Date Night With Ryan

Ryan asked if he could take me out for my birthday present this year. He had recently done a few things to earn some cash of his own. Wasn't that sweet that he wanted to use some of his money to take me out? He picked the place, Mexican, which we both love and then he asked if we could go to Bruster's afterwards for dessert. We had lots of fun conversation. He asked if he could hold my hand while we drove. He asked the waiter for things we needed and he was so sweet! At the end of the evening he said, "This is the best date I have ever been on!"

At The P-A-R-K Park

Here are a few more pictures from our time with the Andersons during the week before Easter.
Anderson and Charlie are wearing matching t-shirts (they LOVE each other). On the day Charlie was to go home they were talking about the possibilities of Aaron and Sara adopting Anderson so that he could live with Charlie:)
These two have a love hate relationship, but what gives me hope is that was Anderson and Charlie 4 years ago! Jimmy and Cai:

Preparing For Easter

The week before Easter brought with it three extra boys to our home. 7 boys! Charlie, Ben and Jimmy, my nephews, spent four nights with us. It was crazy, but we had lots of fun. I love my nephews and that my boys have cousins to play with - those are some of my cherished memories as a child - playing with my cousins!

One day we made crowns. We talked about how the Bible tells us that when we run the race of faith and are finished, we will receive the crown of life. We talked about loving Jesus and how he died on the cross for our sins, but is reigning in heaven now and someday we will throw our crowns before His feet in worship. And we sang one of my favorite Easter songs, "Crown Him With Many Crowns"

Jimmy (will be 3 in July)
Caius (will be 3 in June)

Ben (4)

Charlie (5)

Anderson (6)

Trevor (8)

Ryan (will be 10 in June)

La, La, La

Anderson & Me
Anderson's new Michigan crocs

Anderson & Caius

Mardi Gras

The Theme for March's family dinner was, you guessed it, Mardi Gras!!! I thought it would be fun for the kids to make their own mask for our dinner. Here's the gang.

Charlie

Caius

Ben

Mea

Family Dinner Night with their masks on

Trevor and Savanna

Ceceilia and Mea

I forgot to get a picture of the food, just think Cajun - we had Gumbo, shrimp jumbalaya, bread pudding and a King's cake to name a few. The King's cake even had a gold coin in it and the winner has to bring dessert next time. The kids yelled throw me something, mister and got candy and the adults had a Mardi Gras history quiz. As always it was lots of fun and laughing! I'll leave you with one last picture so you can laugh, too.

Anderson's Pirate Party

Here he is. . . so excited and waiting for his guests to arrive.
The invitation said, "property guarded by Pirates, so come at your own risk!" Here are our Pirate guards:

As each little boy arrived, we gave him an eye patch and bandana and the option to paint scars and a beard on his face.

Here is the whole gang getting ready to hunt for treasure. We had to move this part of the party indoors due to rain. It all turned out, though and we even played musical chairs and rock, map, swords!

The birthday boy with his cake - a pirate ship!

Today is the date Anderson was due:)

Anderson's 6th Birthday

The day has finally arrived!! Anderson could hardly wait to turn six. Last night as I kissed him goodnight he said, "Mom, this is the last time you will be near me while I'm five." (I almost cried. - I am getting sentimental in my old age.) He has hardly stopped talking today, he is so excited.

The long awaited clone suit.

We had waffles with strawberries and whip cream on them for breakfast. The cousins came over for a craft and chocolate pudding this afternoon. Tonight we go to Wendy's - his pick. And Saturday is his long awaited Pirate Party. (We are hoping this rain goes away!)