Wednesday Benjamin gets "fixed"!

(He has no clue!)

The weekend in pictures...(and a couple words!)

A belated birthday dinner for Sophia (2yo on 2/2) and Julie (2/13)!  Delayed by weather and sickness etc!

Cousin buddies - these two are together when Emma and Josiah are at school, so they've got a special bond!

Back home for "camping out"...

I decided not to join them, citing my good nights sleep is in everyone's best interest!  Emma ended up joining me, while the boys camped out.

Then the kids had some fun after church!!

Now we're just waiting to see if the "6-12inches" of snow actually materializes since they already cancelled school!!

Smile surgery in the news...

Click on the link to watch the incredible video:

http://fox2now.com/2014/02/26/child-gets-life-changing-smile-surgery/

This made me tear up!

Share alike

Last week we went to Goodwill, a huge second-hand store, and I saw a nice winter coat for Emma.  She has one but the zip always catches on the fabric and she gets frustrated.  For $5, I grabbed it.

Unfortunately I made the mistake of one who does not shop there much, and did not check the zip which was totally broken!

I mentioned it on Facebook and the mom of one of Toby's school friends said that her daughter has 9 and she would be happy to hand some down.

The offer was so kind and I'm not proud, so I said "yes please!"

They dropped off 3 coats yesterday, and they were all awesome.  One with faux fur still had tags!  They're also 7/8yr so they may even last into next year.

I really wanted to give her a few bucks but she refused!  

Anyway, Emma picked this one to wear today because it is similar to mine!

It took me a long time to accept such help, but when I do I'm blessed!  And I know when I am able to help others it also blesses me, so who am I to deny what could well be a blessing from God!

I am very thankful that our friends and family have a great heart for sharing and paying forward.  It's changed my heart a lot!

Toby refers to Benjamin as a "little angel"!  Here he laid down next to him and sang "I Have A Maker" to him - the song we sing to him at bedtime. Such a big heart!!

Family fun at Nanna's!  

No help!

Toby ended up in our bed this morning, and was fast asleep!

When it came to waking him up I had enough time to go with tickling (instead of yelling), which was fun but not very successful!

Emma came in and said "I can help!"  Climbing up on the bed she says "I can punch him in the back!"

Lovely!!

Sentimental

We went to a wedding today, and Emma was asking lots of questions.  We ended up agreeing that she could try on my dress when we got home!

I love to take it out of the box and reminisce, so I actually kept my word!!

I had to try it on too (never too old to play dress up!), and it still fits!

It'll be 8 years of marriage this May, and I wish I could marry Scott all over again!  Such great memories.

Emma wanted to keep the dress on, but I'd like to keep it in decent shape!  Instead I let her wear the underskirt!

Bunny town!

Heres the new bunny pen!

Keeping it upstairs for now until we know he's used to it.

We used Toby's car rug as it's rubber backed, and he doesn't really play with it!

The kids like playing in there too - this could have double benefits!!

Funny!

Just had to share this great video, it made me smile so much on the train today!

Little things

I had the kids making some birthday cards for my Grandad in England.  Based on past experience I went with a picture on one side of a piece of card, writing on the other.

When they were done Emma said "they're not really cards.  Maybe they'll just think that's what we call cards, like they call fries "chips"!!

She cracks me up with her observations!

Emma met a hamster this weekend and it was "soooo cute!"

Great movie quote!

"Greater love hath no one than he who lays down his life for his friend."

~ Bagheera, Jungle Book (when he think Baloo was slain by Sheer Khan.)

AND THE BIBLE...

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13 (when Jesus tried to clue in his disciples to the great sacrifice he was going to make.)

There's lots of ways to show love on Valentines.  Emma's wearing her heart in her hair!!

Pet peeves

Benjamin is in the dog house as he has developed an unhealthy baseboard-chewing habit!

We're going to make a pen for him in the basement, as originally planned.  I felt bad that he would be down there by himself, but it would be mainly when we aren't here!

I guess having a pet is so easy in theory!!

Round two

We got 8-10" of wet snow (not the light powdery stuff!) by about noon on Thursday.  I tried to clear it with the snowblower, but I only managed a narrow path around the sidewalk.

Scott and our neighbor teamed up to clear the shared driveway and the rest of the sidewalks before dinner.

Then came the rain, thundersnow(!) and more wet snow!  3-6" apparently by 7am.  I'm hoping Emma's school is sticking to a two-hour delay instead of closing again.  To make up for Thursdays closing the kids have school Monday - which is a national holiday, even my office is closed!

No one wants to sacrifice any of their summer holidays.

Oh, and more snow due on Friday night!!

But in less than a week we'll be up to 57f. 

Toby couldn't wait for me to get the balloon down!