6 year pictures

Here is a link to the kids 6 year pictures taken by Tom's amazingly talented cousin Katie DeBoer. Thank you Katie!!
Is it me or do my kids look really old??? Sigh.
http://katiedeboer.smugmug.com/gallery/12001146_CUBFS

Our Day

Today I worked in the kids classroom for the last time of the year! Here is Noah practicing his math flashcards with a classmate after they finished their project.

Sophie hard at work.

Abby stops to smile!

Abby's prize winning 'book cover' that was selected as the best from all of the Kindergarteners in her school! The book is "The little mouse, the red ripe strawberry and the hungry bear". Love it!

I was tired today. Getting back in the groove after being away, laundry, work, groceries, and making up for lost time with my kiddos. By this evening I realized the best thing I could do was laugh...and laugh I did at both of these events that happened within 30 minutes of each other while making the beds and getting ready for sleep. Oops: The last line would make more sense if it said, "Yes, they are!" Sorry...told you I was tired!

I hope you had a good laugh today!

A beautiful baptism

Today my goddaughter Kaitlin was baptized in Florida. Her dress was amazing, handmade with love by our mom :) It was a wonderful day, I am so thankful I could be here to celebrate. What a little blessing she is!

Another great day in Florida!

It was another wonderful day in sunny Florida. Laura and I got a bit of pampering this morning...amazing pedicures (thanks mom for babysitting!). Had a wonderful lunch, and a relaxing afternoon at home looking out over the ocean. I am enjoying snuggling my new niece and my sweet little nephew! I got to talk to my kiddos at bedtime tonight, and miss them like crazy. Sounds like they are having a blast with daddy (and grandma Joan!).

Update!!

As I sit here in beautiful Florida with my sister and her family I have a few moments to update my blog! I promise I'll include some pictures from my time here soon, but for now a Spring Break update!
We had a wonderful week at home highlights included:
A chance to hear author Greg Mortenson speak at Grand Valley. He is the author of the adults books, "Three Cups of Tea" and "Stones into Schools" and children's book "Listen to the Wind". He is the founder of the Pennies for Peace program that we have been working on since last August. The kids made t-shirts and were thrilled to see/hear him in person. A lot of his talk was over their heads, but they were attentive and enthusiastic the entire 2 1/2 hours! It was amazing! If you haven't heard of his work, check it out!
We also got to head in to Grand Rapids to see the 'Big Big Bugs' exhibit!
The kids loved having friends over and playing at home!
More photos soon!!

A Must Read!

I'm back today with another must read book. I'm serious about this friends. Susanna Foth Aughtmon is an amazing 'tired supergirl'. Don't you just love that, 'tired supergirl' tell me you don't feel that way...a lot! She is a wife, a mom, an amazing christian, a blogger and an author. I enjoy her blog daily (you must check it out)http://tiredsupergirl.blogspot.com/. She makes me laugh out loud and makes me say a serious 'Amen'. She has written two books, devotionals really. Her first book is called, "All I need is Jesus and a good pair of jeans: The tired supergirls' search for grace" It is wonderful, read it! Her newest book is the one I want to talk about today, "My bangs look good and other lies I tell myself: the tired supergirl's search for truth" In this book she sets out to debunk the lies that we supergirls believe, lies spoken to us directly from "The lier" himself. For example: Lie #1 God is out to get me Lie # 5 God will want me to do things I don't want to do and Lie #7 God doesn't hear me. I want to talk about Lie #7 because it struck a cord with me in my life right now. In the midst of my busyness, does God really hear little old me? Really? The closing paragraph in that chapter is one of the most profound and amazing God images I have ever read, join me friends, after reading James 1:5-6 she says, "So take a quiet moment. Breathe. Empty your heart before the God of the universe. And then-here comes the important part-believe that He will answer. The believing is as important as the asking. And as for the lie that God doesn't hear you, supergirl? Shut the door on that lie. Don't believe it. God is not deaf to you. God Listens. He has memorized the sound of your voice. He is doubled over, leaning down, listening for what you have to say. Start talking."<>

This book will move you, make you think, maybe even make you squirm a little. But it will also make you laugh out loud..maybe even snort! Susanna Foth Aughtmon makes me feel like I'm siting down with a friend, sharing stories that you want to say, "Oh, you have that too?"

Read this book today, and I promise you will not be disappointed supergirls!

Available now from your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker publishing group or from Amazon: http://www.tinyurl.com/goodbangs

Happy Easter!!

We had a wonderful, peaceful Easter weekend as a family. Both sets of our parents are out West so it was quiet and slow paced but we had a beautiful day (we missed everyone though!). Saturday we had Tom's Easter breakfast at work, followed by Noah's last hockey class, followed by the kids 6 year photos by Tom's amazing cousin Katie DeBoer, followed by a quick visit to grandma B., ending with a sad MSU defeat! Sunday the kids were up early to see the treats the Easter Bunny brought from his garden this year! They were thrilled to find carrots, red peppers, Kale, radishes, etc. I must admit he snuck in a few pieces of candy this year since the kids had given it up for Lent. After a relaxing morning we enjoyed a beautiful church service complete with hand bell choir. In the afternoon we paid grandma B another visit and were able to take her outside to enjoy the Easter sunshine. She loved seeing the kids prancing around chasing ducks in their Easter clothes! We spent the rest of the day cooking, eating, making and decorating bunny cupcakes and coloring eggs in our jammies. It was restful and fulfilling. What a beautiful day!

Today we had a friend from school over to play and prepared a 'baseball dinner' for Tom when he got home from work. The Tigers opened their season today so we celebrated with hotdogs (a big treat!), homemade nachos, peanuts and cracker jack! We ate in the basement watching the game in Tom's authentic Tiger Stadium seats. Go Tigers!

I love spring break!

Easter's on it's way!

The Excited Class!
Abby on the hunt!
Abby!

Sophie!

Noah!

With our Rice Krispy treat eggs!

Noah ties his shoe for the first time!

The kids enjoyed their last day of school before spring break yesterday with a very exciting Easter Egg hunt. Picture 26 kindergarteners searching a playground for 12 eggs each (with their names on them). It was mayhem, pure blissful mayhem! Hard to snap a picture because everyone was in motion!! We celebrated the start of spring break with a picnic and play at 'daddy's park' (near his work) in Grand Haven after school.

Temps have been in the upper 70's low 80's and today was spent playing with a friend from school at her house on 6 acres with treehouses, a pond (with tadpoles and frogs the kids caught, raced, and loved!!), and tons of fun!

We are loving the start to spring break!