D.C. - again ;)

Smithsonian~ I know I must be boring you guys by taking pictures of the same buildings EVERY time I go to The Mall, but I just can't resist... our memorials never cease to amaze me! We headed downtown on the Metro... my FIRST time without Nate. I have to admit I was a little nervous. Having my analytical sister to steer me in the right direction was comforting. :) Mya was there to steer her little bro in the right direction as well and has become quite the little helper! I am so thankful for my wonderful sweet Mya Danielle!!

With my sister's fiancee's family

My girls LOVE their aunt Sandy and eat up every opportunity to be near her. They are still shedding tears, they miss her so much!

~I love my little sis~

Running down the path with their FUN Auntie!

Don't know where Mya gets her dramatic flare from??? ;)

Or her passion for the camera -haaaa... My parents bought Mya her first camera last time we were in SAtown. Audrey was a very willing model and soaked in all the attetion, as any 2nd born should.

Magnificent!

This picture stirs up so many emotions... I pray for the future of this great nation because I know my children will feel the effects of policies made today!

Lincoln Memorial

Visiting all the memorials always reminds me of all the blood that has been shed and all that has been sacrificed by the men and women who have served our country. May we never forget... may we always protect the freedoms bestowed on us!

Nate's Surprise party & Sandy's visit part 1

Can you keep a secret? Shhhhhhh... It has been a while since I blogged last... in late Feb we threw a SURPRISE party for the man we love so much!

Above: Mya heading out on her Valentine date with daddy

I could not have pulled off the party without the help of my dear friend Becca. I'm so thankful for her sweet friendship!! She made Nate's favorite salsa... :) and help with the kiddos.

It was a fun evening of fellowship, good food, and poker.

28 candles make a nice little bonfire hahaaaa Just thankful it didn't melt the coldstone ice cream cake!

Getting a little help putting out the flames... :)

The next two weeks were busy... I'll spare you the details. We look forward to Aunt Sandy's visit with great anticipation!!




The kiddos could hardly wait for this moment... they love her so much!

My sister is engaged and there is much wedding planning to be done, so we headed out to gather some ideas.

The wedding diet - bahahaaaa

My sister could not resist the Steinway and requested permission to play. I am always impressed with her skills and the beautiful sounds she can produce - simply amazing!

We had a poker/coffee night with our friends Sun. and then headed out Mon. for a girl's night. I wanted her to meet my peeps.

Meeting some of the Parker girls :)

More pics to come :)

Blizzard of 2010

Drowning in snow... and lovin' it!

Angels making snow angels ;)

Snow play is as much fun as it is tiring! Walking through the snow is very difficult when it is this deep. I think the grand total so far is approximately 30inches and still falling!!!

Slaeter loves going out in the snow, even though he can't due to much when he is out there. Thankfully, I found snow boots at GAP for $10 the day before the big snow came! This is amazing considering I had searched hi and low... everywhere I went the shelves were cleaned out.

Watching daddy shovel

Apples were they only thing that convinced him to stay inside. He is soooo into apples and could probably eat them for every meal if I let him. :)

Well, what can I say? Nate has been home from work for 2 1/2 days ( another reason I love being snowed in) and while I have been catching up on house work, he has been up to other things... much to Slaeter's dismay. No worries though mom. The hairclippers don't hurt him. He just hates the noise and being forced to do something he hates.

Awwww new haircut! Football in hand makes for one happy boy!

Slaeter has already developed a love for this sport, thanks to his daddy.

You know Nate has cabin fever when he starts taking pictures. Haahaaa... He took the ones of Slaeter w/his ball and lined the kids up for a picture on the stairs. I was cleaning the kitchen and next thing I hear is "okay! Look up here! Smile!" Gotta love it. :)

Heading out for more snow play~

Snow cone anyone?? All we need is a little syrup...

Woohoo!!!!!!

The long hike back up

If you read my previous post, you know that the transition to cold/snow has not always been welcomed one. :) When we moved here, a sweet lady at our church passed on some advice that someone had give her, " Bloom where you are planted." I was reading a book a dear friend gave me before our move and read this, "Many of us refuse to grow where we are put; consequently, we take root nowhere." Oswald Chambers This resonated with me and reminded me of my times spent with my dad planting flowers. I was reminded and convicted to continue to "break new ground", despite these frigid conditions and continue to take root. Transplanting, preparing the soil... all this is hard work and takes perseverence. Our neighbors prepared their raisebeds this past fall and are letting the soil marinate this winter. All this will result in a beautiful garden full of flowers and vegetables come spring/summer. I guess, you could say that's me, a marinating raised-bed haahaaaa ... learning to embrace the season and time God has appointed me and being nurished, prepared for the "spring".

"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to wee;, and a time to laugh;..."

Ecc. 3:1-4

Please don't misunderstand. I am so blessed, more than I deserve. But God has used the "winter" to work in my heart and it is my prayer he does the same in you in 2010.

that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. - Ephesians 3:17-19



Our snow-covered home~

And another picture of our snow-covered street. Notice the mailboxes and how high the snow comes up.




Literally, thigh high in snow!