We have been doing a lot of sewing at our house lately. I have been trying to nest, but can't bend, lift or paint so it is not going too well. My house is messier and more unorganized than when I started:( BUT, I did help the girls to sew burp cloths with the sewing machine (which I am now wondering if is such a good idea as I sewed through my finger a couple of weeks ago...). They did a great job! Madeline's is the fish and Noella's is the ducks.

The girls are playing soccer this spring and have had their first 2 games already. Josh is a referee for Madeline's team (and I am the (very pregnant )cheerleader). It takes all I've got to walk across the field and back more than once. They play at the same time, so far on opposite ends of the field, so I get my exercise. Our friends Nicole an Bryan actually put the league together and they got an amazing turn-out. It is with-in walking distance of our house too. Unfortunately, I am unable to walk that far at this time! We play at 10:30 Sat. mornings so it is a bit chilly. Actually, it is cold!!! Madeline is really enjoying the competition and scored several goals last week. Noella is not sure about it. She does not really like the cold and does not like to get trampled. It is so fun to watch them play. This is the first team sport they have played.

Wed. evenings Josh ans I have been squeezing in a hour and a half of date night while the girls are at AWANA. It has been so fun to have that time together. I am looking forward to tomorrow night.

Happy Easter to all!! He has Risen!!! Hope you all had a wonderful day. We had a busy one. Early brunch at church, service, an Easter Egg Hunt train ride, and dinner at his folks house. Our friends Ty and Deena and Trent and Jessica came too. The weather was warmer that it had been--about 65. I wasn't too sure how I would do on the train ride, but it was just fine.

A HARD WEEK

This has been a hard week for me. It has been an emotional week. My mom passed away a year from today. I have been feeling lonely this week. The girls have been at each other. The evenings have been long. I have tried to find joy in all the blessings that I been given-- there are many-- but it has been sooo hard. My mind takes me back to the day I found out she was critical in the hospital, the long trip, and losing her as we drove through Nebraska. Feeling again the sadness when I visited her nursing home for the first time and she was not there. I can't help but thinking about how short our lives are here on earth and what the Lord has for me during this time. He has drawn me close to Himself and helped me to overcome many fears and worries, but so many fears and worries are still disabling me from experiencing all He has for me. I am thankful that he has has lead our family through adversity and that
I have grown in my faith and walk as a result. I am thankful for my husband and children, and the precious friends and family that have shown love and support over this past year.

I lift my eyes up
toward the mountains
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from you
maker of heaven
Creator of the earth

Oh how I need you Lord
You are my only hope
You're my only prayer

and so I'll wait for you
to come and lift me up
to come and give me life

A Day with Daddy

Isn't this a sweet picture?!!! I have been sooo tired these last few afternoons. This past weekend, Josh decided to take the girls with him to one of his work events. They went to the PBA show (Professional Bull riders Association). The girls just loved it and had a GREAT time with their daddy!! I am still hearing how big and mean those bulls were!

GO HEELS!!!!

Madeline's Baptism

Back in November of 2008 Madeline said she wanted to talk with me about Jesus. She had a few questions and wanted to talk. I answered them the best I could and continued to talk with her for several nights. We had had many bedtime talks about Jesus over the last year, but this time she was really feeling led to tell Him her heart. On November 11, 2008 she prayed, acknowledging her wrong thoughts, intentions, and deeds and her need for Him as her Savior, her love for Him, and belief that through His death and resurrection is the only way to have eternal life. When we later talked about Baptism, she told us that she wanted everyone to know that she had accepted Jesus. The day of the baptism celebration, I asked her what she was going to share with everyone, and she said she wasn't sure, but she would say what she felt when she got up there.

That evening she said, "I was going to accept him earlier, but didn't, and then one night on my bed, I did." It was so sweet and so honest. We praise God for loving her and drawing her close to Him!

On March 29th several other sweet friends were also Baptised; Pastor Bill's sons Seth and Zane, friends Carissa and Kaela Ritchie, Jeff Lindstrom, and Tristan and Carolyn Simetkosky. We were so blessed by each of their testimonies!

This and that

This month marks the end of Josh's poker season with the guys. He brought home the first place trophy! Go babe! (It's the football snack bowl!!-- not sure how to rotate the picture....) I was 29 weeks pregnant here.

We have gone on a few field trips recently, pictured was the trip to Cabela's. The kids loved watching the big fish get fed and getting to sample the yummy fudge. They also enjoyed trying to figure out the names of the stuffed animals.

March Fun!

I am going to try to put a couple of sentences together and hopefully they will make sense!!! So tired! The girls had a "BIG SISTER" class at St. Al's in March. They had lots of fun learning about how to bathe, feed, swaddle and play with new babies. They brought their favorite "ABBY" dolls and all of their accessories to class. After class they got to take a tour of the maternity ward. They are both very excited for baby Sanders' arrival. So far, I have a c-section scheduled May 29th....