Broken Hearts Belong to Him...

While reading a book recently, the following conversation between a father and his daughter made my heart pause.

(the father speaking) "You have always heard me say that to believe in God is not enough. To know He exists is not to know His salvation and love. To know Him is to love and obey Him. It is to trust Him even when the way is unclear and all hope is gone."

"To trust Him even when your heart is broken?" she asked, lifting up her eyes.

"Especially when it is broken. For where else may you take your broken heart, if not to Him who made it in the first place?"

Signs of Spring b4 The Storm...

Alexander (and this mommy) are ectastic about the promise of sunshine & days outside. Here are a few shots of Xander enjoying some fresh air -- at least before Saturday's snowstorm hit and he sadly looked out the window exclaiming, "Oh no! It raining!"

this face is to illustrate him using his 'muscles' to drag a BIG stick across the driveway

and here he is 'hiding' from the camera -- no more pictures, mom!

Misc. Cousin Encounters...

The first weekend in March my brother (Kevin) and SIL (Jolynn) hosted a little family b-day party to celebrate Xander (2), Ty (5) and my mom's (?) birthday. G'ma was gracious about letting most of the attention fall on the boys -- I do believe we even forgot to sing 'happy birthday' to her (seems to be a trend within our family)!

Last week my sister (Brenda) came to town to attend a continuing-Ed class and brought along her son (Isaak) to spend a few days. As a mommy-to-only-one, I quickly came to appreciate the idea of 'coordination' with multiple kids. Xander and Isaak were on a rotation -- one went down, the other woke up; one was finishing lunch, the other was ready to eat. REPEAT and REPEAT. Regardless, it was a good time & the boys had so much fun playing together.

Today's Chuckle: She Tried

The little mimic that he is, Alexander seems fascinated with personal hygeine.

Each morning he pulls out a cotton swab from the top drawer of the vanity and sticks it in his ear (stop! don't send me any messages! i know this is not safe & honestly, I promptly remove the 'said object' from his little hands!).

He slides my brush against his matted curls.

He points at his eyes & blinks as I insert my contacts.

He makes 'hacking sounds' as I spit water into the sink after brushing my teeth. He has totally mastered this sound -- SUCH talent.

So, now that you know most of my morning routine, I really wanted to share this cute albeit a bit old-fashioned story I came across recently entitled, She Tried.

Adam watched with fascination as his mother smoothed cold cream on her face. "Why do you do that, Mommy?" he asked. "To make myself beautiful," said his mother, who then began removing the cream with a tissue. "What's the matter?" asked Adam. "Are you giving up?"

Ah...yes...son. Some days we moms do give up. That's why pony-tails, sunglasses and hats were invented.

P.S. The picture is a stock photo...NOT me. I mean who actually does their hair before washing their face!?!

Purchase That Saved Our Marriage...

I bought it recently on Amazon for less than $10. Free shipping. A small package that weighed less than a pound. Nothing spectacular.

Here's the whole story.

During a master bedroom re-model several years ago, a man (my husband) surprised his bride (that's me) with a can-light directly above the bed. A reading light. Ahhh...a source of delight to the wife. Argh...a decision regretted immediately & continuously by the husband.

Conversations which have since taken place under said can-light.

"Can I PLEASE read in bed tonight?" No!

"Why did I EVER install that stupid light!"

"Yes! Duh! If you read with the light on (husband's translation: BLARING in my face) it will keep me awake."

"No. No reading in bed. Go sit in the chair over there!" (wife's translation: in the cold, uncomfortable chair which is incredibly too far away from the oh-so-warm & snuggly bed)

So last week I purchased this...

...and our marriage has been pure bliss ever since!

How about you? I would love to know of any other marriage-saver purchases :)

Happy #2 Birthday!

We celebrated Alexander's birthday this weekend with g&g. Our neighbors, Nick & Alice, stopped by, too. The day's theme was kind of a mish-mash of trucks, construction, matchbox cars, etc. -- pretty much anything with wheels was eligible for the table! :)

Presents were a big hit -- when Xander saw the wrapped packages he immediately questioned, "Christmas?!"

After our neighbors left, Blake dished up ice cream & we starting eating cupcakes only to realize after several minutes that we forgot to sing "Happy Birthday" or light a candle on a cupcake! What kind of parents do that!?!

admiring his Thomas balloon from g&g
ice cream or frosting mustache...not sure which

close-up of cupcake & car