Memory to keep

Tonight our boys decided to trade spaces in their beds...we had talked about letting them switch spots because we had taken the bed rail off for Jude's new bed and the top bunk of the bunk bed has a bedrail...well after putting the boys to bed, unbeknownst to us, they decided to switch things up themselves...and they didn't just switch spots...it was blankets , stuffed animals, everything! Hopefully, the new situation will work out for the best.

Jacob's Birthday Party

Wanted to share some pictures and a memory of Jacob's birthday party. Held 1/24/10...it was well after his birthday based on when we could schedule getting into the party place.
Jacob wanted to invite friends, his class, etc and so we decided that he could throw his party Pump It Up, one of those party places with inflatables...
Kristen and I had decided that if the kids have BIG parties, then they don't get to keep all the gifts from their invitees...that they will be given to charity, but if they just have a couple friends for a party, then they can have the gifts. Jacob decided he wanted the BIG party and we decided that all the gifts would go to the Children's Hospital in Boston where he got great care when his leg was broken :)
Well, it was a fun party with lots of kids though I honestly didn't participate much as I spent all my time chasing Jude around!
Jacob did get a gift from Mom and Dad at the party though (a Brand New Skateboard and safety gear that he is VERY excited to start working on as soon as possible).
A couple of pictures:


Check out Jacob's cool cake! Spiderman!



















Our birthday boy on his birthday throne!













They were this wild before any sugar!














I think someone was having a good time! Look at those red cheeks!














This is a shot before all the fun as the boys were about to watch the safety video. You can see Jude is already riveted to the TV screen :)

Two weeks into the new year

And I am at least a week behind already...not right! At this rate people will be counting down the new year next December 31st and I will be thinking the fireworks are for the 4th of July!

20 days per month

Read an email that explained that people who stick with programs over the long haul look at things differently than maybe doing a straight 90 day program or something like that...they do 20 days per month as the goal and make sure they hit that every month...they don't look to get it done everyday, they just can't let multiple days go by and still hit their goal. I like that thought around exercise and eating. I am not going to hit everyday, and if that is my goal, then I will fail quickly and get frustrated...hitting 20 for the month seems way more manageable and likely...I am keeping this in mind as I am figuring out my goals for the year :)

Right Behind You

A good thought that maybe someone needs today...

From Mark Batterson's blog....
http://evotional.com/2010/01/right-behind-you.html

"...I know some people feel like they are "so far" from God, but it's not true. Yes, we're all millions of miles away based on our sin. But the truth is that God is right behind you. You may turn your back on God, but God doesn't turn his back on you.
Ever had the experience where you turn around and get startled because someone is right behind you but you didn't know they were behind you? That's God.
I love Psalm 23:6: "Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life."
Follow isn't a good translation from the Hebrew. It's a stronger word. It means to track. It means to chase. It means to hunt. God is hunting you down. Not to harm you, but to bless you. Not to condemn you, but to save you. There is nothing God wants to do more show you His goodness. And here is the amazing thing. All we have to do is turn around. The biblical word is repent. Turn around and you'll discover that God is right behind you. His goodness and His love are right there!"

Kristen's Birthday Montage from 03-2009

YES, this was 9 months ago....maybe this year I will do better :)

Kristen owns some of the Celtic Woman CDs, and I put one of her favorite songs from it to some pictures and video of her birthday...

Synergy Project Last Year

I have been WAY BEHIND on doing some of the picture / video work I wanted to get done...oh well! Here is one I just did for last year's church outreach project. It was a good day :)