KK's Birthday Trip

One of Ainsley's best friends, Kalyn (KK) wanted to take 2 of her friends to great wolf lodge for her birthday, in lieu of a birthday party. It just so happens that Alison, Jordan and I are all best friends too;) 

Sunday afternoon after the baby brothers went down for a nap we loaded my car up and took off for Mason, OH! 

 

The car ride there was full of questions about when we would reach the tunnel, how much longer, and screaming contests. They were so excited when we finally made it and couldn't wait to get to the water park. 

 

  

We all left our phones in the hotel room so we didn't get any pictures playing inside. But the girls were much braver than we thought they would be. They did all the big slides , but refused to go down the one that "swirled you around the toilet bowl" again. We ordered pizza and ate inside the water park so the girls could get right  back to playing after dinner. 

That night we all put on our pajamas and hung out in the room eating junk food. 

 

There were 3 beds so we all slept with our daughters which was fun and not that restful :). The girls shouted good night to each other at least 10 times. Ainsley was the first one awake at 645 and keeping her quiet was a task I did not do successfully. I went and got everyone coffee and doughnuts and we were waiting for the doors to open to the water park:) 

 

 

They ran out of steam quick so we packed up, grabbed some lunch and they all passed out in the car within minutes. Ainsley slept about 20 minutes and then was up. So her and I were the only two awake on the trip home :) 

 

 

We were all tired but had a great time. We loved the one on one time we got to spend with our girls, since we all have younger sons too. 

Parker and Philip had a great time doing boy things back home:) 

 

  

Happy Birthday Sweet KK!!! Thank you for letting us celebrate you in such a fun way! 

Easter Weekend(s)

We started celebrating Easter last weekend with an egg "hunt" and egg dying party! A church across the street from us was having an egg hunt and so mom, dad, Matt & all his girls, JC &a Emma all came to our house. We walked over to the church and since it was so cold that morning they moved it inside. The kids scrambled to fill their baskets with eggs (well Parker almost got trampled) , then we walked home to color eggs. 

    

 

   

Aunt Rachel had a very fun way of dying the eggs, with shaving cream! I wouldn't let Parker near it but the girls had a great time doing it:) 

Ainsley had an egg hunt at school too. She was in a mood to be attached to my hand and Parker unfortunately was in the mood to not be- so I had two very unhappy children at the hunt but luckily it didn't last long and Ainsley ended up having a good morning at school with her friends. 

 

 

On Easter Day we met Aunt Ellen at church (thankfully she was early and saved seats in the packed house!). Then we headed to mom and dads for an egg hunt in the basement (it was raining) and for a delicious lunch. My kids would not stand still and smile for a picture. And a family picture was out of the question apparently. 

 

  

The kids had a blast and we loved watching them. 

and getting our bellies full:) 

 

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter! 

"It Is Finished"

This year we are studying the book of John. and this week we are studying the crucifixion of Jesus. and while I know this story, I grew up hearing it, this year it has taken on a whole new meaning. I am studying it, and it isn't just a "story". I am reading about how someone I love and care about, was brutally tortured. He was flogged and barely kept alive, but alive enough that He could then not only walk Himself but carry his own cross, to be crucified. The words sting me. They make me nauseas. They hurt me. Because I read about how Pilate sentenced Him to be crucified, because he was so concerned with the world and the people of this world. I have always thought Pilate was some horrible man. But now I see myself in him. And I read about the people in the crowd mocking Jesus, and I see my face in that crowd. Mocking him with my daily sinful thoughts and actions.  Jesus' crucifixion started around 9am. From 12pm-3pm He fulfilled 20 prophecies. TWENTY in 3 hours. He fulfilled 48 in His entire life. The probability of this is so supernaturally small. 

Hanging on the cross, in pain we could never imagine, knowing soon he would die, he still cared enough about his purpose- to fulfill that last prophecy. I am blown away by how meticulous He is. How in the details he is. Because after that last prophecy was fulfilled, he took his last breath, stated "It is Finished" and gave up his spirit. He gave up his spirit. He didn't just die. He wasn't murdered. He willingly laid it down. For me, and for you. He was in control, every second. As He is today.   At the temple, there was a veil (60 feet long, 20 feet high, as thick as the palm of a man's hand). The only person allowed to enter behind this veil was the high priest. And even then, only once a year, to present the blood to atone for sins. When Jesus was dying, with earthquakes all around, with darkness even though it was the middle of the day, becoming unclean so that we could become clean. When Jesus physically died, this veil was torn, from top to bottom- this could only be the work of God himself. I mean can you imagine being there when this happened? and not believe in God? Yet people seemed to do just that.  The veil was torn. Just as Christ's body was torn. The curtain was needed as a barrier between man and God's presence. But through Christ's death we don't need a barrier anymore. We can freely enter into God's presence. Hallelujah that You tore the veil and made a way.  I am so humbled and in awe of Jesus. Of His obedience to His Father. Of his unwavering focus on what God wanted from him. Of how meticulous of a God he is.  Because today, it's Friday. But Sunday's coming. 

Spring Break '17

Spring Break doesn't mean beach vacations for us (yet) but it does mean lots of family time! Ainsley is out of preschool, BSF is out, and our days are wide open to play. The beginning of the week was super nice and sunny, and luckily we soaked up all the sunshine we could. We played outside , went for walks and enjoyed the Vitamin D. 

  

 

Tuesday we really had no plans during the day and when we woke up we decided to take a hike at the Gorge. The kids had never been and we thought it would be fun. We hiked up to Natural Bridge, took the sky lift down and back up, then hiked (carried them) back down. It was for sure a work out for Philip and I, and Ainsley said her legs were "exhausted".

 

  

 

    

 

A hike at the Gorge isn't complete without a stop at Miguel's Pizza. Both kids loved the pizza- or maybe they were just that hungry. Maybe that's why the pizza tastes so amazing? 

 

That night we went to the Stearley's for a cook out. The kids were all running wild and having a great time, as Ainsley serenaded us with a guitar and Parker stuffed his apple into the baseball pitcher.

 

 Wednesday morning I met some girls from BSF and their kids at Jacobson Park. It was crowded and I may or may not have lost my kids a few times. Each. It happens. They played, fed the ducks, got some scrapes and left happy. 

 

 

 Wednesday night crazy storms rolled in and brought cold with it. Philip made it home from work in time to watch the radar while I worked on getting the kids down. 

Thursday we went to the Y, the library, chik fil a and sat by the fire at home. 

  

Friday we spent the whole day in pjs playing princesses, cars, crafts and games. 

 

 

Also this is what Parker does when he's ready to go to bed and you're downstairs getting him some milk. Runs and gets his blanky and waits for you. 

 

 

I know one day our spring breaks will look a lot different, but for now I really am loving spending this time with my kids. Well, most the time. Last night I told Philip I had to get out of the house and be by myself for an hour or so and he happily said go:) so I grocery shopped at meijer lol