Happy Easter!

Happy Easter from our family to yours!  He is risen, and that is the reason for our joy!!

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Til The Last Shot's Fired

A very dear friend and I have recently been talking about praying for peace in our homes.  As we've both endeavored to be more purposeful about those prayers we've been amazed at how the Lord has answered.

In honor of Veteran's Day, and in honor of my husband our family will also begin praying for peace in the world and for those who serve our country so faithfully.

I'm short on words as I ponder over this this morning, but I think this song, by Trace Adkins and the West Point Glee Club, captures my heart pretty well.  

There are many wonderful versions of this song, but in honor of the Marine Corps' 237th birthday yesterday I chose this one.  Happy birthday to all of the Marines out there.  Thank you for your sacrifice! 

(If you are reading this in a reader or email you will need to come over to the blog to see the video.)

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It Won't Be Like This For Long

I remember vividly the first time I held my little Bitsy in my arms.  Over the last several years we've had lots of firsts, and I generally try not to get to emotional over them, but today when she lost her first tooth and her daddy wasn't there to see it I have to admit I was a little emotional.  Let's call it pregnancy hormones. 

I'm not sure when or how it happened but my little girl, my baby, is growing up.  She was so excited she wanted to call all of her grandparents and she wanted me to take lots and lots of pictures! 

You can't stop time, but you can try to record it.  I want to remember that smiling face, holding her little tooth, telling grandma how she just tugged on it a little and it popped right out.  I want to remember this moment.

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Pink or Green...and Ponderings of the Heart

I have been woefully absent from my blog for over a month now.  A few of you have even been concerned enough to email and make sure the baby and I are okay, and I assure you we are.  (I even intend on finally sharing whether we're having a girl or a boy!) 

Unfortunately a week after my last post our family experienced the very sudden and heart-breaking loss of my step-dad.  We had been given a time frame by doctors, but our grandpa never did much like following orders, and I guess he and the Lord worked out their own time frame.  We are grateful he was spared a great deal of suffering, and grateful that we can be together again in the presence of our Lord.  We are happy for him, but we grieve for ourselves. 

In our time of shock and grief, the Lord blessed us yet again with the unexpected return home of our daddy for a few days.  Daddy was granted emergency leave and surprised his little ones by coming home for one very glorious week.  More healing of hearts occurred during that week than I can describe.

So that explains two weeks of my absence, and to explain the rest of my absence I share some of my heart.  As I spent that week with my husband and children knowing just how limited our time was, and pondering over the sudden loss of my step-dad, I wanted to savor every moment.  I didn't want to worry about whether the picture turned out just right for the blog, or see what other people were sharing, I wanted to be with my family.  I wanted to be in the moment.  I realized that I didn't want to look back and wish I had spent more time with my family and less time sharing with the rest of the world. 

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy blogging, but I enjoy my family more, and more than ever they need my time and attention.  My children are living through months without their father, my husband is living months without his family, soon we will blessed with a new little spirit in our home.  This is my priority.  This is my focus. 

So that is where I have been, and that is where I will be.  I'll still be dropping in here from time to time, but I don't think I'll be going back to blogging several times a week.  This is not the season in my life for it.  The Lord has touched my heart and helped me see that.  I am grateful that He has used the recent experiences in my life to show me where to focus.
 
Now in case you're wondering what all of this has to do with green balloons, and if you've been patient enough to read to this point I am happy to announce that we are being blessed with a new little boy!

When we first found out we were having a new little one Bitsy and Manly spent a good deal of time trying to decide on a name.  Manly suggested things like "Toot" and "Truck" if it was a boy, to which Bitsy adamantly expressed her displeasure, but when he offered up "Green" she was thrilled, and since he had had such success with a color for a boy, he enthusiastically recommended "Pink" for a girl for which he was again commended for his genius.

The little ones revealed to our friends and family that we were having a boy by releasing the balloons from a box where they had been hidden.  Bitsy and Manly were overjoyed when they opened the box and discovered they are having a brother.  Don't worry, his name isn't Green!  
 

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Muffin Tin Meal: Rainbows and Clouds

I was really inspired by Tamara's beautiful rainbow muffin tin, and decided that our weather study to go along with A Pair of Red Clogs would be a perfect time to have a little rainbow fun ourselves.

The little ones got to make their own yogurt parfaits with Greek yogurt clouds and a rainbow of raspberries, peaches, pineapple, green grapes, blueberries, and red grapes.

It was a simple breakfast, but one we all enjoyed!

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It's A BOY!!

I'm so happy, no I think thrilled and over the moon might be better, to announce that my sweet sister in-law provided me with the most handsome little nephew yesterday!!! 

I got to hold him when he was less than two hours old, and it was such a precious moment after having to wait almost four months to hold my other little nephew last year.

Now in case you were excited thinking I was making an announcement about our own little bundle, you'll have to wait a few more weeks for us to reveal to the world whether a girl or boy is coming, but I promise, I will share.

Congratulations to my sweet sister and her wonderful husband.  You have blessed our family beyond words! 

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Girl's Night Out

This weekend my Bitsy and I had our first ever girl's night out, and had tons of fun that we wanted to share with you.  A few weeks ago I noticed she was in need of some one on one time with mommy, and after a few months of a sick mommy taking care of three little people she definitely deserved it. 

My in-laws were so sweet and offered to watch the other little ones and Bitsy and I went and checked in to one of my favorite hotels in downtown Salt Lake City.  From the moment she hit the revolving door my little angel was in ecstasy!

After we put our bags down in our room she was ready to go and explore!  Our first stop was an amazing toy store across the street where she stood for a long time watching the marble shoot just outside of the door.

Once we were inside she was all smiles at the wall of candy.  Her favorite part, besides the colors, was that when she stepped on the lights in front of it they would turn red and play music.  She got to pick out any two toys in the store to take home as gifts for Manly and Lettie, and was thrilled to find things for them.

After our little shopping trip we were both hungry, so we headed back to the hotel for an outdoor dinner, and some coloring for Bitsy.  She couldn't wait to finish eating so we could get to the pool.

After our swim and a bubble bath in the huge tub she put on a bathrobe and climbed into bed to eat her purple candy.  (I love that grin, she had it on her face the entire time!)  As much as she enjoyed her treat, she was very sweet and asked if she could save most of it to share with Manly and Lettie when we got home.

We ended our stay with a yummy breakfast from room service, and a few shivers.  (The AC worked REALLY well!)  

I am so glad I got to spend this time with my little angel!  It was a nice rest for both of us, and it gave me such a beautiful opportunity to see my little girl's heart...and her lovely smile!

When we got home Manly and Lettie were full of hugs for both of us, and little Manly wanted to hear all about our trip, because he's excited to take his turn in two weeks!

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