New Art Wall

Seems like Allie has slowly converted Josh and I's bedroom door into another wall to display her artwork! I love it. I love coming into my room and seeing her pictures. It means so much that she wants to share them with us. She said next she's going to cover her door on the inside of her room! She's too cute!

Sunday's Play

This Sunday the kids in our church put on a play about the Bible story of the good Samaritan. They worked on it for a whole month on Sunday mornings and they did a great job. Marcus was an inn keeper, Rob was the priest and Allie was one of the bullies.

One Less Baby Tooth

Yesterday Josh was playing soccer in the front yard with the kids. Allie accidentally hurt her leg and came inside crying. Josh is such a great dad and he thought of a way to distract her. He asked her if he wanted him to pull her loose tooth out. She said yes and out it came! 

Brotherly Love

We were so blessed to have our brothers out here for a visit! Josh and Zach brought the Church High School from California out to ski/snowboard and for revival this week. Josh and Zach were our preachers on Monday through Wednesday night. They both did such a tremendous job and I loved listening to them. They preached really great messages on faith, hope and the posture we take in our relationship with God. I was so encouraged and blessed.

They stayed at the hotel with the high school kids because they were the leaders, so we went and hung out with them there or out to eat after service as much as possible.

On Thursday we didn't have church at night, so they took the high school kids to Boondocks. We went too and had a great time. Our kids were so happy to go swimming at the hotel afterwards!

Josh was SO excited he actually made a hole in one on this hole!!! He scored -9 on the 18 hole course they played. His best miniature golf score yet!

But, the time with our brothers went by too fast and our visit is now over. Allie is saying how she misses Uncle Josh and Uncle Zach. I'm sad, too, yet feel so blessed that we have such a wonderful family.

Under the Ironing Board

I set up my ironing board the other day because I had so much to iron. If at all possible I like to get it all done at once. But, there are times that the ironing board is left out because I know there are more clothes coming. 

However, this time I came down to do my ironing and found this right under it. It presented a little challenge for me to get my job done. Although I love the feeling of getting my work done, I love all of Rob and Allie's creations throughout the house. Even when I came upon this, I smiled. I enjoyed the moment of my kids being young and playing together. I didn't even want to make them take this down so I could work. Yet, I have this hope and belief that another creation will be made- another world for them to play in set up in my world of laundry, chores and homemaking. And when they make it, I will smile once again...even if it's under my ironing board.

Love Love Love

 We had a wonderful Valentine's weekend!

On Thursday, Josh and I helped Rob and Allie make Valentine's boxes for their classmates to put their Valentine's treats in at school. It was a lot of fun searching for ideas of what to make and then creating them together. Josh is super creative and added some special touches. I love that he's so helpful with the kids' art projects. Takes a lot of pressure off me!

Rob's project won first place in his class. Definitely the only kid that made a toilet for a Valentine box! Allie's classmates all made really cute and creative boxes. They didn't have a contest in her class, but she won in our book!

We also spent the evening baking brownies for their teachers and wrapping them up on pretty trays. These two kiddos are quite the brownie makers! 

On Friday, Josh and I went out to dinner at our favorite sushi restaurant. It was so special, and delicious!! Then, we headed over to our church for our Marrieds Dessert & Meeting. Josh preached a really great message! He has so much wisdom.

On Saturday, I went to my favorite bootcamp class at the gym because it's taught by the best teacher ever...Josh! I love going to his classes. They challenge me like no other!

Then we spent the day loving on our family. Josh took the boys to a Monster Jam show downtown. They have never been to one and said it was so cool!

While they were away at the show, I took Allie to get lunch, came home and I painted her nails. I love spending time with my Allie. She is growing up way too fast.

For dinner that night we went and picked up Subway sandwiches and had a picnic on our living room floor. It was so fun and the kids were beyond excited! We wanted to make the night special for them and after we ate we made ice cream sundaes. They said it was the best day ever. I hope so. We love to bless them, make memories and show them how loved they are.

Sand in the Kitchen

We've been having fun playing with the coolest sand Allie got for Christmas! 

It's so cool we can even play with it at the kitchen table 

and it's one of the kids' favorite free time activities. 

Thanks Grandma Debbie for such an awesome gift!

 My little creative girl

 My attempt at an octopus! Ha!

 Allie loves to use the very few sand toys we have to make fish.

Some of the finished products!

Loving God's Word

I love Beth Moore Bible studies.
We have a women's Bible study going on right now with the women in our church on David. I continue to be amazed at how timely the studies are and how they speak to me. They help me dig deep into God's Word. And, I'm encouraged by every group video session we watch together.

With the kids, I have been reading to them out of Allie's new daily devotional. It's perfect for her because she loves animals so much! It's been so cool to learn about various animals and then have it applied to a truth in the Bible. We've all enjoyed it and Allie always makes sure to ask me to read it to her.

My Basketball Boys

I always get excited for the boys' basketball season. It's so fun to watch them play. Today was the last day of their season games. The season came and went so fast. Marcus' team just has a a tournament that they'll be playing in a few weeks.

Rob played up on the fifth grade team this year with his friend, Christian. It was amazing to see the team improve so much over the season. The best game by far was last week. Rob made 6 points! It was his best scoring game. On the sidelines, Josh asked Rob if he was happy they were winning (because they hadn't won a game yet). Rob said, "No, I'm happy I scored 5 points because Zack said he'd give me a $1 if I did!" Rob is a money man! Zack kept his word. When Rob got the dollar though, he gave it in the offering at church.

 Rob and his buddy, Christian

Marcus' team is really good. They've been playing together for over three years. They work so well together and they each add so much to the team. They win a lot of their games. I'm looking forward to the tournament.

As for the end of this basketball season...

I will miss them getting ready for their games in the morning. 

I will miss sitting on the bleachers watching them warm up. 

I will miss cheering them on throughout their games.
I will miss watching Josh help coach from the sidelines.

I will miss having our turn to hand out treats to the players after the games. 

I will miss seeing their sweaty and red faces after playing a hard game.
I will miss hearing Josh and the boys talk about the highlights from the games.

I will miss hugging them after their games telling them how well they played and how proud I am of them.

Art & Honor Roll

For Marcus' elective in school last semester, he chose to take Art class. I love that it was everyday for about an hour, giving so much attention to the subject.

He worked on so many assignments and projects throughout the course. He learned many new skills and techniques. I've never seen Marcus enjoy art so much. I was so happy for him. At the end of the semester, the students put their artwork into books and made them like scrapbook journals. I hadn't been able to see all of his work until he brought it home. I cannot tell you how impressed I was with it! Marcus did an amazing job and we're so proud of him.

And, once again Marcus made honor roll last quarter!
Way to go, Marcus!

Rob's School Projects

Rob was learning anatomy in his fourth grade class, and so his teacher had each of the students create a skeleton and label all the major body parts and bones. He really enjoyed this assignment. He did an excellent job learning everything and aced his test.

For the month of January, Rob did a science poster board project on a sea animal of their choice. Rob picked the octopus. We went to the library and got a bunch of books. It was fun researching this animal with Rob. I learned a lot, too! He did an amazing job on his science board!

I love that our kids enjoy learning!