Floating Autograph

When Jake found out that Kurt Warner (from the Arizona Cardinals . . . playing in the Super Bowl tomorrow) is a Christian, he got so excited and said, "That means when I get to Heaven, I can get his autograph and then I can let it float down to Earth and someone will catch it and be so happy!"

That's our Jake. What a blessing he is.

"Favorites on Fridays" . . . Like Oprah's "O" List, But Not Really

Ten Favorite Foods to Have in my Refrigerator

1. Trader Joe's 3-Layer Humus

2. Almond Butter and Natural Peanut Butter

3. Salad Fixings

4. Pomegranate Juice

5. Raspberry Kefir

6. Raspberries! (when I can afford them!!)

7. Mozarella Sticks

8. Pure Maple Syrup (from my brother's trees in Wisconsin)

9. Sugar Snap Peas

10.Cheese, Cheese, Cheese (any kind! all kinds!) Remember...I'm from Wisconsin.

Tributes to Ray

I would like to encourage you to view Kristin's blog. An article was written about Ray for the Chicago Tribune and there are two very interesting video clips of Congressman John Shimkus giving tributes to Ray. Ray used to work for him when he lived in DC. (the first video clip is posted under January 22) http://www.rayfitzgeraldfamily.blogspot.com/ And please remember to keep praying for Kristin and her three young girls.

Found!!

Good news! Our little rodent friend has been captured and he is happily sleeping in his comfy cage. (He was so thirsty!) Luke spotted him coming out of his hole during supper and Caroline grabbed him just before he was about to go under the oven. Good teamwork, kids!

Watch Where You Step!

Well . . . we have lost Marshmallow. When I checked his cage this morning, I was horrified to find it empty. Then I saw it scurrying through the kitchen. Relieved, I picked it up, but then he decided he better scram and he jumped out of my hand and crawled through a hole in the bottom of the kitchen cabinets. We are going to try to sit outside the hole tonight when the lights are out and quietly wait for him to come out for his nighttime adventures. We set up some food and his favorite blankie. (Caroline made sure that he had a blankie. He really does love it. He cuddles in it.) We'll keep you posted on whether or not we catch our little rodent friend. I think I will start reading Stuart Little to Caroline tonight and we can imagine all the fun things that Marshmallow can find to do outside of his cage limits.

"Favorites on Fridays" . . . Like Oprah's O List, but not Really

Favorite Cartoon for my Kids: Charlie and Lola

My favorite cartoon to watch with the kids is Charlie and Lola. First of all, I adore the English accent. When Caroline was four, she actually spoke with an accent because of watching the show. I love the way the characters are drawn, I love the music, and I really love the themes of the show. Today, Luke and I watched an episode about how messy Lola's room was. Charlie is very neat and tries to encourage Lola to clean the floor, which is absolutely covered with toys. When he tells her to simply put everything in its place, she replies that everything is in its place and goes on to show why everything is in its place. For example, the china cow needs to be on the floor because it is eating grass (the carpet). It can't be up on a shelf eating books! And all of her big plastic beads that looked as if they were just thrown on the floor were actually carefully placed there by Lola. I just loved it because that is exactly how Caroline is. Caroline and Lola have a lot of similarities, actually. Maybe that is why I adore the show so much. I also love the way Charlie treats his younger sister. He is always encouraging her and taking care of her. They play so nicely together. They remind me of Jake and Caroline. Now they just need to add a baby brother! Check it out . . . you'll love it!! (it's on the Disney Channel)

p.s.... I also love the Charlie and Lola books!! (written by Lauren Child)

Welcome Home

Last night, Ray was taken home to be with our Father in Heaven. He will be greatly missed. Please pray for Kristin and the girls.

This is the verse that Kristin shared in her last e-mail.

"Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins." Isaiah 40:1-2

I really encourage you to read Kristin's blog. Her faith and hope in God's promises humbles me.

www.rayfitzgeraldfamily.blogspot.com

Please Pray

Today I will be going to help a friend of mine from Taylor University whose husband is battling cancer. I would like to ask for you to pray for their situation.. You can read all about it on their blog. www.rayfitzgeraldfamily.blogspot.com

Weekend in Michigan

Last weekend we went to John's mom's house in Michigan to celebrate a late Christmas. We are so grateful to have made it there. The roads were so slick, we saw at least 100 cars in a ditch or in an accident! We were not able to go during the holidays because the kids were sick. It felt like Christmas all over again! She left her tree up for us and everything!

Luke helps Grandma Koz open her gifts.

Grandma Koz is giving Caroline a present . . . what is it? A garden you can grow indoors and watch the roots through a window. Cool!

Jake got a marshmallow shooter . . . watch out !!

The kids enjoyed reading Luke's new book before going to bed.

John and I are just happy to have gotten there safely.

A present . . for me?!!

Jake helped Grandma get the huge icicles off of her roof. Look at how big they are!

We even got to go and see Aunt Carole in Bay City.

We took Great Grandma Race to church and out for lunch.

Warm Blessings

Psalm 147 : 16 "He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes."

I can't believe how cold it is!!! On my way home from tutoring, the car thermometer said it was -15! Yikes!! I said a quick prayer for anyone who might be out in that without protection! On the news this morning, the reporter was interviewing a street vendor who couldn't afford to not work for a day. I was so impressed with the man's attitude. He was smiling and he was happy to describe how many pairs of pants and underwear he was wearing. He was doing what he had to do and he was making the best of it. I wanted to go downtown Chicago and find that man and take him out for a warm lunch!! Seeing him made me so very thankful for the simple blessing of a warm house and the security of knowing that I was going to have warm food on my table that night without having to freeze all day for it. Thank you, God, for everything you have given to me and help me to help others who are in need.

No Peas Allowed!

Yesterday Luke and I went to the bank to deposit some money. Before we pulled through the drive-thru, I stopped in a little area to fill out a deposit slip. While I was writing, Luke kept saying, "Mommy, there are no peas allowed at this place!" Luke dislikes peas (or any green vegetable for that matter) and we have been working very hard with him to eat them. It has actually become quite a big issue. I looked up and realized why he was so delighted.......

Go to the Ant

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for man." Colossians 3:23I help teach Caroline's Kindergarten Sunday School class at church and today our lesson was about how we should be more like the ant. They sure are hard working little creatures!! Today, we stressed that we need to work hard even when no one is watching. We need to do the best job that we are able to do. This week I am going to think about the little ant working his little heart out. I am going to be the best mom, tutor, wife, carpool driver, etc... that I can be. I also want to help my children see the value in always doing their best. I love teaching Sunday School because I am challenged by the lessons!

Proverbs 6:6-8
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!
It has no commander, no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.

Winter Wonderland

It just keeps snowing today!! Yay!! John even had to cancel his girls' basketball practice. It is just so beautiful. We've been enjoying a day filled with playing in the snow, playing with the hamster, doing paperwork, listening to relaxing CD's, making granola (thanks for the recipe, Polly!) and of course, shoveling. This day was a blessing!

O LORD, how many are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your possessions (Psalm 104: 24 ).

Dem bones, dem bones, dem .... broken bones

Tonight I am counting it a wonderful blessing that right now, none of my children have a broken bone. Just today, I was playing in the basement with Luke and Caroline and I found myself being so overprotective of their every move. "Watch out!" "Don't run!" "Don't do that or you might break your arm!" Yikes!! I guess one wouldn't blame me for being overly cautious. When Jake was three, he fell off of a slide and completely broke his collar bone. Then last year he broke two of his toes simply running into his bedroom. Then he broke his elbow (radial head) jumping off of a swing (one week before he was supposed to play in the all-star game for baseball). A couple months after getting out of his cast, he broke his radius and ulna galloping backwards in gym class! (he kind of wishes that he could say that he broke his bones while playing a cool sport) Anyway... then there is poor Caroline who was trying to keep up with Jake on her bike with training wheels. I guess going downhill (fast) and around a corner with training wheels is not really a good idea. The bones are all healed now, but I still have some battle scars of worry and fear. I will never forget when Jake was in the hospital the first time after breaking his arm he kept telling me that God had a purpose for it. Even after he realized that he was not going to be able to play in the all-star game, which was incredibly important to him, he looked at me with tears in his eyes and said, "God has a reason for this, and I am going to make the best of it!" I wish I could be more like Jake. I would like to keep my kids with me at all times wrapped in bubble wrap, but I know that would not benefit them! I am working on trusting the Lord to protect them.

Psalm 56:3 When I am afraid, I will trust in you.

This is what Caroline's poor arm looked like before the doctor put the pins in. : (

Secret Shopper

Last night, one of my tutoring kids did not show up at the library. So I decided to run to the grocery store for a few minutes until my next kid came. I always treasure every second I can get ALONE at a store! (It was a nice little excursion except the second I set foot on the parking lot, the ice got the better of me and now I have two bruised knees, a sore neck, and a sprained thumb.) Anyway... this morning I put some of the cereal I bought on the table and Jake looked at me in disbelief and said, "When did you go to the store?!" I found myself actually trying to explain how I managed to find a second of time to myself. He seemed to buy my story. Then later that morning when Luke came down for breakfast, I pulled out one of the new drinks that I had bought the night before. "Where did you get that?!" he asked. Again, I found myself hemming and hawing........ I guess I need to get out by myself more, don't I?

Unexpected Blessing

Those of you who know me well, know that I LOVE snow. I can't get enough of it! I think that everything looks so beautiful and new after a fresh snowfall. There always seems to be an excitement in the air whenever it snows ... neighbors come out of their winter hibernation to shovel their driveways and kids get their hopes all up about the possibility of a snow day. All the dirty, yucky grass gets covered with a fresh white blanket and everything seems well with my soul when it snows ... I told you I have a thing for snow. Anyway ... when the kids were getting ready for school today, huge snowflakes started falling and they fell for quite a while. I had no idea it was supposed to snow. I turned on the news and the weatherman reported that the snow would probably evaporate before it hit the ground. I love that it made it all the way to the ground. What an unexpected blessing for me today ... I love snow.

Luke

Today I was very sad to see Jake and Caroline go back to school, but I still have Luke!! I'm thankful for Luke today!!! Here are some pictures of his great smile.

Proverbs 15:13a (The Message)
A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face.

Bulls and Brownies

Tonight, Jake is very tired because he just got home from the Bulls game. (11:30pm) Cousin Jack went, too! Unfortunately, the Bulls did not win, but that's OK. It was fun anyway!!

And Caroline made some delicious brownie muffins ........ want a taste?

Luke is feeling much better. Still coughing a lot, though.

Sweet Sleep

Proverbs 3:24

"when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet."

I hope you all have sweet sleep tonight!

Highlights of 2008

Since I just started blogging, I would like to share some highlights from the year 2008. Stick with me... it's a long blog!!

In January, we welcomed with great joy Diane and Colin's baby, Caleb.

In February, we had our traditional Valentine's Day supper and ....

... Jake had a solo in the school musical. He played the part of the man who wrote "It is Well with my Soul", which he sang beautifully.

In March, we celebrated Easter.

In April, we went with Diane and Colin in their RV down to Tennessee to "rough it" in the Smoky Mountains. We stayed at a Jellystone campground and visited Gatlinburg. The kids' favorite part was visiting Ripley's Aquarium.

Cousin Jodi and her husband, Mark, were able to come and see us in Gatlinburg.

In May, I went to my best friend from high school's baby shower. She had a beautiful baby girl, Abigail. (miss you, Stace!!)

In June (the day before the last day of school) Jake broke his arm jumping off a swing and ...

... we sold our house in Geneva. Luckily, it sold right away. Thank you, Lord!! (We'll miss our little house, though.)

In July, we moved into our new home,

which happens to have an in-ground pool... the kids love it!! (Makes me a little bit nervous, though.)

In August, we went to Bethany Beach to stay with my Uncle Dan and Aunt Marg on our way to my Aunt Carol's funeral in Michigan. Bethany Beach is a very cool Christian beach community in Michigan with tons of things to do for kids. We had a great time.

... and Caroline started Kindergarten ... which she loves!! She is a little social butterfly.

... John's mom also came to visit us. (Don't they look alike?)
In September, Luke turned three! We had a golf birthday party for him.
On September 7, Caroline broke her arm while riding her bike. She had to have pins put in ...

... and on September 24, Jake fell in gym class and broke his radius and ulna!! (NO more broken bones, please!)
We also went to Door County, WI. My parents rented a condo there for the weekend.

Colin, Diane, and Caleb were there, too!
Steve and Rebecca's family joined us, as well.

Grandpa with all the non-napping cousins.
In October, we had two jedi knights and one very hot dog! (We trick-or-treated in 80 degree weather!)

In November, we hosted Thanksgiving in our new home. My parents, Steve's family, and Diane's family came for supper and then Uncle Phil and Aunt Nancy came with Julie's family for dessert.

The 'kids table'. Steve and Rebecca's kids (Houston, Holly, and Dawson) and our kids.

John finished the dining room just in time for Thanksgiving. He put up crown moulding and a chair rail and painted the walls. Good job, John!



And December was all about Christmas!!

May you have a blessed 2009!

Thank you for reading this long blog!! It was so much fun to put together!!