Spelling Bee Party!

Last Year, Madison really wanted to be in a Spelling Bee. It all started after watching the movie Akelah & the Bee. So this year I thought I would invite her friends from our homeschool co-op COMPASS. It was so much fun! These kids were all so respectful & even encouraged one another when they misspelled a word. Madison loved every minute of it! (Except when she lost spelling the word 'immediate'). We had pizza, lots of orange soda, fruit & cookies. They played scrabble & tag outside. Here is a short slideshow of the fun...enjoy!

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Devo Championship Meet

10 Reasons Why I Hate the Telephone

Let me just start by saying I am sorry to all my husband, my friends & family I should have called but didn't. You see...I have issues. Issues with the telephone. I can email you, facebook or text you...all those are just fine. But the phone...I hate it. So please accept my apology...
I do love you...I mean it!

1. Running to grab the phone & by the time I pick it up, the answering machine is now talking in both of our ears.

2. The horrible sound it makes...especially when you are dog tired and are almost falling asleep on the couch.

3. Is it bad news? Someone calling to yell at me? My heart beats a little faster when that phone rings!

4. What if you have no idea who it is...even after they tell you their name & still have no clue.

5. I am convinced as I am on the telephone in an important conversation, the radio waves travel to my children's brains and cause them to fight, argue, yell, scream and immediately run to me for help...putting an end to my important conversation.

6. Who says goodbye first? Was I rude? Did they want to talk longer? Why did I say that? What did that mean?

7. My brain goes into 'safe mode'. I cannot remember even the simplest vocabulary words or express the thoughts in a clear & intelligent way..."Well...you know what I mean, right?"

8. Call Waiting still confuses me :) I often hang up on one or both of the callers.

9. I can't sit still when I am on the phone...I pace, wander, doodle, fold things.
(I did just learn how to empty the dishwasher while I am on the phone...this is a big step for this wannabe multi-tasker :)

10. The phone doesn't let me talk with my hands...like the true Italian I am.

Camp Sankanak

Yesterday we took a field trip to a christian camp...Camp Sankanak with all of our friends from our homeschool co-op. The weather was just gorgeous! The kids took hikes, learned about plants, and even went canoeing & row boating. It was a blast. We are so blessed to be a part of such a wonderful homeschool group!

Easter Fun!

My mom & dad, sister, John, Jordyn & Jenna came for Easter on Friday. It was so nice to just hang around with them and chat. We prepped for the big Easter meal on Saturday since Bill had an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday and a game on Sunday. The meal turned out really good. My dad bought a delicious ham and I found a recipe for a sweet gravy to go with mashed potatoes.

It's basically pineapple juice, cherry juice, 2 cups of water & the ham. I'm not a big ham fan...but mashed potatoes & gravy (bring it on!). I also made homemade applesauce that was so easy & went well with the ham too. Asparagrass (as we call it), salad (to make us feel like we were eating healthy) and Sister Shubert's yeast rolls. I'm always happy when the meal tastes good cause when I'm cooking...it's really hit or miss :). Then we had pies, my sisters oatmeal choc. chip cookies & mom's easter cupcakes.



Sunday morning, the kids woke up at 6...I threatened them to go back to sleep till 7 :) And then they found their easter baskets.

Church was awesome on Sunday! You know it's good when you don't want to leave at the end...you just want to continue worshipping. We learned about heaven & the resurrection. My favorite is watching grown men, our pastors, up front,  jumping up & down with joy. This always makes me smile & wonder how many will be jumping in heaven!!

After church the kids had an easter egg hunt that my sister & John prepared & the Easter Bunny even came to visit...he was on his way down to the Sixers game to visit his cousin Hip-Hop.

My mom & I took Jordyn & Madison to see Hop and on Monday we had breakfast at Tom Jones & said goodbye. It was a great weekend. I was sad Bill had to work so much on this special holiday but so grateful to be with my family.

My Thoughts on Heaven

Happy Easter Everyone! I am looking forward to having my parents, my sister, John, Jordyn & Jenna visit this weekend. I am a little sad that Bill will be working on Saturday and Easter Sunday...but I am also aware that we are not limited to one day of celebrating the death & resurrection of our Savior. It is something we should celebrate every day!
Sunday's message was about our own resurrection & what our bodies will be like when we rise from the dead. It had me thinking about heaven.
 I have this vision of me entering heaven...beautiful light, beautiful place...so beautiful that it takes my breath away. I see a man coming towards me. He is beautiful. He looks at me like He has known me my whole life...because He has. He is smiling & glowing. He hugs me & I am engulfed in His arms. He steps back and holds out his hands to me. I look down & see the holes where the nails were. But I also see in glowing script engraved on his hand my name...Christina Lynne. I cannot stand because I am overwhelmed by this love and this joy. He stands me up. Brushes the tears away from my eyes, puts his arm around me & shows me around. This is just the beginning...the rest of it...I do not know now...but I will. Not sure when. Hopefully when I am very old  & had the chance to tell my great grandchildren about Jesus. All I know is...my life is in His hands. And I should not fear, but anticipate that day with hope & joy.

Hip-Hop & His Friend