Tour of the World

Kayla has been working on a big project at the end of 4th grade.  She had to research a country, write a report, create a box of pictures and information, and decorate a table. She has worked so hard and learned so much.  We were so thankful that her Uncle Chris and Aunt Amanda were in Kenya when she first chose this country so they were able to send her some amazing things, including a few snacks which made preparing a food super easy on this mama. :)

She taught her class about Kenya too!

The whole class did such an amazing job. They worked so hard and learned so much. What a great experience this was for her! 

Happy 10th Birthday, Kayla!

It's so hard to believe we have gone from this,

to this.

 

Ten years old. Double digits. Mind blown. 

We had a great day celebrating this sweetheart. We started off the birthday weekend with a big surprise.  Two of her best friends from school came over to spend the night. She was NOT expecting this at all.  We were missing sweet Caroline, though. The girls enjoyed some playing, chatting, giggling, foosball, watching a movie, looking at their "old" yearbooks, and eating. Lots of eating. I think they checked off all of the "Things to Do at a Sleepover" items.

This morning we loaded up and took the girls to Dahlonega.  They enjoyed walking around the downtown area shops before lunch at The Smith House. Kayla loves her southern cooking and vegetables, but apparently she loves her mama's cooking best of all. :)

We then headed over to do some gold panning. I tried to explain to them that they would just be finding little pieces, but I don't think they were expecting pieces quite that little. It was a cool experience for them anyway. 

After panning we took a tour of the mine. It is the largest hard rock gold mine east of the Mississippi.  The girls had a good time venturing down into the mine and learning some neat facts.

After the tour we panned for gemstones.  This was a lot less work and a lot more rewarding. They each found lots of pretty stones to take home.

And because we got home so late the family birthday dinner will be celebrated tomorrow.  She did request Mexican for dinner and she was surprised with the gift of a tablet. 

Kayla, 

Wow! Where do I begin? You are the child that made me a mother, and I couldn't be more proud to call you my daughter. You are a compassionate, thoughtful, smart girl and we love being your parents.  You love spending time with your friends and family.  Sewing is your new hobby, but your first love is still reading. I can barely keep up with your desire for new books, but thankfully you don't mind rereading books over and over. You are your mama's daughter, that's for sure. :)

Your sisters love to be with you.  You and Macy are best buds and I hope it stays that was forever. She loves you and loves spending time with you.  Brooke, of course, wants to do whatever you can do, and she loves playing whatever you come up with.

Fourth grade has been such a great year for you.  You have continued to do so well in school and seem to enjoy almost all subjects. This year you began computer class which quickly became a favorite. That was followed up by learning to play the recorder, another thing you have enjoyed practicing. History, science, and writing continue to be your favorite subjects.

It's so hard to believe that you are now ten years old. I know God is going to use you for great and mighty things one day. My prayer is that I would continue to help you grow to love Jesus and to want to know Him more. You are a blessing to me and I love you deeply.

Love, 

Mama

Easter Morning

"He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you while He was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and then on the third day be raised again.'" Luke 24:6-7

 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. 
1 Corinthians 15:3-4

 "The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” John 10:17-18

Luke 24:46-47
“Jesus said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.’” - See more at: http://www.believe.com/articles/Powerful-Scriptures-about-the-Risen-Savior/#sthash.vxFOMHyp.dpuf

 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,  and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." Luke 24:46-47

Luke 24:46-47
“Jesus said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.’” - See more at: http://www.believe.com/articles/Powerful-Scriptures-about-the-Risen-Savior/#sthash.vxFOMHyp.dpuf

Luke 24:46-47
“Jesus said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.’” - See more at: http://www.believe.com/articles/Powerful-Scriptures-about-the-Risen-Savior/#sthash.vxFOMHyp.dpuf

Kicking off Spring Break

Spring Break is always greatly welcomed, but this year it was also greatly needed. It has been a challenging and busy year for our family, but in a good way. We were all in need of some family time, and a quick trip to Dollywood was the perfect way to start off our break.  The kids worked hard on Thursday to get a lot of Friday's schoolwork done.  We woke up Friday morning, took a couple of spelling tests, and hit the road. The girls finished up their work in the car and we enjoyed our ride to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Last time we were here was in November. It was cold. Super cold. Like windchill of 18 degrees cold. It's been lovely here in Georgia recently, but of course a cold front would move in for the two days we were at the park. It didn't stop the girls from having the time of their lives.

The girls experienced their first roller coaster, the Fire Chaser. 

Marc, Kayla, and Macy rode first, and Brooke and I rode next. Kayla and Macy loved it. Brooke hated it. I kind of can't believe that we took our 5 year old on a roller coaster. 

We happened to be at the park on the same day as some friends of ours. We met Josh and Kristy right after we got married and have been in their Sunday School class since 2001. The kids had such a good time running around and riding rides. Kristy and I enjoyed a couple of rides together too, and I use the term enjoyed loosely.  She has the picture to prove how loosely. :) It was a fun day spent with good friends.

And of course we had to take some time in the pool before starting our second day at the park. What vacation for our girls would be complete without an indoor pool swim?

Kayla and Brooke enjoyed lunch with a duck, and we even fed it a little hotdog bun.

 

This roller coaster is the Wild Eagle. Kayla rode it with Marc before we had any idea what it was like.  After three loops upside down she declared she would never do that again. She was such an adventurous girl on this trip.  Macy was not happy that she was too small to ride.

The girls enjoyed terrorizing following the ducks around.

We had such a wonderful trip.  A damper was put on it the last day when Marc's phone was stolen and we stayed on the lookout for the guy all day long, but we didn't let that keep us from enjoying our time with the girls. Until next time Dollywood!

A Few Quick Things

It seems like every time I sit down to catch up on the blog I'm left with a few random pictures I don't want to forget, so that leads to some random posts.

Brooke had Western Day at school.  She was super excited to dress up and couldn't wait to wear her plaid shirt and jeans.  Let the record state that I can never get her to wear said shirt and jeans, but when you say it's "Western Day," attitudes change fast.

The cousins came in for a quick visit during their spring break and they (not I) enjoyed some ice-skating fun. 

And Macy enjoyed Sarah Noble Day in 2nd grade.  They had finished reading Sarah Noble in class and they always end with a fun afternoon of all things colonial. 

Weaving a pot holder. 

Making butter.