"Lets Go Sledding Now..."

The temperature was great and the snow just right for some sledding! Justin was turning six and his birthday party was a sledding party....Good fun was to be had!

Tess was so excited to get on her "snow clothes" she was very interested in picking out just the right things to wear (no surprise there)! She enjoyed the one time down the big hill, then a few times down the smaller hill. Tessa and I enjoyed watching the boys (Tony, CJ, Justin and Brady) but even more we enjoyed watching the bigger boys (kids at heart!)....Daddy, Popsey, and Uncle Mike!! Ella kept warm in the warming cabin with Gamma, Aunt Teri and Aunt Jen....I took some photos!

Winter certainly has its benefits! Sledding, Snowmen and hot cocoa! I would miss the change of season if we didn't have it! We look forward to more sledding fun as the girls get older!

Continued Prayers....

We are so thankful for the continued prayers from family and friends as we work though this tough time with "Dad" AKA: Larry, Pa-Pa, My Father-in-law.... He is still struggling on a daily basis. Each day brings different struggles. It hurts the heart to know that he is just mentally and physically tired of fighting the cancer. I had the awesome opportunity to pray with him recently and he is asking for the struggling to end and for peace. We are so thankful to our family and friends who are with us (even if far away) during this time. We feel your presence and the presence of God as we journey through this tough time. Thank you again for the thoughts and prayers. It is in God's hands, as all things are!

Sweet Sounds....

I reflected recently on some of the sounds that bring me joy.....The sounds that I would miss if they were present in our everyday lives.....

• Our Girls giggling
• Kevin coming in from work, the sound of the door still excites me
• The pitter-patter of feet down the hallway
• The girls crying or calling us in the middle of the night ...strange, I know but we will miss it when they are grown
• Birds singing in the morning
• The sound of my family and friends voices, especially on a tough day
• My students excitement in their voice when they are enjoying learning
• Music....all kinds of music!
• Footed pajamas on the hardwood floor
• Ocean waves
• The girls eating, so cute probably, only to a Mommy
• Binkies. A content little girl sleeping!

The list could carry on and on....Sometimes in the hustle bustle of the day it is good to take time to think about the simple things.....

Rock On...

Family music time is always enjoyable. The girls (including myself) adore Kevin playing the guitar. They dance, they try to play, and sing along! Tess claims she is going to be a "rock star?!?!?"

Here are our "Rock Stars"

The Dear Deer....

This morning we experienced reason #496 why we LOVE living in the country. While I was making breakfast Kevin and the girls were in the living room. They were looking out at the snow and there were a family of deer on the back of our property. I was able watch the deer as I was preparing french toast (my favorite breakfast food)...It made for a peaceful morning. Kevin and Tess noticed that one of the deer was limping....Dear Deer... We were worried about the animal!

Kevin and Tess decided that the dear deer were going to be their morning project. After breakfast, they headed to the local feed store. The store that offers quite the variety of goodies! This was a fun outing for the two of them. Tess was so excited, she was dressed in no time!

They came back with a salt lick and a bag of feed for the deer. They hiked out to the trees and set out all the goodies! I was adoring them as I watched their every step out the window. I love to see them enjoying special moments, it is always a joy for me! Tess was so proud of her task with Daddy! "Now they can eat it and be happy!"...

Ella took in her morning nap during the deer adventure. She woke to see her sister outside without her. She realized soon that this was not quite how it should be, so she had to protest! Here's to life in the country and simple Saturday mornings!

Cousin Time!

I had the great opportunity to spend some time with my dear cousin this past week! I am so thankful for the time that we and the kiddos had. I have always looked up to Christy & Jenny. When we were younger they would come visit, I LOVED the time! I would look forward to it for days. Then once they arrived I had a grand time having them paint my nails (in all different patterns and styles...they are so talented), we would have rubber band gun wars, go shopping, to Chi-Chis for lunch and then have a fun slumber party! They have taken good care of me as we have gotten older as well, in many ways, they planned a special bridal, then years later....baby shower for me! I adore them! Those are great memories are something I treasure! The older sisters I always wished for..... I had a great time with Christy and her girls this week. It is so fun to watch our girls....the next generation, enjoy time together! We need to get together more often! We had a nice visit and hopefully Jenny & her boys can join the next round of fun....The girls and I are already looking forward to it!

Can you feel the love!

Jaden and Ella holding hands in the car on the way for ice cream :)

It is so fun to watch the little ones at play! We had a great opportunity for a fun and extended play date with our friends this weekend! I say "our" because the kiddos played and the Mommas had fun as usual! We loved the time of just kicking back and enjoying the company of one another.....We ate dinner, played, watched a Valentine movie, went out for ice cream :), had a sleepover, went shopping, out to lunch....Good times! The best part, after all that time together, we STILL missed them when we departed! The little ones played great together and had a good time!

One thing that always amuses me when we are out and about with the kiddos is how others watch us: is it humorous, entertaining???? Jamie and I have always had the thought process that the kiddos can handle being on the go (we seem to always be able to know when they are ready to head home!) One couple smiled at the fact that all our shoes boots matched when we were out for ice cream....funny to us because it was not planned in anyway! Also amusing, is the two of us shopping with four little ones...ages 1,2,3,4... Good times, Great Memories...with Wonderful friends!