A Warm Up...

It was 57 degrees today!   It felt springlike!   We wasted no time getting outside.   I love that the girls pack up their babies, blankets and books and head to the cul-de-sac on their bikes  and pretend they are at the park for the afternoon.  After baths tonight,  Mia said, "I wish I would have asked Santa for a remote control that  you could hit a button and replay the day."   These are memories in the making!  
By the way….tomorrows high 41 and windy, followed by a high on tuesday of 21 degrees.    This has been a VERY long cold winter!

The Tooth Fairy Visits….AGAIN

Ansley's new smile!   She looses teeth in spurts!  She loves keeping the Tooth Fairy busy!

Another Snow Day, 1-22-14

It was well spent studying spelling words, reading and making out Valentine's.   I am so ready for a warm up!

Mia Turns 100

Mia dressed up on Monday to celebrate the 100th day of school! She looked pretty cute as a little old lady!

The Thome's Visit

It was so fun seeing Rita, JT, Lily and John last weekend.  We went to lunch, went shopping and then played outside!  The kids let me sneak a few pictures!   

Flat Stanley's Tour of Nashville

Natalie Nenne sent flat Stanley to us!  Here is a snippet of everything we did with him today!   I think he had lots of fun!   There is so much to see in Nashville!

Swim Practice

The girls continue to love swim.   They are learning so much!   At the end of 45 minutes of lap practice they get to swing on the rope!  FUN!!!

Miss Mia

She loves her hair can fit in a pony again!  She also loves her Alabama shirt!

My girls just might be jewelry designers when they group up!   Look at these beauties!

Mr. Tanen's Tie Trouble

Choosing which tie to wear

The 2nd Graders at JAE just finished a story about a principal that had 1000 ties.   They all wore ties on Friday!  What a darling group of kids!

We LOVE Books!

Aunt Mis' letter that se sent with the books!

Pure Joy!

What a great surprise to receive a box of books from Aunt Missie!  We love you and are so thankful you foster our love of reading!

Outdoor Fun!

Last Weekend the girls had so much fun learning to shoot a bb gun!   I think S. had just as much fun showing them how…...

Grandpa and Kim send Christmas

Thank you Grandpa and Kim for sending so much love to us for Christmas!  We can't wait to see in you a few weeks!  Love you!

Thinking Out Loud….

First of all, there are no pictures to this post.    I just want to take a moment to pause and think out loud.   My family is tucked in bed and snoozing.  Tomorrow we head back to school after an extended winter break.  As I type this, I am overwhelmed with thankfulness.   I am thankful for lazy days, hot cocoa, fully tummies, hearts full of love, a warm home, working cars, a schedule about to resume…..the list goes on and on.   

There is never a moment where I don't feel God's presence in my life.   It may be in a sunset, a friend's hug, Mia's silly drama, Ansley's thoughtful words, S. holding my hand or a gentle gesture, the voice of my parents, my sister's encouragement……the list goes on.

I am sometimes challenged in wanting God to "do something" that I have been waiting/praying over.  This week I have been reminded with words from my devotional that time is a trainer to wait upon His perfect timing.   I embrace this as I move into 2014.   Sometimes I struggle knowing God has the answer to every Earthly problem, frustration, aggravation, being unmotivated and I want an answer or "something done" to solve the immediate problem.

I am again reminded to live by Emilie's words, "Sheila, God doesn't make mistakes."   I am growing in my faith and patience that God does have the solution to every worldly problem, but waiting on Him is really the solution.  In the process of waiting, I find myself seeking truth from the Bible, surrounding myself with friends that follow Jesus, and just continue to grow in knowing our amazing God.   I am beginning to understand that this process is exactly where  God needs me to be.   So tonight, I am headed to bed way too late, (I am sure I will be on my school schedule tomorrow night) with not a clear understanding of this world, but an incredible peace that only God can provide.  

Snow Day

The storm that is pounding the midwest has clipped middle Tennessee.  We have an extended winter break due to cold temperatures and some freezing rain and snow.   At 7:30 p.m. the snow was falling and the girls wanted to get out and play in it.   There was a dusting and frigid wind whipping through the back yard.   They had a ball!   How much longer 'til summer?    I think I can honestly say I am ready to be back on a schedule and have my brain work again!