The 1000-piece puzzle is EASY for kids

You guys. 

Puzzles are normally done once or twice, right? 

This one has broken the mold for our family. 

We have done it at least five times... maybe more... and it's out again on our table. 

The beauty of this puzzle is that each minifigure has 10 pieces to complete it, plus the edges of each, which connects with the next one. All are unique and it's fairly easy to find the pieces, even though there are a lot of pieces. 

You don't want to start with edges on this puzzle. The edges fill in as you make the little puzzles and put them together. 

I don't remember when my kiddos started enjoying this puzzle, but I can say for sure around ages 7-8, it was a hit. They might need help finding pieces, but then it should be easy to solve each individual puzzle on their own - and they will most likely be protective about making sure they get to put certain minifigs together without help. 

I highly recommend this as a great birthday or Christmas gift! 

Get yours here (with my affiliate link - no cost to you). 

Bonus ~ apparently, the cover and the cheat sheet can be used for a riveting game of Guess Who? Ha! Who knew! 

my top 5 recommendations for moving!!

We are moving!

No, we're not moving states. We're not even moving cities. We are moving just down the road to a house that better fits our family's current needs. 

We are almost set to move next month, but we have one final hurdle before doing so: the inspection! It's happening tomorrow, which also happens to be the day before Christmas Eve, which brings me to my top five things you should know before you move. 

5. If at all possible, don't put your house on the market during the holidays. (Instead of a Christmas tree or Christmas decor, we've had a clean house for the holidays. Kinda weird!)

4. Make things easier for you whenever possible. (The kids are getting stocking stuffers and a new house for Christmas.)

3. When you prepare to put your house on the market, do NOT pack everything! (Unless you are selling your house after you have moved, you still need things in your house to make the weeks on the market less stressful... ask me how I know!)

2. Go ahead and get that house project done now so you don't have to worry about it when you actually want to sell the house.

1. DO NOT PACK THE CAN OPENER! (We were SO close on this one. Turns out my mother-in-law had graciously helped us get ready to put the house on the market, and when cleaning the kitchen, she put the can opener away in a different drawer... but there was a moment when the whole "the can opener is packed" feeling was upon us, and it wasn't good!)

Anyway, it's nice to be writing a blog again. Perhaps I'll keep on writing. In the meantime, Christmas is almost here! May yours be very merry!

healed as they went

"As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. As he entered a village there, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance, crying out, 'Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!'

"He looked at them and said, 'Go show yourselves to the priests.' And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.

"One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, 'Praise God!' He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.

"Jesus asked, 'Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?' And Jesus said to the man, 'Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.'" -Luke 17:11-19 NLT


I've had a phrase that I've been thinking on over the past few weeks.

"healed as they went"

The concept comes from this passage of Scripture. The lepers were healed as they went. Consider how odd it must have felt for them to walk away from Jesus without seeing immediate change in their bodies. Maybe they expected that because lepers were thought to be contagious, and they knew they shouldn't get close.

Jesus didn't even touch them, yet they were cleansed through their obedience.

They had to turn around and walk without seeing immediate change. That must have been hard. I'm not exactly sure when the change came, but it says they were healed as they went to see the priests... I imagine it came slowly. Once they started to see a difference, I bet their excitement rose.

Placing myself in that story helps me imagine that God doesn't always answer as we plan or want Him to. Obedience is key. Trusting Him is key. Don't stop believing if He doesn't do as you expect. Anything is possible when you believe.

One reason this is a big idea for me is because my hubby has been going through a lot of health issues. Right now, he has some opportunities that I believe as he walks them out in faith and trusting God, he will be healed as he goes!

Now, God may not answer exactly as I plan, but I'm learning to trust Him through the process as these lepers did, even if I don't see things right away. HE IS STILL AT WORK! All caps to remind me it's always the case.

passing on the love of books

I've hit a busy season with work! Through it all, my goal is to keep reading to my kids.

I finally remembered to ask Erik to take our pics... I've been reading with these kids on couches and next to beds for years, and the space we need as we read keeps expanding as they get bigger. 

Here's our latest pic and I love it. 

Keep reading to your kids... and grandkids! Which prompts an extra shout out to my mom, who reads to the kids via Facetime! YAY! 

sap to syrup!

Happy April!

Wowza, it's amazing how quickly time goes by. Already April! I think it helps that we have more than enough to do as moms and wives and workers and such to fill each day and week. I remember realizing how a kid's calendar goes by so slow when they are waiting for a big event that is weeks out because all they have to do all day is play / school... the days are much longer then!

Well, clearly I'm off  my normal devo routine, and I'm rethinking what my blog will look like going forward. I may switch it up and mix in devos with 5 things I'm grateful for as well as homeschool stories.

Yesterday was a fun homeschool day because we boiled down maple sap into syrup for the first time! It was something my hubs and I were interested in for a while, and it finally happened yesterday. The syrup was delicious! And it smelled so good as it boiled down. It was fun to realize how that experience was so good for the kiddos. They got to watch evaporation first hand as the sap changed to syrup. I think we are all excited that we get to do this all again each year! A lot of work, but it pays off. Oh and I ran to the gas station last night for vanilla ice cream to eat with our syrup! Delish treat after a long day of work (much of it my hubby's patience as it boiled!).

We still have sap to gather. I think it might run for a few more days. We also have more sap to boil. Yay! more syrup.

Anyway, I hope your week is going well! Thanks for reading about what is going in my world!

learn to be courageous

Sometimes courage takes time.

Take, for example, my little 1.5 year old.

She doesn't like her winter boots. Not sure why. As far as I know, they fit her fine, but maybe I'm missing something. When we go out, I put her boots on away from the pink cowboy boots she wants to wear instead. (Not a smart move when you are walking in snow and on ice!)

When I set her down in the snow, she barely lets her feet touch and just wants to be held.

Sometimes I feel like that too... I don't want to move. I just want to be.

Yesterday, the boys went outside to play ice hockey with our neighbors, and Brielle and I just sat on a chair and watched the boys play for the first part of the 45 minutes we were there... but then, toward the end, she started to get down and stand in the snow. Then, she moved around a bit right around next to me. Eventually, she tried out the ice (with me right behind). Her boots moved ever so slowly. Eventually she made it across the ice rink and her steps slowly become bigger and bigger as she became more and more comfortable.

I think that's the way it is with us. We don't have to be courageous on the first step. We can sit and think about the possibilities. We can sit and think through what we would like to do. Eventually, we can try it, move forward, and test out the ice. Slowly, but surely, as we let God help us be courageous, He will help us move faster and faster in the right direction until we are both moving forward... and doing it with a smile on our face.

"Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you.
 -Deuteronomy 31:6 Msg.

So today, be courageous. It doesn't need to be a big step. It may just be a little one, or maybe you are making a plan as to how you will move forward tomorrow... but do it. Courage is worth it.

Here is our younger two, after Brie finally made it onto the ice. 

a birthday party success!

Good morning!

Well, today I wore myself out! I had a work deadline (that I actually have to finish today) and just had birthday party day, and I'm tuckered!

The party day was just perfect. The morning was filled with cleaning and the afternoon with food and family and friends and fun.

Well worth the effort. I agonized over making sure it was perfect and the right people were there, and they absolutely were. I loved every person who came and exactly what happened. It was a Lego party with a cake and a few Lego challenges.

Well worth the effort. I knew it would be... I also knew I worried endlessly for not much reason. Funny how that is... I knew I shouldn't worry and I should pray more before the party, but I just was in cleaning mode and thinking, I'll get through it! It was like I was set on just doing things my way, even though I could have prayed more and let go of worry more and enjoyed the prep a little more if I had trusted God.

Well, it's an area to work on, that's for sure... learning to trust God and leave worry behind, even when I don't want to!

Happy day to you! I will be resting up today after a big push of "things to do!" How about you?

this was lego art from the party people in front and a "fire seven (station)
on the left and a five with a pool on the right, made by the boys.

Our annual picture almost got missed - that's why Brielle has on the boys old jammies
I like to let her wear and she randomly saw her favorite summer dress she had to wear on top! We were all also tired because it was the end of the day!

Birthday boys and their lego cake!

A better view of the cake... the boys helped make it! Very pleased with how much they could do. Two sheet cakes (one choc and one vanilla) mixed and matched into Lego blocks that we decided on as we went! Erik did the best buttercream work. You can't see his yellow brick - it's on the other side of the cake, but he did yellow and blue and I did red and green, which the green included an "accident" with the powdered sugar getting all over it!!.

today's celebration!

Well, today is party day! I think the boys think this is the day they realllly turn 5 and 7 because it's their party day! Funny how little brains work! (Yesterday was their birthday!)

They are such fun. I am so grateful to have them in my life! We had a low key day yesterday, making a lego cake for their birthday today and a birthday dinner at Red Robin last night. (I highly recommend them for bday dinners, if you have signed up for their rewards club!)

This morning, I was up before light. I placed my phone down with the flashlight facing toward the ceiling and walked away. When I walked back, it fascinated me how much that single light illuminated the darkness. It reminded me of the truth that God is light and we are the light of the world.

Now when we get to heaven, God is the light. There is no shadow, no need for other light, so everything is exposed. Here on earth, however, there are shadows, probably because God's light extends through us.

Our light doesn't show things perfectly. I wonder if that's one reason why people stumble: light isn't yet fully shed in their lives. We need grace to move closer to the light. That helps us see better and for the right things to be exposed so we don't hurt ourselves.



“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." -Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

happy birthday, boys!

It's a favorite day in our household!

Brayden and Jase's birthday!

Yep, Jase was born on Brayden's 2nd birthday. Seven years ago, I was at the hospital with B and five years ago, I was at home, wondering if we would get a double birthday. It wasn't until later in the day that I called my mom and said, "Could you take Brayden to go get a birthday treat? We have to go have a baby!" 

So happy birthday, Boys. I'm excited to celebrate you!

Oh and according to you, you don't officially change ages until you blow out your birthday candles. Who knew? ;-)

Birthday donuts:

Somebody else got donuts too, but she doesn't have mommy's sweet tooth like the boys do (although she thinks she does and definitely wanted a donut)... here she is frosting her donut with yogurt and not really eating either!!

thankful for family fun

We visited family this weekend and ended up eating out at a Chinese buffet last night. The end of it took a little longer than normal because we all ate frozen yogurt in cones. Well, it was Brielle's first time with a cone and she decided that she should eat the frozen yogurt with the sharp end of a skewer! It took forever! Here she is: 

We finally showed her that she could eat the cone itself.... In fact, in order to leave, I had to take away her filled cone and replace it with an empty cone so we could leave without too much fuss! 

Yesterday, I heard Pastor Jim talk about the dangers of bitterness and how thankfulness is the antidote to staying bitter and stuck in the past. Thankfulness is something I try to add to my life often. Today, I am thankful for this season of life. Every season has its ups and downs. Generally, my goal is to focus more on the ups than the downs, and that helps me make it through. I'm thankful today for a fun little girl who eats ice cream with a skewer and won't take a different utensil when offered. 

I'm thankful for my oldest, who was a rainbow baby. He's growing to be such a big boy, caring and thoughtful. We left my mother-in-law's this weekend and he took the time to leave behind a good-bye present for her. So kind!

I'm thankful for my youngest boy, who is so full of creativity. Always keeps me on my toes with what he thinks of next. And I'm thankful for my husband who said, "Yes" to hanging out with me for this lifetime. I'm extra thankful that even though he has had many health problems over the years including anxiety, he wasn't anxious last night and didn't have to leave the restaurant early! Even though he didn't feel the best throughout the day, he was able to stay until the very end and get ice cream with everyone while we watched Brielle take forever eating her own. Yay!

Life isn't easy, but it is well worth it when we have wonderful people by our side... and taking the time to be grateful for them fills my heart.

BTW, this must have been what the boys learned in church this past weekend, for they walked out with bracelets that said (and they keep saying), "Oh give thanks to the Lord!"

He is good and His love does endure forever.

What are you thankful for today?

thankful today

Happy Friday!

Today, I am thankful for my kids and being able to work from home. I am also thankful for a fresh start and tools to help me keep track of what I want to change in my life.

One tool I have begun to use this year is a non-techy weekly planner. I've tried them before, but maybe, just maybe, this year it will stick! I'm finding it's helpful to have a place to write everything down rather than trying to keep it all in my brain or on a electronic document.

What are you doing different in the New Year?

In the past, the New Year wasn't as important to me... but in the recent past, I will admit, I have been either pregnant or had a young baby in the house who kept me up at night. My mode more resembled survival mode. They were wonderful years and I wouldn't trade them. I am grateful that I am slowly but surely moving past that and the kids are growing up and I can move out of survival mode into progress.

Every season we live through has blessings. Our job is to find the blessings and celebrate them. Recognize that the difficulty we face won't last forever!

My kids are now 4, 6, and 1. Next week they will be 5, 7, and 1! It's a family birthday month! Already looking forward to next week's birthday celebration, but more importantly, enjoying spending today with them today.

Have a great day!

typical conversations with three-year-olds

Recently we recorded this video with Jase... and it reminded me of a video we took with Brayden when he was three. Apparently I was right. The "no" conversation is common among three-year-olds!

Jase at 3 years old


 Brayden at 3 years old

Brody, Brayden, Jase and.... ???

Thursday, we got to visit Santa early and got this little gem of a photo.

And.... yep! Another baby is on the way! We are super excited and have a wonderful sense of peace and contentment that I know only comes from God. And contrary to what the picture shows, both boys are really excited to become big brothers (again and for the first time).

I kinda think that is one reason that pushed us to having just one more - seeing the boys with their baby cousin made me long for them to have a playmate. Plus, during these past two years, if you ever asked, "Are you going to have any more kids?" I always hemmed and hawed. We were perfectly content with our little family of four, but something never felt finished.

Now we know why. It's the best feeling to know that this feels just perfect. Because yeah, three kids has a whole 'nother level of keeping up with the kiddos attached to it, but I like to think that we're as ready as we'll ever be and with God by our side, all things are possible. Plus, we know that every baby grows into a toddler, kid, and adult and doesn't need quite as much hands-on from us as the parents.

If you know anything about our story, you will also know that one reason we hesitated on another pregnancy is because today marks the six-year anniversary of our firstborn son, Brody Mark. He came at 21 weeks because my body couldn't hold him longer. I had a cerclage put in place for six months of the pregnancy with Brayden and Jase, and this little baby will be no different. That means I'll have weight lifting restrictions starting at the end of this month (okay, my mom is starting them now!) through 36 weeks (May?). I also have to be somewhat cautious on what I do. I did the least with Brayden because I was the most nervous. I did more with Jase and my body did great. I'll probably keep similar activity as I did with Jase, since my body held up well. So if you see me sitting down during praise and worship in church or something like that, I'm just trying to be cautious about my body so it doesn't get overworked.

My kiddos are at an age where they are excited about the baby, able to do much on their own, and great helpers for mommy and baby. I will try to be very good about asking for help when needed and gauging what me and my family need... not easy, but I've learned that asking for help is vital.

Anyhoo, that's my story. Today we think ahead to baby #4 with excitement and we honor and remember our littlest, biggest buddy Brody. You mean the world to us, Kiddo. Hugs and love from me and the fam. We'll have a sweet treat in your honor and celebrate you today.

Thank you for all your kind words and encouragement and support that you have given to my family during all that we have been through and all that we will be through. I know having a little kiddo here next year is worth all the effort.

A day at the zoo!!

Yesterday, my parents and I took the boys to the zoo while Erik was at work and getting ready for a weekend fishing trip. The animals were awesome and a vivid reminder that our God is an amazing Creator of this world! Here's a glimpse of the day! (lots of pics to follow!)

Lunch time! (Once B put his hat on backwards, J followed and grandpa couldn't resist the trend!)

 

Goats and the baby animals came next, including the petting area where you get up and close and personal, particularly if they know you have food! 

We saw baby piglets just a few days old!

Next was a highlight... Watching the penguins get fed!!

Beautiful underwater creatures came next!

I thought this one was just a plant in the water... Amazing how it blended in!

Another big moment was the feisty bears!! They put on quite the show! (keep an eye on all three bears... the one on the left is heading to the rock for some extra sun!)

Why hello there, Bear!

And yes, those are striped jammy pants on Jase because I completely forgot to change his diaper until ...well, let's just say it was absolutely necessary! 😳

B and J have loved learning about cheetahs recently so it was fun to have something similar to see! (Leopard!)

This was just a glimpse of what was, all in all, an amazing, fun day! 

Shutterfly update... pics of the family!

Today I got another bright orange box in the mail. If you haven't gotten one yet, I highly encourage you to check out Shutterfly! Every time you get a bright orange package, you have family memories coming your way in a unique form.

This time it was another book. I was catching up on winter/spring of this year, so I had a lot of fun as I pulled pictures together. I consider this my scrapbook for the kids!

Here's a peek:

8x8 photo book is the one I most commonly get; I always try to remember to label the spine with the time of the year the book covers. This time it was "winter/spring 2015."

Occasionally I love putting pages in my book that are all photos. Sometimes on the page before or after I'll have a note describing the event. This time it is picture of our boys birthday and the cakes we made for them! (top left and bottom right) 

I liked this particular style because I could put a bunch of pics on a page and then there was plenty of room for text/description. Erik and I tried to write a bunch of fun things about the boys that we will love to remember years down the road!

This isn't the only Shutterfly package I have at home right now. My grandma's 91st birthday is Saturday, and I thought a mug was a nice choice... that's something I like getting for grandparents who like coffee! One grandma has gotten a new mug every year for the past three Christmases!

Mugs are an easy and practical way to give pictures to family members!

Anyhoo, I thought I'd share. I love the accomplishment of getting photos printed and memories documented and sharing them with others. :-) Thought you may like it too. 

The boys are doing awesome right now. Such a fun stage... Glad it's summer and we can always get outside!

All for now! 

You are not alone. Parenting is hard. And we're just in the beginning.

Just put the final kid in the bed for the night. I played a game on the iPad outside their door decompressing while hoping I didn't hear any noise from the bedroom before going downstairs. And yes, I came downstairs a few minutes ago... the boys are down for the night.

THANK GOD!

It was one of those rough days. The kiddos were testing mommy's patience and boundaries over and over and over... if you have dealt with toddlers at any point, you know what I mean. Add in all the normal "stressors" for a day, and let's just say it was a very loooong mommy day that I am glad is over.

Oh and it top it all off, we had to clean up pee off the floor after bath. B is not potty trained yet, but he knows better. Then, after being disciplined by going to bed without stories, he wouldn't stay in bed. Oh and he laughed at all my spankings. I'm going to have to come up with a different discipline plan, apparently!

I started lamenting to a friend, then thought you mommies out there might understand my "drama" of the day... and the fact that that I am sweaty and tired of being a mommy today. Very ready for an evening of... cleaning the kitchen and eating chocolate teddy grahams that I bought for a specific recipe.

Tomorrow our cousins are coming over and I'm very excited. The kids will have more than just me to entertain them and then we are going to grandma and grandpa's for a birthday party. RELIEF!

So yeah. Know that you are not alone. Parenting is constant and exhausting. You try not to be led by your emotions and you try not to let your emotions get the best of you as you show these kiddos their boundaries. It's always good to remember these are just kiddos trying to have lots of fun and learn how to live life well in this world.

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." -Prov. 22:6

My boys are 3 and 1!

Happy birthday to my boys! Last Sunday (1/11), they both turned a year older... for Jase, that means 1 and Brayden, 3.

As you can imagine, there's much I could say right now... but for now, I want to show you what I got in the mail. On the right is a picture of Brayden at 1, which I've had for a couple years. He was in the middle of eating his one-year-old birthday cupcake... I love this pic... he's just a-staring at the camera. I thought I might get a similar pic during Jase's one-year cupcake celebration, but didn't, so I printed this one instead (and just got it in the mail!)... one of my favorites of him smiling in the bath! Although they often look alike, I think these pics show their differences.

Now, here's the cool thing... Shutterfly always has fun credits, coupons, and freebies that they send to their email list or have on the Facebook page. I definitely recommend signing up for their email and following them on Facebook to see what they are offering. (By the way, if they do offer you a free gift, you cover shipping, which usually isn't too bad compared to what you are getting!)... I often take them up on it, partially because it's a great way to make sure I actually take the time print pictures and/or make photo gifts. I use them a whole lot around Christmas. 

These pics I have pictured are "desktop plaques" and I've actually given them for gifts as well as purchased these two and I love them! They are frameless... just the picture with a nice shiny finish. I would highly recommend them! Great gifts and great to have around the house. 

Anyhoo... hopefully I'll take the chance soon to share more stories about the boys. Until then... go make memories yourself. Life is beautiful, crazy, and definitely worth living... and yes, it's all with God at the center, as best as possible. :-)

Merry Christmas!

Just for fun... a few comparisons of Christmas pictures!!!

It all began with Brayden in 2012.... I do love this picture. :-)

He did way better the next year, 2013, although the picture actually isn't in the chair, since he didn't want to sit on Santa's lap!

Drumroll please... the boys in 2014! They had each other, so they did awesome! Super proud... and yes, compare 2012 and 2014... J and B wore the same outfit and I think they look super alike! Fun! 

Anyhoo... fun memories. I am treasuring Christmas this year with two little buddies to enjoy it with. B is learning all about "Bible Jesus, Jofus, Mary, sheepies, shepherds, and wise men." Happy birthday to Jesus and Merry Christmas to all!!! Such a wonderful time of year.

loving life with these little ones!

I have thought about writing so many times, but remembering to post to my blog at the same time I have free time seems next to impossible! So since I just sent another Shutterfly photobook to print, I figured I'd take the opportunity to share pictures with you. :-) 

J will be 10 months this week and B will be 2 years and 10 months. They are really wonderful boys... B is talking up a storm, learning all the time. I'm enjoying teaching him letters, numbers, colors, etc. He loves Thomas the train and Lightning McQueen. Just the other day, I found out he likes clouds. Random thoughts from B while sitting in his carseat!

J is climbing stairs, crawling, and moving around as much as possible on two feet, although still a bit wobbly (that will change soon, I know!). He is starting to babble and not just when he's tired. Both Erik and I have heard him say "Dada" and "Mama"... He has five teeth and is super smiley. 

J often uses Dad's beard to hoist himself up... not Dad's favorite because it hurts when J pulls on it! 

Mommy and J were at the library. Happy boy!

J eats bananas, sweet potatoes, and other small, mushy cut up food.

For a costume party, the boys put on their jammies and went as Superman and Batman. Capes included.

The other costumes for this year... B took his off five minutes after this photo! 

Tent time! Love that smile!