A Visit To Great Wolf Lodge

We decided to take the kiddies on a little spring break get away to Mason, Ohio. We stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge so the kids could swim to their little hearts desire. We played in the arcade, visited the cub club, and spent one afternoon seeing a few sites around the area. ( A twirl around Jungle Jim's Grocery and of course a trip to IKEA) We had a great time getting away from the homestead and just spending some great quality time together as a family. Sophie was hilarious in the waterpark! NO. FEAR. I pray for that to be channeled in the right direction as she gets older. :) Jack spent most of his time on the slides. He's a little more reserved than his sister. If you're ever looking for a quick getaway...check out the lodge! :)













Pictures Above: Sophie at her favorite slide, Our posing duo, Jack in his crazy scuba gear and a quick family photo op!

Happy Birthday To Jack!

My little man is not-so-little anymore. He turned the big S.I.X. this weekend. Birthdays have always been a big celebration for my family. Growing up I can still remember having the whole family over. They stayed all day. We had lunch, cake and ice cream, opened presents and played with whatever new toys or games I got for my birthday. I LOVED my special day! I also love giving that same celebration to my kids. I love taking the time to just celebrate them. Our festivities started Friday as Jackson took his favorite birthday treat- pink squirrels, to his classroom. Saturday we celebrated with my side of the family and today he had his first friend birthday party at the Wellness Center pool. Some say it's a little much - we say it's a great way to celebrate the day God created YOU! Happy Birthday to my Jacker! On your happy number six, here are six things I adore about you...

1. Your sensitivity

2. The way you love the outdoors

3. That you are now an official READING MACHINE

4. The way you protect your little sister

5. That you cheerfully help with chores and responsibilities (Most of the time)

6. That you totally dig Jesus

Here are a few pics from our birthday boy's big weekend. I'm curious though, how do you make birthdays special at your house? Leave me a comment and let me know. :)

Pictures Above: Jack enjoying pink squirrels with his class, Opening the loot from the family, Swimming away with his buddies and blowing out the candles on his Mario Bros. cake.

I Heart Spring!

I absolutely LOVE Spring! I know we're still a few weeks away from its official arrival but each day that the sun shines and the snow is gone, I have visions of Easter and tulips and taking a walk with my kiddos OUTSIDE!!
One of the things I love about Indiana is the fact that the seasons come and go and the weather changes so we get to experience it all. However, with that said... I. Am. Done. With. Winter! Join me for a few seconds as I bask in the anticipation of the next glorious season...
1. A new Easter dress
2. Daffodils, Tulips and all the other springy flowers.
3. Bunnies and Chicks
4. A cute spring jacket
5. The smell of the ground thawing
6. Going for a walk outside
7. Flying Kites
8. Mud puddles from the spring rain
9. One season closer to the city pool being open
10. SPRING BREAK!!

Happy Valentine's Day

Justin and I enjoyed an outstanding Valentine's Day evening last night with our dear friends, the Spencers. Many of you know Reed and his amazing musical talents. We traveled to Taylor University to listen to Reed and his choral group perform. We enjoyed a great dinner and were entertained by the group along with a grad student from Jordan who sang in his native language. ( I don't know what that is) It was so neat to see how the Worship of Christ crosses over language and culture barriers. As this young man sang I certainly could not understand each word he spoke but I sure sang along with the familiar chorus in my own language, "Many things about tommorrow, I don't seem to understand. But I know who holds the future, and I know he holds my hand!"
I'm always thankful for the time that we get to spend with Mark and Jan and their whole family - which have become an extention of our own family. Our conversation and laughter are refreshing and such a blessing. If you get a chance, check out Taylor's website for information about the up and coming trip that the choral group, "Sounds of Taylor", will be taking to Jordan and Egypt next month.

Pictures: *Reed (middle) singing with the men's choir of the choral group.
*My dear friend, mentor and second mama...Jan.


Music is the universal language of mankind. ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

AWANA Cares for Mikayla

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE AWANA? This week's theme was AWANA cares for Mikayla. We collected items to give to a family in our community who has a daughter recently diagnosed with Leukemia. These items will come in handy as the family travels back and forth to Indy for treatments. Granola bars, fruit snacks, little Debbie snacks, juice boxes, coloring books, reading books, crayons...I loved seeing the kids come with smiles on their faces to load up the boxes with items. Many of them told a story of their friend and how much they missed her at school. While it makes my heart happy to see them give, it makes me happier to know they are learning what it means to love with the love of Christ. Many of them will be praying for their friend each day lifting up specific needs that she has. I can't think of much that makes me happier than to see my own kids and kids of our community learn to love Jesus, hide His word in their hearts AND extend His love to those around. God bless Mikayla and her family as they fight this battle. AWANA cares for you, loves you and is praying for Mikayla's healing!

Monkey See, Monkey Do

This is a classic picture of my two little tykes right now. Sophie has become quite the little sister that looks up to her big bro. It seems like she is always imitating what he does. It is so cute. (At least we think so...Jack, not so much) Here she is acting just like the Jack man once again. He was sitting on the chair watching cartoons and she climbed up right beside him and put her hands up just like him. I love it!!

Droid Fighting Pizza Makers

Jackson had his buddy Max over last night. They played all evening fighting droids with their power helmets, building all sorts of things and making pizzas for dinner. I love watching my little man use his imagination. Max has quite the imagination too. I could have sat back all night and just watched them play. I hope these two never lose their creativity! When we were on our way back from taking Max home Jack says to me out of the blue, "Mom, Max is very kind." My heart smiled! I think that is five-year-old lingo for, "I found myself a good friend!"