Puggles, & Cubbies, & Sparks-OH MY!

We were very blessed to have our children in the AWANA program again at our church this year.  Every Wednesday evening, Parker attended Puggles, Katy attended Cubbies, and Lily and Maddy attended Sparks.   Parker was the first one of ours to participate in Puggles.  They each got a cute shirt to wear every Wednesday night with the logo:

Awana Puggles is an enriching program for 2 yr olds that presents 2 basic biblical concepts:

We are a unique creation of God.
God loves us very much.
May 18th was the first night for AWANA Awards where the Puggles and Cubbies were recognized.  The pictures are dark because of the lighting in the Sanctuary, but Parker is the one in the middle:

He was very anxious about being on stage in the "big church" when we talked about it at home, so we were very happy that he stood up there!

He had the best teachers, Mrs. Nicole and Mrs. Amber.  Here they are giving Parker his award:

He was so proud!

The Cubbies were next to get their awards.  This is Katy's 2nd year in Cubbies, and she has really enjoyed it!   

They sang a couple of really cute songs with motions:

Director, Kim Sikes handed Katy her award and prizes.:

Katy was very proud of her certificate too!

Katy and one of her best friends, Rachel:

On Wednesday, May 25th, AWANA had their second night of awards for the Elementary School kids.  Unfortunately, Lily was not able to attend because of dress rehearsal for her Dance Recital.  We are so proud of her for completing all 3 Sparks books from Kindergarten-2nd Grade and receiving a plaque! 
Maddy was able to receive her award for completing Book 1:

She had been waiting for this night for a long time to receive her green ribbon!

We are so thankful for our church that provides our children with the opportunity to participate in AWANA where they memorize and hide God's Word in their hearts!  It is a wonderful way for the kids to worship, fellowship, and learn how to evangelize!

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.  All the believers were together and had everything in common.  Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.  Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.  They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying favor of all the people.  And the LORD added to their number daily those who were being saved. 

Acts 2:42-47

3 Months Pregnant!

I am excited to say that I am 3 months pregnant as of May 22nd!  We are praising God for this little miracle that He has created!  I went to the Doctor on May 18th and heard our precious baby's strong heartbeat by Doppler.  It was around 160 bpm.  Things are progressing well and my due date has been set for November 22nd.  Please keep Baby Buhl in your prayers and that he or she will continue to develop into a healthy baby! 

God thunders with His voice wondrously,

Doing great things which we cannot comprehend. 
Job 37:5

Sweet Land of Liberty

Our family went to visit my parents in Stephens City, VA on May 13th, and the next day we took a Field Trip to Washington D.C.  We have been studying American History at Buhl Academy, so Lily and Maddy were so excited to see all of the things they've been reading and learning about! 

The kids loved the Metro Station and ride:

 Squishing in a seat with Grandpa!:

Lily and Maddy wanted to see the White House first, so we headed that way as soon as we got off of the Metro.  On the way we saw the Treasury:

Here is Maddy trying to get a peek at the White House through the fence:

 Here are my Buhl Academy girls!:

The White House from the front:

 The White House from the back:

 Here is my sweet Maddy Faith who is almost finished with her Kindergarten year!:

 And here is my Lily Marie who is almost finished with her Second Grade year!:

The girls couldn't believe how tall the Washington Monument was in real life!:

 Lily and Maddy have become so much closer since they've been home together for school and I praise God for that! 

While at the Monument, we could see the Lincoln Memorial in the distance:

 It started raining after we saw the Monument, so we headed over to the Smithsonian Museum of American History. 

The girls got to use a printing press from the 1800s:

The girls enjoyed The First Ladies exhibit with all the pretty dresses, shoes and purses!

We got to see the red, sparkly shoes from the Wizard of Oz:

The girls loved this huge, gold, sparkly Star-Spangled Banner:

We weren't allowed to take pictures of the real flag, but it was so amazing seeing it in person!  After we were finished with the Smithsonian, it had stopped raining, so we headed back outside to go see some more sights.  Parker enjoyed the Field Trip too!

Jonathan was excited to finally see the World War II Memorial.  

Lily found our state of Tennessee!:

Jonathan and his Lily:

The World War II Memorial was beautiful:

My Dad thought it would be funny for me to "hold" the Washington Monument!:

Then it was on to my favorite part of Washington D.C., the Lincoln Memorial!  Maddy has really been fascinated with Abraham Lincoln, which makes me so happy because he is one of my very favorite Presidents!  He was such a godly man.  We read this about Abraham Lincoln while studying him:  Lincoln biographer William E. Barton wrote that Mr. Lincoln “read the Bible, honored it, quoted it freely, and it became so much a part of him as visibly and permanently to give shape to his literary style and to his habits of thought.”

I loved watching the kids running up all of the steps!:

Our sweeties in front of the Lincoln Memorial!:

Our last stop was the Korean War Memorial:

We spent 8 hours touring Washington D.C. and Parker Buddy was worn out! 

We were so blessed to be able to take this special Field Trip to Washington D.C. to enhance what we've been studying at Buhl Academy.  We are enjoying homeschooling so much and thank God for allowing our family to do it.  To Him be the glory!

“The Almighty has his own purposes.” - Abraham Lincoln

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord.
Jeremiah 29:11-14