Perfect Day!

Today was an absolutely perfect day, in so many ways. First, the sun was shining and the weather was warm, and I got to share most of the day outside with my 3 favorite little people! (sorry no photos from the day). It was especially nice because I woke up with a new determination - to be the absolute BEST parent I can be by parenting from "the brain" vs. from the heart or gut. Last night I attended a meeting which featured an excellent speaker, Corwin Kronenberg, who talked about "Parenting Styles". He was so funny & refreshing and it really made me sit up and take note of ways Dave and I can improve our effectiveness in teaching our children about responsibility. As I was leaving for the meeting last night, I told the munchkins I was going to learn more about being a better mommy. Lindsey said, "GREAT idea, mom!" I had to laugh but then I thought to myself, maybe she was totally serious? Either way, I learned alot.

When I got home last night, I reviewed the information with Dave and we both agreed it was something we wanted to commit to and today we put it into practice. I have to say, it worked perfectly and they responded very well to our new approach. In fact, we were riding our bikes around a lake and Lindsey stopped dead in her tracks and said, "Mom, I have to tell you something". She got off her bike, ran over to me with open arms, hugged me tightly, kissed me on the lips with a big sloppy wet kiss and said, "I love you SO much, mommy. You are the best mom!". She then ran back over to her bike, got back on and pedalled full blast to catch up with Dylan and Taylor. It was SO precious, especially since she gave up being in the lead to do so (it's a constant race with LTD).

It's only the beginning and "The Best is yet to come!"

"42"

42!
That's a number we hear VERY frequently since it's Dylan's absolute favorite number. Why? Because it's the magic number in which he gets to ride even MORE rides at amusement parks (Mall of America, Valley Fair) and slide down the water slides at our health club and water parks. But wait, it's much more than that! Anytime we ask him something that involves numbers, the magic number he shouts out is always "42!". This includes how much we need to sell our house for ($42), how big he is (42"; not quite), how much he weighs (42 lbs; more like 35 lbs), how fast we are going in the car, how fast he can go on his bike, how old mom and dad are (we wish), how old grandmas and papas are (they wish), how much our dinner costs ($42), how much we need to sell our van for, what he can buy a new super duper fast sports car for, how fast he can hit or kick a ball, how many friends he has, how much money he has in his piggy bank (he has collected much more), how much it will take to buy a new puppy, and ON and ON!!!!! It's really funny and keeps us laughing. We are wondering what the next number will be once he reaches 42"h and the novelty and excitement wears off? Honestly, we want them all to stay under 42" and 42 lbs forever!!

Happy Easter!

Last night while LTD were sleeping, the Easter Bunny paid a visit to Camp Clark. LTD were SO excited this AM to wake up and find their Easter baskets, ready to be filled with all the eggs the bunny hid for them. And so the hunt began and it was mad race, but a fair one. Dylan was so concerned that he had more eggs than Lindsey & Taylor and began giving some away to each of them during the hunt. It was very sweet & generous and the girls ended up doing the same in the end. They had to make sure they each had an equal number of eggs before they opened them to reveal the surprises inside. Sugar Police gave in a bit and said they could have "some sweets" and the rest of the eggs had quarters to add to their piggy banks and the fund for the children of Haiti. After church we came home, made an excellent brunch and pulled out the Resurrection Eggs & read through the story of Easter. The kiddos loved opening each egg to find trinkets inside that helped visually tell the story and explain why this day is so special and such an amazing gift. We are now off to spend some more time outside before our big Easter feast. It's just the five of us this year which is actually kind of nice - especially since I didn't have to fuss with cleaning the house. We wish everybody a very blessed Easter!

The Easter Story Re-enactment

What in the world?? A picture of a toy hammer and plastic screws? Has Tina lost her mind? Most days, yes, but not today. Seriously, there is a story to go with this photo and one I just had to share since I was so amused and in awe of what little people can comprehend. Today during classtime, the kiddos and I re-read the story about Easter. LTD have been fascinated with it and love to talk about it all the time. After we dismissed class for the morning, they decided it was playtime and they wanted to play "Easter". Lindsey was Jesus, Taylor was Mary, and Dylan was Judas (why is this not surprising?). Here is a shortened version of what I overheard:

Lindsey: "I'm Jesus and I died on the cross for you. Drink my blood and eat my body."
Taylor: "I don't need your blood. I've got blood in my belly."
Lindsey: "Taylor, your my mommy and I'm Jesus!"
Taylor: (fake crying) "Oh Jesus, you're my son!"
Dylan: "I need to tell them where you are and bring the naughty soldiers!"
Taylor: "You are naughty, Judas!!"
Dylan: "No I NOT!"
Lindsey: "Yes you are!"
Dylan: "But I love Jesus too!"
Taylor: "I go get the hammer and nails for the cross" (as she brings them up from the playroom from Dylan's toolbench)
Dylan: "OK, get on the cross, Jesus."
Lindsey: "Don't be so bossy!"
Taylor: (as she starts to pound the screws into Lindsey's hands on the floor) "Two nails for your hands and two nails for your feet"
Lindsey: "Ouch! not so hard!"
Taylor: (fake crying) "Oh, Jesus, you died on the cross because you love us so!"
Lindsey: "But look I have risen!!!"
Dylan: "Oh my goodness, it's an angel!!"

This went on for about 15 minutes, seriously. It was so entertaining! I truly wish I would have had the camcorder rolling because it was a classic. I just stood there laughing (under my breath) and watching with awe and amazement (and writing everything down so I wouldn't forget). It was truly priceless. Most of all, it is a reminder that even little children understand the ultimate sacrifice Christ made for all of us and how much he loves us. Easter is so much more than the Easter Bunny, springtime and baby animals. Although when the package arrived today from Papa and Grandma Good with Easter baskets filled with goodies, their focus quickly changed :)

Circus Royale

The circus still is the greatest show on earth! Dave and I took LTD to the circus on Friday for our second annual trip. Just like last year, we had a super time and Dylan's coat didn't even get stolen this year! We had rockstar seats too which made it even better (although the music was a BIT loud). At intermission, LTD got to ride the miniature ponies and the elephant and they were in absolute high heaven. They were a little bummed they didn't get to see the elephant "poop" though, an experience we were "right there" for last year and one they still haven't quit talking about. It took several wheelbarrels to haul it all out as LTD's eyes and jaws were WIDE open with amazement. Our favorites were the acrobats and trapeze artists, tigers, pigs (yes trained pigs vs. bears on bicycles) and the human cannonball. Here is this 60-something man shooting high above the crowd from a cannon and he nearly hit the ceiling and then almost missed the net. It was an absolute riot!! Dave and I agreed that looked like something right up Dave's alley! I can totally see Dave with his helmet on shooting superfast out of a cannon; wouldn't that be hysterical?!!

Prayers for North Dakota

As fellow Nodaks, Dave and I are anxiously watching what is going on in Bismarck, Fargo and the surrounding communities. We have lifted our prayers daily for our families & friends in ND and hope for the best of a scary situation. In addition to our telephone conversations with family back home, Dave and I have been showing photos of the flood waters and ice jams to LTD so they can try to grasp what is going on. Visuals really help them to understand how much their prayers are needed and why they are so important right now.

This video clip is a mix of activity, from prayers and well wishes for our home state to loud children who LOVE to sing, preferably with a microphone in hand. Wonder where they get that from? Making up their own words to music is the new "art" right now at Camp Clark. We have an electric keyboard that plays over 100 songs (music only) so they have a really great time making up their own words. When not singing, they still love to whoop it up and dance to their all-time favorite music, POLKA. (Go Fish comes in a very close second).

Healing Haiti

Lately our house has been abuzz with lots of chatter about the importance of helping others in need, specifically children in Haiti, Africa & China. I don't believe a day has gone by that these children have not been a part of our mealtime conversations and daily prayers. Compassion is something Dave and I vowed to instill in our children which is why we are SO grateful for our church's Sunday School program, "Healing Haiti". They have reinforced through this mission how little things we do can mean BIG things for those who are less fortunate and have so little (without government's involvement - imagine that!). LTD have started collecting "coins" (from their piggy banks, from mom & dad, from Dave's spare change stash, from around the house) to donate to Haiti for clean water (food is next), something we take for granted in the United States. Below is a picture of a typical morning right out of bed where they are eager to start "adding to their collection".

They have also taken time in Sunday School to help our children put together photos & cards for the children in Haiti and they have received thank you cards in return. What an amazing experience for all the Sunday School children to get involved and see how their efforts directly affect others across the world. Below is a link I HIGHLY encourage you to check out. It is a quick video of the children in Haiti receiving the clean water and the photos and cards from our children. PLUS, it shows the children in Haiti making the thank-you cards they sent to our children. Such a powerful visual for our little ones to witness, and for all of us. God is good and He continues to work through our children in making our world a better place. Our kiddos always use the term "my heart is full of love" and I must say their little hearts are bursting and overflowing with love. I truly tear up seeing their inner beauty blossom more and more each day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7hTnhsEO3k