February 20, 2015 Rockford Children's Museum

Our Children's Museum Pass expires on 2/21/15, so we thought we would enjoy one last trip to the Rockford Children's Museum with our cousins just in case we decide not to renew our membership.  The Rockford Museum is our favorite and one we could visit weekly and enjoy.  If only it was closer!  Daddy has never been able to make it to the museum with us when we have gone, but hopefully someday he will be able to go.  

One of our favorite families to go to Children's Museum with is our cousin Joy Barker and her kids, Allison, Isaac, and Hailey.  There are so many parts to this museum that keep the kids entertained and on their toys.  The boys have always loved to start upstairs with the Dodgeball Floor Mat game.  This game gives them a big sweat and they just can't get enough chase colored lights all over the mat!  Another big favorite is the playhouse area that is set up with various "buildings" the kids can visit - bank, veterinary, train stations, grocery store, mechanic, a house, and more!  The kid get into playing different games in this area.  When the weather is nice, the outdoor playground is by far the big favorite.  There are so many things to play on, and so many places to hide.  What an awesome place!

Reorganizing!

I have tried to have a special bucket of toys in the kitchen for Callie to play with, but I recently moved those somewhere else in the house because this plastic cup and container cabinet is all Callie needs to stay entertained.  Though it frustrates Momma that things become displaced, I have realized this is how Callie plays and what keeps her entertained.  Maybe someday she will be great at organizing!

Good Morning Selfie

February 19, 2015

We usually start our day in the rocking chair with a bottle of milk, snuggles, and a television show.  Many days I wish we could just stay there and cuddle, unfortunately the squirms usually take over and the kids are off.  Or, I need to get to something and have to get up myself.  I wish I had the gift of sitting, and not the constant urgency to "get things done."  I know that God has made me with great abilities, and those things that I struggle at, I need to become more disciplined in.  I just think it is funny that I have to work at sitting and doing nothing.  I know one day, I will want these sitting and snuggling moments back.  I have really worked at cherishing these days.  I know I could do it better, but I will continue to work at doing nothing and just enjoying the moment set before me!

Library Crafts

Today was cold outside, but we enjoyed a warm library story hour and craft time!  This is Joel's last year for preschool hour at the library.  He is going to miss our Tuesday morning time!

Sunday Lunch in Wyanet

We love our Sunday lunches in Wyanet.  They are such a gift.  Not only do we get yummy food, we get two wonderful people who love us no matter what.  They are two of our biggest supporters and fans.  They are our best friends.  Tom and Bev, I don't know how we would do this life without your wisdom, guidance, friendship, encouragement, and inspiration.  We love you.

Life is always perfect in Pop's lap.

Showing off one of Grandma's rocking chairs!

Hugs from Grandma Bev

We got extra Grandma snuggles on Valentine's Day weekend from Grandma Bev.  It was a cold February night, but Grandma's warm house coat not only warmed out bodies, but she warmed our spirits too.  

Kaylyn's 5th Birthday Party!

We made it home in time from our time away with Grandpa and Grandma to get to Joel's friend, Kaylyn's birthday party!  She had a Frozen themed party.  Joel is always excited to be with his friends.  People make him happy!

Joel and Jett playing with the Olaf noses from Pin The Nose On Olaf game!

 Birthday Girl Kaylyn!

Happy Valentine's Day at PCA!

Every year with Valentine's Day rolls around I wonder what we will end up making for the boys' classroom gifts.  I dislike candy immensely because of the serious dental issues our kids have faced.  The thought of sticky candy rotting in their teeth just makes me visualize tears running down my face as the dentist tells me my kids need more fillings or crowns.  So, to save Mom's emotions (and the kid's teeth!), I avoid as much candy as I can.  Yes, I know I am such a Debbie Downer.  And yes, my kids still eat candy they receive, but it is not something we regularly consume in our home.  So when it comes to Valentine's Day treats, I struggle to find something that isn't too sticky and sugary, but still fun and cool.  I had success with searching on the internet for a few ideas this year, that didn't cost us a trip to the store and weren't sticky.  Joel's gift still had sugar, but we let it slide!  See, I am still a "cool" Mom!

Joel made Tooty-Fruity hearts.  He had 12 people in his class, so we had a lot of pipe cleaner "stringing" to do with the Tooty-Fruities!  We enjoyed an afternoon of assembling after Callie got down for a nap.  He was so proud of his creations.  We stuck each in a ziploc bag and he enjoyed taking them to his classmates on PARTY DAY!

I was so excited when I found an Army Man Valentine idea for Cade!  He had fun picking out soldiers and figures from his army guy collection.  He had a reason for each army figure going to specific people in his class.  It was even great that he could write everyone's name on their Valentine's Card this year!

Another area of Valentine's creativity Mommy struggles with is the Valentine's Day box.  Oh I do not have an art mind!  I need to work on letting the perfectionism go!!  Well even though my creativity in the arts area is lacking, with much thought, I was able to help Cade pull off a tank box!  He enjoyed painting the boxes and cannon, and then I hot glued them together to make it look like a tank!  It was a fun creation!  Cade doesn't seem to care much for the process of making art projects (yes, I think I have rubbed off on him), but I think he did enjoy the finished project!

Ella's Mom did the Valentine's Day party in the 2nd grade classroom.  She did a great job and the kids were so excited.  She had a couple of games that taught about having a right heart before the Lord, and read a couple of books with positive messages about loving our friends (and enemies).  Ivan's Mom made a delicious cake and by the end of the party hour, the kids were sugared up!!

Valentine's Overnight

We connected with Grandpa Bill and Grandma Glenna in Iowa City to get away for 18 hours and enjoy a fun Valentine's Night.  Grandpa ordered pizza, which we enjoyed in the room together when we arrived.  The kids were so excited to swim, so our dinner was a bit rushed!  Grandma brought a couple toys for Callie to play with, which was a great distraction as we got everyone ready to go down. Daddy enjoyed swimming with the kids.  It was cold, but Mommy did decide to take the plunge and jump in.  Grandma and Grandpa even joined in.  What troopers!  Joel practiced some of his swimming lesson knowledge, showing everyone all he had learned.

The boys slept in Grandma and Grandpa's room, which was a bit of a mistake.  Cade woke at 4 or 5am and had Grandma up.  They wandered around the hotel room for 2+ hours until the rest of us woke.  Cade's lack of ability to rest well in other places is always an obstacle.  Once he wakes for the day, he is awake and can not turn his switch back to sleep.  I know someday he will sleep longer, but for now it can be draining when we are trying to get away from life for a bit and have a "lazy" time away.  We are thankful for Grandma's willingness to sacrifice her sleep to be with him.  She is such a servant.  

Blessed

I just love pictures of my kids.  I know I am a bit biased, but I feel beyond blessed to have such healthy and amazing kids.  God has truly blessed me.  May I raise them in His ways, and may their hearts be to always serve Him.  

Library Story Time

February 10, 2015

The library received a cool new reading nook and the kids got to experience it for the first time at story hour this week.  It has a top loft part with about 3 stairs leading up to it with a few pillows and a couple spots for books to stay in the reading area.   The bottom has a lounging area, as well.  The kids were so excited about playing.  What a delight and a fun place to continue to make good memories. 

We have a wonderful library with a staff that really cares to have a great program.  Though I know it is a public library, and some of the influences may not be of the same Biblical Worldview as our home, I think it is an excellent place to take our kids and help them to enjoy reading and learning.  I love that it is a safe and a fun environment for our kids.  I feel blessed with such a nice facility.

Reading With Daddy

Callie and Daddy enjoying some reading time before bed.  Callie has been learning her animals.  She makes a funny noise with her lips for the fish, says, "hop hop" for a bunny, and "neigh" for a horse, "tweet tweet" for a bird. She really loves her books.

Church Lady

Little Callie sitting in the church pew! She is wearing one of my favorite outfits!

February 7, 2015 - Melting

The sun started melting away some of the may inches of the snow. Cade thought it was the perfect opportunity to get his roller blades out and enjoy a few tricks! He is magnificent on his blades. He can do all sorts of tricks and has great balance. We love that the high school parking lot is usually open on the weekends and gives us a nice place to skate and bike without traffic. Though we had to be bundled up, the warm sunshine made us feel good. Oh how we miss our vitamin D from the sun in the winter! It was so good for the boys to get out and get some fresh air!

Talking to our Friends in PNG!

Friday, February 6 We got the opportunity to Facetime with our friends in Paupa New Guinea this evening. What an awesome opportunity! Our friends Justin and Debbie Bullington are missionaries in the country of Paupa New Guinea. Justin and Debbie were youth group kids from our church, and we have seen them grow up into young adults. It has been an awesome experience watching God work in their lives and take them on this lifelong adventure to PNG working with a Tribal Church to share the Gospel with a people group who does not have the Bible written in their own language. It has been neat to pull our own kids alongside in this process, and to let them have a vision of what missions can look like. Even 10 years ago, it would have been different explaining what Justin and Debbie are doing. With the awesome advances in technology, we can Facetime and use Facebook to "speak" with them almost anytime we want. What a gift to be able to see missions so closely. How I pray Cade, Joel, and Callie understand that this world is bigger than them. How I pray that they will have the burning desire to share the love of Christ, even if it takes them to the other side of the world. It would break my heart, but I know that God would be glorified and He would use them in amazing ways.

Big Brother Cade

February 5, 2015 Cade loves his little sister and is always trying to keep her happy. He doesn't like to hear her upset of crying. He does a great job with her.