Happy Birthday In Heaven Dad!

Today, May 31st, is my Dad's Birthday.
He is celebrating in heaven and we are missing him here!

This is my Dad holding me, in his favorite pose!

And this is my dad, holding Kyle, my first born in the same pose!

I am Blessed to have had John Fink as a Father,
and as a Grandfather for my children.

We love you.
We miss you.
Happy Birthday!

End Of The School Year Big Project

Sister Suffragette!

Lexi chose to do her report on Susan B. Anthony. She fought for Womens rights, and was arrested for voting in 1872. She also helped to move slaves through the underground railroad to freedom! She wore a long black skirt with a black top that had a white ruffle neck. And wore her hair up in a bun.

Over the last few months as she's been studying Susan B. Anthony, we've talked a lot about how women didn't have the right to vote, among other things. And how the women's movement has affected all areas of life today. I told my girls about how in the 60's women burned their bra's. They thought that was so funny, and wanted to know why. And the best I could come up with was that they were trying to make a statement that women are as capable as men, so they were wanting to get rid of anything that made them different from men. (But, I'm sure after having a few babies and gravity taking hold, they put them back on!)

Not Suffering in Silence!

Erica did her report on Helen Keller. She wore an old fashioned dress, complete with a broach, and her hair back in a bow. She carried a doll because that was one of the first words Helen Keller learned to sign.

She learned all about her life and how she went on to learn to read and write, and even graduated with a degree. Her handicaps didn't stop her.

My girls learned so much through this school project, it's a great way to study History!

Makes My Heart Smile Award

My friend Charity over at Thoughts by Charity gave me an award for making her heart smile! That is so sweet of her. She's a lovely writer and friend, take a look at her poetry sometime. I am thrilled that my Blog makes her heart smile, because her Blog does the same for me.

Rules of this award are as follows:

1)The winner may put the logo on their blog.
2)Put a link to the person who sent you the award.
3)Nominate 10 blogs.
4)Put a link to their blogs.
5)Leave a message for your nominees.

So here goes...I hope all my readers will take a few minuets to check out some of these Blogs that really do make my heart smile.

This award I pass on...

1. Stefanie at Because I Pause. Stefanie is a Pastor's wife, like myself, that I met through the Blogosphere. She has two teenage daughters. She is a funny and honest writer and takes wonderful photographs. And reminds me to Pause and take it all in. I'm glad we've become friends, She makes my heart smile.

2. Nancy at Everyday Blessings. Nancy is a friend in Real life. We've gone to Church together, and our sons are good friends as well. She lives part time here in Arizona and part time in Washington state. She's smart and funny. And we get to keep up with each other through our Blogs. She makes my heart smile.

3. Shane at Revamp. Shane is one of my son's best friends. I love this young man, (I was gonna say kid, but now that he's engaged that doesn't seem appropriate) He interned at our Church, and is now at Phoenix First Assembly of God. He is going places. I'm blessed he is part of my boys' lives. He makes my heart smile.

4. Lyssa at The Taylor Trio. I met Lyssa on Thanksgiving this year. She is married to John's niece's, stepson, and came to our family gathering. She is a newlywed and has a beautiful Baby girl. We hit it off and started talking, and found out that we both Blog. So, now we keep in touch through the Blogs. She was living in California and is now back in Arizona, I'm hoping to see her at Kyle's graduation party! She makes my heart smile.

5. Linda at My Sister's Jar. I met Linda through the Blogosphere. She's a "Real" writer, not just a wanna be like me! :) She lives in Arizona as well and I hope to meet her in real life someday. She's funny and interesting. She makes my heart smile.

6. Kay Kay (or Karen) over at Hopelessly Ordinary. She is one of my Blogosphere friends as well. She's the mother of 3 and has some great ideas. (I try to steal from time to time) She is anything but ordinary and she makes my heart smile.

7. Dori at To Blog of Not to Blog. I met Dori Blogging, and then we realized our Daughters are friends from school! And that her daughter has even been to my house for a birthday party for my girls. Small World! She makes my heart smile.

8. Becky at Slipping Through my Fingers. Another Blogger I've met through our Blogs who I have a lot in common with. She's light and uplifting and makes my heart smile.

9. Emily at Em & The Boys. Is my Manager at work, who hired me and has become my real life friend. She's so sweet and funny. I wish you all could get to know her. She makes my heart smile.

10. And last but not least; John at Johnny on the Blog. My Husband. (Who needs to get back on the Blog!) He has made my heart smile for the last 22 years! :)

Have fun reading, and getting to know some of my favorite Bloggers!

Senior Year - Part 7 (A Good Hair Day!)

As you know Kyle was dubbed "Hairy Hunk" by his senior class. Well, when he got his yearbook last week, he found out that he was also voted "Best Hair" (do you see a theme here?!)

At his Senior dinner they "awarded" him with a little girls hair accessories kit! Too cute.

And so, to celebrate his senior year, on Friday, which was the last Friday of the school year. Kyle shaved his chest, leaving only an "09", and cut a hole in one of his school Tee shirts, and went to school like that. (I made him carry an extra shirt in his back pack just in case they made him change, they didn't)

He said he's never in his life been asked to be in so many pictures!

Oh The Joy and Glee!

Zach had played in the School Band since 6th grade, but this past year he decided that if he wanted to be a Music Pastor someday, that it would be better for him to take Choir instead of Band. And he made the Concert Choir. He loved it! They took trips and had all kinds of fun.

Well for next year, his Senior year, he's made Advanced Vocal Choir, which is the top choir of the school. So, he recently said to me "Mom, your gonna have to teach me how to dance this summer!" because Advanced vocal does choreography. My heart flipped in Joy!

So, last night after American Idol, they premiered a new T.V. show, that I believe is coming out in the fall. It's called Glee. I got all excited. I loved it! It's singing and dancing, and Broadway show tunes along side great rock songs! I mean can it get any better?

I taped it, and as soon as it was over, I yelled for Zach to come down stairs. (He couldn't hear me of course, because he was in his room playing guitar! But, we finally got him out.) I told him "you have to watch this show", he said "why?" and I said "Because it is you in Advanced Vocals next year!" So, I made him sit down and watch it right then!

He said "which one am I?" Hmmm. Let's see here, he hasn't played football since Jr. High, but he does run track. So he could be the Track star that can sing. Or he's really smart, so he could be the nerdy guy with the screaming guitar, since he does play in the Jazz Band as well! :)

I loved the music! They did a song from Le Miserables (only, the greatest Broadway musical of all time!) and Grease (you know I love that!) And they did a great old Journey song! (John down loaded it off iTunes already.) And of course they dance! Right up my ally.

And to top it all off, their was a character that I related too as well. The music director who is working his butt off just to make ends meet, and is passionate about music! (Sounds like someone else I know.) It was his wife who had the greatest line, when he tells her he has to start working late for the next couple of months, she says to him, "You know I work 4 hours a day, three days a week, and now you expect me to go home and make dinner for myself too?!" I literally LOLed! That is so me! Hey, I'm not proud of it, but at least I'm honest! (Yes, my husband spoils me!)

So, this looks like it could be a great show, unless of course they ruin it with all the junk they like to through into teens shows. But, I'm holding out Hope!

The Gospel According to U2

We just ended a series at our church called The Gospel According to U2! We looked at a U2 song each week and examined the lyrics. As our Pastor said "We're not preaching Bono, we're preaching Bible!" We're just using the songs of U2 as a starting point to open up the Word of God. It was a great outreach to our community, I mean who doesn't like U2, and want to hear their songs?! We advertised it on Easter Sunday, starting the next week. And printed "concert tickets" to hand out as invites.

John and the Praise band covered a U2 song each week.
The song's we used were:

Beautiful Day
Pride (IN the Name of Love)
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
When Love Comes to Town
All Because of You


And they rocked! It was so much fun. That's my 'JohnO'!
(Kyle was playing drums, but you can't see him in the cage)
You can listen to the sermons Here.
I don't think we can publish us doing the songs, due to copyright laws.
But you can always listen to the original versions.

It's always good to look for new and different ways to reach the unchurched.
This is just one idea. I'd love to hear some of what you are doing as well.

My Mothers Day

Yesterday was such a nice day. My kids all gave me the cutest cards . . .

Lexi's had a little girl on the front wearing her mommy's high heels, and inside it said "It was from you that I learned to be me." I love that.

Erica's card said "Just think, Mom, if I'm the princess, that makes you the queen!" So true, on both counts!

And Kyle and Zach gave me a card with two little boys fighting in the bathtub that said "Happy Mother's Day to the referee who kept us from killing each other." Too funny.

John gave me a card too, that was so sweet. (But, I think I'll keep that one to myself!) ; )

And my gifts . . .

I got a Flat Wallet in Bright Yellow, to match my Dolce & Gabbana Bag.
Love it!

And yes, Kathie Lee Gifford's new book. "Just When I Thought I Dropped My Last Egg"It's what I asked for. I know it's cheesy, But, I'm a big fan! And I can't wait to read it! I think she and I are similar parenting types. (And we both love to talk about our kids!)

Then we went and spent the day with My Mom, and three of my brothers and their wives & kids. Where we ate, (all the men cooked!) and played games and the kids swam. It was fun.

All this after a great weekend away for me. My Church had our Women's Retreat this weekend. So, the two day's leading up to Mother's Day I spent poolside at a Scottsdale Resort with a lot of good friends! Having a ball.

John and the kids had a good weekend together at home. The house was even picked up when I got home! And they went down to Casa Grande to spend an afternoon with John's Mom to celebrate Mother's Day with her too.

I am so blessed to have great women in my life. My Mom and my Mother-in-law are great examples for me, and my daughters as well. As are all my sisters-in laws, and my friends.
I only hope I can live up!

I hope you had a Wonderful Mother's Day as well!
You deserve it!

Moms The Word

Senior Year - Part 6 (Announcements/Invitations)

The Formal Announcement:

You order the announcements through your school. They are nice, but, we didn't order a ton of these, just enough for family and out of state friends. (the people who will actually save them more likely!)

The Open House Invitation:

Then, because John loves graphic design, he created our invitations to the graduation party. Using some of Kyle's Senior pictures! Cute, huh?! These we will give to all our Church family, and Kyle can hand them out to the Youth group and school friends, etc.

That's what we did.

Now, consider yourself invited! : ) 

Hope to see you all there!

"Run Forbis, Run!"

(No, that wasn't a typo. I said Forbis, not Forest!)

Track season just ended for Zach. He did really well.
I don't know where his speed comes from.
He runs the 100 meter dash, the 200 meter dash, and the 4 X 100 relay.
He won his heat, or came in second in almost every race this year.
He beat his personal record at his last race!

Good Job Zach, great season!