The Hardister Clan

Scripture Sunday

2012-01-22T07:35:00.000-08:00

Tough Girl!

2012-01-16T10:20:00.000-08:00

Last year Madelynne played Junior Olympic volleyball and we’re doing to again this year. Nothing like having an active family, including us ole folk parents!

Friday was a whirlwind, David and I played our first co-ed volleyball game and league continues through April I think, every Friday. So if you want to watch us ole folks play come on down to Bishop Park, games are at 6 and 7 p.m.

After our game, Abby and I along with 2 others climbed in my vehicle and we headed to Fayetteville/Springdale/Rogers area to watch our girls play in a 2-day volleyball tournament. It was a good tournament, however in the third game Madelynne set the ball and was trying to get out of the way when she rolled her ankle. After having a family member, who is a physician, look her over it was undetermined if it was broken or just severely sprained. Madelynne didn’t play Sunday, but we watched the girls play both their games yesterday. It was a good tournament!

So when I when I made her appointment this morning, it was going to be late this afternoon before she could be seen so we went ahead and went to the ER. We had the opportunity to see an Ortho if she needed to and I didn’t want to wait all day. After she was x-rayed it was determined that they could not rule out a fracture because of all the swelling and fluid build-up, and the area in question is right at her growth plate in her left foot. She sees the Ortho next Monday afternoon, so we will know then, we're sporting a gel splint on the left ankle and using crutches .... and we’ll also deal with whatever comes of that appointment, one day at a time, one step at a time. Right now we’re doing the RICEM ….

Rest

Ice

Compression

Elevate

Motrin

During warm ups

substitution ....

let the intimidating stares begin

her gel splint, she's not fond of the green, but she covered it with a fuzzy purple sock.

at least her toes are lovely ;-)

Thankful Thursday

2012-01-12T20:47:00.000-08:00

Graydon preparing Zach before they got in the baptistry.

Kids cleaning: they cleaned and re-arranged their rooms. They look like we just moved in!
Kids Giving Hearts: when they cleaned they donated 4 bags of clothes, shoes and games to Good Will.
Friends coming to the rescue: They helped us get everything hung on the walls before our family gathering on Sunday!
Baptism: Zach was baptized on Sunday!
Father-in-Law: He baptized Zach, his 5th grandchild of 8 that he has had the privilege of doing.
Pinterest: for giving me inexpensive ways to feed the family and friends who came for Sunday lunch; and for the meals we've had this week.
Clean House: It's been clean house ALL week.
School: the kids started back Monday, I'm thankful for the routine.
Sonic: David brought me a cranberry limeade drink just when I needed one at work!
Nook: I am so thankful for this device; I've actually relaxed and read a book this week.

Scripture Sunday

2012-01-01T21:11:00.000-08:00

Thankful Thursday

2011-12-01T04:07:00.001-08:00

1. Time spent with family over the holiday weekend. Although I took ZERO pictures due to a dead battery, it was good to see family.
2. Being able to see my parents new place (well they've been there a year, so not new to them but new to me).
3. Bringing a bird home from their homestead! We now have a 'tweety' and 'sylvester' in the home. Life will remain interesting!
4. A newly painted foyer, living room, dining area and kitchen. Which happened while we were gone for the holiday. David did an amazing job.
5. Christmas decorations strone all over the house, which I hope to get up this weekend. We shall see!
6. An incredible opportunity filled with prayer and hope.
7. The HEATER!! I love that the heater has finally kicked on during these 30 degree nights and mornings.
8. Baked the first set gingerbread a.k.a. molasses cookies at our house this week. (whispering, we did bake a batch at dads last week, but those didn't last long). Not saying these will last .....
9. Thankful that the sick kiddos are on the mend .... but not before passing it onto the adults!
10. I am VERY thankful for friends being so generous and kind with their hearts and opening their homes this weekend to one or more of our kids. A weekend without kids!

Scripture Sunday

2011-11-27T01:29:00.000-08:00

Scripture Sunday

2011-11-20T01:07:00.000-08:00

Scriptue Sunday

2011-11-13T02:06:00.000-08:00

Scripture Sunday

2011-11-06T02:44:00.000-08:00

Thankful Day 5

2011-11-05T05:41:00.001-07:00

My Siblings

One lives within an hour of me and the other 12 hours away, my big sister and I try our best to see each other as often as we can but my big brother and I don’t see each other very often. But when we do get together it’s always fun. I wish we lived closer but I am very thankful for the both of them!

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Thankful Days 2-4

2011-11-04T09:42:00.000-07:00

Thankful Day 4

Fall Retreat

The two older kids are off to Fall Treat today with the youth and middle school groups with church. One is headed to Tyler, Texas and the other to Branson, Mo. I pray that they have a safe journey, have fun but most of all keep an open heart.

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Thankful Day 3

My Step Mom

She keeps my dad inline, but I’m still wondering if she isn’t just a little bit of a push over with my dad as they have acquired more animals. I joke and say that they have a petting zoo forming, Dad doesn’t like that much! TeeHee!! But I am thankful that I can text her random thoughts and questions and she responds, although I can hear her talking to herself when she texts in her responses J Love Ya T!

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Thankful Day 2

Communication!

I instill into the kids that they can talk to me ANY time about ANYthing! Wednesday night was no exception, I am very thankful for the conversations I had with my kids this night!

Thankful Day 1

2011-11-01T15:56:00.000-07:00

Last November I attempted to do a ‘thankful post’ each day of the month. So I am challenging myself to do this once again. I will still post wordless Wednesday photos and Sunday scriptures and hopefully a few other posts along the way.

Thankful for Quiet Time

After taking an 8 week break from school I am thankful that tonight I have only 1 child at home so that I can study, read and hopefully get ahead a bit before all the kids are home and the house becomes chaotic.

On a side note, today is 11/1/11 ... a little math trick that a friend posted today on FB, take the age you are or the age you are turning this year and add that number to the last 2 number of the year you were born. That total should come out to 111! A good trick for this Nov. 1st!

Scripture Sunday

2011-10-30T02:26:00.000-07:00

The Last 35 days ....

2011-10-29T10:42:00.000-07:00

Life will always be chaotic, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Today is a ‘normal’ day, one off to band competition in Memphis, another at a volleyball game (to which I never made), and another with grandparents and other family to look at the foliage and another one here with me. That’s why I hear the wii Mario Kart game going on in the other room. LOL!

It’s been two months since I posted, and much has happened in that time. We’ve had concerts, birthdays, anniversaries, conferences, camps, games and much more. I even took a break from school there was so much going on. I know I can handle many obstacles and events going on at the same time but I felt so overwhelmed that at one point I thought I was losing control. I actually had to sit back reassess and concentrate on what was really important and school wasn’t put on the back burner it was put in the pantry!

The past 5 weeks (that’s 35 days) I have been home 15 days, the rest of that time I was either at conferences for work (which I love and embrace) or at camp with one of the kids (which I can’t wait to do again). But somewhere in there I hurt my back and have been mainly bed ridden since Wednesday. Having so much time away from home and work, the away time gives a person a chance to reflect on life in general and the path the Lord has laid out in one’s life.

School starts back up for me on Tuesday and that is also the day that I have my last conference call with the Polaris Users Group (PUG) Steering Committee (SC) as Chair aka President. The past year has had highs and lows, and there were many times where we agreed to disagree. However, in eight in a half months we were able to pull together a very successful conference, program and met our goals although some of those goals seem to have had a few bumps along the way. Although I will be present on calls next year I am thankful that I am not the one doing the work for the conference.

If that conference wasn’t enough to make my brain blue screen I went to Internet Librarian in Monterey, California for 8 days. By the fourth day of conference I think my brain was definitely in need of being used in safe mode! I learn so much at these conferences and the networking is phenomenal, but honestly, there is nothing like being at home with the kids. Here are just a FEW pictures from the past 35 days …..

For the 3^rd year in a row I have either traveled on or have been away from home on my birthday. This year I spent it driving to Dallas and that night this is what was brought to my room from our conference planner that assists our Users Group to make each conference a successful one.

2010 and 2011 PUG Chairs: Karen and I speaking after a business meeting on the last day of conference, she’s such a fantastic friend.

Nate & Madelynne getting close with the giraffes, the highlight of the night for them was to feed and pet them.

They can never be serious anywhere we go, this was at the Irving Arts Center viewing the Genghis Khan exhibit.

Cannery Row in Monterey, California; shops, diners, aquarium, factories and fun!

The Warf!

The aquarium.

Around Pebble Beach!

Monterey Coast Guard

Pine Cove camp with the Bible Drill kids, Zach really was licking his plate clean!

Thankful Thursday

2011-08-25T06:46:00.001-07:00

Our time at home or away from home always tend to mimic a national lampoons scene from one movie or another, but in a clean way. It's always crazy, chaotic, hectic, but loads of fun. I just wish some of the conversations we have as a family can be posted. If I posted them the kids would be embarrassed, well so would I. Please don't judge, but there are just some conversations I'm glad that I can have with my kids instead of them going to a stranger or to someone I don't know to have them.

This week, this is what I am thankful for!

1. Fellowship and Food with dear friends.

2. Two TV FREE nights this week! My kids are awesome!

3. MY kids letting me take a nap after work one day this week!

4. A few days off this week to recoup, re-balance, rejuvenate!

5. Great progress on conference planning.

6. Email on my phone, has been a huge life saver this week in keeping up with various 'to-dos'

7. Getting through half of not one but 2 books! You Were Made for More and The Help

8. A very compassionate and understanding ER staff.

9. Creative children both in speaking but in building! (see below)

10. Famous people that follow through with their word by sending an autographed picture. (see below)

all pictures taken with my camera phone

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-24T05:34:00.001-07:00

Best friends always make bad situations better!

Scripture Sunday

2011-08-21T02:35:00.000-07:00

This is as far as I have gotten to organizing snacks since school started Monday, and the 'stock pile' I was told is now out of cheeze its. What's a kids to do?

This year is the first year that I can remember where snacks were allowed past the first grade. Since we have four lovely kiddos that can take snacks we bought enough so that they could take 2-3 extra with them each day in the event someone at school didn't have one. They know that as good stewards we are to share what we have been blessed with and we in turn get blessed when we are in need. Our kids know how some of those students feel, our kids and family have been in some of those kids shoes many times. We know that we won't have a 'stock pile' all the time, but while we have it, we're going to share it!

How have you been blessed?

Just another Saturday

2011-08-20T17:43:00.000-07:00

For the past several weeks I have woke up before my alarm. Uggggg, why can't that little rooster wake me up at the time I ask it to?

I should not complain because by getting up at 5 I was able to get so much accomplished by 7 this morning. Laundry, kitchen, living room and I even waited until 8 to wake the kids up to help finish up before our dear friends Spud, Alison and family arrived.

We had such a great visit the kids played so hard, I wish I had taken more pictures but I just didn't honestly think about it until it was way too late. The girls played dress up, talked and at one point told me that the room was off limits. LOL! Too funny!

While we played wii games E. passed out in his dad's arms. So precious! These are pictures from our afternoon of fun!

Thankful Thursday

2011-08-18T08:19:00.000-07:00

So I haven’t done a Thankful Thursday in quite some time. I actually took the summer off from blogging to concentrate on school and the kids. What I found out is that I can’t do that again, it through my whole routine off and now that I’m getting back on a routine I have realized I should have never stopped.

So here is My Top 10 Thankful(s) Thursday for this past week:

My kids for giving me another first day of school full of memories. It is still hard to believe that I have a 9th, 7th, 4th, and a 2nd grader, how time flies!
That our family is so adaptable when faced with diversity.
Our church leaders who planned awesome kick-off activities last night for all age groups. Our kids are excited about activities this year.
For a salesman who took my boss and me out to lunch yesterday and they introduced me to sushi! I may have found a new love for fish.
For great conference committee members who have helped make this years PUG conference a success so far, 42 more days and we’ll be rocking it at conference.
For a friend who didn’t judge us in our hour of need and graciously helped out our family. God has truly brought us together for something bigger.
My kids have the awesome ability to turn themselves into problem solvers when they see mom breakdown.
Thankful for my kids’ sense of humor, jokes, hugs, kisses, conversations and cuddle time.
That my kids have a father that is willing to do anything for them.
That my kids have such giving hearts. They have taken extra snacks to school this week just in case someone forgot theirs!

So what are you thankful for?

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-17T02:51:00.000-07:00

Conversations

2011-08-16T04:37:00.000-07:00

Sunday night when we couldn't get the help of Mr. Sand Man, we had some heart-to-heart conversations.

Kid#3: If we were home schooled we could sleep in every day right?
Me: M-A-Y-B-E
Kid#3: Please don't ever home school us!
Me: Honey God didn't wire me to stay home and home school you. Besides, why not?
Kid#3: Because I like going to school.
Me: That's a good thing!
Kid#3: Yep, and my friends are there too. I don't think I can handle only seeing them twice a week at church.
Me: I see you have your priorities, you wanna see your friends but not hang out with me?
Kid#3: MOM, I see you ALL the time!

Kid#2: Y'all can't sleep either?
Me: Nope.
Kid#2: You're all excited and junk (while making a funny face and dance move)
Kid#3: I had a nap today, didn't you?
Kid#2: Yea, but I'm all excited!
Me: Good, go back to bed (jokingly)
Kids: Mom!

Sunday At lunch:

Me: Kid#2 I'll pay you $5 to get Kid#1 organized for school
Kid#2: OK! What needs organizing.
Kid#1: How do you know that I'm not organized at school?I'll write on my hand if I have too, after I find m y pens.
Me: Not what I want to hear!
Kid#1: I know, but it's so much fun!
Kid#2: laughing the whole time
[Kid#1 never once organized anything, and I wasn't going to do it]

Kid#4: Mom, where are the scissors?
Me: WHY?
Kid#4: I need to cut the tags off my new clothes.
Me: Shouldn't you have done this last week?
Kid#4: I didn't wear them last week.
Me: Good point!

Monday Morning .....

Kid#4: Can you come eat lunch with me today?
Me: No sweetheart. I know the first week is the hardest, but you need to get used to the schedule at the school.
Kid#4: disappointed look
Me: But we'll eat lunch together in the next few weeks, we just have to get our routines and scheduled down. ok?
Kid#4: ok, with a smile
Kid#4: hey that's mine
Me to Kid#3: yep, all back to normal
Kid#3: yep

Kid#3: shotgun!
Me: nope I get that seat.
Kids: Why are you coming too? Just because it's the first day?
Me: YEP! (grinning the whole time)
Kids: Dad! C'mon
Dad: (laughing) yep, she's going! hehehehe
Me: Told ya so!
Kids: She's gonna want pictures and embarrass us!
Me: Oh, yeah! The camera!
Kids: all ~~blaming~~ thanking one another for reminding me.

Me: Kid#4, let me get your picture
Kids: MOM, seriously!
Kid#4: quietly stands away from the other kids and let me take the picture without saying a word
Me: Fine I'll just start snapping pictures and what EVER I get is what gets KEPT!
Kid#2: Ok, Only ONE!
Me: snap the picture
Kid#3: fine, just this once, but when we get to school the camera stays in the car!
Me: fine
Kid#1: Don't you dare, I don't want my picture taken
Me: (begging a little) please, just one, there's no one around, no kids, no teachers!
Kid#1: NO!
Me: took snapshots of Kid#1 walking away

Kid#3: Can we go in yet? I don't want to sit in the car.
Me: Then they unlock the doors.
Kid#3: The doors are unlocked LET's go!
Me: ok, ok, ok

Kid#4: looks as if she is going to cry
Me: do you want me to stay?
Kid#4: nods, yes
Me to Dad: Not sure why she got shy all of a sudden!
We: wait for 15 min to walk her to class.
Well all get to class, and look-ee there, she's talking with friends.
Dad & I: slowly walk out and take Kid #3 to class.

And as promised I left the camera in the car and left my phone in my pocket so no more pictures could be taken!

After School ....

Let's just say that some liked their teachers and some do not care for some teachers. But overall they said that the school year was going to be good or great.

First Day of School

2011-08-15T06:17:00.000-07:00

Last night several of us just couldn't sleep. Call it excitement, nervousness or fear. I say it was because several of us had such long naps yesterday afternoon that we just weren't tired to crawl into bed to make our bodies go to sleep. Abby passed out before 10, however the rest of us just couldn't get the sand man to help us out until midnight or so. It was nearly 1 before we were all asleep and the alarm was going off at 6 and 6:15!

Alarms went off and a few of the kids jumped right out of bed, however I got the first taste of the school year when I was told, 'go away!' - then one of the outfits that the kids put one had a small 'issue' nothing that a seem ripper didn't fix and the panic dissipated quickly. Wardrobe malfunction diverted!

This is us trying to load up the vehicle ....

Although she doesn't look very excited, she really is, just not excited that mom has the camera.

The ONLY picture Zach would let me take of him!

Madelynne finally posed for one, but also said no more! :-(

Madelynne trying to ease Abby's nerves. Ab was SOOOOOO nervous!

I'm a very determined momma, like most of you didn't already know that. But I was trying for a 1st day of school picture of Nate, and well I TRIED, got him running away from the vehicle when he got out. The whole time he's saying, mom stop it! LOL

BUT ..... that didn't stop me from getting him asleep AFTER school. He took a 5 hour nap, woke up, ate dinner and went back to bed. He must have had a rough 1st day!

After school I took them to Sonic to get drinks and then Zach and I went off to the store for what I hope is the last of the groceries we need for several weeks. He agreed to help with dinner as long as he could watch some TV. Well why not!

They had a great first day! Read the conversations in Tuesday's blog post!

Scripture Sunday

2011-08-14T02:20:00.000-07:00

Scripture Sunday

2011-07-17T01:30:00.000-07:00

Scripture Sunday

2011-07-10T02:30:00.000-07:00

Scripture Sunday

2011-07-03T02:20:00.000-07:00

Scripture Sunday

2011-06-26T02:18:00.000-07:00

Scripture Sunday

2011-06-19T01:23:00.000-07:00

Scripture Sunday

2011-06-12T02:18:00.000-07:00

And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. ~ Matthew 24:31

Monday Mashin's

2011-06-06T20:17:00.000-07:00

Monday Mashin = Having a Good Time

There is definitely NOT a shortage of laughter, fun or good times in our home, but there are also many days where we have crying, small moments of hatred and fighting as well. Life isn't always rosy, and we all know that. Life just isn't fair here on earth, but we try to make it bearable by showing love, by being caring, helpful, protective, thoughtful and understanding.

Everyday there is something out of the ordinary or unusual that happens or takes place at either our home or someone's home other than ours. There are random comments, random bouts of dancing, singing, joking, story telling and adventures.

Story #1:
David came home from work Friday morning to tell me that he was driving down the road and there was this critter making its way across the road and he just couldn't swerve. I was thinking the worst, (O Lord don't let the damage be too extensive). So the questions began ...
Me: Was it a deer?
Dave: Nope.
Me: Well not much else could cause damage to the car?
Dave: Not damage really, but more of an odor.
Me: Great you ran over a skunk.
Dave: Well, s-o-r-t- of

He proceeds to tell me that he noticed the black animal, back side facing the vehicle, no where to go, and he STRADDLES the skunk while the skunk SPRAYS the under part of his car. Today is Monday and his car STILL smells like skunk! And me, I refuse to ride in the vehicle! Why? Because I am a good wife and I will drive my vehicle and if we need to go anywhere, we can take my vehicle. Why? Because I am a good wife like that :)

Over the last few days we've had some interesting but fun moments at our house.

Mocha guarding my food! He's such a good kitty kat!

Nate allowing his sisters to do his hair. Yes I know he needs a hair cut and yes I am cruel for posting the picture!

Zach going to the pool with his friends without sunscreen, because I'm one of THOSE moms that forgot to send it with him.

And another reminder that God creates all things in due time. I was so excited when this Rose Mallow bloomed Friday and it was PINK!

Scripture Sunday

2011-06-05T02:23:00.000-07:00

No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. ~ Matthew 6:24

Paint + Games + Water = One Good Time

2011-06-04T17:38:00.000-07:00

Several of Nate's friends will be gone this summer either because they will be at camps or moving away this summer. Nate will also be on his way home from church camp next month on his birthday so we decided to go ahead and have an end of the year/birthday party! Why not!

So for the festivities we had:
Cake ....

Minute to win it Games:
Stack It

Then I let them loose in the front yard with 36 cans of silly string. This is all I got to see, the AFTERmath.

What do you get when you cross 1000 water balloons, temper paint, and teenagers FULL of energy? An interestingly good time.

And let's not forget that we put a homemade slip-n-slide out there for them to get even wetter!

Thankful Thursday

2011-06-02T02:09:00.000-07:00

1. Church leaders that embrace our children and give them a safe fun environment and that plan wonderful fun filled summer activities to help keep our kids OFF the couch.

2. The paint guy 'Sean' at Home Depot Friday before last that helped keep my husband, daughter and her 4 friends occupied and thankful he was able to successfully MATCH the paint to the bright green adhesive dots we purchased for her walls. [because there was no way that we could do perfect circles]

3. The dispatcher on the other end of the phone at the electric company who sent out the fire department along with an electrician to check our library building and breakers after the storm we had 2 Sunday's ago. After about an hour we were all clear and back to working.

4. For the new teen space at the library. Something that is MUCH deserved and appreciated.

5. Vet and doggie 'daycare' that housed our animals over the weekend so we could paint and not fret about them.

6. That our children don't complain about helping out- and praying for - others. Our 2 youngest had award ceremonies at church last Wednesday night.

7. Zach's honesty.
He came home with a 'beahvior form' that HE had to fill out with complete sentences from his teacher. The form read:
What did you do? - I tackled a girl and threw a ball at her.
What should you have done? walked away and not have ever done it.
What will you do next time? walk away, and never talk about it again.
Will you do it again? (referring to the previous question) his answer yes!
After talking with him, it was a 2-way street. The girl was also sent home a 'form' because she 'started' it.

8. 3 relaxing nights at home last week and a VERY relaxing weekend. The kids have pretty much done what has been asked, we haven't had to run all over town attending games, practices, assemblies or concerts. It's been weird and we're all ready for summer and a few days of nothingness.

9. Movie night with the family. We spent several evenings watching the Nanny McPhee Returns, Yogi Bear and Karate Kid marathons.

10. Finishing my first class! And pressing onto class #2, come on graduation. Only 15 more months and I'll be finished with my masters!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-06-01T02:05:00.000-07:00

House Rules!

2011-05-27T02:04:00.000-07:00

A few months ago, I came across this website called bibs & cribs from AB's blog. The young lady that has this site does a variety of custom items. I just love her sub title 'custom creations for the discriminating little tastemakers in your life' When I saw this custom canvas on her site, I loved it, I had to have one. So a few months later it FINALLY arrived today!!

Everyone has asked me if I gave her the rules to paint, and my answer is NO! But I think she added a few when she found out we had four kids. Again, she did a fantastic job! We LOVE it!!

The custom canvas will be neighbors (in the same entry way) to the one Dave and I purchased a few weeks ago. I think it describes our home almost perfectly. There might be a few words missing, but it's close enough. Now I can't wait to paint the walls!! You can click on the photo to enlarge it so you can see all the wording.

Thankful Thursday

2011-05-26T20:35:00.000-07:00

Due to a death in the family, and out of respect for my extended family, I am not posting a Thankful Thursday post today.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-05-25T07:56:00.000-07:00

What a way to end a weekend full of birthday celebrations! Embarrassing her at her favorite Mexican restaurant.

It's a Rose Mallow

2011-05-24T14:37:00.000-07:00

When we were looking (searching) for flowers to plant Mother's Day weekend, David came across these Rose Mallows. We had never seen anything like them before. Although they're not as pink as the picture depicted them to be, they are still pretty nonetheless. We bought 2 of them and they've had buds on them for several weeks, but I guess with our watering plus all the rain we've received over the past week they have began to bloom. And the blooms are huge!

I can't wait for these to grow bigger so we can have lots of blooms at once. -- Shoes are optional at our house except when you ride bikes. Then they're required!

Turning 12 is a BIG deal!!

2011-05-23T03:14:00.000-07:00

Family tradition continues ... David's mother made Madelynne's cake.

This is the 2nd birthday we've had this year where there were severe storms. With storms comes, rain, hail, flooding and lightening, all components that keep people at home to be safe. I had a few parents call to let us know that they were conflicted about coming. I was quick to explain that it is just a party, safety is more important and not to worry about making it.

Jo lighting Madelynne's candles.

The singing of Happy Birthday was video worthy but we took pictures. I so have to get video along with photos!

M showed up for the party. Madelynne was a smidgen excited!

Eat cake? Don't think so, more like inhale it! LOL

Before the girls painted (which was NOT planned out very well) everyone got to sign, draw or just put designs on the wall(s).

Goobers!

And this is where Madelynne has a breakdown, when she saw her little sister take the roller and roll completely over the switches. David and I couldn't help but laugh, but Madelynne 'freaked' out. Literally! All is well now!

BEFORE (below)

And the AFTER product! Much better compared to the darkness they were living in.

Scripture Sunday

2011-05-22T03:55:00.000-07:00

The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. ~ Revelation 17:4

Madelynne's room was painted by she and her friends this weekend and it went from dark, dreary colors to purple. We let everyone that came write something on the walls (more pictures tomorrow) before we painted. When one of the girls found out what color we were painting the room they remembered the verse above.

Happy Birthday Madelynne

2011-05-21T08:48:00.000-07:00

Mary-Madelynne Anne Hardister

It's amazing that it has only been 12 short years but she has developed into quite the young lady. For a 12 year old she has traveled 2 continents, 4 countries, and 17 states. She is quick on her feet and mind but has a touch of her mother's OCD but has much of her fathers sense of humor. She was born during a horrible storm and last night's storms must have been wishing her a happy birthday, tornadoes and all. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, child #2 that we call Madelynne.

Thankful Thursday

2011-05-19T01:48:00.000-07:00

The last 7 days have been somewhat of a blur. Days going by too fast, so much going on but so much to be thankful for! Especially Friends!

This week I have been Thankful for Friends Who:

1. ... stop by for a visit on their way to their oldest child's college graduation. Wish we had more time to visit. I think a vacation plan is in order.
2. ... let us borrow a carpet cleaner so we could clean the bedroom carpets.
3. ... do spur of the moment sleep overs. Not just one but TWO!
4. ... love our children like their very own.
5. ... let us borrow a power washer so we could clean the siding and and fence. Loves saving $$.
6. ... manicure our yard. (for a small but well worth the fee!)
7. ... keep me smiling, especially when the day has been rough.
8. ... who listen to me ramble just to let me vent.
9. ... who think of us when they're going through closets of clothes. (I'm grateful for anything that will save my pocketbook.)
10. ... keep my heart and mind focused on Him throughout the day.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-05-18T05:31:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you have to capture moments like this with your camera phone! This is NOT the first time I have caught this tiger in the bathroom, and of course not one kid confesses!

All work for some awesome play

2011-05-17T01:55:00.000-07:00

Last week seems like a blur in some aspects ...

Friday night David and Madelynne participated in a fundraiser for the junior high volleyball program that go me involved in playing 4 sets. David and I had a moment of memory loss, we're no longer 18 as you might have read Thursday of last week. Although we woke up to a few body aches, stiffness, swollen joints and the lack of mobility to walk without looking like we need walkers or canes, we would probably do it again in a heartbeat if we were asked again; we're still alive.
Mother's Day the children's choirs sang during the morning worship service. Luckily we still have 2 children in the coir until next year, as we're not going to fight with Zach next year and allow him to do just RA's.

That Sunday afternoon after we finished all the planting we decided to have a little fun. Nate 'accidentally' walked in front of the water hose and while he was soaked from head toe Abby came out with the shampoo and we washed Nate from head to toe!

Big Bad Madelynne!!

Tuesday night was the last band concert for our kids. These kids have been playing for only 3 years and they sounded like high schoolers! Good Job!!

Wednesday night our church had their annual Dodge City tournament. There were three brackets, middle school, high school and adults. Everyone involved had such a great time! And they were able to raise funds for church camps this summer.

M and some of her besties!

The 'Clueless' team: Col. Mustard, Mr. Plum, Mr. Green, Mrs. Peacock, Mrs. White and Scarlet

Let's till a little dirt ...

2011-05-16T02:25:00.000-07:00

Let's till a little dirt, uproot a few plants and replace a few plants and add a few flowers and splashes of color.

Digging everything up surly was not our intention. We wanted to trim what was there and add a splash of color and just manicure the whole bed. Well once we got to trimming we noticed sweet gum trees growing among the azaleas. A few here and there would not have been bad, we could dig up, manage and take care what was there. But once we trimmed closer the sweet gum tree stumps were between 1-3 inches in diameter so after much discussion we decided to pull everything up and just start over.

Let me just say, I commend the guys from Yard Crashers, all 6 of us worked on this and it was hard work, but we got it all done in 2 afternoons. The day after we got everything planted we had several days of 90 degree weather and now we're fighting the cooler temps of high 40's to mid to high 60's. I'm just hoping that the mood swings of mother nature don't end up harming any of the plants.

BEFORE

We found worm after worm after worm in the dirt. Some were tee tiny and others were absolutely HUGE.

It wasn't ALL work, it can't be! It's not in our nature for everything to be work, work, work. Tomorrow's post will be about fun and hard work that entertains. Stay tuned.

BEFORE

AFTER