Lil' Maestro

We had Chloe's first piano recital today - she's only been taking lessons since September so we were proud that she had a song she could play at this recital.  (TWO hands even!!)  She loves piano lessons AND practicing even though she was not so sure about the whole recital idea!



Sorry about the great filming here - our motto is we don't move to video - so we get what we get!  :)  At least you can hear her fancy playing!  And what I love about this song is that all of boys played it too - so fun!

In her element!!!

Giving to Those Who Can't....

I just want to give a shout-out for a VERY worthy cause - let's go beyond ourselves and reach out to bless others.  The Sparrow Fund does just that and allows us to be a part - through their Etsy store - I have bought from them and their work is gorgeous.  Their funds have been low in January and the women in Kenya are counting on these sales to provide for themselves and their families.  I just want to spread the word - we can help beyond our borders and I love to do that when I can!  (They also just launched a way for adoptive families to raise money for their adoptions and yes, that is also near and dear to my heart!!)

Apps with the Most-est

I am here to share some of my favorite apps with you - after using my iPad for over a year now, and my iPhone for almost that long - there are just some apps you SHOULD NOT be without!!!

*Splashtop - the possibilities here are endless.  This is an amazing little app.  You download it to your phone or iPad and then also download a file to your computer from their website.  THEN, wherever you are, you can log into your home computer, work computer, your boys' computers (hee,hee) from your iPhone or iPad.  LOVE this tool - for things like needing to find something on your computer, troubleshooting when you are not there to do it physically, or even my favorite - when I am at work and have to log in to our computer that is running our Powerpoint display and it is up so high that it is a pain to log into without a ladder!  Yep - this one is a keeper!!




*SpellBoard - this is a new one we just downloaded this week but I am LOVING it!  The nightly spelling practice?? Well I have officially shared that responsibility with my iPad!  This app did cost me $4.99 but it was worth every penny.  You type the spelling words in each week (oh, and also record them - VERY easy) and then your student can practice by printing them or doing word searches.  When they are ready, they can take quizzes and see how they do.  The app keeps track of practices and quizzes so you can see how they are doing.




*Txtr - I get all sorts of books to review and read - and they come in all sorts of formats - a lot of which aren't very readable on a mobile device - without a lot of rigmarole.  So Txtr is a wonderful app for me.  You just download your file online to your Txtr account and then when you log into your app - your book is there waiting for you to read on your mobile.  Only downside I have found on this app?  You can't highlight - and yes, I DO LOVE to highlight!




*Jesus Calling - this is truly one of my favorite devotional books EVER so when it is out for my phone and I can read it on the go - well, enough said!  It is worth every penny!  And you can highlight, make notes AND post to Facebook when the spirit leads!









*Cozi - I can hardly tell you how much I love this app!  Joe and I both have it on our phones - which is quite handy because you can sync your calendars AND grocery lists AND to-do lists.  Is there really anything else it hasn't covered?!?!  So I can add grocery items on my phone and they appear on Joe's as well.  OR, you can type them online and they show up on your phones - I can't even express my sincere gratitude to Mr. Cozi inventing this one!!

*GiftPhone - found this one right before Christmas - you load it on and you can keep track of each person you need to buy for - what you are getting - when you get it - how much it cost - even if it's wrapped.  AND all locked behind your secret password - I have to say - it's even better than Joe's spreadsheets!!










*GasBuddy - This was wonderful on our vacation but it's great for everyday use too - well, in a big city it might be better than in our small town with all of 3 gas stations!  BUT - it tracks your location with GPS and then tells you the cheapest prices of gas all around you - even gives you directions to get there - saves you money and you don't even have to pay to get it!!






*Chirp! USA - since I know that each of you are as passionate about birds as I am - I can not resist sharing this app!  Here it is folks - the best way to test your bird calls - they play you the songs and you choose the bird!  HANDS DOWN - best time killer available - AND you are preventing alzheimer's while you are killing time - can't beat it!

* Taste of Home - I know, I can't cook - but I do love to find recipes for Joe to cook and this app is SUPERB!!!  It's free - don't miss it - all of your favorite recipes from your favorite company!!

There you have it - - - until my next installment of "Apps you SHOULD not ever be stranded without"!!

Aaron Turns 14!

Fourteen years ago - we were blessed with our third little man.

AND oh what a blessing he is!

 From the beginnings of Aaron talking, we knew we were in for it - this boy is funny!!  He has the most amazing fast quips and constantly keeps us laughing.

 He is such a curious guy - loves to learn (ok, he won't admit that though) and he enjoys working on things until they are mastered!

 He's a GO-GETTER!  

 Did I mention he is funny!?!?!?

 Aaron has a sweet and caring spirit - he is great at putting others' needs ahead of his - that is a rare gift and he has it!

 I am not sure if I have mentioned it - but this kid just cracks us up!!

 He is a gift - a special gift from God!  We praise God for you, Aaron.

 Umm, yeah - he's always up for a joke or a laugh - have I mentioned that yet??

 This is one of my favorite pictures of Aaron - it truly captures him - 

Contemplative

Curious

and just a bit...

Mischievous!!

 Aaron is an AMAZING brother to his two little sisters - he is the one that is sure to have time for a quick game with the girls and they know it!!  He holds a special spot in each of their eyes!!

 As our little man turns into a bigger man - we pray that God continues to use him.  We pray for a young man that chooses God's best for him.

We love you bud and are SO blessed to have you in our family.

Happy Birthday!

These are a Few of My Favorite Things.....

I got some very clever (and wonderful) Christmas gifts this year...

These are some of my very favorites....

Sink Strainer - And I daresay it will save many of our spoons too!  Drains MUCH better than the one we had before and this one is quite pretty too!

I LOVE this one SO much - that I think I need more than one...one for home, one for work, one for the car - oh my!!!  Fuzzy Fingers

I have this "thing" for Vera Bradley - yep, she is just classy!!  So when my husband found a Bible cover in Vera - that was impressive!!

Yep, my Mom found this new scent that I just LOVE!!!  Throw out the perfumes and just wear the lotion - yummmmm!!

I've hardly met a coffee I don't like - but WOW - this one is pretty amazing!!!  Winter Carnival - and yes, it fits so nicely in my Keurig - another gift that I am just not sure how I survived without!!





Now if only I got a kick-back for my advertising - maybe when they get word of this post going viral.....

Simply Amazing!!

What a difference two years makes - and if you think this is amazing - you ought to see her in action too!!  This girl has made strides!!!

Christmas Day

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!! Here is a glimpse of our day...

LOTS of picture-taking from the girl with the new camera!!

Ok - lots of picture-taking from ALL the girls with cameras!!

Patiently waiting for our turns!!

Cooper got a new toy too!

Aaron liked his Pizza Ranch gift card!

One of Mom's favorites - Chick-o-Stick - so the boys each got one in their stockings - they need to learn to love them like Mom!!

New Hats!!

Another new hat - don't worry - we'll take the tags off eventually!

Still more waiting our turn!!

Merry Christmas from All of us to All of you!!

Merry Christmas Greetings from Us!!

We do often send our Christmas Greetings via email - this is nothing new for us - but this year, it has very special meaning as we plan to send a gift to friends of ours that are missionaries to China in place of the cost of postage, paper, printing, etc. So greetings to all of you electronically - and know that even though there is no handwritten greeting - it came from the heart!! We have had a blessed year - God is good and continues to amaze us! Our letter is in "bullet form" this year - it is short and sweet but kind of highlights our year!
 

Blessings to you - we treasure your friendship and are thankful you are in our lives!

Christmas Letter 2011

It's THAT time!!

Our annual tradition - cut out cookies!!

You may see some at church tomorrow night....

Or at the library this week......

Some might just end up in our bellies too....

But wherever they appear - it was fun making them AND

Sharing them!!!!

Here's the Pile!! That was a lot of cookies!!!

Starfish Project

When I shop for Christmas, I also like to support worthwhile causes when I can! So I was thrilled when I saw this fabulous jewelry line a couple of weekends ago. The Starfish Project is near and dear to me having two daughters born in China. This is a project that helps to support women in Asia that might have been in the sex trade - it teaches them a skill and gets them out of their bad situations. I LOVE that - because it is not an easy life for many women in Asia. I just highly encourage you to look at their beautiful jewelry - and if you'd like to order - just email myself or my consultant, Emily Moret. Here is her Facebook Page.

Don't miss their adorable children's items!! The jewelry is quality - I've seen it in person and LOVE it! Just a few of my favorites!!! SO if you are interested - just email me or Emily and place an order through my show - I am hoping to support a great cause AND Christmas shop too!! (There is no way to order online and it go toward the party so just make sure to email your order!! Thanks!)

joeb382 AT orangecitycomm DOT net or

emily DOT moret AT yahoo DOT com