The Kissing Hand

Tonight I read The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn to my boys as their bedtime story. The book came with about twenty heart stickers, which Andrew immediately started decorating his legs with. I kissed them goodnight and walked away determined to tackle the mountain of laundry that had piled up. About twenty minutes later, I heard Andrew talking in his room. I peeked my head into his room to see him sitting in his bed pointing to each heart and naming family and friends. Everyone got their own heart!!

I love that kid.

One for One

The youth had a Toms painting party over Spring Break. If you haven't heard of Toms-- it is this really cool shoe company that donates a pair of shoes to a person in need for every pair purchased.

We bought 20 pairs so we helped 20 people, plus we got some awesome one of a kind shoes!

Go to the Toms site to check out this business or purchase a pair for yourself.

And a super thanks to our "Shutterbug" Lauren for the great pics.

Da Beach

We went to the beach with some of our favorite people this Friday. We started out late and traffic was ridiculous (or was it redonkulous?-- that's for you Syd)

There were tiny jellyfish everywhere.

And Andrew and Maddie kept knocking down our sandcastles.... but other than that we had a great time.

We played a little soccer (even Malia got to play thanks to Blake)

had a little picnic

And enjoyed a lot of conversation.

Lent

Joel 2:12-14

Yet even now, says the Lord,
Return to me with all your heart,
With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
Rend your hearts and not your clothing.
Return to the Lord, your God,
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,
and relents from punishing.

It is once again the season of lent, a time to let go of our burdens and give up our sins. This year Ryan and I have made the choice to give up eating out at resturants and to take up reading A Purpose Driven Life… a book we have picked up many times, but have never finished.

Sleeping patterns

I love my Andrew. He always makes me smile, even at the simplest things. Take sleeping, for example.

This is where he started out his night.

And this is where I found him in the morning.

Sweet dreams baby boy.