Hanging Around....Our Yard!

One of my students asked me, where is your favorite place to go? After some thought of the many wonderful places we have traveled, my answer was pretty simple....Our house, especially our yard! While I do love to travel, to far away beautiful places. When it comes down to it, a spring afternoon in our yard with Kevin and The Girls, tops the list!! I like that we have joy in our yard regardless of the season, there is always family fun time to be had!!....

Pa-Pa is with us....

We have certainly had a missing piece in our lives since Larry passed away. It is has been therapeutic to remember him almost daily through Tess. She has been wonderful about asking simple questions about him and reminding us of some of the special times that they shared. she even talks to him occasionally during her night time prayers.

"remember that time Pa-Pa, Tony and me fed the ducks?"

"Dear Jesus, thank you for keeping Pa-Pa safe in heaven with you"

"How long did it take Pa-Pa to get up to heaven?"

"Who is Pa-Pa with in heaven?, maybe he is with your Grandma and Grandpa, Mommy"

When Tess asked about Pa-Pa coming down from heaven to visit, we reminded her that he can't come back, but we can look at pictures and talk about him anytime to remember him, she would talk to him when she says her prayers, that night this was the conversation she had....

"Hi, Pa-Pa (in her voice). "Hi, Tessa (In a deeper voice)", "I hope you are doing fine with Jesus, living there, I miss you", (In a deep voice reply), "Thank you Tessa, I love you", "Night-night Pa-Pa."

This Mommy certainly had tears that night! We are so proud of her! An adjustment for all of us, and we can learn so much from her!!

BUSY...and on a mission...

Our Ella-Bella....She is ON THE MOVE...most of the time!! We are often not sure what her mission is, But she sure does know. She is always heading to do, or get into something. It is hilarious to just sit back and watch it all happen. Even more entertaining is getting her to do something that is not on her agenda. She gives you this look....Priceless, with wide brown eyes and a smirk on her face that says "catch me if you can...." Ella has many similar facial expressions to her Daddy.

While exploring, it is never a surprise to find her attempting to stand on the kitchen table, climb on a stool, trying to follow Tessa everywhere, or hiding under something. Right now she is going through a toothbrush phase, she loves them, she wants to carry them with her everywhere, Not safe!!...Maybe she wants to be a dentist?? Through it all showing her smile, and giggling all the while. While attempting to escape us, she will look back, smile, then take off full speed ahead. Always an adventure and keeping us hopping....Everyday!!!

"Pancake Supper"

Tessa LOVES pancakes, and so do we ....so....each year our little town has a "pancake supper" and Tess asks about 20 times throughout the year if it is time for the "Pancake Supper"....the time finally came. We ventured to the crowded middle school cafeteria to enjoy some pancakes, sausage, and some social time. I LOVE the joys of a small town, the list goes on and on for me. I suppose being raised in a small town always kept me hoping to settle near a small town, and live in the country. I do love a trip to the city, and I enjoy wearing a nice pair of high heels, but when it comes down to it, I like a mix of high heels and corn fields....a perfect balance in life.

The Pancake supper was enjoyable, but even better than the pancakes were the people. Most of them simple people taking in the joys of a hometown meal and festival. We sat with two retired couples who told their stories of the farms where they grew up and raising their children in this area. They were sporting their nice "I've been to Florida all winter" tans and some spiffy outfits. They are probably living their dreams of small town life with an early retirement....Simple pleasures. They went on and on about our girls. We had a great evening and Tess is already asking about next year!!

Precious Moments....

We have two VERY cuddly girls. I always hoped that our children would have that in them, but I was realistic enough to know that many children aren't that way. We are so thankful they both are! I was reading them stories last night and the were each by my sides snuggling in, holding hands, and relaxing. I said a prayer of thanks for our beautiful healthy daughters and the joys they bring us. We are so thankful for them...EVERYDAY.... and the unique individuals that they are! It is such a blessing to watch them grow, learn and develop everyday! They are fun little ones and I never lose sight of the daily joys that they bring! As Tess says, holding her hands as far apart as she can reach "I love our family this much, Mommy!"....Caring, loving words!!

"Zoo"per Memories!

Although when we had gone on our K&K vacation we left them notes, a count down chart, a little gift for eachday....

The girls were kept very busy....to the park, shopping, out to eat, playing, and to the zoo! We knew they would have fun! They had a ZOOper time! Although we have been home over a week Tess still talks about the grand time with Pops and Grandma...A special time had by all! We are so thankful!

Tiptoe through the Tulips

I am so glad that my dad talked me into planting and helping me with the tulips! It is such a powerful sign of spring! One can't help but tiptoe around them and enjoy them! The girls took it a step further and decided to pick them....Many of them! Ella even uprooted a couple I had to replant! They just kept snapping them off and bringing them as a gift to Kevin and I. I eventually had the "picking the flowers" talk but they had so much fun sharing them! Now the tulips are both outside and inside in vases to enjoy! The bulbs have bloomed and I love it! Thanks Dad!!

Play.....

I have such a deep, true appreciation for playtime. It is so enjoyable to watch our girls playing. They are really interacting with one another now and the simple joy bring such a smile to my face and warmth to my heart. I am not sure if it is innocence of playtime, the simplicity of it, or a combination of both. The world seems to be so far away when I am playing with the girls. With them being footloose and fancy free I can't help myself to join in! Although it is hard to put the lingering laundry aside, or start dinner just a little bit later for the night, I find playtime to be so important.

Tess is such a creative little (almost four year old...) one, and Ella seems to try her best to imitate and keep up with Tess. They can play for long periods of time, playing make believe, or with their toys, being outside it their favorite! Through playing there are so many life lessons to be learned....

Share ....Have Fun....Put your troubles aside....Imagine.....Create.....Think outside the box....Dress-up.....Imitate.....Pretend.....

Our girls have the art of playing down and I am so thrilled to take it all in! One of the many joys of parenting! We have a daily reason to play with our girls! The four of us where outside recently and we had such a fun time just playing in the yard.

I have fond memories of my Mom, Dad and Brother taking time to play. I also can remember playing often with friends and begging Mom for "five more minutes" to be outside, SIMPLE JOYS!

I often think that children stop playing "too early" in their lives. I see this as a teacher. I always appreciate the students who are able to let their guard down and just have some simple fun! I still enjoy it myself and I think everyone should take time out once in a while to relax and play! Not to play on the computer or relax watching t.v., rather, go out, be outside and play, set a play date with a friend or your spouse....enjoy!

"I Love it when we are Cruisin' Together...."

It was a wonderful week of Cruisin' for K&K! We had the joy of sharing a special vacation week together along with our dear friends Rich & Michelle. The time spent in the Caribbean was well enjoyed! There were many beautiful islands that we were able to enjoy along with....

• Time together
• Time to reflect
• Time to see more of the world, God created so many beautiful thing
• Time to Relax
• Time to see the beautiful beaches and crystal blue water of the Caribbean
• Time for toes in the sand
• Time for palm tree....instant joy with sight of these
• Time to Cruise....we highly recommend it
• Time to Read
• Time to take it all in....

GOOD TIMES!

We certainly missed Tess and Ella but they were having a wonderful time with Pops and Gamma! Their picture was my bookmark and I might have packed a binky and little blanket to look at in the suitcase....They were glad to see us and Tess had many stories to tell! She had such a memorable fun time with them. We are so thankful for them taking such wonderful care of them, they always do! Thank you Mom & Dad!

Kevin and I had so much fun and special time together. We love vacationing with Rich and Michelle! It is so laid back and fun! We certainly won't forget the fun and the memories!

Easter Fun!

We enjoyed the celebration of Jesus as we always do. Tess was so sweet when we were talking about the meaning of Easter..."I love Jesus so much Mommy, Pa-Pa is in Heaven with Jesus Mommy!" ...out of the mouths of babes, they teach us so much.

Coloring Eggs, Carrots for the Easter Bunny, Making Cupcakes, Brunch with Our Families, Easter Baskets, Time together,....all special! However, nothing can be as special as the sacrifice Jesus made for all of us, so that we could enjoy our journey, it is all because of Him and as we praise him everyday of the year....We are truly....Thankful and so Humbled by His Love.