Kawklit

Belle picked out a book for me to read her tonight. It didn't surprise me that it has to do with candy..... So I'm reading the story, several pages into it, when I read "Anyone who has candy to share or trade, raise your hand."...... and that's when Bella raised her hand.... The next line read "Do you like licorice?" and that's when sweet little Belle looked up at me and said, "I like kawklit" (chocolate).... "I know Belle, I know you like chocolate, but I'm reading the story, see, that's what the story says...Mommy's not asking Belle if she wants chocolate." And the look I get back from Belle is telling me that she's not hearing a word I'm saying... she's thinking...C H O C O L A T E !!!

Night night sweet night

What better way to end hard days than with this kind of sweetness...

The kids piled up in bed, snacks in tow, ready for stories-lots of them

They each picked out the books they wanted me to read

Everybody was cozy

And then I began to read, and read, and read and read and read to them. I LOVE reading to my kids... It's one of my favorite things to do. They each got their turns picking out what book to read next.

After turning out the light, while gazing up at the "stars" (daddy strategically placed on the ceiling), we listened to the birds singing. It was warm enough to have the window open so we could really hear them. We pretended to know what they were chirping about.... Some of them were telling their friends about the tree they were going to be building their nest in. Some of them were talking about the gigantic worm they had for dinner. And others were twittering about the cat that chased them around the block.

I'm truly thankful that God can turn around a hard day by ending it with a sweet night.

Poor Daddy

...Sick as a dog... he just fell asleep a little bit ago. I gave him some hot tea with honey and some dry toast before, and so far so good.

I am so thankful spring is here.... so ready for it.

View from my window

I must say, that I am quite happy that I have kept up with my Pilates workout for several weeks now. I'm starting to feel the benefit from regular exercise... not to mention see the benefit.

Today, this was the view I had the pleasure of enjoying while doing my workout.... my Pilates machine is right by my window....


Unbelievable how beautiful God's creation is!

The Countdown!

Daddy will be home in approximately 2 hours.... Do you think I am going to wait up till 2 in the morning for him to get home???? You better believe I will! I missed him so much. He took a camera with him on this trip but, unfortunately, had battery issues so I don't know how many pictures he took.... however, if he has any, I will post them as soon as I can get my hands on them.

It's funny to think back on all the times daddy came back from Romania.... There was the very first trip....We were practically newlyweds.... Once again it was late... 2am, 3am... can't remember now... but I went to pick him up at our church - Hair? Perfect. Outfit? Great. Perfume on? Yes. Shimmering lipstick? Check. Eye makeup? Done to perfection.... and then there was my grin - spanning from ear to ear like a silly school girl all happy in love.... There was a small group of us ladies waiting for our men to arrive. When one of the women saw me they just smiled and said "I remember those days". But before I understood what she meant the men pulled into the parking lot and it was all butterflies after that!

The next trip my brother-in-law went too and since my parents live close to the church my sister and I waited for them there.....but this time we had our toddlers along. We both had hair and makeup done. Waiting for them to arrive was fun because we got to see the kids eyes light up, because daddy was coming home. And when he arrived Daddy's hugs and kisses went from me to Jack, and from Jack back to me..... A sweet reunion...

Daddy and I have shared many of these homecomings and I am always so happy to see him!After years of marriage, 2 kids, a few hard days without his help....I will still receive daddy tonight with lots of hugs and kisses....but I can laugh thinking back on the first few reunions.... compared to now....Right now I'm laying in bed blogging about daddy, I'm in my jammies, I don't think I have makeup on, there's no way I'm putting on perfume... but I'm just as happy to see my darling daddy return home to me, just as much as I was the first time!

Daddy update

I heard from daddy today. He is doing well. A bit tired from all the traveling but our dear friends in Romania keep him well fed, loved on and prayed up. In fact, he was telling me, in an email, of the wonderful prayer gathering he attended and how awesome it was... he said the whole experience moved him to tears.....

One of these days, I will go with him. I do miss him terribly. I miss him the minute he walks out the front door... and it's always been that way. I can truly say that I know I married my "soul-mate"... the one God handpicked just for me.

I told daddy that I too was moved to tears tonight.... not from being in prayer, but from being on my knees............... cleaning up puke! Okay, so I didn't want to cry... just a little worn out. I must say that it's pretty amazing the amount of grace God gives me, even when daddy is away on these trips. Like today.....I went to the doctors this afternoon and I think I must have unloaded about 5 years worth of "stuff" I have been procrastinating getting "checked out". I have some upcoming tests to do..... but I really have peace about it all. God is in control of my life - the beginning, the middle and He's in control of my future - And I like it that way! I find rest in His BIG and capable hands!


Sleep tight my dear daddy. My prayers are with you!

My Man on a Mission

Hi everyone!

This is My Man. He's holding our son.

This is what I made last night for My Man and our son

I put some of them on a plate like this....

....and before long, there was a little of this...

and this....

and a whole lot of this, going on

...and then this one came into the room with that pathetic look (because My Man said "no cookies for you! You didn't eat your dinner")

and so there was more of this...

Tomorrow night My Man will be on one of these...

because he's a man on a mission.... a mission from God.... to help those in need......And that is one of the Gazillion reasons why I love My Man....

Strolling around

Belle and I went for a walk today. We went to church, (funny how it looked a lot like my kitchen). Then we were off to Memo's house (and her place looked exactly like my dining room). Next we went to the Dollar Store (you'll never guess, it was the spitting image of my hallway). Oh, I almost forgot to mention that our friends came too! Boy am I exhausted from all that walking.

Craft time tips

"I DO" ..... is the response I always hear whenever I ask, "who wants to paint?"


Here are some tips to make life a little easier when the kids are painting or doing any craft project that may get a little messy:

Stock up on these wonderful vinyl tablecloths. I pick them up for a few dollars. The holiday ones are especially cute. Whenever we do a craft project the first thing we do is put one of these on the table....makes for super easy cleanup!


Recycle, don't throw away the small plastic Chinese takeout containers. They're perfect for rinsing paint brushes since they don't tip very easily.

This tin was filled with Christmas cookies I had purchased a couple of years ago. It works perfectly for storing paint brushes.

Last tip, go for washable. Nowadays, everything comes in a washable form; markers, finger paint, colored pencils, water colors, and even crayons.