Matt and Tom

We had the opportunity to see Matt Maher and Tom Booth at St. Tim's.  It was an amazing experience.  They are both so talented, humble and wonderful examples of Christian men, with their marriages and families being their most important ministries.  

We enjoyed their music, stories and the faith led night.  My favorite was Matt's story of when he played "Lord I need you" on his knees in front of Pope Francis.  It was neat to hear of how Tom discovered Matt and took him under his wing when they were music ministers at St. Tim's over a decade ago.  Matt said "I was only 16 when I met Tom."  To which Tom replied "I was only 18."  :))

 They gave each other a hard time and Tom said things like "I just knew that one day I would open for Matt" and "I'm glad your cell phone was on mute when you were playing for the Pope."  

I can't wait to take Emma and Caitlyn next time. 

Running buddies

A Wednesday

So, the poor ol blog has been neglected lately and no Christmas photos have been posted.  I guess that means other super awesome things have been happening.  Well, not that awesome, but a lot of plain ol good things for sure.  

Here are a few things...

1. We have skied 5 days so far this season over 2 trips to Pinetop.  We have gone down a number of blue squares as a fam. 
2. Emma has been working on her requirements for her first communion and confirmation in June.  Service work and bible studies are a part of it.  
3. Bryan has been on 2 work trips in January and has 3 in February (I can't think further into March) 
4. C has been reading a ton and loving playing with her left hand in Let's Play Music
5. Nana and I had birthdays (shh, don't tell anyone) 
6. Cookie season is about to begin, but many hours have already been put in by cookie ma #2.  
7. I passed my Professional Knowledge Early Childhood Exam to bring my early childhood special education teaching license current (and jumped through a bunch of hoops before that). I just don't know what I might want to do when I grow up.
8. I started working quarter time (10 billable hours a week) as a Behavior Analyst for a fun company called H.O.P.E. Group LLC. I am assisting the Clinical Services Director with a few of her MANY administration tasks (assessment and treatment plan review for DDD and insurance, progress report review, supervision of Behavior Analysis Students, training preparation) It's fun, low stress and I get to work from home with my candle burning while I drink coffee. 
9. We have gotten to see baby Parker a few times in the new year and snuggle him.
10. Our extended family member, Hazel is working hard on our logo for our new company.  More to come on that. 

Trying to take the busy days, one moment at a time, enjoying each one and knowing that tomorrow is another day.

Today, it was enjoying this beast of a book as a reference for work.  Remembering how super duper cool it was to have dinner with "Coop" and Bill when Bryan went to Ohio State to interview 9 years ago this month!! Wowzers.   So, Emma has technically had dinner with Cooper and Howard.  How many 8.5 year olds can say that.  :) 

The girls had a great day.  It was early release which they have every Wednesday.  It works out so well. They come home to shower, practice music, C does homework, C has let's play music, E does homework (in the car today because B was out of town). I hate to say it but they also ate dinner in the car because we go right to E's piano lesson.  C colored while at E's lesson, earned a sticker from E's teacher for being so good.  For a treat we went to Bashas and got ice-cream and watched Property Brothers together until 8!!! Emma said it was the best day.  I loved hearing that, it was just enough different from our regular routine to mean a lot to her.   I am tired, Bryan should be pulling in from the airport any minute.  Good night, I hope tomorrow is as usual and great as today.    

Feed My Starving Children

We spent the evening packing food boxes for children in the Philippines.  It was such a fun volunteer opportunity for the whole family.  Our team packed 11 of the 44 boxes for our shift.  The 44 boxes will feed 26 children for one year.  The girls were so touched and want to go back today.