Tuesday.

When the kiddos are happy, I am happy, so Tuesday we spent most of the day outside. It was BEAUTIFUL! Ollie & Ava played so well together and had so much energy!

Ava found this BIG X in the sky!

Just hanging around. A new move she learned.

Ava & Ollie kept me busy with baseball!


A Random picture of our garden so far. Horray for onions! We have yet to plant anything else...i'm scared the cold weather will come back!

The kids had a picnic outside under our swingset. Underneath the wood doors is Ava's sandbox and her secret fort (the doors open from both sides, creating a 'fort-like' appeal)

PB & J, cheetos, & grapes (to keep it healthy!)

Meet Grape face...

...and cheeto face!

And where was Lily this whole time? Right by the patio door enjoying her inside play :) She is such a happy girl no matter where you put her!

And finally, Ava learned a new flip without having to use the bucket! She is turning into one strong and determined little gymnast!

And Ava Says...

"Daddy-your beard is wierd" -right after scruffy daddy gives Ava a kiss. Very Cute.

To Grandma's House We Go...

We went to our parents house in Milford, NE this weekend for Easter.

And no i didn't take any easter pictures-how could i forget? I may snag some from my sisters and post those later. We had a fun long weekend-which i was ready for! We had lots of exciting news this weekend: Baby news (i could hear my mom scream from the basement with joy!), Wedding news (Collin's sister is engaged!), and great news from Lisa that her treatment is making great progress! It was a joyful weekend!

Ava was talking to the cows. Everytime she would come near they would run. She didn't care-she talked to them anyways :)

Ava & Daddy on Grandpa's tractor

Collin's dad bought this the day after Thanksgiving last year so that Ava has something to look foreward too when coming to Grandma's house!

Ava & Aunt Kendra

Ava bascially drove in circles for an hour.

Ava & Daddy playing :)

Ava Wants you to know...

...that SHE is a...

11.12.2009

...and she is SO happy about it, she just had to do a little dance...

5 minutes of Chocolate Heaven?

So, a friend sent me this recipe for a 5 minute chocolate cake. A 5 minute cake that is just for one person made in the microwave and a coffee cup! I haven't tried it out yet, so if you decide to check it out, let me know how it tastes! This could be bad if it is delicious :)

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg 3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract 1 large coffee mug (MicroSafe)
Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. EAT ! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).

Motherhood.

As a mom i sometimes...well, ok...actually struggle ALOT with finding my purpose to be at home all day. The same EVERYDAY things. Laundry, cleaning, disciplining Ava...and on and on it goes. I love Ava, but there are days that i just DON'T want to be a mom! There are days I DON'T want to do the dishes or be a good housewife. It can be discouraging, so its a good thing that God's word is SO encouraging! A couple of weeks ago i found this verse in my devotions. It was one of those 'ah-ha' moments. One of those moments that you feel God is talking to you. I actually don't think i understood the first the first time i read it, but i understand it now:

"For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministering to the saints"

Hebrews 6:10

What a great reminder that God never forgets what I am doing! He never forgets that taking care of His child, Ava, is ministering right back to Him. I tend to forget that everything we do, we should do to honor Him. So, when i'm not feeling so motherly one day, i need to refocus my attitude and praise God in everything I do. This, of course, is MUCH easier said than done. Why is it that we know what we ought to do, but don't do it? Like this verse I am learning each and every day how to change my attitude and to not focus on the dirty dishes, but focus on the task of doing everything honoring to God, even if i have to be a little bit grumpy doing it ;)

Favorite Thing Friday: Dancing Ava Style

Ava has this new move.

Everytime we're taking a bath or changing clothes she does this.

She calls it 'The Naked Dance,' but for this video i told her she had to keep her clothes on!

Oh my! What is my child learning!

It's pretty funny though.

It always brings a smile to me no matter what my mood that day.

That is why Ava's dance is a Favorite Thing :)