Wednesday, November 23, 2011

New Stuff


It's been a while since I've put anything on the blog so I'm just going to combine a couple of different happenings.
A couple weekends back there was a Christian Community Fair at the Minneapolis Convention Center and we decided to go and check it out. It was a lot of fun. There were a bunch of vendor booths from different schools and publishers and camps and other things. There were also a lot of inflatable playgrounds for Jack to play in. He was absolutely loving it!

It may be hard to tell, but that is Jack coming down the big slide.

Jack is playing some basketball.

Now that Ava is walking it is harder to keep her close by!

Jack liked meeting Bob and Larry.

They also had a little petting zoo that both Jack and Ava loved.

Another thing that's been happening recently is that we've had evangelistic meetings at our church with the Will Galkin evangelistic team. It was a great week! I was expecting great preaching and we got it, but I guess I didn't realize how good they were musically! Simply put, they were awesome! At the end of the week they put on an Irish music concert. It combined traditional Irish tunes in the first half and then Irish sacred music in the second half. Then there was a clear gospel presentation. It was great and there were a lot of visitors.




Two weekends ago we went downtown Minneapolis to go to the Macy's 8th floor display. They have a Christmas display every year. It used to change every year, but for the last 4 years or so it has been the same but we still go and enjoy it. Then we walk through the skyways and enjoy the scenery. We were able to meet up with Brent and Heidi and her nephew to have a fun time together.

Here is Jack working out in the gym at my office tower before we hit Macy's

Good form!

Ava checking out one of the displays

You can't really tell much from the picture but when we got home from downtown we found the light pole that usually is on the other side of our driveway on the ground and still shining. It had just snowed so I'm guessing someone lost control.

And finally, we just had Brent's birthday party this last weekend. It was fun getting together with family once again.

Anyone that has a birthday gets to have Jack help them blow their candles out.

And if you happen to get a toy for your birthday Jack also helps you play with it. This is a gun for a hunting game Brent got for his birthday.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Blessingdale's

I am the new organizer for Blessingdale's, the store at the Metro Women's Center (a crisis pregnancy center in our area). I love the name! It's so much fun organizing and for such a good cause. The girls who come can earn points and shop in our store. We had the director of MWC at our church to present the work. It really moved me to do something so we had it presented to our moms group at church. And then I visited and helped out one day and anyway one thing led to another and now I'm volunteering there. So I went twice this week and the 2nd day I took the kids since they were closed at that time and I wasn't planning to be there very long. It is in a building with other tenants, so when Jack heard other people moving around outside the door, he came running to me and said Mommy there's people out there. I said I know. Other people work in the building. It's ok. He said oh so they're not coming to get us? No. So they're good guys? Yep. So they're not gonna kill us? I was forced to stop and talk about the difference between real life and movies. It was kind of funny though. A little overactive imagination!

Thanksgiving a Week Away!

I have been reflecting on the many things I have to be thankful for and thought I would share them. I know many people have posted one thing a day on Facebook, but here's mine all lumped together. Get settled because it's lengthy, but that's a good thing!

1. For my salvation and ongoing relationship with God who loves me, allows me to know Him more and more, and blesses me in every way.

2. For my family - here goes...Matt who loves me. He really is a picture of I Corinthians 13 to me. He is so patient and kind. We are not perfect people and don't have a perfect relationship, but I know he's the one God gave me, and I'm so grateful. The movies don't show love as it really is. The day to day care of someone who is just there for you no matter what is true love and romance. Someone who will die for you but also share their dessert! And an occasional piece of jewelry doesn't hurt! We have the romance too! Love you, Matt!:) To Rod and Betty, I'm grateful also to you for raising such a Godly man for me to love. Thank you and thank you for loving me and our kids with the same love! I love you both!

Jack my firstborn is almost 5. WOW - our lives will be changing this next year as he starts school and this time at home will be a memory. But how exciting to see his life grow and develop. If you've read our blog before, you know he is a very strong personality. So trying to steer it to think of others and encourage him to choose right things has been a big job, but we do have his heart. And it's exciting to see that when we choose to follow God's principles, they work! He is a chatterbox, and we love him.

And now Ava - she is 16 months this Saturday. Finally walking all over, jabbering about who knows what, getting a little territorial, but mostly smiling. She is my little clingier one which I wasn't used to, but I'm enjoying it. I just don't know why she's so dirty all the time! I didn't think I could handle having another one, the pregnancy, the infancy, etc. But God knows what we can handle and what we need. She has been such a joy and truly completes our family. They are both a gift from God and a huge responsibility. I'm grateful for them and for the opportunity to parent them with Matt.

My Dad - I wouldn't know God without you, so thank you. In spite of life and adversity, you always point us to God through your words, actions, and mostly your love for Him and us. Thank you for our upbringing.
My Mom - I'm thankful for Chelsie Hanks who loved me and had me. What a great testimony she had. I cherish the memories I have of her.
My Mom - Julie - You have been such a blessing to our family. Thank you for being my mom and now a friend. I love you. Thank you for being good grandparents, both you and Dad!
Chris - a brother who has been a faithful leader in many arenas but also in our family. I still think WWCD a lot of times!
Alicia - I am rich in sisters! And I'm so thankful for you. Every time I talk to you, you encourage me and help me grow.
Rebekah - I think we are twins. We think exactly alike about everything, and if we ever happen upon a different opinion, we talk until it's exactly alike - just like Algebra 2 right?
Nancy - our free spirit who will at any given moment burst into song! It is much duller without you around. So glad you are back home with us. The kids are happy, too!
Brent - I can't imagine our family without you. I love how you use as few words as possible to express yourself, but I also love hearing your opinion. You have so much common sense. And thanks for marrying Heidi!
Heidi - God knew we needed you in our family. You are a breath of fresh air! I can't imagine Brent being without you now...and Maddie! And who would I email every day?
And our nieces and nephews who I love like my own kids.
Kyle - always makes me laugh. I love to hear your running commentary!
Chelsie and Bethany - both so sweet and pretty and smart and talented
Caleb - so charismatic and happy - I look forward to hearing you preach!
Connor - my bug loving buddy to Jack

3. For my church -pastor, church family, and house - We have the most wonderful ladies I could ever meet anywhere! It's the greatest place for a young mom to be mentored.

4. For my friends - I have so many that God has brought into my life, and I'm so grateful for them in times of need. I have friends who just let me be me and still love me anyway!

5. And finally, I'm thankful for being a part of God's ministry and plan. I truly feel He has a great plan for our lives and our family, and I'm looking forward to being a part of it.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Playing with the new phone

Well, now we both have our new phones and we are loving them. They are very easy to use and the cameras take very nice pictures. I was just playing around with mine this afternoon and took some pictures of the kids and got a couple good ones so here they are.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Monday, November 7, 2011

I got a new iPhone. I'm lucky mine came in the mail first so that Matt wanted to play with mine and get it all set up for me. I am talking into my iPhone and updating my blog wow!!! I feel like I am in the future. Anyway down to business. Ava said daddy about 4 times. Officially it's not her first word but pretty close. The other words she's said have been copying us for the most part. We bought these phones partly for the camera since ours broke a few months ago. I could usually care less about technology but I think I love this. It's already so easy to use. And it's cute!

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Apple Orchard


Last week our church had an activity at a local apple orchard and we had a great time. We shopped a little bit, picked out some pumpkins, and took a hayride. It was a beautiful day even though it was a little chilly.