Mother's Day, Jr/Sr Banquet, Inspirational Sundays, and Great Friends Part 1

Two of my beautiful girls on Mother's Day

  It's been awhile since I've blogged, and alot has been happening at the Whitaker Farm! We've had Mother's Day, which was great to say the least. There was a banquet at school that Sarah, Doug, and I got to go to. On Sunday we had a group called Teen Challenge come to church that was truly a testament to the healing/ saving power of Jesus. And on that same Sunday we spent the evening with a very dear family! And in between all these things there has been alot of life in general that makes me smile just to think about it now. :)  So, I'll try to fill in with a few pictures and stories to catch us all up and remind myself of what a truly "wonderful life" it has been.  :)

The kids caught a baby rabbit on Mother's Day. Which was kind of neat.

Emily and the kids helped me plant some flowers that I got for Mother's Day. It was truly a beautiful Day out. First we spent the morning at church, then lunchtime with Doug's family, and a lively game of baseball. (Sorry, no pictures.) Then time with my parents. After all that we had some time at home.  A very busy, fun day.  All because God blessed me with almost 9 great kids. And I get to be their Mom everyday.  :)

From Doug for Mother's Day I got a really funny card, and some wonderful turtles. (I'm not sure why the picture turned this way, sorry, bare with me. :)

THEN!This was quite a surprise! LOL! It's not your average Mom's Day present I must say! :) Doug got me a Winchester 20 gauge single barrel shot gun! :) Now I know alot of you out there are either laughing or thinking...HUH?  :)  Let me explain...We live out in the country. We have always had a huge varmint problem.  And so he got me this very easy to load , somewhat small shotgun.  (Although I must say it is pretty loud and has quite a kick! I am thankful it isn't a double barrel! )  :)  And so in the early morning hours on Mother's Day Doug and I went out and had target practice behind the shed. Which was very fun, and educational since I think it's only the second time in my life I have ever shot a gun.  By the way I cannot hit the broad side of a barn!  I don't think the varmints are in any danger as of right now. So I 'll probably shoot it up in the air and rely on the noise to just scare things off. Which will work too..I think I'll take a gun safety course also. For my own safety. :)

There is some fancy scroll work on the side, but it's hard to see. 

OK! Next, Em and Lauren went to see the Celtic Women concert at the Civic Center thanks to our good friends Dave and Kathy for getting all 4 girls tickets!

Lauren, Michelle,Sarah, and Em all had a great time.

Sarah will be so happy that I added this picture! :)

This was a happy picture of picture Olivia on one of the 2 really warm days we had last week. They had been playing in the sprinkler to cool off. I am very much looking forward to more of those days!

May 6 was the junior/ senior banquet at school. Kind of like prom, but not. This was the invitation the kids at school sent to Doug and I.

This was beautiful Sarah all ready to go. :)

This is one lucky Dad getting ready to take Sarah to the banquet.

It was set up like a Cinderella/princess theme. Since we , as girls, are all daughters of a heavenly King.  :)

This cake was wonderful. We were served 2 different on-trays, chocolate covered strawberries and cake for dessert.  After supper there was a speaker that came and talked about how as young adults getting ready to go out into their own lives they needed to make their faith in Christ their own. Not just something they do because their parents or their teachers had been teaching them all these years. It was quite a message.  And something that made me realize that just because we raise our kids to know, and love the Lord it doesn't really mean that when they leave me they will follow Him with their whole heart. That is a decision they must make on their own.  I pray that each one of ours will do this with all that is in them.

Sarah will also like that I added this picture!  :) We all had a very wonderful evening together.This is the end of part one. I had too many pictures at first and the computer wouldn't let me load them all. So you'll ahve to tune in tomorrow for the exciting conclusion to this post!  

 

                                                        ~Thanks for visiting!  Until tomorrow!  :)