Beautiful Blessing

This is definitely something I am thankful for. This video was taken during Grandparents Day at Caroline's school. What a blessing it is to see these young children praising God. (Caroline is in the front row wearing a plaid dress.) Enjoy! :)

Sweet Caroline

My sweet Caroline came out of the bathroom looking like this today. I used to love when she would come down in the mornings before she started going to school. It was always a new surprise. . . bunny ear headband with princess dress and boots, ladybug antennae with ballerina tutu and high heels. I will have to drag some of those pictures out. I miss those days of being able to let her wear anything she wanted to. She is such a free spirit and making her get dressed properly every morning sure puts a damper on her creative style!

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

Favorite Store : TARGET
My favorite store in the whole world is Target. I like it so much that I have banned myself from going there for one whole year. I was addicted to it! Every time I was there, I found something (or twenty things!) that I couldn't live without. I always tried to go and get what was on my list and nothing more, but I seriously could never do it. Every time I would look at my credit card statement, I would get embarrassed because it would say "Target, Target, Target, Target. . ." I would go after the kids were asleep and just
s-h-o-p. It was therapeutic for me. I felt "at home" there. I knew I had a problem when our family went to go live in my parents' cabin for a summer in the middle of the woods in Wisconsin and I started going through withdrawal.
I have made it for two months now and it's kind of exciting. . . I'm up for the challenge and the kids sure think it's funny. (especially Jake because I always made him go with me to keep me focused on my list and now he doesn't have to do that anymore) I am saving a lot of money, that is for sure. I sometimes wonder about all of the things that I am missing out on, though. :)

Sweet Aunt Carole

Today (and every day) we are thankful for our sweet Aunt Carole. We got a yummy package from her today filled with CHOCOLATE surprises for all of us! Whenever the kids see a package from her at our doorstep, they immediately yell, "chocolate!" Aunt Carole is very special to us. She has a great sense of humor, cares a lot about the kids, is easy to talk to, is very smart, and is extremely thoughtful. We love you, Aunt Carole! Thanks for all the CHOCOLATE!!

You are sweet.

"...a sweet friendship refreshes the soul." Proverbs 27: 9b

My Little (Big) White Sox Fan

Tonight I am thankful for my White Sox fan. He has the biggest heart. For God and for others. He is always trying to make sure that everyone that is close to him knows the Lord. When he was about five, he asked me if I thought one of his buddies on the cul-de-sac had Jesus in his heart. After I said I really didn't know, he panicked and wanted to go over there to his house in the dark to tell him that he needed to ask Jesus into his heart so he could go to Heaven! There have been several friends since then that he has told the message of God's love to. I am always amazed at his boldness and his genuine care for his friends. I truly believe that God puts certain people in Jake's life because of this boldness. I wish I could be more like my Jake. Sure, I care about others, but I am not always so bold. He is such a good example to me.

Here is my White Sox fan's room. And, yes, that is a White Sox piggy bank!

Baby Reagan

I just got finished reading a blog of one of my college friend's sisters who just had a baby today. Please read this blog. www.reaganisourjoy.blogspot.com .

"Caroline Time"

Just recently I purchased a coupon book from Hallmark that is full of great little incentives for kids. Today when Caroline finally got her room clean enough to pass inspection, she got to pick a coupon out of the book. I was so surprised at the one she went to immediately and said, "I know exactly which one I want!" Out of all the cool ones like, "double your allowance for one week", "eat out at any restaurant", and "eat dessert first", she picked "everyone has to pay attention to you for one whole hour." She had it all planned out. After supper, she handed in her coupon and led us into the family room for a gymnastics show. (I was wondering why she had her leotard on under her clothes all day!) After several somersaults, headstands, and cartwheels, it was time to watch her play the piano. She now has three songs in her repertoire. . . Mary Had a Little Lamb. Chopsticks, and Joy to the World. She played them beautifully! Jake and Luke were so gracious to sit and watch and listen and cheer her on. They both had cameras out and were taking pictures. Then, it was drawing time. She wanted everyone to sit and watch her draw because she got a new "tracing machine" and she can draw really well with it.

It was so much fun to drop everything we were doing to "watch Caroline" for a whole hour. At first, the thought of it made Jake gasp in horror, ("You mean we have to sit and watch Caroline . . for a whole hour?!) but he completely enjoyed every minute of it. That hour is one of my favorite hours ever because Caroline was just so tickled that everyone thought she was the most special person in the room at that moment. It really made me realize how important it is to really pay close attention to each child and make them feel special. When I was tucking Caroline in tonight, she said that that was the fastest hour ever and that it seemed like only a minute. Time flies when you are having fun! It was a great night . . an hour well spent.