We're going on a bear hunt. . . .

This is one of the funnier moments from the week. It's like reverse hide and seek. One person hides, (that's the bear) and then everyone goes to find that person. Be sure and keep your eye on the baby girl. . .

Here we are. . . . Gratitude.

So here we are, we have made it back to KC, been quarantined for 4 days, made it to a couple days of school and had a great weekend with our friend Lance, from Arkansas. What a week! I sit here and think through it and realize all the many things I am grateful for. (I know, you're not supposed to end a sentence with a preposition.) i digress. SO, in honor of my friend Candace (because she makes a mean list) here's my top ten from this past week.

10. I am so grateful for the lunch my friend Emily and I got to have a Chipotle this week. Not only is it the best food ever, but we had a really good chat that morning, and are learning to live this life as a Godly mother together. Thank you friend!

9. I got to pray over my son, teach him about the heart of the Father, and watch his body heal. I am so thankful that we are designed to seek Him in our time of need- and that I got to watch my son ask for prayer when He was sick. And then see him restored. Amazing. . . .

8. I am grateful for an amazing husband who reminded me ever so kindly Friday night that my life is not spinning out of control and it is going to slow down. And I will still be here. :)

7. It rained a beautiful fall rain today. Cool. Crisp.

6. My bills are paid for this round and we have food to eat. We stayed dry during the rain today.

5. Big Biy got an amazing hug today from our friend Haven. She's not even two and spread the love during family devotions tonight.

4. Little Boy hasn't gotten sick yet!! (And neither have any of the parents!)

3. We laughed really hard this weekend while watching Nacho Libre with Lance- our friend from Arkansas who visited this weekend. The visit was sweet and the fellowship was great. Thanks for coming friend!

2. When asked what the Lord said to him tonight, Big Boy said, "He said He is coming back." That's awesome. Really.

1. The Lord has given me a testimony- I have been saved. I have been given an opportunity to live eternally. With no pain, fear, or suffering. No sickness or disease. No sin, only love. For my life is only a breath and I am amazed at the days I am given. May He be shown in my waking and in my sleeping.

Goodnight and goodbye.

We made it home. . . only to find we had brought home MN germs.

Yeah! We did make it. I know, I already told you that, but I thought it would be appropriate for the pics I am about to unveil. So, you remember we bought the dresser at IKEA that was way cool? Remember me saying it almost didn't fit in the van? See below.









We also had some fun in the van. First, we watched a few videos.





Then we looked at the windmills. Really people, these things are huge. It makes the trees look like shrubs, and though you can't tell from the pic, they are actually higher than the clouds. It's crazy cool looking, and the boys (well, Big Boy) thought they were really amazing.













We had a great day Sunday, only to wake up with a fever, cough, and aches. Big Boy has been sick three times in the last six weeks! Say a prayer for him and us, as we are all stuck at home with a sick one. It has again reminded me that my longing for the return of Jesus grows every day. I have spent the last two days talking to a momma who had a VERY difficult labor and delivery of her baby boy and another momma with a daughter who has been sick for a long time. I know, for my family it's totally just a virus, but there will be no more sickness when the Father sends his son to return. He will make all things right, there will be no more pain, suffering or sin, and my heart is longing for it.

Goodnight and goodbye.

Bethany College- Day 6

Hello friends! Sorry this is delayed, but we had such a good time last night that we came home and all crashed. Though we didn't sleep all night, it was a little bit better than the night before. SO, on to our day yesterday. We started the morning at a friend-of-a-friend's house for horseback riding. We fed the horses, combed them down, and then rode around the field. Big Boy has ridden a horse before, so he did a wonderful job! Little Boy, had not, and I wasn't sure whether or not he would make it, but with some encouragement and a close daddy- he did it! After that we went to the Minnesota Zoo with some new friends and had a blast! It was great times together.

All that to say, we had a great time! Enjoyed visiting with you all so much this week. I have one more funny post tomorrow about our trip home. It was most definitely an adventure. . . . that whole dresser loaded in the back and all. :)



Goodnight and goodbye.

Bethany College- Day 5

Wow. Ladies and gentlemen- today was a day of fun. I know, you are thinking, "Could it really get any better??" I think it could and it did. Now, let me preface for those of you who think like my husband- we went to a mall today. Not, not, NOT to shop. This was a playing kind of mall. You see, yesterday we had a rough morning here at the college. We got bored, watched too much TV, spent too much time on the computer, and then became generally moody for the rest of the day. I woke up this morning again, already in a sour mood. Plans changed with John needing to leave earlier than I had expected, and Little Boy waking up MUCH earlier than expected. It was snowing again outside, and I know it was fun on the first day, but not so much anymore. I could see the misery starting again- so drastic action had to be taken if we were going to actually enjoy each other. SO, to the mall we went! This is no ordinary mall- it sits on 30 acres and has the largest indoor theme park in the middle of it anywhere in the US. It is in fact, the largest mall in the US. At least that's what I think I was told. Anyway, it's called the Mall of America and I took the boys by myself this morning. First stop once inside was the local Starbucks- thanks to my friend Emily for the heads up on the Pumpkin Latte. WOW! I digress. . . .We stayed until almost 2, we were having so much fun! If you look at the pics below you can see the highlights. We rode the train ride, the "car" ride, and a mini-roller coaster. Everyone had loads of fun. We then walked around for a bit, found a Rainforest Cafe (another really fun place) and ate lunch. Our last big hit was the Lego Store. It's really big with lots of cool lego sets that you can't find other places. Big Boy was the photojournalist at Rainforest Cafe for us, and I took most of the rest. Notice all the crazy things made out of legos. . .

Then we left the mall and went to pick up daddy. He had finished lunch with a friend and wanted to join the party! We went to Trader Joe's for the first time. It was pretty cool and I was really working to remember the kind of salsa that my sister got that was so good. I tried, sis. Don't know if I got it right or not, but was definitely thinking of you around 2:30!



THEN (as if the day wasn't fun enough) we went to IKEA!!!! It was such an interesting place and we went into the wrong side first (the one where you pick up the furniture you want to buy, because it's all still in the boxes and we couldn't figure out what anything looked like). Anyway, on that side we saw the "bents and dents" section. My Christmas present came early this year and I got a new $300 dresser for $111!! Can you believe that?? It is totally cool and though the back window of the van will remain open for the next three days, it is totally worth it. I'll have to take a pic and show you tomorrow. It's really quite hilarious. We had a moment of panic when the back door wouldn't even shut and we had already paid for it. Ahhhh.... it shut....barely. :)



LAST but definitely NOT LEAST, we went to a wonderful chili dinner for us. It was a great time to visit with some new friends (hello MN blog readers! love to you all) and connect more with this community. Our kids had a blast, we ate some good chili, and we got to share about what the Lord has been doing in our midst. He is good- and often times he is doing some of the same things in different ones, very far apart. He is sovereign, patient, and kind. Loving fully his children. We are blessed to know ones that love him wholly.

Goodnight and goodbye!

Bethany College- Day 4

Okay, so there isn't much to say today, except look at this amazing fun!!! We watched entirely too much PBSkids this morning, so when afternoon fun with daddy came, it was desperately needed, and we went to the Transportation Museum!!! It may not seem very exciting, but let me assure you-- to little boys who love all things that move, an upclose look at a real engine, caboose, and dining car from the 1920's were really cool. I guess Daddy and Mommy liked it too. Nonetheless, it was a hit of an afternoon, so enjoy the pics!

On a different note, we were walking out of the museum after spending close to two hours and it struck me. . . . what would we do if there was a little girl in our family?? The thought was unfortunately new. I don't know if she would like trains or not. I don't know if what she would like is something the other two would like or not. What to do on a family vacation?? I remember conversations from my family as a kid, trying to make such a decision, but I don't remember how it was decided and how everyone felt about said decision. Wow, still can't wait to bring her home. Still, really excited about having a new addition to our family. Still really ready.

Goodbye and goodnight.

Bethany College- Day 3

Okay, so here we are continuing through our week of fun. Today was no different. I should point out first that the silverware slide is still the highlight of all meals. We actually ate out tonight and were concerned about missing the slide. Anyway, we hung out around the room for a bit this morning, played with cars, and Big Boy has been working on his photography skills. Here's one for your enjoyment. . .


This afternoon we went to an apple orchard and had a great, though terribly cold, time. We picked, played, ate, and played some more. We even got to ride a tractor!

To end out the day we made it to McDonalds drive thru (for Big Boy) and Panera for the rest of us. What a wonderful way to end a cold, but really fun afternoon- hot soup in a bread bowl with a really good cup of decaf. Yum. I am also really blessed with a Little Boy who loves tomato soup. He had it for lunch and dinner!




On another note all together I read this book today during naptime (part of it) about the Parable of the Prodigal Son. It was very interesting and it struck me with a basic question. "If the parable was only about the younger son returning and the heart of the Father when he does, why does Jesus include that last part about the older brother?" It is truly a powerful warning to those who like me, have lived so much of our lives in the church. I have known of the Father and his heart for me for a long time. I long to stay fresh, to remember well the things he has saved me from. And yet, in the parable- not only am I an oldest child, but I am also one who has been under the Father's love for many years. The "obedient" one. The older son doesn't come in. I want desperately to be in on the party and yet the older son doesn't go in. He is consumed with selfish anger at his Father's willing forgiveness and the loss that it ultimately may cause to his own inheritance. (A younger son once reinstated can get a second inheritance when the Father dies.) It is ultimately selfish. Displaying the true and fallen sinful heart- at the core only concerned about keeping it's own needs met. As I am sitting here in this wonderful and interesting place, I am struck by my own heart. I am reminded of my own shortcomings and I am amazed that the Lord still invites me in. Thank you, again and again, I say. Thank you.

Bethany College- Day 2

Well, it has most definitely been an eventful day. We woke up to snow this morning! Yes, I know, I was surprised too. Even though I had done my homework, looked on weather.com before packing, I knew there was a chance for snow, but was still surprised. You know, down south when there is an early chance, it usually means we'll get a flake or two. It snowed here from before we got up, through lunchtime. No real accumulation, as I figure the ground is still warm, but what a fun addition to our trip. We just needed waterproof gloves to go with our snowball fights!



This one is my favorite, as you can clearly see how we love to walk. Despite the fact that our shoes might get wet, we don't have our snow boots or pants, and we don't really like the other pair of shoes that mom brought-- we still choose to walk directly in the snow. Really, is there any other option???


This morning as we were cleaning up for breakfast we found the second most exciting part of the trip thus far. Second only because it happened second, not because it is second best. You see, we are eating in a college cafeteria. And as most of you know, when you are finished with the food on your tray you take it to an area and follow any number of directions to help with the cleaning process. This my friends is what we found. . . .



I made it a bit bigger so you can get the full effect. It will forever be termed, the slide for the silverware. Need I say more??

Goodnight and sweet dreams.

The Family Trip to Bethany College. . . . Bloomington, MN- Day 1

Alright friends, we loaded up this morning after having a wonderful weekend with the Lee family (at least three of them) and have now arrived in Minnesota. Bethany College of Missions is a small college that we became connected with last year, and they invited the Daddy up to teach a class. They offered to put the family up for the week, so we considered it a vacation! On that note, and because we are all sleeping in the same room and therefore have to be really quiet after 8pm, I thought I would give all three of my loyal readers the highlights from each day.

Here we are leaving the house. . . . (the random new friend in the back is Angie, she needed a ride from KC back to Bethany.)


Then I was driving, since my husband was preparing to teach all week, and I thought I would document the interesting things I saw while utterly bored. (no, it wasn't all that unsafe)


Then a signpost. . . oh wait, Des Moines is just barely halfway there. :(


Then some cornfields. . . and a rather unhappy Little Boy face.



A staticky stop. . .


Some fun playing in the room. . . wrestling as much as mommies are made to. (I missed the really good pic of them taking out their daddy!)



And finally, bedtime reading with daddy. It took a bit, but amazingly enough, the boys were both asleep by 8:35! This is going to be a fun week!!!



p.s. Sometime I'll have to tell you about the funny conversation that Big Boy and I had sitting in Subway tonight. It was in reference to Bethany College and his sister Bethany not being here. For a quick moment, he thought we were coming to get her. :(

Are women born this way?

I saw this on a friend's blog today and thought it was hilarious. It is how things work in our house...