$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?!?! 

Nap time stories

  Jake was eager to read some stories to Joe.  So, Jake chose his "readers" from last school year...all 12 of them! :)

Tangled teeth

 You can see from these pictures that Jake has quite the problem in his upper teeth.  The top two are loose...but are so loose now that they are tangled up with each other...which is anything but comfortable!   We think Jake looks a lot like Mater! :)

 Well, one came out.  Jake marveled that there was no blood and no pain.  (It just popped out while he was playing at the gymnastics place!)  
   I explained that this was b/c the poor tooth was so dead it had fully detached and allowed healing before even coming out of his mouth! :)

   Now it just looks like he lost both teeth and one grew back wrong in the space.  Don't you just want to yank on that thing?

It might be February 12th...

...but we were able to have a picnic lunch outside!!!!  We found a warm spot on the driveway that was out of the wind.  It was perfectly warm for us to sit for lunch...!

  And it even provided that "post lunch nap" feeling as we sat in the sun after eating!

YEAH...can't wait for spring!!!!!