Happy Two!

Today is our little girl's second birthday. We went to get her when she was about 8 weeks old and I never could have imagined being this crazy about a dog! She was my first pet and she has exceeded all of my expectations. We got her to be my guard dog while I was in Memphis by myself for a semester. (Hindsight, this may not have been a great idea...I had to take her outside to go to the bathroom at night and she was a puppy, so not a big ferocious threat, but she sure was a lot of company and brought lots of smiles during my stressful studying without my hubby.) She has turned out to be a good guard dog as she has gotten older and she is one heck of a cuddler too! Happy TWO Kala!!

This was taken on the way home from picking her up. She was so little!!

This was when we got home with her for the first time. She went straight to her bed and curled up. She knew she was home! (and that is not a cig in her mouth...it is a little rawhide.)

A Sick Coach

EJ came home from school today because he was sick and the doc says he has strep throat. Baseball season just got started with a scrimmage last week. The team looked great especially in comparison to their first game last year. I am really impressed (but not surprised) with their progress under his instruction. Their games start next week and I know being sick in bed in the middle of the season is hard on him. Please pray for a speedy and full recovery.
I will keep you posted on the team and their record. If you want to come to a game let me know and I will send you the schedule.

Give Me Your Eyes

This is a song by Brandon Heath called Give Me Your Eyes. The chorus is my prayer. It is #13 on my playlist on the bottom of the blog if you want to listen to it.

Looked down from a broken sky
Traced out by the city lights
My world from a mile high
Best seat in the house tonight
Touched down on the cold black top
Hold on for the sudden stop
Breath in the familiar shock
Of confusion and chaos
All those people going somewhere,
Why have I never cared?

Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
Ones that are far beyond my reach.
Give me your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see

Step out on a busy street
See a girl and our eyes meet
Does her best to smile at me
To hide what's underneath
There's a man just to her right
Black suit and a bright red tie
Too ashamed to tell his wife
He's out of work
He's buying time
All those people going somewhere
Why have I never cared?

Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
Ones that are far beyond my reach.
Give me your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see

I've Been there a million times
A couple of million eyes
Just moving past me by
I swear I never thought that I was wrong
Well I want a second glance
So give me a second chance
To see the way you see the people all along

Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
Ones that are far beyond my reach.
Give me your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see

Father forgive me for getting so wrapped up in myself and the busyness of my schedule that I fail to see the people around me who need you. Give me an opportunity to reach out today and give me boldness to do what You ask of me.

Valentine's Evening

I had to work on Valentine's Day but when I got home we made our own little progressive dinner around town. We had a fun night laughing and enjoying one another but a couple of things we saw gave us something to chuckle about. When we are out together we comment on other couples by trying to guess if we think they are on a first date, out for a night without the kids, or how many anniversaries they are out celebrating. We look at the couples' body language and sometimes even listen in a little to venture our guess. At the first restaurant we went to on Saturday night there was a couple probably in their early 30's who were eating their meals while reading separate novels. We couldn't see what the titles were but they must have been REALLY good for them to bring them to the restaurant and read them on Valentine's Day! or this was their first date and they each brought a book in case the date went sour...peculiar! Then while eating dessert we saw a couple in their late 40's or early 50's who we think was on a blind date or the guy has been wanting to break up the girl but couldn't do it so close to Valentine's day because he is such a nice guy. This poor guy sat politely through their entire meal and listened to her yap. I am not sure he ever said one word the whole evening. His facial expressions were screaming for the check so he could get out of there...poor guy! Anywho..sorry I don't have anything else to share with you but this was more interesting than the food we ordered so I thought I would share this instead.
I hope you enjoyed spending time with your Valentine in whatever quirky or romantic way you chose to spend it.

Donk's Week O' Fun

Last week I went to visit my brother and his wife and their two amazing daughters in Indiana. I have the month of February "off"...I am taking an online course and working at Wally World but I don't have a rotation this month.

My brother's girls call me Donk because when I was younger, he called me Donk to get on my nerves...so because he is still my big brother he got them to call me Donk. It was easier for them to say Donk than Aunt Grace when they were learning to talk and I didn't care what they called me just as long as they called me something so Donk stuck.

Here are some pictures, videos, and stories from the week. Enjoy!

On Tuesday I went to Chali's school and met her teacher. Chali gave me a tour of the whole school. It really is an amazing school with a faculty that have hearts for those kiddos.

Karis playing dress-up.

The girls showed me the public library on Friday. It has an awesome play area for the kids.

This was our hair salon/dance party/musical chairs/tea party...never a dull moment!

Saturday we all went ice skating! It was fun while it lasted. Poor Chali busted her bottom and hit her head, but it wasn't anything some hot chocolate couldn't cure. And notice my hair in the first picture and in this picture. My sister-in-law is the only person I trust with my hair. I can walk in and say "do whatever" and I am always pleased. (If you live in the Fort Wayne area...she works at In Touch on Illinois Ave)

Our Night at the Museum

Last Saturday night, we had the privilege of going with our two oldest nephews to their boy scout sleepover at the children's science center. When EJ asked if I would be able to go and help I might have been more excited than the boys. I remember sleeping over there when I was in the 4th grade and I love opportunities to act like a kid again and these two boys are some of the funniest kids I have ever met so I knew we would have a good time. We climbed the play area and explored every inch of the museum more than once. EJ slept with Jack and I slept with Liam in the giant stomach. We had a blast and feel so blessed that we live close enough now that things like this are possible.

Liam's excitement with the volcano experiment.

Jack's excitement with the effervescent rockets.

Jack hanging out in the gut.

Dr. Liam helping our patient, Pat.

Liam climbing in the giant heart.