Monday Muffins and Easter Eggs (and a slightly better Jake!)

Every Monday, we have "Monday muffins". Caroline was excited to be able to make them this morning in her jammies since we are on Spring Break. This week's muffins are banana chocolate chip.

To avoid cabin fever from setting in, I decided to color Easter eggs with the kids. (I know it's early!) The kids had a blast and they got to eat a delicious-high-protein-hard-boiled snack. Look...Jake is taking part in the activity! He is feeling a little better today. The doctor had me take him in to get a blood test this evening. She wanted to make sure that he does not have mono. So far, no news is good news! (they told me they would call if it was positive)

This is What I Saw Today

This is what I saw out my front door this morning . . . happy spring break! This is what I saw playing in my backyard. . . no flip flops today!

This is what I saw at my back door. .. I thought I put all of that snow gear away until next winter!

This is what I saw in my kitchen . . . my two little chefs at work again!
And this is what I saw at my dinner table . . an unsuspecting spinach victim! I used my Magic Bullet to puree frozen spinach and I mixed it in with pizza sauce and put it on everyone's little pizzas. Caroline was a little suspicious, but Luke had no idea. I am so excited to start hiding it in other foods. Luke really does not eat his veggies so I am thrilled about this!! :)
(He ate the whole thing ! I was so sure I was going to be busted because he pulled the cheese off and the spinach was very visible!)

I wonder what I will see tomorrow! :)

(I hope it will be a happy and well Jake!. . .his fever is down, but the sore throat lingers)

Sick Jake and Cute Josie

Well, the biggest thing that I am thankful for tonight is the fact that Jake's fever is starting to break a little. He has been battling a very high fever. It was 106* this morning! His throat is hurting sooo badly, too, poor thing. I took him to the doctor yesterday and the strep test came back negative. . . so we are just waiting. No smiles here. :(
So far, Caroline and Luke have not caught what Jake has. They had fun playing with our neighbor's dog, Josie, today. We are watching this sweet dog while our neighbors are on vacation. Luke really warmed up to her. He usually hides in the house every time Josie comes around. Caroline is falling in love. She is not going to want that dog to leave! She is so cuddly and playful and Caroline is just so happy to have a real dog around the house. (even if it is just temporary!)

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

Favorite Hymn : Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

I have many favorite hymns, but this is my current favorite. It just keeps popping into my mind and I find myself humming it. I think that God is trying to remind me to "keep looking up". (that is what my Grandpa Fridstrom always told me to do) In a world with so many problems and pressures, we do need to keep turning our eyes toward our Saviour. I love the phrase "strangely dim". That describes so perfectly how the world seems to me when I am focused on Him. I encourage you to read the refrain of this hymn and turn your eyes toward Him today.

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace."

* * *

If you'd like to listen to the hymn, click here . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yfr5rOfimnU

Bowling

I took the kids bowling the other day. It was raining outside so I thought it would be the perfect thing to do. I didn't realize that the bowling alley I took them to also had indoor roller coasters, arcade games, jungle gyms, and you name it! I wasn't prepared for that!! (Safari Land) I told the kids we were just going to bowl and then maybe come back another day with John to do the "fun" stuff. So... the kids didn't think that bowling was the best thing to do that day, but we had fun anyway.

Trying to Fit the Ocean in a Cup

I love Josh Wilson's song entitled "The Three Minute Song". It's a catchy little song (exactly three minutes long , of course) that talks about how difficult it is to define God in a three minute song. Like he says, it is "like trying to fit the ocean in a cup". I love this simile so much. Jake has been really thinking a lot lately about Heaven and how it is going to be "forever". He just wants to understand everything, but cannot grasp that. (no one can) When I heard that simile in that song, I was so excited to share it with Jake. Our little minds cannot possibly grasp concepts such as how God has always existed or how can we live FOREVER in Heaven. Trying to understand our God is "like trying to fit the ocean in a cup". You can't. (period) Jake feels much better after having heard that. He is excited to ask God so many questions, but for now he accepts that he just cannot possibly fit that big ocean in that tiny little cup.

Job 36:26
How great is God— beyond our understanding!

If you'd like to listen to Josh Wilson's song, click here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxBxcgbKwn4

Josh Wilson is one of my new favorite singer/song writers. Here is another little clip you might enjoy. (especially you, Dad!) This will be Jake in a couple of years! :)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UND-DtHBZQ

Blackhawks Game

We are thankful for great tickets (again!) from Aunty Diane and Uncle Colin. Jake, Jacob (a super friend of Jake's), John, and Grandpa got to go see the Blackhawks WIN today!! Yay!!