Dancin' Queen

Today Livie's dance class got their costumes. She has been dying to try them on ever since she saw her big sister's recital costumes on Monday night. The "Ooos" and "Ahhhs" in the room were just precious, mostly from the mommies. Just a few more weeks until the big day and this year I'm not a stage mom...YAY!

She's ready to perform

One quick twirl before the music starts.

Love the sound of those taps.

This has to be one of my favorite costume years.  All 3 of Emma's happen to be blue and beautiful and Liv couldn't be happier with her fluffy tutus and lots of pink.  On our way home from dance today Liv said, "it sure is too bad I don't have a tiara to wear with my costume!"  She might be missing the hardware but she is certainly our little princess.

There's A Contract...

So many times I have wished I was bi-lingual.  Not that wishing it will make it happen, instead it's one of those things I need to put my mind to and get it done.  However, I do have a 1001 list (see the tabs at the top of this blog page) that is not yet completed.  So if I do decide to learn another language which one would I learn?  My oldest daughter is bi-lingual. Emma's birth language is English but now that she is a 6th grader she also speaks valley-girl.  I started reading the contract from the publisher for Chris' book "THE NEW PHENOM3NON", apparently it's in a different language because I'm having a difficult time understanding the context of the words I am reading.  What language is that?  Technical-Smartie Pants? 

I know this whole published book thing is getting closer to completion because the contract link was sent to us.  The new release "date" is sometime in June.  Finally, I am ok with that.  I have been so impatient during this whole process thinking I knew the perfect timing when all along God had something else, something greater planned.  He wants what is best for us and his kingdom.  I love that verse in Jeremiah that says,

"For I know the plans I have for you,"

declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future." 

Jeremiah 29:11

I am know that verse well and yet I try to control everything anyway.  So silly.

Today Chris did another book talk in a school. Each time he learns something new and is constantly working on the do(s) and don't(s), of coarse it all depends on the audience.  My guess is, it will be much easier when he book has been read.  All in due time.

If you are interested in updates on the book you can visit his website here.  We will post the release date as well as signing dates and locations when those are firmed up.  Feel free to subscribe, you'll be so glad you did.  You can also "like" Chris' book facebook page here.  Chris' newest thing is twitter, before I give you his contact info I'll let him figure the whole thing out first.

May your day be filled with blessings.

Easter Week

Easter week . Holy week . Chocolate Bunnies . Spring break

The week that Christ was tortured, hung on a cross, buried and resurrected means different things to different people.  Our family enjoys the fun part of easter.  Below you will see our peep wreath, eggs that we colored with traditional dye and also silk dyed.  And when I get the pictures from Nana you'll also see the easter egg hunt.  What you won't see is pictures of us in church celebrating Christ's death and resurrection but that side of easter is what means the most to us.

My verse for Beth Moore's scripture challenge is all about the Easter good news:

For God so loved the world

that He gave His one and only son

that who ever believes in Him

shall not perish but have eterntal life.

John 3:16

 Emma's final 6th grade orchestra concert was this week.  I was so disappointed when I realized that my camera battery was very low.  However to my great surprise I was able to take several pictures and video 2 songs including Emma's duet.  YAY!  The camera shut off and I was pleased.  Oh no, they weren't done...

Emma was then given "The Outstanding Musician" award...

AND I DIDN'T HAVE A CAMERA!  dang!!



I had to capture Reagan, Olivia and friend on their DS waiting for the concert to start.  No, I didn't let them play video games during the orchestra concert.  :)



The only good use for peeps...turn them into art. 

 The girls and I had lots of fun making this colorful wreath for our front door.

Silk Dyed Easter Eggs

I found this link at Our Best Bites If you are not familiar with that site, they have some very creative and fun holiday activities.  I can't wait to make the multicolored cup cakes but I will be using natural dyes instead of artificial dyes.  I care too much about my families health to load them up with all that junk.

By the way, no we did not eat these eggs.

My girls are creative egg decorators. 

Mom and My Beautiful girls.

Visiting Aunt Delma before going to church on Saturday night.

Easter Baskets





Do I Need a Title?

Nebraska softball was in town today.  Wouldn't you know it, this afternoon it was above 70 degrees but we got to the softball field and temps had dropped 20 degrees with wind blowing right into our faces.  Brr!  We still had a great time listening to Abby and Olivia sing and oh yea, watching the Huskers beat Creighton.  It was like a little Grand Island reunion with the Snyders, Raabes, Jerry Quandt, Randy Foland and obviously our favorite Husker Heidi.  We even ran into the guy from Charlie Rose Baseball and Softball who still owes us money from 14 years ago.  But really, who holds a grudge?  :) 

Kristi and Reagan

Tami and Melanie

I am really enjoying my Norwex business. Last week it took me back to Grand Island for a show at my friend Tami's house. What a blast! I had the opportunity to share the most amazing products with old and new friends and then hang out with Tami, Kimberly and Sandy. Yesterday I sent off my best show yet. What I thought was going to be a way to get a discount on cleaning supplies is turning into a successful business.

Soccer

More Soccer

And More Soccer!

Gardening Phase I

I don't remember what this little flowering plant is called but it blooms purple.

This morning these had not opened, when we came home from dinner at the church they were open...love it!

Our yard suddenly turned green.  There is still some brown in there but it's about to look great, especially with the help of our friend Scott Gomel.  Scott started a new lawn care business, naturally we decided to support his efforts and hired him to do all the "chemical" care to our grass.

Chris has been working in the yard getting the flower gardens and veggie garden ready for planting.  It doesn't look like much but it will in a few months.  Can't wait for fresh, untainted veggies.

Two nights ago Chris and the girls got the seed starters going.  They planted lettuce, bell peppers, sugar snap peas, tomato, sweet basil, spinach, cucumber and zuchinni.  I might have forgotten something.  There's another tray for flower starters.  The girls love to pour the water on those hard little disks and then watch them grow.

The NEW PHENOM3NON

We've got an update but I don't think Chris has posted it on his website yet....
Check in at http://chrisraabe.wordpress.com/cover-story/ when you get a chance.

UPDATE ON THE UPDATE:
You can now see the what's new at Chris' website and facebook page (the new phenomenon by chris raabe).

Three Decades Strong

How many things (right off the top of your head) last 30 years?  Here's a trickier question.  How many things last 30 years and are better after the years of wear and tear?  Go ahead and compile your list, for most people marriage isn't at the top of that list.  Today I am so excited to highlight a friend of mine who will soon be celebrating her 30th wedding anniversary. 

Dan and Vicki...aren't they cute?  I love these guys!

In a day and age when we have trouble even defining what marriage is, it's no wonder that long lasting, happy marriages are few and far between.  Chris and I strive to maintain our happy marriage knowing there will be valleys and peaks along the way.  I'm sure if I could interview my friends above they would agree, possibly even talk about some of the struggles they have faced along the way.  So it might not be a cake walk every day of week but it's certainly worth fighting for.

Thank you Dan and Vicki for being a shinning light in a dark and fallen world.  You are a great role model to your children and the many people you have touched over the years.  I for one, am inspired by your commitment to God by loving one another unconditionally.  Praying blessings on you and your family!

Freedom Rings

What holds you captive?

What will release you from that tight grip?

I continue to participate in Beth Moore's scripture challenge.  The living, breathing word of God never fails me, tucked inside the bible are so many little nuggets that help me get through live on a daily basis.  There are times that I feel lost, bound by the enemy's lies but when I seek His truth I am freed from the lies, the guilt and the fear.  My 7th memory verse describes this freedom and how to achieve it...from knowing the truth.  Thank you God for these words.

"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 8:32 (NIV)

These are words that are so easy to "know" but easily forgotten.  So I am committed to memorizing these 13 words, when Satan comes knocking I will slam the door and seek the truth from our Lord God.

Norwex Oven Cleaner...No Foolin'

First of all, Happy April Fool's Day!  I had a couple things planned to do to "fool" my girls this morning but it seems that my schedule is so routine that I kept forgettting to do them. 

I have decided to highlight my favorite item of the week.  (We'll see if I remember to do it every week.)  This reveal is so amazing you will wonder if it's an April Fool's trick.  I assure you, this is the real deal!  Last night I got some new oven cleaner so naturally I tried it out this morning.  Now I am wondering why in the world I didn't do a before and after photo.  Never in my life have I cleaned an oven with such ease.  Seriously, my mind is blown away.  And on top of that, there were no toxic chemicals and my house wasn't filled with smoke from my self-cleaning oven.
This product is...
*water-based, non-caustic cleaner safe for use on stainless steel, ceramic, chrome.
*Bio-based, all-natural and biodegradable.

INTRODUCING....

NORWEX OVEN & GRILL CLEANER



Dissolves the heaviest burnt-on deposits so they can be wiped or rinsed clean. 

1. Preheat oven to 100 degrees, turn off and spray. 

2. Let sit for 5 min. 

3. Wipe away with damp enviro cloth. 

Start to finish you are talking about a 15 minute process and most of that time you can be doing somethingelse.  NICE!!!

 

On a complete different note, Olivia and I were able to spend the morning outside at the park by the lake with some friends playing and enjoying a picnic lunch before school.  It's about time that we can experience some of the bennefits of spring.  I hope you get to enjoy the beautiful weather too.
 
Today I ask you to be a blessing to someone...I'm seriously thinking about cleaning someone's oven for them.  Now that is a blessing!  :)