Road trip.

That's right, last week Andy and I set off on separate adventures for a week. He went on a 'Dirty Thirty' trip to Washington state and I went on a little road trip with the girls and my best friend of close to 17 years now, and her beautiful baby. To say it was fun would be an under statement. The camera hardly came out because I was usually laughing too hard to take any pictures. Sunday we dropped off Andy at the airport and Virginia and I headed to our hometown. That day was spent with extended family and eating Swiss Chicken, and Impossible Coconut Pie. The next morning I said goodbye to my parents and the girls and we set off for Missouri to visit, Jessica.

This day we headed out shopping in beautiful Kansas City, ate French food and had awesome conversation. Her little family is heading to France tomorrow for 6 weeks so timing was of the essence for this trip. Thanks Aaron and Corban for letting me borrow her for a few days. We had two birthdays to celebrate too! Cheesecake Factory was a perfect place to celebrate these awesome women and friends. 3 hours flew by and little babies needed to be fed.

It was such a blessing to be able to see where Jessica lives, and meet their little boy who was born during their time in Panama. The last day we were there we took a long walk downtown and talked some more (shocker).

Virginia and I headed back to our hometown and had a good 7 hours of talking on the way home. The trip took a little longer due to the fact that we would start talking and miss our exit. I spent a few more days relaxing with my parents and reading 'Jane Eyre.'

It was a trip that I will never forget and who knows the next time it will happen again. Thanks mom and dad for watching the girls and being just as excited about me going to visit good friends. Andy had an awesome time with 6 of his closest friends snowboarding everyday for a week. We were all reunited yesterday and crashed from the traveling. So I'm back and can't wait to get started on some projects close to home.

Dreaming of baby.

Here's the antique I mentioned. It's a dresser for the nursery. I can't wait to get started painting and decorating in a week or so. The antique store threw in the white basin for free. I hope to have it full of crocheted goodies by the time baby arrives.

Charlotte (Mason) says it's good for them,

and I'm sticking to it.

Mud is a very common occurrence in our house. While they were frolicking I was mopping and listening to this pertaining to sibling rivalry, a point of interest in our home. I also listened in here which dealt with marriage. I'm going to go get the kids de-mudded and make some lunch. I tried fixing the words going down the side, it won't let me. Sometimes I miss xanga.

Letting it go.

That would be sidewalk chalk that should be on the deck, but somehow made it up to the window. For some reason I'm in a stand-off with it and refuse to remove it, hoping that a rainy day will hit it perfectly.

Usually I would do these, but it's 70 degrees and sunny and the motivation is not showing up.

Those are going to have to wait too, because....

spring is happening and we don't want to miss it.

Something to check out for the kids.

http://www.jellytelly.com/index.php/

Aunt Cindi came for a visit. She's Andy's sister, but I selfishly claim her as my own. We enjoy many of the same things, walking, talking, coffee, biking, the outdoors, craftiness, and the list goes on. Here are some of the highlights.
Every night when the kids would go to bed, we would break out Cities and Knights. I was robbed of 2 victories, which explains my above face. Sorry Cind, I know you weren't the biggest fan of this pic.

She came with a surprise. It was a quilt she had been working on since Christmas. It's beautiful and goes great in the girl's room.

We asked if she wanted to stay in the guest room many times. She decided to bunk in with the girls. They are so sad to have lost their favorite roommate, and 'Little Mermaid' impersonator. Lots of cuddles to hold everyone over til next time.

We also went bridesmaid dress shopping for Andy's brother's wedding. We had an appointment in downtown Chicago and tried on many floor length dresses. It probably would have been a blast, but I'm at that, 'Is she pregnant or just eating too much stage?' I was the one they had to make sure looked decent. I stuffed my depression down with Spanish tapas at my favorite restaurant, Cafe' Iberico.

We also went on an awful bike ride, due to spring gunk. 4 year old legs can't peddle through wet sand, they just can't. We also found a great find at an antique shop for the baby's room, pics to come later. We miss you already, and can't wait for the next visit.

Homemade napkins

I had mentioned that I was wanting to make some table linens, last week it happened. There are 5 in total, but 2 were used last night over chicken noodle soup. I love that they work, are reusable, and are pretty enough to sit out. Today's project is a little bundle sack for baby. Happy Wednesday!

In common.

I meet with a few women on a regular basis that were abandoned by parents that lost sight of the purpose of family.

The Israelites freaked out when Moses wasn't coming down the mountain in their time frame, and built a golden calf.

We all know of brothers and sisters who have left the faith to pursue______.

It seems the common thread is the ever-tossed around term, 'Follow your heart.'

Jeremiah 17:9 (New International Version)
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?


2 verses of 'Generations' by Sara Groves.

I can taste the fruit of Eve I'm aware of sickness, death and disease

The results of our choices are vast Eve was the first but she wasn't the last

And if I were honest with myself Had I been standing at that tree

My mouth and my hands would be covered with fruit

Things I shouldn't know and things I shouldn't see

Remind me of this with every decision

Generations will reap what I sow I can pass on a curse or a blessing To those I will never know

She taught me to fear the serpent I'm learning to fear myself

And all of the things I am capable of In my search for wisdom, acceptance and wealth

And to say that the devil made me do it Is a cop out and a lie

The devil can't make me do anything When I'm calling on Jesus Christ

Guest Post.

I wrote a guest post over at Maple Mountain Story Club. Just a click away at http://maplemountain.blogspot.com/ .

A big deal.

Our first bike ride to Dairy Queen (which is a convenient 10 minute bike ride away) is a big deal.
Andy surprised 2 coworkers, and I met up with a good friend. If you look closely you'll see a growing belly.

The girls and I finished up with a bike ride to a nearby pond. They wanted to see if the tadpoles were there yet. Not quite yet, but spring is coming!

Things I'm lovin'

1. For (L4)-yup I'm getting it together and using code now, please keep me on track.

http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/Your_Story_Hour/archives.asp. They come out with a new story every Sunday, and she can't wait. They just ran a series on Abraham Lincoln that she loved, listened and learned from.

*The girl loves grapefruits, and how do I say no to that?

*She asks everyday if we can read from 'Keys for Kids.' http://www.cbhministries.org/kfk/home.php

*We read any book we can find by this guy;http://www.carolhurst.com/authors/alobel.html

*That she is staying in her bed til 7:00 every morning

2. For C2

*That she calls Andy, 'my daddy', every time she addresses him

*C2 loves quiet activities (thank you Lord). She's really into coloring, puzzles and play-doh. Here is one of her favorites to explore, http://www.highlights.com/

*Fimming (swimming)- this means putting on her bathing suit and taking a dip in the tub. This is not our tub.

*On my latest excursion to the grocery store I picked up instant jello chocolate pudding and instant tapioca, 2 of my childhood favorites. Andy added the whole box of tapioca instead of the recommended 3 TBS, so it was interesting to say the least. Tonight we had poppyseed chicken followed by the chocolate pudding. Poppyseed chicken is something that I am personally loving too much.

*C2 is staying in bed until 6:30.

Here's the recipe for Poppyseed Chicken;

1. Grill 4-6 chicken breasts and cut up into 1" pieces.

2. Mix together 8oz. sour cream, 1 can crm. of chicken soup and 1TBS. of poppyseed.

3. Add Chicken to creamy mix and place in a 2Qt. casserole dish.

4. Crush up one sleeve of Ritz crackers and mix with a stick of melted butter. Place on top of chicken mixture.

5. Cook at 325 degrees for 30 minutes.

Everybody loves this and leftovers do not last. It goes great with homemade applesauce!

Working my way through

I'm excited to report that last week I wrapped up Genesis, and as soon as I'm done here I will begin Exodus. This journey through the Bible is more fun than any other adjective I can think of. I was doing 2 chapters Gen., 2 chapters Psalms, 2 chapters Is., 2 chapters Matthew every day. I got so wrapped up in Genesis that I just went for it. It' exciting to read and see Moses having full on discussions with God. It's also encouraging to see how much these men and women needed grace.

I am convicted by how much I needed to dig into , work through, and revisit God's Word. It all started with a friend telling me her dad read through the Bible 2x a year. I would encourage you to share your walk with Christ with others. You never know who you may inspire to make some changes. The table may be turned and they could inspire you.