"Look Mommy, I'm Ready to Go!!"

Don't you love it when your 3-year-old says he's going upstairs to get dressed?

Rainy Day

Sometimes I love rainy days. Today was one of those cozy days where it felt so good to be home. I was thankful for carpool today because I did not have to drive this morning. Luke stepped outside for a while to test out his umbrella. Caroline decided that she would rather stay inside (in her gymnastics leotard) and draw.

Deuteronomy 32:2 "Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants."

Why Can't I Just Keep it Simple?!

OK. . . I looked at my dining room table today and just sighed. We have this sign in our house ( I love signs) that says "Keep It Simple". It is supposed to be a reminder to me to, well . . . keep it simple! I have a tendency to go overboard on everything I do. I am trying soo hard to change, but I just can't. Take Valentine's Day, for instance. (look at my table) You would think that it was no big deal, but I have been so busy! I realized how silly I was being when I told my sister the other night on the phone that I was stressed out because of Valentine's Day. Her "huh?" reaction led me to explain that I was helping the kids make Valentines to send to the Grandmas, aunts, cousins, and I was getting all of the teacher gifts ready and all of the playdate Valentines ready and all of the classroom Valentine's ready. (Caroline decided to make handmade Valentines this year complete with a sack full of goodies for each kid in her class . . . uh oh, she's turning out just like me!) Oh, and I am in charge of Jake's Valentine party and I need to make Jello jigglers in the shape of hearts for Caroline's class party. I love any excuse to celebrate anything, so I just have so much fun during holidays. I just wish I could keep it more simple!

Proverbs 13:7b "A plain and simple life is a full life."

Fisher of Men

Today my brother, Steve, is sick so he is on my mind and my heart. I love these pictures of him that I took last year at my parents' cabin in Wisconsin. I like them so much because they remind me how much Steve is a fisher of men. He is always so excited to invite someone to church who needs the Lord. He is never afraid to share his Faith in God with the people he is working with. He truly has a heart for others. Please pray that Steve will be feeling better. He is pretty miserable right now. Love you, Steve!

Matthew 4:19
"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."

My Little Chef

I'm thankful for my little chef, Caroline. She is always thinking of what to make next. Her recipe box is full of sweet little things to create. She has her own cupboard for all of her cooking utensils and cookbooks. Her newest creations were heart-shaped mud pies. Complete with graham cracker crusts and sprinkles. Of course, she always has a little helper right by her side. I'm thankful for him, too!

Oh . . . and I'm also thankful for the taste tester!!

Chula Vista Water Park

We had a super fun time in Wisconsin Dells. We stayed at the Chula Vista Resort.Soaking in the hot tub was my favorite part!

The kids had so much fun together.

Houston (Steve and Rebecca's oldest son) and Jake rode on the world's fastest water roller coaster about one hundred times! Since it was in the middle of the week, there were NO lines!
Dawson (Steve and Rebecca's youngest son) and Luke had fun together in the hotel room.

So did Holly (Steve and Rebecca's daughter) and Caroline! Check out this Family Dryer!
Thanks, Grandpa and Grandma, for an awesome time at the water park!!

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

Favorite Secular Children's CD : Jack Johnson and Friends

I absolutely love this CD! It's one of those CD's that sounds like it's made for big people, but has little people words. The tunes are so very catchy. As you can see from the cover, it is the soundtrack from the Curious George movie. (my favorite little monkey)