Sunshine in January feels great

Looking for a Family Bible?

I came across the Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name thanks to my brother and his family and this is "it" for our household when it comes to a children's Bible. The illustrations are beautiful, not hoaky and corny like some. The text is captivating for kids (and adults) and points to Jesus in every story, New and Old Testament.
Here's an excerpt from the introduction:
"Now, some people think the Bible is a book of rules, telling you what you should and shouldn't do. The Bible certainly does have some rules in it. They show you how life works best. But the Bible isn't mainly about you and what you should be doing. It's about God and what he has done.....
There are lots of stories in the Bible, but all the stories are telling one Big Story. The story of how God loves his children and comes to rescue them.
It takes the whole Bible to tell this Story. And at the center of the Story, there is a baby. Every Story in the Bible whispers his name. He is like the missing piece in a puzzle-the piece that makes all the other pieces fit together, and suddenly, you can see a beautiful picture."
Will and I sat down last weekend and read all the way from the Creation story to David and Goliath in one sitting. He absolutely loves reading it, as do we.
Just thought I'd give it a plug in case there are others out there looking for a good Bible for young children.

Jane is growing up

Jane has had some recent 'firsts' including using the potty for the first time a few weeks ago (she has to do everything brother does) and more recently, getting her first real hair cut. Will and Jane both got haircuts last weekend. They did well, thanks to the lollipops they were given upon sitting down for their cuts. Jane's baby mullet is gone and I think she looks as adorable as ever with her new do.
Here's a 'before hair cut' shot

Jane and I at the hair salon

Here is another 'after' shot

A Happy Reunion

Thanks to Scott Swanson for sending me the photo of little Redjeson being reunited with his Mother. A wonderful miracle!

A Mother's heart breaks

Obviously what has happened in Haiti is devastating and hard to fathom. 50,000 people dead in just a few minutes? It's incredible.
It's hard to imagine being there, having everything stripped from you so suddenly. Looking at this picture, through the eyes of a mother, I can't help but imagine what it would be like if this little boy was my two year old trapped in the rubble for two days. How long was he crying for his mommy? How scared was he? Was he in pain? Did he think that anyone would ever come for him?
I am so glad that this boy was saved today. I can only hope that his mommy and daddy were waiting for him when he was rescued.

I am so thankful that one day all pain, devastation, fear and suffering will be erased from this earth. In the meantime, I can help my fellow man and donate money in the hopes that it will help others be saved in Haiti like little Redjeson in the photo. I can also pray that one day Redjeson learns that he has a heavenly Father that will never leave him, even when he is in a dark and lonely place like the rubble of an earthquake.

These are two of Will's favorite things

Fire hats (and fire fighters, fire trucks, police cars, policemen, ambulances, etc)


Chocolate!

Ringing in 2010 Hawaiian style

We just returned from a week in Kona, HI and it was, of course, fabulous. Kona is located on the Big Island, which is the southernmost Hawaiian island. It is the last remaining island with active volcanoes, so the topography was varied, with lots of black rocks and encrusted lava in addition to the beautiful white sandy beaches that are Hawaii's trademark. The one down side to Hawaii is it's location in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, making for a very long flight. On the plane ride there, the man in front of us, a seasoned father of three, bought John a drink and said,
"I've been there, I feel your pain."
That's what kind of flight it was. (He didn't buy me a drink, maybe because I was as cool as a cucumber, haha).
We were very happy to touch down in Hawaii after a 6 1/2 hour, turbulence filled flight down to Hawaii.
The weather was ideal and the company (John's parents, sister, bro-in-law and their daughter, Clara) was great. Dirk and Nedra celebrated their 35th anniversary while we were there which made the trip even more special.
Will and Clara really enjoyed the waves, the sand, and the pool. Jane was a bit more hesitant, content to stay in the shallow end of the pool with me and dig in the sand on the beach. Here, in no particular order are some pictures (more in picasa, under 'our pics'). Thanks to Laurel for taking so many great shots, too!