Spring sun

We had some snow this march but we also had some sunny saturdays too. 

Perfect for playing outside and some creative play dough and painting. 

Mr C thinking of what he wants to paint next. 

Game Time....

I did not marry a sport fan, I loved that our lives did not revolve around game schedules and are DVR was not full of sporting events. Yes it is full of music stuff but I didn't mind that. Well all that changed last year when the Portland Timbers came back! Even the kids get into and borrow one of Daddy's scarfs and cheer loudly. As much as I didn't want to have a sports fanatic husband I am so glad he picked soccer! We all enjoy Timbers game nights. 

 Miss C did not want her picture taken can you tell :)

February and March Reading

So sorry we skipped a month so I have to combine two month together.

Miss C's favorite picks...

We have read every one of the Elephant and Piggie books!

Any Barbie book is a hit but this one is her favorite.

We read all the Llama Llama books, for some reason this was her favorite :)

Hugs from Pearl a super cute story!

Mr C's picks ...

Loved Hugo and we loved Wonder Struck. Two stories 40 years apart, one in pictures and one in words, till the merge together!

One of Brian's books from when he was a kid. Mr C loves this series all about a Dog and a Cat with a wild imagination. The adventures they have together trying to solve the cats latest theories.

The latest in The Magic Tree House Series, always a hit with both my Kids.

Anything Zelda is a hit for Mr. C

 The first kids book from the Author of Hugo and Wonder Struck

Non Fiction pick- 

My Picks...

What I read in February was The year of the Fog, Everyone is Beautiful, One Moment One Morning, and The Midwife's Confession. My Favorite was The Midwife's Confession and One Moment One Morning. 

March Reads..

   ***** LOVED THE HUNGER GAMES SERIES!!!

**** Magic hour I really enjoyed reading, about a young girl who was kidnapped and then escaped after living in the woods with wolves. Then the women who "escapes" her own troubles by saving her.

***I liked this book and its tale of two twins who are forced to finally come together and really see each other as they work through their own new twist and turns in life.

 **The reading promise a story of a Father who is a Elementary school Librarian and his fourth grade daughter. They make a deal to read for one hundred nights straight and when that goes so well the keep up the streak till the day she goes to collage.  I thought this would be a good book to read but found it very slow and kind of boring. That being said it did encourage me to keep reading to my kids.

*****- Loved it

****- really enjoyed 

***- Liked it

**- it was ok

*- don't bother

I am Thankful for...

- do overs
- sunshine and open windows
- laughter after a stressful day
- a smile from the one I love
- the small  reminder that God's miracles are everywhere
- Starbucks ice tea with vanilla, a really good book and a warm sunny afternoon
- discussing what  grace means with my kids
- being so moved by a message that you can see your life is going to change
- having a dream reviled  that I never imagined could or would be possible, to see in a real way a ministry that would be so fulfilling and is truly a possibility.
- beginning a journey with friends by my side
- a plan that is God flexible :)
- the sounds of my son reading to his sister at night
- the hours my kids play together as the use there imagination to go on grand adventures and solve all kinds of mysteries
- teachers who care enough to go above what is asked, who care enough to see beyond the now and look to the future, who take joy in the work they do and look past budget cuts and all the politics and just do all they can to teach!

Spring Snow

This march we had a few morning where we woke up to a little bit of snow. I felt kind of bad for the kids as I drove them to school knowing the snow would eve gone by the time morning recess came around. I was able to get just a few pictures over the days of snow. I love this picture of Miss C because of her outfit. After all who doesn't wear a jean skirt, cowgirl boots and a heavy winter coat that is about 2 sizes to big :) 

Mr C enjoyed the one morning that they had two hour delay not only because of the snow but he got to see his favorite little girls Savannah and Madison. 

3 months old!

It was my privilege and honor to spend some time with Madison and Savannah again to take pictures. I can not get over just how much they have changes in a few months time! I already have so many plans for the next set of pictures when they are sitting up and the sun is shinning. I wanted to share with you the a few of my favorite pictures from the day. Also a little story to go with a few of them. The sweaters in the pictures are made by the girl's great-great grandma Johnson who passed away many years ago. Their great grandma Johnson saved a few for future great grandchildren. The little booties are hand made as well!

Madison

Savannah 

Hats made by the very very talented and super sweet Jessica Ballanti

                                                                           Savannah

Madison

 Savannah

Madison

* Special thanks again to my in-laws The Germers for graciously letting me borrow their lens again. Hopefully soon I will have a new camera with the lens I need :)
Also to my sis Melissa for being my right hand gal.

Sunny Sunday afternoon

 In February one sunny Sunday afternoon after church Miss C asked me to take some pictures of her. I of course said YES!!! While daddy and brother played their video game the girls headed outside. We had so much fun! Miss C picked where she wanted to stand and the "poses" she wanted to make. My favorite kind of model.
    As I look over the picture from that afternoon I am struck by the fact she is growing up so fast. I know what you are thinking she is only four but I can not believe just how fast the time has gone. I love her personality and her spunk. I can not begin to tell you the many ways she has blessed my life. I realize I am often rushing so fast through each day with my to do list and errands that I often forget to stop and enjoy right now. The chance to pretend with her, play yet another round of sorry or Candyland, giggle over silly things, imagine a whole world where Barbie can do anything, attend school where she teaches me so many things, read another book, and so much more. I am missing the very reason I wanted to be a mom. House cleaning and cooking are not my purpose while they play a part in the bigger picture of motherhood they are not the greatest part. The part I love most and some days I do the least of is just stopping and be here in this moment! Well I could go on and on but we  are off to pick up Mister C from school and get a special treat to celebrate SPRING BREAK which I hope to fill with lots of special moments.
  I hope you enjoy these pictures from our moment together one sunny Sunday...