Motto for the day!

TEN THINGS

Well I have been put this post off now for a couple days because I have needed time to think.  I was tagged in a blog to share my favorite ten things.  I thought this would be really easy, but I got stuck!  I came up with five or six and my brain stopped.  I mean, I have lots of favorite things, but I couldn't justify one being more favorite than the other!  So, I stopped. But, I broke through and think I have conquered the task!

Thanks, Ashley, for making me think!  Check her super cute blog out here:  mommywantstoblog.blogspot.com

{Note: these are in no particular order}

Peonies

I <3 peonies.  They are so pretty and smell so good.  I remember smelling them as they grew on the side of my parents house and I carried them in my wedding.  Here are my girls in front of the our neighbors peonies last year.

Madeline and Millie, 2010

My Girls

They are so fun together.  Millie is finally at an age where she can play with Madeline.  And Madeline is so good with her.  Let's be real, we do have our moments, but for the most part, they look like they will be good friends!

My Backyard in the Summer

Ahhhhhhh...no better Oasis, or place to sip wine or beer.  It's green, lush and I can here the sounds of those summer nights.

Coffee in the Morning

This goes without saying.  If you hear me put your hands up!

Swimming in Lake Michigan

Many Michiganders would say they prefer the lake to the ocean anytime.  Um, yes please.  I love a good swim in the lake, especially on those wavy days.  True, it takes til about August to get the water temp warm enough, but you are a true Michigander if you can swim in the lake in early June!

Madeline and I in Lake Michigan

Bombs away! Lake Michigan 2010

The Fall

My favorite time of year.  The colors are amazing, the weather perfect and apples yummy!

Halloween 2010

Blue


Yes, any color blue will do.


Thunderstorms


Who doesn't love a good storm.  I've liked them since I was little.  I used to watch them come out of the west when I was little.

Bell's Porter


Yeah, so, I put beer down.  It's true, I LOVE Bell's Porter.  I love most dark beers but the Porter is fab.u.lous.

bellsbeer.com



Gray Gap Skinny Jeans


I love my new gray gap skinny jeans.  Super comfy, never thought it would be so.  Plus they are super cute too!


I think that completes my list!  Now you know all about me!

John 3:16 - The Story of Love

This is so beautiful...especially during this lenten season. It is long, but worth the watch.

Stop!

Last Sunday our pastor had a great message at church.  It revolved around this passage:

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

My favorite part was the beginning, where he focuses on the "therefore, as God's chose people, holy and dearly loved..."  He said that the "therefore" was a pause, a transition, a time to stop and consider what's next.  It reminds me of when Madeline, Millie and I are on walks.  Every so often, Madeline will stop and rest and say, "Stop, Mom!  Take a deep breath!"  We will then stop and breathe in the fresh air.  Then we look at each other and giggle and move on.  

Pastor Kevin said God is telling us to stop and know that he has chose us {we are holy} and DEARLY LOVED.  Loved by God, the perfect father.  Now that's enough to make you want to stop and breathe it in.  :)

From This...

to this...

Happy Birthday, sweet Millie!

My brother, Ross, is a great photographer.  Go to rossnave.com  for some really good pictures of the birthday girl and her festivities, as well as some other cool pictures!

Good Morning!

I love the view down our street.  I've blogged about it before, here.  The scenery down our street is the prettiest in the fall, but this morning's sunrise almost took the cake.  I think spring might be here, don't you?!

Rookie

Madeline was invited to her first non-family, non-family friend birthday party.  Her little friend from preschool was turning four and invited all the little girls from her class.  I have to admit, I was probably more nervous than she was.  Silly as it was, I had SO many questions.  Do I stay with her?  Do I drop her off? What does she wear?  What kind of present do I bring?

I felt like such a rookie mom!  It had been a long time since I felt that, probably the day Madeline was born!  So, I thought back to when I had birthday parties.  I remember a picture of my third birthday party with all my friends in their party frocks and black mary janes eating cake around my parents table.  There were no other parents in sight.  So, I dressed Madeline up in her church dress, cute shoes and decided I wasn't going to stay.  I bought a couple small little gifts and wrapped them up.  I took a deep breath and drove Madeline to the party.

As I pulled up to the house, there were numerous cars there.  I walk in and ALL THE MOMS ARE THERE.  In fact, one of the moms is actually participating...she's face painting all the girls faces!!  I walk in a little further and another mom is helping all the little girls with a project!!  As the party goes on, it gets more crafty and more educational and I am feeling more and more behind the times.  As the party wrapped up, the party favors were handed out and I couldn't believe the loot Madeline came home with. She may as well have been the birthday girl.

Don't get me wrong, the party was super cute and Madeline had a great time.  The only questions I have left are:  are ALL parties like this now???  and do I have to go next time???  :)

Madeline post party