May's Days (Part 1)...

We love May for lots of reasons!  It's not only the busiest month of the year, but probably one of the most exciting. 

On May 4th and 5th, we participated in the neighborhood garage sales.  My sister and her family came up with a minivan full of stuff to sell, and we had a fun and profitable weekend!

On May 7th, we celebrated my 36th birthday with dinner at Roadhouse and a DQ ice cream cake with some of the family at my parent's house.

The girls always find something to wrap around their heads
for dress up.  Their combinations keep us laughing!

Love him.

Toothless Livvy

She really deserves the birthday wishes...

Promptly on the 8th, we began our latest family project...

Yup...we've got a ways to go!  :-)

On the 9th, Evan went for an eye exam.  He had been having a lot of trouble with distance, and our presumptions were correct.  Now he looks like this:

On May 12th, we celebrated Mother's Day!  Our family is so blessed with Godly women...we love each of them.

My kids won't stay in their dress clothes for anything. 

The boys love to see how short I'm getting.  :-)

On May 17th, all four of our kids were involved in the four student groups that sold discount cards.  We had 200 cards to sell, and had scheduled two four-hour days at local retailers.  We were blown away when, after 3-1/2 hours, all 200 cards were sold!  We were given an additional $140 in donations, beyond our sales.  I had to ask myself, "Why is it so shocking when God answers prayer?"
 :-)

On May 18th, we attended the PCS 2012 Commencement, and the party for one of the graduates, Kerri Pouzar. 

My kindergartners Austin, Timmy, Karys, and Leyton, and
my supervisor's assistant (and lifesaver), Mrs. Hunter.

and with the preschoolers, Allison and Paul.

8th grade grads, Michelle and Rachel

Mike achieving a huge milestone!

Kerri started coming to school when she was 2...the year her
mom started teaching.  I have been with her most school
days since she was 3 years old!

On May 19th, we took off for Ohio's Statehouse in Columbus for the final Heartbeat Bill Rally.  Our kids experienced some new things: seeing Occupy protesters huddled in their tents,  watching a man yell at peaceful demonstrators (and seeing how quickly the bike police made their presence known), listening to speakers who have been on the front lines fighting against abortion, and simply being a part of a group who sacrificed a Saturday to come from all areas of the state to do what Americans should do - fight for those who cannot.  As we answered many questions that our kids posed, I realized that what was routine for me as a kid (monthly Right to Life meetings, picketing at in front of the adult bookstore in town, participating in pro-life marches, etc.) is almost foreign to my kids.  Definitely an area for improvement.  Kaitlynn and Evan hadn't seen the Capitol, so that was a new experience for them, as well. 

My favorite poster at the rally

Asking Ohio's Republican Senators to take the Rhino test. 

Lunch at the lake on the way home.

We had to leave the rally just a few minutes early (it was two hours in length) to get home in time for our church's annual business meeting!  A full Saturday, indeed!

So...that's Part 1.  If my computer and Blogger will cooperate, Part 2 will follow.  :-)