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| No words can describe how cute this little guy is. |
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| This was so cute...they just sat down next to each other and hung out for a while. |
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| Love Love Love these three. |
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| Two peas in a pod right here. |
Friday, June 10, 2011
I pretty much....
....have the CUTEST Kids around!
Stuck in a Rut
Stuck in a rut. How do those words make you feel? When someone says they are "stuck in a rut" what are they trying to say?
I have always taken that phrase in the negative sense. The person is stuck doing the same thing over and over and can't seem to get away from it. But, maybe...just maybe it can be positive too.
The other day, I started describing myself (in my own head, to myself) as being "Stuck in rut". I was getting bummed about the way my every day life goes. I wake up at the same time, have the same conversations, complete the same tasks and duties, make the same dinners, have the same routine day, noon and night. I feel like I'm stuck in a rut...and this rut is growing deeper and deeper and it is long long road.
But, maybe it's not a bad thing. A rut means it is a road well traveled. It is a rut that (hopefully) has a destination. Maybe the fact that I am "stuck in a rut" means whatever I'm doing is important, is working...and is leading me to my destination.
However, You must choose your ruts carefully, right? Because you could get stuck in a rut that leads to destruction. A rut of self-pity, pride, selfishness. These kind of ruts can grow deeper and deeper so that when danger or difficulties come....you truly are stuck and you can't go anywhere else.
A good rut has a well worn groove, but when that danger comes, you are able to get out of it. It might be difficult and take some time, but the rut does not define YOU, you define it.
I'm stuck in a rut....this is good and/or bad. It's good if my rut has been made from daily activities that are important, however mundane. It's good if the rut has created a routine that my kids can anticipate.
It is bad if it leads to self pity. When I notice my rut taking me from where I should go, I need to get out, as soon as possible. It might be hard. I might break a wheel....but a wheel can be replaced. A drowned wagon can not. It is important that my ruts do not create me...but that I create them, and diverge from then when necessary.
What kind of rut are you in today?
I have always taken that phrase in the negative sense. The person is stuck doing the same thing over and over and can't seem to get away from it. But, maybe...just maybe it can be positive too.
The other day, I started describing myself (in my own head, to myself) as being "Stuck in rut". I was getting bummed about the way my every day life goes. I wake up at the same time, have the same conversations, complete the same tasks and duties, make the same dinners, have the same routine day, noon and night. I feel like I'm stuck in a rut...and this rut is growing deeper and deeper and it is long long road.
But, maybe it's not a bad thing. A rut means it is a road well traveled. It is a rut that (hopefully) has a destination. Maybe the fact that I am "stuck in a rut" means whatever I'm doing is important, is working...and is leading me to my destination.
However, You must choose your ruts carefully, right? Because you could get stuck in a rut that leads to destruction. A rut of self-pity, pride, selfishness. These kind of ruts can grow deeper and deeper so that when danger or difficulties come....you truly are stuck and you can't go anywhere else.
A good rut has a well worn groove, but when that danger comes, you are able to get out of it. It might be difficult and take some time, but the rut does not define YOU, you define it.
I'm stuck in a rut....this is good and/or bad. It's good if my rut has been made from daily activities that are important, however mundane. It's good if the rut has created a routine that my kids can anticipate.
It is bad if it leads to self pity. When I notice my rut taking me from where I should go, I need to get out, as soon as possible. It might be hard. I might break a wheel....but a wheel can be replaced. A drowned wagon can not. It is important that my ruts do not create me...but that I create them, and diverge from then when necessary.
What kind of rut are you in today?
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Nicole's 5th Birthday - Family Celebration
After a fun filled morning full of little girls and rainbows, we spent the afternoon Saturday resting. We all took a late nap and woke up ready to go. We decided to go play putt putt and get some ice cream. Funny thing...as we were driving, we saw Greg and Valerie and flagged them down. They were headed to a local outdoor mall just to walk along, so we invited them to come with us. Sometimes the best plans happen when they are "unplanned" :)
All 7 of us went to play putt putt (Nate just sat in the stroller until the end). This was Hannah's first time playing putt putt...and she did a Great Job! The best way to show you is probably through pictures:)
Today, for Nicole's actual birthday, we spent the morning at church...which she was really excited about. She loves Sundays and loves to go to church! So, to her, this was a great place to be on her birthday...love it!
She got to watch a movie with daddy "The Orca whale and his boy" (to us laymen that's "Free Willy" :)
Then, we had pizza and cake with Papa, Grammy, Gramps, Uncle Justin, Aunt Erica and their friends Brennan and Christy.
We came back and she got to open her gifts.
Nicole was a bit disappointed when she opened this box.
She just couldn't understand why we got her diapers.
Can you see the disappointment?
Finally, we talked her into looking in the box and she discovered....
A sewing machine!
She has been asking me to teach her to sew for a while. She really wanted one of those colorful children's sewing machines that she sees at the fabric store. However, after doing just a little research, I realized how terribly made they are and figured it would just frustrate her. So...I found a really nice sewing maching on Craigslist for a great price. I bought it for her (and for me). We plan on spending at least two days a week learning how to use the machine, and how to sew.
Grammy and Gramps got her a few sewing supplies and materials too.
My mom was out of town this weekend, but Papa brought a special surprise for Nicole.
They are going to have their own birthday night later this week.
All in all...this was a great 5th birthday for Nicole (and for me...it was tough). She woke up this morning and told me that she looked like she was five.
She is a special blessing in our lives. We love and adore this little girl. She loves Jesus and says she wants to be a missionary when she grows up. What an honor that would be if the Lord calls her to that! Until then, we pray that she would grow in the wisdom and knowledge of the Lord. We are so proud of her and love her dearly.
All 7 of us went to play putt putt (Nate just sat in the stroller until the end). This was Hannah's first time playing putt putt...and she did a Great Job! The best way to show you is probably through pictures:)
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| Hannah, practicing her skilz |
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| Look at her sweet little face! |
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| Nicole, working hard on the green |
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| Me and my Big Big girl. |
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| Daddy doing a little coaching |
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| Nate was supervising |
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| Nice form Nicole! hehe. Hannah watching the break of the ball for her putt. |
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| She's just cute. |
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| Break time |
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| Seriously...these two love each other |
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| These two love each other too!!! |
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| Daddy teaching Nate how to golf too |
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| He's a natural! |
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| The family |
Today, for Nicole's actual birthday, we spent the morning at church...which she was really excited about. She loves Sundays and loves to go to church! So, to her, this was a great place to be on her birthday...love it!
She got to watch a movie with daddy "The Orca whale and his boy" (to us laymen that's "Free Willy" :)
Then, we had pizza and cake with Papa, Grammy, Gramps, Uncle Justin, Aunt Erica and their friends Brennan and Christy.
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| Aunt Erica, Nicole and Uncle Justin. We are excited they are back in town |
We came back and she got to open her gifts.
Nicole was a bit disappointed when she opened this box.
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| Why did you get me diapers? She asked |
She just couldn't understand why we got her diapers.
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| I don't need diapers...only Nathan needs diapers. |
Finally, we talked her into looking in the box and she discovered....
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| What???? |
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| A sewing machine! |
A sewing machine!
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| Trying out the foot pedal |
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| She is excited to start learning |
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| Our sewing "curriculum" |
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| And $5 for the 5 year old |
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| Campfire marshmallows |
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| Filled up daddy's mouth |
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| Chubby Bunny |
They are going to have their own birthday night later this week.
All in all...this was a great 5th birthday for Nicole (and for me...it was tough). She woke up this morning and told me that she looked like she was five.
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| Nicole's tie Dye shirt from her birthday party. | Obviously this is for bedtime. |
She is a special blessing in our lives. We love and adore this little girl. She loves Jesus and says she wants to be a missionary when she grows up. What an honor that would be if the Lord calls her to that! Until then, we pray that she would grow in the wisdom and knowledge of the Lord. We are so proud of her and love her dearly.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY SWEET NICOLE!
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Nicole's 5th Rainbow Birthday Party
This morning, we had 6 of Nicole's little friends over to celebrate her 5th birthday. At Nicole's request, we had a rainbow birthday part. I have had fun looking for ideas and decorations over the past couple of months. Some of them happened...some are in the files for "next time".
We tried to make things as colorful and rainbow-y as possible. This included a bouqet of rainbow twizzlers topped with a spinning rainbow flower, multi-colored table decorations, twirly straws and streamers every where.
When the girls arrived, we spent the first few minutes making rainbow necklaces out of Lucky Charms. It was neat to see the creativity these girls had! Kristina had a plan from the very beginning. She alternated blue and purple, and she only wanted her "beads" to be in the front of her necklace, not filling the whole things up.
Then, we went outside to tie dye a shirt. Some people might think I'm crazy for trying this...but I think it went well. I got the girls aprons and gloves and had plenty of "mom support". I can not wait to see the shirts these girls made. The only bummer thing with this project is that we are not having a party tomorrow to see everyone's creation! That I know of...no one got dye on their clothes or skin! yipee!!!
I don't have any pictures of this, but Nicole made up a game. It was probably the biggest "hit" of the morning. A few months ago, she collected a ton of seashells at the beach. We (ok, she) has been painting them and gluing them to paper. She hid them all this morning and the girls did a shell scavanger hunt. Her friends had 5 minutes to find as many shells as possible. Everyone found at least two. The best part was about half way through when Nicole yelled "C'mon guys...Persevere!"
Then, we tried to play twister. This was kind of a flop....I think a few of them liked it...but not all of them.
After Twister we had snack/lunch time. See my rainbow fruit tray:) We opened gifts and then we had cake.
Oh...the cake. This was very exciting for me. It was a six layer cake (made of two boxes) Rainbow cake! It was a huge hit! I got the idea here.
It did topple over near the end. Somehow, I saw it happening and saved it. We will eat the rest tomorrow on Nicole's real birthday.
This was the first birthday party that Nicole had all to herself with just little girls her age. I won't do that all the time, but I feel like it worked well for this one. The tie dye would have been a disaster with younger ones...and I fear the seashell scavenger hunt would have been "boring" to the older ones. It was simply perfect. Nicole had a great time with all of her little sweet friends! I'm so thankful that even at 5 years old, she has sweet friends in her life.
We tried to make things as colorful and rainbow-y as possible. This included a bouqet of rainbow twizzlers topped with a spinning rainbow flower, multi-colored table decorations, twirly straws and streamers every where.
When the girls arrived, we spent the first few minutes making rainbow necklaces out of Lucky Charms. It was neat to see the creativity these girls had! Kristina had a plan from the very beginning. She alternated blue and purple, and she only wanted her "beads" to be in the front of her necklace, not filling the whole things up.
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| Nicole and Abigail checking out their new jewlery |
Then, we went outside to tie dye a shirt. Some people might think I'm crazy for trying this...but I think it went well. I got the girls aprons and gloves and had plenty of "mom support". I can not wait to see the shirts these girls made. The only bummer thing with this project is that we are not having a party tomorrow to see everyone's creation! That I know of...no one got dye on their clothes or skin! yipee!!!
I don't have any pictures of this, but Nicole made up a game. It was probably the biggest "hit" of the morning. A few months ago, she collected a ton of seashells at the beach. We (ok, she) has been painting them and gluing them to paper. She hid them all this morning and the girls did a shell scavanger hunt. Her friends had 5 minutes to find as many shells as possible. Everyone found at least two. The best part was about half way through when Nicole yelled "C'mon guys...Persevere!"
Then, we tried to play twister. This was kind of a flop....I think a few of them liked it...but not all of them.
After Twister we had snack/lunch time. See my rainbow fruit tray:) We opened gifts and then we had cake.
Oh...the cake. This was very exciting for me. It was a six layer cake (made of two boxes) Rainbow cake! It was a huge hit! I got the idea here.
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| I was much more excited over this cake than anyone else I think:-) |
It did topple over near the end. Somehow, I saw it happening and saved it. We will eat the rest tomorrow on Nicole's real birthday.
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| Nicole and Clancey |
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| Kristina and Nicole (and the new dog that Nicole drags around the house and has named Lola) |
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| Ashlynd and Nicole...just a few days apart in age. |
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| Abigail and Nicole |
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| Hannah Mae and Nicole |
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| Isabella and Nicole |
This was the first birthday party that Nicole had all to herself with just little girls her age. I won't do that all the time, but I feel like it worked well for this one. The tie dye would have been a disaster with younger ones...and I fear the seashell scavenger hunt would have been "boring" to the older ones. It was simply perfect. Nicole had a great time with all of her little sweet friends! I'm so thankful that even at 5 years old, she has sweet friends in her life.
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