M&Ms...and church

I've been slowly finishing off a bag of Peanut Butter M&Ms from Easter, and I just had to mention that they really are an amazing creation. I only eat about 2 a day, but it's just nice to know it's there, ya know?

Did you ever sneak candy into church? I can remember having some stash in my purse as a kid and feeling soooo bad. I can't remember why I thought that was such a sin, but I guess because it was decadent and felt "wrong" in some way...

I could write my memoir about churches I've visited, grown up in, attended, etc. It would be filled with great stories like the times I ran around church as a little girl during my parents' choir practice and got my punishment from my father rather quickly.

That was also the church where I first fell in love with my Savior; where he first captured me.

Or the church in Michigan where Aaron and I made some friends for life and learned what it meant to be a family.

I could write about Crossbridge in Houston because that was simply a miracle in itself -- finding it, finding friends. That experience alone could convince an atheist that God exists.

And then there's Minnesota. An entirely different experience. Over time, we've come to see how God has used this church to shape and change us. It's been hard and glorious and frustrating and wonderful, all at the same time.

And that's exactly what it means to be on this journey -- loving Him, loving the body.

Can you say "Matriarch"?

Back in March, Aaron's Great-Grandma celebrated her birthday surrounded by all these great grandchildren -- isn't this an amazing picture? Only a miracle could make this happen - how else can you explain this? Check out Daniel's Coon Skin Cap! (A birthday gift he enjoyed thoroughly.)

Scrubbed Up, Shined Up

More Easter Love for the Fam - Enjoy!!

Easter Means Hope or The Hope of Easter, whichever you prefer

Don't worry, Grandma, you'll get your hands on her soon.

But My Neighbors Might Call The Police...

I really can't put into words what it means to see the first inklings of Spring around here.

It's a mild form of torture waiting for warmer temperatures, driving by the lakes and practically willing them to thaw out. I always tell myself, "This will be the year I will not complain about the long winter...I will just enjoy each day and stop whining."

But, man, winter wins out every time.

So when I felt the sunshine on my face this morning, the birds singing, I almost turned into Julie Andrews in Sound of Music right there on my deck: THE HIIILLLLS ARE ALIIIIVVE!!!!! Spinning, arms held out wide...

Somehow, I restrained myself.

Arizona Escape

"The finest kind of friendship is between two people who expect a great deal of each other, but never ask it." --Sylvia Briener

Ah, Beth. Met her in my Freshman Orientation Group at IWU. She's the kind of person you instantly trust, instantly tell your deepest secrets to without a thought. She's also excellent at one-liners.

Since she lives in Michigan, it's always tough to figure out how to see each other. But every now and then, we are blessed with times like last week. Thank you, husbands!

Beth has 3 boys about 1 year ahead of mine in age. If you'd told us we'd have 7 kids between us back in 1994, we would've rolled with laughter. But it's been fun to hear our baby stories through the years and the ways God has changed and molded us as women, as moms.

It's been almost a week since Beth and I took a short getaway to Arizona, but somehow, I'm still sort of there. We had an amazing 2 1/2 day escape to the Phoenix area where we soaked up sun, visited downtown Scottsdale, and just generally loafed around.

The Glorious Pool:

Downtown Scottsdale:

Driving around:

Being with Beth for those few precious hours reminded me of something simple but so important: Women MUST take time for their friends. They have to stop and recharge every once in awhile. Too often we get together with a friend or two and think, "Man, that was great and I wish I could do it more often" but we aren't intentional about planning for it. Then we wonder why we feel lonely or isolated.

Other highlights:

• Practically attacking Beth when she got off the plane in Minneapolis
• The delight of exploring a place we'd never been before
• The movie "Knowing" should be entitled "We KNOW you'll hate this movie"
• Cheesecake Factory / Which Wich - cool sandwich shop
• Reading, reading, reading - we can't get enough
• Stumbling onto a cool garden with fountains/sculptures in Scottsdale

One Year of HOPE

This pretty girl had her 1st Birthday Party last Sunday. She loved showing off her new swimsuit from Aunt S and Uncle C -- even though the straps left a bit of indention in her fleshy back :)

She loves cruising around the house and won't take more than one step by herself. NO hurry, girl. Mama can't keep up with you as it is!

Here's sweet H with baby J -- he's such a huge handsome boy!

Happy Birthday, darlin. Love you!

Coming next - sunny pictures from my getaway to Arizona with Beth W!!