Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Dinner with Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop

This evening we had the privilege of having dinner with my grandparents. One thing that always strikes Lindy and I when we are with this couple, who we love so much, is how well they know the Lord. From the way that Pop-Pop prays for our food, to the way that Mom-Mom talks about her trust in and love for God, and just how often they talk about the Bible and what they are learning in their small group or at church is impossible to miss when you speak with them. I was able to draw them out about what a normal day looks like in their home, what time they get up in the morning, how much time they spend reading and praying, how often they pray together, what they pray for, etc. It was inspiring to hear their answers. Since they've been married (which is approaching 60 years), they pray together every night before they fall asleep. WOW! And since his retirement, they pray not only at night but in the morning together. Lindy and I were saying how we would love our marriage to look like this when we've been married for 60 years. Their marriage is a wonderful picture of Christ and his church. They were telling us how their stories about God's activity and faithfulness are intentionally shared so that when they are gone, their grandchildren will remember the goodness of God. Pop-Pop mentioned how he learned this while reading the Psalms and is trying to be faithful to obey God's command to "tell the story" to the next generation. Pop-Pop and Mom-Mom, thank you for being faithful to tell the story. I pray that my children hear your stories and they help draw them to God Almighty. You both are a blessing to us, and count it one of the greatest blessings God has bestowed on us to have you as grandparents.

Mom-Mom's first comment afer holding Abby is "she is strong". Notice how she is holding onto her with all of her might. Lindy is getting some serious muscle tone since Abby's been born. She is one strong, determined, and happy little girl.


Pop-Pop was kind enough to let Isaac watch Thomas, Percy, and Terrence work hard moving "coal" (marbles) around a track for about 100 passes back and forth. Isaac continued to be amazed everytime they would pull off moving these marbles around the track by themselves.
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Monday, April 20, 2009

Beach Day!

We had our first beach day of the year on Saturday! In the morning we did chores around the house, and it was so beautiful outside so we decided to go to the beach for the afternoon.

We had a great time as a family, and with our friends Dave, Sarah, and their kids David and Owen.

Mommy's girlie
The water was freezing!! Isaac went in only up to his ankles, but I still don't understand how he tolerated it!
These two had a great time.
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Abby and Owen had a great time on the blanket, under the umbrella. Sweet babies.


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Big TV.

Monstrous TV in a tiny house.


We received our tax return a few weeks ago, and for several reasons it was a bit bigger than usual. Church, debt, savings, vacation, and our home all were allotted certain amounts of money.

I was (am) very excited about spending money on our home. Keith and I joke that we decorate our home $30 at a time . . . We decided that we wanted to purchase areas rugs, and a TV. Our old TV is upstairs in our loft, and we love having it there, especially in the winter when it is nice and cozy upstairs. However, we thought it would be nice to have a TV downstairs for several reasons: the kids when I am making dinner; for our guests (Keith's family loves to watch sports when hanging out); for the summertime when it is too hot to watch TV uptairs; and for when we plan to have another baby (I get very sick for much of the pregnancy; at that time it would really serve the kids to be entertained).

We decided to buy a 32 inch TV. Shopping around we found that the prices were all too high for what we wanted to spend on a TV. Yesterday, Keith was doing something with the cars outside and he was thinking about what we should do about the whole TV situation. He ran into our neighbor, Tim, who just happened to mention that his father-in-law was selling his 50 inch flat screen TV and just wanted to get rid of it. Tim was trying to sell it for his father in law on craigs list.

Needless to say, we bought it. It wasn't exactly what we were looking for, but it was $200 less than we budgeted for a TV. It doesn't really fit with my sad attempt at french country decor, but we'll make it work.

As you can see in above picture it is HUGE!

Again, not exactly what we were looking for, but looking forward . . . it'll be great whenever we do get a single family home. Not to mention I have more money to spend on my area rugs.

March: Rainbows

One Sunday afternoon in March, after a spring storm, two rainbows appeared!! I thought they were so pretty.


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March: Fogo de Chao

Now an annual tradition, we went to a Brazilian steak house - Fogo de Chao - with our good friends Dave and Sarah. We go in the spring to celebrate our birthdays. Sarah's is in February, Keith's - March, Dave - April, Lindy - May. If you've never heard of Fogo de Chao, think all-you-can-eat filet mignon and many other delicious cuts of meat.


The house special is on the left, and the filet mignon is on the right. The house special was one of my favorites.

Keith getting more of what I think is the house special.
Our friends, Sarah and Dave.
To some, this may look disgusting, but believe me - it was sooo good.
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March

Abigail began pulling herself up onto everything, and "cruising"! First her crib, then tables, then all the way up the stairs!
We went to the zoo. No great pictures of the animals, but Abby really liked sitting in her stroller without the carseat.
Daddy's birthday. We had a great steak dinner, then cake and presents. Isaac really enjoys celebrating birthdays, even when it is not his.
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