Let's Celebrate the April birthdays, and early May!!!!

On Sunday, we had a celebration of the Ferguson children born in April and May!  We really did have a great weekend together full of celebration.

Jenna and Justin's Commissioning Service, April 27th

 Jenna and Justin shared their testimonies.  Such amazing stories of God's hand.

 Laying on of hands by the church leaders and mentors to Jenna and Justin at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Xenia.

 The church was full of people who love and will pray for Jenna, Justin, and Aria.

The presentation of the commissioning certificate.
This service was so incredible.  I believe I cried the whole time.(at least when I was not taking care of Micah:)  I cannot believe they are going, yet I know they cannot stay.  We will mourn their leaving, but rejoice in knowing they are doing what God has called them to do.  We will cry at holidays, birthdays, family gatherings, etc when their presence will be greatly missed.  However, to ask them to stay would be wrong and would go against what God has placed on their hearts.  So, we will continue to pray for them, skype them, and keep in touch in whatever way possible.  Please join me in praying daily for Jenna, Justin, and Aria as they begin language study in France in August and then move to the Ivory Coast next summer/fall. 

Surprise Party for Kyle, April 26

 Lots of family and friends.  Kyle knew some friends were going to dinner with him, but all of us there was a surprise, especially mom:)

 Seth and Elli having a little fun at Red Robin.

This is not part of the surprise party, but Micah loves hiding, peek-a-boo, and covering up his head.  You can imagine his joy at finding an umbrella to play with:)

The girl Elli is becoming, April 26th

 I got Elli out of school to let her have lunch with the Masters and the Hollins at Chucks.  Micah enjoyed himself too:)

 That afternoon, she enjoyed playing with her brother.  She is really good with him and Micah is starting to enjoy her more and more.  I love hearing him squeal with laughter at her and seeing him reach for her for hugs and open mouthed, slobbery kisses:)

 Loving his smile.

 My precious little girl, not so little.  Elli has asked a great questions her whole life.  I have not been the best at writing them all down, how could I?  They come constantly :)  Here are a couple of the latest.  1.  Mom, do I get to decide what I am going to be or did God already pick it?  2.  Mommy, when exactly did God make me? I think it had to be before he put me in your tummy because he has always known me.
I cannot get over the depth of the questions and statements she comes up with.  Love her so very much.

 And look at his little fishy face.  Hard to catch it on camera when he does cute things, but I got this adorable face:)

April 25th, Elli turns 7!

 This is the last night being 6.

 Welcome to the first day of being 7!

 Cake pops for school.  She really wanted me to make them.  They gave me headaches, crumbled, and nearly were not done.  However, here they are.  Elli told me it does not matter how they look on the outside, only how they taste because God only looks at the inside anyway!  Love her tender heart.

Elli finally opened the American girl doll, Maria Grace that I had gotten for her back in December!  She is so excited to get her.  This is how she went to school on her birthday.  Thank you to Jeni who made the adorable shirt.

 I went to her scool to drop off the cake pops.  I got here just as they were coming back from music class.  All the kids were really excited.  Brent joined her for lunch and took her a Subway sub.  He also went outside and played tag for a bit for recess.

 The rest o the presents.  After school, we went to Toys R Us for her to spend some birthday gft cards.  She chose a movie called McKenna which is an American Girl movie and a lego set with a horse in it.  Then she chose Steak and Shake for dinner.  We ended the night looking for a bike for her at Dick's but came out with one for me.  Oops.  Back at home, she finished opening presents where she received a dress and a pair of shoes, the book Charlotte's Web, and Ariel pajammas which are way too big, but she couldn't wait to wear them:)

Good night my sweet 7 year old.  We love you more than you can imagine!  Or as in the words of a song we like to sing, "I love you more than I can promise."

Dinner fun

 Micah now loves to hold his fists out to be "crashed".  The louder the better:)

 Micah is not really interested in his baby food anymore.  So, he ate broccoli, toast with guacamole, and had a strawberry/banana smoothie:)  He also used a plate for the first time.  He couldn't wait to spill it.

Elli ate her dinenr while playing with the new leo set she got for her birthday.  She put it togeher nearly entirely on her own!  SO proud of her.

A Visit with the Dodsons, April 23

 Aria and Elli loving the swing.

 How super sweet is this!  I love that Elli is such a loving and fun big cousin.

Cute girls:)

April 22nd, Dad's Birthday

 Micah staring seriously at dad.

 Dad giving it right back:)

 Heather and Gary brought over some pies for dad, custard and chocolate peanit butter.  Yummy!

 Gloria holding her baby, Francine.

 Sweet face from Francine.

 I love this picture.  Adorable.

 Micah was trying to help his Papa open his birthday cards:)

Hard to get them to sit still:)
We had a good evening celebrating dad.  Mom was still down at Leah's watching the boys, but dad, Heather, Gary and the girls came over for dinner and pie. 

What a mom does while cooking dinner

 Micah wanted me to hold him, but I was trying to make dinner and couldn't pick him up.  So, I placed cereal pieces all over the floor for him to keep him busy.  For this germaphobe, it was a big deal!  Especially watching him lick them off the floor.

Look at that sweet little face.

Kids Praise, April 21st

 The whole crew singing praises.  It was such a great night of praise.  The kids all did a wonderful job.  Brought tears to my eyes.

Love this picture.  Such a sweet face on my baby girl.

Dad turns 62

We went to Abuelo's for lunch to celebrate dad.  He turns 62 his year.  We really love you, dad/Papa.

Elli's 7th Birthday Party, April 20th, Tangled Theme!

She wanted a layered cake.  Thanks goes to Paula Raymond for helping with this by providing the pans and helpful hints:)

She talked her daddy into this very large number 7!

Francine made an early appearance at the party, but left with her family before the kids came.  Love this picture of Elli and Francine.

 Kind of tradition to get pictures with the family at the party.

 The big girls for Elli's party.  Elli, Sydney, Bekah, Chloe, Kiera, Lydia, Molly, Lily, Madilynn, and then Caroline came and sat by Elli after this picture.

 She really wanted to play, "pin the tail on Maximus!"

Leah couldn't miss out on the fun.

 Presents!

 Love how Lily and Elli are both enjoying this.

 The big people watching the little people:)

Blowing out the candles.

 O'Connors, with Oliver soon to be here.

 Gonga and Papa

 Sweet picture of Grandma

 Elli couldn't wait to play with all her things.  She got some GREAT presents from wonderful friends and family.  Thank you all for thinking of the things she would like.

Even Micah is enjoying playing:)
We had such a great party.  I cannot believe Elli is turning 7.  She is an amazing little girl and I cannot get enough of her.  She is a joy.  Loving her every day.