awana!

Audrey had the opportunity to participate in Awana this year thanks to our wonderful friends who took her each week. She had a great time! Last night was the final night for the year and it was filled with awards, treats, and balloons. Audrey finished her first book and completed an average of three sections each week. She worked hard! We're so thankful for this program and all the people who made it possible.

sunny day!

You just cannot beat a sunny day in Bellingham. And it was gorgeous yesterday!

Have you given your child unreservedly to the Lord for whatever He wills? O may He strengthen you to say YES to Him if He asks something which costs.
~Amy Carmichael

better than i could have imagined

I just feel blessed right now. I had the best weekend. God has given me a group of godly women that I admire, enjoy and love. And we had so much fun! I haven't laughed that hard in years. And I cried too - but that was ok. God is at work in my life and while there may be some tears in the process - I am ready for the refinement only He can bring. The fellowship was rich. These friendships are lasting. And I am just so blessed.

The kids had a great time. Patrick did a wonderful job. Audrey's bedtime prayer tonight:

Thank you God for a weekend with Daddy.
Thank you that Mommy is home.
And thank you for a whole weekend of unbalanced meals. :-)

Feeling refreshed and ready for a week ahead. And so thankful for how my Father cares for me.



photos by Jen Aune

i'm off!

Tomorrow morning, bright and early, I get to head off to Lopez Island with the women from my Bible Study group. My wonderful husband is holding down the fort. I'm excited, the kids are excited, and my husband is a brave, willing man.

Woo-hoo! Hoping all goes well so I can do this more often!

breakfast of champions

My little mini-me carb-addict starts his day off right!

audrey the artist

Our budding little artist painted a great picture a few months ago. And she was delighted this weekend when we framed it and hung it up. I'm sure it's the first of many!

wrinkles

The kids watched a Bill Nye science DVD last night all about our skin. This morning at breakfast Audrey tells me that it takes 200,000 frowns to make a wrinkle. "And Mom, you must frown a lot because you have TWO wrinkles on your forehead."

Lovely. Botox, anyone?

frugal

I prefer to be called frugal rather than cheap. It sounds much more creative, really. And I'm proud of being frugal. My husband works hard for our money - I work hard to spend it wisely. We don't have regular cell phones - they're crazy expensive in my opinion. (My siblings love teasing me about this!) We have the cheapest cable package you can get - we only get the top 10 network channels - for the low price of $18/month, including tax. And we don't spend money on many "extras", including lots of clothes and shoes. Last week I finally bought myself a new pair of black shoes (on sale, mind you!). When I sat down to think about it, I realized they were to replace a pair I bought and wore for at least two years while I was still working. Seven years ago. Yep - I'm frugal.

Case in point - we go through a lot of lotion in this house. And it drives me nuts that when the pump stops pumping there is still a TON of lotion in there. So every few months I gather all the bottles and go at them with a sharp knife. Then I carefully spoon all the remaining lotion into one of the empty bottles - and voila! - new lotion. Tonight I filled one and a half bottles. I just saved my family almost $15. Ahhh - now that feels good.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my mother - the greatest frugalista I know - for passing on to me her vast knowledge on this subject.

vacation!

We just returned from a fun vacation. To recap - we all went to Seattle to meet the extended Dobbs family for three days. Then Audrey, Liam and I headed to California for four more days. Here are some of the highlights!

Ethan and Abram enjoying the Easter egg hunt.

Enjoying some family music time.

Painting tree houses.

The Boys! Liam - 5, Charlie - 4, Abram - 2, Ethan - 1

Playing cards with Aunt Kelly.

A visit to the Seattle Aquarium.


Swimming at the hotel pool in CA.

Celebrating my grandmother's 93rd birthday!!


Happy Hollow park and zoo.

San Jose Children's Museum.

Airplane ride.

Together at last!

It was a fun, crazy week. We are all very tired but so thankful for this opportunity!