Colts-Steelers game in Indy...What a night!

We had a couple of special house-guests this weekend! My childhood friend Robin from PA traveled to Indy with her wonderful hubby Mike to spend the weekend at our place and go downtown for some football! They arrived on Saturday afternoon. In honor of their visit, we had mom, dad, Ray, Val, & Nate join us for dinner and a campfire outside with smores for dessert (while simultaneously celebrating Val & Nate's little bundle that they will welcome into the family in late April! Yay! Congrats to my sister! We are so excited for her and Nate!).

After church on Sunday we hung around the house, and Aunt Val arrived in the afternoon to babysit the three musketeers (Liv, Nora, & Tess....4 if you count Shelby the dog who might be in love with Aunt Val) so Mommy & Daddy could enjoy an evening downtown before the game started.
We tried out several downtown bars, and had a nice dinner at the Claddaugh before game-time.

The stadium was awesome, the crowd was full of team spirit (for both teams!), and we had a ball sitting next to our friends, each dressed in our teams' gear as we cheered on the boys.
Unfortunately for the Colts, without Peyton Manning, the Steelers were the victors at the end of the (very late) night.
We got home after 1am, got to bed just before 2:00, and I was up early the next morning and back downtown for an all-day literacy conference.
Needless to say, I'm pooped, and off to bed here shortly (not as young as we once were)! Thanks Robin & Mike for making the trip out to our city, and to Val for putting in a long day of babysitting and staying overnight so we could enjoy the evening. :)

"What a Difference a Day Makes"

For the past few weeks, the pastor at church keeps preaching about "What a Difference a Day Makes". She talked about the significance of this statement on the anniversary of 9/11. And spoke of it again during yesterday morning's service. It is lingering with me.

Like when Olivia and the rest of the 3rd grade members of our church were presented with their very first bibles Sunday. The kids got a bible activity booklet to help them "walk" through their bibles, and Olivia has spent hours the past 2 nights doing the activities in it. What a difference receiving that gift on Sunday made in her spiritual life.

As the kids unwrapped their bibles, they were told about the "symbolism" of each layer of paper....the last being gold (so that they always treat their bible with richness and divinity).
I don't want to let a day go by without giving each of my girls big squeezes and countless kisses! I have to remind myself to slow down and cherish every day I get with them, and remember what a difference a day with them makes in my life, and the daily opportunity I have to make a difference in theirs.


We put off going to the orchard last weekend, and we just couldn't disappoint the girls again. We had to take them (rainy skies and all) yesterday. And what a difference the day made...
climbing trees
munching on apples
giving a big pumpkin a big hug
enjoying being sisters
noticing nature's beauty
overloading our senses
getting a bit dirty
just hanging out


with those we love.



The girls actually thought it would be good idea to thank Jesus for holding onto the rain long enough for us to pick apples. Hmmm, what a difference a day does really make. Message received, pastor!

What we've been up to

Olivia has now had 2 riding lessons at Trinity Farms.

I'm pretty sure she loves it!

And this little cutie....is an absolute doll! She's a one-man wrecking crew when it comes to making messes all over the house,
she's quite the little lover, a great cuddler,
and so, very smart! Here she is stringing fruit loops (her "homework" while her sisters are doing theirs).

Oh, how I love these girls!