Now you know why I haven't been blogging much...

After two weeks of having little boys in my house with tummy issues, yesterday was especially wonderful. My mom, dad, and niece came into town to spend the day with us, and I think it's safe to say we had a great time together.

Upon arriving, we took them all into the backyard to see our new patio. After weeks and months of hard work, it was totally worth it to see my mom's reaction! She loved it. Yay! Especially touching was when she saw the pin oak tree we had planted in my grandpa's honor. She told me over dinner that she thinks Poppop would have been very proud of it.

We sat outside for a while and chatted and then headed out to get a fishing license for each of us and to a nature preserve where we caught two little bluegills. Not a banner day for fishing, but we had fun (despite the occasional rain and impatient kiddos). Caden made it clear that he wished he were fishing too, instead of sitting in his stroller.

When we got home, we feasted on some good food...steak, baked potatoes, grilled asparagus, corn on the cob, cucumber salad, and strawberry trifle. YUMMO! Cody and Cassidy enjoyed playing in the yard (although they were really wanting to get into their swimsuits and play on the slip and slide...they were overruled by the adults). He made up for it BIG TIME today as he spent the entire day with his friends slipping, sliding, throwing water balloons and soaking up the sun!

Now that the yard is finished, I wanted to share some pictures of all we've done. This will reveal the reason I haven't been blogging much! (It's been totally worth it, in case you were wondering.)

First, the patio and gazebo...

The side flower bed next to the garage (this is to the right of the patio as you sit on it)...

This is to the left...(there's a veggie garden there too)

This is my pride and joy. It's the pin oak tree planted in memory of my poppop...

Hope you all had a safe and happy Memorial Day. Thanks Nanna, Papa Dean and Cassidy for coming to see us. We LOVED having you here!

The Week in Pictures

From last Saturday with Lori...

And my family...

The Graduate...

And today at the petting zoo/end of the year picnic...


Have a Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Another Milestone...

Today is Cody's last day of preschool. Tonight, his teachers will be honoring the children with a little graduation ceremony as they prepare for kindergarten.

As I've prayed through the decision this year about where to send Cody to school next year (public, private, or home), God has been faithful in guiding us every step of the way, and I truly feel in my heart that the best place for Cody is in our school district.

The thing that makes tonight so difficult is that our kindergarten program is full day and selfishly, I will miss Cody more than I can even put into words. I'm not telling him that of course...after all, he doesn't need to carry that burden! But my heart is sad today as we enter into this new chapter of his life. The "pre" years are behind us and his school career officially begins in August.

My heart is heavy today...maybe it seems silly. It is, after all, only preschool. It's just that my little boy is "graduating" to the next phase of his childhood, and I'm feeling really sad about it. I'm so proud of all he's accomplished so far, and I know that great things lie ahead for him. I know God will be faithful in making him the man He wants him to be. And I look forward to watching him continue to grow into that man.

But the fact still remains...preschool is over and I'm just....sad.

A dear friend, father, and family

Sunday was such a cool day. Jerry and I were invited to sing for a Ballroom Showcase in Indiana, five minutes from where my friend Lori lives. She arrived looking awesome as ever, wearing her favorite green crocs she enjoys talking about on her blog! She hasn't changed a bit, but I can see that age has only made her look prettier. There is a peace about her. She's comfortable in her skin, she loves her family, and she's rooted where God has planted her. I'm so thankful for her friendship and it was great seeing her after five years. We picked up RIGHT where we left off, and plans are in motion to get our boys together for a day of fun this summer. Unfortunately, we both forgot cameras (what were we thinking?) but my sister lent me her camera and hopefully I'll get those pictures soon to post.


My mom and her sweet hubby Dean performed at the showcase yesterday. They were fantastic. I was so proud of them as I watched them dance with grace and style. They make a great team, on and OFF the dance floor.


Dean took me for a whirl around the dance floor a couple of times and I was so overjoyed to have those father-daughter dances. Here in my heart lies a place that sat empty for some time, but last night I told my mom through tear-filled eyes that I'm so thankful she married him and gave us girls such a sweet father. (And here the tears come again....)


Jerry and I sang "The Prayer" before the dinner (thus our reason for being there), but truly the best part was getting to see my family (my beautiful sister and her hubby were there as well)and my best buddy from high school. All in all, a fantastic evening. Even better was the fact that the boys did great with my sister-in-law. You can't ask for any more than that!


Pictures to come soon...

What a whirlwind day!

Well, yesterday was a big day. At 9 a.m. our patio people arrived to begin working. At 10 a.m. I taught a voice lesson. At 11 a.m. Cody's ride arrived to take him to his buddy's house for a birthday party where THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE A MOONWALK, MOMMY! At noon, the baby woke up from his nap and we headed out to find our next vehicle.

I need to back up. Our van has been giving us trouble. Now, I really hesitate to even complain about this, because this van was given to us at a time when we desperately needed a vehicle, and it bought us about a year's time without having to obtain a car payment. It has been a HUGE blessing, and I don't want to minimize that. However, it's an older vehicle with many miles, and it's just on its last legs.

This past week, it was huffing and puffing, chugging and sputtering, and when it died, four times, on the way to and from the chiropractor (once on train tracks at a very busy Chicago suburb intersection), I decided it was TIME. Time for a new (used) vehicle.

Jerry has been keeping his eyes and ears open for a good buy on something used, and he found this:

It's a 2004 Kia Sedona, and we are its proud new owners. I already love it and Cody has lovingly named it "Blue Bird." Don't ask me why.

Upon our arrival back home, our hard working patio installers (who were already giving us a STEAL to complete the work) asked us what we were planning on doing with our old van. I jokingly asked if they were interested, and within ten minutes we had negotiated a deal that just about paid for our patio... free and clear.

The best part is this: As we were wrapping things up with them at the end of the day, the wife of this couple (right now they are a brand new company and a husband/wife team) said to me, "I truly believe that God meant for all of this to be. When my husband saw you that day unloading concrete, he was hesitant to give you his business card. He's very shy and even though he speaks very good English, he doesn't feel confident enough to approach people. But he told me later he just felt like he was supposed to hand you his card. We have children to support and we needed this work today. And we needed a vehicle...we really wanted a van. I just think today was truly meant to be."

A win-win for everyone I would say. The best part is that we were interviewed last night by a member of our church to promote the Crown Financial bible studies as we are "graduates." It was wonderful to look back over this past year, to see how God has provided for our every need, even in the seemingly "small" things. I am ever so grateful to Him for His provision.

"Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me."