Catching Up

A few pictures from the summer and more to come. Cousins...enjoy seeing some pictures and we can't WAIT to see you!

Play Date

Jack and Audrey don't have many playdates. It just doesn't work to invite kids and a parent over to play with our babysitter. However, a friend asked if we could watch her son who is just a few days older than Jack. So today is our second play date at our house for Jack and he is loving it! Some of the things I've heard that makes my heart smile:

"Do you want to see my room? Come on...I'll show you!"

"Let me show you how to do a flip...it's really fun!"

"Want to play legos?"

"Luke, here is your bow and arrow!"

For the first 45 minutes, I didn't say a thing to the boys. They just played together and went from activity to activity. Now that Audrey is awake, hopefully we'll make our way outside and will soon be joined by some other friends for Easter egg decorating.

So far, it's been a great day!

Tax dollars Funding Abortion - Act Now!

I'm a passionate person. That is a given and most people know that about me. One thing you may not know about me is how passionate I am for the equal opportunity for individuals who are oppressed or marginalized by society. While that passion plays out differently for people depending on their world view, one way it plays out in my world view is advocating for the rights of women and children, specifically unborn children.

This week, a vote will occur on a significant piece of legislation - health care reform. While the emphasis on health care reform is good, and needed, and personally I support, I cannot and will not support the use of my tax payer dollars to fund abortion, subsidize insurance coverage for abortion, or reimburse doctors who perform abortions. I find this morally reprehensible, completely out of line with main stream America ideology, and highly unethical. It is causing me serious angst and if I could, I'd personally take down some of those individuals responsible for this pro-abortion propaganda. But once I settle down, I realize I, along with you, can fight back and want to encourage you to join me.

First, please pray. Scripture tells us that if we confess our sins, and humble ourselves, God will forgive our sin and heal our land. Abraham, Jonah and others beseeched God to not destroy their land while there could be found a remnant of people who followed God and obeyed his commands. May God only find us so faithful to cry out to Him with a broken and contrite heart for the sin of our selfishness, materialism, the objectivity of sex, and marginalization of so many people, including children. They are not some commodity to make our life complete; rather, they are a glorious gift of God created in His image with purpose and gifts to glorify Him.

Second, we can act. No matter who your Congressional Representative is, you can call them and remind them of the value of NOT using tax payer dollars to fund abortions. Keep the focus of all discussion on the funding of abortions, not health care reform. The message in newspaper editorials, calls into TV stations and radio broadcasts, and calls to congressional offices needs to be clear: we will not let our tax payer dollars be used to fund abortions!

Finally, we can spread the word and urge others to do the same. If you have time to make just one call, please do it! Specifically, we need to find people who live in southern Illinois, north and northeast Ohio, West Virginia, southern Indiana and northwest Indiana. If you know someone in those areas, please contact them. There isn't much time and we have a responsibility to act on behalf of those who cannot. More importantly, we will have to take account for how we acted as stewards of our dollars, both those that we directly control and those that we don't.

Will you help respond in defense of those who need it most? Will you help stand up for biblical principles? Will you stay above the rhetoric that compromises life for the lie that this is our one opportunity to help thousands in need? This bill passed with the pro-abortion funding out...it can pass again that way without the politics and manipulation that is being shoved down our throats.

Passionate? Yes...will you join me?

Chronicles of Narnia

Jack and I have been reading The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe off and on since before Christmas. We finished it last night. Jack was unbelievably excited and refused to go to bed till we made it through. It's exciting to see how much he loves to read, and as he just turned four, we were pretty impressed he made it through the book and without being scared.

As a reward, he got to see the rest of BBC version today as we started it last week. Both Jack and Audrey loved seeing Aslan for real, and I think they are hooked for life. Brings back great memories of reading favorite books over and over again...

Next up on the list? The Magician's Nephew...

Wintery Days of January

The joy of winter takes place with special rules and creative outlets for energy. We've seen lot's of imaginative play with Jack and Audrey who, during the last month, have highly enjoyed playing with each other. They build together, create trains and boats to travel around the house in, play house and just hang out. We've also enjoyed the snow outside, appreciated Jack and Audrey's help in the kitchen, and have enjoyed a few football games over dinner. Enjoy the recent pictures!

Daddy Time

Jack's 4th Birthday

We had just our immediate family around to celebrate Jack's birthday, and then had some more festivities up in GR before Christmas. Enjoy some pictures from Jack's big day...4 years old!

Labor Day Parade

We had a great time at the annual Labor Day parade in Upland today. I figured this would be the only time I could show off Audrey in an Ohio State Buckeye cheerleading outfit since our gym is so hot so enjoy the pictures!

Audrey

I've had the chance to spend about 45 minutes each day with Audrey this week after we drop Jack off at preschool. It's been so much fun to see what she wants to do in her "alone time", and everyday, without fail, she has wanted read...the entire time. She loves books so much and it's fun to see her personality emerge.

First Day of Preschool

Sorry for our lack of blogging. Words can't express how busy we are but we are SO grateful to our family for helping us out with the kids over the last few weeks. Media guide and preseason is almost done so there is light at the end of the tunnel. For now, we get to celebrate Jack's first day of preschool that both mommy and daddy were around to see! :) Jacked picked out his outfit and was so excited to go. As soon as he woke up he said, "I get to go to preschool!" When I picked him up, he didn't want to share much, but out of nowhere on our way to the gym he said, "I love preschool." We''re so thankful he enjoyed his first day and are very excited for him!

The First Shot

The last few days we have been enjoying our time at MaMa and PaPa's house while Brittany worked the BGSU volleyball camp. The kids had fun swinging, playing with the pool and catching up with Nana. One big plus for Jack was the basketball hoop was lowered so he had a chance at making a basket. Brittany came home Friday night and Eric, Brittany and PaPa were all outside to witness Jack's first made shot. It was awesome! Unfortunately we didn't have the camera so here is Jack's third shot with MaMa too. This boy has skills!

Celebration

Tonight we had lots to celebrate. Jack has been working hard on riding his bike with training wheels. Today, he did what we've been working toward the last two weeks: ride it all the way to the Sammy statues! Not only did he ride it there and back with Eric and Audrey walking, he also rode it all the way to Ivanhoes and back to celebrate. Jack enjoyed Blue Moon ice cream and Audrey enjoyed walking through the parking lot looking at motorcycles (seriously).

We got some video and pictures back at home. The video is long but it's for the grandparents! ;) It was a great night!