Guess How Much I Love You

The other day I heard that Luke and Caroline were arguing about something. When I went to go hear what it was about, I was delightfully surprised. They were "arguing" about who loved the other more. Luke would say, "I love you this much!", holding out his arms as far as they could reach. And Caroline would say, "I love you this much!", reaching high above his head. Then Luke would say, "I love you to the ceiling!" And Caroline would retort, "I love you to space!" This went on for quite some time and it ended very happily with a nice warm hug and my heart melting all over the floor.
Luke obviously got his "I love you this much" idea from this wonderful book. We just started reading it to him again after it had been forgotten for quite some time. It is so cute to hear just how much he loves us.

In the book, little Nutbrown Hare keeps telling Big Nutbrown Hare how much he loves him and Big Nutbrown Hare always comes back with a reply of how he loves him more. ("I love you to the moon." . . . "I love you to the moon . . . and back.") Every time I read it to Luke, I think about how that is the way it is with God. No matter how much we love Him, He loves us more. That comforts me.

Little Caleb

Today, we got to watch Caleb while Diane went to get her hair cut. What a little cutie! He had so much fun playing with the kids' toys in the basement.The weather was nice enough to spend some time outside before nap time.
We're thankful for Caleb . . . what a blessing he is!

Happy Square Root Day!

Tonight, one of my tutoring girls sat down and said "Happy Square Root Day!" (3/3/09) She informed me that we won't have another until 4/4/16. I hadn't thought of that . . . I love it when the kids I tutor actually teach me something. :) Anyway, this is how we spent our square root day. . .

. . .Luke and I did laundry most of the morning, so I rewarded him with a full hour of playing baseball outside and "driving a car around the yard pretending we are stopping at different stores". I love playing with him. He is so creative.

. . .Caroline went home with her good friend, Alie, after Kindergarten and played with puppies. Her favorite thing to do! (this picture was taken two Christmases ago)

. . .and Jake was happily greeted by his good next door neighbor/friend waiting for him in our driveway after to school to shoot some hoops.

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