Playing Catch Up

'February zoomed by with over100 inches of snow, paperwork and more paperwork.....and I am just realizing I missed posting about our February birthdays!

We celebrated "Gary's" birthday even though he was on the other side of the world.  We decorated, ordered out for Chinese food and had a ice cream cake.  It was fun for the kids to think what he might be doing on his birthday and also try some foods he might be eating.  We served it with chop sticks too. Some found them as great drum sticks but others managed to eat their entire meal with them.  It was fun to also think about next year with him here.  We are working on preparing our hearts for the exciting new addition!

Harmony also turned 5!  She loved being in the lime light and enjoyed the new outfits she received for her American girl doll.  She tried on new outfits and had us helping her with shoes and bows as she modeled each for us.  She loved her purple cake and ice cream!

It is a Heat Wave

We had church this morning and then sent everyone out for some fresh air. It has been so extremely cold, no one has wanted to get out. So today was different....

36 degrees-yah!

We are out to enjoy the sunshine before the temperatures dip down into the extreme cold negative numbers again tomorrow.

A bit of fort building, snow balls and sledding abounded.

A Little Celebration Dance

,Today we are doing a little dance to celebrate the last visit by the worker for our home study.  Now, we are just waiting for the last of the references to float in and the criminal background checks for her to finish the study.  We are very encouraged this morning as we celebrate the Lord's day with our church family!

Our agency as well as the home study agency have been wonderful in answering our questions and straightening out the things we misunderstood. They are quick to answer questions-even on the weekend when we work on the paperwork.  I called last night to leave a message on the answering machine and had the phone answered and our requested paperwork sent in just a few quick minutes.

It is the small steps towards our boys in China that keep us focused on the goal of bringing them home.

Best Yes

I am excitedly anticipating a Ladies Day Apart in April where I get to hear one of my favorite authors speak.

Lysa Teurkest.

She has an incredible testimony of how God took a lot of broken pieces in her life and how he formed them into the beautiful tapestry of her life.

Healing by Jesus. Beautiful.

Her title of the her talk reflects the title of her book...The Best  Yes.

It has me thinking of my best yes.  What does that look like on a daily basis in my life?  As a mom it is easy to get overloaded with activity. I don't want that life of "too busy"  Busy with raising a family and the daily routine of school and house....but not too busy.

When we give our best yes....we are able to keep our normal activities in perspective and still serve in a way that doesn't push us to neglect what we are called to at home....husband, children, home.

I haven't read Lysa's newest book but just the title has me thinking and looking forward to spring days ahead when I can come together with other women....including one of my favorite young women, my daughter, Jess, to have a day apart to be challenged, refreshed, laugh and enjoy our time together.

Today's Perspective

I love the word perspective!

It has changed my frame of mind so many times....getting a fresh perspective is wonderful.  It can take a seemly difficult situation and turn it around.

Today's perspective is a reality check....and a pictire is worth a thousand words.  

We were suppose to travel to Maryland this weekend but canceled because another storm with extreme temperatures was moving into our area.  We were disappointed but we had a wonderful mini vacation doing projects in our home, taking naps and sleeping in.  We ate lots of hot stew....mmmmm, yum.  We also got to spend some wonderful time with a visit from our daughter, Michaela.

But today we were out and about looking at pictures of the amounts of snow we have....new perspective.  Take a look ...some of the pictures from the inside out are pictures from Darrell's work place in MA.  The others from our front yard...

This is in Wilmington, MA.

Mike digging into the fort they had dug out a few storms ago.

The front porch is gone till spring.

 

Just a few more weeks of winter....enjoying the slower time till then.

Merrimack NH Police Department Issue A Warrant For Punxsutawney Phil

Found this article in the news.....

Here’s something Punxsutawney Phil probably never predicted: jail time.

But a police force in snow-beleagured New Hampshire said on social media Tuesday that it wants to see the weather forecasting groundhog really spend some time in the hole.

The Merrimack Police Department posted a joke on its Facebook page demanding Punxsutawney Phil’s arrest for failing to predict just how bad this year’s winter would be.

“He told several people that Winter would last 6 more weeks, however he failed to disclose that it would consist of mountains of snow!” the department wrote under a picture of the groundhog from the film “Caddyshack.”

“If you see him, do not approach him as he is armed and dangerous. Call Merrimack Police, we will certainly take him into custody!”

Snowbound citizens of Merrimack eagerly got in on the joke. The post got more than 4,000 likes and nearly 700 comments, with many offering details on recent Phil sightings and suggestions on how to nab him.

One person, Peggy Graves, pretended to be the groundhog’s attorney, writing: “Quite simply, Mr. Phil was asked to predict how much longer winter would last. He correctly did so, thus fulfilling his legal obligations. He was not asked to predict details pertaining to the weather; therefore, he was under no legal obligation to provide any.”

Any you know the even crazier thing?  We are preparing for blizzard conditions and another 12-18 inches....batteries? Check. Food? Check. Water? Check. Wood stacked? Check....

Well, you get the jist....Happy Valentine's Blizzard Day!❄️

The Evidence Stands

Someone has been taking lots and lots and lots of pictures on my IPad....and blaming her brother.

She sometimes forgets to take off the protective cover and we find lots of black pictures.

BUT.... 

This time she remembered in the midst of the black photos.

  I'd say the evidence is clearly established and we have some character training at hand.  

Meanwhile, I am sharing....just because I can.

As my dear friend, on Mamaflock always says....we mama's have to stick together...here is to sticking together through thick and thin and getting a chuckle along the way!