely come out...I am hoping that the Iris bloom very soon so that I can get a picture of the Rhododendron and them in full bloom...I want to put mulch or some kind of nice ground cover to help keep the weeds down and add a little bit to it. It all takes time, Mula and some kind of hauling vehicle!!! I guess we will have to be patient and wait for it to be complete!

Ohhh look at that, another picture of frost. For Mother's day, Andrew asked me what I wanted. I was half joking when I said, "Bunny Food". I really thought I could get a good reaction from my Hubby, but instead, they really bought the bunny carrots!!! The kids love to throw them out the window and wait for him to come eat.

So, we have had some brick lying around for some time along our back fence. We found it in various backyard renovations! I think it will look really nice on the grass between my sidewalk and driveway. So, this past week, I hauled the bricks from the back to the front. I thought it would be easier than it was. I went to use the wheelbarrow...only to find the tire needs to be replaced. I attempted a few other things, just to decide it was easiest if I just got my workout and used my muscle :0) I stopped counting after 60 bricks...

I looked out the kitchen window, the other day, to find frost taking a little rest...He's so cute...The nice part about this pet, I don't have to clean His cage or his messes!!!

Memorial Day

We had a wonderful time of just the 4 of us!!! We took our time in the morning and ended up at the beach late morning! It was perfect with a slight breeze coming off of the lake. The water is still really cold 54 degrees.....So, needless to say, we were not swimming in it today!

The kids found this little area....obviously the storms that we have had lately created a nice little area for all the little people. So, yes they did play in this a lot...They had fun....Emmy was our social butterfly talking to everyone...making sure that no one left their toys just lying around. She would find the people that they belonged to and return them!!! It was really cute!!!

Andrew asked me to make a tunnel for him. So, I did that on one side. Then, Emmy wanted me to make a Sand Castle. This is the only picture that we got of the Castle standing. Emmy fell on it, and after that some "War Planes" came in and demolished the rest of it....No one was injured!

We started something with the kids last year. Can you see what is through the trees?

We like to go and watch the roller coaster. We had mentioned to Andrew that we would go watch the roller coaster today. Well, first thing when he woke up, he was all excited that we would get to go watch the roller coaster. We picked up ice cream and sat in the grass by the track! As you can see, everyone is intently waiting for it to come! It was so nice to sit in the shade after being on the beach. We enjoyed our little snack of ice cream before heading home for the day!

The kids watching it...See it on the track?

Here is a better view of the track! It is so neat being so close to it! I didn't mention that this Roller Coaster actually goes over the road!!!! It is pretty amazing! First one that I have ever seen that goes over a road....A busy road at that!

Andrew is looking forward to going on a roller coaster!

Say CHEEEEEEESSSSSEEEE

Emmy pointing at the track....letting me know it was coming. She was so cute...she jabbered about it while we walked back to the car. She was telling me how the roller coaster..."hands in the sky....Ahhhhh Weeeee"

It was so cute!

Once we got home, Mommy mowed the lawn. Then, we all sat on the porch and enjoyed the nice breeze! Andrew and Daddy played Roller coaster Tycoon together! It was such a wonderful day!

Thank You To all of those who have served and are serving our country.Thank you for the freedom that you provide to us and the sacrifices that you make each and every day!!

~ Another Amazing Adventure Away ~

One of the mornings while away on vacation, we decided to take the kids to a sea aquarium. It was in Miami. So, this involved a rental car!!!! Well, our morning started at 3:30am!!! Andrew woke up all excited and talking away about our trip that we were going to be taking to the Aquarium that morning. He specifically said that he hoped that we got a blue car to take!!!! It was so cute..... A few hours more of shuteye, then we were up and on the move!

Now, this is what I would love to see lining my highways!!!

A cool water Tower along the way!!!

Almost there!!

On the Causeway!!

Finally there!!!! Yes, and God answered the little heart cry of our little guy...The Blue Car!

The view from our seats at the show!

The Flipper Dolphin show!!!

The Manatees! Poor guys looked rather rough....One had part of his tail missing. He had been hit by a boat...Fun fact...they fed them carrots!!!

Stingray petting tank!

SeaTurtle!!

The Best Show!!! The Killer Whale and Dolphins!

Notice the Trainer riding on the Killer Whale!!!

He dropped her right off on the dock....

Part of this show I missed. This was only to protect the camera...The whale was soaking the crowd. So, I would video some and then put it away!!! It was so cute...The Whale kissed the trainer...They did an amazing job with this show!!

The sharks were swimming in a canal that went around the playground area...It was very interesting. We watched them feed the sharks.. I lost interest when they were hanging a fish over the side of this bridge and the sharks were just jumping out of the water ripping it to shreds...sorry, I don't like guts and blood...So, Emmy and I went for a bit of a walk!!!

We were thankful for the Killer Whale show with the Dolphins! It was what made our day! I am sure that the kids will remember it for a long time. We had a wonderful day together!!!!

Sorry that I didn't post much last week. I was too busy enjoying the beautiful weather!!!!

I'll see how I do this next week!

~ Anniversary Picture ~

We had a wonderful Anniversary...My Husband took me to a new restaurant. Firebirds...they cook the food over a wood fire. It was very delish!!!! We then took a stroll through the mall...It was a very nice time together!!

Pictures...More!!!

More Activities!

Lunch Time outside the house

A stroll along the ocean!

Pool Time!!

The kids loved watching...Jake and The Neverland Pirates, Handy Manny, Mickey Mouse Club House

When we came home, this was just one of many things that they missed!!!

So, here they are waking up....sorry, the order got a little off on this...oh well, you get the idea...

Hope that you all are enjoying!!!