Cousin Time!

Aunt Kim, Cousins Jake and Anna came to visit Pop, Grandma Bev, Nana, and our family this last week. They were only here for a few days, but we enjoyed all of our moments together! Surprisingly Jake and Cade (only 8 months apart) did not fight too often. Thanks for coming, we really enjoyed our time with you!

The first evening that they were here, Cade got to spend the evening with them while Mommy and Daddy were at youth group. Aunt Kim gave all three baths and had pajamas (Cade's) on when we returned home! This is why Anna looks a little boyish in the picture below.








The kids were having a lot of fun with Uncle Curtis too when he got home after youth group!

One evening we were out in the backyard digging and playing at Pop and Grandma Bev's house! Cade enjoyed finding a green pepper in the garden (picture above)! The boys loved playing with the dump truck and digger in the dirt, but unfortunately the pictures I got did not turn out because of the evening light (I will add them and maybe you can see!). I would have to say that the bugs were awful and bitting up at every moment; even the bug spray was not holding them off! I wonder why God made those silly black bugs as small as a speck but with "teeth" as large as a shark!



The other great part of their visit is that Cade loved going potty for Aunt Kim. Every time we were with them (until the last day) Cade wanted to be in underwear and would go for Aunt Kim. He loved the bubbles! But unfortunately Cade would not go for Mommy or Daddy when we would get home. He does really well in the evenings, but the mornings are a hard time for him. But we are making progress, so thank you for your prayers; and thank you Aunt Kim for your help! Every day is a step closer!

A thought for today: WHATEVER God does is right.
As a wrestle through and work out my salvation each day, I am always taken back by what I am learning. It is so easy to question and say WHY? God (did you let this happen or are you letting this happen . . . ), but this statement today reminded me that there are NO BUTS when it comes to answering the why questions. Whatever He does is right. And I will serve Him. He is HOLY. Lord, continue to change me.

A Trip to the Zoo!

We were blessed this week to be treated to a trip to the zoo with our good friends Amy, Hope, and Jean Ann. Hope is the little girl who comes to our home once a week while her parents are at work; Amy and Jean Ann are Hope's Mom and Grandma!



We visited the Niabi Zoo in Coal Valley, IL! Check out some of our pictures!

BubbleShare: Share photos - Find great Clip Art Images.


Cade's favorite part was the train ride at the end of our time, but he was so tired that cooperating for a picture was hard to come by.

BLUEBERRIES!

Recently I was able to purchase 10 pounds of blueberries from a Pampered Chef customer of mine! She bought them in Michigan and brought them home to me. I took the time to wash all of the blueberries, let them air dry, froze them on a sheet pan, and lastly bagged the frozen berries for the freezer. In all I had over 25 cups of blueberries. My goal is to make a blueberry pie sometime in the next 3 or 4 months. Curtis and I were inspired from the TV show, Good Eats, to try this! I did make homemade blueberries muffins this last weekend, and we have been using the blueberries in pancakes everyday! They are delicious!!

Friends . . . make me HAPPY!

Emily and Liz came to visit us for 24 hours this last weekend . . . it was great! Of course life has changed in the last 3 years because now when we try to talk we are constantly interrupted by little feet and voices (oh but what a JOY!). The main point of the weekend was the Greenville football game at Augustana College only a hour away from us. So here we are!

















Unfortunately Eric and Joel were not able to stay at our home, but we did get to see them for a few minutes! Oh it is so much fun to have lifelong friends that you walk through all of these stages of life with . . . college, roommates, single, engaged, moving, married, children. Thank you Penners and Hehmans for loving us!

Here is Cade and Daddy playing on the field after the game!
DOWN, SET, HIT!

Garage Sale Finds!

We had a great weekend of garage sales! Thursday Cade woke up from his nap early, so we set out in the rain to see what we could find! Well we found this one sale that helped Mommy accessorize . . . I fot 5 new belts . . . yippee! I don't like to spend money on the accessories because it usually costs more than the outfit itself! I also got a new pair of capris to wear to my Pampered Chef shows! Yippee. At another sale, stumbled upon a Clifford puppet for a whopping 75 cents. . . Cade was quite excited!

On Friday we went to one of our friends' homes who was having their moving sale. It was a bit sad to help them with their sale because they had to sell so many items. They just couldn't take much with them. So for 3 hours on Friday we helped set out the many items that they needed to sell. Well in the process Mommy got to go "shopping!" We got Connect Four, Hi Ho Cherrio!, a few clothing pieces, lots of books (Dr. Seuss, Max Lucado), a plastic grill for Cade to play with, Thomas the Tank Engine Bingo, Leap Frog Bingo, and Cade's favorite - a race track! Thank you so much for all you gave us Jill and Donovan! Cade can not stop talking about you and wants to come over to your home all the time!

Another Present in the Mail!

We received another package this week . . . yippee! This time Grandma Glenna and Grandpa Bill surprised us! We got a few birthday surprises for Daddy, Iowa State Fair shirts for the whole family, a ball gun (which we will be hiding for sometime), and a couple of accessories for Cade's train track! Yippeee! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

Thank You Aunt Opal & Uncle Steve, & Lance!

This las week we received a BIG PRESENT in the mail from Aunt Opal, Uncle Steve, & Cousin Lance! Cade was so excited! We started to open it up and it seemed to be an endless package of presents! Cade received 3 new tractors, a trailed, and a Tanker Truck! And Curtis received 4 new pairs of jeans! Yippee! Plus other goodies for us all too! We are so thankful! Thank you again!