Oh, Bella!

Sometimes I ask the kids a quick question like, "What are your five favorite things to play with?" or " "What is your favorite spot we've ever been?"

I just asked Bella, " What is your favorite thing about Jesus?"

To which she replied, "That He's my servant."

I said, "Oh, honey, Jesus isn't our servant, He's our Savior. We should be His servants."

She said, "Well, who's MY servant?"

Me: You don't have a servant.

Her: Yes I do. You and Daddy are my servants.

Me: At times it may appear as such, but we are not here only to serve you.

Her: oh.

Shedding these Lenses

It was way back in second grade that I began to wear glasses. My best friend Ellie had just gotten glasses and I'm sure my mom thought my first complaints of blurred vision were sympathy pains. My glasses were replaced by contact lenses in 8th grade. I wore them without complaint for 17 years.

A new era is about to begin as I am able to go in for Lasik surgery on Tuesday. I am so excited! I can't wait to wake in the night and see the clock... or to go swimming for the first time without my contacts. I'm excited for the first late night movie- usually I need to switch to glasses as my eyes are dry and tired- but Lord-willing Tuesday will bring an end to that! Please pray all goes well!

(More photos...)

A family photo from the Animal Kingdom (OH, I loved that park!):



The boys sharing a smoked turkey leg (bunch of little carnivores!):


Bella and I enjoyed a Princess Dinner- here she is with her favorite princess, Aurora!


One of the kids' favorite parts of the trip- the hot tub in Mom and Dad's bedroom!


Bella and I on the teacup ride- special bonding!

It. Was. Wonderful!

We are back and recovering from a very fun filled vacation. I will leave you with some photos... and no promises to my diligence in blogging this summer.

Here the kids wait in eager anticipation for their first commercial flight:


Noah with Beauty and the Beast:



Not a bad shot for an eight year old!


Doodle working hard at a Kids-cot project at Epcot:


Bella with the joyous mist machine:

Only two days...

... (whisper) and I can't believe I'm saying this... but I'm ready.

I know- I can hardly believe it. Everything is packed that can be. Just waiting on the toothbrushes and makeup bag. I have a handful of errands to run tomorrow, and I need to clean the upper bathroom, but I'm pretty sure that's it! I get to attend Noah's year-end picnic, trim Jake's hair (Oh, he has to mow) and I think that's that.

M-I-C... K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E--- Here. We. Come.

Tis true, tis true!

I got this in an e-mail yesterday-- Ohh, I laughed hard. Definately made up by a blogger...

Checking things off the list

The packing continues at the Dahl house as our departure date is now only FIVE days away! Yikes! I got my hair cut, have consolidated all the good Disney info we have accumulated (to one page Cliff Notes of highlights for each park including highway exit info, park hours and times for parades, fireworks etc.), and have the suitcase out and ready. A friend graciously offered to take the little ones Monday and I intend to do a room-by-room deep clean and final packing. It will be the last day of school for Jake and Noah, so we'll have a celebration dinner of any and everything left in the fridge. Whoopee! Check, Check, check.

Tonight is our last day of soccer. Jake will bring the kids as I have three-in-a-row at work starting tonight. He'll be heading up with 3 kids, 3 soccer balls, clothes to change said kids into after their games, and a list for deposits and withdrawls to do at the credit union. Check, check, checkity check ...

Today we have a precious 15-mo-old spending the day with us. All is well thus far! She is a sweetie.

Doodle graduated last night from Bible Buddies (Our Wednesday night program for kids age 3 to kindergarten). He's now a Kidquest kid, and was SO ready to move up. His Mommy and Daddy are thrilled, too, as we help out in Kidquest and now have both boys with us!

Well... I better keep moving. check.

Life is good.

Yes, it is this warm in the Northwoods. Eighty one as I type. The shrieks and squeals coming through the screens are what summer is all about. Life is good.

(and if I was all schmancy I'd be able to share video of Noah's "waving flag" dance as he hummed the Star Spangled Banner-- I think Jake and I both peed a little bit as we rolled on the lawn in laughter... He is so going to hate that footage.)


  

A clean cut

Noah has taken an interest in his hair over the past year. He wanted it longer. He wanted blond highlights. Things that really weren't a huge deal. However, with our impending trip to FL and the humidity that is to be taking the Northwoods by storm this weekend, Mama decided it was time for a cut.

So the before...



















And the after...





He wasn't overjoyed, but I assured him he would thank me in the days to come. I hope it's a non-issue in school today!

Please pray...

For months now we have been following the life of Ed Horn, a friend of a friend, who has been battling cancer. He is at a new phase now- preparing for a Bone Marrow Transplant. His wife, Kelley, is wonderful at updating the details of each phase of treatment, as well as the spiritual highs and lows their family has faced- always giving God the glory for carrying them through. Would you please pray as he prepares for the transplant on June 2nd? There are so many risks and variables leading up to the transplant itself. So many of us will be faced with cancer... Kelley and Ed's faith story is a true inspiration.

In Pictures

Bella and my beloved Grammy Bird.




Noah's first Piano recital... doesn't he look relaxed? :) He did Oh-so-well!



Those eyes make a mama's heart melt- and yes, he's as sweet as he looks.
I love you, Doodle.

  

Treasures Galore! (including an update)

As promised, I am here to reveal the goods pillaged from the fine folks of Woodbury.

Remember that list? Well most years it's a starting point, but I really don't tend to get a lot of things checked off of it. This year I did much better... and a few items SHOULD have been on the written list, as they had meandered through my brain over the past year as things we need to pick up.

So... here are the list items I got:

1. A bike for Noah (Whoo Hoo!)
2. A bike for Bella (A girl bike very similar to her current bike and only 50 cents!!!)
3. Purple shorts for Bella
4. 2 prs. of jeans for Doodle
5. White dress shoes for Bella
6. A spring coat for Noah with liner and hood (I like it even more now at home!)
7. A long denim skirt for myself
8. Dress clothes for myself (and a LOT of it)
9. A bedside table
10. A snow shovel
11. Snowshoes (which I looked up online- the brand I got retails for $159- $229!! I paid $10! They were used once, if that!)
12. A silverware tray
13. An office chair (Which my back and butt are really liking at the moment! No more "near-tip-overs")
14. Clothes for my nephew (Just a little, Laura- I didn't do so hot for him. Boy clothes was a rarity to find this year)
15. Clothes for a friend's daughter (a very fun find!)

Things I found that should have been on my list:

1. A paper shredder
2. A work light for Jake
3. Brown dress shoes for me
4. A new "list center" for the kitchen (white board/bulletin board)

I also got a fun free find- When Doodle broke his leg he got to choose a Bennie Baby in the ER for himself and both Noah and Bella. Bella got a Siamese cat (Snip) who has since become MIA. At one sale they said, "You get a free BB with each purchase" and do you know who was in the bin? SNIP! She'll be so excited!

**EDIT, 1 hour later***
I just got finished settling the new bedside table. While I was at it I decided to vacuum under the edges of our bed. Guess who I just found after 6 months? yeah. The original Snip.

Twas a successful, fun trip despite the driving rain and 40 degree weather. Yes- we're diehards. Only 364 days until next time.

Can she get much cuter?

According to Bella we had tortilla chips and "walk-a-milky" for lunch.

Tee hee.

I'll give you a hint: it's made with avocados...

5,4,3,2,1, Happy Garage Sale Day!!!!

The day I've long been waiting for has arrived!

Every year two faithful friends and I brave the crowds (and weather) and head to the big city to the west for city-wide garage sales. We're talking 700 sales, people! It's a blast and we always come home with a vanful. Most of it is things we didn't realize we needed, but often a precious item gets scooped up that actually made it to our list. The list isn't poured over and held in fist (just fanny pack, right MH? Well, MINE- Yours will have to be wadded up in your pocket without a fine fanny pack to keep it close. Jeez...) but we read them to one another on the way and have a mental strategy in place (OK, household items... Dolly needed blue bowls, Marti needed a pizza cutter... Nope, nope- ONWARD!)

It's just a blast. My top items of interest this year are :
1. A bike for Noah (His was recently stolen from the school bike rack)
2. skirts/dress clothes for me
3. an office chair
4. brown shoes for Bella for fall
5. jeans for the boys (a staple)
6. a high voltage Dustbuster
7. a portable DVD player (wishful thinking)
8. a bedside table

Really- as I look at my 45 item list- I don't NEED any of it. I am so blessed. Above and beyond what I could ever imagine or need. If it wern't for the unbelievable deals we get and the fun of sharing the day with great friends- I sure wouldn't have to go. God is so good. I am so thankful. I will, however, keep you updated on the treasures upon my return. Happy weekend!

Profound Thoughts

On the way home from grocery shopping this morning Doodle and Bella saw a field that was covered with dandelions. They were amazed at how many there were, so I said, "You know, God knows exactly how many dandelions there are in that field."

They replied, "Yeah."

So I continued, "And look at all these trees. God knows exactly how many leaves are on each one of these trees."

Dawson said, "yep."

To which Bella replied, "And God even knows how many toes I have on my foot."

The Countdown

We are counting at the Dahl House. Counting down to our summer vacation.

We're heading to Disneyworld.

After reading Shannon's account of Disneyworld with her family I so longed to go. Not so much for me, but to see the excitement and joy on my kids' faces. They are at great ages right now- Not too cool to look like they might be enjoying it, and not in need of a daily nap.

The reality was that we just weren't in a place to do it.

In steps the Lord.

A dear friend called a week later and to make a long story short, made it all possible- and her family is coming, too!!!

We are so excited- and so blessed. We have great friends and an Awesome God, who provides not only for our needs, but also for the longings of our heart.

For the Love of Soccer

Ahhh...
Without the coaching whistle around my neck, I have to admit I just love soccer season. Sitting outside, watching my kids interact with others, Watching them love the game (or pick dandelions, as the case may be) and knowing their little bodies are getting the fresh air and exercise they need... Mmmm... It's a mama's joy.
They are in two different age levels, but have the same jerseys [Ones that a Packer-lovin' mom doesn't mind washing :)].



  

We did it!

Doodle officially finished his kindergarten curriculum. It was with much pomp and circumstance that we headed to the Dairy Queen to celebrate. He was given a Veggie Tale DVD instead of a diploma, and the promise that though the "pages" are done, the learning is not. Tomorrow will be a break and we will continue to read, add and learn about life on Monday. :) It does feel good to have the gist of it behind us and go as we choose from here.

Ahhhh...

On another note, Noah's first piano recital is Sunday. He has grandparents coming from 3 and 4 hours away to witness the great event. :) Yes, 8 hours in the car, folks, for what is sure to be 6 minutes of performance. That's love.

Jake is taking the last of tests for his National Board Certification this Saturday... Let's all pray he does well. It would be a relief for him to get this behind him. We'll let you know in DECEMBER- as that is when we get the results. (Yeah. Makes sense to me too. Two words, people: Computer. Scoring.)

Happy Weekend. Yes, I know it's Thursday. It's also SUMMER VACATION at the Dahl school of higher education. :)

Miss Bella

"Look, Mommy, I am the letter B."

 


Quote by Bella as I was washing the outside of our "flip-in" windows:

"Mom, our windows are just incredible." (NOT a word she uses everyday. tee hee) 

The Crowns!

Here's a photo right before we got up to get autographs. What a down-to-earth bunch!