Joy in the Journey...: 2/19/12

Snow 2012...finally!!

BUMMED that my boy, Justin didn't see the snow 'fit' to get into the action. I think it was more the time of day that we were having too much fun than anything. Still, it was great to see the boys reactions and play together;)

PLAYING HIS 'SNOW GUITAR'...WAS SO FUNNY!

Boys first haircuts!

It took FOREVER to get jacob's hair all 'fro'd' out before cutting! Now I know! "Flava" was impressed with his "3 curl patterns". Whatdoyaknow?!

BIG!

Clearly he has a rug up there!

Proud of his new 'little bit'

Surprised that he's LAUGHING? NOT ME!

"two curl patterns" and not as thick;)

OK...not as fun as it was

YEP...that's my boy:)

Father-Daughter Dance 2012

Our church has done this for many years now and it has become quite the tradition for my girls and their daddy! So, when Aliza began to feel MISERABLE about 2 hours before departure time, the tears were rolling. Thankfully, ~~with enough Motrin~~ she was able to rally! I had to pick her up early, but that was ok with her...she got to go;)

NOW...that is a look of MIXED EMOTIONS when daddy saw his girl not in a "girlie" dress. This year she seems to have made a switcheroo, which is a little hard too! Even in this switch though, she loves her daddy better than any date around.

The first comments upon arrival home:
Aliza: Other mom's were there helping like you did before (read: why weren't you there)
Kaylee Ann(with an adoring gleam in her eyes): Tear-filled Daddy and I got to dance the last dance together to Butterfly Kisses. This was the first song Kaylee Ann constantly danced around the family room with him. It still makes him a basketcase!

The boys and I had a quick little date out ourselves and I ended the night with a movie with Justin. Dates are a special treat;)

Valentines day fun...

Catching up in pictures and memories;) Valentine's day was fun here. We got to spread it out as too much was going on Valentine's night (and most nights!). I really have enjoyed looking forward to celebrating LOVE in sweet ways. In all my notes and little treats, I tried to at least 'say' that God's love is what fuels our LOVE. I was wiped from Andy traveling and prepping for Aliza's birthday, so we kicked off our 'advent' to Valentine's day ON Valentine's day. I totally stole my friend, Ali's idea! She even printed off the sweet verse and I stole some of her ideas and added our own;) SO, we're in full swing living out the LOVE we remembered especially this Valentine's day. I like it! I've found my kids want to 'work ahead' even (ok, some more than others)! SO, we just go with it. Not as routine all the time as I'd like in being together. And you know what? I had 2 neighbors call and thank my 'little angels' for special acts of love they had done. They didn't advertise, but they knew;) It use to be more characteristic, but somehow things get busy. The best part about these little love treats performed...THEY WEREN'T ON THE SCHEDULE!! Now I remember it's not the 'organized activities' as much as what they bring about in the heart. Teach us Lord how to live YOUR LOVE!

I threaten my hubs about the flowers on Valentine's all the time. He buys the 'bare' ones as a compromise;) I did get him a card:) Each kid received a small 'thing' I had heard them mention wanting. For all but Justin it was a spill proof water bottle! Score!

i was so eager to try making the heart shaped egg made inside the toast. We had also made the chocolate peanutbutter covered bananas the night before so that was fun to wake up to for them in the morning;)