May Day, May Day, It's Almost June!

So, in Heather's blog she states that this has been one of the busiest months ever--- well, I have to agree! After Easter it never seemed to slow down. First, it was a fun weekend away with my Bunko Babes (what a GREAT trip, by the way!). Then it was onto Character Quest preparation. This year I'm taking on a new role so I''m trying to get all of my volunteers in their right places, etc. Then we've had 2 weeks (EVERY DAY) of swimming lessons. Carson did a great job and really showed some great improvement! He's ready for the beach! Last week was Kindergarten Graduation--- and I don't just mean a cute little program--- I mean, the "Room Mom" had to organize refreshments, decorations, etc. for the special event. Keith and I have started teaching a Growing Kids God's Way class at church on Wednesday nights. And during all of this Carson has been playing soccer (or at least playing when it's not monsooning!!!). Poor little Campbell has just had to go along for the rie, but seems to make little friends everywhere he goes!

So, needless to say, we are ready for summer!!! Yes, the good, hot, sticky days of summer are just around the corner. I can almost taste the fresh, home- grown tomatoes, cook-outs with the family and the breathtaking smell of the ocean air (coming in only 1 1/2 short weeks!). AAHHH! Does it get any better than this?

The Graduate

Things are moving right along with our little garden!

Carson looks a little different with straight hair!

Time Flies When You're Having Fun!

So, I realized that it has been a month since my last post so I thought I'd catch you up on some of the things we've been doing:

Carson was on Spring Break for 2 weeks in April and we had a great time with the little man! We went on play dates, did lots of playing outside (when it wasn't raining or freezing!), he had a chess match with his teacher one morning, and we even made a day at the Zoo. Our attempts at camping were not successful due to the weather (which was a good thing because an F-0 tornado came through on the very weekend we were to camp). But trip to the Zoo was great! It was both Ella's and Keith's first time to venture to the Nashville Zoo and (I think) they both really enjoyed it!

Although I don't have any pictures posted of it, Carson has started Spring Soccer. He's having a great time too! His friend from school is on his team so that makes it even better-- and I have someone to talk to during practices! :)

Of course, Easter is BIG in our family--- when half of your family works at the church EVERYONE tends to get involved in the preparations!! You've got Matt working on the Ops team and getting everything actually over to Murphy Center and cleaning up TONS of confetti, Heather working with 4 & 5 year olds, Keith doing all of his "techy" stuff, Kim and Richard taking care of Bunny pictures and counting people, Mary Helen doing all of the dancing and praise for K- 3rd, me helping with interpreting, and Bethany and Jeramy helping Craig and Pam organize the Easter feast and annual Egg Hunt at their house. WHEW! I'm tired already!! As you can see from the pics we had an absolutely wonderful time! And Charlie Daniels rocked the Murphy Center as our musical guest!! God is so Good!

So, hopefully, it won't be another month before a post, but maybe after you read this you'll show me a little mercy!!! Until next time...

The 3 Musketeers

Our trip to the Nashville Zoo during Carson's Spring Break!

An attempt at getting all the grandkids for a pic--- seriously, why do we try??? :)

Don't they look handsome!

Signs of Spring

Spring has sprung and the Posch's are soakin' it all in! We loaded up on Zyrtec and Sudafed and headed outdoors to enjoy the beautiful weather! Yesterday we even got a little sun on our faces! The kids loving playing on the play set and running around the yard! Now, I know we are scheduled for rain the rest of the week, but for now, we are enjoying the great outdoors!

Beanie Weenie hangin' with the boys!

Campbell had just woken up from a nap-- hence, the hair!

Peace man!

AAGGHH! It's a Snike!!

Okay, before you e-mail me and tell me I spelled something wrong, read on... Upstairs in our bonus room we have an art easel that the boys like to draw on. Today Carson told me to come up so he could show me something. He had filled up the whole side of the easel with pictures and words he had written. So, as I'm reading it says, "A Big Snike" and then there's a picture of a snake. I read it out loud and praised him for such a good job, but the teacher in me said, "Sweetie, that's wonderful, but I think you spelled snake wrong." And, as always, Carson rebutled with, "No, mom, I can speak Australian." Now, I am going to give you a minute to let that soak in and listen to yourself carefully as you say it out loud---- now you can laugh!
That child never ceases to amaze me--- and make me laugh! On our way home from Chik-Fil-A tonight he asked me what the International Dateline was???? Keith and I are in so much trouble!

Melissa Gets Crafty!

Okay, okay stop your laughing! I know it's quite hysterical to think that Melissa might actually have a creative bone in her body, but trust me! You will actually be impressed by my creative flair--- if only for a fleeting moment! So, what was the inspiration you ask? Well, Carson's class has "Fun Friday Snack" each week and a different child is assigned per week. Last time we did this I was at a loss so, after e-mailing the teacher for suggestions, she said to send in Fruit Loops and juice boxes. Now, for those of you who are veteran moms you're probably saying, "dried cereal--- boring!" Well, I was just doing what I was told. So, anyway, the snack was less than climactic, especially since I found out other parents were bringing in things like "Dirt Cups" and honeybuns!!!

So, I fell under the pressure to perform this time and starting racking my brain to find something cute. Oh, and the other kicker is that there is a child in Carson's room DEATHLY allergic to peanuts, peanut products, milk and eggs! So, the search began. Well, low and behold, if I didn't find something C-U-T-E and appropriate for the season----- yes, folks, they are Jelly Bean Nests!!

I will close here as to allow you to "ooh" and "awe" over my inspiring creations and also to give hope to those "less than Martha Stewarts" out there!!! The internet is a wonderful thing!!!!!

Do I have a Green Thumb????

So, after being in our house nine years I have finally convinced Keith to let me have a garden!! YAY! I'm so excited! I went and got the "Complete Idiot's Guide to Vegetable Gardening" and am reading it cover to cover. We are doing a "raised" garden because my friend and garden extraordinaire, Allison, says it is the easiest way to keep out the weeds and critters. So, this weekend we headed to Lowe's. After pricing the lumber (ouch!!!- almost $100 for a box!)we decided to go a little smaller than I'd hoped, but we can always build on next year. So, I am doing an 8 x 10 this year. We are only in the beginning phase, but wanted to show you our beginning to end process. If you attend WOC then you are very familiar with Pastor Philip's tomato stories. Well, by the end of this summer you, too, will be hearing tomato stories as well as many other "veggie" tales!! HA! I crack myself up!!! So, for now, I say, "Happy Gardening!"

Fun in the Snow!

So, Sunday morning the people of Middle Tennessee woke up to snow! Now, I know, you're probably thinking, "people in Tennessee don't know what snow is?," but you're wrong! We had the actual real white stuff. The kind that makes the best snowmen and snowballs! Of course, what would good snow be without some snow cream as well. I have to admit though, I remember it tasting so much better as a kid!

Most of our morning was spent outside with the boys as they made snow angels and had snowball fights. I managed to get a few pictures of our home before the kids ran through it!

It was a great day and we were thankful it came! Now, on with Spring! Bring on the 80 degree temps!Making snow angels

A Winter Wonderland!

Making snow cream

7 Inches!!

The boys enjoying the snow!

"TV? Who Needs TV?"

Last week our family decided to "fast" from television from Monday through Friday. This was a time for us to reconnect as a family and kind of get our priorities "in check". We have done this several times in the past, but I am always amazed at how much that "thing" is on and, unfortunately, how I will use it as a babysitter while I try to get dinner fixed (okay, okay, don't throw stones). So, now we're into the next week--- will we go back to our old habits?? I sure hope not. I seem to do pretty well at only allowing the kids certain times to watch television. The problem seems to be ME! After the kids are in bed and I'm snuggled in my own, the channel surfing seems to begin. So, I am determined not to get back into this terrible habit. I am allowing myself 30 minutes of television a day AND, if there's nothing else worth watching, (which is almost always the case) there will be NONE! Surely, I will get caught up on all of the books I'm so far behind on!!!!

Carson reading to Daddy!

Candy Land is a favorite in the Posch house!

Playing games with the boys!

It's An Israel Feast"!

Have you ever really processed how blessed you are? Okay, this is not going to be one of those "deep" entries or anything, but last Thursday night I had one of those moments where you feel like, "How did I ever get so lucky to be blessed with a group of women in my life like these?" Let me try and explain:

For the last (almost) 3 years I have been fortunate to be a part of a wonderful ministry at church-- The Mostly Mommies group. I have been facilitating a group of my own for about 2 1/2 of those years. Over the years the faces have changed (with the exception of a few faithful ones-- Cindy, Rebecca, Kaci), but a little over a year ago Bonni came on to help me! Words cannot describe what a beautiful, spirit-filled woman she is--- God is so good! Anyway, over the months we lead the group together and God brought the most special women into our group. Then, over the last couple of months I felt God leading me to do (or maybe not do) something different. As I explained this to my girls that I was stepping down I was amazed at how gracious and encouraging they were!

So, I'm getting to my point... As a way of saying "thank you," the girls wanted to throw a party for me-- with a theme and everything! WOW! I can honestly say I haven't had a party thrown for me since I had slumber parties as a kid!!! Anyway, knowing what fabulous cooks the girls are, I asked for an Israel theme (Bonni and her family were missionaries in Israel for several years before moving to TN). And, boy, did they come through!!!

There was tabbouleh salad, falafel, challah bread, Odessa Chicken, hummus, Israeli salad, and baklava! Is your mouth watering yet? Well, let me tell you... it was truly the most delicious food I've tasted in a very long time! Makes me want to visit the Holy Land even more!!!

After eating we had a time of reflecting over the last couple of years --- which, yes, brought tears to my eyes several times and then a time for prayer. I was surrounded by some mighty prayer warriors. I wait in anticipation for the healing God has blessed me with--- through the prayers of these girls!

So, I just wanted to thank all my Mommies Group for making my "exit" such a special one. I am excited for what God is doing in each of their lives and all of the AWESOME plans He has for them (and me).

Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow!

Mel and Miranda

Mel and Kaci

Cindy and Mel

Carmen, Rebecca and Angela

Shannon- one of my oldest and dearest friends!

Bonni- The hostess with the Mostest

Kristin and Jennifer

A Feast Fit for a King