Kindergarten!

This was our first week of kindergarten at the Critz house. It was a fantastic week. We started a new family schedule that has worked absolutely beautifully for all of us. John V has eaten up watching the clock and remembering what it was time to do next. No TV or movies unless we're in the car which made some Saturday morning cartoons this morning a fun and special treat! The kids are doing a great job learning their assigned chores. John V's favorite job is being my dinner helper and Kailey's is making her bed. Kailey and John V are both doing a great job with their school work. Kailey is working on her alphabet sounds and getting those "teen" numbers unmixed. She also enjoys coloring and art projects. John V loves math, especially estimating numbers. He's also doing a great job with his handwriting and reading. Today we had "Show & Tell Saturday" where instead of doing school work, we showed Dad everything we had worked on this week. We quoted our Bible verses, talked about how we had showed attentiveness (our character quality for the week), and showed Dad our book work. John V was very disappointed to learn that we don't do school on the weekends. He finally grudgingly agreed to wait until Monday so we could "play with Dad" while he was home from work. : ) It is a privilege and honor to see and participate in his hunger for learning. One of my favorite parts of our day right now is at breakfast when Daddy reads us our Proverb for the day and John V listens for verses that talk about being wise or foolish. He hits his right hand on the table if he hears about a wise man and his left for a foolish man. He listens so intently and talks often lately about his wise choices to please God. We point out the verses to him about a wise son making his father and mother glad and tell him how great our joy is in seeing his choices to please his heavenly Father. These are truly precious days and I am tucking each one away in my heart's box of memories. God has been so good to me!

Thank You for This Man

Yes, I know...where did I come from? Hi, I'm Courtney. I used to write blogs. Anyway, I've been feeling the need to document all that is going on in our lives right now. Kind of an Israelite type tribute, an altar of sorts to remind our children and children's children of the power and might of our God. He is at work every day showing Himself to us. What more could we possibly need?

Today is my eighth anniversary. As I look back, watch my wedding video with my three children, and hug the man I still get excited about seeing every day, my heart is full of gratitude. So I'm going to write out the prayer that has been in my heart today so that someday when I or my children need to see it, it will be there. I pray that He will somehow use it to encourage you as well.

Lord, there are no words to thank you for this man you have given me. This man who started out as a sweet boy I knew. The cute friend of my brother's and brother of my friend's. The one who melted my heart when he played the guitar and sang at recitals, when he helped his mom put in her earrings, and even when he swung a baseball bat. The one who turned into my best buddy, calling me to ask "homework questions" from our homeschool classes, teaching together, playing Nertz for hours, going to movies with our crew of friends, and then graduating together. The one I then began to realize was not satisfactory as a friend but was someone I could really and truly love. That right under my nose was the guy I had been looking for.

Thank you for this man who saw the best in me. Who saw past the immature moments of a seventeen year old girl just beginning to figure out a romantic relationship for the first time. This man who went to work and began as a teenager to build a foundation for supporting his family. Who had goals and dreams that were bigger than himself and his enjoyment. A man who was seeking God's heart and growing into a responsible, godly, patient, humble model of manhood. The man who married his first girlfriend and gave me his entire heart, every single piece. Who by marrying me then gave me another incredible family to love...and that could be another entire letter of thanks.

Thank you for this man who helped me pray, seeking God and struggling for answers when the children we waited for did not come easily and quickly. The one who held me when we helplessly sent three children to live with Jesus and with each one we grew, not receiving answers to our questions, but receiving a far better gift...we were beginning to truly know God in the depth of our beings. To desperately need Him like we needed air and food. The man who then held my hand (and had the stuffing squeezed out of his hand) as I birthed three incredible, beautiful children. Each a miracle, each with a story of God's faithfulness, His promises kept, His strength given. Incredible moments as he actually helped to deliver two of our children and was the first one to hold them as they entered the world.

Thank you for this man who excels at being a father just as he does everything else in his life. Who makes his children feel special and loved. Who gives them boundaries and direction, loving discipline and, most importantly, an example worth emulating. A man who works hard at his job, not doing eye service, but doing the best he can even when no one is watching. A man who works to live and does not live to work. A man who uses the money God gives him to care for others and does not spend his time and energy serving his things or his money.

Could there be enough words to say thank you for a man like this all wrapped up into one husband? No, so I do my best to show my gratitude through my actions, through my heart attitudes. And as I prepare this year on my anniversary for the big test of "leaving and cleaving" that will come with our move away from family, I walk forward in confidence in this man's leadership and in what God will bring. I made a vow on our wedding day that wherever he went I would go. Now I am finally living that out eight years later. And the only one I have more confidence in than my husband is You, Lord, the heavenly Father who goes before us, beside us, and behind us. Thank You, thank You, thank You for this man.

Children's Health Talk

I've been meaning to post this for a while. I sent out an e-mail to some friends but didn't have e-mails for everyone that I thought might be interested. Just drop me a comment or an e-mail if you would like to come and I can give you any other details you need.

Date: Saturday, April 4th
Location: Courtney's House
Time: 1:30-3:30

Come hear Dr. Carolyn Marocco speak on children's health and nutrition and answer your biggest questions about ear infections, skin issues, and more. This will be an informal time and we may need to follow up with more if we don't have time to finish! For those of you who cannot make this date, we may end up doing another one on a Wednesday night, but this date fit the most people right now. If you want to come and visit with everyone for a few minutes you can come at 1:30 and then Carolyn will begin speaking at 2:00. Don't worry about coming late or needing to leave early, I can fill you in on what you missed. I will also have some books here that you can buy from me that might help you to continue learning more about what she will speak on. Please RSVP because we will schedule another date/time if this one gets too full. Feel free to pass this on to your friends!

Valentine's/Levi's 6 Month Pictures

We had a picture session with Kristin Morales last week and, as usual, she totally outdid herself. She captures my kids personalities so well every time! Levi was a little more serious than usual due to four teeth on their way in, but he perked up by the end. Now I just have to decide! Any votes on favorites?

http://www.kristinmorales.com/index2.php
Click on Client
Password is Critz (case sensitive)

Disney World VII

And to fittingly wrap up tons of Disney World pictures, we bring you. . . The Kitchen Sink! This cute soda fountain at our hotel had this sundae that was every flavor of ice cream, cookie, cake, and topping they had with an entire can of whipped cream on top. All in a cute kitchen sink! When they bring it out everyone stops and they flash the lights. It's hilarious. It was a fun way to wrap things up on our last night in Florida!

Disney World VI

We went miniature golfing at the neatest place I've ever seen called Winter Summerland

Hole in one!

Checking out the tiny camper

Dad getting in on the action

One of the places where we ate let the kids decorate their own cupcakes for dessert

John thought that was really cool!

The characters are all so sweet with the babies

The Mouse himself!!!

Disney World V

The Lord has done some convicting in my heart about what I said in my last post. If He gives me something He wants me to share, He will always give me the strength to do it. I may not have the physical energy to do a lot, but I have learned some valuable things during this time. For instance, I simply can't do a day without starting it with my time with the Lord. He gives me just enough for today and I trust Him for tomorrow. He gave me a beautiful picture as He convicted me about sharing. If I am the vessel and He is filling me, all I have to do is fall down and I will spill out to give to others. When I am spending time being filled with His Presence and Power and "falling down" in humility, in praise and submission to my Lord, there is always something left to give. May He fill you with what you need today!

We took our beautiful princesses to a princess breakfast (that is my niece, Kyndall on the left)

Meeting Belle

I mean, could you just eat them up?!

Meeting Mary Poppins

I tell her every night at bedtime that she is my precious princess, my special treasure

Exploring the beautiful flower beds of England in Epcot

The only thing more beautiful than a rose? A little girl!

Two Sleeping Beauties?

Disney World IV

I'm going to be brutally honest here. I am completely worn down. So, until I have some physical and emotional energy you will find nothing here but posted pictures. No deep, wonderful thoughts or insights. The Lord is giving me those and maybe at some point there will also be enough energy to share them! Until then, hopefully you all really love seeing my kids (cause I'm sure not posting pics of me right now)!

Kailey just kept repeating, "Minnie, I love you!" over and over. You can tell how cute it was by Esel's face in the background. By the way, Esel is my youngest brother's girlfriend who was able to join us for a few days of the trip. She's adorable.

The beautiful castle at Mickey's Christmas Party

Kailey dancing with the mice at the dance party

John had this whole elaborate, imaginary thing going in Donald's boat. He tried to get every other kid that came in to play but they had no idea what he was talking about. Weird when people don't want to be told what to do.

Kailey waving at the princesses in the parade. I love the pointing fingers in half of our pictures. Just the wonder of it all to a young child!

Eating hot dogs on bleachers while watching old Goofy sports cartoons. Can you beat that?

Disney World III

Watching old Disney cartoons in the hotel lobby

Our family had Incredibles t-shirts that day. Of course, Levi had already blown his out. : )

Mike & Sully!!!

We went to a Playhouse Disney lunch. Fun!

John had the most hilarious dazed expression when he met June. She was the only one who had that effect on him!

Kailey doing some polka dancing in Germany at Epcot

Disney World II

The characters were a big deal this year. Kailey loved Piglet.

But no Tigger

This just makes me laugh. I think she only took a few bites but it looked hilarious. She was far more interested in the Toy Story Ride!

It is very difficult to get on this ride right now but Mom got us into this special after-hours thing where we could ride over and over. Here's Levi enjoying a spin.

The after-hours crew! Caitlin was sick that night. : (

Kailey and I get our picture at Minnie's house each time.

Disney World

Well, we are very pathetic over here at the Critz house and have been since before Christmas. We are trying to get well and finally coming up for air a bit so here comes my excess of Disney World pictures to overdo you until I have energy to update on everyone. I pray you are doing well as we enter 2009! I was reminded as I took down my 65+ Christmas cards from friends and family how many people God has blessed us with the opportunity to know and love! We loved hearing from each one of you!

In line for the Star Wars ride. The face says it all.

When you're about to meet Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater, sometimes you just have to break dance. The expressions on the people in the background make me laugh.

This was in our hotel lobby. This is a gingerbread carousel made out of entirely edible ingredients! Beautiful!

I'm going to have to do a product review on this little find. We took three strollers but these two we connected with these stroller connectors when we needed them to be one. Worked great! This was the night Marmee and I went back with the kids while the other adults went to Cirque du Soleil. They loved it!

Coming off a little roller coaster. He rode everything they would let him on! He's just like his mom and dad - loves a thrill ride!

Buzz Lightyear - always a favorite

Our little family - the kids traveled perfectly!

The dancing lights - they're so beautiful!

John had to have his picture with the giant Kermit

Guess Where Levi's Going?

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas