Happy half birthday Ethan!

Today is Ethan's half birthday, 8 and a half years old! It's just a bit crazy for me to think that he is this old...where does the time go? You hear that saying often, especially from people who have older kids or even grandkids and sometimes in the middle of tantrums, homework, power struggles...these years can't pass soon enough...but for us, 8.5 years has really flown by and I can't imagine the next 8 will be even faster!

Ethan is our easy going kid, JUST.LIKE.HIS.FATHER! We should have named him Jr. He makes our lives pretty simple and his worst days ever involve losing his pants at school...we can handle that! I look forward and dream daily about what he will do in high school and beyond, what sports and instruments he will play, who he will become...the days ahead make me appreciate and cherish the days of today!

Hap Hal Birth Eth :)

We love you kiddo!

10 things I love about my marriage...

I am doing a Beth Moore Bible study on "Wising Up" and this week's topic was on "How Wisdom Looks on a Wife." One thing Beth did and challenged us to do was write down 10 things we love about our marriage.

1. We dream together. We dream about life, our future, empty nesting it, plans to travel, grandbabies...

2. We do things for each other because we *want* to not because either of us feels we *have* to.

3. We are a balancing act, mostly opposites and that's a good thing for us. It works.

4. I love the stability of it. It's a constant in my life. I never have to worry that it won't be there.

5. The love we have for our boys. NOBODY (other than God) loves these boys more than we do.

6. I love that God is at the center of our marriage and that we seek Him for guidance.

7. I love that he chose me, ME to share his life with, to mother his children, to grow old with.

8. I love that we knew each other in our youth and can still see that in each other.

9. The laugher, oh does he make me laugh.

10. Our love. We really, truly LOVE each other.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for God's timing. It is however not always MY timing. I need to know this. Not only know it, because I do know it, but more so ACCEPT it. He has the perfect timing for everything. As I look back in my life I am SO thankful for God's timing and not MY timing.

I will wait for the Lord with a joyful heart until He shows me when it's the right time...however long that is.

Fire Fighters Prayer

When I'm called to duty, God wherever flames may rage,

give me strength to save a life whatever be its age.

Help me to embrace a little child before it is too late,

or save an older person from the horror of that fate.

Enable me to be alert to hear the weakest shout,

and quickly and efficiently to put the fire out.

I want to fill my calling and to give the best in me,

to guard my every neighbor and protect his property.

And if according to your will I have to lose my life,

please bless with your protecting hand my children and my wife.

Last night was the annual Fergus Falls Fire Department Ladies Party.

It's to thank the wives for putting up with their husbands leaving them at a drop of a hat to fulfill their call of duty...even if that means leaving them at Applebee's and having to get a ride home from their server...lol.

It was a very nice party and Steven and I are very thankful and honored to be apart of such an amazing community of men and women. There were many generations of men, some from the same family. It's incredible to see sons and grandsons following in the footsteps of the men who have showed them such bravery. Steven offered the prayer for our meal last night and I was touched at what a kind and gentle man he is with such a servants heart. I am proud of my husband and the many men he serves with.

What do YOU love?

I love...

Springtime in Minnesota.

The color RED.

Abram kisses.

Saturday morning snuggles from my boys.

A good cup of coffee.

Warm towels.

My bed.

Sushi.

GNO's.

Laughing, lots of laughing.

Cleaning.

Facebook.

Jesus.

Christmas shopping.

The smell of laundry.

Clean sheets.

Family that lives near and far away.

Candles.

Bath&Bodyworks soap in my kitchen and bathroom.

Steven.

Music.

Flowers and gardens.

Norwex.

Date nights with my hubby.

A clean car, inside and out.

Porches.

Summertime in Minnesota.

NaPs!

Winter getaways with my hubby.

Camping.

Sports.

Ethan playing the piano.

Making happy memories with my boys that will last a lifetime.

Just to name a few...what do YOU love?

HaPpY VaLeNtInEs DaY!!!

~LoVe~

Ethan's Bible memory for school this month was on LoVe. The verse was:

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

⁶Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

We had a dinner table discussion on LOvE. When I think of what LoVe is, I am awed. How amazing is it that God created LoVe to not be *and* be all of these things?! I am thankful for God's never failing lOvE.

Steven is such a wonderful example of LoVe.

We talked about what exactly this verse means and I teared up thinking

of how patient and kind Steven is with all of us.

He is not envious or boastful or proud.

He is not easily angered, or self seeking when he gives his love to us.

He always protects us and trusts us.

I am thankful for Steven's LoVe and for how much this verse plays into his life.

After really taking a look at it, I am certain I have a lot to work on within myself.

I want to LoVe like my husband does and I want my boys to LoVe like their daddy does.

Thank you Steven for your LoVe~

It's true...

I have a mini-me. Shy of the penis he has, we are almost exactly alike. Our personalities, likes/dislikes, mannerisms...Neither of us can sit for too long before we start to stir, we like to keep busy. Busy cleaning is our favorite, that and asking questions. We like to be "informed" about things. The other day Steven had to visit one of his stores that's 2 hours away and invited us all to ride along. It was a beautifully sunny day but very cold. I said sure as I had nothing else really planned. About an hour into the ride Abram starts to get restless and starts asking questions. I of coursed LOVED this and answered everyone of them in detail, while Ethan begged him to stop asking "these kind of questions" and Steven saying to me, why are you *still* answering him. I know what curiosity does to ones self so I thought it be best I answer his questions...they went a little something like this:

~When do you find your true love?

it depends.

~What AGE?

well, it's different for everyone.

~How long after you meet do you fall in love?

that also depends.

~Depends on what?

on how much you really like her, and she likes you.

~Where do you fall in love?

What do you mean where?

~Like at the lake or...?

sure, you can fall in love at the lake, that would be romantic.

~No but WHERE AT? Where did you and daddy?

It's different places for everyone Abram. And I don't remember where exactly it was when I fell in love with your daddy, probably the beach.

~When can you kiss your girlfriend? After how long of dating?

After you've been dating A LONG TIME!

~When should you get married?

After college, for sure!

~How old do you have to be to get a job? A real job?

15, or 16...then a real job comes after your graduate college!

~When can you buy a car?

When you SAVE enough money to do so.

~What age can you be to buy a house?

Probably after college, when you have a "real" job and can afford one.

~What if I like one house and my wife doesn't? I shouldn't divorce her, right?

Absolutely NOT! Find a house you both like and buy that one. It's not an easy process.

~I want 6 children, what if my wife doesn't? I shouldn't divorce her, right? Maybe we can have less if she wants.

Right. 6 kids is a lot. If she doesn't want 6 kids, DON'T HAVE 6 KIDS!

~I should always treat my wife like daddy treats you, like a queen, that will make her happy.

Yes it will, your daddy is an awesome example of what a husband should be!

~NEVER, ever stick your middle finger up at your wife, that isn't nice at all.

You're correct. Don't ever do that. And where did you learn about that?!

~What does that even mean???

Something very naughty.

~Like shut up? And when I'm a parent will you tell me what it really means?

sure and I'm sure you'll know by then.

Oh look, we're almost here. Lets spend the rest of the time looking at all these beautiful trees out your window...

I love my mini-me!

personal project/four people/twelve times/1.11

One of my favorite bloggers and photographers Tara Whitney did this project last year. At the time, I felt intimidated by it. Looking back now, without knowing, we did take a family picture at least once a month, if not more. This year, I've decided to do it! To make it a priority. Once a month I will post a family picture and write a little bit about our month, the boys, us.

January started off with a nasty winter storm. My brother and his family were suppose to leave 1/1...they ended up staying until 1/4 due to road closures and flight cancellations. We enjoyed having them here. We hosted our first NYE party and has so much fun!

School finally resumed and I loved that, the boys not so much. They enjoyed Christmas break way too much.

Steven finally made a dream of his come true and got hired on the Fergus Falls Fire Department. He had physical tests, written tests, interviews...all which he nailed! I couldn't be more proud of my husband, for one, reaching out and making his dreams reality and for two, working so hard for our family while never once complaining about all his obligations.

Samantha, Steven's sister, and her family moved from warm, sunny San Diego to blustery cold Minnesota at the end of December. We had the opportunity to go visit them and see their new home. It's such a great feeling to say, "See you next month" instead of saying "See you next year."

Ethan has taking a liking to writing in cursive. His penmanship in cursive is awesome. I love to see him write it. His piano skills, I envy them. So badly I'd love to play with him instead of just watching him. His reading has improved more than I ever dreamed it would. He has read over 100,000 words since the start of the school year. His swimming has improved in ways I didn't know was possible in 10 weeks. He continues to make me proud to be his mom, and daily I thank God for knowing that I needed him even when I didn't think I was ready to be a mom.

Abram...I am in awe of this boy. A year ago he was a totally different kid, totally! People tell me often what a changed kid they see in him. I count my blessings daily for this boy as well.

Abram has mastered tying his shoe laces. I love his self need of independence. He is learning to play the piano by hearing his brother play it. He started gymnastics, his first organized sport, something I thought he's NEVER do, ever. He loves it. He's good at it and it makes me happy to see him passionate about it. He loves me, he really, really loves me and it makes me heart smile, melt and crumble into a million pieces when our eyes meet and he says, "Mama, I love you!"

Me...I started a Beth Moore study in the fall and continue to learn, grow and see the need for this weekly Bible study in my daily life. Samantha and I plan to go see her in May, I am excited!!!

I celebrated my 34th birthday 1/29. I am truly blessed by my family and friends. They mean the world to me. This year I made several New Year resolutions and have done a good job by keeping them, or at least making an effort to keep them. I have cut back on my "Coffee Hut" trips by about 75%. I hardly yell at my boys anymore, mostly because they are holding me accountable to it and the guilt I feel afterwards hurts. I am taking my vitamins as I remember and I think about running daily, just haven't done it yet. I have set a goal of June 4th to run my first 5k. Steven is on board to run it with me as well. I just need to actually run it now!

And...today is also my blogiversary!

It's been 3 years since I've started this lovely place I can

share my thoughts, feelings, and family. Thank you to my readers!

Until next month...