Love in Action...

Since this past week was Sanctity of Human Life Week, I thought our Love in Action this month should do with that. We have a Crisis Pregnancy Center near us called Caris (which I love, for obvious reasons:) and I thought we could donate to them. So I called there and asked if there was something in particular that they needed. I picked up some diapers and formula on my weekly shopping trip and loaded the girls up. We got to meet the sweet women who work there, bring them some special treats I baked, and drop off our donation. The girls got to see the center and here about what their purpose is.

I love exposing them to ministries like this for many reasons. One of them is so we can pray for them,but another is so they are aware that there are places out there that can help in difficult circumstances.


I had every intention to take a picture of them carrying in our donation, but I forgot the camera. So this morning I shot these pictures:). The one below is much more accurate to what it's like around here:)....we are far from having it all together:)!!!!!!Our project for next month is already planned and I'm excited to work on it with our girls.

Check it out...

Tonight I helped Corinn and Kiera create their own blog:). You can get to it by clicking on the link called Sisterhood on the right. They'd love for some comments:).

A Deep Breath.....

Our little ones are changing quickly these days. May I never forget....



Kendra at 19 months. Look at those cheeks! We are trying very hard to enjoy all of your baby chub (we know it doesn't last). You are changing rapidly these days little one. You are speaking better and better with each day. You say small sentences like "Help pwease." and "No tank you." You call Kiera Kity which she loves! Karis and you play and play together. You have figured out that your Daddy is silly a lot, so when you look at him you say, "Daddy" and giggle, even when he is not being silly:). When you want us to pick you up you say, "hold you.". It melts my heart. You also slap me a lot...we are working on that one!

Karis at 3. Whew...you keep us going kid! You are one of the quickest witted kids I've ever met. You crack us up all the time. Just the other day I was correcting you on something and you quickly changed the subject. When I said, "Karis, you can not change the subject." you said, "Mama can I please change the subject now?":). You love to help me with my chores. Especially in the kitchen. As soon as I begin to make something I hear a chair being pulled up to the counter so you can see what I am doing. You're a great little buddy for me all day!
Kiera at 7. You are looking older and older little one. And more and more like Rinie. So many people just assume you are twins:). You enjoy school so much and are sad on snow days or long weekends:). Your friends are what you miss most. You have many of them. You are working hard at learning to read and are getting better and better at it. You draw every single day still. You mostly draw fancy girls with pretty dresses and hair dos. You love to tell jokes and look forward to Daddy teaching you new ones.

Rinie at 8 1/2. You are just zooming through big chapter books now. In your book club at school you are reading The Little House in the Big Woods. Your friends and you have made a cabin out of popcicle sticks and have researched a bit about life in the 1800's. You are going to do a presentation for your class soon. This was all your friends and your idea, not your teacher's. You are a very motivated student and enjoy learning and being challenged at school. You had your first piano lesson this week with Mrs. Becky and did really well. You are So Big Rinie!

These days are often tiring and trying, but ones that are filled with so many blessings. May I never over look those blessings!

Our Week....

5 years ago Eric began to make a cake with the girls for my birthday. They go to the store with him and pick everything out and then help with the entire process. This was the first year Karis was involved.

They made a Red Velvet Cake for me. ( thank the Lord for Shout Stain remover!)

Here is the finished product. I love how colorful it is:), and the raspberries were very yummy.

We also try and get a shot of me with the girls and the cake each year. Here are our many attempts ....

It was a fun birthday. We ordered pizza and just hung out as a family.

The rest of the week was filled with a teething little baby. Kendra is getting all four of her eye teeth in at the same time. Wednesday and Thursday she was miserable. Completely miserable! It's amazing how 4 little teeth can turn our entire home up side down. But they did. She wouldn't eat, sleep, or let me put her down. Nothing seemed to help. We were all thankful that by late Thursday evening we had our normal Kendra back:).We had missed her adorable smile!

You Say It's Your Birthday.....

Today I turn 34. There's something about 34 that has made me VERY reflective of life. It is short. It goes by very quickly. There is no time to waste!

And even though my 34 years have sped by, I still very much feel 34 today:). Here are 34 reasons why I do....

1. I have been married for "13" years! (to my best friend)
2. I have Four children.
3. When people ask me how many kids I have, they don't usually even blink when I say four.
4. I graduated High School 16 years ago.
5. I like green beans:).
6. I use facial cleaners that defy aging.
7. I have wrinkles.
8. I've learned that worry gets you no where.
9. I have gray hairs.
10. My knees squeak.
11. I drive a mini van.
12. I vacation at water parks.
13. I look for how much fiber is in my cereal.
14. I have to watch my calories.
15. Working out 3 days a week does nothing for my weight.
16.I'm interested in politics.
17. Sometimes my Doctors are younger than I am.
18. My babysitters could be my children.
19. I enjoy steamed veggies.
20. My bed time is 9:30.
21. I wake up at 6 by choice.
22. I need 8 1/2 hours of sleep.
23. I'd LOVE to nap every day.
24. I wear orthotics in my shoes.
25. I'd love to learn to knit.
26. I gain weight just by looking at chocolate.
27. I value people more.
28. I love God more.
29. I see my need for Jesus more!
30. I want each day of my life to count.
31. I love my husband more.
32. I love my children more.
33. I drink tea.
34. I no longer think 34 is old!

May God grant me at least 34 more years and give me grace to live them to the fullest!