Another trip to the museum

We got to take advantage of the free night at the Children's Museum.  It happens each month.  So, we plan to utilize that again in the future. 

But...we got to cover some of the areas we didn't get to go to in February.  And the boys loved it...

Did we have this when we were little?  Or was it at church?

Wet snow...Part 2

Thursday morning we got outside after breakfast.  The snow had a nice covering of icy substance.  So, the boys took another shot at the sledding.

Wet Snow

 So, we had a pretty wet snow come through on Tuesday night.  We tried a snowman...and finding it was so wet the snow got heavy fast...we headed to our little snow hill.  After a few trips down on the sled and snowboard, we built a ramp.  And it was pretty entertaining from then on...although we did take a break for a family snowball fight in the woods. (Every time Joe got hit, he would fall down in slow motion.  I finally asked why he kept doing that.  He said, "I keep getting shot.")

So, here are some videos of the fun. 

And a few pictures...

$implicity

  Josh did our taxes early this year...like a record breaking 2nd wk of February. (Normally it's April 14th...his birthday!)  So, with great anticipation, we have been adding up in our minds the coaching money yet to be paid along with the tax refunds.  And...like many...we suddenly feel we'll be rich for awhile. 
  Of course, in our culture it is easy then to naturally drift into the dreamworld of all we can do to "keep up with society" by buying this and going there and doing that...etc. with all our "extra" money that's coming to us. 

  Don't worry, though. I was brought back to reality in a very gentle, loving way despite my desire to buy this, go there, and do that.  The other day as I finished up the monthly budget, I realized as I punched the numbers that all our "riches" and "extra monies" were going to cover most of our bills and other needs that we need to save for throughout the year...and there wouldn't be extra to splurge on. 
   I may have chuckled out loud as in His gentle voice in my head God softly reminded me of what we really only need...His provision.  How could I see it any differently?

  Each month in the last 6 years, I have seen God's faithfulness.  Each month seems to carry a new level of appreciation for the preciseness of His faithfulness...as He stretches me to grow greater faith in His ability to provide. And this month was no exception. 
   So, don't worry...I won't be getting the new phone or going on a vacation or trying to "keep up with the Jones'"...but I'm okay with that.  We have so much more we can do and we can enjoy right here...right now! 

  As I look out the window...His faithfulness spreads across the sky in a beautiful sunset! Oh, how He loves me!

$implicity...it's worth it!
 

Finally

In the Water

You can see how Joe is improving...

The boys play during diving practice in the shallow end.

 

And Joe jumps off the diving board and swims back to the wall by himself!

A trip south

  We finally had a weekend where we could head south to TN.  We haven't been to Grammie and Grandpa's since June of 2012.  (Josh...since Feb 2012...)

   Friday morning in Indiana found us hit with ice and cold wind.    Friday night found us (around 11 pm) in 50 degree weather and no wind.  WOW!  I couldn't remember how to pack for that type of warmth with the week of cold weather we had.   (so the hats, gloves, layers...weren't really necessary...needless to say)

  It was a whirlwind trip.  Two days is just not long enough to do much.  But it was a good trip.

We did get to hear and see (and Joe got in) a real drag racing car at my parents' neighbors.

  I found it interesting leading up to the trip that Jake asked..."Can we go to G and G's in the summer instead of now so we can swim in their pool?"  I had to explain that this trip wasn't a one time shot...we could go now AND then!   I guess they had forgotten that last year between Dec and June we went about 4-5 times! :)

   Joe seemed surprisingly shy in the new surroundings...!  Things weren't unfamiliar, but he definitely seemed to be pulling details back into his mind instead of comfortably remembering all that he saw...even in G and G's house!  I guess I thought he would easily recall more.  But that wasn't the case necessarily.  And it didn't keep him from having full-fledged Joe fun!

  So...we came back yesterday to 45 degree weather in Indiana.  But the wind chill had to have been 10 degrees less (I didn't dare look...I just bundled up in my thickest hoodie and went out to play golf and basketball in the sunshine with the boys! )
  Next day (today)...even worse...35 degree rain/ice mix...with incredible wind from the east.  (again...didn't check the wind chill--for mental sanity...but did watch the rain travel parallel to the ground as it came down for an hour this morning...amazing!)

Spring is on it's way...to Indiana...just around the corner...right?!?!