Photo?

Which ONE of these pictures doesn't belong? Can you believe I took all these pictures today? If you guessed the picture with all the snow in the background you are correct! Please tell Mother Nature that we don't need anymore snow!

The other photos are my girls celebrating Spring and modeling some of their new clothes. My youngest was outside in that outfit - I would be freezing but she seemed okay. Just for the record - I didn't allow her outside dressed like that, on this cold day. My oldest daughter had "beach day" at school to celebrate the reading month.

Also, I couldn't help but show off my pampered feet from last evening. If you haven't had a pedicure I highly recommend them. I'm thinking one every three months sounds just about right, especially when you think about all the abuse our feet take.

The List

In exactly one week we will be leaving to go visit family and friends for our Spring Break. Unfortunately we won't be traveling anywhere that warm, but hopefully it will be warmer than Michigan. We haven't even hit 55 degrees. Anyway, yesterday I was looking at my list of the things I need to do in order to get ready to leave next week - and I got a little stressed. I did make some progress on it. So, how many of you are list people? Any daytimers? How do you stay organized? (or don't you?)Well, for fun here is my list and what I have got completed:

1. Stop the mail -
2. Stop the newspaper -
3. Get haircuts -
4. Hotel -
5. Print out travel directions -
6. Call friends
7. Download pictures
8. Get oil change -
9. Return & get new books at the library -
10. Pay bills
11. Laundry & pack clothes
12. Pedicure - happening tonight!

Spring

Today is the first day of spring! Can we hear a great big hooray? Here are a few Spring pictures of my home. Hopefully you will be inspired. Just don't check out my front door, I still have my winter / Christmas wreath up.

Notice my window above my mantle. It is an authentic window that was weathered outside for a number of years. It comes from a farm that my parents bought a few years ago. I told my Dad, that I had some ideas for these windows that he was ready to get rid of. You know how the saying goes, "One man's junk is another one's treasure!" Enjoy your first day of Spring!!

Quiet Time Vs. Nap Time

I have a 3 1/2 and a 5 1/2 year old. The youngest one has a lot of energy. She was up at 5:15 AM. She is usually up early (between 5 and 6) and she likes to go. Unless, we are at Meijers around noon, then see a previous post. Anyway, there are days that she still takes a nap (makes no difference in her sleep schedule), but I'm also trying to introduce the concept of a "Quiet Time". You know the quiet time - reading, playing by yourself in your room, etc. Her older sister understands this and enjoys it. However, the younger one just doesn't get it.

Then, I got to thinking, I recently met with a number of parents, of teenagers, at parent teacher conference night. A number of them mentioned that they don't talk with their son or daughter, that he or she is in their room all the time and they only come out to eat or use the family computer. I think how sad. I don't want my girls to "hide" in their rooms when they are older. Maybe the quiet time isn't such a good idea. Any thoughts?

By the way, Olivia (the youngest) just decided that the "quiet time" is just to difficult for her, so she is opting for a nap. I just heard, "Mom, will you tuck me in?"

Note - picture added later. This is Olivia, sleeping on the floor in her swimsuit - both her idea.

This Week

This Week - Let's see we have St.Patrick's Day, The first Day of Spring, Good Friday and Easter! That is a lot for one week. Then, I think of my family and our schedules for the week - haircuts, Young Life meetings, Small group, school and teaching.

Yet, my heart's desire is to slow down this week and ponder what Christ has done for me. I want to read the Bible - read the story of Jesus and what this week was like for him. I want to remember! As a Christian, I know Christ died on the cross for my sins, but I want to know what that looks like in my every day life. I want to know Christ's perfect love.

Yesterday after we came home from church my daughter said, "Jesus, loves me so much!" I said, "yes he does! And you know what I can't understand - is I know how much I love you, I can't imagine that Christ loves us even more." How about you - is Christ's love for you real in your every day to day life?

The Tooth

Last week I was looking at my daughter Kelsey and I noticed that her bottom tooth looked like it was overlapping the other one. I said, "Kelsey, open up your mouth." She did and I noticed that her first permanent tooth was up and it was pushing against her baby tooth. So, we officially have our first loose tooth! Kelsey can't wait to loose her first tooth. (I don't think she knows about the pain that might occur when you pull a tooth). I'm more concerned with the fact that there doesn't look like room for her permanent tooth to find a home. Can you say braces? Cha ching cha ching!!

I will be sure to post a picture once the baby tooth is out.

Timothy Straw

We just got our kitchen / dining area painted this past week. When we built our home almost five years ago, most of the living space was painted Benjamin Moore's color Hawthorne Yellow (which Pottery Barn featured this past fall as one of their colors!). I really enjoyed the yellow, but I was ready for a change. So, we decided upon Timothy Straw (BM 2149-40). Can I just say I love it!!! It is a soft, muddy, light olive green. Since when did a muddy color look so good? I'm also in the midst of decorating for Spring, even though the temperature outside this morning was 15 degrees. Spring will be coming soon. I will post some decorating pictures real soon.

Sisters

Here is very short conversation between my two daughters, playing Mommy & Daughter:

Kelsey - "You know Mommy's are suppose to be bossy!!"

Olivia - "I know!"