sweet kids grabbing their loot 

Here is my sad attempt at my first theme birthday cake. It did make me feel better that all the kids knew what it was. (I learned a lot for next time!) 

Joseph got caught with his hand in the pinata candy! Shame on him!! Stealing candy from little kids! 

Poor Luke had a pretty bad virus. He was so sick, but he still looks stinkin' cute! 

Caleb and his 2 best buddies - Josiah & Eli 

Cubby Night

Here are some pictures from Caleb's end-of-the-year Cubbies ceremony that he got to attend before we left. There is a picture of mommy and Caleb, Cubby and friends, Caleb not sure that he wants to go up to the stage to get his award and one of Caleb smiling with his Cubby leader and friends. We are really going to miss our church in Maryland!

On the Road again!

Well, we are all packed and ready to go! We leave in the morning for Texas and I can't believe that we are already leaving the DC area! It came fast and furious. Luckily at the end here we have had help from my amazing friend Amy Z, my step-dad, and my sister. Without the three of them I think that this would have been more painful than it already was! (Amy, I love you like a sister and will so miss spending time with your family! I am blessed more than words to call you friend!!!)
Joseph has spent most of the last 3 weeks studying for his BIG test that covers all he has learned in med school over the past 2 years. He took that wed. and is so glad that it is over! Hopefully there will be no books for the next 2 weeks and then he starts his first rotation - psychiatry.
I have given him plenty of preview of what he may see in the psych ward. I have pretty much single handedly packed this entire house with all of us taking turns getting the worst illness we have ever had. It has been a stressful time for me, but I know it will be so worth it to be closer to my family! Though this last couple of weeks have been so difficult God has really reminded me of what he has been trying to teach me over the last 2 years...total surrender and reliance on Him. There have been many times where I have felt so alone here and in the wilderness, but God has met me there and reminded me that he can provide all I need. That HE IS ALL I NEED. I have grown so much since we left Minot - as a mom, wife and most of all as someone who wants to know God's love. As usual the growth has been so painful at times, but God has always been faithful! I came here as mom of one, who was way too dependant on her husband, full of pride, shame & remorse. I'm leaving feeling like the most blessed woman with an amazing husband, 2 beautiful boys and full of God's grace. And now I am so excited to see what amazing adventure God has in store for us in this next chapter.
I'm not sure how long it will be until we have access to the internet again, but I do have some great pictures of Caleb's early birthday party, our last times with the Ziggy's before we both move & I'm sure I'll have some of our adventures on the road. So peace out from Maryland and we will chat when we arrive in Texas!

We went to an air show a couple of weeks ago at Andrews AFB and it was the first time that either boys had been to one. It was a "boys date" and begrudgingly they allowed me to come and were not interested in having pictures taken on their date (so were pleased when I left my camera back at the car and suprisingly enough no one offered to go and get it for me!). The boys were so excited and LOVED the show. So for the next week (plus) Caleb has been pretending that he is one of the Blue Angels (I keep forgetting what they are called and keep calling them Blue Thunder which is the name of Caleb's bike..Caleb thinks it's ridiculous that I can't remember the Blue Angel's name and Joseph thinks it's ridiculous that I name bikes)! He even made a plane out of a box - with a little help from Dad, but most of it was all him!

Here Caleb is doing his version of the Blue Angel salute that they give the crowd. (I missed the performance of the Blue Angels. I had a headache and went to take a nap in the car.) He is using his police helmet as his pilot helmet, his belt for a seat belt, and one of his drum sticks as a whatever they call those things that drive a plane (how in the world did this chick ever get boys!!)











and this is my favorite...


Caleb loves to wear his Daddy's shoulder boards on his clothes. And check out that salute!!!


For his birthday we ordered a kids size flight suit for him!! I can't wait until he get's it!! He's going to love it. Joseph even got to pick out the patches that we wanted on it.

Can you tell me how to get...

how to get to Sesame Street!

We went with our friends the Ziggy’s to Sesame Place in Pennsylvania and it was probably the best place we have ever been with the kids. We all had a blast! Sesame Place is a water park geared for kids 2-5 so the kids had so much fun riding rides they had never ridden before. There were water slides, roller coasters, shows, and so much more. The rides were super fun – even for adults. The kids were all so well behaved and aside from a little bit of rain it really was one of the best trips we have ever been on. It was such a blessing to have that time with our amazing friends before we all move this summer.

Here we are at Sesame Place and everyone is pretty excited - especially Luke! 

Joseph and Caleb are in the front. This was Caleb's first roller coaster ride ever and he loved it!! 

there go Joseph, Amy, Caleb & Josiah on the roller coaster! 

At frist I was thinking, "Oh, how nice a kiddie roller coaster"... 

but boy it really made my stomach lurch! There are Mike and Josiah behind us. 

My sweet Luke!! He's getting so big! 

While the big boys were climbing some cool, but high ropes Amy and I took the babies on a ride. 

Joseph took all the boys 

Mike and Amy had their romantic ride with sweet Elise 

And after we took the kids, Joseph and I went on a romantic ride by ourselves (tainted by the fact that while we were in the air, Luke fell down and busted his head - must have been while Aunt Amy was watching him!!!) 

At Sesame Place they have a parade with all the characters & singing & dancing.