Picture Update!

Well, as Caroline has explained, it is almost the last school day and we have been busy. I'll just post some pictures from Abby's last soccer game. I love watching Caroline and Abby playing. I love how both of their hearts are in it but maybe in different ways. Caroline gives 120% and Abby's heart is with those around her. She is very aware if a player falls down and always cares about their well being even if they play for the other team. The last week she even got a hug from one of her friends that plays for the other team right in the middle of the game. I just love their hearts.

Two More Days Of School!!

May 23 was supposed to be our last day of school. Unfortunately, (or fortunately depending on how you look at it) we had 6 snow days this year-one more than allowed. So now we have a half day on Tuesday, after Memorial Day weekend. I am pretty much certain nothing will be accomplished! :) Summer is fast approaching and I am ecstatic! It is still in the 70's here so I'm ready!
Here is a list we (meaning the Ewing kids) have collaborated.

1. lots and lots of swimming
2. introducing Asher to King's Island (a local amusement park.)
3. go Kayaking (we own one and boat on a local lake.)
4. travel to Mexico for two weeks to work in orphanages and visit cousins. (me)
5. eating watermelon
6. hanging out with each other
7. bike rides around the local lake
8. going to Destin Florida with one whole side of the family
9. no excessive amounts of homework (although the packet I need to complete and the two books assignments over the summer are coming quite close to an excessive amount of homework.)
10. the Ewing tradition of ice cream
11. playing outside
12. corn on the cob
13. fishing (says Caleb)
14. getting braces (just kidding)
15. enjoying our new and improved baseball field in our front yard

There will be more to come!
-Caroline

The celebration!

We had a great time with Grandparents celebrating another fabulous year with our Sweet Caroline! I can't believe how fast time is passing. I'm looking forward to spending a week with her in Mexico this summer. Here are the pics of this big milestone in her life.

Happy Birthday to our Sweet Caroline!!!

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Happy 13th Caroline! Can't believe that it has been 13 years since we were singing on our way to the hospital the day you were born. You surprised us by being a beautiful red head. God has given us so many blessings and you are a VERY SPECIAL ONE that He has brought our way. We are so proud of you and admire you in many ways. God has given you many talents and smarts but the thing that we love and value the most is your sweet and devoted heart for the Lord and for the least of these! Praising God for you! You are Something Beautiful!!!

Man how they grow!

We got a chance to see the Children of the World Choir again and the girls, Joyce and Rochel, that we housed while they had a stay here in October. We were so surprised to see how much they've grown and changed. We will miss them as they go back to their own countries in a month or two. We are so blessed to know them and know that where ever they are they will take the Word and Songs of the Lord and share them with everyone. We WILL see you again if not on this world, up in heaven and we will sing praises and dance together again!

This weekend's reunion.

Last October

The family last October.

Fun in the dirt.

We spent Friday night laying new soil on our front lawn to level it and then grow new grass. We have a great baseball field in our yard and expect to keep it but the grass needs beefed up a bit so we reseeded. Fun was had by all and my muscles still ache. Abby taught Asher to climb to the top of the mountain and yell "I'm the King!". Caleb and Brad have been dealing with allergies in the worst way this weekend but we needed to spread the dirt and get the seed down before a week of off and on rain. His photo is him inside with a swollen right eye from all the rubbing. Yikes!

Apple a Day? or maybe 5

Asher has had some funny moments lately and I'd have to say that they are the norm and not an exception. Last night I went to pick Caroline up from practice (a 20 minute type thing) and when I returned Brad said that he only turned his head for a minute and came back to this. . .

He said that he decided to have a snack and took a bite out of all 5 apples before deciding which apple was best.

Well, you've heard us talk about how Asher is extreme with his senses. Here is another fun example. One afternoon, Asher walked through the kitchen. When he pasted over the air vent, he immediately turned around and took off the cover and looked deep down in it to feel the air coming from it and to see if he could find the source. Touch, Taste, Sight, Smell and Hearing - Asher really uses these to the fullest.

Here is the latest sight at our house. A mourning dove has made it's home in the wreath on our door. There are two eggs and we look after her and her babes everyday but using the garage door and try to give her space to do her thing. Anyone know how long till babies hatch and then leave the nest????

Reckless Faith

This is an presentation given by my sister (in-law). She shares her passion - her faith and the heart of an orphan. I've heard this sooooo many times but I love it and continue to hear it over and over again cause it is something I should never forget. It's very moving and motivating. She has a book coming out this August called "Reckless Faith", and don't worry, I'll let you know when it becomes available at Family Christian! If you enjoy this she shares another story at Godtube.com. I just love her heart and learn so much from her!
Love the words to the song that is used to, one of my absolute favorites.
Live with the wonder of a child,
Pray with your arms thrown open wide,
Love with a love that has no end.
Until I see you again.

RECKLESS FAITH!

Our 24 hour trip to see Grandma Great!

Last weekend we took a 24 hour trip to see Grandma Great. We really enjoyed our visit with her and got to spend some time with Brad's Uncle and Aunt and Cousin. Grandma Great enjoyed visiting with our kids and seeing how much they've changed. I wish I would have taken more pictures, but at least we have a few. On the way home we stopped at "THE STADIUM" and took pictures. Asher kept asking for us to go in and see the Buckeyes play. He's got the fever we just need the tickets and the season.

Are you Down?

Many days in the Winter, I found myself down. I could just be having a bad day! It could be because the lack of sun or maybe even being shut in my home for too many days. Even with spring being here, we still have bad weather and I still have days that don't go my way. I even think that some of those day Satan is try to put a weight on my head and make my joy disappear. But I've had a song come to mind on those days that God gives me to remind me that in my weakness HE is strong and the Joy of the Lord is my strength. This is a silly video but I like it and on my down days I seem to need the reminder of the words for sure. I love the line in this song "to live your life you've got to lose it. All losers get a crown." Even in my bad days with the right attitude I can see myself wearing a crown someday if I'm willing to give it up in this life. It's a total eternal perspective - definitely worth having Joy for in this hard, hard world we live in. Hope you are LIFTED UP today!

Kumquat May

We introduced a new food to our family this week. They are an interesting food with a sweet outer skin and a tart pulpy inside. If your kids like sour lemons or sour anything they may just gobble these up. We have to eat them one slice at a time but Asher likes to pop these kumats in his mouth whole.

Asher in taken some of his drumming time to build towers.

He has a very steady hand!

I've got three more of these and they make my day!

No matter what else is going on in life. This and three others make my day!!!

What makes yours?

Great Easter Weekend

After 6 inches of rain from the week and a soaked basement, we didn't let that dampen our Easter weekend. We had lots of family time and enjoyed some Easter traditions and reflections of how our Lord not only suffered on the cross for us but His victorious ressurection on Easter Sunday!

Family Hunt behind our house!

Found one!

30 Second egg hunt at a local water park!

Burr, Cold!!!

Making Resurrection Biscuits!

Easter at Grandmas with Marelen

This picture is a riot! This is exactly how it works

at our house. Abby wants to get close and squeeze

and Asher just needs some space!

Cute Kindergarten Peformance!!

This poorly done video (cause I was being asked questions by a family member while filming and clearly I can't do both) is of my daughter's school program debut. She was to wear an outfit of what she would be when she grew up and that was - A VET! So enjoy the Magical, Magical, Me Kindergarten performance by my American Idol (so I was told by more than one person). Sorry again about the poor video job! By the way, she is the one with the swoop hair do.

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Nothing Like a Little Easter Color!!

We had a fun evening with Brad's mom coloring Easter eggs. With a sensory seeking son, it was quite an experience. It was like something out of Lucy and Marcy's eggstravaganza in the Easter Beagle. Asher had pieces of egg in each dye. Check out his REALLY RED hands. Lots of creativity and fun!!!

What a Career!

This was forwarded to me by my Mother!!!! The best in the world (atleast according to ME)!! See my Mom has six kids and for all the titles my Dad had my Mom only use the term "Housewife" to my knowledge. And for all you two career women - I'm amazed!!!

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A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk 's office, was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself. "What I mean is, " explained the recorder, "do you have a job or are you just a ...?" "Of course I have a job," snapped the woman. "I'm a Mom."
"We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation,
'housewife' covers it," Said the recorder emphatically.
I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself
in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, "Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar." "What is your occupation?" she probed. What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out. "I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations." The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in m idair and looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire. "Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest,"just what you do in your field?" Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, "I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't) In the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humani ties, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).
But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers
and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money." There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door. As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new exper imental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!
And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just another Mom."
Motherhood! What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers "Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations" And great grandmothers "Executive Senior Research Associates?" I think so!!!

Thank you to all you Child Development and Human Relation Specialists!!! A Job well done!!!

Smiling Faces!!

The snow is melting and we are happy, happy, happy! Spring is on it's way! I promise I will blog something with substance soon. My mind is on vacation these days.

Our Star Student!

She is amazingly beautiful, inside and out. She loves animals and her passion for them runs deep. She mothers all including Asher and our black lab - buckeye. If she is not a vet when she grows up, she wants to be a mom. She is a singer and performer no matter where she is. You can always find us in any store because she is usually singing a show tune or doing a little soft shoe in the aisle. She said in her star student interview that what she does well is praising the Lord. And if she had a wish, she would wish for 100 friends - which doesn't make sense cause she already has them! We love you Abby!