Where Have All The Sippy Cups Gone?--Nicole

I seriously buy like 2 every time I go to Walmart, never throw one away and yet can never find one when Lyla needs a drink. And to make matters worse, now Georgie uses one too. I mean seriously, is there like a hole in my house where all these cups escape to in order to have one giant sippie cup party?

What mom has been up to!

Spring is in the air here in Tucson and it's hard to stay inside. Here are a few things I have been doing the last few weeks! Lots of walking ,hiking and gardening. The rain has made everything grow. the orange poppies at Picacho Peak are gorgeous this year!

To My Women of Dominion-MOM

"Fixing our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith who for the joy set before us Him endured the cross , despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:2-3

What encouragement to my hardworking, self-sacrificing mommies. I am so proud of you as you daily devote your lives to loving your husbands and caring for and training your precious little treasures. I pray that you are strengthened each day by God's word and that you will not grow weary. What joy you bring to me and daddy as we hear and see of your hard work and the fruits of your labor. "So in the meantime, good and faithful mommies who are taking the rugged path of selfless obedience walk with your head held high, for you are stepping in His noble footprints. Be assured. They lead to rich joy and everlasting glory." Womanly Dominion

Praying - becky*

I've been learning a lot about praying lately. Seems like praying like a child is the best route to go. Real. Honest. Whatever comes to mind.

Drew's prayer this morning....

Thank you for Bella's happy heart.

Thank you for my Jesus book.

Thank you that my blankie isn't lost.

Thank you that my mom is beautiful (I'm not making this up! I almost cried :) )

Thank you for Nora's park, please help us not to die there.

Amen.

I have a lot to learn from these cute people that I pray with every morning....

Daddy Days - becky*

Matt is super-dad. He does the coolest stuff with our kids on the days that he has them. I'm always excited to come home and hear what cool (and usually free unlike my big ideas haha) thing they did while I was gone.

Typical days involve free cookies for breakfast at A.J's, the dinosaur park (a.k.a. the riparian preserve), the library, home depot, free kids meals at "Chicken and Play" (a.k.a. chick-fil-a) and long bike ride.

Some days they toss it up, like last Saturday when a kind couple in our church let the kids come ride their ponies. One thing daddy doesn't do: hair, look at my ragamuffin! :) so cute.

A couple of weeks ago we were on our way to a wedding in Matt's truck and I spilled something on my dress. He reached into the basket behind his seat and pulled out a pack of baby wipes and handed me one, so cute. Pink pull-ups and wipes in the work truck :)

Amongst the many reason I love Trader Joe's=The Daffodils ~Timarie

So you simply CANNOT go into Trader Joe's during this season without buying their $1.29 Daffodils!!! It's just a MUST! They start out so as 8 small little buds but within 3 days they are bright and bursting with color blooms that fill up a vase! They pretty much make me smile every time I walk by! They are absolutely delightful! It's such a simple little joy in my life... but just one of the hundred and one reasons why I LOVE Spring!!! They also make a wonderful little "just because" gift for someone! I used to always bring them to Mrs. Abrams... Today it was Tori when I stopped over at her place! So fun!

Next time you are there... don't leave without some! ~Timarie

Our Valentine's Trip--Nicole

Each year (near Valentine's) Jonathan and I take a weekend trip with our dear friends Stephen and Karen--and only them...no kids! We alternate which couple plans the trip--this year was our fourth year and our turn to plan. We decided to go to a place we'd already been (a first for our group) San Diego. Who doesn't LOVE San Diego, seriously, it's like the perfect city I think.

We had tons of fun doing what we love best: talking and eating. Well, we did make it to Balboa Park for a day and the beach, but mostly we just ate and talked and relaxed. I slept 10 hours the first night! That was as much as my last two night put together! When we weren't hanging with Stephen and Karen Jonathan and I had a really nice time just enjoying each other's company without two little squeakers in the picture.

Definitely enjoyed this weekend more

now that I have kids, but was definitely ready to get back to them as well. They enjoyed their weekend with grandma thoroughly. (The day after we got back I gave Lyla a snack of pretzels and she told me, "Grandma gives me cookies.") So thanks Grandma. :) Thanks Jonathan for working hard so we can have vacations and thanks Stephen and Karen for starting this tradition with us...until next year!