Larissa’s First Stage Performance
This past Sunday, Larissa sang for the very first time on stage at her Papa Mike’s church in Missouri. I know I am a bit prejudice but I think she did awesome. She remembered all her words and she was so brave! Everyone in the church came up to her afterwards and told her what a great job she did. Needless to say, she was pretty proud of herself as was I!!!
Watch my future superstar here: Larissa’s Debute
The Final Verse in Ten for Life!!!
It’s here! Week 10 has arrived and the kids were soooooooooo excited to get to say their final verse. They actually did it Wednesday night because they had already learned it by Monday. I think they both thought that as soon as they said it, they would get to go to the party right then and there. The party isn’t until March 19th. However, they did receive their 10th candy bar which, to them, is equally as exciting as a party. This week’s verse was “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6. They both got the verse very quickly, but remembering where it is found was really difficult for both of them. I have to admit, though, I too have a really hard time remebering where each verse is found. Our pastor plays the game where he says the reference and you have to say the verse as quick as you can to win things (pies, cookies, etc.) and I am always sitting there in my seat glad that I didn’t get called on, because even though I know all the verses completely, it takes me ten minutes to figure out where it is found (a little less if I cheat and use my Iphone).
So, here is video of both Corey and Larissa saying their 10th and final verse. I actually recorded them saying it to the people. They are excited to say the least. Note: Larissa said it perfect, I was just a little slow in pressing record–my bad!
Ten for Life–verse 9
Okay, I know I have been a little delayed with my posts this week. I blame it all on Rhea Lana and the love/hate relationship I have with it. I LOVE the check that I get when all is said and done, but I HATE all the work that goes into getting everything ready to consign. I have literally been working on it for a week straight. I finally finished tonight and it feels SOOOOOOO great to be done!!! I had over 300 items which is just pathetic. It’s at times like this that I realize I really am a shopaholic–especially when it comes to children’s clothing. However, from the looks of it, I am not alone. There should be a support group. Anyway!
The verse for week 9 was 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:” Be joyful always, pray continuously, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I think it was my favorite to hear them learn because they were so cute trying to pronounce those big words. Corey said secondlonians for Thessalonians, and Larissa continuously mispronounced “continuously” (give me a break, I’m tired).
Here they are:
Larissa’a 1 Thesselonians 5 16-18
Corey’s 1 Thesselonians 5:16-18
Only 1 more week to go!!!!!!
Wordless Wednesday: Bowling Fun
I know some parents have been taking their kids bowling since they could barely walk. Corey has friends that are in actual bowling leagues!! Our kids are not. They have only been twice and while they have a great time doing it, I find myself sitting there just waiting for the staff to come kick us out because of the damage that we are doing to their lane by literally hurling the ball down it. Corey loves one sport and that’s baseball, and he incorporates it into EVERY other sport he plays…even bowling. Larissa loves the thought of bowling but when she rolls her ball down the lane, we literally have enough time to go get something at the snack bar before it even gets to the pins. However, in their defense, they are already getting better scores than I get, so maybe there is hope (for them).
She was so excited that it finally hit some "pennies"
The art of moving your body in the direction that you want your ball to go is something that I'm afraid I have passed down to Corey. At least he just moves his head. What I do could be mistaken for yoga!
It's towards the end of the game and she could care less where that ball is going. What she is interested in is the Dr. Pepper on the table!
His facial expressions were hysterical!
For more Wordless Wednesday posts, visit our host Arkie Momma
10 for Life–Week 8
This week’s 10 for Life verse is “Seek ye first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you. Matthew 6:33.” The kids both had a hard time saying “righteousness” and neither one could remember where it was found. But, they were both successful when it came time to do it for the candy bar–go figure! I heard a report the other day that eating a chocolate bar a week can actually reduce your chance of a stroke (read the report here). I love it when the scientists actually give us permission to be bad!
March 19th is the massive “10 for Life” party. I can’t wait!
10 for Life: Week 7
Our Ten for Life verse for week 7 was super simple. It was: “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength–Phillipians 4:13″. Neither of them had a hard time getting this one. The only problem is that, because it is so short, I find them adding it to all the other verses when we do our review:) I’m really going to miss them saying these verses each week. It’s so cute listening to them practice. Larissa kept saying “Phrist” instead of “Christ” so you’ll see her concentrating really hard in her video to get it right. I always show the final cut, but I am tempted to post their bloopers as well. They are adorable.
Happy Friday everyone!!!
Wordless Wednesday: Fun Factory in Cabot
So, there is this awesome place in Cabot called The Fun Factory. They are tucked away back by the movie theater and, for some reason, don’t really advertise (just a website). They are almost identical to Jump Zone but, in my opinion, are cleaner and less crowded. Larissa and I met up there with two of her best buds and their mommies last Friday, and we had a blast. I almost want to keep it a secret because it is so nice to always have the place to ourselves but some things are just too good not to share. If you need a place to go when it’s cold and yucky outside, you should check it out.
Annabelle, Larissa, and Emma with their matching pig tails--so cute!! Why is it that I always manage to find the random person in the background and photograph them even if they are only there for a second.
She absolutely flew down all the slides. The pig tails didn't look so cute after all this.
After jumping, we headed over to Larry's Pizza. Has anyone ever had the "Baked Potato Pizza"? OMG!!! It sounds weird but is AMAZING:)
For more Wordless Wednesday posts, visit our host : Arkie Momma
Hugs & Kisses: 10 for Life–week 6
Well, it is week 6 of our ten for life series and we are all going strong. Matt and I actually finished ours up this past Sunday (I think I threw my shoulder out carrying my purse with all those Hershey bars in it) but we are still teaching the kids theirs one week at a time. This weeks verse was “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it, love your neighbor as you love yourself. Matthew 22: 37-39″ Corey struggled a little bit with this one and, of course, Larissa had no problem at all. They seem to go back and forth like that every week. Here are their videos:
Hugs & Kisses: Wordless Wednesday
Larissa had a great Valentines day party at MDO last Thursday. Her buddy, Emma, came over on Wednesday to play and make cookies for their class. We used a total of 3 bottles of sprinkles on 18 cookies (no, I am not kidding) but we had a blast and the cookies looked very cute and tasted VERY sweet!
Emma and Larissa taste testing their product. I think they both approved!
They were asked to bring a decorated box to put their valentines in. The butterfly wand lit up and made music. It turned out pretty cute, if I do say so myself:)
She was so proud of her "Great Job" ribbon that she received for her box. She said she was never going to put it down. That promise lasted for about 5 seconds until they put her plate of sugar in front of her.
Behold the plate of sugar!!
For More Wordless Wednesday posts, visit out host Arkie Momma.
Hugs & Kisses: I’m Sick of the Male-Bashing
I have to admit that when it comes to the Super Bowl, I actually look forward to the commercials as much, if not more than the game itself. However, this year I was only slightly entertained and mostly annoyed. The reason: I am sick and tired of all the man-bashing!!
Here is a simple question, in this day and age where “equal rights” and “respect for EVERYONE” is being stuffed down our throats from every arena of daily life, how in the world did we get to a point where it is considered okay to constantly make fun of men and portray them as buffoons? It’s not just the commercials that I am referring to because nearly everyaspect of the “entertainment” that we engage in on a daily basis has something to do with men appearing to be these lost, idiotic slobs who can do nothing but make mistakes that women must then swoop in and fix. I think the show “Home Improvement” is a perfect example. Don’t get me wrong. I always enjoyed this comedy and remember watching it with my husband and laughing at all the foolishness that was “Tim ‘the Toolman’ Taylor.” He was constantly screwing things up whether it had to do with work projects or relationships with others, and his wife, Jill, was the intelligent and level headed female who constantly came to the rescue and saved him from his faults. Then there is “King of Queens,” which is another show about the husband being fat, lazy, and pretty much clueless while his wife, Kerry, is the beautiful, smart “glue” that holds their relationship together. The man bashing doesn’t just occur on the shows I like to watch but the shows my kids enjoy as well. “The Suite Life of Zach and Cody” is a show about two kids whose dad divorced their mom so he could be in a band and only shows up about once every year and, when he is present, does nothing but ignorant or bone-headed things. Everyone is completely fine with the dad being absent because he is viewed as a nuisance more than a necessity. The mom is all powerful and fixes everything…yada, yada. Please don’t get me wrong. I am a mom and I LOVE being portrayed as the “hero” and the only one who really has a clue when it comes to the family or the household, but the problem with this portrayal is that it comes at the expense of men and it’s just not true. Women are awesome and should be honored for the treasure that they are, but, men are amazing too, and let’s face it, we couldn’t make it very far without them. In my house, I probably am the one who is better suited to fix boo-boos, calm fears, make a mean casserole, and keep everyone organized, but that doesn’t make me all powerful and better than my husband. Matt is the one who can build a storage unit in less than an hour, fix a toy that I have already deemed as “completely unrepairable,” fly an airplane for 13 hours and still have the energy to come home and give the kids horse back rides all over the house, solve math equations in his head before I can even write them on paper, an so many other things. He is no buffoon nor is he the weakest link in our relationship. He is dedicated, strong, and I admire him in SO many ways. He’s amazing, and I guess the only reason why he can sit there and laugh at shows and commercials that constantly make fun of him is because he, like most men, is secure enough to take the criticisms in stride. I just think it is important to stress the value of both males and females rather than tearing one down in order to build the other up. If shows made fun of women even half as much as they do men, EVERYONE would be crying foul and the shows would be cancelled. I hate to admit that I don’t have a real solution for the problem other than the obvious: stop it! But, I know that won’t happen because because too many find it harmless and entertaining. I just think that society needs to be careful about what it deems as acceptable because as it is right now we are teaching our kids a new kind of prejudice and we are doing it all in the name of fun.
LaRhonda Puckett is an Air Force wife and stay- at-home mom of two. Even though military life is anything but easy, she wouldn't trade it for anything, because she believes it is central in teaching her family that as long as they have each other and Christ, they have all they need.