So Long February, Hello March

Through the snow, ice and below zero temperatures life marches on!

Except when it doesn’t – because we are stuck at home because of the wintery dangerous weather.

It is raining as I type this post, so maybe that’s a sign of things to come?

We are having a hard time imagining where in the world all this snow is going to go!

Even the wild turkeys are baffled by all the snow, and ran by on the other side of the road one day probably looking for some food.

The Lord has provided us with the most beautiful blue, sunny days!

That is one thing snow is good for – it makes the sky seem bluer than even possible!!

This weekend the temperatures were in the 30’s which meant we opened the windows for a bit!!

Things have been pretty normal around here!

My day always starts like this – but how fun is it when your mug matches the chapter of the Bible you are reading?!

Our normal means school. Library day. Lots of reading. Lots of games. Some tablets, once a week. Lots of eating. And lots of food prep.

I’ve been ordering lots of chapter books and the UPS man delivers them faithfully.

Blake and I consider it our “stay sane” part of the budget, ha, ha!

I have a huge list of good books that my girlfriend gave me and I am just going down the list and ordering away!

The problem is that they read them in one afternoon!

I ordered this book for me!

And have fallen asleep every night when I try to read it before bed, ahem!

We love games.

Especially new ones that sweet friends bring over when they visit.

And old ones too.

Tablet time is still on Tuesdays for 30 minutes each.

Lane, Tate, and Eliza have been such great helpers in the kitchen these days.

Train ’em up!!!

I am terrible at getting photos of all their help because it is crazy busy and I am always trying to keep one little Asian boy’s hands from constant disaster – just saying!

I have made these little “parfaits” twice now and think I am addicted!

They make a wonderful breakfast for me!

Nothing like turning this beauty into some yummy chicken salad wraps!

My grocery crew got our freezer stocked with bananas again for smoothies!

I wandered the Co-op just a bit one day and found this vegan cream cheese.

It wasn’t my favorite plain, but I will buy it again if I need it for a recipe!

Fridays are still cleaning and grocery day!

Everyone has jobs and we are fast and efficient!

And our helpers are super cute.

Especially when they wear their Daddy’s glasses.

Here is a peak at what life looks like some days.

How did my crowd get so small???

But then we had some extra kiddos for a whole day last week!

We have missed them very, very much and spending the day together was perfect!

And it called for pretty much a twelve-hour craft day, because, well, we have been stuck inside FOREVER.

Our pups are still here. And cute. And always at my side!

We have purposed LOTS of one-on-one time lately.

The Lord pricked my heart and said “YOU NEED TO DO SOME ONE-ON-ONE TIME!”

So I listened, told Blake, told the big kids, and we DID!

Grant and Lane went for errands and a snack one morning.

Made Lane’s day. And mine!

Grant and Chad went another day, but there is no photograph to prove my story, ha, ha.

Blake has also been grabbing different kiddos at different times to go with him places!

Addie and I spent a whole afternoon in town together doing all the things!

It was the sweetest.

Blake and I are still dating, of course!

When the stinking weather kept us home on a Friday night, we snuck out on Saturday afternoon instead!

Lots to talk about! It was a planning meeting of sorts!

We celebrated our 30th anniversary last week!!!!!

I sent Blake 30 texts to liven up his day!

He didn’t catch on till the end, a few minutes before he was about to block my number on his phone!

Just kidding.

Then Addie Mae made mug cakes and we ate them with ice cream and watched a show before bed.

It was the perfect way to celebrate 30 years!

No trip away this year, but maybe next year!

We are going to the home school convention in April though!

Of course we still see our favorite people!

I have been setting my phone aside on purpose when we do though, so I do not have photos of them!

Addie took this one this weekend.

Briar is getting SO big!!!!

How has the time change been for you all?

This is how we feel about it.

Even my earliest of the early birds can’t handle the time change!

So, Addie spend a whole day shopping and out and about with a friend, and this magnet is what she brought home for me.

Silly girl!!

Today is Eliza’s birthday.

We celebrated Sunday, right before the vomiting flu hit.

I know, I know.

We are SO fun!!

A post on her party will be up soon!

Anyway, I would like to point out some things about this photo.

Like the length of Eliza’s hair.

How short her dress is.

How huge her feet are.

AND that she is brushing her OWN hair.

Ok, ok, ok.

Pay attention, you all!

She is growing up fast, has gotten SO big, needs new clothes, and has come SO far.

How in the world did we ever live without these two?

February, you may have been so very cold and snowy, and March, we have no idea what you hold for us – but we are really enjoying all of our normal things, all of the people in our lives, each other, and this little nest called Twin Oaks!

We have some great plans for the weeks ahead, Lord willing!

Here’s hoping you all are enjoying these weeks and months too!!

Happy March, everyone!!

Grant’s Day!

This past Thursday was the 21st anniversary of Grant’s arrival!

We never need much of a reason to celebrate – but this is a GREAT reason!

Grant requested Chop Chae, and we added cole slaw and chose an ice cream sundae bar for dessert.

It was delicious, of course!

Chad even grilled the chicken for the Chop Chae!

There were decorations, of course!

We pulled most of them from Grant’s keepsake box of things that I have saved!

There were willing party goers, of course!

It doesn’t take much to convince the party goers to join in!

Even 21 years later, the emotions of our trip to the O’hare International Airport to have Grant placed into our arms are so fresh in our hearts and minds!

The Lord’s perfect plan for our family!

An amazing son from all the way around the world!

An amazing son he is!

Grant Evan, you are the light of our home – so filled with joy and laughter and a smile that touches people who don’t even know you.

We are so thankful that the Lord has hold of your heart, and you walk a narrow road because of that!

We cannot wait to see how the Lord continues to work in your life.

Happy, happy Grant’s Day!!!

WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH, G!!!!!!

February’s Adventure

Wednesday we went on February’s adventure with the children!

There was a very short conversation about jumping on a plane and flying to Jamaica….

because we have set a new record in our area for the amount of snow fall in February, good grief!!

Instead Blake planned for us to go swimming for the day!

I wish I would have had my camera on when we pulled into that hotel – because Lane said “ARE WE GOING SWIMMING??!!”

I turned around and said YES! to which everyone started cheering!!

It was SO cute.

And totally worth keeping it a secret!

Only Addie Mae knew our plans for the day and that we had hidden all of our swim gear in the trunk of the van the night before!

This hotel in our area offers a same day pass into their pool area.

There were seven of us there ALL day for only $44!

Eliza’s favorite thing in this entire world is to be in water!

It helps her with her sensory needs SO MUCH.

I have tears right now as I type how very happy I was for her that she was going to have the very best day.

And she did!

She never got out of that pool until we made her get out for lunch and again to go home.

She was smiling ALL day!

Oh my heart.

And then there is Tate.

His Mama may still hold her breath a bit as she watches him do ALL the things – but I never stop him or instruct him in anyway.

HE KEPT UP with the other children ALL DAY.

Ok, guys, more tears!

Excuse me while I get a tissue!

Of course the middle boys had a blast too!!

Lane stopped his dripping wet self from the big bear hug he started to give me as he said “Mom, this is the BEST day. Thank you and Dad SO much for bringing us here!”

It really was the best day.

We ate lunch right in the pool area in a spot designated for that very thing!

I was the photographer, but also sat and watched the kiddos, drank an iced coffee, and reviewed a book I love.

Addie Mae swam for awhile and then joined me at a pool side table!

We planned the food for an upcoming church event!

I would say the end of the day photos sum up our day in the best way!

There are so many things from the three oldest kiddos younger years that they still talk about – because those memories are sunk so deeply in their hearts.

I think our adventuring days will be a memory like that for our youngest four!

Especially since their Dad is making such an investment to spend one day a month focusing solely on them.

No more tears, I promise.

Just gratefulness!

For these children and my husband!!

Blake and I are determined, with the joy of the Lord as our strength, to FINISH STRONG!

It is our constant prayer that the Lord will bring the desires of our heart that we have for our family to fruition!!

Thank you, Jesus, for these precious arrows you have allowed us to raise!

That Most Wonderful Day

Twenty-one years ago today, Grant Evan was placed into our arms.

What a beautiful baby Grant was, and what a handsome, amazing, God fearing young man he has become!

We are SO grateful for God’s perfect plan for our family by allowing Grant to be one of our most precious gifts.

Rejoice with us – it’s Grant’s Day today!!