Morning thankfulness

This picture of the sunrise this morning does NOT do it justice. The colors were so vibrant and splendid....reminding me that our sky is simply God's canvas. It caused me to reflect on what I am thankful for this morning.

I am thankful for my sight -- so I am able to see the sunrise.
I am thankful for children who wake up early -- so I am able to gaze upon the beauty of the sunrise.
I am thankful for a home to shelter us from the cold.
I am thankful for coffee! :)
I am thankful for the messes I constantly clean up because it reminds me that our home and our hearts are full.
I am thankful my family and I are healthy.
I am thankful for my freedom.

What are YOU thankful for this morning?

Out of the mouths of babes

Joey just came upstairs, very excited, with something to tell me.

Joey: "Mom! You know what? I just heard God talk to me and know what He said?"

Me: "You heard God talk to you?"

Joey: "YES! You know what He said?"

Me: "No, Joey. What did He say?"

Joey: "He said when you got to school, I will still be in your heart. And when you go to church I'll still be in your heart. And I love you. Isn't that cool, Mom?"

Me (a bit misty-eyed): "Yes Joey. That is very cool."

We just need faith as a little child. Thank you, Joey, for reminding me of that.

Halloween 2008

This year for Halloween, we skipped going trick or treating around the neighborhood. Instead we just went to church for their annual "Pumpkin Patch". The last couple years, the kids have complained about not being able to do everything they want to do at church because we didn't get there until 6:30 or 7:00pm.

Abby dressed up as Sharpay from High School Musical, Noah was a Clone Trooper, Joey was a Power Ranger, and Eli was a cute little giraffe.

At church they have the Sunday School rooms in the basement decorated as "trick or treating" doors. They also have a cake walk and preschool games set up. Then upstairs is an inflatable jumper, glow room, cookie decorating and crafts, food (hot dogs, popcorn, nachos, cotton candy) and music in the activity center, and games for older kids. Then outside there's a petting zoo and hayride. SOOOO much fun and SOOOO many good memories.

Girls Day Out

Abby and I had a great mother/daughter day today. The entire day was pretty much a surprise. The only she knew is where we were going to eat lunch. I took her to get pedicures together --- her first one ever! The 1st picture was her expression when we walked into the salon. She was shocked! The ladies there did a great job with our toe nails too....very impressive.

Then we had lunch at Olive Garden. We both absolutely LOVE that place. I had to chance to ask her many questions about school and friends and she asked me questions about my days at home too.

Then off to Kids Hair for a hair cut. They surprised her by putting some color streaks in her hair...pink, of course! She looked absolutely adorable. We went across the street to a pet store and fell in love with one of the puppies. Don't worry, Mom, we didn't buy it!!!! But we had lots of fun playing with him and holding him.

Dessert was next. Abby got some cotton candy ice cream with gummy bears on top and I had a frozen chocolate drink. We skipped and hopped back to the van, holding hands and laughing the whole way. A very very enjoyable day with my not-so-little girl.

A heavy heart

I am asking any of you who read my blog to please pray for some friends of ours, Dave & Lea. Their precious 4 month old baby, Johnny, passed into Jesus' arms late yesterday afternoon. I can't imagine the pain and loss they are experiencing right now. I don't understand everything that happened with Johnny but you can read all about it on their blog: http://dandlkids.blogspot.com/

Please pray for this young family in the next days, weeks, months.

Noah's 8th Birthday

Noah turned 8 on July 19 so I'm a bit behind updating our blog. I can't believe my first born is already 8!!!!! Time goes so quickly. He wanted a "magic birthday party" this year so we hired a magician to come and do a show for the kids. It was a huge hit!!! He did a 30 minute magic show and then spent the next 30 minutes doing "balloon creations" for the kids. At the end, there was plenty of time for practicing light saber fighting!

My precious Noah, I can't believe 8 years have gone so quickly. You are becoming such a loving, caring, responsible young man and I am very proud of you. Keep up all your hard work and I will be there to encourage you the whole time. I love you. You are such a precious gift from God and I thank Him everyday for blessing me by allowing me to be your mom.

Happy 4th of July!!!

We had a fun-filled 4th of July! Jeff actually had the day off which was such a blessing for all of us. He's been working an incredible amount of hours (about 70 hours a week) so having him around all day today is something none of us have taken for granted.

We started out going up to Big Lake so Jeff could show the kids where he grew up and he could see how much has changed around there! It was a trip down memory lane and the kids thoroughly enjoyed it. Sadness hit when we went past his old house and, not only is it in foreclosure, but they had put it up on auction in May. The house was really falling apart and the lawn was up to my waist. Abby asked why Jeff was sad and he explained that this is the house he grew up in and it's just hard to see it this way. She started to cry too and said that she never wanted to leave our house. What a sweet, compassionate little girl.

Then it was on to a park in Elk River where we grabbed lunch at Burger King before hitting the 4th of July "carnival" they were having at a nearby park. At Burger King Eli wanted nothing to do with sitting in a high chair. He wanted to be a big boy at the big kid's table! Jeff and I just watched the kids for a bit and commented on how quickly they grow up. At the carnival, the kids were able to go on a couple rides and they each had a pony ride. That was definitely a favorite.

At about 8:00 tonight we had our own little fireworks show with our neighbors in their driveway. That way Eli was able to witness his first fireworks! He absolutely loved them -- saying "oooooooh", raising his hands in the air, and clapping at the end --- until the last couple. They had a bit of sound to them and he clung onto Jeff's shoulder.

The kids are at a real fireworks show (as Noah put it) with Jeff while I'm here with Eli while he sleeps. It was such a wonderful day. Noah has begun a rock collection and was collecting a lot of rocks from the park in Elk River. Each time he found a rock he said "Another memory!!!" I really liked that...because today was all about making memories with our children.