Where does the time go?

I was just thinking last night about how it feels like we've been so busy lately, but really we haven't, we've just been spending a TON of time OUTSIDE!!! The weather here has been AMAZING and we've been to the park almost everyday and so there's been very little computer/scrapbooking/tv or otherwise time because we've been enjoying nature! Isn't it wonderful? Anyway, here's a few photos from our April for you to enjoy!

Rodney & Noelle getting ready for an Easter 4 Wheeler ride at Grandma & Papa Johnson's Farm!

Enjoying a picnic in the Springtime weather!

Noelle being a monkey in a tree! :)

I Could Be Wrong...

But, I'm pretty sure it's only in a house with 2 small children you would ever find a potato masher on top of tennis shoes in a bedroom! I find random things like this everywhere all the time... and sometimes I find something and have no idea what it is or where it came from!!! This is one of many things I never want to forget about this season of life!

Spare Moments

I've always loved Ralph Waldo Emerson quotes... this one I came across today is no exception:

"Guard your spare moments. They are like uncut diamonds. Discard them and their value will never be known. Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life."

Lucky? or Blessed!

It's St. Patrick's Day today and there's always a lot of talk about luck but I've been thinking a lot about how blessed I am. Isn't health something we often take for granted until we aren't healthy? At least I know that it's something I take for granted but I've been reminded lately how thankful I should be that our family is healthy, due to some friends who are unfortunately not healthy.

A fellow MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) mom who was moved to hospice last week because she is losing her battle with breast cancer. The cancer moved to her spine and the chemo has not been touching it.

Then there's my good friend from college Sarah, who's son is battling cancer and is in his 3rd round of chemo. Spending nights in a recliner at Children's Mercy has become the norm for her. In her own words:

Jude knows and uses the terminology "my feeds are out", "I need to clamp this tube", "I don't want to do my vancpaste" and knows how to call the nurses station to tell them his IV pole is beeping! NO 4 1/2 YEAR OLD SHOULD KNOW THOSE THINGS!!! He should be at school, playing outside with Addie, and riding his bike with the neighbor boys!

Then there is another close friend who's newborn baby has been struggling to eat and gain weight and has been to appointment after appointment to try and determine the problem and find a solution.

My heart aches for these friends and their families. I cannot even begin to imagine how difficult life must be for them. How challenging and exhausting. But, each one seems so positive and hopeful, they have all been able to see the good through their trials and that is such an inspiration to me. It has also reminded me to praise my God for the health that He has given our family, knowing that at any moment that could change, but, for now we are healthy and I choose to be thankful for this blessing and not take it for granted... life is too short to take any of it for granted.

Today. Lucky... maybe. Blessed... definitely!

Go Jayhawks!

This family is excited about the KU Game today and also excited about all the March Madness games! Go Hawks!

Scrappin' Wednesday

I have really been rocking out the scrapbook pages lately... many may wonder how I have the time to do this but, I don't watch much tv and lately I have been spending less time on the computer so that I can spend more time scrapbooking... it's truly more than a hobby to me... it's an escape and something I can use as an emotional outlet as well... I love looking back at the words and photos together on a pretty page & I look forward to sharing them all with Noelle & Parker when they are older and reminiscing together.

There are so many different forms of scrapbooking and I think most of us do some form of this... for example if you blog, you are a virtual scrapbooker; if you write a note on the back of your photos you are a scrapbooker; if you put your photos in an album and jot a few notes to the side of the photos you are a scrapbooker; if you keep a journal and throw a photo between the pages once in a while, you are a scrapbooker... capturing your life through your words and your photos... there's no wrong way to record your memories!

Anyway, I thought I would share another scrapbook page with you today... enjoy! Hope you spend some time this week to record your moments & memories whatever your style! :)

There's a Party Going On!

A POTTY party that is!!! Whoo hoo... this little guy is doing great... was a bit stubborn at first but is starting to come around... the best part of the day was while I was making dinner. I had just tried to get him to try & go to no avail, then I overheard Noelle talking to him and trying to get him to sit and try... I peek into the bathroom and see him sitting on the potty, underwear down with Noelle reading a book to him! She is the greatest big sister ever!