Even with an ear infection and while pushing through her first tooth, she is still a pretty happy baby.
The girls like to listen to track #4 on the Tarzan soundtrack while we clean up before nap time. Obviously they were a little distracted this time. Watch Sierra's awesome white-girl dance moves and Ally trying to figure out her fingers for rabbit ears. They crack me up!!!
Grandpa & Valerie
Grandpa & Ally
Grandpa & Sierra picking raspberries.
Grandpa & Grandma Obenchain.
... hide your scissors and itty-bitty paper scraps under the couch cushions instead of putting them away in the right place.
... unload 30+ books from the shelf in less than 30 seconds.
...empty my dishcloth drawer for the SEVENTH time today.
.... try to get your princess clock and porcelain Snow White doll off of the top shelf all by yourself. 
Tired Valerie. Sundays really wear this poor kid out! 
Marc and Ally (poser!) in the kitchen.
I love the look of concentration as she flips them off the griddle.Reading this passage meant a lot to me this morning:
Matthew 5 (The Message)
When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:
* "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
* "You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
* "You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
* "You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
* "You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.
* "You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
* "You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.
* "You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.
* "Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
