5 Already?!

I love old musicals and have often said that I wished my life was a musical. Jonah loves life and his life is a musical. He sings and dances about everything throughout the day. He has an excitement to him that is both contagious and inspiring.

This fall he turned 5. He was so excited! He had the chance to make a wish. He shared his wish out loud. Without batting an eye he said, "I wish Jesus would come today."

We celebrated with a breakfast of his choice, bowling (an outing he selected) and a sports themed party (that followed a couple days later). Birthdays are a holiday at our house and reason to take the day off from school and fill it with as much fun as possible.

 Even mom and dad bowled ;)

Party Time

Jonah is the energizer bunny and on any given day his little legs with do almost 18,000 steps (we know this because he wants to wear a pedometer many days). He is such a blessing to our family. We all love him to the moon and back. We are so thankful for Jonah.

Zoo

Let's face it, summer has been cooler and more wet than most. It has been hard to get to the beach, have water fights, and enjoy the typical summer activities that we are used to having the past few years. However, that will not stop us from being thankful for another day and enjoying every moment that He has given to us.

Today, we took an unexpected trip to the zoo, and it was such a wonderful outing. The animals were magnificent! Each one moving around, playing and enjoying the day as we stood in amazement soaking up every detail of it.

 

As we were leaving the zoo we had the excitement of riding a 100 year old carousel. This was no ordinary carousel. Each horse is all wood, hand crafted and painted in 1914. The horses are beautiful.  I have never been that big of a fan of the carousel. I get dizzy easily and just don't particularly like the ride. I do it for the kids. So today, I got in line and although I was intrigued by the history of the carousel, I was not looking forward to the ride itself. I was delighted by the enjoyment I got out of this ride. It was the fastest carousel I have ever been on not to mention it was almost a 10 minute ride rich in history. I loved every second of it, as did the boys. I have walked past this particular carousel many times and not given it another glance. I will not make this mistake again.

We are all looking forward to the next zoo visit and the next carousel ride!

I am thankful for today.

Another Round Of Birthdays!

You ever get to that place where you are behind and wonder if it is worth trying to catch up? I am there in so many areas, to much to do and to little time to get them done. The good news is we have been having a blast along the way and that is more important that getting everything on my list checked off each day, month, quarter and year.

We are nearly into Feb and each of the boys have had another birthday. I will start with October (yep October)......

Our spunky, quick witted, lovable, firecracker turned four. Can you believe it? My baby is already 4! His smile and personally have a way to brighten any room. His energy is contagious. I am so thankful each and everyday that God blessed our family with Jonah! He loves music, swimming, books, trains, running, biking, anything outside, AWANA, and anything active. He is doing well keeping up with his big brothers.

In December Jacob turned 6. I cannot get my head around the fact that he is 6. Jacob has eyes like no one else. They literally sparkle. He loves to help anyone and everyone with anything and everything. He has a gift for service and the heart and determination to see it carried out. He laughs easily and gives some of the best snuggles there are. Thank you Lord for Jacob. Our family would not be complete without him! Jacob loves the outdoors, swimming, piano, bike riding, archery, building with his hands, snowshoeing, skiing, AWANA and football.

 

Just a week ago we celebrated the 8th birthday of one of the most compassionate and encouraging people that I know. Noah loves and shows love. I find myself learning from him in many areas. He is a true example of compassion. My heart is full, my cups runs over. Thank you God for Noah. Noah loves to do anything that involves giving to others, camping, fishing, football, the outdoors, rock climbing, piano, school, swimming, triathlons, snowshoeing, skiing, AWANA and reading.

I pray that their love for learning, life and the Lord continue throughout their lives. I am so thankful for them and I feel so blessed to be their mom.

Summer Baseball

What do you do on a hot day mid summer? Watch baseball of course! With three active boys we love anything outdoors and/or any game that involves a ball. What could be better than a Sunday afternoon outside watching baseball? With tickets for our family and 2 extra we were blessed to have grandpa and grandma join us.

Of course the boys were delighted to get their photo taken with Madonna the team mascot!

 It was a hot day, but with the help of some shade from our trusty umbrella and a lot of water to keep us hydrated fun was had by all.

Post game the kids were able to go down on the field and run the bases (always a big hit for our crew)!

 

 

There is something extra special about being down on the field. 

What a great day! I am constantly reminded just how blessed we are to have opportunities to enjoy some family time. My heart is full.

I Choose Joy! Counting 1,000 Gifts (601-662)

601. Lunch with grandma and grandpa.

602. Kids joke books.

603. The way kids love to play with boxes.

604. Tomato plants ready to transplant.

605. Stop watches.

606. A good friends laughter.

607. Anniversary cards and encouragement.

608. 12 years of marriage to an amazing Godly man.

609. Hot soup on a cold day.

610.Flights that are on schedule.

611. Playdates at the park.

612. Christian friends.

613. Fishing floats.

 

 614. Fish on a hook.

615. Nets.

616. A day with an uncle we don't see nearly enough.

617. Bob of a line in the water.

618. Wood-ducks sitting on top the wood-duck house.

619.Documentary on Beavers and ducks! The love of nature!

620. The smell of lilacs.

621. Mazes made of tall shrubs.

622. Boardwalks through the bog.

623. The sound of water over the rocks.

624. The many colors of tulips.

625. My dad in uniform.

626. The National Anthem.

627. Bright pink flowering crabs.

628. Ropes courses.

629. Sleeping in.

630. Date nights.

631. Games at grandma and grandpas.

632. Tents in the back yard overlooking the pond.

633. Beaver tales.

634. Springs green grass.

635. Ambitious boys.

636. Gluten free salads.

637. Family bike rides.

638. Ripples on the water.

639. Morning song birds.

640. Bluebirds.

641. Riding bike to church.

642. 3 hard working happy helpers.

643. The smell of mulch.

644. Overalls.

645. Rain boots.

646. Crayfish.

647. Ponds.

648. The call of the loon.

649. Still lakes.

650. Praying together with friends.

651. Beaver wood.

652. Sunsets on the water.

653. Trail runs.

654. Family hikes.

655. Family breakfast parties.

656. Play dates at the swim pond.

657. Sandcastles.

658. Cannonballs.

659. Bacon.

660. Fire pits.

661. Wide open fields.

662.Velvet on a deer antler.

Climbing High!

When did they get so big? This year for Noah's birthday adventure he decided he wanted to take a trip to the cities and do some rock climbing. What a fun day! What a fun field trip! We ended up buying a punch card. Cannot wait to go back!

This was right after we told the boys we were going to have to head out for the day. As you can tell the youngest was none to happy about the idea of leaving!

Advent and Christmas

To say our family LOVES Christmas would be an understatement. We love everything about the month of December. The lights, music, giving, volunteering, service projects, craft projects, bible reading, singing, food, gathering with friends and family, worship services, cards, and JESUS it is all wonderful. 

This year was not an exception. We loved Christmas! We cut back on the presents this year for ourselves and the kids and focused more on giving to others in need. You know you can buy a sheep for a family in need for just $80?!

Here are a few photos of our fun from advent and Christmas this year. I wish I would have gotten a photo of the boys serving hot chocolate (we were surprised to see it was captured in the local paper). They gave out 100 free cups to people downtown. It is amazing to see the surprise in people faces when you remind them that Jesus loves them and give them something warm, free and with a smile.  Jesus would defiantly be giving hot chocolate in the cold streets on MN!

Ringing the bell for the Salvation Army

 

  Advent activity night at church - frosting cookies!

Donation drop off at the Ronald McDonald House for their kitchens.

















Sledding fun on the luge track!

Bible Reading

 Brother love!

 

 

Cousin Love!

 Game Time

Fun to have uncles that play with the kids! They love them and cannot get enough time with them!

 More Cousin Time

Praying that you spent time with Christ this Christmas. He left his perfect place in heaven to come as a baby, grow into a man, and be crucified on the cross and die for our sins.

John Piper reminds us of the awe and wonder of the Son of God.  As Piper puts it, “You can read every fairy tale that was ever written, every mystery thriller, every ghost story, and you will never find anything so shocking, so strange, so weird and spellbinding as the story of the Son of God.” Space thrillers of our days like Star Wars cannot hold a candle to the real living Jesus Christ.

“But these things are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:31

Take time this year to learn more about His perfect love in the Bible. 

Never Slow Down 3 Years Old!

The day Jonah was born we walked into the hospital at 6 pm. He was born at 6:17 pm. He has been moving non-stop since. He is fun loving, quick-witted, energetic, humorous, animated and caring. He adds such a wonderful dynamic to our family. We thank God every day for our wonderful boy. His smile is contagious! Just try to not smiling when seeing him.

 

 Jonah wanted to ride rides at MOA for his birthday this year. Fun was had by all!

Birthday Breakfast! Happy Birthday Jonah!