Kindergarten Spring Program

Last night was Emma's kindergarten spring program, and it was so fun! I have been hearing the songs for months, so it was nice to hear them perform them.

Emma was asked to do a speaking part! She was like one of ten kids asked to do one! It was so cute!

All the kids did really well. I was really proud of Emma!

I just thought this was a funny picture. :)

Emma talking about bunnies coming out of hibernation.

Here is Brandon (Clint and Keisa's oldest son) in the white vest singing "Ten Little Bunnies".

I just love how Emma gets all into it! I wonder where she could have gotten that? Someone said to us in the parking lot that they could see Emma on Broadway one day. He he!

For Reasons Not So Obvious...

One thing I've learned in my marriage of almost nine years, is there is no need to question Josh. Although it may not be obvious to most, he always has logic behind what he's thinking.

Just as an example, we order pizza with pepperoni on it. Now that's not so weird, you may think. It may seem weird when you learn that Josh is the only one who cares for pepperoni on his pizza.

You see, it is actually well thought out. The girls love to pull their pepperoni off for Daddy. :)

Enjoying the fruits of a well laid plan.

Soccer Star

A couple weeks ago Josie's soccer team did team pictures. There is no way we could justify paying thirty some bucks for pictures, so Josh told me to take my camera and I can snap a couple for myself.

I took one picture, and then got yelled at! Sorry! I didn't know it wasn't allowed. So, the team picture isn't that great, but I got some great shots of her after her game in the gym. I am so proud of my little soccer star. :) Her coach is pretty cute too. Not the lady. The guy. Josh. He is the cute one.

Will the cutest player on the team please raise your hand?

A little soccer rookie trading card!

And what post about Josie would be complete without a silly face shot.


This is who she truly is.

"Smile Josie!"

"I am."

Look What I Found In My Garden!

I'll be honest, I haven't had much time to be out in the yard. I think that I raked all of the leaves that collected at the end of Autumn, but that is all I have had time for. Even though I haven't had time to work in it, occasionally there is a surprise there waiting for me, beckoning me to get my hands in the soil.

I love perennials. They give me something to look forward to every year. Although they don't last very long, they are very strong and beautiful.

This was a lovely thing to see in my garden, welcoming me home from the weekend.

"Hello. Are you as cheerful as I am?" he asks.

"Why, yes. I am."

Hello Neighbor Kitty!

Where did you come from stranger?

It's sure nice to meet you!

You are so darn gorgeous, I could just keep you!

Sadly, I don't think it would work out. Despite the fact that you probably have an owner, despite the fact that you obviously need to be fixed, despite the fact that my dear wonderful husband sent our last kitty packing, and responded with a "NO!" at the photo I sent him by phone even before I said a thing...

I'm pretty sure he would eat you.

No doubt. He is running through his "gourmet gato" recipes in his head right now.

Insurmountable Joy

Coming down from a wonderful Easter weekend can be overwhelming to me sometimes. I am reminded of what a priceless gift I have in Jesus. I get to see my Dad and Mom, and eat a delicious meal with them and my brother and sister and their great families. I see my kids have some of the best times playing with their cousins, making memories that will last a lifetime.

Then I come home and look at my calendar. Oh, is that puppy full already. Aren't calendars daunting sometimes? Do they ever make you want to go hide your head under a pillow?

Really? I'm the only one?

As I prepare for the next five weeks until the Seniors at New Tribes graduate, looking at all the events, knowing some dear, dear friends are moving all over the world soon, I don't want to lose sight of what is so wondrous.

I have a Savior who loves me. Me! I have an amazing husband who is my best friend and the love of my life. I have three unbelievably gorgeous daughters, and I get to raise them! What a gift! I have a silly puppy who is always wanting to snuggle, daffodils blooming in my garden, a gift card to Biggby coffee burning a whole in my wallet, some left over pie in my fridge...okay, so I could go on forever. :)

So how about you? What brings you joy, even when life is going in fast forward? While you think on that, here three pictures of my joy for you. :)

Emma Leigh

Josephine Laura aka Josie, Jozo, Jo

Adelaide Marie aka Addie, Addie pie, Addie girl

The Reason We Celebrate

I never knew why we colored eggs at Easter. Some say it is derived from a pagan tradition. Others say that eggs represent immortality, and therefore a perfect symbol of Jesus resurrection.

I just color eggs because that is what I did when I was little, and so did Josh. We enjoy spending the time with our girls, preparing for Easter morning the next day.

All of that to say that the true meaning of Easter is not forgotten. Jesus death and resurrection is a part of our everyday life. It is hard to explain to the girls what makes this time of year special.

"But Mommy", Emma asks, "Don't we celebrate that Jesus died for our sins every day?" I love this girl!

We do. Jesus died for us, as payment for our sins. We know this is true. We celebrate life in Him every day.

May you not lose the focus this Easter, or any day. Christ died for you, and He lives!

Being very careful.

"Will these be enough eggs, Daddy?"

"Yes Josie, two dozen is enough."

Our brightly colored breakfast for tomorrow.

Our focus today, and always.

Indy Children's Museum Fun!

Indianapolis is such a cool town. There are so many neat things to do. My sister told me of the free night at the Children's Museum, and we just HAD to go!

Mind you, this event was free, so everyone was there with their long lost brother, neighborhood pal, and grandma twice removed on their father's side, but it was still fun even though it was crowded.

The only thing I wasn't too keen on was the lines for the bathrooms. Oh, and a special shout out to the older gentleman in his sixties that thought using the family restroom for his own personal use, while my three year old almost wet herself was a good idea. I know. I get it. It is a big, single bathroom, but as we all know, men's restrooms don't have lines anyhow, so please consider the potty dancing child behind you the next time you need to go, and use the men's room instead.

Enough about that.

Check this out! The dinosaurs are trying to escape! I thought this was very cool to see first thing as we were entering the museum. I heart dinosaurs ever since I was a little girl.

After our potty stop this is what we saw first.

(whoa, big boy. He is a little bit intimidating!)

Check out the size of his paw print!

I love the look on her face.

The whole gang (except me. I'm behind the camera).

Addie looks thrilled.

We went to see the dinosaurs. Addie kept saying "Arrrgggg. I eat you Momma!"

Emma was really into looking at fossils. I wanted to be a paleontologist when I was six, so I think she gets it from me. :)

Can you see me digging these babies up?

Me neither. Too dirty.

Mathew Girls Road Trip!

Emma had spring break last week from school, and New Tribes did too, so we thought it would be good time to go visit my sister Tomesia and her family in her new house just south of Indianapolis. Josh had to still stay in the business office (bills need to be payed at the school, spring break or not!) and so it was just us girls. I think we did well, only stopping one time. :)

We had a great visit with the McNeils. It was an exciting time. Tomesia and her husband Joe are in a band called Somewhere Familiar. They just recorded their first cd, and they were having a cd release party at on Saturday so they were busy getting ready for it. I was bummed that we could not stay for it, but I heard it went great!

We did go to the Children's museum, and I'll post about that later, but in the meantime, here are some pics from our visit.

This is their new house they bought in November. Isn't it adorable! It is HUGE inside too. I love their flowering tree. :)

Kiddos eating breakfast. I just love Alex in this picture. He is SUCH a ham!

Snuggling on the couch watching Kermit.

We went out to McAllister's deli. It was delicious! (Hey dad, they have a gluten free menu too!)