sunday rain... again

 Just because they looked so darn cute today! Thanks Grampy and Grandma for the dresses!

 and because, while it was nasty outside today, our home was warmed by good friends and yummy pizza

Bell in pink socks, Bean in Blue

painting with water

At some point last week there were just a few hours where no one was sick and the sun was shining. 

We took full advantage of the fleeting sunshine by painting with water, drawing with chalk, and dancing.

Bean in pink and grey & Bell in blue

Oops! The water spilled/was dumped - what do to? ...Dance!

"Hey, Bean!... Lets dump your water too! Then we can stomp in it!"

"That's a great idea!" (I can't believe she didn't do it first)

more dancing

and a bit more dancing

Oh sunshine, will you please return and stay for awhile? We've really missed you this spring!

Bumpy Flyboat

While visiting Grampy and Grandma a couple of weeks ago, Grandma had the privilege of pretending to be a Wonderpet and riding in the flyboat. 

 This is the flyboat, in case you weren't sure.

The problem is.... that darn flyboat gets really bumpy.

 It can be a pretty rough ride. Also, those driving the flyboat prefer to "drive" the flyboat in such a way as to hit every possible bump so they can laugh hysterically as people bump up and down and fall over.

 In fact, they insist that passengers do not wear seat belts so they can cackle  as each one hits the floor during the exceptionally bumpy ride.

 Thank goodness Grandma is such a good sport. Most passengers would request a different flyboat, or different pilots, or a minimum number of times they must fall on the floor.

We love Grandma!

friends :o)

These are from 2 weeks ago. I know... I've been terrible at updating. But these pictures are worth the wait. We had a great time visiting with a couple of fabulous friends and their little ones.

Bell, Bean, and Molly

Rachel and Kim w/ Rachel's new little guy, Henry

Me and my girls, Rachel w/ Henry ,and Kim (this picture is great, but missing molly and carson)

3 girls and an un-rip-able book

love this one

getting sillier

Raining Cherries

"You better get your umbrella! It's raining cherries!" -Bell

she wore my old point shoes one morning for over an hour

Bell - Mommy, look what i made
Me - wow! what is it?
Bell - a telescope
Me - what? a telescope?
Bell - yeah!
Me - how do you know what about telescopes?
Bell - from Dora
Me - ah. so what's a telescope
Bell - you use it to look at stars, like little star
Me - wow, that's right. nice picture
Bell - and... i just put some noodles on there too.
Me- you drew noodles on the telescope
Bell - yeah, just a few noodles on there... that's so silly.

the telescope with noodles

Poor Bean has been sick and lying on the couch for 3 days now. She's a trooper, but she's exhausted. Bell, who had the virus first, has been full of energy and humor.

Yesterday she was riding the swiffer mop around the kitchen singing "Jesus Loves Me". When I asked her what she was doing she introduced me to her horse, Candy. Later, a small part from Candy's handle broke off and Bell was upset. I said, "oh no! did candy's leg break off?" Bell said in a slightly annoyed voice, "No, her tail".
of course... so obvious

and just because i've been neglecting this blog lately - here are some pictures from a couple of weeks ago.

posers!

I really don't think I ever taught my girls how to pose, but maybe it's instinctual. Maybe I photograph them too often. Maybe I should stop forcing them to watch America's Next Top Model reruns for hours upon hours a day... wait....

Bell

Bean

Bell

Bean

Bell

Bean

Bell

Bean

Bell

 

Bean

 oh my

Jesus's Little Lambs

"

Bean and her grandfathers

"The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. ⁵ A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." John 10:3-5

Bell with her Lamb

Bean and her Lamb

¹⁴I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, ¹⁵just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:14-15

Bell and cousin playing with window decorations

Bell and cousins making lovely faces!

We are His sheep. Walking the wrong way and confused most of the time, yes. But He came for us, He finds us, He leads us as only our Shepherd can. Not just any shepherd, not just any man. A Shepherd to whom we belong, who lovingly gave Himself for His sheep... whose voice we know. A man who is also God, a God who was willing to die for his beloved children, to those who belong to Him. How blessed, how incredibly blessed am I to be His child: loved, forgiven, and chosen as His.