Bon Voyage

Mike's sweet grandparents just left to go on a 28 day cruise.  We were able to go and see them off at the train station.... 

I think they were happy to be saying good-bye to the snow and winter.  :) 

Our Mothers in Love

The conversation at our breakfast table last weekend (while my mom changed Peter's poopy diaper)...

Mike:  Mother in laws are great.  I don't know why they get such a bad rap.

me:  The feeling is mutual!  I totally agree!

(my) Daddy:  I think I had the best one in the world!

Confession of Sin

I love the Confessions of Sin at our church.  There is something that is SO freeing about putting it all out there (sort of)... I well know there are areas that I don't allow to really be "out there".  My heart of hearts so resonates with the truths in the confessions about my sin.  The confessions give me a little glimpse into the freedom of knowing that Jesus knows me- every single part of me and still LOVES me- not because I am deserving but because He is amazing like that... and because He paid for me with His own life.  It does spur my heart on to be more honest (at times).  So my mind has been coming back to this one that we read recently and so I wanted to post part of it...  (I'd really love to post all of them b/c my heart needs them!)  So I'm sure there will be more....



We have not loved one another as we love ourselves. Selfish ambition has gripped us, and we have failed to look out for others’ interests above our own. Conceit has gripped us, and we have failed to associate with and care for those who are different from ourselves. We have not treated one another as those in whom Christ dwells.


Forgive us for our offenses against You, and go on to subdue everything in us that is contrary to Your purposes. By the power of your Spirit make us a community that shows forth Your grace, kindness, truth and love. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
 
The part that has mostly been coming to my mind is the part that says "go on to subdue everything in me that is contrary to Your purposes."  It makes me happy and hopeful to know that He cares to subdue the parts of me that drive me crazy.  I know there are some out there (my mom, my husband- who really know) who'd care that that would happen sooner rather than later.  :)   ...like the part of me who is posting this (b/c I think of myself) rather than getting in the shower!  ;) 

(its only a small picture of a bigger reality.)

sweet sounds

Yesterday I could hear Peter in his room saying "Whooo-whoooo, whoo-whooo!"  He was playing with his ambulance.  Its another vehicle that he says he wants to drive.  :)  We tell him we'd be very proud.  He has already progressed from it making and "ooo" sound this past summer (I know I'll never be able to remember the difference in those written sounds).  But honestly, I'll be a little sad when he can say ambulance.  He has been SUCH a sweet, joyful boy lately.  He's been great at playing by himself (which is so helpful with Lily- esp now that she is easily distracted when I'm feeding her).  The pretend world has really opened wide in the last month or so.  He LOVES to pretend and its just great fun-  I could use more pretend in my life.  I love it.  His vocabulary & memory (that we are aware of) has opened wide too- it used to be a new word a day, now its multiple words and phrases a day.  Its amazing to think of all his mind is retaining and processing right now.  He is such a joy!

And Lily... love, love to her her sweet coos too- esp when they are simultaneous with the "whoo-whoo" sound.

Day 2

On Sunday, my dad took Mike and Peter to the hill we used to sled on as kids (6th Ave).  He got to ride on Uncle John's snow racer...

and Lily caught up on some beauty sleep....

the boy in the yellow hat

We had a super fun COUNTRY snow adventure!  We packed up on Friday and headed to the country so we could be there for the coming snow storm.  We'd always said the snow would be more fun in wide open spaces esp now that Peter can play.  So this was our perfect opportunity.  My parents were thrilled.... can you tell?! 

Adventure #1: Sledding Behind the Truck

Peter & Mike are about to be pulled thru the field...

Peter faced backwards so he wouldn't get pelted as hard. 

what a sweet face...  he was such a good sport...

Peter was pretty excited to get a ride in Paw's truck while Mike and I took a turn being pulled!

Adventure #2:  the BIG Hill

We all loaded into the truck and drove back to the new property to sled down the hill.

going up....

and this is what we looked out over after we got to the top

then I hopped on and we all 4 went down together.  It was SOOO fun!  (...my dad being the biggest kid of all.)  We only made a few runs down b/c it was freezing, it was a long haul back up with Mike carrying the tobogan, Daddy carrying Peter and me walking up.

we call her Rosy...