Friday, December 30, 2011

Great-Grandma Mary

We went to visit my grandma earlier this week, something that was LONG overdue, and seeing my kids play in that house and give and receive lovins from that woman, warms my heart! 

Great-grandma Mary and Sophia :)


 Sophia LOVED her snuggles with her great-grandma

The great-grandkids with their great-grandma :)

Monday, December 26, 2011

Day at the Museum

Jayden is still out of school, and Randy had the day off from work.....so we decided to have a family day, at the Indianapolis Children's Museum.  The girls had a blast and it turned out to be a great day :)

Jayden and Bumblebee (this made her day :)

Jayden, Sophia and Mommy going down the snow slide!

Not a great picture, but it was so funny because Sophia kept trying to stand up and didn't understand that she was to tall to stand straight up :) 

Catching some fish

Ready for speed

SPLASH!

The good ole sandbox

Big sister, taking little sister across the "water" on their "raft" :)

Staring games at lunch.....who blinked first?

Girl at Work

GirlS and Work :)

Little Sister, letting Big Sister, do all the work :)

Lots of Mommies, Daddies, Jayden's and little Sophia's (even thought you can't see Sophia in the picture she was there.  She can't help it she's short :)

Chillin in the playhouse

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

The Brave Little Soul

The Brave Little Soul
By: John Alessi

Not too long ago in Heaven there was a little soul who took wonder in observing the world. He especially enjoyed the love he saw there and often expressed this joy with God. One day however the little soul was sad, for on this day he saw suffering in the world. He approached God and sadly asked, "Why do bad things happen; why is there suffering in the world?"

God paused for a moment and replied, "Little soul, do not be sad, for the suffering you see, unlocks the love in people's hearts." The little soul was confused. "What do you mean," he asked. God replied, "Have you not noticed the goodness and love that is the offspring of that suffering? Look at how people come together, drop their differences and show their love and compassion for those who suffer. All their other motivations disappear and they become motivated by love alone."

The little soul began to understand and listened attentively as God continued, "The suffering soul unlocks the love in people's hearts much like the sun and the rain unlock the flower within the seed. I created everyone with endless love in their heart, but unfortunately most people keep it locked up and hardly share it with anyone. They are afraid to let their love shine freely, because they are afraid of being hurt. But a suffering soul unlocks that love. I tell you this - it is the greatest miracle of all. Many souls have bravely chosen to go into the world and suffer - to unlock this love - to create this miracle for the good of all humanity."

Just then the little soul got a wonderful idea and could hardly contain himself. With his wings fluttering, bouncing up and down, the little soul excitedly replied. "I am brave; let me go! I would like to go into the world and suffer so that I can unlock the goodness and love in people's hearts! I want to create that miracle!"

God smiled and said, "You are a brave soul I know, and thus I will grant your request. But even though you are very brave you will not be able to do this alone. I have known since the beginning of time that you would ask for this and so I have carefully selected many souls to care for you on your journey. Those souls will help you create your miracle; however they will also share in your suffering. Two of these souls are most special and will care for you, help you and suffer along with you, far beyond the others. They have already chosen a name for you". God and the brave soul shared a smile, and then embraced.

In parting, God said, "Do not forget little soul that I will be with you always. Although you have agreed to bear the pain, you will do so through my strength. And if the time should come when you feel that you have suffered enough, just say the word, think the thought, and you will be healed." Thus at that moment the brave little soul was born into the world, and through his suffering and God's strength, he unlocked the goodness and love in people's hearts. For so many people dropped their differences and came together to show their love.

Priorities became properly aligned.
People gave from their hearts.
Those that were always too busy found time.

Many began new spiritual journeys, some regained lost faith - many came back to God.

Parents hugged their children tighter.
Friends and family grew closer.
Old friends got together and new friendships were made.
Distant family reunited, and every family spent more time together.

Everyone prayed.
Peace and love reigned.
Lives changed forever.
It was good.
The world was a better place.
The miracle had happened.
God was pleased.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Sunday, December 4, 2011

All Aboard

This weekend we headed to French Lick to board the Polar Express!  We got to ride on a train and meet Santa and some of his elves.  On our ride to the North Pole we were entertained by Santa's elves with lots of singing and dancing and some hot cocoa and cookies :)  The girls had fun and after the ride we spent the night at a hotel, which Jayden thinks is the coolest thing ever, and went to Big Splash Adventure the next day, which is an indoor waterpark right inside the hotel were we stayed. 

Jayden's ticket to ride on the Polar Express

The Polar Express

Car A, which is where we rode.

Before we left.  A little someone looks pretty excited :)

Mommy and Sophia :)  (and Sophia's poker face)

Jayden and Daddy :)

Waving bye to the people outside

We were on the late ride, 7:30 pm, and the girls were starting to get a little tired.

Sophia the Elf

SANTA!

Neither one of the girls were scared of Santa at all.  In fact, Sophia went right to him and was pretty curious about that beard :)

Sophia :)

Jayden and her "magic" bell

Floating down the lazy river at Big Splash Adventure

Jayden LOVED this waterslide!

Sophia, hiding in the tunnel!



Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Sleeping Beauties

Jayden woke up fine this morning, but shortly after breakfast something hit her and she started complaining of a stomachache and a sore throat, something she complained about two nights ago after dinner.  So I kept her home from school to rest and she ended up sleeping the rest of the morning away!  She has been feeling better for the most part, but is a little hesitant to eat much and, in Jayden's words, make her tummy angry  :)  Then there is Sophia......she has had some drainage and issues keeping all her feeds down since Monday.  Which is typical any time she gets drainage.  But she was extra tired and needy today and it took all I had to try and keep her awake till naptime and ultimately, I failed.  So here are a couple pictures of the girls today around 11am..... 
Luckily we are fever free and it doesn't seem like anything serious, and we'd like to keep it that way!  We have BIG plan this weekend and we cannot miss them!!!!