I Am #79

I got something in the mail on Saturday that I was pretty excited about....  But, I couldn't have gotten it without your help.... That's right! You, yes you, the one reading my blog now.  The one who chose to donate your money through me to the National MS Society in 2012.  You helped me reach my personal goal and go beyond it.  Last year, with your help, I was able to raise $1,415.00!  WOW!  I had no idea what a big deal this was until I started receiving emails a few months ago about being part of the 2013 Elite 100.  This means I was one of the top 100 individual MS fundraisers for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Mid America Chapter in the year 2012.  

I could not have done this alone.  It is very exciting and humbling to know that I am working hard and you all are helping me raise funds and awareness for those with Multiple Sclerosis, including my Mom who was diagnosed with MS about three years ago.  I am so happy to be doing something that will benefit others with MS, a cause I am passionate about, and one that affects me and my family.

With your help I am thrilled to think that I may be able to make the National MS Society's Mid America Chapter 2014 Elite 100 again!  THANK YOU!  Each and every one of you who have given money to me, or someone on our "Go For Gloria" Walk MS team, YOU are helping to make a difference in the life of those affected by Multiple Sclerosis.

THANK YOU!

Easter Fun

Last weekend was Easter.  We went to Wichita Botanica for the first time because we had some tickets to use.... The Easter Bunny was there along with lots of girls dressed as fairies handing out eggs.  Not much was blooming yet, and all fountain and water areas were either turned off or not filled yet.  It would be interesting to go back, maybe in May, to see the difference a month or two makes in the appearance.  The girls liked looking around and climbing on the big fake tree area there.

At church on Sunday we enjoyed a large breakfast potluck, a little egg hunt and a fantastic Easter church service - filled with people in our congregation's testimonies about how God has worked and is working in their lives.

Getting ready for the kid's egg hunt...

Our family

After church we headed North to my cousin Josh's house for a Hastings family Easter gathering.

We cooked out, threw some Frisbees, played the annual wiffleball game, visited, had an egg hunt, and did some barn work, and got a little dirty.

Frisbee Golf....

Wiffleball....

Pictured left to right: Jess, Drew, Wyonna, Stacee, Silas, Phoebe, Eric, Sarah, Dale, Jackson, Jan, Johannah, Camryn, and Josh.  (not pictured, but actually taking the pictures: Charles and Beki)

Cute kids!

Easter egg hunting....

Another generation of Hastings kid egg hunters....

Josh, Eric, and Dale did some barn work.... The rest of us watched and took pictures of them working, and occasionally said, "Be Careful!"

We got home that night around 9pm.  We had an Easter bucket with some surprises in it for each one of our kids from us... Sarah and Silas were still awake to look in their buckets.  Phoebe was just too tired and would not wake-up.  She was happy to look in her bucket the next morning.

I hope you had a nice Easter.  Remember God is with you.  ALWAYS.  You may or may not want him to be, or you have yet to realize and know God, and know his love for you is constant.  But, my friends, he is not going to leave.  He has been with you always and will be with you always.  And, he is a good God.  Turn to him.  Put your trust in him and BELIEVE.

March Schoolwork

Sarah's handwriting and reading have improved tremendously in the last month! She likes to write stories and make books when she is at home.  She has written several... one about getting a check-up, one about the fruits of the spirit, one about going swimming and another about rainbows dancing.

At school she continues to do very well!  She enjoys being with her friends and learning.

Her drawing skills amaze me.  Below is a rainbow heart and a rainbow submarine.

Below are a couple of pictures that she painted at school.

Her class has been working on simple addition, time, counting by 5's and 10's, and number recognition.  She surprised Eric and I a few weeks ago by recognizing and reading numbers in the 100's, 200's and 300's!  Often times she will ask me what does __+__ equal?  (asking me over and over with different numbers filled in the blanks.)  She also likes to impress us by counting as high as she can.

Many times during indoor recess this month she choose to make pictures for Phoebe, Daddy, Silas and me.

Me:  It seems like you have had a lot of days off from school this month due to snow and Spring Break... What did you do over your Spring Break?
Sarah: "Go'd to Emporia. We went to the chocolate shop, and swimming, and watched basketball."

Me:  What is something that you want to learn or get better at before Kindergarten is over?

Sarah: "Counting to 100, reading books"