today

I really wanted to scrapbook but then this happened, and it happened some more...

and then some more.




So then this happened...


Then this...




Then everyone dried off and warmed up in front of the fire. Sometimes days don't always go as planned, but that's okay. This was one of them and it was a nice day. I did get a bit done after the kids went to bed-tomorrow will be a snow day, we already got the phone call on that. Perhaps a snowman and hot chocolate will be in order. Wishing happy days to you-how ever they end up.

this one's for you mom....

We spent a few hours yesterday at Working Wonders, the kids loved it-really a good time had by all. It was a great way to spend a blustery Saturday afternoon.


Oh, and yes-there were some adults present.

lots of stuff and then not so much...

Found a fun blog today and decided I may just play along-check it out here. So here's my coffee cup today, it's usually in my hand most mornings-running along with me while I get the kids dressed, start laundry and do all the other daily things that need getting done. If it's not in my hand it's sitting next to me by the computer (by the way, we have named our computer "coffee filter" maybe someday I'll share that story) while I check email, and otherwise waste time in between reading books, settling fights and disciplining. (I mean punishing, no, maybe discipline-how about both?)

Notice it's almost gone and has just a bit of cool whip on the top-no more whipped cream or foamy milk for me due to some, er, digestive issues. I had the thought that perhaps going dairy free might help and unfortunately my doctor agrees. So for now I'm totally missing cheese and yogurt, but I have developed the self discipline to put the brick of cheddar down and walk, no-run, away from the kitchen. I guess that's a step forward; for me, not the cheese.

Then there's this-poor Mr. Levi got a very sad piece of mail last week. It was a scary notice from the state letting him know that he would be banned from preschool if he did not tell his mom to take him to the doctor for torture, I mean shots. So off we went on Thursday, silly me-I assumed there would just be one "poke" but he ended up needing four. Yikes. His sister tried to comfort him by saying that when she got her shots she "didn't even cry and it didn't even hurt and it was fun." Never thought I'd hear a kid say that but it's true, that really is how it went with her last time. Not so with Levi, he kept a brave face for the first three but that fourth one got him good. So we went to Walmart for some Lego consolation-four storm troopers for four shots. To make things even better, or sweeter, there was a very nice lady handing out generous sample of ice cream. How fun-for them, sad for me-did I mention that I'm totally missing all things dairy? Perhaps I did, the only other time I've craved (seriously, I'm dreaming about cheese) dairy products was during pregnancy.

Well, that's been the last little bit here for us-good news today: new dishwasher (my husband bought it for me, how romantic-seriously it is, I cannot begin to say how excited this has made me) and then a new garage door opener (previously the garage door opener was me, how nice to be able to push a button and watch it magically open and close!)

Later today we're off on some adventures with the kids-that is a weekend requirement: adventure.

Happy Saturday.

still.....

played a bit on this one-took some inspiration from Cayden's favorite pair of jeans, that have little birdies embroidered on the back pocket. She prefers to wear them backwards in order to see the birds.

but really, of all the things that change in life there's a few things that are a constant for me. One big one is Zac-I love being married to him, love that I still feel excited when I see him, love our friendship and love that I would be his first choice for an amazing race partner. He is still, always was and will continue to be the ONE for me.

today: connect

At any given moment of the day we can be bombarded with a constant stream of information, messages and images. Radio, television and computer pop-ups are all vying for our attention: Hear this, buy this, and update that. How do we separate out the noise from what really matters? How do we connect with what is really important; mainly relationship with God?

If we are going to connect with God and hear from him we need to engineer our days so that instead of being blasted by useless information we are saturated by reminders of him. After God called Abraham and promised him that he would become a great nation, Abraham pitched his tent between Bethel and Ai (Gen. 12:8). Bethel literally means “house of God” and Ai means “the ruin.” Abraham situated himself between God and the world; I’d like to think he did that so he could have a visual reminder of how God met him.

We need those visual reminders in a loud and hectic world. I have a few reminders in my home that direct my attention to him, reminding me of my need for connection to the Almighty. They are simple things really, but provide a place of focus for me. One is the container that holds my ground coffee. It’s just a simple glass canister with a little chalkboard on it, probably not the Starbucks recommended way of storing beans, but very effective for me just the same. On the chalkboard I usually write words or bits of scripture that God has brought to my attention, reminders of what he has spoken and what he has done. I also have painted a scripture on the wall above the window in our kitchen. Since I spend so much time in that room it’s easy for me to see those and remember how good God has been to me.

God designed us for connection with him, but it doesn’t just happen. Just as any relationship takes work and time spent face to face, our relationship with God takes effort on our part. But, do you know what? It’s worth it; worth the effort to focus not on the noise of the world (our own personal Ai) but to focus on God. When we purpose ourselves to remember him and place visual cues all around us he will let us find him. His Word gives us these promises: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart.” “Seek and you will find.” “Come to me, all you who are burdened, and I will give you rest.” He is true to his word and he will be true to us if we purpose in our hearts to focus solely on him. The key to connection for me is visual, which may not be the case for you, but let this be your challenge to find some way to remind yourself to take time out to focus on him. Turn off the computer, turn off your iPod, turn off any other distractions and focus on him. You will not regret it.


So, that is it-my word for the year: connect. This is my reminder that I need to connect with God daily, throughout each day. It's not just about some sort of quiet time or devotional hour-but a living breathing connection all day long. I was just reading about this here; reading about what the church fathers called Otium Sanctum, literally "holy leisure." It's the idea that we live every day with a sense of balance and the ability to be at peace no matter what the day holds. It's living with an awareness of the beauty that is around us and walking through the day with the purposeful thought to pace ourselves. This balance lends itself to connection with God, makes it easier to slow down and focus on him. That's what I want my 2008 to be all about; connecting with Him, living in holy leisure.

What about you?

a day in pictures

Good morning, humble breakfast muffin. This whole wheat goodie has dried fruit and banana, plus wheat bran. It's a very yummy way to start the day, a very versatile recipe allowed me to substitute soy milk for the yogurt without any difference in taste or texture


Happy 18 months old, my little baby who is not so much of a baby anymore. Incidentally, she had just finished singing Mimi "Happy Birthday" over the phone. My, my, how did this little farmer grow so fast?


Every Friday it's the same thing: pick up one beaming boy, who just received his prize box treat and has a hand full of cool school papers for me to be amazed at. Since he started preschool he has made tremendous strides in writing, reading a few words by sight and counting. Most importantly, his behavior is much improved and he learns a new memory verse every week.


Had some lunch with the "bad guys, grrrrrr." They're pretty tough, aren't they?


Then there's this, sweet naptime-which we actually shared together snuggled on the couch while Levi fought epic battles between the knights and the pirates. Gotta love Playmobile, hours of fun-millions of little baby chocking hazards.


Finally hung stuff on the hallway upstairs, was going to wait to paint but couldn't stand it anymore. The painting will just have to wait.


Nothing like a daddy pillow when he comes home from work, I can honestly say this is the highlight of the day for all.

Prayers at dinnertime, well, during dinner time for this one. She felt she needed to stop and hold dad's hand for one more prayer. Love that.


Desert, yes-fancy cups and cool whip make Jello very special. But not so much for a little girl who must be watching her waistline. "No, no" she kept saying as she offered everyone else a bite.


Happy Friday, happy weekend.

Now, gotta watch Jack.

some feathering

Been moving things around, finding some new treasures and moving the others around. Got some alone time over the weekend and found some cool things at a local antique store.

Here's the new family wall-the empty frame in the bottom middle was a clearance find-I plan and doing something with our name-still am thinking about what.


New crate for scrapbooks-love what it says "high explosives: dangerous." Our memories might not be that exciting but we have had some good times.

Clean desk! For a minute anyway. (In all honesty, I cleared the junk off and piled it on the couch to take the picture.)


Some thrift store finds-a small silver cups to hold tiny goodies and to serve as a trophy when the kids have races around the house.


Big project coming up...

One more antique store find-don't you love pine cones? Love the texture and can't go wrong with brown!


The spode plate on loan to me from Zac's mom. I love the pattern and colors and the history.


Yep, more with the pine cones.


Little project I did to ring in the new year-lately I've been picking up canvases just to play and push paint, paper and other goodies around.


Grateful from some creative days lately...grateful for a happy and cozy home.

beautiful day

That's what she calls it, it's her own creation consisting of only 10 hair clips. It's takes great concentration and effort to pull this one off, all while watching Sesame Street. What a girl-that Cayden. She knows she's beautiful and embraces her unique individuality-we can all learn from that attitude, huh? Here's to a beautiful Wednesday.

I think

I've got it-my word for the year: Connect.

More later...

one little word: step

I was going to go for the resolution theme for this one, what with it being new year's and all. But then I found this picture-I love Cayden gently guiding her little sister across the street. It's very sweet, how those two interact. Sometimes they fight and step on each other's toes but then there are moments like this...they usually are fleeting but my hope for them as they grow is that they will step together, love together, play together.

Oh, this is my first go at a 6x12 page-it was fun playing.