Happy Belated Birthday to my big 6 year old!

It isn't at all that I missed Kobe's birthday....don't worry....I didn't. And no, it isn't because he is the middle child and gets passed over either. Life has just been plain ole busy!

But a HUGE happy birthday to Kobe who turned 6 earlier this month!

October isn't just special because it is Kobe's birthday, but it is extra special because 3 days after his birthday is his most important "Gotcha Day" (the anniversary of the day Kobe came home).

Kobe came home to us 5 years ago. What a blessing he has been to our lives. We would not be the same without him. We are so lucky that God chose us to be his parents. Although he is stubborn (most likely inherited from me) he is so so special and has so many awesome gifts.

He is the most caring and tenderhearted boy I know. Even at a "cool" 6 years old, he is still my cuddler. Loves to snuggle. Loves to hug.

Kobe wants to be an animal doctor when he grows up....but only for dogs, cats and giraffes. No snakes or lions or tigers or bears. I am sure that dog, cat and giraffe doctors are in high demand. There is a lot of job stability, I guess. But, Nick and I really think he will end up being a preacher....the kid has the best prayers and always reminds us that God is really the only one that knows everything (just to remind us that we don't).

He has some big dreams, but for now being 6 is keeping him busy enough. When he isn't playing with his animals or favorite game (Uno Attack) he is busy on the playing field. He has found that he loves (and is very good at) wrestling, t-ball and the most aggresive (and not being partial...but best) soccer player on his team. Here are some of my favorite more recent pics.

He is a big kindergartner now and loves going to school every Monday, Wednesday and Friday all day. LOVE LOVES to ride the bus (although big sis does not enjoy him on it with her...I guess he cramps her "style"). I have found him to not only be quite popular among the kids in his class, but by many students and parents in the above grades. I get ALOT of "Oh, so YOU'RE Kobe's mom!" Not sure, but so far it seems like a good thing. I am sure that he leaves a lasting impression by most he meets at school just being one of the very few non-toe heads there. I love that he seems to be creating quite a following.

Hopefully will have time to post some updates again soon.

Lord, please help me accept the things I cannot change!

So, does anyone else find it totally annoying that our kids are growing up?

This is a serious question.

I remember that I used to get excited because I thought that their toys get smaller as they get older. As an infant and toddler you are always walking around the swing, bouncy seat, excer-saucer, high chair, activity blankets, ride on toys, etc. I could not wait to get rid of that stuff!

I guess I wished that too soon. Now we have small Lego's that kill your feet when you step on them. Verses the building blocks. Their toys get smaller, but more expensive (Nintendo DS, MP3 Players) that your kids are dieing to have, but cannot figure out why we get so frustrated when we see them sitting on the front porch!

The other day Ryleigh (7 1/2 years old and in 2nd grader, mind you) comes upstairs from her OWN bathroom (which is something I never and still don't have) with an OBSCENE amount of purple eye-shadow on and lip gloss. I comment on how "nice" she looks for school. She says very casually "well, I had some extra time to spare this morning". I remember BEGGING my mom to wear makeup to school and wasn't allowed until like 5th or 6th grade. I didn't argue it that morning. I figured it would probably wear off before she got to school anyway.

I guess what really took it to the top for me today is the never ending battle of finding Ryleigh's clothes on the floor of her closet. For quite some time it would just unnerve me! Why can't she hang her clothes up if she pulls it off the hanger!? Then, while putting laundry away today it dawned on me. She has officially outgrown her "child/toddler" hangers. She needs bigger hangers. My little girl is really really growing up. Too fast!!

They all are. I wonder if our parents felt like this. I never remember them expressing it. Is this my way of facing the fact that I am approaching "mid-life"? In my mind I am still 24! I have been cruelly reminded by my youth group kids that I am 24 with 7 (soon to be 8) years experience. Mid Life. What an awful mean set of words!

After re-reading this I guess it sounds incredibly depressing! I think the hanger thing just slapped me with a huge dose of reality. No matter how much I wish it, my kids are growing up. There is no changing that fact. I need to learn to accept this.

We are so blessed with so many things. A wonderful family and AMAZING friends. A house that even though we constantly complain about it and think we don't have enough room, it is more than we need. We both have jobs that we love. Our kids are very healthy.

So, I guess today part of accepting the inevitable, I have to go out and purchase a load of new hangers and while "someone" is not looking, hide the purple eye shadow.

If anyone needs a ton of child size hangers, they can be found at the Beute's.

Update on the Beute's!

Sorry so long for an update. Life has been crazy busy these days.
We have successfully started school! YEAH! Ryleigh is now in 2nd grade. Kobe is in Kindergarten going every Monday, Wednesday and Friday all day. Nate started 4 year old Pre school this week. Tuesday was his first day. Everyone seems to be getting into the swing of things pretty well. Our biggest challenges seem to be our morning routine. That definitely needs work!

Kobe started soccer. He had his first practice on Monday. I wasn't able to go, but Nick said he did really well. He said Kobe ran more in his one practice than what Ryleigh did her entire soccer career....we found quickly that soccer was NOT her sport!

Ryleigh started piano lessons up this week. This is her 3rd year. She had to get a new teacher as her old one retired. We will miss her, but feel we found a great substitute for her.

And Nate. He is just a piece of work these days. Yesterday he had on his back-pack (which is almost bigger than him) from 8:00-9:00 just waiting to leave for school. When he got to his classroom he barely said goodbye and was off. Mr. Independent! He loved every minute of it. My friend Jennifer is watching him on Wednesdays while I am at work. Her daughter is taking gymnastics on Wednesdays so I thought I would sign Nate up also. Today is his first day and he was busting with excitement all morning waiting to leave!

Fall programs for church are gearing up, which makes this a very busy time for me. It is all bitter sweet. I LOVE my job, but it takes alot of time away from family. Pray for a good balance this year.

We have only one puppy left from our litter of 8. This puppy experience went really well, but this pup needs a home! I actually even named him this morning. Hey, at 9 weeks old I was feeling so bad for him NOT having a name! So, if you know anyone that is looking for a great pup, Rocky's the dog for them! He is already partially housebroke, working on Leash Training, comes when called, the list goes on!

Everything else with the Beute's is just great!

Puppies for Sale!

We are nearing the time for the "babies" to be rehomed. They are so cute and have such great "big" personalities, but it is time.

They are 5 weeks old now and all doing fabulous! None have "escaped" the box inside or the fence outside. Last year we had a few escape artists and it was harder to contain them.

We have officially started advertising, so hopefully we can get some good homes lined up by next week for some, majority or ALL! They will be ready to go home on Saturday, August 23.

So, pass this link on to anyone you know who may be wanting an adorable English Springer Spaniel Puppy. I have (3) black/white tri-colored (all female) and (5) liver/white tri-colored (3 boys, 2 girls).

Ok.....seriously you've got to come see him!

Last night the Tent Meeting and Tom Harmon were an amazing experience! You could literally feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in the tent. What a powerful feeling. His preaching is like nothing you have heard before. He certainly doesn't beat around the bush. Lays it right out there, calls it like it is. His preaching is the words straight from the Lord and it will knock the breath right out of you.

If you are considering coming, come.

If you have "things" to do, put them off til later and come.

See the post below for the Tent Meeting details.

E-mail, call, comment with questions.

The Ministry of Tom Harmon

If you aren't familiar with the ministry of Tom Harmon you are missing out on seeing a truly inspirational and motivating man of God.

Tom is an ex Michigan State Police Trooper. Years ago he felt called from God to leave the force and go into ministry. He is an amazing family man (having 4 children who now all serve the Lord in different capacities). He has 17, soon to be 18 grand children. He is a husband, father, grandfather, author and much more. He has memorized the entire New Testament of the KING JAMES version of the bible. And......

He is at South Blendon Reformed Church TONIGHT, TOMORROW AND WEDNESDAY sharing his ministry with us.

He lead us in our morning service yesterday and his love and devotion to God is AMAZING. His ability to recite his passages from the bible is astounding! He is truly an inspiration. I could sit and listen to him for HOURS and it would literally feel like only minutes.

I encourage any of you who may read this Blog to come! Come one night or come all three nights! There is child care for infants-5 years old available. Praise and Worship starts at 7:00, with Tom speaking at 7:30. There are also refreshments and cookies available each evening. On Wednesday there is a pig roast prior, starting at 5:30.

Everything about this is FREE FREE FREE!!

This is not a normal church service. This is a good ole tent revival! You can't miss the huge tent in our parking lot. If the weather doesn't cooperate we will move it inside. Dress casually and comfortably!!!

Nick and I will be there every night and we would love to see you all there!!

Please let me know if you have ANY questions.

For more about Tom Harmon, you can look him up on his website at www.tdharmon.com.

R.I.P Zac!

Well, it is a sad day for Ryleigh. Due to an undetermined "illness" or perhaps even a broken back we are all mourning the loss of our dearly departed rabbit, Zac Efron (yes, that is really the name Ryleigh gave him).

About a month ago I noticed that something was wrong with Zac's back legs. He would take a few hops and then the back ones would just kinda give out. I thought either he was dropped and broke his back or maybe had some neurologically wrong with him.

Today when I checked on him he was laying on his side (still alive) but couldn't get up. So, Nick took him to the "vet". Unfortunately whatever he had couldn't be "healed" and he returned home this evening without him. Ryleigh seems to be taking it pretty well. Nick told her that the he was staying with the vet, but they didn't think they could fix him b/c he was so sick and they would give him medicine to put him to sleep.

Nick thought she knew what this meant, but after my conversation with her she really thinks they are just going to give him medicine to help him sleep tonight (we are starting a savings account tomorrow for her counseling she will require later in life for her parents LIES!)

RIP ZAC!