Our Journey: May 2011

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Playdate

A lunch date at McDonalds with our dear friends from MN was enjoyed by all!

Here is the fearless group of students and leaders who are looking forward to serving the Lord and the people on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation in June. If you think of it, pray for this group as they prepare their hearts to GO and share God's love with others.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Celebrating Barbarita

My sister, mom and I went to a relaxing spa in Appleton to celebrate my mom's birthday/retirement.

We kept it a secret until we showed up to the door of the spa...

She was pretty pumped!

A deep tissue massage for mom was first up on the agenda.

After mom's massage, all three of us got pedicures.

We also grabbed lunch and did a little shopping.

D family

We met up with the Deloye family for ice cream. This is the family I nannied for and lived with for a semester when I was in college. They still live in Wausau. We aren't as diligent about setting up times to connect as we'd like but always pick up right where we left off. Their oldest son, Sam, is graduating from high school this year. That totally makes me feel old, but blessed to be able to be a part of this amazing family for so many years.

Jammies

Check out those holes in feet of Ataly's jammies.

Ataly would live in her jammies if we let her.

She loved her jammies so well this winter that most of them have holes in both feet.

Just a sweet reminder of her 3T pjs I don't want to forget.

Planting

The kids and I had a great time planting beans, peas and zinnias.

Thanks Arndts for sharing your bean and pea seeds.

First up...filling the boxes with dirt.

Second up...planting the seeds.

Third...time to water.

Traeger's turn to water the seeds.

I love Ataly's joy!

After all was said and done, it was swinging time.

Sticky feet

This fall I was having a hard time finding footed pjs for Traeger. My mom caught wind of this and went out and bought Traeger NEW footed pjs. One day he was running around the house in them and declared, "Mom, these have STICKY bottoms." He is used to second hand or hand me downs and was thrilled to discover that new jammies have sticky bottoms.

Remembering the simple joys in life :O)

Sick kiddos

Does she look sick to you?

I didn't think so either...but I was wrong.

Ataly complained of random things throughout the week but none of them added up until a rash broke out several day later, which prompted calling the nurse, who got us an appointment with a Dr. a couple hours later, who diagnosed her with Scarlet fever. Ugh, didn't I feel like a bad mom. Ataly never slowed down or intently complained of pain. I guess you live and you learn. I now know when she says the roof of her mouth hurts, she might mean her throat hurts, which means she might have strep and so I should call the doctor ASAP :O) Traeger also was diagnosed that same day with strep throat. I walked away praising God that this was only the third visit in 5 years that we have had to take the kids into the doctor, other than their yearly check ups.

Happy Mother's Day 2011

Due to the fact that Ataly had Scarlett fever and Traeger had Strep, I spent the morning of Mother's Day at home with the kiddos while Luke went to church. As soon as he got home he whisked the kids inside and they got busy making me lunch.

Who said there's only one use for hot pads?

Ataly personally liked them better as slippers.

I'm not sure how helpful they were for Daddy. All I know is when they came back outside they served a lunch of champs....

It blessed my heart that Luke would make my favorite meal (breakfast...there's just so many solid options), he let the kids help make the meal and made it possible to spend quality time outside soaking in the glorious day.

Before we dug into the yummy goodness, Luke had the kids share reasons why they love mommy.

Traeger said, "I love mommy because she plays soccer with me."

Ataly said, "I love mommy because she loves me."

"humbled and blessed to be called mommy."

Many days I feel so insufficient to be called mommy...daily I'm humbled by all the ways that I fall short of perfection. Thankfully though, I don't need to figure it all out on my own because I serve a mighty God who knows all my shortcomings and provides me the strength, wisdom and patience each day to raise Traeger and Ataly. I am blessed to be Traeger and Ataly's mommy. I have learned so much in the last 5 years of being a mommy. Lots of stuff I'd rather wasn't, was revealed from within my ugly, sinful heart. But, by God's grace He isn't leaving me the same. He is shaping and molding me to be a better me for His glory and has seen fit to use motherhood as a tool to accomplish that goal. At the end of each day, my prayer is that I will have grown in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Galatians 5:22

Chillin' outside with their pillow pets.

Senior's Night

Here are a few of the Seniors who we're celebrating this year...there are 19 of them.

It's always hard to say goodbye to those whom we've loved on and shared God's love with, this time, for the last 5 years. I'm thankful that God has a plan for each and every one of them.

For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD.

"They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

One proud Cubbies boy who worked hard all year to write God's word on his heart!

Thankful for all the volunteers who took their Wednesday evenings to share God's love and word with Traeger and many other boys and girls.

Nothing you ever do for the Lord is worthless.

1 Corinthians 15:58

Monday, May 02, 2011

Camping

The neighbor girls and Traeger and Ataly playing camping.

I'm thankful for the blessing of neighbor friends.

Sunday, May 01, 2011

First family golf outing

Friday night, April 29, we took our first family golf outing of the year.

Ataly made sure to bring her softball glove she said, "just in case I have to catch a ball." She also literally ran/walked the first 3 holes of the course, and took breaks for Luke to hit the ball. Then she said, "my legs are tired." I would think so :O) I think she was just as excited as her daddy to be out on the course.

I cherish family time and being in the outdoors....

A perfect combo in my book!

Traeger yelling advice as Luke was swinging...

"make sure to keep your eye on the ball dad."

Family visits

My parents came into town Saturday night-Monday and my sister's family rolled into town Sunday night and left town Thursday afternoon.

Can you guess what the big surprise blessing from the P family was?

A "new" to Traeger bike from his cousins. Traeger was thrilled! He had no idea and couldn't wipe the smile off his face. I love how God sometimes provides just what we want before we even ask. Thanks so much P family for the amazing blessing!

The next morning we wasted no time in getting the Easter egg and basket hunt started.

Auntie Cori laying out the ground rules for the Easter egg and basket hunt.

Traeger was quick to fill his bag full of eggs and find his basket.

Thrilled to find her basket and pink eggs!

The golden egg was found...Kieran scored the $ this year!

Look at that joy...I love it!

Melia was more interested in swinging this year than in finding her eggs or basket.

The boys showing off their Easter loot!

Monday was such a glorious day. We got out for an adventure around the mill pond.

Traeger, Grandpa Bruce and Breck walking down the tracks.

The grandkids (minus G) with Grandpa Bruce and Nonnie!

We had a fabulous time with family in town for Easter. Thanks guys for making the time to come hang out with us and build memories together! What a blessing it is to share in the joy of our risen Savior! The time always flies by, but not without filling our love tanks full and blessing our hearts with your presence. So thankful for the amazing blessing of family!