Merry Christmas!!

Well there has been so much going on here and still more to happen, that I though this would be a great time to catch y'all up :)

We have officially had the last day of school for the year (yea!!) and it was filled with parties and cookies and presents and all sorts of festivities. Titus had his birthday party for Jesus where he decorated cupcakes and blew out unlit candles (he is 5 after all).

Mia spent her last day painting (she was thrilled) and decorating cookies and having a wonderful last day with all her friends.

Emma watched a movie and decorated cookies and had fun with her dear friends one last time :(

Nolen ate cookies and got to have his little sis sit in class with him for awhile, thus convincing her to skip pre-k through 4th grade to go straight into Mrs. DeJongs 5th grade class. The littlest 5th grader, as we like to call her. She has Nolen and all the other 10 and 11 year -old boys wrapped around her pinky finger.

Scott had a great day and came home unable to see through all the gift bags and stuffed with all the end of the year fare. He spent the rest of the day Christmas shopping and helping to get the food gathered together for our church Christmas celebration on Sunday.

I went to class parties, subbed in Scott's class the last hour of the day, finished up most of our Christmas shopping and wrapping and took Titus to the wedding rehearsal where he is the ring-bear.

Can't wait for tomorrow :)

A hard lesson learned

This last month has been . . Lets's just say it's been eye-opening. I will back track.

Starting with the middle of September I have been sick. There have been a few days sprinkled in there of wellness, but few and far between.

And I have to say wellness with a loose translation, think Charlie Brown version of Much ado about Nothing and you will be close.

Moving on . . .

I have had 3 viruses and a bacterial sinus infection and now that I am recovered from those my body is the equivalent to Haiti in the aftermath. So now I am taking meds to recover some semblance of normalcy. Like being able to taste and smell, hear out of BOTH ears and not break out into a coughing fit at the drop of a hat. Oh, and I would love to stop "purring" as my husband calls it when I breathe. Yes, that would be nice.

Just so you don't quit reading and think this whole post is one big pity party I should probably move on (just remember this is the back track part).

I have had a lot of time to sip tea and think about what God is trying to get across to me, there has to be a point, right? I mean I'm not dead, Thus far and no farther. Like in Isaiah when The Assyrians destroyed, pillaged and plundered their way to Mt. Nob at the very edge of Isreal and God reminded them that they were merely an ax in his hand, but He wields the ax. All of this is just an ax in His hand and He is wielding it for a reason.

I realized that in the midst of the flurry of activity that is really my life I take a LOT for granted.

*Like all of my senses,

*that my husband will pick up the slack and stay out of the whirlwind when it's in motion, or get hurt.

*That doing is more important than time spent and

*that I have it all under control, all the hats are fitting and the plates are spinning beautifully

*Like sleep

Well I have realized that I was off. Way. Off.

I can now smell coffee and taste garlic. Have you ever realized how wonderful each taste and each smell are? I have relished each new pin prick that has come my way, THANKFULLY!

At one point I was so sick that Scott had to totally take over, Everything. And yes he was still working full time and coaching football. I am not the only one that can do my job. None of us are. It's a gift and I need to be thankful for it. He is an amazing husband and very patient with me and I need it. I need LOADS of patience.

It is a blessing to hug my children. Something I couldn't do for a couple days since I was so sick and contagious. At one point all I could do was sit on the couch and sip tea with them and listen since I couldn't talk at all. For days. So God taught me to listen and be thankful for them individually.

The hats fly off and the plates shatter, but that's good they are just a distraction when I should be thanking God for what I have and cherishing it while I do.

Sleep is just now rearing it's head in my life. I have been with out it for so long that I have been surprised by it's sneaking up on me. Today I woke up and said, "Scott! I didn't wake up in a coughing fit all night!" This was the first time in I don't know how long. I was so sleep deprived long before I was sick because I would take my time after everyone went to bed and finish everything up, getting me to bed way too late to be happy, healthy or productive the following day. God has brought me from square one, where I need even an hours sleep unhindered to a full night with a thankful heart.

The theme is thankfulness and it is what He calls us to be. Some of us are just more thickheaded than others and need to be given a harder taskmaster. Twice the bricks in 1/2 the time. Yowch.

Voila!

And just like that Fall is creeping on the scene and summer is behind us. Nolen, Emma and Mia are deep in the trenches and loving school. Ty has started pre-school and spends most of his days forgetting that it really is school and tells me how much he loves his new friends. Nolen is almost done with football and Scott with his first official year of coaching is thinking about next year already. Emma and Mia have figured out a system that works for piano practice and are loving it. Our house is all a flutter as we talk about think about and pray about the *new* baby. Nadia keeps telling us how she can't wait to see the baby because "it's so tinsy and tincy". The leaves are indeed changing on our street.

And with them I am reminded that there is a season for it all and each has it's own beauty and pain as well. The chill of winter with this thrill of parking your 4X4 on an embankment to "save the plowed spaced for the older people". The new life of Spring with the stark stinging winds. The sweet drip of Watermelon juice off the chin of summer and the biting pain of the first sunburn of the season. And the initial frustration of a full closet of Fall with tank tops hugging fleeces and cords to the fun of watching Single Wing while wrapped in fleece.

Lately I have been watching The Biggest Loser. The participants have eaten themselves to a place where their bodies are about to give out. They are sick and dying. The trainers are pulling them out of their graves and they are still complaining. How can someone in so much pain (overworked knees, backs, hearts, lungs) rebel so much while they are being helped? Sin is ugly. And it twists the reality that is there to the reality that we see. "Why do I have to give it up? It's not hurting anyone, right?" Wrong. When you are Christian you have been bought by too high a price to allow anything to come between you and your Savior.

A friend of mine recently contracted a case of Mersa. It went undetected. It grew. It flourished. By the time she went to the doctor there were no medications that would help, no iv antibiotics that would even touch it it had to be cut out completely. As soon as it was gone it was gone completely, no sign of it remained and the healing process was moving along faster than all thought possible.

This should be our response to sin in our lives. Repent. Run the other direction. Thank the Surgeon and leave the hospital. Is there a case of Mersa in your life? Repent and Voila!

Homemade yogurt, in the crock pot

I found this on www.passionatehomemaking.com and I am so going to try this :)

Edited on 10/5/09 to add: Since posting this I have also discovered that you can make raw yogurt on your counter top, without the use of a crock pot or yogurt maker. All you need is a starter and the super clear directions that come with it. Not only is it easier since you simply leave it on your counter top, but you also retain the benefits of the raw enzymes! You can find culture starters here.

I have tried other methods for making yogurt, but this is by far the easiest. I originally got this idea from Stephanie and use her basic recipe. Making your own yogurt is a frugal way to get some good probiotics into your family.

Here is the cost savings breakdown for us:

• Before: we would buy organic plain yogurt from Trader Joe’s: $3/quart
• Now: I make it out of our grass-fed raw milk from the farmer: $1.75/quart
• Savings = $1.25/quart x 2/week = savings of $2.50/week = savings of $130/year

Trader Joe’s is the cheapest organic yogurt you can find. The health food store sells it for $4.50/quart. For me, it is definitely worth the savings to do the five minutes of total work involved in making yogurt in the crock pot.

Crock Pot Yogurt

Recipe notes: This recipe uses a 2 quart crock. In using a 4 or 4 1/2 quart crock I found the yogurt to have a bit of a "springy" texture. I was able to alleviate this by heating the milk an additional 15 minutes for a total of 2 hours and 45 minutes.

• Turn your crock pot to low and pour in 1/2 gallon of milk.
• Heat on low for 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• Once 2 hours and 30 minutes have elapsed turn your crock pot off and unplug it. Let the milk cool in the crock with the lid on for 3 hours.
• After 3 hours remove 1-2 cups of the warmed milk and place in a bowl. To that add 1/2 cup of yogurt with live active cultures and mix very well.
• Pour the yogurt-milk mixture back into the milk and whisk thoroughly.
• Place the cover back on the crock and wrap the entire crock pot in a thick bath towel or two.
• Let it culture overnight, 8-12 hours.
• In the morning stir yogurt (if desired) and store in glass quart jars or a container of your choice.
• For optimum texture, refrigerate for at least 8 hours before using.

Non-marking soul

As I was helping Ty put his shoes on this morning I read the bottom of his shoe : Non marking sole. And I thought, " Wow, wouldn't it be horrible if we had the same type of label on us?" Let me explain...

When you weave in and out of your day and through the lines at the grocery store, latte stand and in and amongst your children and their friends what is the mark on them left by your soul? Do you leave the people you meet better than you found them, or is there no mark that you were there at all? Do you have a non marking soul? Or are you so filled with thankfulness that you leave a wave of smiles behind you? I went through a shy phase, worried that I would call someone by the wrong name that I never said a word to the children in my children's classes when I dropped mine off. Well, I decided that in the midst of my selfishness I had to stop. This is a golden opportunity to pour out the grace that has been poured into me. I want a marking soul. Now I throw out genuine "good to see you today"'s and hugs whenever I can. These children need to know they are a needed and wonderful part of the school around them.

The headmaster of their school greets every child that comes in with a "Good morning!" and he knows their names! My son did remind me that he does go home at night (good to know he doesn't think he lives at the school!). In the midst of changing and uncertain times for these children an adult that cares about them and wants them there can make a huge difference. Even the hug that you give your daughter's best friend can say more than you think. How about , "Good job making friends! She sure is a good choice!" Any extra amount of love poured in will yield great results.

We have great friends that my children have adopted at various stores that we frequent. A clerk at Costco that doesn't know the Lord will feel themselves pulled with a force unknown when a child freely speaking of their love of Jesus pours out an extra dose of love to them, completely unwarranted.

Even the full heart of your pastor after your children run up to him after the service to say, "thank you" and give him a big hug. It makes a big impact.

Call the people that help you by their names, they usually have name tags.

Be thankful, verbally.

Love your children's friends, especially if it's a friend well made. One that is a true friend to your child.

Pray for grace and for God to open up your eyes to opportunities every day for God to give you a marking soul.

Pray for a hurricane

Time to get uncomfortable. There is nowhere in the entire Bible where God says to his people whom He created and loves dearly, that he wants us to me nice and comfy-cozy. Or most importantly that in that state we would EVER be serving Him as we ought. The last few months have been swimming with the theme BE UNCOMFORTABLE . Each morning of my life i wake up with a plan in my brain of how I want the day to go and just as quickly that plan is ruined. By either my own lack of foresight or the sinners I live with. The goal is to wake up saying , "Ok, God! What's on the agenda for today. Make me ready!" and then move forward with a song in my heart.

I have slowly (how long have I been a Christian!?!?) been choosing to be uncomfortable to put what I believe on my feet.

Do I love Jesus? OK love widows and orphans. Find them, seek them out before they seek me. Be perceptive.

Do I love Jesus? Submit lovingly, thoughtfully and intelligently to my husband whom I WANT to lead me and to make the TOUGH choices for my family. And be thankful when he gets uncomfortable and does it. Even with the coaches who think it's manly to refer to the wife I just want to get away from.

Do I love Jesus enough to fill my coveted spare time intentionally serving Him? Make a call rather than make a cup of coffee. Go to a Bible study where I am stretched and encouraged to grow rather than staying in my comfy clothes at home.

Every time I get uncomfortable I am rewarded and right afterwards I forget and am reluctant to do it again. The flesh is weak and the memory is weaker. We are called on again and again in the Old Testament to remember the good that God has done and to tell our children. God is faithful to hold us and sustain us even in the hurricane.

Pray for a hurricane. Sometimes we need it more than calm.

Commencement, Calling and Courage by Scott Welch

Here is the amazing commencement address given for the 5 young men graduating from the River Academy in 2010 by my wonderful husband. Ponder and enjoy :)

Today I want to talk about words. Language is a funny thing. The English language started somewhere between Germany and Rome. It visited the land of the Anglo-Saxons and eventually made its way to the British Isles. It has seen its battles and has its wounds and scars. And though, like real life, the evolution of language never breaks the species barrier…it does evolve. One of the things that we have seen even during our lifetimes is how words lose and change their meaning. How about couple examples…Ladies, have you ever gotten a permanent? Where is it now? Have you ever seen a jumbo shrimp?

Words change.

Being somewhat of a language buff myself. I never like to see the old, good words disappear to make way for words like: Pwned, schooled, punked, wikied, googled. So today I would like to talk about 3 very important words that have lost their meaning. Three words that I believe need to be remembered, three words that I think need to be remembered specifically by men. On that note, we have five young men graduating today. This speech was written with that in mind. So…three words.

Commencement, Calling, and Courage:

1) Commencement – In the dictionary, Graduation and Commencement are Synonyms. Strangely enough, they mean the exact opposite of one another. Graduation means to complete a course of study and to be given a diploma. But commencement means to begin something. Literally, today is the beginning of the rest of your life. You have been told where to go and what to do for the last 18 years, though with increasing freedom and responsibility over the years. But now you can choose where to go and what to do with your life. Of course, being wise young men, you get direction from your parents, and the godly people in your life, but you are in charge of your own life now.

Which leads me to my next word…

2) Calling - Here is the question that too few men are ever asked. It is this question…What is going to be the guiding principle for the rest of your life? Will it be the search for the American Dream? Lots of money, a nice car, big screen TV. Or will you use this new beginning to plan how you are going to best impact the Kingdom of God? This world needs young men like you. Young men that have been educated well, raised well by their parents, have a good head on their shoulders, who care about the needs of others.

We need you guys to be the leaders of other men. We need more men who are more concerned about their relationship with God, than they are about how cute they look in girl pants. Men who will step up, man up, and live lives that advance the Kingdom in a mighty way. My encouragement to you is this: Use this day, this day of commencement, to plan how you can be leaders in the Kingdom of God in such a way the other men follow you. Whether you become a Doctor, Director of Human Affairs, Hydro-mechanic, Electrician, Teacher, or whatever else you do, you can, like each of your fathers have, use your calling to give honor to God and be a leader.

Everyone dies, No getting around that. And on that day everyone will look back on the days of their lives and ask…did I waste it? Men, choose today to live the sort of life that you will be able to, like Paul, say to Timothy say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” And then Dan, Connor, Andrew, Troy, and Nate, then, there is laid up for you, like there was for Paul, a crown of righteousness.

So now for our last word whose meaning has been lost…Courage.

3.Courage – We live safe lives in the 21^st Century. We are careful not to rock the boat. We are leery of pushing buttons. We are careful not to exhort one another or they might be offended. Men, We need to stop being safe. Being a Christian must be risky or it isn’t being a Christian. We need to be reckless with how we serve the body of Christ. Do not be fooled…A life truly lived for the glory of God will be a life of sacrifice and persecution and courage. The world needs men like you, but at the same time, the world never stands for men like you. Ask Jesus, “In this world you will have persecution, but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world. Paul was beaten, stoned, left for dead, chased, and ultimately killed for Christ. In the book of Acts, Stephen preached one of the greatest sermons ever preached and was stoned to death. And Jesus stood to receive him. That is a life of courage. I don’t expect that will happen to any of you in modern America. But live in such a way that no one would be surprised if it did. Live in such a way that, like Paul, you see your life as Christ and your death is gain. And that takes courage.

I want to finish with a few words to each of you as you are sent out into the world:

Dan, how it is possible that you are 6 feet tall and still the shortest in your class, I don’t understand. But, at least you’re taller than me, that probably worth something. You always play at about 110%. I love that about you. And you know what, Dan, you might not have won all the awards and scholarships, but I tell you this…you are honestly one of the hardest working young men I have ever met. And I mean that. You’ve succeeded at times when mortal men would have accepted failure. And you have lived up to the Aumell name. And that is a great accomplishment.

Troy, I never got a chance to play you in tennis, so we can just assume that I probably would have won. The fact that people say I look like Andre Agassi might have helped me. Since I have known you, you have always been wise beyond your years, except maybe the Pokémon stage of your life. You were always the quiet one. But videos have been leaked to prove that you are not always as reserved as you seem. Your parents have raised you to be a Godly young man, and I know you make them proud.

Nathan, my expert witness and pre-trial attorney. Being the youngest in the class, you had a lot to live up to. You have grown a lot over the last couple years, spiritually and physically, and you have brought something needed to your class. Your views on church got me thinking but your views on how many analogies to put in one paper…not so much. Don’t despise your own youth, you have plenty of time to get life all figured out. And when you get life all figured out, please tell the rest of us.

Andrew, I have gotten a lot out of our time playing rugby. Especially the black eye and the busted jaw. But on top of that, you are one of the most accomplished young men I know. You always bring your A Game … in more than just rugby, but no one ever knows because you are of the most humble young me I know. You came to my son’s football game to cheer him on. He will never forget that. But more than that…you have had that impact on tons of kids at The River Academy. You are a man among men and I hope the young men left at the high school were paying attention to your example.

Connor, A lot of girls are very sad today that you are graduating. Of course I am talking about the 3^rd grade girls at the River Academy. Your sense of humor has made this last year such a hoot. You are a leader and everyone knows it. You care about other people and make a point of making sure everyone is included. The first Walsh to graduate. I am sure your mom is out in the crowd crying right now. But they are happy tears. Cause she and your father have raised you well.

Class of 2010, Men. You boys are a breath of fresh air. I can’t tell you how proud I am of you guys. Congratulations.

home stretch!

We are officially on the home stretch at the Welch house. School is almost up for the year and we are leaving for Florida right after that, so it is indeed upon us. Nolen has graduated to father's independent right hand man. He is big enough and strong enough to mow the lawn by himself without us lording over him and he has even procured a summer mowing job with our neighbor! He will be making money! For all of his favorite things like duct tape and air soft what-nots. Emma is growing up so fast that I am often wondering where my little girl went! She LOVES her people and will be your biggest ally, unless the dispute is within her family an then she is the peacemaker. She has spearheaded the campaign to free the girls room from the fetters of the bunk bed and has succeeded. The beds are separated and there is a sweet little desk between them and she is in heaven. Now to paint, tear up the carpet and paint the floor, and get new bedding, but that too will come with time. Mia is also in a state of bliss over the decimation of the bunk system and every night exclaims "I love my *new* bed!" Her bed actually never moved, it's just missing it's top. Too cute. She just finished researching river otters for a school report that she's writing up and giving to the grandma's and grandpa's for Grandparents Day. She loves school and all her class mates and the prospect of summer both excites and sadden's her intermittently. The prospect of a huge old slip and slid at grandma's in Florida does console her, though. Titus is finished with his first year of BSF and only has 2 more weeks left of bible study. He has matured sooo much over this year that I can't believe it. We have prayed this boy from Tasmanian devil to Knight in shining armor. He loves cars and especially car tracks and has perfected the art of their construction always dreaming of new ones. Now he's hoping to find one where the cars jump off a jump into a dinosaurs mouth. Anyone? He and I have had some great conversations about sin and death and how to help Nadia and protect her (she is definitely his test subject). Nadia is growing into a little lady and I know when we go down to Florida she will keep everyone in stitches with her silly sayings and dances. If we have just the right hoppin' music in the car she begins to swing her bent arms back and forth and dance with a BIG smile on her face. She and Ty have had some hilarious conversations in the back seat. I need to post some, I'll keep my ears open. Her siblings are wrapped securely around her little pinky finger and believe it or not, ESPECIALLY Nolen! When he comes home she runs to him shouting, "Nolie! You'z home!" and he searches her out for those sweet little 2 year old hugs.

With the lure of Florida in the distance we are pushing on to finish strong. The school year's not over and there are still tests to take and papers to write and lunches to make and we still need to be up by the crack of Dawn. God is good and we are still running the race and fighting the good fight, for another couple weeks.

Love this :)

This picture is so perfect for my girls :) I love the white painted floor and the floral carpet and the robins egg blue walls and the petite little night stand and the peaches and cream bedding, all the wonderful pillows and the gauzy curtains with the vintage door knobs as hooks :) Even the notebook on the floor with a pencil reminds me of Emma, always writing. to change what we have to this would involve paint and lots of it as well as *new* bedding. We have a desk that we could paint cream . .. hmmm . .. And the cute rug! Where would I find it? Just thinking out loud. Suggestions?

My Mothers day Lesson

Today was that day. The day I have prepared for every year for 11 years. Mothers Day. I have meticulously planned and prepared and readied my home and each and every year.

Only. To. Be. Disappointed.

And it was all my fault. I had no faith in my amazing husband to pull off one day with out my hands in it. In my children to Love me and Shower me in thanks with out my direction. Like a director I put everything on the stage and then placed the actors in their positions with the script in their hands and with HIGH expectations required Oscar winning performances. "Why?" I would ask myself. "Can other families make mothers day special without their mothers telling them what to do?"

So this year I decided to have no expectations and just see what would happen. I didn't take my children to make flower pots for me at Big R, like I usually do or go to help them pick out cards for me or any of it.

I just woke up.

Sunday morning I woke to a QUIET house. This alone bizarre and strange and even slightly spectroesque. I walked down stairs, opened the blinds ~ truck, hubby and Emma gone. hmmmmm....

The other 4 were still asleep so I hunkered down on the couch to wait :) Emma rushed in the door with a big smile and a bright yellow bouquet of flowers! (yea #1) Hubby was following right behind her with my grande caramel macchiatto. (yea #2) Emma then went to rouse Nolen, Ty, Mia and Nadia for the present opening! They all made me cards and Nolen even made me a beaded bookmark for my Bible :) Their thoughts were so kind. They all made me swear not to lift a finger for the rest of the day. Then there was a town hall meeting (that I was not allowed to be a part of) to solidify the plans for the day. We all jumped in the car in our church clothes and headed out. We ended up at one of my favorite places, Apple Annies a massive antique store that is bigger than Target, and has a 50's diner inside. We looked around for a couple of house and ohhed and Awwwed over all of the great bits of Amaricana then headed over to get something to eat. Nolen and Emma were insistent on buying us all fun drinks so we got to try something more 50's ish for a change. We had huge burgers and laughed and took tons of pictures :)

Next we headed to Leavenworth for a day of exploring the Bavarian shops. We tried on hats at the hat shop. We examined all of the toys in the toy store. We scrutinized the bikes in the bike shop for one to fit Nadia and Mia. The girls and I breezed through the Kitchen shop and then we walked down to Blackbird Island for a nature walk. We walked around most of the island and landed at a small old fashioned playground hidden in a small glade. It was one of the warmest days we've had so far (70*) and it was sunny. Scott started a rousing game of throw the stones into the puddle (amazingly enough it had rules). The children played Pooh Sticks on the bridge and Emma created a game for us to play on the various stumps that consisted of us all pretending to be statues and with various rules and such :) Nolen tried to spear a fish with his walking stick, the fish laughed. My children had so much fun together playing and laughing, creating memories the will last forever. Not contrived, but real. I was walking with them all at various times during the day and we all talked and walked holding hands. They showered me with love and affection and I was PRESENT with them rather than directing them. We then headed home and after a few stops got home at 7ish tired and happy. My tank was full to over flowing and I didn't have to plan anything. Today was favorite.

Lesson Learned.

The state of your counters

There are so many wonderful things about a clean house and ESPECIALLY a clean and managed kitchen. This one is filled with all sorts of sweet treats and beautiful things that are both needed and glorious. Jars filled with coffee, beans and flour. How thorough is that? Cutting boards Espresso machine, springy towel ~ All the things needed to run a a home cheerfully with your family in mind :) What do you have on your counters? Are your counters piled high with dirty dishes or food that needs a home or papers from school or things that just need to be thrown away or put away? Mine are, and I also have the Vita-mix to think about. I love having it and would love to use it more, so I keep it out. Because, frankly if I leave it in the cabinet I will readily forget about it and then one day proclaim, "Oh! Yea, the Vita-mix!" Then It becomes a new day :) *sigh* I once heard in a sermon the preacher proclaim that the state of your room reflects the state of your heart. Then as a side thought say, " Now I know all of you stay-at-home-moms with preschoolers will want to immediately run home and clean your rooms, but this is not for you. " I can say that the state of your kitchen does reflect how you're doing. It does me. I LOVE the look of bare clean counters, but wonder why mine are always full and crum-filled. Each day is new and there is grace to start again. So I'm off to clear the counters and fill them with what will bless me as well as my family, sweet, beautiful and useful hopefully they will stay that way for longer than a day :)

Come to this amazing event :)

CHORAL EVENSONG

April 17, 2010, 7PM

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Grace Lutheran Church

1408 Washington St.

Wenatchee, WA

7pm

Join us for

Evensong as the joint

choirs of Trinity Reformed

Church, Moscow, ID and

Trinity Church, Wenatchee,

WA sing works by Thomas

Tomkins, James McMillen,

and Herbert Howells

accompanied by Erich Knapp,

organist.

Meet the choristers and

others from the community at

a Light Reception immediately

following the service

Twins for the day :)

My dear daughters were waiting for this day for a long time :) They talked and talked about how on Easter they would be twins for the day!! Everything had to be the same, dress, sweater, tights, shoes, hair, clippies the whole nine yards. They hoped people would forget they were 2 years apart (almost exactly) and think they were twins, not be able to tell them apart. They were gorgeous and it was a sweet and joyful day. They hunted for eggs and shouted at the top of their lungs, "HE IS RISEN INDEED!". They were mixed up almost every time and they had huge smiles and knowing glances were shot back and forth to each other all morning and afternoon. I loved it, too. I always wished that I had a sister that I was so close to , who could dress the same and confuse people. I always wanted a twin, truth be told ( and curly red hair and blazing green eyes, but that's another story :). Another sweet day for the memory. God is good.

Can't wait for these days!

Nolen and Mia at our favorite spot in Wenatchee. Pleanty for sand soft grass, water and a beautiful view of East Wenatchee across the river :)

Mr. Ty puffed up and feelin' manly

Emma is trying to grow her hair out, but amybe I can convince her to get it this short again. I just love little girls with cute pixie cuts :)

The weather is finally moving out of the realm of freezing and into nice yet untrustworthy. Last week it rained like there was no tomorrow, then it warmed up the sun cam out and it was one of the best days we've had in a long time. It did snow on Easter, but only a few flakes that didn't stick. Fleeces with Easter dresses?! Wrong . . .

I have been reading a great book on the Christian home and making it a place of respit and repose for your family as well as a ministry tool to your friends and neighborhood. Some of my favorite parts so far:

p.8 ". . .can't (our homes) be places where our children feel as though they're in another world where dreams and hard facts are celebrated? Who wants to be normal? Everyone else is normal. This knid of different is good."

p.9 " The hour glass has been upended. You have one chance at this... the message here is not shame and blame. But it is urgency. Focus. Purposefulness. Intentionality. Care.

p. 10 In a grace-filled Christian home there is salvation. There is frogiveness. There is hope. Genuine happiness. There is purpose there. Powere there - for parents as well as children. This kind of grace affects everything that goes on inside this home.

p. 15 "Culture friendly" can't be on our family's priority list. That builds nothing in our homes and takes us nowhere. "Different" schould be on that list.

p. 53 The most important people in your world come through thah door and when they 're inside your home, it's your job to surround them with love.

p.56 And remember you goal as a parent isn't perfection. It's transparency.

p.63 This parenting thing is serious business, and there's no one on Earth in a better position - or better qualified than you nad me to do it right.

Pre-Valentines date

Hubby and I went out with some wonderful and hilarious friends last weekend and had so much fun. Scott and Corey solved all the worlds problems (and in one night, too!) and Noelle and I shopped :) I came away with a book by Thomas a Kempis (SIGH), it had to be a book, right? It is great, a bit too convicing and evcouraging to be bought on a date night, but oh well. We went up to Leavenworth and had dinner at Visconti's. It was really relaxing, and I found myself wondering how much we were missing out on by not inviting more of our friends out on double dates with us .. .

Mia, Ty and Nadia

Mia Elaine at her BEST!

Sweet Nadia

She just loves this kitty shirt. It looks a lot better outside in this picture then it does in reality. She loves to stand on the window bench and look out the window for puppies at the park across the street. When she actually see's one she gets REALLY excited :)

Here's Ty with his Big Thumbs Up (or BTU as Scott calls it.)

Our 2010 started out pretty slow. We have been really healthy (except for a few sick days for hubby) and have been deep in the trenches of Mock Trial season. This simply put means we don't see Scott as much, and I spend a lot more time at the school picking the children up.
Nadia and Ty have become such great buddies lately and can't bare to be separated. Each Wednesday and Thursday morning we go to a bible study and afterwards when I pick them up from their classes it's like a big family reunion! With shouts of, " Titus!!" and "Nadia!! I missed you!!". You'd think they never saw each other, rather that just a mere 2 hour separation. It honestly brings tears of joy to my eyes every time. It really is nice to know that your children really do love each other :)
Nolen, Emma and Mia are plugging away at school. Time is here to gear up for the Elementary speech meet. So we've been choosing between poems, scriptures and fables. Emma always wants to do the poem that Nolen did last year, which she does well, but each year we try to get her to be excited about something else (to no avail). Why ruin a good thing, eh?
The top picture of Mia is so her! She is always the one to bring that spontaneous smile to our gloomy days and is always ready with the big hug to cheer you up. She will be the one volunteering to help no matter what the problem is :) Love that sweet girl!