Anna running and Elizabeth chilling

Anna is ready for school - we talk about "gool" constantly, and whenever she finds her backpack, she talks about it all the more.  Just 4 more years!

Anna helps me make brownies

Showing a little tummy

Elizabeth is chillin'...

Asking for help, which she doesn't need...:)  

A taste of life these days:

Happy Birthday Ray!

This post is dedicated to a tireless servant of Christ, Ray Mensah, Director of OneWay Ministries Africa.  He serves with his wife Cynthia in Africa leading a team of young national workers to reach 84 unreached villages around Maun, Botswana.  His example of prayerfulness and dedication to God are inspiring to all who know him.  How glad we are to have a friend like Ray!

 

The Second Haircut and the Zoo

While Steve was gone for the day at an orchestra convention at good old Valpo, my parents, Julie, the girls, and I had quite a day!  First we took Anna to get her second haircut so my parents and Julie could experience the wonders of Cookie Cutters.  Anna did not enjoy the experience like she did the first time.  However, she did enjoy playing with my cell phone for a brief moment:).

She also enjoyed the very cool slide they have there...  

Phillips Park Zoo was our next stop - we saw many animals, but our favorites were in the reptile house - a snake, alligators, and turtles!

Afterwards we enjoyed some time at home.  Anna enjoyed playing with the honorary members of the Vater family - Mort and LP (Large Paws).

Piggies and a new friend

Anna has new piggie pajamas, nice and cozy.  She got to try them out this morning when we woke up to a chilly morning!

This evening Anna made a new friend who lives down the street - he was quite a gentleman and pushed her quite a ways on her bike.  Later he threw a ball at her head, but we could tell it was a respectful gesture.

Oops!

This is our nice car.

This is our nice double stroller, all folded and compact.

This is what happens when the car unknowingly pushes the folded double stroller into the garage wall.  Which evidently is NOT as sturdy as I think a garage wall should be.  

I called Steve to report the incident, and he said, "Can you see the bedroom through the wall?"  I happily reported that, no, the bedroom was still intact.  In the big scheme of things, no big deal.  We rejoice in the reminder that this life is temporary, as is, evidently, this part of our garage wall.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." 

- Matthew 6:19-21

New Clothes and Recording Sessions

There was a children's clothes resale this weekend, and we got many new clothes for Anna, as up until now, we have been given literally all of Anna's clothes!  Anna is loving her new winter coat, for it has a zipper.  She likes to wear it over her summer dress:).

Our little sugar plum!  

At a recent get-together with our old friends - we started out with 4 kids among us all, now there are 13!

While in college, my mom gave me some VeggieTales figures (long story).  Then we gave them to the Hyatts.  Now the Hyatts have given them back to us, and my daughter is playing with them!  She thinks all the gourds and such are "apples".

Aunts and Nieces!

In the last 2 weeks we have been recording more strings and vocals for the OneWay album "Shine."  Kim was on Elizabeth duty for 2 nights in a row and they both handled it very well!  

Our "congregation" for the album - about 100 people attended the worship/recording night from at least 14 churches and recorded 6 songs!  A neat experience, and fun to reunite with old friends, and make some new ones too!

Don't neglect being loved

My new favorite thought...

Don't neglect being loved by God.

Don't neglect being forgiven and accepted and protected and strengthened and guided by almighty God.

Don't neglect enjoying the free access to the throne of grace.

Don't neglect the inexhaustible treasure of God's promises.  

This is a great salvation.

Don't neglect so great a salvation.

It is the something better you've been hoping for.

-Nancy Guthrie

Future WA students!

Anna's new favorite thing is Steve's backpack, "bapa".  I pointed out that she had one of her own, and that she could wear it just like Daddy.  It is now her very favorite thing.  

Steve and his daughters sporting their "Wheaton Academy Future Student" shirts.  Or, in Elizabeth's case, it is more of a dress.  Size=2T.  Maybe someday they will all end up at school together!

Some mom once told me that her kids used to "just fall asleep on the floor while playing."  When Anna took many hours of coaxing to sleep, I figured I would never have that experience.  Not so!  Elizabeth was watching us eat lunch from a nice cozy spot on the floor, and then, asleep she was!

Elizabeth and Daniel Thompson hanging out together at a recent bbq.  Steve wonders if they should be sleeping that closely...

Elizabeth was reading about nature the other night...

Anna's New Lawn Mower

Taking care of two kids alone is different than taking care of two kids with someone else to help.  Therefore, things have been busy.  But here is a little that has been going on, more to come.

Bubble packaging for the Bubble-Making Lawn Mower - I enjoy that.

The dress, the gym shoes, the bubbles, the lawn mower - this is toddlerhood at its best.

First day of school!

A "Wheaton Academy Future Student!"

Elizabeth likes to cuddle when she gets tired.  Right before a bath...

Ball throwing, horsie rides, and "all done!"