Turkeys!

WHAT does a Momma have to do around here to get a normal picture de-void of foolishness?? :)

Our first attempt at hair-braiding (inspired by the movie "Tangled") not too shabby, if I do say so myself!

Proper Accessories Are A Must!

C had T-Ball Saturday.  He's having fun and seems to really enjoy learning the game! 

This afternoon J and C went out to practice catching in the backyard, and G decided to join in the fun. But not before she added a few necessary adjustments to the uniform - a simple baseball cap just won't do for our girl! This occasion calls for a pink, frilly hat PLUS a carefully selected princess crown as an accent :)

Now anybody that knows me knows that I am probably one of THE most conservative (my Mom would say boring :) dressers alive.  I don't own frills, bling, or sparkles of any kind.  Wonder how long before my budding fashionista starts insisting I take her style advice???

Promises I Can Count On!

These passages were brought to my attention in different ways (and repeatedly) throughout this week.  They have been such an encouragement to my soul, that I wanted to post them in a place I'd be sure to see them (and the awesome promises contained therein) often :)

Hebrews 4:16 

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, 

that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  

Psalm 121 

1 I will lift up my eyes to the mountains ; From where shall my help come? 

2 My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. 

3 He will not allow your foot to slip ; He who keeps you will not slumber. 

4 Behold, He who keeps Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep. 

5 The LORD is your keeper ; The LORD is your shade on your right hand. 

6 The sun will not smite you by day,Nor the moon by night. 

7 The LORD will protect you from all evil ; He will keep your soul. 

8 The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in From this time forth and forever.

J took this picture on our trip to Hawaii back in 2003...doesn't seem like that long ago...geeezz how time flies!

Good Weather, Zebra Cakes, & Caterpillars

Nothing like a few really crummy days to make a good day seem A-MA-ZING!

What made today so special?  Well, let's see...

All week we have been looking forward to spending some time with friends at this really neat park.  The weather forecast for today was GREAT, so I wondered if the park would be super crowded.  You see, as far as I'm concerned going to the park on "perfect weather" days is a double-edged sword.  On the one hand, who doesn't like to be at the park on a beautiful day...it's fun, right?  But on the other hand who DOESN'T like to be at the park on a beautiful day...parks are usually packed on beautiful days.  Not today!  Would you believe that our crew played for almost an hour and a half before any other kiddos showed up!?! Unheard of I tell you!  It was so nice to be able to let the kids run around and be able to talk - really talk - with my friend.  It was such a treat to have the place all to ourselves...AHHHH!

Then lunch-time.  On the way to the park, we stopped by the grocery store, and I let the kids pick out special picnic drinks and snacks.  For ONCE, I wanted to see what it felt like to be Papa...you know, take the kids in the store and let them pick whatever they want regardless of sugar content or practicality.  When it was all said and done our lunch was PB & J, Cheez-Its, Little Debbie Zebra Cakes, and Grape Capri Sun.  Our friends were kind enough to share their pretzels and apple slices (assuaging the tiny bit of nutritional guilt I was feeling :)  After we got all cleaned up and the kiddos ran around for a little while throwing Frisbees that had been left out, we headed to the Nature Center.  Honestly, I was a little surprised how much the kids enjoyed it!

A BIG puzzle

Coloring station

EWWWWW!  Not sure what it was but GROSS!

G is fascinated by the turtle (sitting on the rock)

On the ride home, I throughly enjoyed driving with the music turned up and windows rolled down...I know - so cool in my mini-van...College Staci would have been horrified :)

G decided to squeeze in a quick cat nap...so sweet...

But of course, as any mother knows, the car cat nap pretty much dashes any hopes of a normal afternoon nap once you get home :) Oh well, no worries.  It is still nice outside...and it appears that caterpillar season has begun...will the fun ever end??????

So here's why today was so special...a God who graciously answers prayers for a better day with (among many other things) good weather and caterpillars, a son and daughter who love playing outside, an amazing friend and her sweet boys, forgotten Frisbees, Capri-Suns and Zebra Cakes, and a husband who had a productive day at work! 

A Boy On A Mission

C decided that he wanted to make a seesaw this afternoon.  He located part of a landscape timber and began dragging it all around the yard in search of the perfect fulcrum.  After a few semi-dangerous choices, I went ahead and suggested using one of our large flowerbed border rocks.  

A few minutes later, these two were thoroughly enjoying their homemade seesaw. 

Of course, it didn't take but about 5 minutes of playing "regular" seesaw before C had to start improvising :)

Heeeeey, batter batter!

Well - it's official. We have joined the millions of American parents spending part of our Saturdays on a baseball field watching THE most adorable little player begin what is SURE to be his long and distinguished baseball career :)

C's T-Ball season started last weekend.  It is pretty low-key.  Once a week, total of 1 1/2 hours (30 minute practice; 10 minute devotional; remainder is "game" time playing one of 5 other teams in the "league").

Honestly, I had my doubts.  I'm not athletic...not even a little bit.  Which means that I don't have a whole lot of interest in sports of any kind.  But I have to say, it was a lot of fun! 

This was just before C started playing in the dirt :)

My favorite part:  how the WHOLE team clears the field running after a ball (leaving the field totally open for the opposing team to run the bases :)

C's favorite part:  after practice snacks!

A Very Different Week!

J spent the week in Atlanta in training so the kiddos and I were on our own.  To the best of my recollection, this is the first time since C was a baby that J has been gone for more than a day or  two.  And honestly, I was a little nervous about how C and G would do - after all these are the same kids who basically jump on their daddy the minute he walks in the door from work every afternoon and don't give him a moments peace until we tuck them in bed. :)

Thankfully, they did really, really well!  Monday - Wednesday, we stayed home and pretty much kept our normal routine with the exception of a few special "treats" - had supper at a good friend's house on Tuesday and supper at Burger King on Wednesday :) 

But the highlight was a trip on Thursday - Friday to visit our family in my (and J's) hometown!  My nephew turns 3 this weekend, so we wanted to spend some time with him...but of course we got in some Grandparent time too!  I know the kids must have had fun because THIS is what happened as soon as we got on the road headed back home to meet J...

AHHHHH!  Not only did it eliminate a good bit of the typical in-trip angst and consternation, it also provided me the opportunity to have a nice long chat with a dear friend who I have't spoken with in a long time...a refreshing conversation and a real blessing!  (And yes, I know I shouldn't talk and drive...but seriously it was too tempting to resist :)

I'm so thankful that our week went well - but we all missed J a whole bunch and couldn't wait to see him so when we found out that he had to drop some equipment off at work before coming home, we decided to meet him at his new office :)  It sure is good to have him home!