14 years

14 years married to my best friend, how blessed am I?

5 beautiful children and a lifetime of memories already...looking forward to the rest of our lives together!

a little boy date

I had a lovely little date with my two little boys on Friday morning. We shopped for groceries, stopped by the $1 spot at Target for a few goodies, and had pasta for lunch. And warm flatbread. Luke ate his without butter, because he liked how it tasted without the butter.

Gabe liked it with butter. They shared mushroom stroganoff, with tons of parmesan cheese on top. Gabe ate his entire bowl!

I had pad thai, because that's the only thing I order when we go there. Why didn't I know about this delicious food until 2 years ago, I ask you? In my opinion it is a perfect blend of flavors and textures. Sweet, spicy, crunchy, tart...


As good as our food was, though, the company was the best part!

i heart faces

I just found this website and am hooked! I have a goal this year of learning more about photography and using my new camera as much as possible. i heart faces has a weekly challenge, and this week is for your "Best Face Photo", the photo having been taken between December and now. So let me jump right in with both feet!
On New Year's Eve I took the three littles to visit Grandma-at-the-farm. We brought along some magic sponge capsules, you know the ones you put in warm water and they eventually hatch into fun sponge shapes? My sweet Grandma had as much fun as my kiddos did! She is such an inspiration to me. Her face is the most beautiful face, years of joy, laughter and love, wisdom from living a full life.
Here she is watching the bowl with the littles...

Oh my Darling...

The following is an email I received this morning from David, addressed to Luke:

Hi Luke,

Guess what? I love you! Guess what a student just told me? A student just told me I have a Clementine sticker on the back of my shirt.



You are a goofy goober!!!!!!!!



Love Daddy



Our sweet Luke LOVES to play jokes on his family, his sense of humor and laugh are contagious! I find those stickers on David almost daily, I guess I missed one!

Jesus invade

We've been walking through some tough times as a family in the past few months. I just came across a song that spoke directly to my heart, and put to words my prayers over the past months.

Invade
by Watermark

Come, come in
Invade all You see of us
Any man, who'd walk Your road is welcomed here
And You're the only one

Chorus:
Jesus, come and walk the halls of this house
Tread this place and turn it inside out
With Your mercy...
Jesus, teach us the prayers that open these doors
Until Your light floods in and illuminates these floors
And let Your truth be on our steps and in these rooms
Jesus invade...

Reach, reach in
With the hand that heals all our suffering
Conquer all that is not of You
Bring Your spirit through
As we fill these walls with Your praise

Chorus

Bridge:
I call for angels
I call for mercy
I call for freedom
In the name of Jesus
In the name of Jesus

thursday thirteen

thirteen random thoughts/things i love:

1. taco salad. it could possibly be the perfect lunch. i always say, the best part of taco night is lunch the next day!

2. my three boys: ben, luke, gabe. possibly the most wonderful little boys in the world!

3. my two girls: madyson and sydnee. beautiful, delightful, warm, wonderful.

4. my hubby: hardworking, happy, kind and gentle, wonderful father, best friend.

5. trail mix. (how's that for random?) could possibly be the perfect snack! especially the bag i picked up at sam's club the other day. perfectly salty, crunchy, chewy, chocolatey...need i go on? (see pic above)

6. facebook. serious addiction. serious fun finding old friends online!

7. spring, please oh please come soon!

8. vacation...i spent way too much time online this morning looking for a rental in michigan for this summer. with no luck, yet.

9. a new baby nephew i get to meet on sunday! can't wait...

10. reading. i need a book to read. any suggestions? leave me a comment, please!

11. david is graduating in just over a month. there is a light at the end of the tunnel!

12. hot coffee that i had this morning. the whole cup while it was still hot. amazing.

13. tomorrow is friday! yay!

Mystery Reader

March is reading month, and at Maddy's school they have a "Mystery Reader" come in each day to read a book to the class. Grampy came last year to read, and I signed him up to come again this year. Today was the day and the look on Maddy's face when he walked in was so sweet! I actually shed a tear and missed the moment with my camera, but was able to snap some other cute shots...




Have you read the book "Skippyjon Jones"? It is adorable, and really funny! My dad read it to my kids a week or two ago on one of our evenings together and they all LOVED it. He read it to the first graders this morning and they enjoyed it just as much.
Thanks Grampy!