Let them eat cake...

...cupcakes that is!!!

If I were a cupcake

what flavor would I be?

chocolate or vanilla

with pink icing maybe

Thanks Aunt Sheila for bringing by the cupcakes.  

They were a yummy treat.  As you can see we enjoyed them!

 

 Aunt Sheila, I love these pics of you with the kids!

Wordless Wednesday

Material Girl

I have a confession -- I am a material girl (not as in possessions/stuff) but fabric. I love fabric. This is a cute little website if you're looking to decorate a nursery or child's room. I especially like the above combination of fabrics. I really like toile, which this site only has a few choices. This is also a sweet little pattern.

WOW!!!

I have such an appreciation for how visual the Chinese are, and the presentations they produce. The opening and closing ceremonies definitely had the wow factor! However, these bikes had to be the coolest:

“Ganbei” 干杯

Ganbei (cheers)!! What are we cheering about? We actually made it to church on time today (although we overslept and had to go to a later service.) Every week I feel like I'm yelling at everyone to get ready and out the door. Then on the race there I think, Wow! that was a really bad example to set for my kids on being patient and christ-like. Does anyone else do this? I have to say the extra time this morning was nice.

Having a mommy/daughter moment before church
Ava overly "cheesing" for the camera

The kids were having an afternoon snack today when I heard "Ganbei". They have
gotten into the habit of cheering and actually say "Ganbei" each time.
Any reason is a good reason to say "cheers"!

Silly & Sweet

Saturday evening stroll

We live close to a community that has a nice walking trail. It was a perfect evening to take a little stroll...

Enjoying the beautiful flowers and landscaping

Children laughing! Does it get any better than that?

Wrapping up the stroll with a little playground fun

Legacy

The lyrics to "Legacy" by Nicole Nordeman, touch me to the very core of my soul. I pray I don't gain the world, but lose my soul. I pray I don't get caught up in the stuff, the material things and temporary trappings of this world. The legacy she sings about...I pray I leave that kind of legacy!

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best
At such'n'such ... it wouldn't matter much

I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl'
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides The temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy How will they remember me? Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough To make a mark on things? I want to leave an offering A child of mercy and grace who blessed your name unapologetically And leave that kind of legacy

I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthly list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy

Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred Just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one...

Jake's off to Kindergarten!

Jake was so excited this morning to embark on a new adventure -- kindergarten. Have a great day sweetie. Mommy and Daddy love you bunches.


The First Day of Kindergarten

I used to be so little, but not anymore,
Tomorrow I'll get up and walk out the door.
I'm going to Kindergarten - it's the first time for me.
It's great to be big, but I'm scared as can be.

My tummy's in knots. You want to know why?
I'm thinking that maybe, just maybe I'll cry.
When Dad leaves the school and I'm there alone,
I'm thinking that maybe I'll want to go home.

But wait - Mommy said I'll play lots of games,
And meet lots of friends - I can learn all their names.
The first day of Kindergarten, oh there's so much to do!
There's painting and books and a big playground too!

I used to be little, but not anymore.
Tomorrow I'll get up and walk out the door.
I'm going to Kindergarten - it's my first day, you see.
It's great to be big! I'm so glad that I'm me.

Author Unknown.

Sunday Picnic

Yesterday we went to a great picnic. Our friends, Nancy and Allen, are very gracious and hosted an awesome event. Stu's group sang and the kids were in kiddy utopia. Jake had great fun swimming and jumping off the diving board, Ava loved the trampoline, and they both had fun checking out a crooked little playhouse. Thanks for the back to school fun!!

Dreamy Conservatories

I have always loved conservatories. They are architecturally beautiful, bring the outdoors in, and provide a great space to unwind and just chill out. They also seem like a great place to just be...to be in the moment...sit, reflect, and be close to God. Aren't these just dreamy?

Cupid's arrow!

Recently, my friend Leslie over at My Girls posted about her daughter Ella, and how she's in love with my little Jake. Like Leslie said, this is completely innocent and only in good fun. However, it does appear that Jake has taken a hit in the heart by cupid's arrow.... ... as, this is Jake's reply to Ella's post: