How Many of You Can Say....

...that you have swam a mile? Okay, so maybe some have, but did you do it continuously in under an hour? Okay, still some of you maybe have done that. So, one last question...were you 5 or 8 when you did it?! That's right. The boys swam a non-stop mile this week on Wednesday. It's an accomplishment goal that they are challenged to try at the end of the swim team summer season and they both not only tried but conquered it! They will receive a trophy and a t-shirt for their accomplishment. We were SOOOO proud!!! To give credit that is very due, Greg swam it as well later in the day ~ I just didn't have the camera for his finish.

"we just swam ONE mile"

Papa and Mimi got them a celebration ice cream cake

Guess Who Got His Orange Belt

After months of preparation, today was the day!! I love love love the karate program the boys are in (Cameron officially started last month). Our children's pastor at church has multiple black belts and he teaches karate at our church a couple times a week. Our attendance has been somewhat of a roller coaster but here lately we have been a lot more diligent. And, Caleb's diligence paid off...

Fighting Kata

Pastor Jody requires a written report every time you test for a new belt. The report to test for the orange belt was on what Romans 12:1-2 means to Caleb. Here they are reading the report together.

Happily taking off the white belt
Bow

YAY!!

City Championship

My two champions competed this last Saturday in the city championship swim meet. They bettered their times in every event they swam, both were chosen to swim on a relay team (you have to be picked), both placed in their events, Cameron beat the record from the last city championship (and I have never seen a more proud big brother!), Caleb came away from the meet with EIGHT ribbons and Cameron brought home 5. Most importantly, they had so much fun!!

Hello World...

It's us and we are alive. My apologies to those who have subtely kindly mentioned that it might be time to update. Okay, past time. I had huge and great intentions. Really. Honestly, I think I just kept thinking it's really been too long and then I wanted to be creative with the post and then I couldn't think of anything and then and then and then. So originally I thought I would do this HUGE recap of the last six months, but really that seems daunting. So, we'll go with a picture recap of the last month or so and go from there...

We met our new cousin, Hudson Stokely Moore, born March 31st. We are SOOO happy you are here!!

Yes, those are braces on Caleb!!

We celebrated Easter :-)

The baby graduated from Pre-K and is quite excited to start Kindergarten


Mom is not so ready

Cameron finished up strong on his soccer team this spring...he was very sad it was over

We adopted a puppy - meet Samson

Caleb went to T Bar M Day camp last week and LOVED it! What an awesome experience. Cameron went to karate camp too, but I don't have a picture :-(

The boys joined the swim team...cameron's first and caleb's second swim meet was this last weekend. Cameron swam two events - the backstroke and freestyle

Caleb swam 4 events: the backstroke, the breaststroke, freestyle, and on a freestyle relay team

Update after Surgery

Thank you for your continued prayers.

Ellen underwent surgery today. It is with a heavy heart that I tell you that Baby B did not survive the surgery. We were thankful to learn that Baby A survived and is thought to be healthy.

Ellen is resting. She will be evaluated in the morning and hopefully return home sometime Friday.

She will be on strict bedrest for a week or so. And then modified bedrest for the rest of her pregnancy.

Thank you for the love and support you have shown Ellen and Kellen.

Stronger than I

Forgive me...feeling a bit all over the place tonight.

I am so thankful I serve a God stronger than I. That my Creator is bigger than this world. That I have been given hope. I cling to that right now. Today I went about life as usual - there is work to do, activities to get to, you know, life to take care of. But all day, I thought about, prayed for and let my mind and heart wander to Ellen, Kellen, and two sweet baby boys. Not only them, but the doctors, nurses, sonographers, even receptionists that encounter my family during this. And often my uncle, cousin Megan, and all the people "paused" (to quote Megan) and waiting. I pray that God heals. That He gets all the Glory. That we find peace.

I was introduced to this band last year when I had the blessed opportunity to go help Megan after the birth of her son. I find solace in music. I love to worship my Rock through music. And, I find that, today, this song keeps playing over in my head. The line where they sing "the One the wind and the waves obey is strong enough to save." Such complete truth in that statement. Clinging to truth tonight.

You fought but you were just too weak
So you lost all the things you tried to keep
Now you're on your knees
You’re on your knees

But wait everything can change
In a moments' time
You don't have to be afraid
‘Cause fear is just a lie
Open up your eyes

And He'll break open the skies to save
Those who cry out His name
The one the wind and waves obey
Is strong enough to save you

Look now is not too late
Lift up your head
Let the rain fall on your face
You’re not far from grace
You’re not too far from grace

I know the weight of this world can take you down like gravity
I know the current of yourself can take you out, out to sea
But hold on
Hold on

(tenth avenue north)

Please Pray...

I know I haven't been on here in awhile. And, I have this "catch-up" post all ready, but right now, most importantly, I plead to you to get on your knees and pray with me for my cousin, her husband and their babies. If you click on 'cousin', it will take you to her blog post where she describes the situation. Thank you!