Another Lifetime...?

 

We were looking through old photos last night for a school project that Grace was doing and I found this. Wow - I can't believe it's been almost 12 years since this picture was taken. Another lifetime ago, perhaps? I love this picture - I remember I bought that dress for the occasion. It was my first trip to see Quinn after we had finished our first year at Word of Life. We were taking a semester off to work and save money so we could go back for another year. I think after this picture, Quinn took me out for a night on the town and we had a nice dinner at a big chinese restaurant. Anyways, just a fun reminder of how time flies when you're young and in love...I'm not feeling so young anymore, however! I love you Quinn...my best friend...my love

angels in the courtyard...

angels in the courtyard

swirling flurries in April

flakes flying this way and that

hidden eggs covered with white

what’s wrong with this picture?

angels in the courtyard

playing at the game of life

Easter dresses today

wedding gowns tomorrow.

maddie’s dinner prayer

thanking God for Jesus to die for us

is the real meaning for the holiday.

eggs and chocolate bunnies aside

sugar highs long forgotten,

the truth of the Act will live forever

like the shifting blanket

Grace covering our sin

on my courtyard

This piece of prose was written by my dad about this Easter time with the family. Thanks Dad - I love you!

Sisters and best friends...Easter candids

I love these girls!!! They love each other and have so much fun together!

Here comes Peter Cottontail...

The girls with the easter Bunny at Eggstravaganza!

My Love...

I love you babe and I miss you like crazy...come home soon!!

Ballet Beauty

Thursday was parent watch week at Maddie's Ballet class. She was so thrilled to have Mommy and Daddy there to watch as normally they don't allow parents in the class. She wanted me to braid her hair the night before so she could have "kinkies" the next day. We are so proud of how well she listened to the teacher and followed along. I feel bad saying it, but almost kind of not what we expected from Maddie because, well...she's Maddie! Recital is at the end of May and I think she'll definitely be ready! After class we went out to lunch with Daddy at Wendy's. What a fun morning of being together...we love you Maddie girl!

Every kid does it once...

Maddie...there is no one like Maddie...she is our mischievous one...the little troublemaker...spunky, cute, but when there's an interesting situation to get yourself into...Maddie finds it!! I remember I did something similar when I was a kid...most kids do it at some time or another and today it was Maddie's turn. I was sitting at the computer and I hear "Owww...Mommy!" I look over and Maddie is standing there holding a toy train up to her head...then as she got closer I realized it was practically connected to her head...by her hair!!! In the adventurous spirit of Maddie, she put the train on top of her head, pressed the button to make the wheels turn, and proceeded to wind her hair around the wheels. And boy was it caught!! I tried to get Quinn to unscrew the screws by the battery compartment (thinking maybe it provided access to the wheels), but he said it wasn't likely. After about five minutes of trying to make any progress, I asked again and you know what? I was right - the wheels popped out and the train came off! I guess it had weakened the hair because it didn't take much fidgeting and the hair just kind of broke off, freeing Maddie from the wheels. We thought a picture by picture play might be fun...what a kid!

Molasses Cookies Made by Madison!

Maddie and I had some extra time this morning to spend making cookies together. It was a spur of the moment thing and we had a great time full of fun. Papa Al wasn't feeling good on Sunday, so we decided to make him some cookies we know he'll love (It's Nita's recipe) :)! Maddie did most of the work herself, including scooping the dough into balls, rolling them smooth and then rolling them in sugar. Then we put them on the stones to bake and flatened them with the bottom of a drinking glass. She was such a sweet girl today - I really think she loves spending time one on one with Mom. After the cookies, we had lunch, cleaned up and then went to the park for a brief 15 minutes of swinging and sliding. It was only 34 degrees and sooo cold! But the sun was out and that made it nice. There is an older couple at church that have had some health problems and Maddie and I then took them a container full of the cookies we made. Mr. and Mrs. Bush LOVED seeing Maddie (she gave them the cookies herself along with big hugs) and loved that we stopped by with the cookies. (I was a bit nervous cause I just dropped in without calling) After that we decided to check out books at the Library and then it was off to pick up Grace from school. All in all, it was a great day - busy, but a good busy and It felt so good to spend some quality time with Maddie. Faith was there too, but just along for the ride! She's growing up so fast...I hope she stays little for a while longer...

Our Sweet Princesses!

The girls decided to get all dressed up this morning - complete with fake hair! Too cute not to snap a picture and post it on the blog - I'd fail my mommy responsibilities if I didn't! Faith is not feeling well and is taking a nap, but maybe some other time we'll get a cute shot of her to post. Have a great week everyone!

Maddie

What a hoot!!

Grace the painter

OK, so the kids were finger painting, and things started to get a bit out of control. So what to do? Well, break out the camera of course!!

When did she start to look like such a big girl?

Faith

Grace loves to color

My better judgment caused me to remove the other pic. of Grace. Sorry honey.

Many faces of Maddie

Determination

Faith has started crawling - more like dragging herself across the room by her arms and pushing with her feet. She's not quite up on her hands and knees, but still quite fast at what she does! I took this about a month ago and I just liked this shot. The look on her face is sweet. She's growing up fast!