Memorial Day

So, over the past year, the Liounis clan has been less dependent on each other, often celebrating holidays apart. I think it’s refreshing. Two weeks ago was Memorial Day- we Stringhams decided to head to the beach for the day. So, away we went. Even though we planned on leaving at 8:00, we got on the road around 10:00, lol. Luckily, we made excellent time- 2.5 hours to OCNJ. We parked right the beach on 12 th street and made an entire day of it. 

Though the water was still too cold to get in (except for my water bug Jimmy), I would say it was pretty much a perfect day at the beach. The weather was great. The amount of sun was great. There wasn’t a single argument in our bunch. There was a perfect balance of rest/relaxation and soccer/walking/digging. We are one Big Mac N Manco’s meal around 3:30 which smelled delicious (which made up for me still not able to smell the Bay), though the taste was off for everyone, not just me. I’m hoping it was just a fluke. 

Since Jackson has been at &Hershey Park the day prior and decided he LOVES roller coasters, he talked Jimmy into trying the biggest coaster there. The three boys did it. It was WAY too much to be little Jimmy’s first roller coaster. I don’t see him getting on another any time soon. We didn’t leave until 9 out so. Unfortunately, it took about 4 hours to get home:( 

Jimmy Turns Nine

My blue eyed baby is nine. His last year before double digits. I fear this is my last year of having a snuggle bug. 

His celebrations started on Weds with the Liounis clan, since they weren’t available this weekend. The only one who couldn’t make it Wednesday was… Daddy:( Jason was traveling for work. He was missed. We had hotdogs for dinner, swam in Selina’s pool, warmed up in the hot tub, played lots of years games, opened gifts, and ate cookies withOUT singing Happy Birthday because Jimmy was too busy playing Nerf guns war. 

Jimmy loved the Flamingo mug that Jennibelle had commissioned from an artsy friend. When he opened the Nerf gun box, everyone got excited, like usual. Except Jack whispered to Jennibelle “getting a box just isn’t the same with Dad not here, sniff sniff.” 

Today, Friday June 10th- his actual birthday- Jimmy had his first official birthday party with friends. He invited 5 friends over from 12-3. We had tacos with rice, a piñata, ice cream cake, presents, soccer, capture the flag, trampoline and even a quick trip to LAMS to play Ga-Ga Ball.  No one was ready to leave at 3. I’d  say Jimmy had a great time with Jackson, Channing, Nathan, Logan, William, Braedon - and Millie. 

Jaylee Moved Out

On Feb 14th, Jaylee was offered an “internship” with Cariloha in Las Vegas. She jumped on it. On Feb 19th, she and Jennibelle started out on the cross country car ride. They got to stop at Aunt Donna Moore’s on the way out. After 4 or 5 days, they made it to sunny Las Vegas. Jenni was to fly home 2 days later but was at the wrong gate so she left on the third day, right before Jaylee started work. 

Jaylee’s roommate never showed up so her friend Lauren from Lititz flew out the next week and took the position. They ended up having a BLAST together in Vegas. I don’t think they were ever bored. They even headed to LA for Easter. 

As her three months were coming to an end, she got offered an intern position in Juneau Alaska. She was going to pass it up because she thought it would be boring, but decided to give it a try. Audrey drove with her up to Seattle to leave her car with Grandma and Grandpa.  It’s been 1 month and so far, she loves it. She lives on a dock where the cruise ships come in. She’s seen a lot of wildlife. 

This internship should end mid-August. 

We are excited to see her then:)

The Boys’ Baptism

The boys got baptized together this past Sunday, June 6, 2022. It was at LEFC’s Sunday in the Park at Lititz Springs Park. The weather was just perfect and boys were even more perfect! I know they were both TERRIFIED to read their testimonies in front of the 400 people there. Jackson even tried to back out of the baptism because he was too anxious to read, so Jason reading for him was our back-up plan. 

Church service started at 10:30. Meg’s family came. Nan & Poppop brought Mommom Matheson. Mandy and Morgan came. Jennibelle’s boyfriend Josh and one of her BFFs, Kami. Mommom’s niece even surprised us by bringing Mommom’s sister Shirley! The baptism  got started around noon, and Uncle David & Telesa got there just in time too! 

Jack was the third to go and Jimmy went right after him. He did not sound scared at all!!  He ROCKED it! And Jimmy should grow up to be a public speaker- he is naturally SO GOOD!

Jackson’s testimony…

Hello. My name is Jackson Lee Stringham. I’m 11 and I just finished 5th grade at Bonfield.

My family calls me a miracle. I was very sick when I was in my Mom’s belly. My family prayed all the time and fasted. The Dr one time said “I can’t explain this! The only explanation is that God has intervened!” When I was 3 weeks old, I was dying in the ICU. 2 years later, I told my Mom about how Jesus and I watched from the air above the bed while the Drs tried to get the long IV into my neck. I don’t remember that anymore but I think it’s cool that I remembered it then. I’m lucky that He always keeps me safe and I know I can ask Him anything- when I’m sick, scared or just happy.

I love going to my Poppop’s Awana club on Wednesday nights. It’s over for the summer, so I want to start my own group on Wednesdays for my friends so I can teach them all about how much Jesus loves them. I’ve started collecting Bibles for it. At Awana, I learned my favorite Bible verse- John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes on him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

I know that I don’t deserve to go to Heaven because I am full of sin. I have committed so many sins in my life- I still commit sins even though I am a Christian. I am not perfect, just forgiven. Jesus chose to die on the cross so we could go be with him in Heaven. I Thank you for listening, but now I am going to get wet.

Jimmy’s testimony…

Hi My name is Jimmy Stringham. I go to Bonfield Elementary. I am now in fourth grade. I will be 9 years old this week, and my favorite bible verse is John 3:16. I memorized it at Awana. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

 

I asked Jesus to be aprt of my life during Sunday School at LEFC. But, he has always been in my life and he helped me through many things. Like when I broke my finger and my nail ripped off and when I used to throw up really bad and end up at the Drs. He helped heal me and I know I can always trust him. 

 

I know that I’m going to Heaven because I trust, love and believe in Jesus. We all don’t deserve to go to Heaven, but Jesus died on the cross to forgive all of our sins so that we can live eternal life with him. I know he forgives my sins. I have probably sinned everyday of my life, but he has forgiven all of my sins because I asked him to. Even when I sin in the future, he will forgive those sins too. I hope he comes into everybody’s life that is here today!

 

The spring water was f-reeze-ing!!! Jimmy was especially cute when he was sitting and answering pasted Tyler. 

Afterwards, we got lunch from the food trucks. Unfortunately, they were so packed that it took an hour to get our food. Everyone in our group over the age of 50 ended up leaving to go to Isaac’s Deli. Then the kids played with their friends on the carnival games/blow ups. We didn’t leave the park until 3:45. 

It really was a beautiful day.

I’m often overwhelmed with pride for my kids, but today was a different kind of pride… one I can’t articulate. 

Enjoy some photos…