Jason & Stacie

First Day of Kindergarten!!

2008-08-30T22:24:00.000-07:00

Michigan August Vacation

2008-08-21T21:51:00.000-07:00

We had fun visting family, spending time on the beach and learning to fly kites! Jason got to go to a Tigers game in Detroit. What a blast!!

July Summer Vacation at Lake Okoboji!!

2008-08-21T21:35:00.000-07:00

What a great time we had at our friends condo in Lake Okoboji in July!

Mother's Day & Fun Pics!!

2008-05-22T22:55:00.001-07:00

The Fam minus Caleb

Easter Photos

2008-03-17T20:26:00.000-07:00

Caleb Wins Coloring Contest

2008-03-17T20:21:00.000-07:00

Caleb, my 5 year old, entered a coloring contest at one of our local grocery stores, "Dahl’s". He WON 1st place in the 4-6 year old category. He was so excited! He won an Easter basket full of fun goodies and lots of drawing/coloring items and also won us a spiral ham.
I am so proud of Caleb and I thanked God because Caleb really needed this boost in his life right now. I know it sounds funny, but I prayed for 2 days that God would allow him to win :). Moving has been really hard for him and my Caleb is constantly coloring or drawing something, so this was just a BIG blessing!
From,
The Proud Mama =)

Quatro Moore

2008-02-24T13:40:00.001-08:00

Some photos I took today of the boys and Keira...

Almost 6 months!

2008-02-21T14:13:00.000-08:00

The FANTASTIC FOUR!

After a long snowy Sunday

2008-02-18T06:42:00.000-08:00

Keira loves the snow, new toy & new room!

Valentine's Day!

2008-02-14T19:38:00.001-08:00

What a wonderful Valentine's Day!
Thanks to our family for the cards & gifts!

Our Move

2008-02-14T19:27:00.000-08:00

We had a great trip up to Des Moines. We stopped at my parents house for Christmas. Then we headed to great Grandpa & Grandma's house in Tennessee. We saw all of our family on the way up.
Since we've been here it has been cold and snowy! The boys have enjoyed playing in the snow. We are all adjusting well and things are going well for us...
after a snowy night...

da boyz in the snow!

in Tennessee...

Caleb's snow Angel (he added the smiley face)!

BRRR!!!!! (Beautiful sunset in our backyard!)

Caleb's Birthday Party

2007-11-05T07:33:00.000-08:00

Caleb's party was a success! I truly felt like I was putting on a production!! Phew, am I tired...

We had a great time in our transformed backyard, "The Emerald City". 15 kids attended and Caleb had a blast! We started with the yellow brick road in our front yard and the kids entered at The Emerald City Gate where they had to knock to be let in. Dorothy (My sister), greeted everyone as they came in. It was too fun!! Thanks to Papa, Nana & Auntie Lolo who helped us put this party together!!! Enjoy the photos...

Caleb running down our yellow brick road

Thanks to Auntie Lolo, she made Auntie Em's House I asked for...we included a hanging tornado too.

The Emerald City Gate ~Thanks to Jason who cut out the Gate from wood and Papa who painted it for me.

Caleb acting silly, as usual.

Auntie Lolo as Dorothy!

I had this crazy idea to have a hot air balloon that we could use for a photo backdrop. Thanks to Lolo for making it for me. (I just love delegating!! :)

The kids played the Dorothy Donut Drop game

All of our food was "kid friendly" and was themed like the Wizard of Oz

Harvest Festival

2007-11-01T11:22:00.000-07:00

October 31st was the Harvest Festival at church. The boys had a blast playing games, riding the hay ride & train, jumping and sliding on the big slide and getting LOTS of candy! (Keira enjoyed being held and snoozing)

The kids were characters from Wizard of Oz. Caleb loves this movie and when I was pregnant with Keira, Caleb asked if it was a girl, could she be Dorothy. I, of course, said "yes" since I was certain we were having a boy and I wouldn't have to look for all of the costumes :). When Caleb came to the hospital, the first thing he told me and Jason was that he was right and we were wrong about Keira being a girl. (He prayed and told me we would have a baby girl). He also said, "Keira gets to dress like Dorothy". Needless to say, since the beginning of September, I 've looked for costumes and we actually pulled it off!

Caleb was Tin Man; Chaim the Scarecrow; Caden the Lion and of course, Princess Keira was Dorothy! Enjoy the photos...

Caleb turns 5!!

2007-11-01T11:10:00.000-07:00

October 30th was Caleb's birthday and our little man turned 5!

We started the day with chocolate chip pancakes in honor of Caleb. Then Caleb headed to school. Jason and I took Wizard oz Oz cupcakes to his class in the afternoon and Caleb go to pass them out (which he loved). You can see the photo below of Caleb and his friend, Emily, who he says he is going to marry.

Then we headed home and had a small family party (including Papa & Nana) at our house. Caleb's big party is Friday with a Wizard of Oz Party, but he also wanted High School Musical, so that's what we had at home. Caleb picked pizza for our meal. We had a great night and he LOVED his new Razor Scooter.

Memory Verses ~ Too Cute!

2007-11-01T11:02:00.000-07:00

We've been working on teaching the boys scripture. Jason picks one a week and they have to recite it on Fridays (then ice cream is usually involved!)

The verse this week is Joshua 1:8.
8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

This is Caden's version of the first part of the verse...
Do not let this Book of the Law DEPARK from your mouth; MEDICATE on it day and night...

As we were sitting at the dinner table last night, Jason said, "It is probably a good idea that we PARK God's word in our mouth and it is good MEDICATION!!"

Jason's Birthday

2007-10-27T09:47:00.000-07:00

October 26 was a great day! We celebrated Jason's birthday!! We started out Thursday night with a "Superman, Superdad" Party at our house. (we even cheated on our weight watchers points for this meal!!)

On Friday, Jason chose to go to a pumpkin patch with the kids. We had a great day and the boys loved the hayride and picking out their very own pumpkin. Caden picked out Keira's pumpkin for her.

Keira's Photo Shoot

2007-10-24T08:53:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my friend, Michelle, http://www.wmphotography.net/, she captured some beautiful moments with Keira. (Thanks Michelle!)
Enjoy!

Day Out With Thomas!

2007-10-23T12:31:00.000-07:00

This is da' Mama...

Thanks to Papa & Nana, we had a FUN day out with Thomas The Train on October 19!

We traveled to Cordele, which was a 2 hour drive. Luckily, Caleb kept daddy awake as the other 4 of us slept! (my first long nap since Keira's birth?!?!?!?!? hee hee) Honestly, before I fell asleep me and Caleb made up moves to his favorite song, Love Somebody, sung by his favorite singer, Mandisa (& toby Mac). Wish we had a picture of that!

Caleb is all smiles!

Aww!

Our little Caboose! :)

Nana & the 3 C Dudes!

Mr. Photogenic!

The fun of trying to get a picture of three little dudes!

Fun Pic's!

2007-09-24T18:45:00.000-07:00

How great these past few weeks have been! Our family flew in & drove in (from California!!) from different places to see us and meet new baby Keira! We are so thankful that everyone came and helped us out, spent time with us and shared in our joy!

Below is the dedication of Keira Hope at our church. We dedicated her unto the Lord on September 9th.

Momo and Grandpa Moore with Keira

Auntie Ericka with Keira

Papa & Nana Jenkins with Keira

Mommy & Keira

Daddy's Little Princess

3 Generations

Auntie T-Lo, Kiki, da boyz and Keira

My niece, Kristen. Jason took a senior photo shoot for her downtown a couple of days ago. I realized while she was here that I was 17 years old when she was born. Kristen is now 17 and Keira was born. Too cool! Kristen will be graduating in Southern California next June from high school. (she got to miss a week of school to visit, although I think she received more text messages in a few days that I get in one year!)

The twins looking for Thomas The Train in downtown Columbus!

Our Little Men!

Daddy & Caden

The Fam...

2007-09-07T19:10:00.001-07:00

This is Big Mama Moore and I haven't posted lately so here it goes...
Here are our 4 beautiful children God has blessed us with...
In order~ Caleb, Chaim, Caden & Keira
(there are two of her...I couldn't help myself)

Chaim said Praise The Lord for this picture!!!

Labor Day '07

2007-09-03T11:26:00.001-07:00

We went Cooper Creek Park. Don't know why we haven't gone there more often!! Its really nice. I wish I could have got a picture of this little boy. He pulled down his pants in the middle of the playground and went pee in front of God and everyone. His momma was mortified. I'd pay real money if someone could move the white truck out of picture number 5.
Hope you all had a great holiday.

Keira's First Bath

2007-09-03T11:19:00.000-07:00

Here are some pics of Keira's first bath.

Caleb always likes to be in the shot.
If Keira is awake, something is in her mouth.
Keira slept great after her bath.

Beach holiday

2007-09-03T06:16:00.000-07:00

Okay, so these pics are our of order. If you're looking for the newer pictures of Keira, keep scrolling down. There are 3 or 4 posts lower. These are some thousands of pictures we took at Panama City Beach July '07. It was a lot more fun this year because the boys actually LIKED the sand!!

i just thought Caden and Caleb's faces were great here.

Caleb is all set up with his umbrella and chair. Boy travels like his mama - heavy.

Chaim likes the sand the most. He especially likes to throw it on unsuspecting sunbathers. Maybe it helps with their tan.

Caleb wasn't feeling good. Caden was good to go as usual. Chaim was a little melancholy. i think he knew it was our last day before we were going home.

all the guys like to go into the ocean. Chaim likes to go the farthest. Caden likes to to the highest...

come on...

we tried to build a sandcastle. Chaim is more of an 'abstract' artist.

the guys would have a WWF smackdown every morning about who got to be which character.

Yeah, he's cool... He gets it from his old man.

front yard

2007-09-01T15:33:00.001-07:00

I can't help MYSELF!!

2007-08-31T12:20:00.000-07:00

just a few more pics you have to see, then i'm done.

Chaim putting a brave face on during tribulation.
Caden thrilled even though Keira isn't exactly...
Caleb steals a kiss.
Chaim warms up to Keira. yeah!
Auntie Lolo gets to hold Keira.

Caleb and Keira

2007-08-31T12:03:00.000-07:00

Check out Caleb talking about his new baby sister.

Keira comes Home!!

2007-08-30T14:13:00.000-07:00

Keira and Mommy got great reports from their doctors and got to come home. As i type this, Keira is sitting on the floor next to me. You have to keep an eye on her or who KNOWS what experiment my 3 little indians might think of. The boys are adjusting to life with a GIRL!!! Hope you like the pics.

1- the boys' first visit to see sister Keira.
2- Keira
3 & 4- Ron and Carolyn holding the new baby.
5 & 6- Keira's first photo shoot.
7- Daddy gets to hold her after feeding.
8, 9 - Keira and Mommy start their way home.
10- finally made it!!

Caleb's first day of soccer

2007-08-28T10:21:00.000-07:00

Caleb had a big day on Monday. Besides becoming a big brother for the 3rd time (1st time for a sister), he also had his first ever soccer practice. Here's some pics. Below this post is the pics for Keira's birth. (nothing too graphic...)

Keira Hope is here

2007-08-28T09:54:00.000-07:00

Monday, August 27, 2007
9:18 AM
19.5 inches
7 pounds 8.2 ounces

Sunday night, Stacie called me while out with her mom and asked me to get her stuff together. We're going to the hospital. She was having lots of pain, so we went and our doctor happened to be in surgery at the time. So, Dr. Stewart came over very quickly. The baby's arrival, however, was not imminent. So, we scheduled for the next morning (Stacie was going to have C-section, anyway).

Keira had a lot of fluid in her lungs and needed some help breathing for about 24 hours. She's doing much better now. Here's some more pics.

1- Caleb finding out he was right and daddy was WRONG - it's a girl!!
2- Keira and Daddy hold hands.
3- Mommy finally gets to hold Keira for the first time after a LONG day.
4- Mommy, Keira and some bald guy.
5- Keira

Disneyworld!

2007-07-30T18:19:00.000-07:00

It's been WAY too long since I posted about our family. We had a great opportunity to go to Disneyworld with our family in June. We left on Father's Day and spent a week in a beautiful home and went to the parks everyday! What a blast all 6 of us had! YES, all 6 of us. El fin' is in my tummy in this photo. This is at Magic Kingdom at Walt Disneyworld.

Caden & Mickey & Caleb!

Auntie Lolo came with us for a few days!

All the boys LOVED Cinderella's Castle!

Here we are with JoJo and Goliath!

Momo got to come with us for a couple of days!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Chaim & Caden hugging!

The Incredible Men!!!!

Having fun with Tigger!

Here with are with Minnie & Goofy (and our Nana & Papa)!!!

Well, as you can see we had a GRRRRRREAT time and we cannot wait to go back someday!!

easter pictures

2007-04-10T19:40:00.000-07:00

i just want to show off some pics of our boys this Easter. Stacie had these done.

Caleb

Chaim

Caden

A Great Week!

2006-11-03T11:57:00.000-08:00

On Monday Caleb turned 4 years old! He woke up at 6 AM and ran into our room and said, "Mommy, I am four! - I was three last night!"
We had a great day getting a haircut, taking pictures with Thomas The Train at Wal-Mart, going to Toys-R-Us to pick out a Buzz Lightyear toy and finished it off celebrating Jason and Caleb's birthday with dinner with Nana and Papa. Nana made her famous enchiladas in honor of Jason (his favorite).

On Tuesday, the twins got to trick or treat at school. At night, the boys went to the church Missions Festival dressed up. Caleb chose to be Buzz Lightyear and the twins were M & M's again.

Three years ago Jason started a tradition that we take the wagon and walk to the church on Halloween. This year Caleb was the big brother and walked behind and helped the M & M's.

Every year we ride the train at church!

Auntie Von and Caden riding together!

Then on Thursday, we wrapped up the week with a party for Caleb at Monkey Joe's with his friends! We had so much fun!

cream

2006-10-26T08:17:00.000-07:00

i went to pick up Caleb from the nursery after choir rehearsal. i was talking to some friends as they were leaving and i kept noticing Caleb awkwardly pulling at his underwear. Finally, i bent down and quietly asked him in his ear, "Caleb, do you need to use the bathroom?" He said in his naturally loud voice that seemed to fill the room, "No. I think I just need some cream, Daddy."

I don't want you to die

2006-10-26T08:04:00.000-07:00

Its late in the evening. after dinner, but just before the push towards baths, cleaning up toys, and getting the guys in bed. i'm sitting in the recliner watching tv. the 3c's are playing around in the living room.
Caleb has been learning his letters and numbers. He's constantly saying, "we're in an 'L', Daddy" or "look! it's a 1!" Now he has a piece of paper and a pink pen - he runs up to me and says, "Look, Daddy!" there's a pink 't' on the paper, and I'm about to tell him good job - but he continues, "i drew the church!!" It took a minute, but i realized he recognized the small t as the cross on the top of our sanctuary. You could tell by his face that he had surprised himself with the revelation.
I've been praying that I would recognize the opportunities presented by the Holy Spirit to share spiritual truths of God to them. I jumped at this one. After asking Caleb if he wanted to hear the story of about the cross, I began to tell him about Jesus' sacrifice. I explained that because we all sin (lie, cheat, pee on the ottoman...) that we would have to die. BUT Jesus loved us so much that he did it for us. He didn't quite understand the whole thing, because he asked me, "Daddy, you have to die?" I said that because I sinned I would have had to. He said, "Daddy, I don't want you to die." We kept talking until he understood that because Jesus did, we wouldn't have to - if we just give our lives to Him and obey Him.
It occured to me that if I could remember that without Jesus I would have to die, Caleb would have to die - we all would have to die AND IT STILL WOULDN'T BE ENOUGH - I would probably live a much more obedient life. I'm going to try to remember Caleb's expression when he began to understand the cost of my disobedience. the cost of my sin.

my trip to NY

2006-10-03T18:29:00.000-07:00

I was very blessed to be able to go to New York twice this year. My first two times in one year!! This time it was Trey and I. We came into town on Thursday evening and went up to the Empire State Building. New York is really pretty from up here. Which glows brighter - Times Square or my head?

The next morning, we hit the ground running. We were up and gone by 7 AM. We had bagels and then went to see Ellis Island. All I can say is, don't skip this on the Statue of Liberty tour. And don't rush it. There's some really neat stuff here.

After the tour, we had lunch at the oldest pizzaria in the United States. It was GOOD!! Sausage and Pepperoni- my favorite. then it was off to a tour of Greenwich Village with James Nevius. He does private tours of various parts of New York City. Highly recommended to anyone who wants to learn a little about New York City. Interesting for everybody. www.walknyc.com

Washington Square

The famous TV show 'friends' tried to make us think that this was in Brooklyn. It's not. the 'friends' apartment was actually in Greenwich Village.

The Huxtables' house from "The Cosby Show" is also in Greenwich Village.

After a brief rest from our travels came the main event of the weekend. A Yankees game. They won. I wanted to root against the jugernaut that is called the Yankees, but it felt a litle dirty. I'm watching the Tigers play them right there on TV right now. Let's just say its easier to root against them now. After the game, we walked through Times Square and then walked 13 blocks back to the hotel. That's a long way. :)

the next morning, we hit it early again. We ate bagels at H&H, then bought souveniers at a shop. Then we hit St. Patrick's cathedral where a wedding was happening. Very beautiful church. Then we went to the MET. I can't say enough about the MET. we spent 3 hours there and only saw about 1/4 of the exhibits. i could spend a month of afternoons there.

Thanks, Trey.

Kendall's pic

2006-09-23T20:03:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday, Stacie and I had the great pleasure of taking the family to Olan Mills studio for some portraits. Since Chaim and Caden were born 2 years ago, all previous attempts at anything called a family photo has ended in utter failure. Sure we ended up with photos, but generally there is a nose-picker, screamer or wiggler. So, when Stacie informed me of our appointment I was cognitively in agreement with the plan (it had been a while since we tried), but really I was dreading the photo shoot. Getting all three of our boys dressed, and actually looking at the camera would take time, patience, and a miracle.
When we arrive, it is apparent that something is amiss. One worker was operating at a frantic pace. The other one was walking around talking on the phone. Apparently, one of the other studios in town was having problems. When she completed her phone call she slowly began to help us. She finally got us set up to take our picture and I’m thinking, “okay, any minute the boys are going crazy!! Please take the picture quickly while everyone is relatively calm.” Finally, everything is set and, thankfully, the other worker takes over. She’s great with kids and less than 5 minutes later, we have our portrait. I’m thoroughly amazed.
Here’s where the funny part starts. We decide to push our luck a little further. We take individual pics of the boys. Chaim and Caden – perfect! They’re so cute. Caleb’s turn. We try everything. Throw the animals at him. Tell jokes. Tickle him. “say, cheese!” Nothing is working, when out of nowhere, Stacie says, “say, Kendall.” Caleb is suddenly seized with joy and his whole countenance says, “I’m happy.” The photographer quickly snaps the picture. Confused, I ask Stacie, “who’s Kendall?” She says, “his little friend at school.” I astutely recognize that this is not a boys name, and this moment is ruined for me. This picture will be a treasure for years to come. It was perfect. Caleb’s angelic little face with his perfect little grin. All I will ever be able to think when I see the picture is, “Wait a minute. Caleb’s way too young for this!!”

kid stories

2006-09-14T07:37:00.000-07:00

“is that jesus?”
For a few months, Caleb has been asking about Jesus. Cute questions, mostly in response to our instructions. “Jesus doesn’t like that, Caleb.” “Jesus wants us to do this, Caleb.” “Jesus loves the little children…” “Jesus will be with you” as we calm him down about turning off the lights at night.
One night, during prayer (‘let’s talk to Jesus, Caleb’) before bed, Caleb asked Stacie, “Where is Jesus, Mommy?”
“Jesus is in Heaven, Caleb.”
“Where is Heaven?
“In the sky,” she said.
Caleb thought for a moment and said, “Can I see Him?”
She confidently replies, “Your Daddy will show you the sky some time.”

Later, while praying (talking to Jesus) before bed, Caleb whispers to me, “Daddy.”
“Yes, Caleb.”
“I don’t hear Him.”
“Well, you have to practice hearing Him, Caleb,” I say.
He pauses and after I begin praying again, “Daddy,” he says.
“Yes, Caleb.”
“I still don’t hear Him.”

So, last Saturday, we were in the backyard a playing. I don’t remember exactly what, but he could tell you. He was instructing me as to exactly what I was to do when the community outdoor warning system test, which happens every Saturday at noon, commenced. “THIS IS A TEST OF THE OUTDOOR WEATHER ALERT SYSTEM…”
Caleb froze, just his eyes darting back and forth, apparently thinking very quickly. He leans in, and very intently, quietly says, “Is that Jesus?”

bathroom fun
Caleb got his first note home from school yesterday. Apparently, the rule is that only one child may go to the restroom at a time, but Caleb and his friend got in unnoticed. When they emerged, the friend had somehow been liberally splattered with Caleb’s pee-pee. He came home with a yellow sticker a note home.

“you bye-bye”
This was about a year, maybe a year and a half ago.
We’ve been working with Caleb to say “please” & “thank you”. He’s got the idea, we’re just struggling with remembering to use them at the right time.

Caleb was at home with Mary Miles one day while Mommy was out. I decided to check on them, during lunch, so I walked home and came in for lunch. Everything was fine and wonderful as Mary Miles is excellent with the boys and they just love her. So, I ate some lunch and started to leave. Caleb had seen me put my shoes on, grab my keys. He had given me my hug good-bye. Caleb saw that I had eaten some chips. Just as I reached for the door handle, He walked up to Miss Mary and demanded with hands on hips, “Chips.” As I continued out the door, I gently reminded him, “say please, Caleb.”
He looked back at me, then back at Miss Mary. With his stubborn look that he MUST get from his mother, he adamantly demanded, “Chips.”
This turns me around in my tracks. “Caleb…”
Defiantly turning to me, “You, bye-bye.” Looking back at Miss Mary, “Chips.”
He gives me that look he obviously got from his mother.

This earned one of our ‘special’ private conversations in his bedroom.

hats
Chaim enjoys getting ready to go to St. Paul’s United Methodist’s Mom’s Morning Out a few days each week. Lately, he won’t leave the house without a hat. He always chooses his own. He allows us to brush his hair, but the hat must be promptly replaced. 4 days ago was the Pooh baseball cap. 3 days ago was fireman hat day. Yesterday he tried to get out of the house with Caleb’s Mickey hat. Caleb let him know that was a no-go. He found a different Mickey ball cap. Today was cowboy hat day. I must say that I, Stacie and his teachers have been eagerly expecting his next choice each morning. His teacher told Stacie that all the other teachers know Chaim and check in to see what hat adorning his beautiful head on that particular day.

“i’m sorry, tete. i’m sorry.”
About a year ago.
The family and Trey are out to dinner at a crowded steakhouse. To keep Caleb occupied, we gave him a pen and a napkin and let him draw and write. He’s really smart and a very good boy, however, somehow he got confused. Instead of writing on the napkin he decided to write on Trey. After a few requests from Trey to stop, I asked Caleb to firmly to quit. He did it again, and I told him to stop and tell Trey he was sorry. Caleb stubbornly refused. I told him to apologize or we would have to ‘take a trip to the bathroom.’ He continued to refuse.
I picked him up and carried him towards the bathroom (the opposite end of the restaurant). Immediately and all the way to the bathroom, Caleb yells at the top of his lungs, “I’m sorry, Tete, I’m sorry…”

4th of July

2006-07-02T18:44:00.000-07:00

Here is our family celebrating on Sunday, July 2nd.
We had a wonderful church service with 300 basic training soldiers from Fort Benning. About 60 or so guys gave their heart to Christ. What an awesome day!!

Caden is here in this crazy hat!

Here I am, Big Mama with da boyz.

Here is Jason & Caden

The twins with their balloons

Caleb in the funny hat!

Spring!

2006-04-18T16:25:00.000-07:00

This is Big Mama posting now! Spring has been fun at our house! Here is Chaim in his cowboy hat enjoying my chair now (he has claimed it as his because it rocks).

Here is Caden & Chaim on Easter Sunday!

To the left is Me, Jason and the boys with Nana and Papa on Easter Sunday.

Here they are at Daddy's office playing his keyboard!

Thanks to our friend Michelle, the boys are decked out in Sunday best! Caden is in blue, Chaim in red.

Have a blessed day! God is so good!!!

Easter Pics

2006-04-17T22:17:00.000-07:00

I wanted you to be able to see the boys on Easter. Stacie made them look really cute.

We had a beautiful weekend. On Friday, we performed our 3rd Tenebrae service. (If you've never been to a Tenebrae service you should - you might be able to catch a Greek Orthodox Church having one this week - otherwise you'll have to wait until next year's Good Friday.) It was a beautful service. Stacie sang "How Deep the Father's Love" - it was very moving. We added some video to help reinforce some of the themes. 35 in the orchestra, 45 in the choir (small group, but best sound i've had so far), 1 fainting choir member (she's okay), 250 candles, 2 narrators, 4 candlelighters... a good service. It's amazing - we don't really publicize big, but our people just love the sombreness, the meditative quality, of this service. i do, too. it makes the joy of Easter's "He is risen" even brighter.

On Easter, we had just a good strong service. i did write a 2:30 sketch called "The Talk of Angels" - it was actually a continuation of a series of sketches started at Christmas. The Christmas sketches were relaxed and comedic. This was gut wrenching and difficult to swallow - i thought maybe it was too much, but i couldn't see it another way - and it worked. I will post some pic's of our church's weekend when i get them - but now for the pics you want to see. the kids.

Enjoy

stacie's birthday

2006-04-07T21:47:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Stacie's birthday last weekend. This year she turns 33. She enjoyes it when i tell her she's as old as Jesus. Her sister, Lori's birthday is two days before Stacie's, so we packed up the tribe and headed to McDonough to Lolo and Big Dog's house for the big celebration. Big Dog (steve) and I celebrated the big day with an ancient tradition. Husbands have been celebrating wives birthdays with this traditional ritual for centuries.

I tried to talk Big Dog out of it, but he said we had to do it - you know - to honor our wives.

Not every shot was fun, though.

Seriously, we did get to celebrating. We had a wonderful time with our family and friends celebrating the birth of our favorite lady.

Big Mama's First Post

2006-04-02T20:41:00.000-07:00

Ok, This is Big Mama Moore and I am going to start my posting too! As you can see, me and Jason are dressed up like Grandpa and Grandma Moore at their house! We thought it would be fun!

Here is my favorite photo of my 3 C Dudes! Chaim is in the green, Caleb is in the hat and Caden is on his lap. Days are always fun-filled at our house with two 19 month old twins and a 3 year old toddler (who we are trying to potty train!). Caleb goes to school two days a week and loves it!

Here are two photos of Caleb's first day at school at St. Paul.

Here are my two little men! They are wide open right now and enjoying laughing and well..having a few temper tantrums now. Caden talks ALL the time and repeats everything!

Well, that's all for now. Til' next time...

two firsts

2006-04-02T19:03:00.000-07:00

The time has come for two new first. I thought I would try to learn to blog- so here's my first one. Actually, i was inspired by my friend Mike Edgerle. He and Tiffany regularly send updates to their blog and i feel like i always know what's going on at their house. I probably won't be as consistent as he, but if nothing else, i'll learn how to do this.

so, the first 'first' is this - my first blog.
hopefully i'll be able to keep interested people better informed on our lives. Who those

interested people are... not sure, but i'm sure there are two or three.

So what does one write about on their first blog? What are most people's first subject? i thought about going all the way back to the beginning - October 26, 1973 1:59 AM in Springfield, MO, - but i couldn't find any pictures - and i think you must have lots of pics for good blogs, right? Then i thought maybe, i would just start at our wedding - it all just seemed overwhelming. So, i decided i would start with today. Well, not literally, but close. Most of my far away friends haven't seen my new look, so here ya go.

the second 'first' is shaving my head. What drives a man to shave his head? I'm sure there's lots of reasons, but for me it was simple. I saw a picture of myself directing our church's youth choir. there was a lot less hair from back there than last time i had seen it.

I told Stacie i was going to just shave it, as i'd threatened many times before - to which she would usually respond with loud protestations. This time, she replied, "okay." it took me four days to get over the shock. finally, i walked into the barber shop and told them what i wanted. "things i didn't know about shaving your head" number one: i didn't know this - the barber WON'T shave your head. they'll only go to a one with the razor. the rest you have to do yourself. When she took the razor and went right down the middle of my head, i got sick to my stomach. "What have I done?!?" As she continued, i felt a little better. i woosily drove home (i know, "woosily"?), walked in the front door and Stacie jumped, then she forced a, "i really like it - no really." i thought, "oh well, no changing it now." so i walked into the bathroom and lathered up the and began shaving it the rest of the way. then i got really sick. I commited then to keep it for a month before i decided if i liked it or not. i really didn't want to have this feeling again.

"things i didn't know about shaving your head" number two: i didn't know you had to shave your head almost as often as your beard.

"things i didn't know about shaving your head" number three: you really need to plan to be in the sun after shaving your head for the first time. the worst part about a freshly shaved head - the tanlines.

Then i went to Staff meeting - let's just say mixed reviews. That night was choir rehearsal - also mixed reviews.

"things i didn't know about shaving your head" number four: i didn't know shaving your head opened you up to listening to everyone's opinions. 1/2 of everyone thinks it makes me look older. 1/2 of everyone thinks younger. 1/2 love it, 1/2 well... don't. i'm still undecided and am open to your comments. normally, i'd be sick of all the feedback, but in this case, i'm really not sure if i like it myself.

"things i didn't know about shaving your head" number five: kids react strangely to dramatic changes in the appearances of their parents. Oh, another funny story. later that night, i came home and Caleb greets me with, "Daddy's ho---" cut off mid sentence - he notices my new hairstyle (do you still call it a hair style?) and he just freezes. stares. stares somemore. looks at Stacie and says, "where's Daddy's hair?" i said, "i shaved it" he says to Stacie ( i think he thinks i'm deaf because i lost my hair - so he has to talk to Stacie), "tell him to put it back." i asked him if he wanted to touch it, he said no and started screaming running away. I chased him around the house. ah, what fun it is to torture a 3 year old. I've regularly asked him if he likes it, but now he knows i think it is funny when he says, "put it back on", so he just says that and laughs, then slaps my head and runs away.

"things i didn't know about shaving your head" number six: actually, i still don't know the answer to this. if you shave your head for a period of time, when you let it grow out - is it like a beard later? you know, all course and thick? hmm...

So, about your comments. don't just say you don't like it. here's the question.

if you don't like it - is it worse than the picture of the balding head above?

If you do like it, do you like it more than the balding head above? (okay, that just sounds stupid, but...)

thanks for reading my blog. i'll be looking forward to hearing your responses.