Happy St Patricks Day

We started a St Pattys Day tradition where the night before, I set a bunch of leprachaun clues around the house. When Livy wakes up she searches for the little guy - green food coloring in the toilet, chairs turned upside down, green bead necklaces leading to the fence (that he climbed over to getaway). Livy LOVES it - so much , that she woke up today (March 18th) at 5am looking for him again (well done Mom). She dressed herself like this and asked me to take the photo - cracks me up.

We R Family

Cousin Selah came to visit and Auntie K got some beautiful photos. We r family

That's not nice

Ok - I am not the best at it, but am meagerly attempting to teach how to do chores. It's a chore to do it. It take less time for me to clean up around here, but I keep thinking it's an investment in their future. How happy will Olivia's future college roommate be when she keeps her side of the dorm clean - oh my!

Today as Olivia was taking her lunch plate to the kitchen sink (clearing the table) she dropped some green beans on the floor. I asked her to pick them up. She picked up one, then stopped and asked me to help her pick up the other one. I said "I told you to pick it up please." She said, "Please help me" (hmmm - no, you know how to pick it up.) "You pick it up" "Help me" "Pick it up" "Help me" "Olivia don't make me ask you again" Big teary eyes, quivering lips - "But it's not nice not to help!"

How do you clarify that one?

Earth to Olivia

I love this little kid's sense of humor..she's so fun(ny)

How to set the table

Grandma Betty kindly made Livy a placemat to teach her how to set the table. Now we need to work on manners....

Heaven has an Angel

Dear Aunt Mary Ann passed away March 1st after bravely fighting breast cancer for over a decade. She is much loved and missed.

Dear Father God,

I am so thankful to have known Aunt Mary Ann. I want her to know how much she’s touched my life, and how grateful I am that You’ve given me so many special times with her. And how many beautiful things I’ve learned. Aunt Mary Ann is the meaning of grace and kindness. She always made me feel welcome, taking time to listen to me, hear about my life, asked me questions about how I am doing and made me feel important. How blessed we are she gave us her ears – when so many people only want to speak. Father God, thank You for using Aunt Mary Ann to show me what it’s like to be a good sister. I witnessed the joyous moments when the sisters got together at events like Christmas girls lunch or baby and wedding showers . Their love for each other touched me and challenged me to be kinder and appreciate my own sister more. Father God, thank You for sharing Aunt Mary Ann with me to teach me about being a tender mother. Her gentle touch and soft proud words about her children inspire me to lead my own daughters with a kind heart and generous spirit. Father God, I love what I learned through Aunt Mary Ann about how to be a loving grandparent. I enjoyed hearing her speak fondly and proudly about all of her grandkids – how incredible they are! I am thinking of a time when she welcomed us to the Lagoon. We enjoyed spending the afternoon while the girls played in the water – Aunt Mary Ann wore her sun hat and sunglasses sitting at the picnic table watching over the kids having fun. Is there anything better than that? Father God, I have so much more to learn, there is too much beyond me. But I am slowly realizing that the richest life comes from the quiet moments of kindness we give to one another in your Glory. And for gifting us with special people who touch us in a way no one else can. I am forever grateful for Aunt Mary Ann, and I wish her peace and security now and forever. With all my heart, Erica