Music and Art Show...

Sarah and Brayden's Music and Art teachers had the students from Kindergarten through 8th grade showcase some of the things they have been working on during the school year.

Mrs. Spirko the music teacher asked several students to showcase their musical talent throughout the evening for 5 minutes. Sarah had the opportunity to play her guitar with several songs. Another opportunity to play in public. The 8th graders also had to write a song for music class, words and music. Sarah's song she wrote was called "Cities". Her music teacher posted all the music pieces the night of the show.

The 8th graders also focused on making pottery for the year. They got to mold and paint and then fire them.

Brayden had lots of pieces to show off. He is a really great artist and was a part of the gifted art program for the year, which meant he went to art twice per week.

1st Grade Field Trip...

Brayden's 1st Grade field trip was to the Franklin Mineral Museum in Franklin, NJ. I had the opportunity to be a chaperone for the trip, which was fun for me to be with Brayden and all of his friends.

Our tour guide told us that the museum is the home of the world's most famous zinc mines. The Franklin mine is especially famous for mineral fluorescence, and a variety of rare species. They had lots of amazing stones and fossils to look at.

Johnny and Brayden

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Johnny, Brayden and Logan

They turn on a special light and all the fluorescent zinc in the rocks glow.  So cool!

The boys lunch table.

The girls table, which I had the privilege to sit at.

After lunch the kids got  to collect rocks from the rock quarry.

Miss Benson's 1st grade class

Unfortunately, right before the above picture was taken Brayden fell on the rocks and hurt his lip. I am so thankful I was on the trip to take care of him and make sure he was okay. At first we thought because of the way it was bleeding that he bit all the way through his lip, but in the end we determined that a rock probably cut his lip and his tooth hit the inside of his lip. Poor buddy. He had some tears, but was a brave little boy.

Showing off how the rocks he picked out glow.

The kids I was chaperoning for the day - Johnny, Brayden, Kali, Kate and Michaela

We took Brayden to the doctor after the field trip just to make sure everything was okay with his lip and teeth. We got the okay from the doctor, which I was thankful to hear.

120 - 133 #amyj365

120 | 365 His new favorite author is Jules Verne and he wants to print off his picture and put it on his bedroom door. 

We had to check out "Mysterious Island" from the library. It's a BIG book with 756 pages he said.

He has read a page or two, but he mainly likes to hold it and look at it. 

I love that he loves books. Not an avid reader yet, but with his love for books and the library I think he will be one day.

#lovemyboy #healwaysmakesmesmile #amyj365 

121 | 365 So thankful to the ladies who served in so many ways tonight at our She event with Rita Springer at Bethany Church. 

Incredible night with 300 ladies in worship and discovering our true identity.

#findingeve #revelation #lovemychurch #amyj365 

122 | 365 I wonder what the clouds will look like on that day...

Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him (Revelation 1:7 ESV)

#noordinaryday #untilthen #weliveforhim #heiswhatitisabout #amyj365 

123 | 365 Our weekend is coming to an end, so treating myself to a chai spice latte, 

dark chocolate and an episode of Once Upon A Time with Sarah and Jay.

#afewofmyfavoritethings #amyj365 

 124 | 365 They like them! they like them! I do to! A batch of homemade gluten free, dairy free and egg free chicken nuggets. Delicious!

It has been a bit overwhelming the past couple weeks with Sarah's diet change but we are learning a lot 

and attempting some new things. I want my girl to enjoy the things she can eat. 

Thank you @againstallgrain for making this transition a little easier for us with all your knowledge and experience. 

Looking forward to making more of your recipes.

#awholenewwaytoeat #againstallgrain #amyj365

125 | 365 J for James. It's not complicated.

#jamescrew #amyj365 

126 | 365 The newest addition to his collection of "kids" he sleeps with.

Disney Tsum Tsum Mickey.

#disneyfan #lovemyboy #amyj365 

127 | 365 For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. 1 Thessalonians 3:2-3

Temporary on the hands, but imprinted on the heart.

Incredible Children of the Day study with Beth Moore. 

Finished strong tonight with a beautiful group of ladies at our Bethany Church Wanaque campus. 

#sisterslovedbyGod #hehaschosenus #childrenofthelight #childrenoftheday #amyj365 

128 | 365 Ah, ya, good. Homemade real-deal Chocolate Chip Cookies from @againstallgrain 

made by my girl Sarah. 

#awholenewwaytoeat #fridaynighttreat #amyj365

129 | 365 Daddy always seems to come home with a few extra things that weren't on the shopping list. 

Jay says these are for Brayden, but I think he might try to use his Jedi mind tricks to claim them as his own.

#alonglongtimeagoinakitchenfarfaraway 

#macandcheesetheyare 

#theforceisstrongwiththese

#thesearentthemacandcheeseyourlookingfor 

#imnothungry #youwillbe

#illnevereatyou #itisuselesstoresist

I could keep going, but I won't.

#starwarsjunkies #amyj365

130 | 365 Mother's Day! I am blessed.

A book about me from my boy.

A sweet pink nail polish from my girl.

A new "card" journal from all 3 where they will write notes to me on special occasions. 

My request. My special collection of their words and love.

My heart is full. 

#ilovebeingamom #jamescrew #amyj365 

131 | 365 Just back from a 24hr getaway with this girlfriend.

Exactly what I needed.

Nothing complicated, but lots of good things happened in the short time away.

#mothersdaytreat #girltime #lovemyfriends #amyj365

132 | 365 In love with the message of this book and I've only read the introduction.

Thank you @ritaspringer for sharing your heart and journey in "Finding Eve" and so in turn to helping us find our true identity.

#incredibleread #daughterofgod #amyj365 

133 | 365 I love cookbooks. 

I found some good ones at the library while in search of new gluten/egg/dairy free recipes for Sarah and me.

#recipegirl #awholenewwaytoeat #amyj365

BC Youth's Got Talent...

Sarah participated in our BC Youth's Got Talent show again this year. This year she played her guitar and sang "Scandal of Grace" by Hillsong United.

Pastor Dan the MC and Judge Howie

The judges commenting on Sarah's AMAZING performance.

Sarah's girlfriend Trinity performed right after her. So proud of these girls.

Mother's Day...

Jason, Sarah and Brayden made my Mother's Day extra special just by being mine. I love my family and feel honored to be the mother of this family.

For the second year in a row our church offered to take a picture of the mothers at our campuses with their families. It is fun watching all the mothers with their families and the smiles on their faces.

A gift Bethany Church gave to all of our Mothers.

After Sunday morning service we met over at my in-laws to have lunch together. We ordered mexican so that us moms didn't have to cook or clean up. It was a beautiful afternoon, so Sarah and I went outside to take pictures. Sarah and Brayden will always be one of my favorite subjects to photograph. 

I love that Sarah enjoys taking photos. She has a beautiful perspective. I think I can learn a lot from my girl.

Rita Springer...

On Friday night, May 1st we had a Bethany "She Night" with our friend Rita Springer. Rita lead worship for 300 of our ladies and spoke about her book "Finding Eve". It was an incredible night worshiping with Rita and hearing her heart on what the Lord has shown her about Eve.

Us James girls enjoyed the extra time we got with Rita during the weekend and the younger boys loved their time with her son Justice going to Skyzone and playing video games.