Tuesday, April 24, 2012

A Saturday in Spring

Soccer . . . playing keeper, making a move, getting a few pointers and being a good sport!

Planting our garden . . . working together, watching your step, digging for worms and waiting for veggies!

Trying out the new sprinkler . . . giggling, running, jumping and making music to Mom's ears!

Grilling dinner . . . oohing and aahing, eating outside, drinking chocolate milk and desserting on ice cream!

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

A Repeat

I know I've posted about this before, but I tried it again this morning with my preschool crowd and it was, yet again, a huge hit!

I poured blobs of paint onto a sheet of paper and they spread the paint by "driving" their cars through it.  They loved looking at the different tracks that different types of wheels made.


After we finished painting, I filled the water table with soapy water and gave them each a sponge and they made a car wash!  If you ask them, this was their favorite part!

Monday, April 16, 2012

It Takes a Village

I've mentioned several times before what a gift it is to our family to live in community with an amazing group from our church.  This weekend, I was reminded again how much I love these families, their unique children and the fact that we are raising them together!

Several months ago, after the passing of Eric's Grandmother, the girls were excited to get some of her costume jewelry.  I love that they treasure it because of who it belonged to and not because of its monetary value.  Well, Great Grandma didn't have pierced ears, so each girl got a pair of clip on earrings.  On Saturday, Katie sported hers at her sister's soccer game.  On the way home, she clipped them to her nose.  Then, she looked at her Daddy and said:

"Look, Daddy, now I'm beautiful -- just like Ms. Jessica!"

Eric and I were delighted!!  You see, Jessica is one of the most selfless wives I know.  She's also one of the most patient and loving moms I know.  If one of our daughters grows up to be like her, we'd be beyond thrilled!

We were also delighted to hear about Jack's question to his mom and dad after seeing the ultrasound picture of his new little sister (who will be here one week from today!!)!!  Jack's, who is in kindergarten, asked if his new sister was going to have brown skin!

That is a LOL moment!  Not one where you just say LOL because it's sort of cute -- it's hilarious!

But beautiful to me too.

It's beautiful because our baby girl has brown skin; and that is normal to Jack!

It's beautiful because the newest baby in our group, Jeremiah, has brown skin. (Please click on this link and read the story of his adoption -- it's worth your time)!

And to Jack, that's normal.  Why wouldn't his new sister have brown skin too?

Beautiful!

Though there isn't much I agree(d) with Hillary Clinton on, perhaps she was on to something when she said it takes a village to raise a child.  I doubt we were talking about the same type of "village," but I am thankful for the community God has placed around Eric and I as we play out our part in His story -- particularly the part we play as parents.

Ben and Tracy, Mark and Cindy, Matt and Jessica, Rick and Melissa, Mark and Susan, Mark and Sudeana & Britt and Brittany -- we love you guys!

Here's to long, long time of doing this together . . .

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Easter 2012




Sudeana, it was so fun!  Thanks for every detail!!

Afterward . . . Momma time!


So blessed to do life with these girls!!  

Forgot my camera today, so my phone had to suffice.  
However, the battery is low, so I can't access the pictures I took.

Will post them later this week!

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl!

Today we celebrated our Little Peanut's first birthday.  It hardly seems possible that almost a year has passed since we first laid eyes on her.  It was love at first sight for all five of us, but our love has grown by leaps and bounds over the past year.  It is hard to remember our family without her being a part of us.

Sweet girl, I count myself so blessed that you call me "Momma!"  Your laid back approach to life is refreshing and your impulse to dance whenever you hear a note of music is energizing!  You add to our family things we didn't even know were missing before . . .

Happy birthday, Baby.  I hope we see many, many more!

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Oh my word!

i totally forgot to blog yesterday.

forgot.

completely.

fail!

hardly even started and . . .

fail!

it's not like i don't have pictures to post -- we're on vacation!

that's my excuse for forgetting!  vacation.

spring break 2012 -- ocean isle beach, nc.

bliss.

family.

extended family.

so many memories being made.

i'll let a few pictures do the talking:





Sunday, April 1, 2012

OIB -- Spring Break 2012

A morning walk on the beach . . .


An afternoon swim in the pool . . .



An evening stroll . . .

And a sunset painted by the only Artist who takes my breath away!

. . . between the palm trees . . . Happy Palm Sunday!