Princess fun

Our neighbors in Sioux Falls gave us this tent some time back.  It has been packed in a box for 6 months.  There were some happy girls this week.  They were even more happy that we had to move it inside the house becuase of a rainstorm that day.

Watching to see what she would do...

She is good ...she is quick...and she is in trouble.  Just before I caught her doing this, she had a wash cloth in the toilet.  I think she  was just having fun without momma watching.

Grace and Lydia received new baseball gloves from Nana and Papa.  Nana wanted to wait until Christmas but Papa couldn't resist and besides, "they need to pratice while it is still nice out."  So we had a little mini camp learning how to catch with our eyes open.  They were so cute this afternoon!  

Feeling so handy!

The past two days I have...

• put up a towel rod
• put in our Ihome (device that goes under the cupboard so I can listen to my Ipod)
• put up 13 hooks in the hallway
• wired 2 lights back into place
• fixed a screen door
• put up 2 corner wall protectors
• painted my husband's office
  

whew! 

I feel so handy lately!  I have to thank my mom for coming down to basically hold my hand while I try to learn how to do all these new projects. It is empowering learning something new!  I have never felt comfortable handling a drill.  (Why should I?  I have four brothers who did all that stuff for me when we were growing up.  I still love it when they come over and help me!  Thanks Chris for putting up my curtain rods!)  I keep thinking of things that need to get done around here!  I think I might try my hand at putting up a new smoke detector because the one we have now is probably as old as me.  And a new thermostat because we broke the one off the wall when we were trying to paint.  

oh yeah - I still need to climb on the roof to clean two sky light windows.  They have been driving me crazy since the day we moved in!  I know that you should be able to see some sky!

I should be off to bed because tomorrow is a big day!  We get to go to church and then off to Papa and Nana's house for a couple of days.

Best cookies ever! Chunky Chocolate Cookies

Here is a link to the best cookies ever!  My kids just gobble them up!  They freeze well and you can have all the ingredients on hand to make whenever!  I also make them into balls and freeze a dozen or so in a package so when I bring meals to someone I have a great dessert that they can make when it fits into their schedule. (Plus it makes their house smell yummy too!

TIP:  Bake them for 10 minutes for a more chewy cookie

Let me know if you enjoy these!

Angel

Transition

Now we are settling into life.  Most of the boxes are unpacked...the ones I don't really want to go through are still in the garage.  How can a girl convince her husband that he will never really read those college text books.  Or the boxes and boxes of girl clothes...we just can't get rid of them because we are not done having kids yet.

Yes we are one of those "crazies" who want a big family.  People look at you like you have grown a third eye when we tell them that we are not done with three kids and we also feel the Lord calling us to adopt.  I find it funny that they always ask..."how will you afford college?"  Like college is the determination of how many children we should have.  It amazes me that it only took 2 -3 generations for this phenomena (large families to 2.2 children per family) to take place.  You weren't crazy if you had six kids 50 years ago.  It saddens me to see such decay in the family structure.

Carl is off in Africa.  He was supposed to go to Zimbabwe on a medical mission with is Dad, Mom and best friend from high school, but with the current political conditions they are just going on photo safari so Carl can get amazing stock photos and video for his business.  We miss him a lot around here.  He is the fun in our family and brings out laughter in everyone.  

The other day I caught him letting Grace and Lydia jump off the new bookshelves that we just put up.  He used to let them jump in his arms from the top of our half flight of stairs.  Now that we have a ranch home with 4 steps total in the whole house, he needed to find a new launching pad.  Well, I had to be the bubble burster of fun because our little Adie was looking that those bookshelves with a keen intent on doing just what her older sisters were doing.  They will have to find something different.

I am realizing how much God is downsizing my life right now.  I thought he was only doing it with the house but I am finding it in other areas too.  First I went to Wal-Mart last week and was totally disappointed because in SF we had a super Wal-Mart which was my one stop shop...here is just a little one with minimal food.  Then yesterday I went to Sam's Club and they didn't carry three items that we usually get.  I don't know why this was so bothersome, but it was.  I almost wanted to sit and cry in the middle of the isle in Sams.  I think it has to do more with the big picture of my life right now than the fact that Sam's didn't carry the long green beans in the frozen department. 

I know that in SF I was comfortable.  I was the same way in Fargo before we moved to SF.  I am not saying that comfort is bad...just that I was too comfortable with my life there.  He is stretching me to trust more and not rely on my own strength.  We get tired, burned out, and crabby if we go through life by our own will.  It reminds me our family theme verse from last year, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.  It all of your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."  Proverbs 3:5-6 

I hear my Liddy Bug crying so I better go and comfort her...

We're back..

We are now moved into our new home in Minnesota.  We just got internet yesterday so I have been out of the loop for some time. I have been unpacking boxes like crazy.  My legs have so many bruises that I feel like I am Grace.  (she has so many bruises that it makes me nervous to take her out in public sometimes)  The overwhelming part of moving in now over and we are starting to realize that we are not going back.  Living next to my sister-in-law is amazing.  Last night was the first meal I had to make since before we moved.  It is a huge blessing not to have to cook or watch my children for parts of the day so that I can unpack.

My new email is larsenangel@charter.net

We have a family reunion this weekend but after that I will post pictures of our new place and new adventures!

Packing...

I have had a long week of packing boxes.  It is hard to put all memories into boxes and realize that we have had many "lasts" this week.  Right now I am having breakfast with my girls for the last time at our table in this house.  But with that being said, we are on the verge of many many firsts too.  So on one hand I am very sad and sentimental but in the same breath I am very excited for what God has ahead for us.

The picture below is when you come downstairs to find your 4, 3, and 1 year old having snack.  Adie started it all with the dump of the cheerios box.

My brave Gracie got 4 shots on Tuesday for her check up...She didn't cry at all - not even a whimper!  For her bravery, we all went to the Butterfly House for one last time.


This is what happens when your one year old finds the sharpie marker on top of the dresser.  I am so thankful she did not marker the carpet.  She did manage to get the suitcase and all the diapers in the bag but nothing on the floor!  Praise the Lord!

Well, I am off to meet my mom half way to Sauk Centre because she is going to watch the girls while I finish packing and move on Saturday, Lord willing.  I know they will have a lot more fun with Nana and Papa than they will with Mommy and Daddy this weekend.  Please be praying for smooth transition for us this week and that the Lord will provide for all of our needs and that I don't let fear creep into my life.