Videos - Birthday, Walking, and Playing, Oh my!

Project Gratitude - Day 16

Last weekend we celebrated little man's 1st birthday. I can hardly believe it has been a year since we welcomed Baby J into our family. He brings so much joy to our family. We are truly blessed by our happy, healthy, children.

Birthday pictures!

Today (and everyday) we are thankful for our little man! Happy 1st Birthday! We look forward to the next year!



Project Gratitue - Day 15

Today I found out that a young women I worked with at Camp Hawthorn Hollow suddenly died. My heart breaks for her family and friends. We were counselors together at CHH and she was a lovely, funny, generous, open-hearted, caring person. She touched my life and I am grateful I had the opportunity to know her.

Today I am thankful for Stephanie/Squish. May you rest in peace my friend and I hope you are looking down on us with that beautiful smile of yours. You will be missed.

"Please won't you catch a shooting star for me, and take it with you when you go. For I know that we've just met, you're the one I won't forget. Hope some kind wind blows you back my way..."

Pictures!

Here are some recent pictures....

Project Gratitude - Day 14

Well...this should be day 50 or something, but I have been (as usual) very neglectful of this little blog. So here it is...today I am thankful for Cassidy's school. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful place. Our children will attend a parochial school until 8th grade and I am so grateful that we have to opportunity to create that foundation of faith for them.

Right now is Lutheran School's Week, and the theme for this school year is Seeds of Caring. Currently, Cassidy's preschool is bringing non-perishable food items to school that will be donated to the local food bank. This is an easy way to teach young children to give. On Sunday, our pastors preached about the Seeds of Caring projects that other grades have performed. I am amazed at the variety of projects these young people have taken on. They are truly spreading love in a world that desperately needs it.

Today (and everyday) I am thankful for our school.

Project Gratitude - Day 13

I am so grateful for the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group that I attend. Today was our first meeting of the new year, and I was happy to get back. This group has brought new friends, prayer, support, and laughter to my days. It is truly a blessing. I contemplated not joining MOPS this year because I thought it was going to be too much trying to get 3 kids ready to go in the morning, and because I was having a lot of emotions regarding my involvement with this group. I am so happy that I decided to enjoy all the benefts this group brings to my life.

It is also a blessing to Miss Cailin. She gets sooo excited when she gets to go to her MOPS play group while I am at the meeting/program. Jake could do with out going since he likes to be attached to me and has to stay in the nursery, however, I have to say that he did much better today. I am hopeful!

Today, I am thankful for the wonderful ministry of MOPS.

Project Gratitude - Day 12

I have to admit that these past days have been consuming. My heart breaks at the thought of the tragedy in Tucson, and yet I am disgusted that this tragic event has turned into a political circus. One victim is a Congresswoman, but the victims and their families need support and respect not politicians blaming each other. Tucson needs our prayers and support. We are sending our prayers.  

That being said, I have to express my gratitude for living in a small, close-knit community where violent crime is exceedingly rare. I know this may make me seem naive, I do know there is a harsh world that surrounds me, but I am so grateful that we live in a town where I feel safe to take my children to the park, walk down the street after dark, and leave my car unlocked in the driveway. We are certainly blessed by our little town.

Project Gratitude - Day 11

My little Sissy Lou, aka, Cailin Marie entered this world in a hurry. In fact, we were only at the hospital about 20 minutes when she was born...talk about excitement! Cailin is our little petite princess. She is so tiny yet she is a fireball. Cailin is sweet, kind, generous and loving. She also has a temper. She will get so mad and frustrated that she shakes her little fists and screams...really loud! Cailin loves to cuddle and she can be a mama's girl.

Cailin lights up our life. She is a wonderful little sister to Cassidy, and an equally wonderful big sister to Jake. I can't wait to watch this girl take on the world. I think she is going ot keep us on our toes!

I am grateful for my girl, Cailin. I am so humbled that God gave me two little girls.

Project Gratitude - Day 10

Books.

If you know me very well you know that I love to read. I love books. I love a variety of topics, never sticking to just one genre. Books provide an opportunity to learn, escape, laugh, or cry. I see all these ads for the various e-readers (Kindle, nook, etc) and I see the benefit in having one, but I have to say there is something about opening a book and smelling the "book" smell.

Today (and everyday), I am thankful for the ability to read. I am thankful for all the books that have passed through my hands and all the stories that fill my memories. I can't wait to share more of my favorites with my children as they grow.

Project Gratitude - Day 9

There is a woman that came into my life when I met and married Lucas. Her name is Shirley. She is Lucas' aunt. He grew up with her and Abe always around. He spent a lot of time with them growing up. Now, he works for them. We spend a lot of time with these two amazing people.

Today (and everyday), I am grateful to have a woman like Shirley in my life. She is a caring, hardworking, loving woman. She is always doing something and sometimes I wonder if she every truly takes a break! I have enjoyed many memories with Shirley over the last several years, but my favorite moments are watching her with my children, especially Cassidy and Cailin. They adore her and she adores them. It is like a match made in heaven. If we are over to Shirley's house, I am not very high on the list of important people! My girls will go to Shirley every time. If I am dropping them off, I rarely get more than a wave as they walk in and start on a project. It makes me so thankful that they have that sense of security with someone else. I am thankful that they will learn things from Shirley that I am not very good at (like making pies...she makes the BEST pies).

I can't recall how many times Shirley has come over and helped with a myriad of projects. She has helped me paint, decorate, clean, garden, etc. She is simply amazing.

I am so grateful for amazing women in my life. Today, I am especially grateful for Aunt Shirley.

Project Gratitude - Day 8

Cooking with my girls...both challenging and fun. Today we made a super simple snack. We made Ranch Oyster Crackers. Super simple to make with the girls, but still fun. Monday we made a cake for Cameray's birthday (that we didn't get to eat...) and that was fun too. At times I find my patience running thin when I cook with the girls, but I have to remind myself that they are only 4 and 2...there are bound to be accidents and messes. I have to remember that these are memories we are making and I hope my girls will look back and remember that we made messes!

I am grateful for time spent cooking with my girls.

Gratitude Project - Day 7

Miss Cassidy Jane entered our lives on August 26, 2006. Since that day we have been blessed by this amazing little girl. She is kind, tough, compassionate and sassy. Cassidy is the epitome of a first born. She is a wonderful big sister. She both melts my heart and challenges me in ways I never thought possible. I could never imagine my life without her hugs, kisses, and cuddles.

I have so many hopes for this beautiful girl. I hope she becomes confident in her faith. I hope she has a slew of adventures. I hope she travels all over this great big world. I hope she finds a passion for life that both excites and challenges her. Above all, I hope she knows how much she is loved and supported.

I am so grateful for my girl.

Project Gratitude - Day 6

We are back! We took a little vacation over to Canadian Lakes where we didn't have Wifi or cell service! I can't say that it was a bad thing! It was kind of nice being unplugged and out of touch. So here we are in the first days of 2011...Happy New Year!

I am grateful for new beginnings, fresh starts, new goals, and fresh perspectives. As we begin this year, 2011, (really?!) I am thinking of the things I wish to accomplish. I am working on a list (that I will share later) of my goals for this year.

Here is to a fresh start...a new year for new adventures for Team Hart!

Our blessings to you in the New Year!

We will be back to our regularly schedule programming!

Project Gratitude - Day 5

Inspiration. I am thankful for inspiration that is found all around me, especially on those days when my patience is running thin. Inspiration from a Bible verse, book, or blog. Some days those little words are what keeps me from throwing up my hands to the chaos that often reigns.

A bit of inspiration for today:

I am just a regular girl.

A wife who loves her husband, but doesn’t always show it.

A mom who adores her babies, but runs out of patience.

A friend who cherishes her girls, but forgets to return calls.

A person so energized by being creative, but not without dry spells.

I am a homemaker who would rather rearrange furniture than dust it, repaint a bathroom than clean it, eat out than sit down and plan meals.

by: Emily

Found by way of Little Miss Momma and SAHM

Off to prepare for the annual Progressive Dinner - YAY for yummy food!

Christmas Pictures

Project Gratitude - Day 4

Today I am thankful for time. Time to spend with my 3 amazing children. Moments spent with my husband. Suprise visits from family. Planned visits with family. I am thankful for these moments.

We had a lazy day today. It was wonderful. We straightened up the house from all the coming and going the last few days, played some games of Uno, did puzzles, opened more presents, and had company. It was a great day. Tomorrow we will prepare for the annual Progressive Dinner and begin packing for our Canadian Lakes adventure.

I am looking forward to our week with family and friends!

Project Gratitude - Day 3

Today I am thankful for faith. For the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. I am thankful that we are able to celebrate Christmas with our family and friends. May you find blessings, peace, and love this holiday season.

Project Gratitude - Day 2

I am thankful for a warm and cozy home during this holiday season. The past few months have been a time of transition and, unfortunately, it seems we may stay in this state of transition for a longer time than originally anticipated.

We sold our home on Holland Rd. and immediately started searching for a new home. We were given a wonderful opportunity by my brother-in-law, Caleb. He was taking a new position in Tennessee and would need to do something with the home he had recently purchased. We needed a place to live until we found a new home, so to King Rd. we moved. We soon found a home that we LOVE, however, it was in the short sale stage so we knew we needed to get things rolling. We put in an offer, it was accepted by the sellers, then went on to the sellers bank to be accepted or denied. Then the waiting game started. Our realtor told us it could take 30-90 days to hear anything back from the bank, so we hunkered down at King Rd. and waited. and waited. and waited.

Thanksgiving was right around the corner when we heard that the For Sale sign was missing from the house. We were hopeful, but we knew that it could mean nothing. After several phone conversations, we determined that the house was going into foreclosure proceedings. Our offer became null and void, and now we needed to decide what we were going to do....we truly LOVE this house. It has all of the amenities we wanted and then some. We contacted the realtor that will be listing the home and we made another in offer. It has to go through all the hoopla of a foreclosure, but we are praying that our offer will be accepted and we will finally be able to start a new chapter in a home we plan to be in for quite some time.

So, I am thankful that the Lord provided us with a safe home during this time of change. I am thankful that we have most of our possessions with us so our children have transitioned fairly well. I pray that we receive happy news in the New Year.

Blessings to you and Merry Christmas!

Project Gratitude - Day 1

Per usual, I have been neglectful of this blog. However, I am making the commitment to post something I am grateful for over the next 365 days. I have found myself focusing, selfishly, on the challenges life has presented me. So, taking this idea from a friend, I have decided to focus, intentionally, on the wonderful things I have been given.

I am humbled by the gifts God has bestowed upon me. I am blessed and I need to take the time and recognize some of the amazing gifts I am given. So here goes Day 1!

The first day is going to be all encompassing gratitude for my family. I am blessed with a terrific Mom & Dad, brother, and blessed even more by my extended family on both sides. I grew up with fabulous people surrounding me. I am so thankful I had the opportunity to grow up around both my maternal and paternal grandparents. I was able to develop unique relationships with them. I am forever grateful for their love and support.

These days I am grateful for the family  I inherited when Lucas and I got married. I couldn't ask for better in-laws. The extended family that came with Lucas are terrific as well. Lucas and I are surrounded by wonderful people and we are truly blessed to have so many family members living nearby.

Finally, I am unbelievably grateful for my family. I am beyond blessed to have a terrific husband and 3 amazing children. I don't know what I did for the Lord to believe that I was capable of raising these 3 beautiful children, but I am grateful.

In the spirit of the season, Merry Christmas!

What a week!

We have had a whirlwind of a week and it seems that it will be that way well into the weekend as we are moving this weekend! AHHHHHH! There is so much to be done. I feel as though I have been packing and packing....and yet our house still looks very lived in! (which is kind of frustrating!) Today, I took the day off from packing and hung out with the kiddos. It was nice to just be with them rather than trying to occupy them while I pack. In addition to all the moving and packing, Lucas had to go out of town Mondat thru Wednesday. This makes for very long days. It seems this time the kids ganged up on me by not sleeping well. Between the three of them I was up about every 2 hours each night. It was like having a newborn back in the house! :-) I am thankful that tomorrow morning I have M.O.P.S . It is a much needed time of fellowship (and good food!).

I am sure this weekend will be crazy busy and I hope that we are able to accomplish everything. Please keep up in your prayers that our move to our temporary house will go smoothly and that we will soon hear good news on the other house!