Welcome Strawberry

Today was GPD - Guinea Pig Day.

We have been talking with the kids about getting a guinea pig for a while now. Having planned quite some time ago to be away last weekend, we told the kids that when we got back from this "vacation" we would go ahead and get it.

It was decided that Saturday (today) we would go and get their first pet.

Tuesday night while I was at a Bible study Dave and the kids went and got the cage and other needs for her home. Thursday night Matt and Dave assembled the cage.

After Tball practice, we headed to the one PetSmart store that sells female guinea pigs (all the others sell males). Sadly, they didn't have any and wouldn't have them until Thursday. The kids were disappointed. We came home to make a few calls and found 3 females at a local PetCo.

We headed there and there she was - Strawberry Oreo Wessel. The "oreo" was decided due to her look of brown on both ends and white in the middle. The kids got to pet her then she was put into her box and brought home.

Strawberry has to be in her cage for a day or so so she can get use to her new surroundings. The kids haven't left the basement since she came home except to bathe. Every now and then I hear them talking to her and I did hear Matt reading her a story.

I think Strawberry is going to be a good fit into the family!!! :)

TBall Begins

This week Matt started Tball practice, his first practice being Monday night.

We decided to have Matt do one more year of Tball as he only started playing last year.

He is loving it!!! He so enjoyed practice Monday and was ready to do extra practice at home. This afternoon he had his second practice and was excited to go.

Monday's, Dave is still still at work when practice happens, so I get to go those nights BUT Saturday is his day to help out.

Emily and I had a few errands to run and then met up with them at the field.

I love watching Dave and Matt together on the field.

The kids are doing so well and enjoying every minute of practice. We have some awesome coaches!!

It All Begins With a Picture

Today Emily and I made a trip to the Lodi Municipal Complex. Emily received a Social Studies assignment where she has to make a 3D rendering of a building in the community. Of course, Emily drew the town hall. Oh boy!!! Why not Dunkin Donuts?!!

Our Lodi town hall is the middle part of this building. Thankfully, I have become a pro of cutting foam board and Emily loves crafting and creating. We got the board in order to make the model today. It is going to be a busy couple of weeks for us. The project is due March 29th. We will see how close a rendering is produced. Wish us luck!!!

The Greatest Show on Earth

On Friday, Matt had his school field trip to the Ringling Brothers Circus.

I think the last time Matt was at the circus was when he was 3 years old.

It was a great show. Matt's favorite parts were the Ninja and Shaolin warrior performances and then of course the motorcycle cage.

I was able to go with him as a chaperone for the event.

What surprised me most was that the souvenir Matt decided to get was the program book. I think he is starting a "program" collection. He now has one from the circus and Monster Tuck Jam.

A "Clear" View

Yesterday the weather here in NJ was beautiful so I took advantage of the opportunity to clean all the windows in the house.

Later as I admired my handiwork (and soothed my sore muscles), I thought about what people see when they look through our windows. Hmmm?? How do they see our family, how we interact with each other? Of course, this made me look internally at how I "look" from the outside.

Do people see that I am a child of God? Do I reflect the relationship I have with my God? When I interact with Dave and the kids, do they see my love for them?

God has really been working on my relationship with Him. As I grow closer with Him, I have an even greater desire to show Him through my daily interactions. God has been giving me opportunities to be bold in my faith and I've been doing just that, being bold. I'm sure He has provide opportunities before but I either wasn't listening or was "afraid" to step out.

I've always been ready to "serve" my family but I think it was more out of my obligation as a wife and mother not really in the submissive way God desires. I'm realizing more and more the joys and blessings God provides in the daily in and outs.

I love the saying that "When we put God first, all other things will fall into their proper place." Does it mean things will be easy? Not necessarily BUT if God is first in my life what He is sending is right. It may not be part of my "plan" but it is God's and that is SO MUCH BETTER!!!

I'll leave you with this thought, "What do people see when they look in your windows?"