Snow, Snow, and more Snow!

Is it bad that part of me is thankful Lucy Jane is little and not begging to go out and play in the snow?!  I love being cozy inside!   Rich was itching to get out today and use that 4-wheel drive!  (such a boy)  I took advantage of his feeling adventurous and sent him to the grocery store for some yummy snacks!   
He made me promise him I would stay out of the kitchen while he fixed lunch! I knew he was up to something! (Goober)  Geez, that was a hard promise to keep! haha   When he brought my plate in the living room, he had made sandwiches and surprised me with a chocolate milkshake!  I could hear him breaking the blender  attempting to make something in the blender! :)  He even made a smiley face on the top with chocolate syrup! Don't get excited ladies, he doesn't do this all the time!  We did love our snow day together though.....AND it looks like we will be getting another one tomorrow! We took Lucy Jane outside just for a few pictures.  It was way to cold for me her to be outside playing!  :)

Proud Momma Moment #1

Lucy Jane and I had to go to Wal-Mart today after school to pick up a few items before the big snow storm hits!  I am always in my own little world when I am with her.  We spend most of our time walking up and down the aisles almost bumping into people and things because I am talking and interacting with her the whole time!  :)  By the time the school day is over, I am having major Lucy Jane withdrawals! 

Today, I was sacking avacodos for her and not really paying attention to anyone around me.  I noticed an elderly gentleman standing by our buggy.  He asked if he could talk to my "precious baby"....!  What do you say, right????   He got right near her face and started to talk so softly.  I could see the sweetness in her eyes just light up.  She put her hands on his cheeks and pulled his face closer and gave him a kiss on the cheek.  She loves to give kisses, but this seemed different. So heartfelt.  The smile it brought to this mans face was undescribable. 

The gentleman asked me if I knew without a doubt that when I died I would go to heaven and live forever.  I said, "yes sir, I sure do."  I thanked him for asking.  He patted me on the shoulder and said he was glad that I was going to raise my daughter to love the Lord.  Lucy Jane then attempted to raise up in the cart and she grabbed his hair.  Now, if you can picture his hair! ha It was white, but with just enough oil that when she touched it.....it stayed standing up! :)  I apologized for her messing up his hair and thanked him for his kind words about Lucy Jane. 

This was such a sweet reminder to me.  We have been given the responsibility to raise our children to love the Lord and to have a heart for others.  I want more than anything for Lucy Jane to have a "kind" heart and a compassion for others.  Today, she showed those two characteristics and I couldn't have been more proud.  I know she is only a baby and many would say didn't know what she was doing; however, to me it was just a reminder of how important it is that I set the right example for her.  If I want her to be kind and compassionate, it is important that I model these attributes. 

"Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity and dignity."  Titus 2:7

What is Most Important to You?

Over the past week, I have only been to school one day. We had several snow days, and I was at home with a sick baby for a couple days. It is really neat how God's timing is always perfect! He knows exactly what we need just when we need it! Instead of taking sick days, I was able to use the snow days as time to stay home with my sick baby and love on her while she was getting better! :)

While I was off from school, I had a lot more extra time than I would normally have during a 'work week'. I spent some precious moments with Lucy Jane that I don't normally get during the week. We had several pajama days, shared breakfast, naps, and lots of play time! She is always smiling and that makes my heart super happy! I am so thankful for a happy baby!

Over the break I learned how often we get caught up in the 'busyness' of our lives and do not take the time to appreciate the things that really matter! I have made a committment to not get so caught up in the stresses and struggles of daily living and focus more on my family and making an eternal impact.

"Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." James 4:14

Life is over so quickly. We need to cherish each day that God gives us and let him know that we are thankful for his many blessings.

"I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds." Psalm 9:1

First Family Vacation

The beach was a great choice for our first family vacation! We flew to Boca Raton, Florida to meet some friends from Minnesota for a weekend getaway. Their cousin has a beach house there, so we only had to pay for airfare which was wonderful! We left on a Thursday night and flew into the Miami airport. (Crazy) We enjoyed a weekend of relaxing and enjoying Lucy Jane seeing the beach for the first time!

Lucy Jane did pretty good on her first plane ride!

She spent some time sleeping in her daddy's lap!

The first thing Lucy Jane did when we sat her in the sand was grab a handful and put it straight in her mouth! Go figure right! Everything goes straight for her mouth! She is such a mess!

We spent some time playing around acting goofy, drawing in the sand, and just relaxing on the beach! It was such a great time away! Short and sweet!