Chicago Trip

We had a lot of fun on our trip to Chicago. We left here on Thursday night around 5:30. We did not get into Chicago until around 8:30 local time because we hit some really heavy snow on the way down there. Thankfully we made it in safe and sound. Here is a picture of Daniel in the car. He had his headphones on to listen to his movie that he was watching, and he was drinking out of my water bottle.



We decided to stop and eat at Steak n Shake for dinner. Monica is getting to the age where she wants to be up where everyone else is when we are out eating. When they brought her a highchair they also brought her a hat, doesn't she look cute?



Here we are back in the car. Daniel wanted to watch the rest of his movie and wear his hat from Steak n Shake. Doesn't he look cute too???



Our friends in Chicago were very gracious to let us stay at their house while they were gone. We had a lot of fun playing in the yard. Here are a few pictures of the kids playing on the fort. Monica loved being outside. The poor baby does not know what it is like to play outside, since she was born right before the winter.







On Saturday we went downtown Chicago. Here is a picture of the new Trump building. It looks like they are almost done.



We went down to the Navy Pier. It is so much fun there! They had a Spring Family day and had a lot of fun activities for Daniel.




Here is a great picture of the kids in front of the city.



This is one of the bouncy things that they had inside the crystal gardens that Daniel played on.


Here is Daniel inside the bouncy castle.


This was a circus train that Daniel loved climbing through. It was like a little obstacle course. He went through this thing at least 50 times!



Here is Daniel on another bouncy thing.


Here Daniel was meeting Patch. Daniel thought it was cool because Patch had a friend named Sunny Bunny! How ironic!



Here is a picture of Daniel riding on the indoor train. There is also a video of it below the picture.






Here is my son showing off his pitching arm! Pretty good eh?



This was one of the entertainers that they had there. Daniel thought he was the funniest guy in the whole world!



After we were done inside we went out to walk around the Pier. I wanted to go on the Farris Wheel so I convinced Daniel to go with me. He was not scared until we got to the top. Here are pictures from our trip up the wheel, and a video as well.

Wild Hair

For some reason the little bit of hair that Monica has is always sticking straight up in the air. It has been this way since birth. I like this picture because it shows exactly what her hair looks like on a daily basis.

Holy Week

It is very easy for me to get wrapped up in my own little world and let a week like this pass me by without even giving thought to what this week is all about. This song is a beautiful song of worship that allowed me to step back and ponder what Christ did for us on the first Easter.




Oh, to see the dawn
Of the darkest day:
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men,
Torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood.

CHORUS:
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
Took the blame, bore the wrath—
We stand forgiven at the cross.

Oh, to see the pain
Written on Your face,
Bearing the awesome weight of sin.
Ev'ry bitter thought,
Ev'ry evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow.

Now the daylight flees;
Now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two,
Dead are raised to life;
"Finished!" the vict'ry cry.

Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death;
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.

FINAL CHORUS:
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Son of God—slain for us.
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross.

If you cannot see the video try visiting their website (here) and you can hear the tune. This song is beautiful.

Daniel and Camryn

On Friday Camryn's dad Chad asked if he could take a couple of pictures of Camryn and Daniel together. This was one of the pictures he took. It cracked me up because it looks like Camryn and Daniel are teenagers who are dating. This is Daniel's "Hey Babe" picture.

Daniel and Camryn reading

Daniel and Camryn are very cute together. They have really become best buddies. They like to sit and read to themselves, which I find to be very cute as they make up a story on the way, or quote a book that has been read to them over and over again. Here is a video of them reading.
Enjoy!

7 months old!!!!

Ancient words ever true changing me and changing you...

Lately Daniel has been very interested in God and the Bible. He has been asking a lot of questions and has listened closely in the answers. Of course, as his mother this brings such joy to my heart. The other day Daniel told me that he wants to go to heaven when he dies. I asked him if he knew was sins were, he said no, so we talked about it a little bit. I decided to read to him the story of the crucifixion. He sat on my lap looking at the picture in his children's bible of Jesus on the cross. As I read about the men nailing through his hands Daniel gently touched each of his hands in the place where it showed Christ was nailed. He had this look as if he was thinking deeply about what we had just read. What a blessing it is to be able to teach our children these ancient words. I love this song by Michael W. Smith. It is a beautiful song of worship. It came to mind when pondering the power of God's word. I know that not all of you who read my blog can see the videos so here are the lyrics for you to read.

Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world,
They resound with God's own heart
Oh, let the ancient words impart.

Words of life, words of hope
Give us strength, help us cope
In this world, where e'er we roam
Ancient words will guide us home.

Chorus:
Ancient words ever true
Changing me, and changing you.
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart.

Holy words of our faith
Handed down to this age.
Came to us through sacrifice
Oh heed the faithful words of Christ.

Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world.
They resound with god's own heart
Oh let the ancient words impart.

Chorus x4

We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart.

Monica Playing

Scrabble

Brandon and I have found a past time that we both really enjoy. We are now officially scrabble players. We have a lot of fun being challenged to find the best word for the most amount of points. It is a game where we can both win or lose with one big move. We are both very competitive in the game, and have a lot of fun with it. Besides being fun, it has helped sharpen my spelling skills! Here is a picture of the last game we played. I was proud of this one because I cracked 300 points!

Silly Monica

This is the way Monica LOVES to sit in her highchair. Very shortly after this picture was taken I tried to straighter her out and she threw a HUGE fit.

TIMEOUT!!!!!!

Yesterday I woke up in a really good mood. When I went to wake up Daniel he was a SUPER GRUMP! I finally had to just send him to time out until he calmed down. As soon as he went to time out Monica started grumping too. I told them that they were not going to ruin my good mood, so I put jokingly put Monica in timeout next to Daniel. She thought it was really funny, and I thought it was cute.

Healer of our every ill

I recently learned a beautiful new song that I had never heard before. At our women's bible study we are studying a book on how to help suffering people through hard times. During our worship time we sang this song. I encourage you to click here to hear the tune of this song. It is a wonderful song to get stuck in your head all day.

Refrain:
Healer of our every ill,
Light of each tomorrow,
give us peace beyond our fear,
and hope beyond our sorrow.

1.
You who know our fears and sadness,
grace us with your peace and gladness.
Spirit of all comfort, fill our hearts..........(refrain)

2.
In the pain and joy beholding
how your grace is still unfolding,
give us all your vision, God of love..........(refrain)

3.
Give us strength to love each other,
every sister, every brother.
Spirit of all kindness, be our guide..........(refrain)

4.
You who know each thought and feeling,
teach us all your way of healing.
Spirit of compassion, fill each heart.........(end with refrain)

Thank you Babu and Soso

I meant to post this a long time ago. This was Daniel's valentine gift from Babu and Soso. He watched it on valentine's day and loved it. Thank you!

The Sled

If you cannot go outside to sled, you might as well sit on it to read!

Proof Daddy does do diapers!

Having a bad day!!!!

Unashamed Love

This is a song that we sing at church sometimes. It is a simple prayerful song of praise. Take a few minute out of your busy day to quiet your heart and praise our Savior today.


"You're calling me to lay aside the worries of my day
To quiet down my busy mind and find a hiding place
Worthy, Worthy

I open up my heart and let my spirit worship Yours
I open up my mouth and let a song of praise come forth
Worthy, You are worthy

chorus
Of a child-like faith
And of my honest praise
And of my unashamed love
Of a holy life
And of my sacrifice
And of my unashamed love"

Monica in her Sunday best

Peek a Boo

I see you!

Monica Marie