Daddy's lap

They all piled up on Daddy's lap this morning. One, they wanted to snuggle and get some love. Two, they were all cold. If I bump my thermostat any higher, we're gonna see outrageous number on our gas bill. Come on, Spring!

I could have photographed her all day....

I had so much fun taking pictures of this sweet little girl even though I've got a lot to learn in my photography journey. I'm so glad she is now a part of it.

Happy Valentine's morning to ya!

Before school, I captured them in their "red" attire with the cupcakes we made together last night. They were so excited about going to school this morning with their goody bags and notes for their classmates. I feel a sugar-high will be awaiting me in the car-line this afternoon.

Making Valentines

The kids were super excited about making Valentines for their classmates. Since Andrew and Luke are both writing, they enjoyed writing each classmate name and then signing their own. They worked diligently and never quit. Meanwhile, Abigail and I packed the candy while trying not to nibble.

It's all about what you see

Luke: "Look at my picture, Mom!"

Me: "Oh, I love that rainbow. How beautiful! Is that the rainbow God gave to Noah?"

Luke: "No, Mama. That's a picture of you and your big hair."

Well, there you go.

Tea time with a friend

Abigail prepared early yesterday morning for her afternoon company. AC came over to play and they spent many hours drinking tea and eating cookies....well, the boys were around having fun, too!

Muffin tin ball time

I copied my friend Laura. Laura is super smart...above genius. She helped me during dinner tonight...all the way 'cross country from Georgia to Oregon. Thanks, Laura!

Also, this made for a great Montessori lesson. Scoop and plop!

Jimmy cracks me up

So my LOST friends can laugh.

Roaming through the archives

Hat turned sideways

Pants on the ground, pants on the ground,

lookin' like a fool with your pants on the ground.

Hat turned sideways, gold in your teeth,

lookin' like a fool with your pants on the ground.

Downhill Both Ways

Abraham Piper is blogging more than just his usual 22 Words. Read his thoughts at his new blog (in addition), Downhill Both Ways.

Clean your screen!

It's disgusting!

HT: Amy

Wordless Wednesday

Thanks, Mom

Mom,

Thank you for.....

- taking off work to be here with us last week.

- loving my sweet boy.

- getting my other two children fed, dressed, and off to school so Mitch and I could be with Andrew.

- arriving late and driving in the dark to be here a day early so that we could get what we needed done early the next morning.

- paying for our dinner at Cracker Barrel.

- being a grandmother who desires to be present and make memories with her grandchildren.

- washing all my clothes, folding them, and putting them away.

- making cornbread.

- washing my nasty dishes.

- playing with my daughter so I could take a nap with my son.

- letting me get away for an hour to exercise.

- reading books to my children.

- playing hide-n-seek with my boys.

- talking with me about ministry.

- never complaining.

- finding joy in what God's given you and where he's holding you.

I am so blessed to have you as my mother. I love you.

Michael's 50% off coupon

Michael's has a new 50% off coupon that's good until February 8. This would be great to use on a large expensive item! I sense some framing in my future.

Valentines ideas

The Crafty Crow is one of my favorite craft sites to visit. There, you'll find many ideas for valentine gifts and crafts. Just keep scrollin' down.

Dollar Store Crafts has redesigned a deck of cards for the day of love.

Our little ballerina

AP: Matt Chandler

Associated Press has just published an article on Matt Chandler's progress and response to his brain cancer.

Also, Mark Driscoll has a link on his website to another article about Matt.

Where's the chapstick?

My mother introduced me to this video and I think it was funnier watching her reaction. I posted this for you, Mom!

Andrew's surgery

My sweet little boy is home recovering from surgery. What a trooper he has been! We arose early Thursday morning to have him to the hospital by 5:30 AM for surgery that was scheduled at 7:30 AM.





We passed the time by watching a little television and playing Hi Ho Cheerio.

Mitch's parents joined us right before Andrew was wheeled into the operating room so it was a special time to surround him with faces he loved. His surgery actually started ten minutes early but lasted longer than we had originally thought. He was back into his private room around 9:20AM and, after Pop prayed for his recovery and healing, Andrew slept the rest of the day. His pain has been minimal, thanks to Tylenol with Codeine.

This is where Andrew stays all day, except to rise to go the restroom. We take his bandages off tomorrow....I hear screams a'comin'.

I am so thankful my mother was here during this time. Her being here has allowed me to come and go with our other two children, make a grocery stop, take a brief walk alone, and not cook! She has invaded my house with her amazing cleaning and organization skills so I now have order in my kitchen drawers, folded and sorted clothes in the boys' dressers, and totally clean and folded laundry!!!! Do you know the last time I had all the laundry clean, folded AND put away?!? I can't either.

Luke is doing better after his root canal and is taking the antibiotic like it's candy. I, however came down with a stomach bug this afternoon as I was at the park with the two little ones. Exhausted, I laid down with Andrew early evening and we slept for four hours, hence why I'm up at 2:30 typing this post. Also, Mitch has hurt his back so he is sleeping the night away with pain meds. Except for Abigail, we are all a bunch of sick folks!

I have purposefully not been too specific about the type of surgery he had but it had to do with his male parts so it might be helpful not to ask him too many details about the incisions, etc. HA!