40 what?

did i mention that i recently turned 40?...i know what you are thinking..."she doesn't look a day over 25."  well, it is true.  

and...since i am a hunger games addict, i decided to make it centered around this theme.  now, now, before you go judging me for picking such a negative and horrible theme...i kept the....hmmm, shall we say "elimination," on the down low.  about half of the people hadn't watched the movies and didn't know the idea of the movie, so for them, it was a fun night of playing strange games involving weapons.  over half dressed up, which made it extra exciting.  mark and i dressed as though we were from the capitol:  effie and haymitch, to be exact.  the victors were my neighbors and in true form, received a mocking jay pin and bragging rights...until next year!  

xoxo

fruit of the spirit

i am currently reading a great book by elizabeth george entitled raising girls after god's own heart.  i am quickly realizing i am falling short of this task (not that i needed the book to show me that).  i purposed to make this summer a time of spiritual growth for both me and the girls.  so, after much thought and research i came up with this great idea to use the fruit of the spirit.  each week we will have a missionary family to pray for (our church supports several missionaries, some of which we have had the opportunity to meet), a bible verse to memorize, and a "fruit" to learn about.  we will also be looking for ways to share the gospel or at least be an encouragement to our neighbors (make cards, cookies, etc).  i thought the best way to remember to do these things was to have a visual reminder...enter the laundry clip chalkboard labels.  i bought these labels on a website called very jane (i am sure they are super easy to make though) and then i painted them and added magnets to the back so they'd hand on the fridge in plain sight, and did some fancy writing with my chalkboard pen (from michaels).  another idea would be to glue them onto an old rustic board or piece of wood...but i don't have the wall space...so the fridge it is.

i found this great website here that gives activities and ideas to help teach the different "fruits."  i just looked up bible verses that would go along with the "fruit" and then printed them as well.  to start i found some coloring sheets too of the fruit of the spirit for the girls to color as i begin to talk about them.  the missionary cards are from our church...i just picked up several of them so we could have a variety during the summer.  so excited for our new journey this summer!

a visit with friends

we love the stenzels...when they visit we always have soooo much fun and make the most of our time.  we barbecued at the park, went to church, worked out (thanks, boys), surfed, went to the beach, boys went shooting (you're welcome, boys), painted nails, got haircuts (thanks, am), got ice cream, and rode the ferris wheel.  what fun!

family vacay to the desert

we just got back from our first trip this summer...the VERY HOT palm desert.  got as hot as 115 degrees... phew...but the dry heat isn't so bad (compared to the humidity), i guess. 

summer fun...first week

i think because i am back to working full time...i LOVE and appreciate summer so much more!  we are having a blast at our new place...with the pool and the park and the beach...oh, and the girls' first trip to the dentist (which they LOVED...thankfully)

birthday celebrations...5 and 6

i can't believe my babies are 5 and 6....both in may...yes a year apart...like raising twins...sort of....
each birthday gets a little bit more fun...the more they are aware the more fun it has been...

BIG-you are so special to us...after waiting for so long for you to come into our lives, we rejoice in the gift god gave us...YOU!  you are beautiful inside and out...you have the best smile and the funniest laugh...you make us laugh on a daily basis and we love watching you grow closer to the lord.  we are thankful you have asked jesus into your life and look forward to helping you grow spiritually.  happy birthday baby!

lil boo...you are our surprise bundle of joy...you are spirited and adorable and just full of fun!  you are the best cuddler in the world and you have a heart of gold.  we are so proud of the girl you are becoming and how god is really shaping your heart into one that follows after him.  we are so thankful to be your mommy and daddy and look forward to watching you grow up and serve jesus. happy birthday, ladybug!

  h

someone got their ears pierced....

nice bikes that hubs bought on craigs list and then cleaned them all up...looked brand new!

hi, i'm adorable and i'm five!

when you're five you have to eat at five guys...yummy!