A lesson in Bracketology

I don't think they really need lessons, though.

Joe won last year.

And Jake won the year before.

So...what will happen this year?

"I pray that..."

 Let's just say there's been some disappointments lately.

1. We all had the flu...which has consumed nearly 2 weeks of our lives.  (Josh is on his final stretch...during his "break".)

2. The weather has been FREEZING.  So, we haven't been able to be outside either.  (Snow flurries this morning...followed by a beautiful sunshine.  Yet a mere 23 out...oh yeah...feels like 13!!!!!)

3. Urlacher has been traded from the Bears.  And Joe prayed this morning that he would be a Bear again soon.


And, since I am trying to find SOMETHING positive among all the dreary feelings lately...here are a few positives...

We made "shepherd's bags" so we could pack them with figs, pomegrantes, goat cheese and crackers, etc (studying David...) and go on a hike with a snack. It's been too cold...so that will have to wait a bit longer.

We've been doing some Christmas gift crafts and artwork...

A package came from Grammie and Grandpa...

Jake felt badly for Joe and how sick Joe was.  So, Jake wanted to buy Joe a little something he could do while he was sick.  Jake wrapped it (after asking Joe what color paper he wanted...to which Joe said, "Whatever color you'd like to use" politely!)  Jake and I found a paint book that has the paint at the bottom of each page.  And he can paint all kinds of vehicles. 

Guess who won BINGO

The boys and I played a round of Bingo on Monday.  Both boys did well looking for and finding the numbers on their cards. 

And the winner was...

I love Jake's faces in the background.  Jake does NOT like to lose!

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!