Babies, Brownies and Blessings

I've had a lot of random thoughts going through my head the last few days. None of them exciting enough for a posting of their own so here's a little goodie-bag of reflections. Last night I went to a NORWEX party. I want everything in the catalog! I had to settle on a few things to start but I'm pretty sure I'll do a party. More info to follow... Claire had her 4 MONTH appointment today. She's by far my smallest baby coming in at 14lb, 4oz and 24 1/4 in long. I've found I enjoy her petiteness. I'm able to hold her so much longer because she doesn't weigh a ton like her brothers did at this age! There are a few things I'd really love to get for my living room still. Lately the damask pattern has been appealing to my eye. I think I'm going to look for a floor lamp with a damask lamp shade. Our table lamps need new shades, too. I'm leaning towards a deep red... Sam has started to express his frustration in earnest as of late. Yeste...

Ahhh...what an amazing weekend! It was everything I'd hoped it would be from beginning to end. And the kids did great which made my time away that much more relaxing. I didn't tried not to text Mom too much to see what was going on and how the kids were doing and was grateful that everytime her response was positive. I got to enjoy my husband more than I have in years! And I think he enjoyed enjoying me, too. :) Here we are getting ready to leave for the weekend. Doesn't Bri look awesome? And I wasn't kidding about the hot  dress , isn't that fun?? I got some great compliments on it and I loved feeling like a woman and not just a mom . (I didn't even dare pick Claire up to say goodbye because I would've been doused with spit-up for sure.) We left the kids in the loving, capable hands of Bri's sister, Colleen, and were on our way (Mom was on her way from Roseau so she didn't arrive until after 9pm). We had tickets to a special showing of Tripl...

Today is the day I've been waiting for. For months! Bri and I are packing up and heading out for 2 whole nights. ALONE! Uncle Jason and Auntie Kini will watch the kids until Mom gets here late tonight. Mom will be here with the kids the next two night so I know they're in good hands. I'm going to get all dolled up in this dress   and feel like a newlywed again for 48 hours. Don't worry, I'll be sure to post some pictures and I'll tell you all about most of  it! Hopefully it's more exciting than two tired parents of 3 children  sleeping for the majority of the 48 hours they were away. I also promised to not say those four little words  the whole time we're away. We're celebrating so this time the budget can wait. :) See you in a few!

As we celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary TODAY (amazing, huh?!) I've been thinking about what we've learned in the last 3,650 days. What things have kept our marriage strong. Why we are still happy. Why I can't wait for him to wake in the morning so I can talk to him. Why I look forward to spending another 10 times 6 more years with this man... At the risk of sounding cliche, God has truly bound us together. When we don't agree on anything else, we agree on God. His power, His love, His grace, His forgiveness. Knowing that God never changes and our belief in Him never changes provides hope in every situation. Out of that has come the one word we live by: FORGIVENESS . For us, it beats out communication. Because A LOT can be said while COMMUNICATING. Much of which needs forgiveness when speaking in the heat of the moment. I have also realized or been awoken to the fact that Bri's heart towards me is good . Even when his actions don't show it, wh...

You know how guys are notorious for leaving their dirty socks around? It's one of the biggest complaints wives tend to have. And who can really blame us- no one wants to pick up a pair of socks that are so filthy they keep the shape of a foot when they're discarded on the floor... I kinda have a thing that drives my husband equally crazy. Used. KLEENEX. Everywhere. I just never know when I'm going to need one! I have this post-nasal drip thing... It's a shame to waste a perfectly good kleenex that's only been used once. If you buy the really good Puffs with lotion, a kleenex will last you a long time! And I think keeping them at the point of use is wise. That's why you'll find them by the couch, the computer, on my bed, tucked in my sleeve, in my bra (it's a multi-tasking kleenex), and if I wore a watch I would slide one in there, too. I guess that kinda makes me the "dirty socks guy" in our family. *sniff* *sniff*

By pert near, I mean it was really quite amazingly the most perfect Sunday I've experienced in a long time. I'm not sure how it could've been better. It was one of those days where I could see, feel and hear God's love at every turn. The glory of creation on a warm Fall day is breath-taking in this part of the country. How thankful I am for 4 seasons! The day started with breakfast with my dad. He came to see us for a night before heading back up to St. Cloud for a fishing show. How great is that?! Having my folks so far away makes me anticipate every moment I get with them.  Grandpa Lee with Sam, Claire and Caleb  We packed up and headed to church. The sermon was on "Speaking Sweeter". Part of the Live Like You Were Dying series that we're doing. Such great reminders about the power of our words. I left encouraged to use my words to offer love and support to those around me. Off to Apple Junction in Hastings after church! We convinced Bri's...

Twerps They were chewy perfection. Licorice on the outside, chewy fruity deliciousness on the inside. I'm not sure why they quit making them. I'm certain I ate enough of them myself to keep that candy line going. (I found some online a while ago and bought them but they were so old that they'd almost fossilized!) Original Nacho Doritos Do you remember when they were even more irresistible? Before they made them "New Nacho Cheesier"? I shouldn't complain. I can still eat a big bag in one sitting so I guess they mustn't have messed them up too badly. But still... MacIntosh's Caramel For those of you who grew up near Canada, you'll remember this delightful candy. It was like caramel taffy. We'd have to cross the border to a small Canadian gas station/restaurant/bar to get these little wonders. Back then the foreign exchange rate worked to our advantage in a big way! I'd save all my babysitting money and wait until we made a trip South J...