A Potty Party & A Birthday Party

Last Sunday we decided to celebrate Norah's success on the potty with a little party, just the four of us. We had a nice lunch which we ate in the livingroom.... the kids thought it was SO fun! For dessert we had some Sesame Street cupcakes I ordered. When we went to pick them up, the baker started, "Can I help.... let me guess... the Sesame Street cupcakes?!?" Norah was so excited, she could hardly contain herself. I would bet big money that we were the only ones picking up cupcakes decorated with Big Bird and Ernie on Superbowl Sunday!

While Joel was teaching his Confirmation class and Henry was sawing logs during his morning nap, Norah made beautiful artwork.

 We're praying... and praying..... and praying these days.... our cause?? An end to abortion.

 Does anything say "I'm proud of you" like the look on Big Bird's face?!

This is SO Henry. He's thirsty, he sees a chair... why not stand on the chair and take a drink? Juice tastes better that way right?

The morning of Joel's Birthday. Joel was slow at getting out of bed because he was sick. And, also because he's now 27 so, his body is feeling old and achy!:)

13 hours of sleep and little Henry is ready to tackle the day!

 Opening gifts. Norah wrote a special message to Joel in the card above.

 My bookworm husband requested four books.... no wonder where Norah and Henry get it from!:)

Psalm 139

^{I have oodles(yes, I just said oodles) of Bible Study(on the gospel of John) to complete before Thursday but, instead I'm wandering around Psalms today....
13} For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts,^[a] God!
How vast is the sum of them!
¹⁸ Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.
Psalm 139:13-18

Happy Birthday Joel!!!

 Today my husband turns 27... this means that ice cream cake will be consumed at our house tonight!

Florida- December 2011

This past year I have watched God work thru Joel. I have marveled at this kind, compassionate, smart, funny, humble, wise, handsome man that is my husband and my best friend. I will be the first to tell you... I don't deserve Joel. God placed this man in my life and I feel so grateful and blessed to spend each day with him.

Florida- Christmas Eve 2011

Happy Birthday Joel!!

Valentine's Day Countdown

This morning during Norah's craft time, we made this Valentine's Day Countdown. I found the download(which is free if you subscribe to the blog) over at Catholic Icing. Each day, we'll tear one heart off and, on the inside of each heart is a Bible verse about love, that we'll read with the kids. The project was very simple... and the directions are very clear over at Catholic Icing.

I think you could really jazz this project up with some glitter or maybe even a white doily behind this pink heart but, we kept ours pretty simple this year. Everything we used, we already had in the house so, that made me love this project even more.

The verse we'll read today is 1Corinthians 13:13.... will you look it up???



A Few Pictures

So... I had planned on posting something about the miscarriage on Sunday but, I just don't have the words. Not yet, anyway. I'll keep praying and when I'm good and ready, I intend to write how our third baby's life, though very very short, has profoundly impacted all of our lives. How I imagine heaven, how I look at my husband and how I love on my kids has changed so much but, I'm unable to put in into words now.

Today I just wanted to share this pictures, they're from the last couple days in January.

Here is Henry while I attempt to vacuum. He absolutely LOVES inspecting every little part of the vacuum cleaner.

Henry says, "help, please" alot these days and after he says it, he keeps his face scrunched up like this until you either help him or, he says "help, please" again....

 He loves books! And... so what if his belly is resting on the book... maybe it was a delicious lunch!:)

 Norah takes great care of her baby. She has named it "baby Tyson" after her cousin Tyson.(Yes, Whitney it's true.)

 More books. Henry feels like such a big boy when he sits at this table.

 "Help, please?"

Yesterday, it was 58* here!! The kids and I played outside after lunch and it was. so. nice. The kids ran around smiling and laughing for awhile then, I took them for a nice long walk in the wagon.

It was a really great day.