Another Day of Rest ...

My weeks of April are going by so fast.  The weather has seemed to give back some winter temperatures and wind.  It seems like our March and April were switched around.  I am looking forward to May and knowing then that I don't need to be covering my 'in danger of frost' plants!!!

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Matthew pulled out his first tooth this past week.  He was proud of that!  Even got a dollar from under his pillow the next morning!!!  (Isn't being a mom fun?!!!)

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Yesterday was another morning of trying to find deals by yard sailing.  The kids and I and Marlene went out for the morning.  We went to some local developments.  My favorite find was Ashlyn's little chair.  She loves to climb up on things and this little chair will be a great friend to her!  I washed the cover and sprayed the cushions and now it's ready for a playmate!!!

$3.00!!!

When we came home, Ashlyn was so tired and took a 3 hour nap!  She is still on the schedule of two naps a day.  She is doing great with sleeping long too.  She's an early riser (6:30 most mornings).  I don't mind at all though because she wakes up so happy and loves to hang out with Hadassah and Matthew before they head off to school.  She gets a bath every morning and eats her breakfast ... which right now is usually a scrambled egg with a banana or her fave is grapes on the side.  Then she plays a little before going down for her first nap around 8:30.  Usually this is her long nap of about 3 hours.  She wakes up happy again and has the afternoon to play and hang out with me.  We pick up the kids at school at 2:50 PM and sometimes she falls asleep again on the way or when we get back home, she's down for nap #2.  This nap is usually only an hour or so, but it's enough to energize her and ready for the evening hours.  Most bedtimes for her are 8:00 PM!

Believe me, it has taken awhile to get to this schedule but I love it!!!  I try to plan my day chores around her naps.  It seems to help her too! 

She is such a blast right now and she is trying to say more and more words each week!  When she sees a finger nail clippers, she puts it to her fingers.  When you tell her that you want to put on her shoes, she looks down at her feet.  She says "baaaa - sheep", "lips pressed together and blows a funny sound - horse", "kitty - cat", "mooooo - cow", "MOM - for mom", "Matt - Matthew", "Nana - Lena" ... plus more.  It's just way too cute!!!

This is the stage that I would just love to freeze!  Not really ... but I do enjoy all her adventures and new learning stages!  I know I must enjoy each day because she will not stay in this exact stage for very long.  Time goes fast and watching her grow is a real blessing!!!  She walks all around the house acting like she owns every inch.  She's got her whole family wrapped around her little finger!!!  We love it that way!
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This morning, Matthew and Ashlyn were up early and so that was my alarm clock!  That gave me a chance to serve Mike a hot coffee with whipped cream & a swirl of Carmel syrup on top with four little homemade donut holes on the side!  He doesn't get to sleep in very often and so it was fun for me to deliver his treat right to bed and say "Rise and Shine"!!!  I was in the mood to make a cooked breakfast too.  We have an easy quiche recipe that I love to make Sunday mornings, but this morning I wanted something different!  So I choose to make "Italian Breakfast Torte".  I am delighted when I find a recipe that looks good to me and then have all the ingredients on hand!  I mixed fast, assembled the torte and baked it for 1 hour and 15 minutes.  It smelled wonderful and it tasted just as yummy as I anticipated.  We were then all off to church.

"Italian Breakfast Torte" right out of the oven and ready for eating!!!  Yum!

(eggs, spinach, sausage, cheese, peppers, mushrooms, and crescent rolls!!!)

Some of the sermon was preached about how the disciples died that followed Jesus.  Most of them were martyred because of their faith.  Some were stoned to death.  Some were crucified and hung upside down.  Others were burned.  These times were not easy for believers and it is a challenge for me today to not give up when the 'christian walk' gets tough. 

Two verses that were shared were:  "am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."  And "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."  1 Tim. 1 & Hebrews 10:22

We had lunch and now are relaxing.  Mike and I are wanting to get a run in together later this afternoon!  It's our day of rest and enjoy each other!

You too take time to rest today.  We need it!!!  Our fast paced lives, our jobs, our families and all the other activities we get ourselves involved in get tiring.  Let's rest our minds, bodies, and refresh our souls!!!

Loving the sunshine today too!!! 

Be a blessing today to someone that needs a hug, a smile or maybe even a short story read to!  It's in the 'real life' experiences that love is shown the most!!!

Marvelous Mulch!!!

Our 20 yards of mulch arrived yesterday!  To some of us that spells out WORK.  To some it spells out FUN AND ADVENTURE!

Matthew took one look at the big pile of mulch yesterday afternoon and instantly it said fun!  He grabbed his snow board and helmet and attempted to slide down the big pile!  After awhile, he got his small wheel barrel and started scooping mulch into it and dumping it into the flower beds!  He is the type to 'get her done' when there is a huge heap of mulch! 

I didn't get near as excited as Matthew did when I took a look at the pile because I knew that today there were five girls coming to mulch for me!!!  A few weeks ago we attended a box social that raised money to help a friend of ours with hospital bills.  We bought a ticket for girls to come and mulch! 

They arrived at 10:00 this morning.  They worked hard.  We had lunch and then they mulched till 1:30 PM and they were finished!  I helped them a little but mostly left them at the chore while I pulled some disturbing weeds and tended to the lunch duties!  What a blast to have helpers like these girls!  They did a great job!  "Thanks girls!!!"

Now the flower beds look marvelous!!!  That deep, dark brown mulch adds such richness to the landscape!  It makes the colors of the flowers jump out bright and brilliant too!

I am so glad that this hard spring chore is almost finished.  (There is a small bit yet that Mike and I will do.  Also, I need a small bit of mushroom mulch for the tea and garden.)

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Yesterday, was the Trashathon Fundraiser at school.  Mike and I were in charge and the committee did a great job helping to get this organized and making it a successful fundraiser for our school.  It was the first year to do this trash pickup fundraiser and it took a lot of hard work to get all the details in place.  Thank you so much if you gave any money to our kids for this cause!  Hadassah and Matthew called, sent out letters, asked, and went door to door to help raise funds! 

The school had a top winner prize ... an iPad!!!  Then we also split the grades into three different groups and we had top winners in each group.  Hadassah was the top student in her group to bring in the most funds, so she won $50!!!  She was happy!  Also, for every $650 that every family raised, they got their name put into a drawing for a free tuition for next year!  That brought excitement!!!  The total our school raised with this fundraiser was $33,900.00!!!  That is fantastic!!!  Thanks so much again if you helped with this great fundraiser!

(Sorry, I didn't edit this picture and the school gym lights gives each picture a yellow cast.)

"Good job, Hadassah!!!!  Proud of you!"

Enjoying the rain!!!

We have been blessed with rain the past many hours and it is actually very refreshing!  We are in great need for some moisture in the ground!  We didn't have much snow all winter and now having a dry Spring, makes me very grateful for the many rain drops that God is sending to us!

I remember last year ... I was just starting this blogging journey and I have lots of posts from many rainy days!  Ashlyn was just a newborn and I was so ready to enjoy some sunshine and "rain free" days!  Now, when we really need some rain this year, I am ashamed of how my thoughts were.  I am happy today for the blessing of rain!

Along with rain, came cold weather!  Today, mom and my sister were out and about touring local little shops.  It was a fun day but chilly.  A day that being inside and wrapped up in a blanket would have been a fun choice too!  When I got home I covered up my more tender plants that I planted outside and I am hoping they survive the chill of the night!

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I am proud to say that I ran in my first 'offical run' early Sunday morning.  6 AM.  In my running clothes and pink laces tied.  One banana filled my stomach before my run.  Washed it down with some water.  I was excited and ready! 

Suz called me and asked if I am coming?  The runners were getting ready for take off and I was still not there.  I thought the race began at 6:30 ... but I made it in perfect timing!!!  Sadie & Suz took off ahead of me and finished before me.  I ran at my slow, comfortable pace.  I ran the whole race even though running up a hill is no fun!  I was determined and did it!  Running a 5K is great and I knew it would be easy if I wouldn't push myself to be with the 'better' runners. 

Because I preregistered for the race, but got there pushing time, I didn't have my running number pinned to me.  I actually still don't have it but they are sending it to me for a souvenir.  Everyone received a ribbon after they crossed the finished line!  It was fun and rewarding!  Physically and mentally!  I never liked running till last summer and never dreamed I would actually run in a race and enjoy it!  Short distances are still my style however.  Running more than 5 miles seems too painful yet for me to comprehend.  Maybe???  Sometime???  I don't know.?.  For now, it's a nice 3-4 mile range for me.  Thanks so much Suz and Sadie for inviting me and being an inspiration!!!  You challenge me to run more!

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A quick update on Matthew ...
His legs are looking extremely better!!!!!  It is truly amazing what some oils can do for our skin!  He is faithfully taking his cod liver oil and we are rubbing his legs with coconut oil.  The coconut oil seems to be working really nice and his itching has subsided a lot!  Praise the Lord!!!  His legs are healing and look so much better!  Thanks for praying and we are still praying for complete healing!

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Enjoy all the raindrops that come your way!!!  Every single one!  Our thirsty ground is soaking it all in!  What a blessing!

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A few weeks ago, we had a message preached at church titled "Jesus was a friend to sinners".  There is a song that keeps playing on the radio that I just love and every time I hear it, I think back on this sermon. 

The thought was preached about how God HATES sin and cannot be where sin is.  Yet, God because He loves the sinners but hates the sin, sent His only Son to die for SINNERS.  Jesus, a man of no sin, came to bring sinners to repentance and healing to our hearts.  Then the Holy Spirit was given to us as a COMFORTER! 

I never thought of it before quit like that before.  God = hates sin, yet Jesus = the answer for all sinners!

Here's this song that is on my top song list right now ...

Jesus, a friend to all sinners.  To me!!!

Saturday morning deals!!!

I love to yard sale!!!  Probably that 'love' is too strong at times and I think I need to find all the best deals first!  Well, that doesn't always happen! 

Mike is out of town and so if I wanted to go with my yard sale crave, I would have to take the kids along with me again.  It actually goes really good though.  Baby is always awake early, so as soon as she is up, I get the other two up and out the door we go.  Hadassah and Matthew love the findings and deals too so it's never a problem getting them awake!

This morning we went to our local developments right in town.  We even found the "egg roll lady"!  Each year, I think I have to find this certain lady that makes the best egg rolls and fried rice you will find anywhere!  I was so indecisive last weekend about where to yard sale because I wanted to stay local but knew if I would go to another area, I would probably see this egg roll lady.  I decided to stay local but when I saw her this morning, I was delighted!  What are the chances that she would be 2 miles away from my house?!!!  The kids and I enjoyed the yummy foods and it's only on yard sale mornings that allow the kids to eat fried food and brownies for breakfast!  (You have to bless the little girls that made the brownies to sell at their yard sale too you know!!!)  The morning was fun again!

GRAPES ...
I discovered the other week that Ashlyn loves grapes!!!  I have some on my counter and every time she sees them, she wants some!  They are healthy and seem to help with her hard bowl movements!  Here she is enjoying every bite!!!

Her hair is so cute right now too!  (Her everything is cute at this stage!!!!!)  This is the first time I put her hair in two pig tails!  Adorable!!!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!! 

(IF IT DOESN'T RAIN TOO MUCH, I PLAN TO RUN MY FIRST 5K WITH A GROUP OF RUNNERS TOMORROW MORNING!!!  CHEER ME ON!)

Outdoor eating!!!

Tonight was our first night to eat outside on the back porch!  It was such a delightful day, that eating outside seemed like a must do!!!

Coming up with supper plans wasn't so hard either!  When we have these 'picture perfect' spring days, I love to grill!  Something fresh, easy, and tasty!!!  I was never good at shish kabobs, but I thought I would give it another try.  I cut up some fresh boneless chicken thighs, mushrooms, peppers, onions and added some cherry tomatoes on each skewer.  I sprinkled it all with some season salt and while I was grilling them, I brushed them with a melted butter and coconut oil mixture!  They turned out really good.

I added a spinach salad to our menu!  Drizzled it with a vinaigrette dressing and topped it with cheddar cheese and sunflower seeds!  With a side of red eggs, it to was tasty!!!

I hope to continue cooking out on the grill!

Eczema

Ever since birth, Matthew has dealt with eczema on his skin.  Hadassah had it too when she was younger but seemed to outgrow her condition.  Matthew always has rough feeling skin on his legs.  His legs are the worse and look terrible.  His legs get so itchy and is always worse in the winter months.  The other night, at midnight, he woke up crying and madly itching and itching his legs.  I feel so bad for him and he has often asked to go to the doctor and get some meds for it.  I have asked my family doctor lots about his condition and all they recommend is cortazone.  They say the prescription for eczema makes the skin thin and to not take that route if not really necessary.

Well, I just finally had enough of all this itchy pain for him.  We have tried lotions, drinking aloe vera juice, vinegar baths, norwex rags, etc..  Maybe I don't give things enough of a chance to work because when I have a situation like this in my life ... I want it fixed yesterday!!!  I know the summer months are coming up and when he wears shorts and exposes his skin to sunshine, it make a huge difference.  However, what do we do for now???

Yesterday, I went to a local health food store and asked what they would recommend.  I went looking for some kind of oil, a salve, and something to take internally.  If I can get something that works on the inside out that would be great!  I came home with these ... Extra Virgin Coconut Oil and Norwegian Cod Liver Oil!

Coconut Oil seems to be in the in thing right now and after doing some research last night, I can understand why!  This oil is such a healthy oil for your skin, body, and tons more!  You can cook with it and it can be used instead of butter!  You can use it to wash your hair.  Use it for a lotion or moisturizer!  Put it on a piece of toast!  Yummy!  The benefits are huge!!!  It helps lower blood pressure, helps with cholesterol levels, it is great for your heart, it is known to help with losing weight, it helps your thyroid, plus tons more!!!  As I was researching last night, I just couldn't believe all the great benefits from this very tasty oil!  I happen to love the smell and taste of coconut (guess that's why I love Almond Joy's), so I know that using this oil will not be a problem at for me to start to like!

This morning I made Mike some toast and put coconut oil on top instead of butter.  Then I tried it too!  I love it!  I made pancakes for the kids breakfast this morning, and instead of using butter in my pan, I used a small dab of coconut oil!  At first, when they realized I used that instead of butter, they turned up their noses.  After they tried it though, they loved it!!!  They cleaned their plates and Hadassah actually asked for seconds!!!

We are rubbing this oil on Matthew's legs. I read that it is a great moisturizer for your skin!  We have tried vinegar baths, drinking aloe vera juice, lotions, cortazone, norwex, etc. .... and maybe I don't give things a chance to work very long, but I hope this oil will work for his itchiness!

I also got the Cod Liver Oil soft gels.  Matthew takes three with each meal.  This oil also has great health benefits.  I am really anxious to see if it's going to make a difference! 

If you think about it, put Matthew on your prayer list.  He itches his legs during the night and doesn't even realize it till morning.  When he wakes up, he's got bloody sheets and hurting, bloody legs!  I know summer is coming and when Matthew wears shorts and gets sunshine on his skin, it really helps but what about now?  Wait and watch and pray!!!

Check out these two oils online yourself and maybe you will be just as inspired as I was!!!

Flowers!!!

I went flower shopping yesterday and what a blast!!!  It was just mom and I and thank goodness too ... because the two of us bought so many flowers, it packed our vehicle!  We were full to the rim!!!

Greenhouses are like a breath of fresh air to me.  I ABSOLUTELY love them!!!  We are blessed beyond blessed in our area to have lots to visit, to see, and to compare prices!

Mom and I left yesterday morning with great anticipation!  I hadn't bought any flowers yet and was anxious to go see what I could find.  I always go with lots of petunias!  I think they are so pretty!  I plant a bunch too!  We both grabbed a cart and went isle to isle "ewwwing and ahhhing".  Mom would say, "Come look at these."  Then I would say, "Aren't these gorgeous?"  I ended up with cart #2!  (You can't stack flowers very easily you know!!!)  I also bought some more vegetables for our garden!  Peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers and one jalapeno plant!

We carefully loaded up all our flowers and then stopped at a place that has antiques, etc..  I was wanting to find a shelf or something to put on my back porch, but as we pulled in the driveway I said, "Mom, if I do find something, we have no room to take it along!"  I did manage to find a small wood bin that I used for a planter and a very small wire I put my herbs into.  I had to hold it though on the way back home.  We stopped for lunch and then unloaded all my plants in my garage!  I couldn't wait to start planting!

It was 87 degrees outside!!!  Gorgeous!  Warm!!!  A little windy.  I dug small holes in the ground and carefully planted my flowers!  Even though I bought a lot, I knew that once I had them planted, I would probably need a few more.  (Yes, another chance to visit another greenhouse!!!)

Here's are some of my buys from yesterday ....

These are my FAV!!!!  They are called "Glow Forest Fire" petunia!  So brilliant!  The yellow petunia is "Sunray".

 This is a "Papaya" petunia and yellow daisy.

This "Dragon Wing Begonia" has a great color of red and a very nice green leaf!  The orange 'climber' is in the black eyed susan vine family.  Very bright orange color!

 Salvia ... orange daisy!

 This is that "Glow Forest Fire" petunia and I planted these in my window boxes with yellow tiny petunias.  The flower on the right is another petunia called "Supercal Pink Ice"!

The hanging basket is filled with a mix of favs!!!

This color is "SuperCal Terra Cotta".

I have a bank out front that I am going to plant some "Supertunia Vista Fuchsia" and "Supertunia Royal Velvet" petunia's.  They are like a bubble gum pink and a deep purple color!!!

Our dogwood tree is blooming!

 I bought some herbs yesterday too and planted them in small pots.  Also, my radishes will be ready for eating soon!

 Onions are growing ... lettuce is just about ready to pick!

Spinach and cut lettuce will be munched on soon too!!!

This is a "must have" summer drink at our house!!!  Meadow tea is an herb that grows on stems and spreads a lot!  You pick a big hand full of the leaves, wash them, and cook them in 8 cups of boiling water for 10 minutes.  Put one cup of sugar (give or take for your taste choice) in a gallon glass jar and pour your tea concentrate in your jar.  Fill the rest with cold water.  Cool as fast as possible!  (That's the secret to good tea!  My mom gets lots of complements on her tea and I think it's because she gets it cold fast!  I have a very cold water cooler in my garage and I use it the most during the summer!  It keeps milk, tea, soda's ... well just about anything very cold!)  This tea is so yummy and I made our first gallon on Saturday!

This glass full was for my hubby right before he left for the afternoon to play golf.  He deserves an afternoon off because he worked his butt off this past weekend with their customer appreciation days!  (Even if he didn't deserve it ... I try to always bless him when he gets some free hours of leisure!)  The warm afternoon was perfect for his golf craving!!!

I had all the windows open yesterday and most of them today already!  I love feeling the

breeze going through the house and that reminds me that summer is coming!

Enjoy your day and take time to thank God for your blessings!

Communion Sunday ...

Today, we had communion service at church.  It's a resemblance of what Christ did for me on the cross.  Once again, my thoughts were about the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.  We always, at church, have the message based on the life of Christ when we have communion.  It's the most bitter, sweet story I have ever heard and believe. 

We were taken through the beginning stages of Jesus' ministry.  How when Satan tempted Jesus while He was fasting for forty days and nights.  Three times Satan tried to tempt Jesus to sin, but each time Jesus resisted him and never sinned. 

I Cor. 10:13 - "There hath no temptation taken you but soon as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

Then it was preached of when Jesus called His disciples.  The Bible doesn't give us the back stage character thoughts because that is not important for us to know, but I wonder what the father's of these fishermen thought.  Here comes Jesus and calls some men to, "Follow me and I will make you fisher's of men."  Did the dad's know by just looking into the precious eyes of Jesus that that was the right thing for their sons to follow?  Did they encourage or try to keep them within the family business of fishing with nets in the sea?  One thing is for sure that the twelve disciples that Jesus did call to follow Him, had no idea what it would all cost them when they said "Yes" to that calling.  The next three years were all about teachings and life lessons that they never heard of before.

Jesus taught about the heart!  About loving your brothers as much as yourself.  About dying to self and putting on a new man in Christ.  He healed the blind man that was begging and begging for Jesus to come and touch him.  Why?  Because he knew that if Jesus would come to him, he would be healed and be able to see.  He believed.  Jesus healed the lame man that was so sick and weak that his friends lowered him down through a roof ... just to get to Jesus!  Why?  Because they knew that if Jesus would touch him, he too would be healed and walk again!  They believed!!!  They had faith!

We may try ... but we can never get away from Jesus.  They crucified Him.  He was buried.  He arose ... because the grave could not hold him no more!!!  He is alive!  We can do as they did and try to get or keep Him out of our lives, but He proved it on the cross that He lives forever!!!  The crowd got caught up in the trial of Jesus and were yelling "Crucify Him" when actually, some may have not even known the whole story.  Do we do that?  Do we criticize someone when we don't "know their story"?  These are some things that were challenging to us today in our service.

We took of the bread and wine, washed one anothers feet, and then had a chance to give to alms.  The morning hours went fast and were refreshing! 

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Here are some highlights of our family happenings this past week ...

I have tried often to feed this little girl mashed potatoes, but she never really seemed to dig in!  She looked to see if something else was offered and then choose that instead.  Yet, she loves just regular potatoes.  This week, I put some mashed potatoes in a small bowl and set it in front of her.  Free for all!  Help yourself!  And she did!  What a mess!!!

Yesterday, the kids and I went yard saleing and we had a blast!  Yard saleing is not for me if I have three youngsters tagging behind, because I like to be fast.  In and out and be quick with the selections, because the yard sales that I like to attend are developments!  One house after the next style!!!

Well, because Mike had his customer appreciations days at work Friday and Saturday, he was not able to babysit.  My options were else ... stay home or take all three?  Ashlyn is an early bird, so after she was awake I woke the two older and out the door we went!  An adventure for sure!  They love to yard sale just as much as I do.  We did great!  They each took turns staying in the van with baby, took turns bringing her out too, and we all had a wonderful time finding lots of deals!!!  Lots!!!  So glad we went!!! 

When we got back home, I was cleaning out the van from cracker crumbs, smashed fruit loops, and toast crumbs.  We also had two banana's that got bruised during our morning shopping!  I choose to make banana bars with them.  These are so tasty and when as I pulled the hot tray out of the oven, the kids came bouncing into the house sniffing and enjoying the yummy aroma!  I did top these with frosting after they cooled!  Yum!  Really!

 1/2 cup soft butter
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cup flour
1 tsp. soda
1/4 tsp. salt
2-3 ripe bananas
Mix all together and pour into a bar pan.  Bake at 350 for 30 - 35 minutes.

Icing:
1 pack cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup soft butter
2 tsp. vanilla
3 cup 10x sugar
Spread on top of cooled bars!  Enjoy!

Mike and I have eaten at 'our new favorite restaurant' only a few times so far ... Chipotle!  They have the best guacamole in town.  I always turned down this food all my life because it always looked disgusting to me.  When I actually tried it, it was good!  I made some of my own and Mike thought the lime juice was a little strong, so I will try again soon!  We ate this with tortilla chips!  It's great with burritos or any Mexican food!

1 large avocado
2 tsp. fresh lime juice
2 Tb. cilantro
1/4 cup chopped red onion (I didn't add this.)
2 garlic cloves
1 Serrano chili (Didn't add this either.)
1 tsp. salt

I guess this was the week for recipes!  Matthew's class celebrated his birthday on Friday, but his real birthday date isn't till July.  He choose for me to make two large cookies pizza's!  They loved them to say the least!  I topped it with some icing and two four wheelers!

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We had a chilly week and tempts hardly got out of the 50's.  Today, it quite different!  We have 81 degrees and tomorrow is fore casted to 86!  Talk about extremes for here!  I love it though.  My outside work kinda went on hold because of the cooler weather.  I just don't enjoy working outside when it's cold.  My weeds just had to wait!  Now, tomorrow I am hoping to get to some greenhouses and buy some flowers!  I am excited about that!!!

My running went on a short hold too.  One, because of the cold weather.  Two, because I have been dealing with some throat issues.  It's not a cold, but sometimes my throat felt sore and dry.  I had a deep cough that brought up some nasty mucus!  Finally, by Thursday, the afternoon sun felt warm enough to run.  I started out running our 3 mile block, but when I was almost back home, I decided to go one more mile!  My accomplishment felt like gold!!!  My first 4 miles!  I ran my first 5K!!!  Running a little more at a time is my way of running.  I am not a good self motivator and I usually convince myself that my two miles daily is good enough.  But, when I get the urge to go farther, I must do it with determination!  My mind, body and soul feels refreshed after I get back home!

We are now off to hang out with friends!!!  Enjoy the warmer weather again!!!  Out of here ...

Easter ~ 2012

The kids had school Easter parties. 

Each class did an egg hunt and an Easter project that reflected the cross.

Hadassah loves her girlfriends at school!!!  Here are just a few of them ...

 Meet the fourth grade class!!!

We also spent the weekend at the cabin.  Our like Matthew would say, "Cabins."  Hadassah and Matthew left on Thursday night already and traveled with my parents and my sister's family.  They could not hardly wait till this day would come and they were looking forwards to a few days in the woods with their cousins!  Mike, Ashlyn and I didn't leave till Saturday morning.  We had a great time and because it was Easter, all the kids got a gift.  A big chocolate bunny!

... Matthew, Tyler & Ryan ...

 The girls ... Hadassah, Morgan, Melanie & Megan.  Ashlyn got a bunny too but she was taking her nap.

This is Ashlyn's bunny and her little chocolate chick ...

The kids also painted some hard boiled eggs and had an egg hunt.  Hadassah and Matthew had filled some plastic eggs before leaving for the cabin.  It was a cute hunt and fun!

This bigger bunny was for Daudy!  From:  Mommy!

He loves candy and chocolate!  This should be plenty for now!

 The kids made a tepee in the woods.  The boys hauled lots of big sticks and logs and placed them just right around in a circle.  The girls helped too and made a path around the whole thing.

 Because the cabin in the mountains is a few hours north, it was not as green as around here.  The buds were just starting and the grass had just a tint of green.  I thought the branches looked cool from just starting to turn green.
There is a mission close to the cabin.  They have this path that you can walk.  It takes you up a hill and at the very top, there is a cross!  I was looking forward to doing this walk and just looking at the cross again.  There is something about actually looking at a cross high in the air.  Perfect for the Easter setting!  "Thank you Jesus for dying for me!"

 Mike and I at the top of the hill and gazing at the cross and blue skies!

We now have tons of chocolate around the house.  I am glad it's chocolate instead of gummy candy though.  The kids has plenty of sweets at the mountains and I said that it's only fruits and vegetables for the next day ... no, not really.  I did say it but didn't mean it.  A small piece at a time is just fine. 

Our weather turned cooler and it now feels more like spring instead of summer.  I love the warmer days though but seem to 'not be so busy' with the cooler tempts!  The radishes are popping through the dirt and the lettuce will be ready to pick soon!  My annual flowers are not yet bought or planted.  The mulch is not order or finished.  But ... the grass is green, most of the weeds are pulled, and the edging is complete!  Spring time is great and I am so blessed!

To end this post ... here's a cute picture of Ashlyn a few weeks back!  We just love this smile!!!