March books...

 At the beginning of the year, I made a goal to read more this year, putting the goal for reading 25 books this year.  I have been having so much fun reading such great stories.  To keep track, I have been making a list of them at the end of each month.  For the month of March, these were the books that I enjoyed:

It was so good to read this story.  It came out when I was in middle school and I loved reading it for fun! Such a beautiful message and I was so glad to revisit this one!

I will tell you, I have never read Anne of Green Gables.  I grew up loving the movie but could't believe that I hadn't actually read it!  Anne is such an iconic character in literature and I loved actually reading her adventures!

The "Open and Unafraid" book has been a beautiful experience through the Psalms and I would strongly recommend it, not only as a book, but also for the exercises and reflections that he gives with each chapter.  It will be a book I will revisit for the response time for sure!

I continued the Vanderbeeker series with the 5th book "The Vanderbeekers Make a Wish."  I love this series, I love the characters, I love the story lines of each book, and I love that Eden and I are reading them at the same time!

This book was so GOOD!  It was recommended by my friend on healing as you step into the life that Christ has for you. For me, part 3 was phenomenal and incredibly powerful...

Here we go...

 Here is the photo, in the stairwell, on my way to my unit, that Kit gets, with the text to pray for me as I start my day...

I don't know what it is like to not have a spouse pray over me, especially as some days can feel so heavy.  Today, I am thankful for my husband and the way he loves on me by interceding for me, on days that feel like there is so much to carry...

Our favorite tree...

 Kit and I try to take evening walks a few times a week.  Over the last few years, we have discovered this cherry blossom tree in our neighborhood that we just love.  For almost 10 months of the year, you wouldn't think anything of it, and then when it blooms, it is unbelievably gorgeous!  Our evening shots do not do it justice...

I always want to remember it...

Handling it amazing...

 Our girl has been adjusting to her braces like a CHAMP!

Our orthodontist is the best and I know that her beautiful smile is in the BEST hands!

Current favorite food:

mashed potatoes, pastina, yogurt, fresh mozzarella, salmon, smoothies, ice cream... We are also enjoying doses of Motrin and the availability of wax when needed...

Spring Break 2023

 We stayed home.  We laid low.  There was lots of rain and time indoors, and there was time away with friends and family...

On Monday, Ryder celebrated a friend's birthday at Universal Studios:

Eden and I got together with a best buddy who we love!

We toom Eden to sushi for a date at her favorite spot:

On Tuesday, we took walks when it wasn't raining:

And when it was pouring, we watched movies, crafted, and snuggled bunnies:

We had a girls day in Redlands On Wednesday where we crafted and then did a crunchy chicken taco test at 6 different spots in Redlands:

While we were with the girls, Kit and Ryder ate tasty food and watched "Ant Man" in the theater:

Eden got her braces on Thursday and handled it like a champ:

On Friday, we introduced the kids to a local ramen place that we LOVE:

While I worked on Saturday, Eden had a soccer game and then in the evening, they headed to a local professional Soccer game:

It was a sweet week... We also booked a trip for next Spring Break to Portugal as a family! Whether we are home or away, my favorite place is to be together!

trying something new

 This week, my sister introduced me to a new craft idea of embroidering on canvas.  It was really easy and I had so much fun trying something new.  

I was working on an anniversary project from our vows and had such a great time using a different item for stitching!

Today is the day!

 A few weeks ago, we did all of our final prep for Eden to get her braces... 

Well, today is the day!  She is a combination of nervous and excited, but mostly excited...  We will keep you posted!

Universal Studios!

 This last Monday, Ryder was invited to go to Universal Studios in celebration of his friends birthday.  It was his 4 closest buddies, and they affectionately refer to themselves as the "broskis"...  I love these boys SO much and the friendship that they have with our Ryder is such a gift!

They had the BEST time!

Something in the making...

 The kids are working on building a soccer tool:

making their own kickback.  Here is what they look like on Amazon:

for $179:

for $159:

for $139:

Kit decided that they could make their own...

The finished product:

for $70

They are already having so much fun using it!