Green Grass, Bike Rides, Blooming Buds...

that sounds like spring to us! After a long winter in a relatively small house, the Burleys are thankful for a change in seasons! The last few weeks have kept us too busy to update, and this blog has become rather neglected.

The day before spring break is usually spent on a field trip. This year we toured Jersey Dairy in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Our family had been to the on-site restaurant a couple of years ago. It was one of those places that you always intend to revisit but never really get around to doing it! Touring with a school group was much different, and a lot of fun. The weather was absolutely perfect. The kids were taken around the farm on a wagon pulled by an old tractor. The barn was full of adorable little calves, goats, etc., which the kids loved, and we finished the afternoon by playing a round of putt putt. I had 6 little ones in my group...teaching them to play putt putt was an interesting experience, and we had a blast watching them "compete"!



We enjoyed being able to attend IHC last week, and took a couple of extra days following the convention to relax and do some sightseeing. Believe it or not, we hadn't yet toured the Creation Museum in Kentucky, so after spending a cozy Thursday night at the beautiful Comfort Suites out by King's Island (for half the price of the smoke-infested, not-so-user-friendly Crowne Plaza/Convention Center), we left Allison with her Aunt Valerie at GBS, and took the rest of the family to the museum. We had seen a couple of the exhibits at Christmas during their outdoor event, but the rest was a first for us, and we were not disappointed! Each of us, from the youngest on up, left with a renewed sense of awe and worship for the God who created us and the universe in which we exist. We were also challenged to not be weary in the place of ministry to which God has called us...training children and teens using a Biblical foundation of truth. We cannot imagine asking our young children to sift through mounds of humanism and culturally twisted opinions (from textbooks, if not textbooks and teachers/professors) on a daily basis and then expect them to, all of the sudden, emerge as young adults who know, beyond the shadow of doubt, the answers to life's basic questions. It is incredibly scary to see where the church may be within the next 40 years if her remnant does not call for an end to the apathy in which she finds herself. If you have become detached from the stark reality of the age in which we live, take a trip to the Creation Museum...you will be confronted with facts, strengthened in your beliefs and empowered to confidently share TRUTH with others!



Friday evening and Saturday we were able to spend time with Grandma Yount. Every moment that we can be together is a gift. The rain made us all a little lethargic, but it was probably what we needed at the end of a busy week! Adam, Valerie, and Aubrey met us at Skyline for dinner before our return home, and it was good to be with them again, as well.



We had heard so much about IKEA that we finally decided to see what it was about. We weren't too impressed (lots of cheaply built furniture and decor), but it seemed that there were some treasures hidden here and there throughout. :) We left there having spent $21 (probably the smallest transaction at that store that day), and brought home a nice abacus and a wooden toy set (one can build his choice of 4 different "vehicles" with the tools and parts) for our preschool/kindergarten classroom. Pretty cool...may have to visit the toy dept again.



Now we are on the final stretch of the school year. Less than 5 weeks to go...hard to believe. Although it is an exciting time for the kids, it is always a little difficult for this momma/teacher. Watching as our seniors leave the "nest", headed out into a world where right seems wrong and evil is applauded as right, knowing that they have been giving a solid foundation of wisdom and truth, and hoping that they stay close enough to God to always be able to sense His guidance in their lives...cheering as our little girl winds up her kindergarten year, and looks forward to being a full time student in the fall of 2010... reminiscing as our oldest boy heads into the middle school years, knowing that the remainder of his time in our home is quickly passing...the ending of a school year is another completed chapter in the book of life. It's amazing how unbelievably fast that story is written.



Here are a few pictures from the weekend. Enjoy!

Pretty cool...the dudes in the back look just as real as the ones in front!

Remember, as a little kid, wondering if dinosaurs ever really existed? Makes me glad I didn't live in the good 'ole days!

Kaitlynn's idea of a healthy diet...

My kind of dinosaur!

Funny story...this is my mom and her friend, Roxanne Baker. We ran into the Bakers at the Creation Museum, and these two were able to have a quick laugh while reminiscing about some of their experiences. Paul and Roxanne were married June 14, 1974. Mom and dad were married June 15, 1974. Paul and Roxanne attended mom and dad's wedding. You do the math. (Mom and dad did not attend the Bakers wedding because they were at their own rehearsal, which evidently is a lot more important than a honeymoon...haha!)...

Although there weren't many flowers in the park area, there were some buds and tulips. That made for a few nice pics...

My grandmother lives in an area of Cincinnati that is notorious for its deer population. We are always on the lookout as we enter the Amberly Village/Deer Park/Kenwood area, because we know that at least one is likely to be near the road. This particular night we were surprised not to see any deer as we drove through the communities, but this is what awaited us as we pulled into her driveway. Grandma's backyard is not very big, but the deer love to hang out around her patio.

One of the kids favorite things about visiting their Great-Grandma Yount is the knowledge that they can have as much coffee as they want. Or should I say as much International Delight French Vanilla creamer as they want, with a little coffee on top! This was Allison's first time to partake in the "coffee fest", and she thought she had died and gone to heaven!

"The love of family is one of life's greatest blessings."

Easter 2010

Easter 2010 was a blessed day spent celebrating the Risen King! We skipped out on some of our "traditions". The kids did without baskets this year, and we didn't color eggs. I almost skipped the new clothes, but since it is spring and everybody needed something for spring, we went ahead. Next year maybe we'll just do new outfits for the first Sunday of spring instead of Easter...I suppose that would be ok! For some reason all the chaos on Easter Sunday morning makes me a wreck before I am even able to rejoice in the Resurrection! I know all of these "things" can be related to the Easter story, but it seems like every month there is a holiday which turns into a candy fest for the kids, or some unnecessary pressure to get gifts, etc.
The boys are growing up quickly...they just wanted polos for Easter this year. How easy is that!

On the other hand, Kaitlynn had to have a dress that would "twirl", so even though I knew at least 90% of the other girls would have a dress like this, we went ahead. Sure enough...I was right. Lots of coordination going on Easter Sunday! The kids thought it was cool to match, so I guess it's all good!
The boys with our neighbor, Jacob, who comes to church with us occasionally...

Egg hunt at mom and dads...I held Will the whole time, so I didn't get any pics. Megan snapped this one for me...check out the belly!

Allison has a very best friend. In observing children, it is one of the most interesting things I have ever seen. Austin and Allison aren't exactly typical. Austin is 3, and Alli is 28 mos. They will have the most interesting conversations you have ever heard. They do not leave each others' side after church. They either run around together, or they find a quiet corner to sit and talk...and they do talk, and talk, and talk! It's fun to watch the interpersonal skills blossom.

Is somebody shy???

We trust you had a wonderful Easter!

Happy 6th Birthday, Kaitlynn Ann!

On March 15th (yeah, I know I'm late), Kaitlynn celebrated her 6th birthday. Uncle Adam, Aunt Valerie, and Aubrey were in town, so they celebrated with us on the 14th over Sunday lunch at mama and papa's house, then we had her birthday dinner at Ruby Tuesday's on the 15th. This girl loves her flowers. Makes me think about her Great-Grandpa Yount and Great-Grandma Black. They both loved nurturing nature and watching it grow. She must have gotten it from them, cause it sure didn't come from her momma! :)

I found this cute little cake at WalMart, and asked Kaitlynn what she wanted on it. She insisted that it say, "Happy Birthday, Princess". That works, I guess! Then the lady running the bakery ended up using red icing to write on it, instead of something that matched the pretty girlie colors. Note to self...never ask them to write on a cake near closing time. They will use whatever color is already in the tube, no questions asked.
I think Aubrey had just awakened, hence the hairdo, but she was having so much fun with the party toys...


Opening her package from Grandpa and Grandma Burley who are still in Florida!
Loving this card...
A real treat...$25 gift card to Claire's from daddy. She always wants to spend money in Claire's, and since she is unemployed she rarely has money to spend! This was a fun thing.
Lovin' on Mama and Papa
Siblings...
...and the one who wouldn't cooperate...
What a coincidence that two of my favorites, Kaitlynn and Biggby, share a birthday!
This girl knows how to savor the good things...
Happy Birthday, Kait! We hope it was a good one!