Blessings 389 - 394

389. Claudia's fabulous piano teacher, who sent me these adorable pics of her at her piano lesson yesterday.


390. Claudia's love for piano.


391. Her dedication, too. "It's hard, but I really like it."


392. Listening to her practicing her contest pieces, "Feelin Happy" and "The Magic Man."


393. Her cute head in that hat.


393. Her cute feet in those shoes.


394. Her cute self. Getting bigger all the time, but she reminds me she's still a child (albeit a heavy one) by jumping on me whenever I am expecting just a hug.

Blessings 386 - 388

386. My creative girl.


387. Time to make this birdie with her for new little cousin, Marley.


388. We will have another bebe to make things for this August - my sis is preggers with her first!!!

Blessings 382 - 385

382 - 385. These pics of kids having fun with Grandpa and Grandma.

Blessings 376 - 381

376. Sam cries. A lot. Now, this is NOT a blessing in and of itself, but the blessing part is that he has NOTHING better to cry about than, and I quote, "I wanted to eat that snot," after I have wiped his nose.


377. Or, "I WANT a poopy diaper on!!!"


378. Or, "Why does Daddy not like EGGS??!!!???"


379. Or, "Those are MY books! I don't want you to read MY books!!!!"


380. Or, "I don't want to hold this box! It is hurting me! No, don't drop it on the GROOOUUUUND!!! Now it's all DIRRRRRTYYYY!!!"


381. And, not to be left out since I hear it 46 times a day, "I want the iPaaaaaddddd!!!!!" What 3 year old needs to be in the HABIT of playing on the iPad?!!! Plenty, I know. And sadly, mine included.

Blessings 370 - 375

370. Jake will get 5 days of alone time with Nana and Papa, starting today. He's going up to my parents' cabin early with them and my two awesome and fun and snowmobile-y cousins. So happy for him. He's had his bag packed for over a week. Love that kid.


371. Sam's sweet voice asking, "Do you want to change a dirty diaper?"


372. Ability to hire a cleaning lady to start this week.


373. Tim Horton's drive-thru.


374. Jake's huge, toothless grin when he saw I was here this morning (after I was out last night w Ed).


375. My mother-in-law's shopping talents - she always has a big bag of goods from Macy's for us! All 75% off, of course - even better!

375 -376

375. Grandpa


376. And Sam was even generous w his hugs today.

Blessings 359 - 369

359. Sam's stories. He doesn't like to be outdone by his siblings when I'm interested in their stories, so today... "Mommy, once I was swimming like this [frantic paddling motions - also love how he acts everything out]. And I was under the water and a shark bit me! And I...[pause while he looks around for inspiration]...got my tool [mini pliers] and did this [violent fighting moves], and he was killed."

360. Claudia got to go on a Daddy -daughter day to see The Blue Man Group today!


361. Jake got to go to Molly's birthday party on his own today. He didn't even mention that he was the only boy there. Love that gender blindness!

362. I am at a Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert concert right now!!!


363. With my husband!!!


364. Miranda in all her gunpowder and lead glory.


365. Dierks' new song, "I hold on." Love.


366. BSF Fellowship today that I was unexpectedly able to attend.


367. A willing sitter.


368. Answered prayers.


369. Hearing stories of Gods amazing timing and trusting in His plan.

Blessings 352-356

352. Babysitting a sweet baby.


353. And babysitting another sweet baby!

354. Seeing my kids love on these babies.


355. Claudia journaling all of their movements and murmurs.


356. Jealous Sam fighting for camera time.

Blessing 351

351. This Birthday Boy.

Blessing 350

350. Seeing Sam play with his new play-doh in his new swimsuit this morning.

Blessings 347 - 349

347. Gym membership = free haircuts.


348. Sam sat super nicely for the hair stylist.


349. Now his hair doesn't look like his mom cuts it. I don't know why I thought I could do that for so long.

Blessing 346

346. How could I forget to document these? From Ed before we left this weekend.

Blessing 345

345. Woke up to find this picture sent from my mom last night...

Blessing 344

344. Can't wait to see this face tomorrow.

Blessings 331-343

331. Quiet this morning.


332. Coffee during quiet.


333. Ed left for work at TC's hospital. I'm left to myself in hotel room.


334. Had hot tub all to myself in pool room while I read my current murder mystery.


335. Time to catch up on a few tasks on my computer.


336. Ed came and picked me up and brought me to TJ Maxx this afternoon.


337. Lots of good finds at TJ Maxx.


338. Had a gift card I'd been saving. Came in very handy today.


339. Time to get last items needed for Sam's party on Sunday.


340. Wow, my mood has done a 180 degree turn. Thank you, God.


341. Evening out with my husband.


342. Saw a really good love story involving two crazy people who turned out great for each other.


343. During the movie, Ed leans over and whispers, "We should take dancing lessons." NO JOKE. THIS REALLY HAPPENED.

Blessings 308-330

308. Since pledging to listen to only Christian music for a time, I have been so blessed. It seems that all the songs I hear are about forgiveness or God never leaving me or trusting in Him. I have fallen in love with 91.3!


309. Case in point: "Losing" by Tenth Avenue North. Love it. Listen to it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MX0cmUj4hvw


310. And not to forget TobyMac "Forgiveness." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfkhqpl81NA


311. Claudia helped Jake write out ALL of his Valentines for his class. He wrote them - she helped him with all the names.


312. Seeing my kids so excited about little messages of love delivered via Star Wars, the Avengers, and the Brave princess.


313. Moms who helped plan the Valentine's Day parties in my kids' Thursday School classes.


314. Moms who sent treats with their kids to pass out.


315. Claudia playing "Climb Every Mountain" on the piano.


316. Seeing Sam lost in a game of make-believe with his favorite toys of the moment -- 2 AutoBots/Transformers.


317. Lots of prayers from people as Ed and I get ready to go away for the weekend together.


318. Forever friends.


319. Mom came to North Muskegon to get kids after Thursday school today. Ed got home early from work, so he was able to bring them to her while I finished packing us up.


320. not having to deal with Screaming Sam for a few days.


321. Wise and encouraging parents who really love Ed even when...well...


322. As I head off to this weekend, I'm not too excited, but I am remembering the lesson I taught my Sunday School kids this week. We are trying to live like Jesus during Lent, and the challenge this week is to LOVE those who are hard to love.


323. Ed and I drove up to Traverse City this evening. We talked the ENTIRE way. A really good conversation led by a book I had brought along.


324. The two chapters we picked in the book were so very applicable and important for us to read and talk about.


325. FUN dinner out with Ed. Wings and beer. And yes, this was my choice.


326. Ed saying that since YESTERDAY, now he thinks we're going to be OK.


327. I've gotten (a tiny bit) used to these maddening and sudden turns of events in Ed's stubborn head. :)


328. I still love him.


329. Our hotel sells Ben and Jerry's.


330. Got to watch a favorite TV show in bed with aforementioned ice cream.

Blessings 304-307

304. Sam is over his fever.


305. Kids all slept through the night last night.


306. I slept through the night.


307. A new day.

Blessings 288-303

288. Fun with my sister over the weekend.


289. Fun with my daughter.


290. Boys enjoyed a monster truck rally with Ed over the weekend.


291. Conversation that ended with a hug from Ed.


292. An offer from my cousin to photograph the kids.


293. Adorable clothes I found for the kids on sale at a fancy-pants kids store.


294. Kids all slept through the night last night - it's been a while.


295. A successful craft day with my mom, sis, Claudia.


296. My Dad and Ed had a good talk.


297. Sweet hug at church.


298. Sweet kids at church.


299. Unexpected and caring invite at church.


300. Chance to go away with Ed for a few nights this weekend.


301. Parents' offer to watch kids.


302. Switched an important appointment easily yesterday.


303. 1 1/2 leftover donuts for me this morning before the kids wake up, enjoyed with delicious hot coffee in a quiet house.

Blessings 282-287

282. This conversation while bringing the kids to Thursday School.

Sam: I watched a scary movie with Daddy and I liked it.

me: You did? What kind of scary movie?

Sam: a pirate one.

Jake: No, he didn't. Mom, did he?

me: Where, Sammy, at home?

Sam: no, at a movie theater. Then we came home and watched another movie with popcorn and candy in it.

Jake: OK, now I know he's lying.

Sam: I not lying!

Jake: Okay, what's the name of the guy that never dies?

Sam: Jesus.


283. Safety on the roads.


284. A respite from Sam's whining for about 2 hours.


285. Friend could watch Claudia and Jake after Thursday school.


286. Found a sitter for Sam during appt.


287. Saw 4 deer in our yard while getting eating breakfast.

Blessings 275-281

275. All 3 kids were up during the night for different reasons. Poor Sammy, 3 times, because of a fever and he kept wanting me to sleep with him. Rough night. Thankfully, Jake took care of Sam this morning so I got to sleep in until 8.


276. Claudia: Mommy, I just wanted to thank you again for helping me last night.


277. Reading Peter Pan with Claudia and Jake, and hearing them laugh and ask for one more chapter.


278. An encouraging phonecall.


279. Another encouraging phonecall.


280. Generosity of my mom, driving all the way here to pick up Claudia, then Jake, too.


281. Early bedtime for Sam.

Blessings 271-274

271. Day at my parents' house.


272. Mom who takes kids out to play in the snow.


273. Ice skating.


274. Claudia admiring the sparkling snow.

Blessings 267-270

267. Feeling sorry for myself this morning, ready to take some matters into my own hands and stand up for myself, this is the first Bible passage I was led to in my BSF quiet time:

Romans 12:1, 2 -- Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

So scratch the thoughts I had in my own feeble little mind. I'm encouraged to be obedient and seek the Lord's will in this.


268. It's 7:29am. My Sunday School lesson is learned. I got to start my blog for the day. I did my BSF. The first of my sleeping children just appeared, and he's one who can fend for himself while I go take a shower. Thankful for all this personal time this morning!


269. Nap today while Ed played outside with the kids.


270. Laughter at super bowl commercials (Nothing beats an astronaut one was my fave.)

Blessings 254-266

254. Saturday morning cartoons. (Who am I kidding, every morning cartoons, but at least on Saturday I don't feel guilty letting them watch more...)


255. The view out my back windows. Love the snowy branches, all the trees, the swing set.


256. Looking forward to some time to myself this afternoon.


257. Hearing from my parents about the street in Mexico that they and others from their church "transformed" by building 3 new houses this week in God's name.


258. My parents' safety during their trip.


259. The emotion in my Mom's voice as she told me about the people she met, the kids she played with, the hope that was shared during her experience in Mexico.


260. Time with my kids this morning spent cleaning their rooms. Really, it actually was fun.


261. Delicioso Creamy Wild Rice Soup - this time, it actually tasted like when my friend made it for me.


262. Kisses from Sam. Those little lips are irresistible.


263. Sam's cheeks. Also irresistible.


264. Ed played outside with the kids in the snow all afternoon.


265. Sweet friends we haven't seen in far too long watched the kids this evening so Ed and I could go out and talk...


266. I'm reminded that God provides.

Blessings 237-253

237. Kids got to see Ed before they went to bed tonight. He returned safely from Vegas just as the kids and I were watching our movie night selection.


238. Good cuddles with my kids during movie night.


239. Spanky's breadsticks from Fremont. Mmmm...


240. Claudia played in a mini-recital today. Perfectly! So proud of her!


241. And, she had a great piano lesson. Her teacher had lots of good things to sa

242. Claudia's bright eyes.


243. Her beaming smile.


244. Her cackle.


245. Boys sat super nicely during the whole recital.


246. Time during Claudia's lesson to take the boys to the Fremont Library and read books. Jake and I even found a Nate the Great that he hadn't read.


247. Sam found two construction books on his own that are what kept him occupied during the recital.


248. No accidents from Sam while out and about all afternoon. He used the potty so nicely. Good thing bc I had not brought any extra pants! How my preparedness has changed from child #1 to #3!


249. Seeing Sam and his cute winter get-up following behind me while I shoveled the driveway.


250. Hearing Jake read another new book this morning.


251. Overhearing Claudia helping Jake with his math while I was on the phone.


252. Snowy windowpanes.


253. Sam did not fall asleep on the way to Fremont or home from Fremont today! (I thought that would mean he would go right to bed at 8, but he still stayed up until 10 and kept coming down to my room whispering, "Mom. I have to toww you som-fing.") But the blessing of that was his non-stop chatter home from Fremont today while the other kids listened to Holes in the back of the van. Let me see if I can remember some of his chatter...

"Once I was snowmobiling with Daddy and the snow got on my face. But then it got warm and melted down my face and into my tummy because my tummy was warm. I found some green snow outside. It had broccoli in it and I don't like broccoli. It was yucky. And it had fish in it. Yuck! I like seaweed. Frankie doesn't like seaweed. Wuska (Saskia) gave her seaweed but Frankie didn't like it. I love Papa's big boat. I had my blankie on Papa's boat! It has beds, and chairs, and a potty, and a kitchen. I like Papa's cabin, too. It's bigger than my blankie! I told you three stories, Mom! Yeah, I being nice. I not crying!"