The Scavenger Hunt continues...

The Big Scavenger Hunt continues.... We started our morning by baking peanut butter oatmeal chocolate chip cookies to deliver to neighbors later during our scavenger hunt. After the cookies were done we packed snacks and filled our cups with icy cold drinks and took off on another scavenger hunt. This time with more items to find, and more difficult items to find. There was one item that we failed to find.
:( Parker being the perfectionist that he is was very concerned about not finding the tractor. There are always tractors around here, I never dreamed that we wouldn't see one. Well, we didn't so I promised him after lunch we would drive around until we found a tractor to take a picture of to complete our scavenger hunt!
















Parker is turning into quite the photographer! As we delivered cookies to neighbors I explained what we were doing. I didn't want them to wonder why we were going around taking pictures of everything.

We made another power point with these pictures, but I still don't know how to upload them to the blog.

Just needed to share...

You know how the TV gets left on sometimes but your not really watching it. It happens at our house on Saturdays a lot. It gets turned on in the morning for cartoons, then by noon we are running around doing other things and it is still on. Usually a paid advertisement, that tries to pull me in. Sometimes it's an advertisement for a non-profit child advocacy organization. The other day I saw a commercial for Plan. I had seen it before and it caught my eye yet again.
I wasn't familiar with their focus so I later got online and read about their progress and beliefs. I am active with Samaritans Purse and believe strongly in supporting their growth. I know how important it is for Christian organizations to grow. For people to hear about Jesus. His love is what will change the world. Then I started thinking about how I could support this organization also. But it is difficult to be able to give everywhere I want to. But I can give the gift of prayer. Which in reality it is the most powerful gift. We are so fortunate that Prayer doesn't cost anything, and anyone can do it at anytime. What a miraculous gift to share. All you have to have to pray is FAITH!

Back to the Plan. It has aspects similar to other organizations where you may "adopt" a family or child. I am not sure why but it touched me very strongly that day. I hate to admit it but I sometimes wonder a little bit if my money is really going where I believe it is going. A little letter and picture really doesn't truly guarantee that they are receiving my money. I read more about Plan and one particular area that interested me was Child Trafficking. (I recently watched Taken....very good show so I guess it was on my mind pretty strong). They helped the children from communities make videos about their heartbreaking experiences. It saddens me tremendously to think of children going through such terrible things. It frustrates me. How can people in the world can be so evil? I simply can't begin to fathom how or why anyone could ever hurt a child in that way, in anyway. It makes me so angry at the devil. Which sadly, sometimes makes me start to question why???? why??? why??? doesn't Jesus make it all stop. He has the power! Why doesn't he save every little child from abuse and neglect. I pray that he takes their mind, spirit, and soul away from those situations they are experiencing so it's just and empty body going through the motions. I pray for evil people to reailze the pain they cause, I pray for peace and recovery. But I know it can't always happen that way. I know they fully experience the pain and all that it entails. So I guess my point with this post is to just vent my frustration with evil and share another rescuing organization. There is a song that speaks volumes by Matthew West. He is such an amazing artist...I love his song Motions....and I to don't want to just go through the nothingness of life.....Asking What If I had Given Everything! http://www.matthewwest.com/





Plan
http://plan-international.org/


Samaritan's Purse
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/


The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you. Psalm 116: 5-7

And he finally likes water.....

Parker loved the water as a baby. At 8mo. we started swim lessons and he always liked being in the water. Every morning he starts asking to swim at about 7:00 sometimes earlier, it depends on how early he wakes up. Paxson is the total opposite. He has not appeared to be interested in the water at all. Actually he screams and yells anytime you spray or splash him. We have tried several times putting him in the pool with us. One time he did come as close to sitting on the float chair and letting me push him around with a slight smile once or twice. But even getting in Parker's little pool, NO WAY! Casey and I have wondered how long it might take for him to get used to the water and like it. .............................................YEAH!!! He likes it!!!!!!! Not only does he like being in the water he likes to go under. So now it's hard because I have to try and keep him from going under the entire time he is in the pool. He sticks his head under and looks up with fear on his face, then laughs!! I often say you can never predict Paxson! God Bless all!!!

Thank you Jesus for a sunny day. Parker gets so mad at the weather man when it rains. I explained that the weather mans doesn't really have a choice about the weather. When the forcast says rain Parker says, "God I want to go swimming, so please tell the weather man not to make it rain.". Then when it doesn't rain he tells me "God knew I wanted to go swimming so he didn't make it rain."

We love Him because He first loved us. 1 John 4:9-10

A Bowling Adventure

I guess I wasn't really thinking when I took Paxson bowling. Parker has been before and loves it. Pasxon usually stays home but this time the whole family was going so I thought we could take turns watching/chasing Paxson around. Well, it turned out to almost be torture for him. He loves balls absolutely loves them!!! Then I took him to a place full of heavy balls that he couldn't play with. In the end he did have fun and we tried to let him play as much as possible but it may be best to let him get a little older before his next trip to the bowling alley. Parker had a blast as usual!






Parker & Paxson helping Uncle Jesse



Paxson helping me bowl..













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Aunt Kasi cheering herself on..
Actually she is pretty good!






Paxson teasing Gigi

Quick Trip to P-Town

We made a very quick trip to Perkins. It was a nice trip and we weren't fully ready to come back. But we all missed Daddy and were ready to see him! We are planning to go back very soon for a longer visit. Here are a few pictures of what took place during our visit.





















Slip-N-Sliding at Gammers



















Paxson isn't to big on the water right now. I am hoping that will change!



















Worn out after day with Gigi & Gammer















I don't know if you can tell or not but his leg is propped up on the side of the bed.
He was totally worn out!

This is glow in the dark Putt Putt. Uncle Jesse usually takes Parker but Aunt Kasi and I took Parker this time. It is a pretty neat little place for kids! Sorry the pictures didn't show true colors. The flash took away from the glow in the dark. ....I didn't think about turning the flash off..hmmmm

Honestly.....I love busy Saturdays

Our day started with a visit to the Farmers Market. It was blackberry day, so they gave away free blackberry cobbler (YUMMY!!!) and great recipes. Then Parker picked out some vegetables and planted green beans. The kids got a Popsicle and a water gun after planting.

We will share if they grow well! Paxson was a little tired so he spent most of the morning viewing things from his laid back position in the stroller.

They also had a Thunder Throttle show downtown so we spent a good portion of the morning looking at "cool" cars and trucks.

After the the Farmers Market and car show we ran errands and ate lunch. Then we had a birthday party at Jump 4 Joy. One of Parkers good friends John John turned 4! He has a little sister that is a few months older that Paxson who turned 2! You know people say that after you have kids you tend to lose your friendships. You become friends with your children's friends parents. Well if that is the case we feel very fortunate! Parker has so many great friends and we really enjoy the company of his friends parents! We are blessed all the way around.

Awwww Play Dates.....

Taking a break from swimming to have lunch.
We had to make them slow down long enough to eat a sandwich!





















Being silly with Landon!


























Getting ready to jump in? Dive in? Step in?

If you need a laugh

A few conversations I thought you might enjoy.....

The other afternoon we were going to the bank and Parker really didn't want to go. I explained that I had to go to the bank and reminded him that Daddy's bank gives him stickers & suckers. So he decided that it wouldn't be to bad. We loaded up and headed to the bank on the way to the bank he asked me "why we were going to the bank? " I replied because I need to make a payment. He said "oh you don't want those big tuff guys to come to our house and take our car away, so your gonna pay the bank, huh! That's a good deal!" I smiled and yes, you are right! (A few days ago he was watching a recorded show and I was in the other room talking to Casey. When we walked back into the living room Parker was wide eyed very enthusiastically watching TV. I looked at the TV and he was watching one of those Repo shows where the family owns a repo business and they go and get the cars back. I couldn't believe it. His show had finished and it was left on Bravo / TLC/ A&E one of those channels. I turned it and explained briefly, what was going on. He was very curious why the people were screaming and running trying to get their cars. He found it interesting).


Another adventure in the car Parker asked me "mommy do you remember when I was in your tummy?" Yes, Parker I do. "Mommy do you remember when you went to the doctor and laid down on the table and I popped out of your tummy?" Yes Parker, I remember (wondering where this was going). "Well mom I popped out of your tummy just like chickens pop out eggs. Your like a chicken". Yes Parker, I guess I am.


Later we were saying our prayers and he was fighting going to sleep. First we said them together then I finished silently. Parker said " Mommy" ---Parker, I am tyring to pray please wait a minute. okay (2 seconds later) "Mommy" yes Parker, "Do you think God and Jesus are saying their prayers right now to?" I don't know Parker, what do you think. "Well, I think they are and I think God is telling Jesus to go to sleep." Maybe so Parker. "You know mommy I can't move my leg or push on it." Why Parker, "because Jesus is in my whole body and I don't want o squish him.". You are right Parker, Good Night I love you!

A family day...

Today Parker and Daddy went to visit Mamaw and Dadaw. Paxson and I stayed around the house. We got some welcomed R & R! We played a little, watched the Backyardagins, did a little lite cleaning, and tried to catch up on laundry. Very peaceful!

Fishing with Dadaw

Riding in the golf cart with Dadaw and Nugget.

He caught a fish the first try!

The Big Scavenger Hunt

Today's big event was a scavenger hunt. I have to contribute the idea to my mom. She always planned such fun non-traditional adventures for us. I have many fond memories of games she made up for us. She is still creating, this past Easter she hid Easter eggs all around the house then my brother(17) and sister(21) had to try and find them in the dark using flash lights. Doesn't that sound so fun! I hope I can continue her tradition of being a creative mom. I want my children to have the same opportunities to create memories. Anyway back to the scavenger hunt. I made a list using pictures, then we went around the neighborhood looking for the items on the list. Today's list was simple but as we progress I will make them a little more challenging. Once Parker found an item on the list he took a picture of it. He loved it! Paxson mostly helped by eating Cheetos. Then when Paxson laid down for a nap we looked at his pictures and made a power point. You would be surprised how much a 3 yr. old can help in making a power point.

Okay so I don't know how to upload the power point. I have tried a few things, but I am a little behind on all the tech. stuff. Any ideas?????



So here are the pics

C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\Parker’s Scavengers Hunt_files\frame.htm