time off

with aaron off on vacation this week, and no school for ty due to president's day holiday, we decided to take a trip to the cleveland natural history museum. the last time we were all there together as a family was before we moved to ohio (pre-emma)...so it's been a while.












we spent most of our time in the dinosaur section, but there was certainly plent to see.









































































after a couple of hours spent in the museum, our stomachs got the better of us and we stopped by the mongolian bbq for lunch. and oh, it was sooo good. i usually have some leftover to take home, but this time around there was nothing left in the bowl (i even out-ate aaron). i should probably thank the baby for that.

stewardship::beyond money

every 2nd thursday of the month, i (along w/ one or two other folks) prepare a full meal for about 20-30 teen parents (pregnant, teen parents, or those who were teens when their child was born) and their families as part of a community drop-in program offered through the city. then i take the food and my whole family to the drop-in location and we share the wonderful food with some very wonderful people.

when i was first approached about this opportunity, i was intrigued but at the same time a little intimidated. the idea of preparing a full meal for 15 people every month seemed daunting. it seemed like a huge committment, that i didn't think i could faithfully follow through on. what if i don't have time? what if i don't want to give my time? what if we need the money used to make all that food? it's amazing how many negative thoughts and excuses i started thinking up in my head...to find a rational reason for turning down the opportunity.

but i am so thankful that i didn't.

as a family, we find great enjoyment in opening our homes and sharing it with others. we love throwing parties (though we don't do that often enough still), we love having people over for dinner, we love when visitors come and stay with us, and we enjoy being social (most of the time :o) ). participating in the teen parents program would merely be an extension of something we already enjoy doing and a great opportunity for us to nurture and encourage parents who may have began their journey into parenthood in a not so ideal situation.

by God's grace, every month we follow through on our committment. there is no drudgery involved in preparing the meal or even going to the event, because i've found that doing this has brought us tremendous joy. joy in seeing others being helped. joy in knowing that we can provide our food, our time, and our encouragement to others that may need it.

despite our smaller income, we have all that we need. God not only entrusted us with his money, but he also entrusted us with certain gifts that we can share with others. stewardship goes beyond money. how can we be better stewards with our time, our home, and all our possessions that he has so graciously entrusted us with? where are our priorities? do we give not only our money, but also our time sacrificially? i admit, it's easier said than done. but when God blesses us with things, extra time, or money, it's not to be hoarded or stored up for yourself. keep what you need, then use the rest to bless others.

in this we discover just how much God loves us.

in this we discover just how hard it was to make the ultimate sacrifice.

and in this we discover peace.

every time i come home the 2nd thursday of the month, i am left feeling content. seeing my children play and interact with the other kids, watching my husband encourage and support the other young men there, exchanging laughs with some of the young moms who are sometimes struggling to figure out where they "fit"...

...i am content. i am thankful. i am joyful.

wordless wednesdays::steak anyone?

**disclaimer: we love a good piece of steak. so my advance apologies to any vegetarians out there.**













more wordless wednesdays here and here.

happy 4th!

we were invited to help celebrate our cousin aylah's 4th birthday.

we made our own pizzas, sang happy birthday, enjoyed some delicious cake and ice cream, and cheered aylah on as she opened her presents.





































a game of put the sticker on the little pony also took place. all the little girls had a go...and even tyler participated (see the incriminating photos below!). i guess my little pony is hard to resist.

hello potty!

after 2 weeks of going #1 in the potty, i think it's safe to say that we are done with daytime diapers.

as a celebratory gift and her successful journey to diaper freedom, i let her pick out a set of panties at the store...













i {heart} hello kitty!

choosing happiness

might i direct you today over to mozi esme and her mama's post on choosing happiness.

it seems especially appropriate given the tough economic situation we are experiencing. what are we finding happiness and contentment in? when times are tough and we are unhappy about the situation, where do we find joy? how can we continue to feel content despite our situation?

let us keep things in perspective and be encouraged and joyful in what we have been provided already...

for this light and momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight in glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. for the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen is eternal. 2 corinthians 4:17-18 (esv).

wordless wednesday::my homeland

aaah...the warmth* and the flood of memories...
(jakarta/bali, indonesia)







































































*no more snow and cold! where for art thou my warm weather friend??

more wordless wednesday here and here.

my little sisters are all grow'd up!

so both my sisters put out books (though not simultaneously) that are for sale online.

astrid's book is found here. it chronicles her 2 year experience with the peace corps in togo, africa.

michelle's book is found here. it is a photo journal of her travels in london and the surrounding areas.

i am so proud of both of them. please take a look, for both are quite impressive (but i guess i am the biased big sister).

maybe i should put out a book now...

night boarding

after over a week of waiting for aaron to guest blog about the cross point's late night ski event, i am beginning to think that it's not going to happen (maybe next time, dear). and i'm afraid if i wait too long then by the time he does post about it, the snow will be gone and we'll be into summer.

since i wasn't there, i can only make a few comments about the experience.

there were about 30 people signed up to go to brandywine, with runs starting at 8 p.m. and ending at 3 a.m. the last time aaron snowboarded, was probably 4 years ago...with me. i'm not an expert boarder by any means, and the last time i went i spent the whole time falling on my bum, on my knees, or flat on my face (apparently, this didn't stop me from going with aaron down a black diamond run...what was i thinking??).

this time around, he took tyler up for his first snowboarding experience. the snow was rather icy but i don't think that stopped them at all. ohio has no mountains compared to the pacific nw ski resorts, so i think brandywine was the perfect place for a first time boarder to learn.





























they didn't stay out there until 3, but manged to last well into the first hour of the next day. i think both of them enjoyed themselves.

keeping it real

earlier in the month of january, i was awarded the "marie antoinette keeping it real award" by simply stork. i believe this award is passed on to bloggers who, as the award title says, keeps it real...blogging about not only the happy times, but also the sad times, the tough times and everything in between. thank you ms. simply for thinking of me :).











i'm really bad at choosing who i should pass this on too. i don't want to feel like i left anyone out...i think i'll just limit it to 3.

i'd like to pass this award on to:

• sarah @ tales from oakbriar farm
• meg @ paper pregnant
• mozie esme