All that Jazz...

Here's what the Dirks have been up to since Easter (it's been busy).

Two weekends ago we spent the weekend in Columbia with Grandma and Poppa, and we attended First Pres. Church on Sunday for the baptism of our sweet nephew Joseph Evan. We joined the Tylers for a delicious Sunday lunch and time of fellowship afterwards.

Here's the little guy all tuckered out in his Great Grandmother's arms after a big morning.
Back in Charlotte we relaxed in the back yard with some massive Poppa inspired lollipops.

Last week our JWU students worked at the food bank down the street and then headed back to our house for our monthly post-bank pizza session.
We've visited the butterfly pavilion/nature museum.
And, didn't step on any.
My two cute guys.
We still make time for baths.


And last weekend Maggie and Daddy-T headed to the White Water Rafting center for a duck race.
There were all sorts of fun activities like getting mermaid tattoos, and jumping castles. Henry was sick at home with a fever so we missed out on that fun.

That's pretty much it except for swimming lessons, trips to the YMCA, Bible study, playing with friends and family, RUF, keeping up with Lost, gardening, time spent outside in the beautiful weather, attempting to learn German, sewing, and starting our own business (that last one was made up just looking for a strong close, and pretty sure I didn't find one, so feel free to leave a suggestion in the comments). Hope to post again sometime before July, thanks for checking in.

Happy Easter

...a few weeks late. Ah-hem..sorry, I've been a little slack lately in my blogging. So, without further ado here are some Easter pics and hopefully one of these days I'll be caught up to our current life events and I can fill you in on all the upcoming excitement awaiting the Dirks this summer.
Most children get chocolate and candy in their Easter baskets, but the poor Dirks' kids got toothbrushes. It was actually not too bad, because you see they are electric and cool and our kids are only 3 and 1, so pretty much anything goes (or so I tell myself..hope I'm not turning into "that" mom). So we started the morning off pants-less, but with some good looking chompers.

Henry wasn't fooled by the toothbrush for long, pretty soon it was "hey you...put down the camera and open my sucker...suck-ah!"
While on the other side of the table, Maggie cuddled with her new matching bunny eared pony, pinkie pie....yup that's right.
Also, Easter morning we saw that our play-doh tomb was empty and Jesus was gone! The little people were all in a mad frenzy looking for Him. Jesus had risen! Maggie found Him in the living room. (Thanks for the fun idea Kristen and Noelle ;)
We took several Easter pics, but they were all not-so-good but also cute in their own right. The best one is this sugar pop pic.
Maggie and Henry both enjoyed Easter and hearing all about how Jesus rose from the dead and defeated sin and set us free. And our constant prayer for our little ones is that this Truth would become quickly and completely settled into their hearts. And we love that our kids know that the same Savior that died on the cross on Good Friday, is the same Lord that was born in a stable as a helpless baby. Which of course reminded them that playing Mary, the Donkey and Emmanuel is really fun, and that's just how we wrapped up our Easter.

A late b-day post

You all know by now that Maggie turned three years old on March 15th on our cruise ship, but you may not have known that we celebrated in Charlotte with some girlfriends (and a few little fellas) a few days before we left for Mexico. Maggie wanted to have a dress up party, so that's just what we did.

If anyone knows Maggie D, then you know she is a bit of a D-I-V-A from time to time. She loves all things girlie, dress up being her main outlet source. So, in a futile attempt to remind her and her friends that all though it is fun to look beautiful and wear pretty things, charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised (Proverbs 31:30). So, we colored and stickered a poster with that verse on it and it is hanging up over Maggie's bed in her room, a reminder of God's desire for our hearts and of a fun day with friends.
We even enjoyed a little "tea" it was really apple juice, but no one seemed to mind.

The crew enjoyed a fine course of chicken nuggets, fruit and chips for lunch under the princess canopy (Poor little Hawk was the only boy at the table and he was a real champ with all the girls, Maggie even allowed him to secure Henry's title of "Prince" for the morning).

Meanwhile this little guy didn't seem to mind at all that he was covered in pink, and enjoyed his time quite nicely.

Driving home today.

Maggie says: "Mommy...I'm fabulous!"

C: "Yes...you are sweetie."

M: "Mommy are you fabulous?"

C: "Umm..Yes I am."

M: "Henry is not fabulous."

C: "Oh yes he absolutely is."

M: "They talk about fabulous on Sesame Street."

-Just a typical conversation with my three year old.-

appetizer post

I know pictureless blogs aren't as fun, so I apologize. But, hopefully a funny story and a few quotes from the kids will tide you over until I can post some pictures.

Story 1: Tyler and I have been trying to teach Maggie and Henry about the cross, resurrection and true purpose of Easter. Somehow dying on a cross doesn't sound as heinous to a three year old as receiving a "spanking." So, in an effort to communicate to our three year old the act of love our Saviour showed us by taking our punishment on our behalf, we have been talking about the massive "spanking" he suffered. The spanking we truly deserved, but He took so we wouldn't have to even though he didn't do anything to deserve it. So, a few days ago Maggie disobeyed me and I told her that she was going to get a spanking because of what she had done. She knew it was coming and with tears in her eyes she said, "I want you to give it to Jesus." I was a tad dumbfounded at the time, but since then I have shared this story with a friend and she told me that it would make a great sermon illustration. And, I think she is right on so many levels. Well, to wrap up the story, she in fact got the spanking and we went a little deeper in our theology explaining that we still get spanked, but Jesus took the BIGGEST spanking we could ever imagine. Making for one very confused, thankful, yet somewhat disappointed little girl. Parenthood is pretty hard sometimes.

Quote 1: Maggie- "What is God doing right now?"

Quote 2: (after having lunch with Tyler during his lunch break) Maggie- "Daddy don't go to work I want you to stay home with us forever."

Henry had a vocabulary explosion over the weekend and has started saying some fun things along with some words he's had stored away, so to give him some props here is a list of things he says these days.
"Here you go"
"all done"
"baby"
"Bible"
"Maggie"
"Bella"
"poo poo" (yep that's right)
"Poppa" (always said in a whisper)
"please"
"doggie"
"ball" (said on every trip to Target in the parking lot...perhaps you know what I'm talking about)
"mommy" "daddy" ( He used to call us both "mommy" but is now making a distinction...he has even called one of our students (tall/African American/male) "mommy" on two seperate occasions. Makes you rub your head a little there.)
-He is a big head nodder and still doesn't say "yes" only shakes his head. I think its pretty cute though.
-He says quite a bit more, but my mind is going blank so I hope that will satisfy some eager grandparents in Kansas and SC for now. Thanks for reading.

Dizzy Dancing on Deck

This is the life.

Last week the extended Dirk's crew took a seven day cruise down the Baja Peninsula, which included stops in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerta Valarta. We had a great time with Grams, Dog, Aunt Roomie and the Jackson family and friends. We ate our hearts out, enjoyed lots of fun activities on our ship and ashore. The kids didn't fall overboard, Maggie turned three, the Jackson's celebrated 51 years of marriage and no one got seasick. So, all in all it was a great trip, thank you Grams and Dog for a wonderful vacation.

These crazy creatures awaited us in our room everynight after dinner (and there were funny towels folded like animals too).
Maggie turned three on the ship and her Grandpa treated her to a virgin daiquiri, and like a good sister she shared with little brother. However, he became very frusterated when he'd drink it because he got brainfreezes every few sips.
She celebrated in style that evening at our formal dinner. Not sure how we're going to top next year, perhaps we'll take her to a spa or something equally luxurious.
Our housekeeper introduced Henry to her vacuum cleverly named "HenryXtra." They were fast friends, Henry was sucked in by his friend's charming personality.
Maggie and Henry both loved having their Aunt Melodee with them all week. Our only regret was that their future Uncle Abe couldn't make it. But, we look forward to spending some time with him this August when he and Aunt Roomie tie the knot!
Henry throws Grams a pass in Cabo.

Some very special grandparents!
The Dirks at sea. (Henry given the ole' Arsenio Hall "whoop.")
We took taxies at each of our ports of call and they were an experience in themselves. This one was in Mazatlan, and one of our favorite rides.
Tyler parasailing in Mazatlan.
Our assigned table at dinner with a beautiful ocean view. One morning (not in this dining room) we actually saw several whales splashing around, it was really cool.
The view from the Windjammer, the cafe on the ship.
Maggie likes Cabo!
Henry perfoms his safety demonstration.This was Puerta Valarta, the waves were enormous and roughed Melodee and I up a bit. We thought we could handle them, but apparently we couldn't. The waves slapped us around a bit and we lost our sunglasses (last seen in this picture) and decided we'd prefer to just look out into the horizon.

Maggie getting her hair braided in Puerta Valarta.
Henry enjoying the arms of his Dog, a salty/sandy pacifier and the wide open sea in Mazatlan.