Monday Get-Away

We enjoyed another great day at the cabin with Mom and Dad (a.k.a. Grandpa and Grandma) on Monday. Marc is taking full advantage of his personal days this year - something he has NEVER done before! Once again, we thoroughly enjoyed our time in the great Idaho outdoors. Sierra led us on a wild bushwhacking expedition, Marc and Dad moved lots of dirt and wood, Ally and I cleaned up some pine cones, and Grandma made yummy food for all of us.

This picture was taken in June of 2006, shortly after the trees were first planted. Sierra was not quite 2 years old.

Here's how much they have grown in 3 years. Sierra is almost 5.

Ally enjoyed "mowing" the new grass...

...and roasting hot dogs with Grandpa.

Sierra sat far away from the fire and pouted about the smoke!

But in the end, she enjoyed her DOG.

The rain soon chased our lovely picnic indoors.

Great Expectations

It's crazy to think that THIS is the month when our third daughter will join the family. (PLEASE, Lord, don't make us wait until June!) It is very difficult to imagine what Miss Valerie Joy will be like since her two older sisters are such complete opposites... IN EVERY WAY!!! Take a look:

Sierra Elise (Fall 2004)

Ally Grace (Fall 2006)

Sierra was born by C-section in the middle of the night.

Ally was born naturally in the middle of the day.

Sierra is a blue-eyed, blond.

Ally is a brunette with very dark brown eyes.

Sierra loved her baby food, especially rice cereal.

Ally wouldn't touch that mushy stuff...straight to solids.

Sierra waited until after her first birthday to take her first steps.

Ally was practically running at 10 months.

Sierra loves fruit.

Ally prefers vegetables.

Sierra is an wimp when it comes to pain.

Ally doesn't flinch when she gets hurt.

Sierra loves the Disney princesses.

Ally loves Elmo and Cookie Monster.

Sierra is a people pleaser.

Ally is the world's biggest tease!

Sierra is scared to try new things.

Ally is a dare-devil and will soon be jumping out of airplanes with her Uncle Chuck.

Sierra's favorite colors are pink and purple.

Ally's favorite colors are blue and yellow.

Sierra can sit still and watch a full length video without blinking.

Ally quickly gets bored with the TV.

Sierra has a very sensitive spirit.

Ally likes to push the limits.

And I could go on and on!

We are so anxious to meet our new little girl and to discover her looks and quirks. Please pray with us for a safe and timely delivery. Everything is ready here at home...clothes are washed, the crib made, the car seat is ready to be installed, etc. As much as I would like to be relieved of this "load" that I am carrying, we really would prefer to meet Valerie closer to her due date of May 27th. Sierra's kindergarten open house is May 22nd, Marc will be done with his school year on the 23rd and Mom and Dad will return from a quick trip to Israel on the 24th. After that, our summer calendar is pretty much wide open!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Mom and Dad are away at a conference in Florida this week, so here's a long distance birthday wish to the BEST MOM IN THE WORLD!!!! I am so grateful for the wonderful example that she has been to me as a person, wife, mother, homemaker, teacher, Christian and friend.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Mom and I! It was taken in Brazil during their first term as missionaries.


Mom and I during my junior (?) year of high school in Brazil...another Brazilian beach.


On my wedding day (this is the MFBC kitchen!) Mom tried to keep my dress clean while we ate a quick lunch before the ceremony started.


The day that Ally was born. Mom was there for both girls. I don't know what I would do without her.

WE LOVE YOU!!!

Friday through Sunday

Friday:
Marc took the day off from work so that we could get a couple of things done. First of all, we took Sierra over to Ponderosa Elementary School and REGISTERED HER FOR KINDERGARTEN!!!! Crazy. Our first-born in starting school in the fall. I wish that I had taken my camera, but I forgot. She did a fabulous job on all the skills "testing" and we were so proud of her.

After lunch, I popped in for a quick check-up with Dr. Armstrong. Little Miss Valerie seems to be getting along quite well, but I am getting very uncomfortable. The next 5 weeks just cannot go by quickly enough in my opinion.

When we got home, the girls helped Marc wash the car while I made dinner. They were soaking wet and chilled to the bone by the time they were done....but laughing so hard.


That night we had a family slumber party in the living room. The girls love it when we pull out the sleeping bags, watch a movie together and sleep in a big heap on the living room floor.




Saturday:
Most of Saturday was spent at home doing various chores. We took a bike ride over to McDonald's for lunch and then we all took good long naps. That evening, we had a yummy dinner at Chuck and Missy's apartment and then walked over to Ann Morrison Park to feed the ducks and play on the playground. Grandma and Grandpa were there too!



Sunday:
We had a normal (good!) Sunday morning at church, but the evening service was dedicated to the AWANA awards ceremony. Ally was able to join Sierra and her other Cubbie friends on the stage for a song and some recognition, even though she isn't technically a Cubbie yet. We were again so proud of Sierra for all the work that she put into memorizing her verses and finishing her workbook this year!

Okay, this last picture was actually taken on Thursday...but I just had to add it. Savannah Jane is the funniest almost-one-year-old that you'll ever meet. Here she is showing off her bronc-riding skills. You go girl!

Elmo Rescue 911

I heard blood-curdling screams coming from the back yard a couple of days ago. I ran outside expecting to find a gushing open wound, a dead animal in the yard, a swarm of wasps attacking my children, or some other such horror. This is what I found:

Thanks for the heart-attack, Ally!

If...

If...

monotony tries me and I cannot stand drudgery;

if stupid people fret me and little ruffles set me on edge;

if I make much of the little trifles of life,

then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If...

souls can suffer alongside, and I hardly know it,

because the spirit of discernment is not in me,

then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If...

the praise of man elates me and his blame depresses me;

if I cannot rest under misunderstanding without defending myself;

if I love to be loved more than to love,

to be served more than to serve,

then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If...

the moment I am conscious of the shadow of self crossing my threshold,

I do not shut the door,

and in the power of Him who works in us to will and to do,

keep that door shut,

then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If...

I covet any place on earth but the dust at the foot of the cross,

then I know nothing of Calvary love.

~ Amy Carmichael

These are just some excerpts from a little booklet that I have by Amy Carmichael, missionary to India. I hope that you are keenly aware of the depth of Calvary love this weekend!

Signs of Spring

Family night dinner this week .... a picnic at the park!

Miss Savannah enjoys a bite of cupcake with Grandpa Cook.

Ally learns to ride her bike...finally!

Yes, I made the poor child haul all of the jackets that we peeled off along the way. But the helmet was all her idea. I promise!

Aunt Susie and the girlies at the park.

Sierra waters her beloved purple tulips which will soon be in full bloom.

Even picnic lunches at home are so much more exciting that eating indoors.

Blowing lots of bubbles out in the sunshine.