The End of our Shoe Problem

(Okay, have you ever LOST pictures on your computer? There are supposed to be 3-4 'before' pictures of this bench and area...but they're nowhere to be found...)

This is a bench that I got FREE because I asked on facebook for an 'old bench or piano bench or something'. This is our mudroom and it used to be a mess of shoes, a dresser, boxes, and whatever else didn't find a better place in our house.
Now, it looks like this! Much cleaner. I like that there is a sitting area to put shoes on, (which we covered with material and a bit of batting) and some baskets to put those shoes in. So easy, even my two-year old can put them away! And I think I spent $4-5 dollars total--free bench, we already had the baskets, so all I bought was the fabric and batting. Not bad!

Oh...and my bench story: I wanted something old/antique-y looking. I had been looking in antique shops around town, but couldn't find much for under $50. So I advertised on Facebook that I needed an old bench...and two days later, one showed up at my door...LITERALLY!

A lady from Clay Center (where I'm from) was on her way to Wichita and drove it down for another lady from the area whose mother had it in her house. Make sense? Anyway--I was so glad to see it. It was JUST what I was looking for!

My Mom and Dad...

Are incredible. Today is their 30th wedding anniversary.

I'm so thankful for parents who LOVE the Lord, and show it by their lives and in their marriage. I KNOW they don't have a perfect marriage. But to be honest--virtually all of the memories that I have of them are good:

*They are sweet and romantic with each other.
*My mom doesn't nag. :-)
*My dad sends her sweet cards. (and sold his motorcycle to buy her wedding ring!)
*They've ALWAYS gone on frequent dates with each other.

Most importantly--they have SHOWN us what a godly marriage looks like--loving each other, following God's call WHEREVER that might take them, and producing three INCREDIBLY talented kids. In fact, check out the youngest's blog for an even BETTER tribute!



Happy Annivesary, mom and dad! I LOVE you!

Allowance

We're taking Dave Ramsey's 'Financial Peace University' right now, and have been forced to think about some things. Like allowance.

Not that Ollie's that old, but we thought maybe now was a good time to start having him earn a little money for jobs around the house. He has things has still HAS to do, just because he's a part of the family (like helping clear the table, helping to clean his room, etc.)

But last week, we started giving him money (like 15 cents!) if he'd help with the recycling bins. So here he is, working for his allowance:

Putting his money into his piggy bank.
Funny story: the other day, he put on a pair of jeans from his cousin, Isaac. He pulled out a folded dollar bill and said, "Oh, trash." And walked over and threw it away! I said, "No, wait Ollie! That's money!" Apparently he's never seen the stuff! Oh the days of plastic.

Celebration

So last week we celebrated Joel's 30th birthday by having 3 parties.

For the last few days, Ollie and Lily get ALL the playdoh containers out...
They build 'candles'...
And Ollie sings "Happy Birthday" to Daddy. They call it their 'celebration'.
It cracks me up every time.

Parfaits with Ava

A few weeks ago, Ollie's friend, Ava, came over. We had a fun time playing together ALL day! We went shoe shopping, to Walmart and the bank. After naps, we went to the football field to help Joel lock up and the kids got to ride on the Polaris with him!

Later, we came back home for zebra parfaits--they LOVED them. (It was definitely an 'eat-this-outside' kind of treat)

30

Happy 30th Joel! We LOVE you!!!!!

Kendall, Ollie and Lily

Learning

I'm so thankful for these two. They've taught me a lot about God.

When Lily is SO hungry and is just SCREAMING, or Ollie cries because he can't have that cupcake...or Lily fusses as I'm changing her diaper--it's so much like me. The minute something happens in my life that I don't like, or am uncomfortable with, or didn't plan on...I have a fit. Sometimes aloud. Sometimes in my heart.

And yet, as a parent, I KNOW that the reason I don't let Ollie eat a cupcake is because he'll spoil dinner. Or because he's getting something better in a few minutes. But he can't see that.
I can deal with Lily screaming because she's hungry because I KNOW that it's coming. Right now. But she doesn't understand that yet. She doesn't realize that I just have to get her pants on--and THEN she can crawl and play all she wants.
I know that's how God is. In his father-like love for me, He knows what's coming next. And although I may fuss and throw a fit--He still loves me. And understands that I'm human. He knows what I need even better than I do.


Just like I want Ollie and Lily to TRUST us, because we know what's best, God wants my full trust, too. Because His heart is TRUE LOVE for me. So I'm growing. And learning to trust Him. And I'm so thankful that He uses children to teach us.