Day 4!

Today we finished the banners and the crowns, and got them all hung up.  Whew!  What a relief!  I must say... I think the stage looks wonderful.  I *heart* it so much.  I didn't take a photo today, but I will tomorrow.

The children took their musical over to a local nursing home today and performed it for the residents.  I heard it was a rousing success.  I didn't SEE it, mind you, because I was busy decorating the stage!

Tomorrow is the final day for Summer Music Camp '09.  I'm a little happy, and a little sad, to be quite honest.  It has been so great.  My children have had SO MUCH FUN.  I was quite concerned about little Grace, but she has had a ball.  Today she didn't want to leave!

Friday is also the Camp Carnival.  The "crafty divas" (my team and myself) are also in charge of the carnival.  Pray that it all goes smoothly, and that the children have A BLAST.  Also, please pray that their performance goes smoothly, and that someone is touched by it.  Pray that people will see the Lord through these children and their gifts!

Day 3!

  Day 3 of FBC's Summer Music Camp is now history.  Today was "water day".  We rent a huge inflatable slide that sprays water, the local fire department comes and hoses the kids down from the fire truck, and the recreation team plans games that all revolve around getting wet.  It is, hands down, the most fun thing for the kids.  They LOVE it!  Of course, today it rained and was the coolest day thus far in July.  Did that stop water day?  NO!  The kids had a ball anyway.

In the morning hours, the crafty people finished off our banners and then the kids worked on a photo block to take home at the end of the week.

It all looks AWESOME.  Tomorrow we will get all the banners and scenery hung. I can hardly wait to see it!

The kids are having the best time, and are learning so much about God and His great love or them.  Please continue to pray for our camp, and that ultimately it will lead His children to Him.

Day 2...

Day 2 of Music Camp '09 was a rousing success.

I am working in the "crafty" area, and we are having a ball.  The kids worked on several projects today... they painted the banners, which will function as the scenery, and also made a few other bits of scenery for the production.  FUN!  Can't wait to show you pics of the final stage.  I think it might be the best ever.

Tomorrow is day 3... pray for stamina, as we are TIRED.  Pray for continued success for all our campers and staff.  Above all, pray that ultimately we glorify God through our camp and our performance!

Day 3... Bring it on!

Music Camp 2009

 Every year for the past 3 years our church has hosted a music camp for children.  We take a week and praise God by teaching children an ENTIRE Christian musical in one week.  It is amazing, awe-inspiring, energizing, and exhausting all at the same time.

Today was day one.

My lands, am I tired!!

But, I am working with amazing people, and am really having fun.

I know you will be so totally surprised when I tell you that I DID NOT forget my camera today!!  I took lots of pictures, but really, I'm too tired to load any of them tonight.  My country-fried internet is just too painful and slow.  I'm not up for the beat down.  Maybe tomorrow.

Please take a moment to pray for the success of our little church's music camp.  The performance is Friday evening, and I simply can't wait to see the gifts that God has given to the children in our community!

Also pray  that the adults have the stamina to keep up with those kids until Friday, because really, the best way to describe this experience would be to compare it a VBS, but a VBS on steroids, and with a musical track constantly playing in the background!

Happy Monday - God bless Music Camp!

River pics... (sort of...)

You know I might have a tendency to forget my camera at important events.  It's a sickness, really, but I'm working on it.

Luckily, I have great friends and family that usually remember their cameras.  This weekend, Luke's cousin was so nice and not only remembered her camera, but has even already shared her pictures with me!

The sad thing is, I can't figure out how to upload them to my Mac without messing them up.  Now I have them loaded, but they are all "thumbnail" size.  I can't enlarge them no matter how hard I try!

So, get out your magnifying glasses, and then you can see the photos of our family reunion down by the river!!

Here is Miss Kate, riding down with her cousin Killian, and her sister, Grace.  If you look really closely, you'll see that Grace's hiney is COMPLETELY shining out the bottom of her swim suit.  Nice.  She slid town this tube chute so many times she literally wore holes in her swim suit.  We had to throw it away.

Here is Miss Abby, sliding sown the chute.


Kate, Killian, and Grace.
I told you how much Kelly's children look like my children.  Here is a close-up of her daughters, Killian and Katherine.  Don't they look like mine?
Here is the shot of the entire family, gathered together down by the river.
We had so much fun!!  There are LOTS more photos, and as soon as I figure out why they are tiny, I will post some more, full-sized.

Enjoy a fabulous Wednesday, now.  Ya' hear?

Well, hello there.

Oh, internets, I've missed ya'!

It's been a while, no?

Life has been happening here at "Casa de Killian".

We had a little "mini" family reunion on hubby's side this past weekend, and then this upcoming weekend is hubby's 20 year high school reunion (GASP!).  Yes, friends, we are OLD.

The family reunion was at hubby's uncle's place down on the Guadalupe River, and, sweet MERCY, it is a beautiful place.  We had such fun.  The kids swam in the river and played, and then swam in the river some more.

In true Killian form, I forgot my camera.  I know you would be utterly surprised if I actually HAD remembered it.  See, really, I just didn't want to let you down.  

However, one of Luke's cousins has promised to send me some photos, so maybe I'll be able to charm you with pics of our beautiful children soon.  (And, just as an aside, I hope she DOES send these pics, as you all will be SHOCKED at how much her daughters look like my daughters.  Really, it's a little freakish.)

Good to be home, but now I have an appointment with my washing machine.  The laundry has officially "thrown down the gauntlet", and I am a bit competitive.  It will not defeat me!!

Wish me luck, please.... I might need it!

I got...

...nothin'.

Sorry, internets.  

No witty stories, no funny Grace-isms, no embarrassing moments.

Nothin.

Just wanted to let you know we're still here, enjoying (and surviving) the summer.

Can you say H-O-T ?!??!?!?!?!?  Man, it is sweltering outside.  

It was still 100 degrees at 8:25 when I checked tonight.  

Makes me feel LAZY.

Does NOT make me feel funny. ;-)

Happy Tuesday!!  Hopefully tomorrow will be a more "entertaining" day!!!!!

Kate's Kid-Tri

Last month, our little town hosted its first annual kid's triathlon.  Kate decided to give it a "tri"!  (Yes, I know, bad mother that I am, I am just now getting around to posting the photos... no judgments here, internets.  We've been busy with life around here!)

Any-who, here are some photos of my little triathlete!

Here she is with some of her buddies before the race...
And here are all of the participants after the race, posing under the balloon arch.

And here is Kate, receiving her medal from her Dad after the end of the race.
It was fun!  Hope they do it again next year, when maybe we can even convince Abby to take part!!

** cleaning update **

Though it's not exactly "spring" anymore, I am "spring cleaning" inside my house!!

Many more trash bags went out the door today... some full of trash, and others full of old toys that nobody plays with anymore.

Feelin' good!

The clean streak continues...

Wednesday Whinings

Not really a lot to whine about today... I do apologize for my little "pity party" yesterday.  Sometimes things just have to get worse before they get better.  Today we stayed at home for the afternoon and I PUT IT IN GEAR and at least got the INSIDE of my house looking a little better.  We went upstairs and tackled the OUT OF CONTROL play room.  Three trash bags of toys and clutter... GONE.  Granted, it's only a start, but we have to start somewhere!!  We also attacked Kate's closet and one large plastic tub of clothing that no longer fits her is now stored away, awaiting the next daughter who will grow into it.

I feel somewhat better, and MUCH more "in-control".  Hopefully tomorrow I can tackle the entry way area and kids' desk area, which is also a bit messy.  I hate looking at it like this, but it is just the natural place to set stuff down when you enter.  I feel a clean streak coming on!!!  (Now, I just hope it sticks around!!!)

Happy Wednesday!

Random Musings for Tuesday

These summer days are killing me... we are busy, as always, and I can't seem to get motivated and STAY motivated to get any of those big summer tasks completed.  I wanted to de-clutter the house this week and do some BIG cleaning chores.  Instead, I've taken the girls swimming, to gymnastics, to cheer camp a couple of days now, and to the "big town" to buy some groceries.  The duffel bags from our trip are all still packed and sitting in the floor.  The laundry remains, a big ugly pile, staring at me and mocking me from the hamper.  The yard is a disaster... I haven't blogged about it much, but a few months ago we began a major landscaping job... adding beds, grass, a retaining wall, sprinklers, the whole 9 yards.  Unfortunately, we've seen no new work done in about 2 months now.  Grrrrrr... very frustrating.  It's really a mess.  The most grass we have is inside the flower beds.  Some day, I truly think it will look amazing, but NOW... not so much.  

Anyway, all that to let you know where I'm coming from.  A disorganized MESS that is currently my life!  Usually when I start to feel this way, it isn't long before I convince myself to get busy and DO something about the things that are bothering me.  (Like opening a can of WHOOP-A** on that landscaper!!!! ;-) ha ha)  

But, not yet.  For now, I'm going to whine about it all.  Because SOMETIMES that makes me feel a little bit better.

Happy 4th of July!

We've been gone on a little trip to visit my parents.  Good times.  We were gone over the 4th, so I wanted to share some photos of the girls from the holiday.  Happy 4th!  God Bless America!