My favorite graduate

This past week my little sister graduated with her masters degree!  My parents came up for the event and we all got to go and cheer for her as she received her diploma.  

 There were two parts, the first took place at the Science Museum.  It was a very intimate and wonderful occasion where the graduates get their master's robes.  And so cool to be at the museum!

 We eagerly awaited seeing Jessica march into the room in her robes.

 Uncle Shawn was great with the kids.  Brent couldn't be there due to a speaking engagement so my mom and Shawn helped me coral the hoodlums.  :)

 Yay Jessica!!

 There was a very charming reception with yummy food and great photo ops.

 That afternoon I sent Brent home with the kids (thank you, honey!) and the rest of us went to the official graduation.  This is where she walked across the stage and got the diploma!

Congratulations Aunt Jessica!  We are so proud of you and thankful for the abilities and strengths that God has given you.  May you ever use your knowledge and passions to please the Lord!

Kitchen Reveal!

Well, I have decided to redo the kitchen.  I wanted to do this last fall but with Jane's birth and starting preschool with Peter I just didn't have the time.  So I decided to do it in the Spring.  I was so surprised at how easy it was!  I wish I would have done it sooner.  It only took me a week.  I removed the cabinets to start on a Tuesday, then I primed and painted then put had hardware put on the next Tuesday.  Thank you, thank you to Michael Oliver for coming over and drilling holes for me! So this is the before picture.  Not bad, just not great.

 Yay!  Here is the after.  I just LOVE my kitchen now!  It looks so bright and airy.  I used to love the dark wood but I think my tastes have changed.  Now I'm all about opening things up and airing it out.  White is clean and fresh.  Can you spot my mother's day roses?  :)

 Let me draw your attention to a few fun details.  This is the wall art that I made after seeing my friend Stephanie's kitchen.  I got the supplies from Canton.

 Here is the hardware up close...trying to maintain the country, rustic, cottage feel of the rest of the house.

 I love my kitchen tray.  I keep it by the stove so I can grab the things I need quickly.  Most is functional like the olive oil and ring holder....but some is fun like the crystal Ikea clock and the homemade vanilla from my friend Colleen.

 Jars.  I love jars.  I keep things like quinoa, oats, couscous, and pretzels in them above my sink.  I also have made a habit of taping up the worship inserts from our church bulletin so I can sing and praise the Lord as I am in the kitchen....which is a lot!

 My canisters.  Only two...but I think they are cute.  My friend Stephanie (same gal that had the silverware art) made me some chalk board tags to use around the house.  This is where two of them landed.  :)

I think this is my favorite part of my kitchen.  My kitchen cart.  Jeff and Laura bought it for me at a garage sale and I painted it white.  I change it with the season...this is the spring version.  But it adds such charm and fun to the kitchen space.

I have often heard it said that the kitchen is the heart of the home.  I truly believe that.  The kitchen is where I cook for those that I love, worship the King, and where we gather together to eat, talk and grow closer as a family.  I am so grateful that the Lord has given us this kitchen do all of those things.  What a blessing for us!

Baby Dedication

On Mother's Day Justin and Lady Jane were dedicated to the Lord....in other words, we stood before the church body as a symbol that we will do everything we can to raise our children in the fear of the Lord and we ask our church family to help us.  We praise the Lord for His loving people and the opportunity to disciple these young hearts for His glory.  

Summer is declared!

Well, it might only be May, but we have declared summer.  If it is hot enough to turn on the water hose, it's summer.  :)  The other week we had our friends over to share in the commencement. 

 Jaxon, Cooper, Justin and Peter.

 I love this picture...look at all of the motion!  This pretty much captures life with boys.  :)

 Jane still hasn't gotten in the water yet.  Her turn is coming.

 And what would summer be without camping?!  Not that we went camping....but Aunt Jessica gave Peter a tent making kit for his bday.  So we made one in Momma and Daddy's room.  We have made other tents since, but this was the first.

 And lollipops....we had to have lollipops.  And the more they change your tongue the better.  :)

We are so excited about summertime being here...thank you Lord for the warm sunshine and people we love to enjoy it with!

Avengers, assemble!

Let me quickly brighten your day with the sweetest baby-girl face.  Love this little Lady!  She has started to sit up more and more...but I still stack pillows all around her just to be safe.  

 Then....yahoo!  It was Peter's big date with Mama and Daddy.  We wanted to take him out and celebrate finishing Cubbie's and turning 5 by seeing the coolest super hero movie ever!  We each picked an Avengers tattoo to wear.  :)  Justin and Jane actually stayed home with Miss Stephanie, but he got a tattoo.

 The anticipation mounted as we drove to the theater....

 It was Peter's first 3-D movie.  He kept the glasses on most of the time.  We went to the movie tavern where we got to eat yummy food and watch the movie all at the same time.  So fun!

 Peter brought all of his little Avenger toys to set up and watch the movie with him.  That is exactly what I used to do....and still would if I thought I could get away with it.

We had a great time and the movie was really, really good.  But what I loved most was sharing it with my boys!

Cubbie awards and other news

Our Peter has graduated from Cubbies!  He finished two books and memorized every verse that was required of him for 2 years.  We give praise to God alone who gave Peter his "sharp mind".  What a joy it has been to memorize the verses with him and to see little light bulbs come on as he begins to understand the gospel.  What is more, we are so excited to see what God will do with these little seeds of truth that have been planted as Peter memorizes the Word of God.  

 In a way, I feel like I earned the book awards too, having worked on the verses everyday and sewn on all those little patches.  :)

 You can't tell from the picture, but the Cubbies are singing the Cubbie Song....so cute.

 Here he is with his teacher this year, Miss Johnna.  He also got the award for perfect attendance.

 Taking a flying leap (how else?) back to his chair after getting his awards.

 In other news, Brent and I celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary!  Wow.  I praise the Lord for the strength of our marriage and the godliness of my husband.  I love him more than the day I married him, and know that God has wonderful things in store for us....no matter how hard or happy, it will all be good. For our anniversary Brent ordered me the sweetest necklace with the kid's names (I'll post that later) and this pretty apron from Anthropologie.  I just love a good apron!

Peter has taken his first shower. On April 25th he officially said good bye to baths and literally stepped into boyhood.  :)  He was so proud.