We're still here

If you've been away, you won't notice that our blogging has slowed significantly. But for those of you who faithfully check for update, I give my sincere apologies. Most days, I have good intentions of blogging a little of this or a little of that, but time gets away from me...so blogging gets pushed down to the bottom of the list.

We've been doing a lot of spring cleaning around here, and decluttering/purging in an attempt to prepare for a possible move this summer. POSSIBLE being the key word, I haven't gotten too serious about it...yet.

The kids are enjoying a new freedom in playing outdoors again, even independently at times! There have been many the princess-saga in our backyard already this spring:) Along with the princess drama, the girls have enjoyed digging in the dirt and finding some worms! Joey is content to chew on the end of the girls' twirling baton and taste testing rocks and sidewalk chalk.

Please bear with us as we update sporadically. Love you all.

Can't sleep with socks

While peeking in on Joey during naptime lately, I've noticed a common theme; a little pile of socks on the floor just outside his crib. He must feel the need to dump the socks before drifting off to dreamland. How funny! Take inventory...blue.

...white

...oh, he must have stashed today's somewhere else since his little piggies are now bare, contrary to their pre-nap state:)

St. Patty's Day

We had a little green theme going on the 17th, mostly just because it's fun, not because we actually recognize St. Patrick's Day or really know much about it. Daddy tried to school us a bit on the history of the day.

I found some St. Patty's Day themed activity pages for the girls and printed those out right away in the morning. They colored and cut-out, telling stories about their art the entire time. I had no idea they knew so much, relatively speaking, about shamrocks, leprechauns, and pots of gold:)



Joey wore his green well.



Sylvia, being our typically non-compliant child, chose to wear a purple outfit on our green-themed day, but did allow green "hair-tingies".



Olivia, naturally, would have liked to take the green theme to the next level by accompanying her green shirt with green pants, socks, unders, and shoes. Sorry dear, there are limits:(



Maybe I should have made a green meatloaf for supper...I'll be more prepared next year!

Playdate

We got the pleasure of having the Halsrud children at our house on Monday. The Ruden kids were ecstatic at the idea of having guests and thoroughly enjoyed the event. Friend Makayla is by far one of their favorites!

I was completely enamored with little Nevin. I needed that baby fix!

Joey loved seeing the exersaucer resurface. He kept "showing" the baby how it worked.

I'm in awe of little boys, ever since I got one of my own:)

A good time was had by all!

We laugh, we cry, we make necklaces

Olivia is the best at making her little brother laugh. She can be a real goof, and he loooooves it! Isn't his giggle totally contagious?

It's not all laughs for this boy though, he's very sensitive. Joey really wants to be friends with Gizmo, but we all know friendship with our kitty has to be on HER terms...and she's decided she doesn't care for him...yet:)

The girls are taking after me in their necklace and bracelet making desires. I used to spend hours meticulously stringing together beads for my jewelry creations. They are even using some of my old beads!

Look at that concentration!

Tiny fingers for tiny beads.

Haircut?

Before: Joey's hair doesn't look too bad when I can keep it tucked behind his ears. Ahh, that sounds so girly!

I'll just go ahead and say it, girly is something I just don't want my son to be. Politically correct or not, that's how I feel.

After: Oh, that's much better!



Doesn't he look so grown up now?


Beautiful boy, not girl:)

Two years ago today

Two years ago yesterday I was dead. Dead in my sin. Dead to the knowledge of the love and forgiveness that Christ offers to those who are saved. Physically alive. Alive to the world. Spiritually dead.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins…-Ephesians 2:1

Two years ago today I was born again.

In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” –John 3:3

Two years ago today I was called by Christ Jesus.

And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. –Romans 1:6

Two years ago today I was created new.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! -2 Corinthians 5:17

Two years ago today I was given a new life.

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. –Ezekiel 36:36

Two years ago today I was resurrected to new life and separated from the burdens of my sins.

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. –Romans 6:11

Two years ago today I was set free.

You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. –Romans 6:18

Two years ago today I received my faith from God by his grace. I did not seek it. I did not want it.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. –Ephesians 2:8

All praise and glory be to God for two years ago today.

Matt