Hello summer

And in the blink of an eye, it is June 30th. How does that happen??

I wish I had more time to post regularly. So much to write about but I'll just have to leave you with pictures...someday I may get more time to actually write.

June Highlights:

Noah turned three! We had a party for Emma and him at Paul and Janis' house. They loved their cakes and playing with their cousins.

We took a trip to Kansas City. Uncle Andrew came with us to Great Wolf Lodge and then we met the rest of my family for a day at Worlds of Fun. We also got to visit the McLeans and meet little Handel for the first time. It was fun trip despite some navigation troubles...just ask Andrew about it. Don't know if he'll be traveling with us anytime soon.

The kids and I stayed at Mom and Dad's for a few days. We were able to meet some friends at the Ledges, pick berries with Janis, and play with cousins. I also got to have a dinner out with my sisters and friends for my birthday-a real treat. It was just like a vacation for us...might have to go back before summer is done.

Birthday boy

Birthday party



Birthday buddies

Presents and more presents!

 

Noah's bulldozer cake

Emma's Brave cake

Isaac the clown

A boy and his flashlight

Great Wolf Lodge

The "Wolf Den"

Excited about their room

Bunk mates

Uncle Andrew

Emma was a fish, we couldn't keep up with her!

We got to visit Andrew, Miranda, and Handel.

He is Andrew's mini-me!

Waffles for breakfast

A day at Worlds of Fun



Camp Snoopy with Grandma

All smiles

Still loves that thumb

Hugs



"Boss baby" is Ethan's new nickname for Grant. This guy runs the show at our house.

Rock climbing

Fun at the Ledges

My berry pickers

Picking berries with Grandma Janis

Crim cousins

Birthday lunch at Bravo

Brothers



Hubby surprised me with these for my birthday. Never thought I would be so excited over cupcakes. It was one of those days...and they were from Scratch!



Trying to get this boy potty trained...not going so well

 
 Quiet Time Encouragement:

"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me."

Luke 9:18-27

I  really liked today's Daily Bread with George MacDonald's quote,

"In whatever a man does without God, he must fail miserably-or succeed more miserably. True self-denial means, "we must see things as [Christ] saw them, regard them as He regarded them; we must take the will of God as the very life of our being...We are no more to think, 'What should I like to do?' but 'What would the Living One have me do?' "

I must remind myself to not be focused inward but outward. Not to be frustrated with giving of myself but to give freely. Not about getting what I want but about losing my life for His sake. 

And May is gone...

A free and quiet moment to post, very rare these days. Ethan is off this week and we are enjoying some fun time as a family. We are heading to Kansas City on Thursday for a mini vacation. Summer is here and I am trying to make our list of things we want to do. Emma has also requested that I have a "schedule" so that is one of my projects while we're driving. She is thrilled to be out of school and it's been nice having her around. Noah loves having a playmate and they spend lots of time outdoors.

There is so much I could write about but I find it easier to just post some pictures of what's been going on at the Andersons.


Our Life in Pictures:

 

Buddies already

May 14th- Emma's 6th Birthday, Lydia came to play

Our new 6 year old!

A unicorn carriage??

Made Noah's day to find this in our front yard

Thanks for finding the high chair Grandma Kris!

Big milestone

Took some practice and convincing from Dad but she did it! Emma is now obsessed with riding her bike. She begs Ethan multiple times every day to go ride.

New PJs from her cousins and she loves the mask :)

Home Sweet Home:

Found Emma a quilt at a garage sale. She now has cowgirl and princess décor :) The painting was one Ethan's grandparents had given his mom when she was a little girl. She loves having her own room!

A Penny Saved:

 

I finally got my couponing back on when I made a trip ALONE to Target. $41.85 and a $5 gift card!! Felt like Money Saving Mom :) It really is worth it sometimes to clip those coupons and plan ahead before shopping. Haven't figured out how to do it with kids though. When they come along, I end up shoplifting...so embarrassing.

 Quiet Time Encouragement:

 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding."

Proverbs 3:5

I've been meditating on this well-known verse the past couple of weeks. How often do I "lean on my own understanding?" This can be defined as "your perception of the right course of action." A note in the ESV study Bible said this, "The wise will govern themselves by what the Lord declares and will not seek their own finite and often-mistaken understanding against His." He knows ALL things and is working them ALL for my GOOD. Just trust Him... it sounds so simple but yet such a struggle at times.