If you can't beat it...enjoy it!

We have had LOTS and LOTS of rain the past week, so we have been finding ways to enjoy the time inside together! Our whole family has had some major allergy issues, so the rain was a welcome to our sinuses! Virginia's went to a sinus infection (her 3rd from allergies since Jan.), but the rest of us seem to get better each day. So, here is how we have been enjoying this rainy week: We played some board games together!
We have the Magic Kingdom game and we love it! You have to got to 6 different attractions that you draw and try to make it back out to the entrance first. It's so much fun! And it also bring a lot of good memories of our Disney vacation in the fall.

Yesterday, I had a lunch meeting with the Executive Director of the WMU/WEM in Duluth. So, the whole family came along...well not to the lunch...but to Duluth. Jay took the girls to the huge Chick-fil-A to play at the playground and get some lunch while I met with Barbara.

Then, we headed over to the Discover Mills mall for some rainy day fun! We were able to participate in the 8 feet building of R2D2 with the Lego Store. There were tons of kids there working on their own "bricks" to submit to help build it.
They gave you a plan to build the bricks they needed and you could build as many as you wanted! The girls built about 4 total and then we watched the "Lego Masters" put it together. They will be working on it until Sunday...so there's still time to be a part of this!

Here is the base of R2D2. He has the smaller version upside down so he can follow the pattern of the base. It was really cool and the girls even got to go to the Lego store for a certificate for their participation in this project! They had some super cool stuff built in the Lego store:Then, we headed over to our favorite racing store. It's our favorite because they let you race cars for about $3.00! The girls love it and have a great time racing each other.

This place is super cool and the track is just amazing! Look how huge it is...it takes up the entire store!

Then, as a very special surprise, we let the girls go to the indoor jump house in the mall! They were thrilled!!! It really got out some energy and gave the girls a much needed workout.

They ever got to ride on these little scooters...or turtles as we called them when I was young. You move by turning the wheel back and forth. They had fun with the other kids bumping each other and riding around.

They slid so fast I couldn't get them in focus!

They had some really cool things to jump on...like this huge pirate ship!

After lots of jumping and walking through this huge mall, we were ready to head home and back through the Bass Pro Shop. This store is always a blast!

Anli got tracked down by a moose!The girls played a shooting game where you aim at targets to make funny things happen in the old west scene. We had some good laughs!This is something I don't see very often in a house of girls...guns! And truthfully, I'm really grateful for that...I'm not a fan of guns even though I had my pro marksman in riflery in middle school! But, I have to admit that Virginia looks pretty cute with her little tongue stuck out in concentration.

Then, Jay took charge and hit every target he aimed at...and that's when the fun began. The girls and I would choose a target and he would make it...while causing something really funny to happen.

We even caught the shark that ate out girls! They are just the cutest things ever!

We spent a while at the aquarium they have there. We loved all the huge fish! This one was a little bit of a camera hog!

We had a full day yesterday and enjoyed the fact it was a very rainy day! So, I hope you are finding ways to enjoy being together with those you love...if you can't beat the rain...at least enjoy it!

Is it already that time?

This summer, both of our girls are planning to go to camp (for only 2 nights...that is)! This camp is put on by the WMU every year and has several different weeks of camps for all ages and time frames. The most important thing to us, as parents, is that this camp focuses on missions, growing closer to God, and meeting new friends who desire those same things in their lives!

But...that means that my girls will be gone for a few days BY THEMSELVES! Virginia is still thinking it over and hasn't decided for sure...but really wants to go! The camp that they girls will attend is not very long...but long enough for this momma!

I'm already thinking about who will make sure they have on lots of sunscreen, bug spray, vitamins, water bottles for hikes...yes, I know...it's a sickness really. I know that they will barely be away for 48 hours total, but this is a BIG step for the girls...and their parents!

We are excited to have such a wonderful place (close to home) that they girls can spend with friends learning all about missions from real missionaries, cultures and crafts from around the world, swim, paddle boat, hike, sing and dance, make crafts, and eat good 'ol camp food!

I went to my first church camp around this age myself and it was for a whole WEEK. I had a blast and never once missed my family, because I was having so much fun! I know this will be true for my Anli girl, but I really hope Virginia has the same amount of fun if she decides to go too.

The next camp that I went to when I was just one year older than Anli was for TWO WHOLE WEEKS and it was the BEST! I have such wonderful memories of going to girls' camps and I am excited for my girls to have those same experiences too...with a missions emphasis!

We are already getting jam packed for our summer! We have our VBS, Families on Mission week where Jay is the camp pastor, Missions camp for the girls, a family wedding on the beautiful Isle of Palms in Hilton Head for several day so fun on the beach, and the girls annual trip to NC with Jay's family...whew! We won't be around much this summer, but it will be really fun!

The hard things...

Today's reading on the countdown to Resurrection Day has really been speaking to me (it's what is written above). Many times I am lulled into every day comforts of living in one of the wealthiest countries in the world. Here are just a few of the creature comforts I enjoy:

*I'm used to having lightening fast wireless Internet in my home and most locations that I visit.
*I am accustomed to always being at a comfortable temperature in my home or car...with instant access to change that according to how I am feeling.
*I am thrilled to have a pantry filled with yummy food.
*I have clean water that comes out at my demand that will not make me sick.
*I have a wonderfully comfy apartment that is decorated and clean.
*I have electricity at any time that I want...never give it a second thought.
*I have the money to do fun and creative things with my family without much saving.
*I am able to go out to dinner or lunch with friends at a moment's notice.
*I have multiple TVs, alarm clocks, beauty products, make up, shoes, shirts, jeans, socks, hair products, plates, silverware, glasses, toys for my children, movies, video game systems, beds, bathrooms, tables, books to read, computers to use, and too much more!
*I have a wonderful car that is bigger than I need with more accessories than I need.

OK, I can't go on or feeling quite sick. I am blessed. These are gifts from God. But...I am easily lulled into living a life of comfort and not the kind of life Jesus set before me by His example.

How many things in my life are "hard things"?
How often do I truly fellowship in the sufferings of Christ?
When was the last time that I was truly out of my comfort zone?
When did I give until it really was a sacrifice for me?
How many times am I thinking of the poor and needy of this earth?
Is the plight of this earth truly on my heart and in my prayers each day?
Do I care for those who are the "least of these"?
Can I loose my "life"?

Look Isaiah 58:6-10 has something to say about this:

"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?

Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; You will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. "

If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.

The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. "

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27

The life of Christ is the other problem too. He chose to do the hard things of life. He chose to walk the road of Calvary, be betrayed by those that knew his better than anyone, be beaten, flogged, crucified and alone. He walked every day here on earth instead of the comfort of heaven. He chose to love marred, selfish, angry, hateful, sinful people...and be rejected. He never did the easy comfortable things of earthly life. He had no place to lay his head.

The devotion above and a book called the Art of Compassion...and mostly the perfect Word of God is calling me to do some hard things. He has brought up some hard choices to make in our lives...things that will hurt and are out of our comfort zone. It will be messy. It will make us cry. It will break our hearts. It will cause some discomfort...and begin to strip some of the selfishness out of my life.

What do I SPEND myself on?

He is narrowing the path and asking us to follow...when it's hard. My spirit is willing...but I confess that my flesh is quite weak. It still enjoys the earthly comforts the world peddles every minute of each day. Will I walk the path?

I must.

My sweet husband is more ready than I. He's leading down a road I never saw myself walking. He's not afraid of what I think is a hard thing. But, my spirit...the one that Christ place in me the moment that I accepted Him as my Savior...is willing because it hears the voice of it's Master...it's Beloved.

I must follow.

But, this flesh is weak. It never wants to hurt. It doesn't want to cry. It wants what feels good and looks pretty. It's not a big fan of messy. It wants to stay comfortable. It wants the neat package and wonderful results. It never wants to risk.

I must deny it.

Christ commands that I am to follow Him. I'm working on that in this area. Day by day in His Word and with wise counsel...I'm taking one step at a time. With my precious Jesus ahead and my wonderful husband leading us, I am learning that again...

It is not about me.

I want to do whatever my Savior wants as long as I can, as much as I can, and in as many ways as I can. My friends say that there is always something going on our lives...and I pray that it's always that way. Help us to run hard after You, sweet Jesus! Lead us to the hard things and prepare a feast with you. We can't wait!

Yet another sinus infection!

I took Virginia to the doctor this morning, and found out that she has yet another sinus infection! We have had outrageous amounts of pollen and she has been struggling for a few days with breathing and coughing. Well, today we have another sinus infection under our belts. This is the 3rd one in the past 3 months.

We will be talking to her allergist again this week to see what is up with that. She has done so well with the treatment, but I guess this latest pollen attack was just too much for her...and the rest of us. We are all quite stuffy. I just hate that she is on antibiotics again!!!

So, we are home tonight again from AWANA...this is like the 3rd week in a row. With the flu, the death of my grandmother, and now a sinus infection...it feels like we are so out of the loop. We've been able to get to church on Sundays, but not on Wednesdays for a while. I'm ready to get back to my group of sweet girls!

Casting results!

A few weeks ago, I blogged about the casting party that our friends had at their house. It was so much fun and we have been waiting anxiously for our hands to come out!

It went from this...

To this!

We are just so thrilled with it and we found a place in our family room where it is displayed. We are so glad that we did this with our friends and that we will have this for years to come. Also, it will be nice to look back and see how YOUNG our hands were at one time in our lives!

Spring has sprung!

Saturday morning, Jay and I got up and started on our traditional Saturday morning pancakes. Each week we strive to make our pancakes funny shapes. We have done snowmen, Mickey Mouse, the girls' initials, and this time we really went over the edge! We added food coloring and formed spring flowers for the girls!
Each week we also always include our favorite chocolate chocolate chunk pancakes too! The flower pancakes were a HUGE hit and tasted wonderful! Aren't they the cutest?

We had to get out and go grocery shopping and then headed out to lunch for a yummy meal. We finished off our meal with our favorite outdoor dessert...Dippin' Dots! We LOVE these and as soon as the weather is nice...we head out to get them!

Look at that groovy girl! Those are some rockin' sunglasses!

Once we came home from our errands, we decided it was a great day to fly a kite! We headed out to our large outdoor play area and worked on getting that kite up in the air. Dad explains the proper kite technique.

Look how high that Strawberry Shortcake kite was able to fly! What a beautiful clear day! We just LOVE spring.

Anli's ready for the toss up! I can't believe my girl is about to be 10...mercy!

Virginia and I work on keeping the kite in the air together. The wind would come and go...and then change directions on us! We sure got some exercise running and working to keep it in the air...but it sure was fun!

Now, some people comment that we are creative people. Actually many of our ideas come from Family Fun magazine (like the spring cake we did on Friday) and this activity was one of their ideas. We bough tempera paint and mixed it with cornstarch and dish detergent. Then, we taped off the windows and let the girls make their own stained glass!

We all helped out and it comes off with a scrape of a plastic spatula and a little wash of warm water! It was so cheap and made for a wonderful spring day activity! We plan on keeping this all spring...to brighten up the playroom.

This was the finished stained glass! Anli did the one on the left and Virginia on the right. They did amazing work and it is truly so bright and cheerful in their playroom now! The sun is able to come through and it also looks great from the outside too.

This is an easy and fun activity that cost nearly nothing ($8 for everything!) and gave us hours of fun. The kids did the mixing of the paints and even worked to make other colors out of the primary ones, and they began their masterpieces.

I am thankful everyday that God has given us such a precious family. We have such a blast!

I had NO idea!

I read this post today from a sweet friend I met at the Georgia Baptist Ministers' Wives retreat in January. I HAD NO IDEA!!! I had to post this today as I was sitting in shock watching the short testimony of Norma McCorvey..."Jane Roe" from Roe vs. Wade. What amazing things God can do in lives! Bless His Name today as you watch this truly miraculous video!

First Day of Spring Celebration!

Today is the first official day of Spring, and we have been in full celebration mode! We started last night with a trip to Wal-Mart to get our first flowers of the season. We had to find just the right flowers that the girls wanted...
and it was a very hard decision! The girls spent about 30 minutes reading all the cards in the flowers to find exactly the right ones for them.

Then, this morning we had a very unexpected surprise...our internet was out! Jay called DirectPath and they said it would be out until later this afternoon...so that means NO SCHOOL for us:) So, we got right to work on painting the pots that we bought for their flowers. We purchased plain pots (only $1.00 each) and then found pretty pastel paints to decorate them with today!

They did a wonderful job and they turned out beautiful!

The pot is almost as pretty as the one who painted it!We left for a family lunch out and the headed for Rita's to get our free Italian Ice! Today they gave out free small Italian Ices to everyone who came in the store...it was YUMMY! Jay got Cotton Candy, Anli got Twisted Melon, Virginia chose Lemonade, and I had to get the Mango! We love FREE!

Once we got home, our pots were nice and dry and ready for our plants! It was a gorgeous day and the perfect first day of Spring. We set up on a picnic table and got right to work!

Look how bright and cheerful those plants look in their pretty pots! They even named their plants too. Virginia named hers Sunny...perfect name I thought. Anli's plant was called Dusty Miller (the given name!) and so she named one of hers Dusty, the others are Rosemary and Fuzzy. How cute are these girls...and their plants!

Look how they brighten up my sunroom table! I love them.

Then, we got right to work on a cake idea I found online. My family loves to make desserts and I'm always on the look out for new and creative ideas. So, I found one that celebrated spring! They love to help out in every step of the cooking process.

Anli has already planned to go to culinary school when she graduates. She has wanted to be a chef for as long as I can remember. She has taken classes, met Rachel Ray, and helps with all the cooking! She will be a wonderful chef one day...maybe she'll cook for me!

After we made the cake and it was in the oven, we started on the decorations. We bought some fruit gumdrops because they were much larger than the regular ones. We cut them up into pieces and made flowers, butterflies, and ladybugs.

This was such fun!

Here is the finished product! We made a triple chocolate cake and frosted it with chocolate frosting for the ground. Then, we took oreo cookies and removed the creme (we did save that for another day!) and crushed them to make the soil for the flowers. We used graham sticks for the little fence around the flowerbed. Then, we used bamboo skewers to make the gumdrop flowers stick into the cake since they are much longer than toothpicks and will hold up the weight of the candy flowers. It turned out amazing and it was the yummiest cake ever!

We got pizzas from our favorite place...Little Caesar's...you can't beat $5.00 large pizzas ready all the time! Then, we settled into our big bed together to watch an awesome movie "Journey to the Center of the Earth." It was such a wonderful day and a perfect start to SPRING! I love my family and the fun that we have together!

Happy Spring to you all!!!