I am getting more comfortable with messes

Looking innocent

She is most happy when making a mess

Toys are more fun when they make the carpet invisible

Satisfied

I used to try and clean up during the day as messes developed, but I am now learning that it's better to do a late afternoon or evening clean sweep and just LET IT HAPPEN.  She loves it.  She's learning.  And I can let go of my affection for a clean floor.  I'm seeing that this is part of the parenting game.

Going to the Zoo

We got to visit the zoo with our friends a couple weeks ago.  Where Gwen lacked in excitement, I certainly made up for it!  She did seem to enjoy roaring at a horse, chicken, and bear though.  I am so impressed with the Minnesota Zoo.  They have made tons of improvements and changes since when I was a kid.

I did the unthinkable and forgot our stroller (assuming it was still in the trunk instead of checking).

Thankfully, God provided an extra in the trunk of our friends' car.  The day was saved!

Gwen is in the bottom center of this picture taken in the chicken coop of "Farm Babies."
We happen to love those boys in the double stroller.  So charming.

Aren't leopards truly magnificent?!  So creative.

My favorites:

1. playful otters

2. diving penguins

3. slumbering brown bears

go TWINS!

I love Minnesota!  And I love my husb, who took me on this super fun date! Thanks man!

It was the first WIN of the season, and we were there to cheer them on.  The seats we enjoyed were really great view, with very generous leg room for my man.  That is a feat in itself.

preach it!

"Understanding the gospel is like nailing jello to the wall.

It sticks for a while and then it slides down and you have to nail it up again."

-Corby

"When you get God's perspective on the issue, you can often see yourself as a big part of the problem."

-Ruthiey

"God is about giving evidences of his love to people. And love is more evident in our differences."

-Candace

"Eternal life - that's like forever!"

-Corby

Book Corner: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
By: Rebecca Skloot

What kind of read is it?

It’s non-fiction but reads like a novel.  It tells three stories at once about Henrietta, her cells in science, and her family’s struggle.  Overall, it is very easy to read and fascinating.

Why did I read it?

I heard Kerri Miller talking about how amazing it is on MPR.  She was gushing about how people who aren’t interested in science (ME!) are taken with it.  And then, Kaylee showed up with it under her arm saying I should read it.

Favorite quotes from the book?

Can’t tell you word for word, but during the laboratory scene with Deborah and Zakarriyah, there is a comment made about how hate will eat you up, and you must refuse to have that response to injustice.  Wow.  Coming from Deborah, it meant a lot.

What will I remember most about this book?

1.      The consequences of cyclical poverty that Henrietta experienced, and thereby her kids too.  Not being taken care of, marrying cousins, common illness and mistreatment etc.  And the horrifying childhood experiences of Deborah, Zakarriyah, and Elsie.  It’s hard to reconcile those with my life experience – which makes this book important for me to read.

2.      Science Ethics.  Holy cow.  I had no idea “science” was getting away with some crazy stuff within the last 100 years.  Testing without consent or explanation. Injecting people with cancer cells just to see if they survive, giving people radiation to understand what happens without telling them… there is so much mind-blowing stuff that happened in science during my grandparents’ lifetime.  I am thankful for the developments in science, but there are still ways I think we have a long way to go.

3.      I am personally thankful for Henrietta's cells. Without them we wouldn't have (among many other things) the polio vaccine and chemotherapy.

truth quotes

"The gospel saves us, and keeps us saved."

-Autumn

"Life is a lot more joyful when you can receive it as a gift."

-Mary

"The reason idols ruin our life is because we worship them. Worship God and you have JOY."

-Candace

"God is good in every situation."

-B Merch.

curls, lashes, book and door

Gwen's post-bath curls

That Little Quack is a nail-biter

Gwen loves playing with doors and pointing to ceiling fans.  We are in that phase of babyhood.

Sermon Doodle

There's something out in the blog and twitter lands about doodling scripture. 

I like that people are sharing those online.  My version is similar, but for sermons.  

It helps me pay attention, and I find myself drawn to sermon review if I draw pictures of some sort. 

I am well-fed at Sovereign Grace Church!

The Birthday Party!

We celebrated Gwen's b-day on 4/4/12 so all our wonderful families could join in.

The menu was: spaghetti, breadsticks, green salad, grapes, cookies and ice cream. 

(Thankfully I had help with the food.)

It was so fun!

Here are about 300 pictures to prove it.  :)  J.K. But really, there's a ton of pictures.

Theme: Lions
Reason: Gwen likes roaring at them
Maker of this awesome sign: Beth

It was fun to show Gwen her first balloon

Love Lavished

All set up and ready to party!

Gwen loves this book!

I really like them.

Them too.

The Girls

Party in action

There's our one-year-old!

Frosting consumption in progress

The obligatory cake picture :)
All thanks to Aunt Beth bringing a cupcake for Gwen.  We ate cookies and ice cream!

She was definitely squealing with happiness here

Gwen was most excited about this bear card from Beth.  It received many kisses before the night was over.

Gift/cousin chaos

Willa shows Gwen how to use her new chair

Adults are entertained by the giggling coming from the tunnel

Miles was making Gwen laugh so hard in the tunnel

And the night wrapped up with some book time :)

So blessed to live near both of our families.  I know that is not normal, and we are not taking it for granted!

(p.s. all these photos were taken by Beth or my mom!)