Quotable Quotes

Overheard today in our home:
Anna telling a very animated story... bits and pieces of it follow here. I can't remember half of it, but you'll get the gist here:

"So Chica (her imaginary friend) went to the Evil Castle, and the leprechauns ate her up! She was in their tummy, and I don't know why she went there."

"Chica lives far away, and I can't even go there. It's where my school is. She doesn't have a rocket so she can't get there fast. The Leprechauns came and messed up everything in the whole classroom!"

"We went to the zoo and played hide and seek. We hid behind the elephants and he gave us a bath with his trunk. We had to wear our swimsuits!" (much laughter from Anna at this point-- she cracks herself up, just like her Mom). I asked her if they also climbed up the giraffe's neck to slide down and she said, "Yes, we slid down, but Chica got hurt on her knee and had blood. She put on a band-aid but she took it off -- and MORE blood!"

Where I found a child obsessed with evil castles, leprechauns and blood, I don't know. I can only say, "Thank you Auntie Sara" for instilling a love for all things dramatic with your wild storytelling! Normally there's some kind of witch in Anna's stories, but thankfully not tonight!

If you haven't had the pleasure of hearing a story told by a 3 year old lately, I highly suggest you find one and ask them a few questions to get them going. You will not be disappointed. Unless my daughter is the only 3 year old on the planet with a vivid imagination, but I find that highly improbable. Next time, I'll try to have the video camera close by.

Furniture for Grown Ups

Today Chad and I found a new piece of furniture for our dining room. It's actually used, but new to us, in great condition, and found at a great price. It's a traditional style buffet with a hutch and the whole thing stands 6 ft. 5 in. tall. It's really one of the few pieces of "grown up" furniture we have ever bought, aside from a couch and recliner 2 years ago. Much of our house is decorated in the "beggars can't be choosers" style so popular among college students and beatniks. Apparently we have never graduated to a more sophisticated (read: expensive) decor.

Wanna know the funny thing? These two grown ups were convinced we needed this new piece of furniture, not because I have special china I want to display, or because I have lots of great linen napkins and tablecloths to fill the drawers. No, we thought this piece would be excellent for corralling all the coloring books, crayons, markers, children's games, legos and assorted craft items that prior to today have been stashed in a styrofoam cooler in the corner of the dining room. Well, seriously, this thing does have loads of great drawers and cabinets and shelves, and some are actually high enough that Caleb can't reach them!

So today, I'm thankful for a little blessing in the form of a new hutch. It looks great in my dining room, I feel like a grown-up and the cooler is history. Now if I could just get my hands on some new bookshelves to replace the plastic milk crate hidden behind my recliner....

Night Night

This shot was from Easter at Jill's house. Yes, Anna really fell asleep perched up on this bar stool. This is about how tired I feel right now (it's 1:00 AM). Good Night!

Things to pray about

It has been a busy week here since returning from Easter vacation! I am busy with some consulting projects, some great new committees at church, the kids, of course, and trying to keep the dirt OUTSIDE and not on my floors (spring has sprung and the kids are tracking in mud everywhere!). But even in busyness, there has to come a time when you just sit and think for a minute (preferably times other than brief bathroom visits), and more importantly, times to pray. As a mom of three, I fight to get a moment of peace at times, and time to pray is a real struggle for me. My mind races from the minute I wake up about what needs to be done next. Sometimes I see my husband at the door at 5:00 and I realize that I HAVE a husband and a life that I haven't thought much about that day.

I attended my women's prayer group meeting today, and it was so good to take one hour away from the "daily grind" to pray for other people besides myself. I left there feeling very encouraged and positive, really as if I had just unshouldered a big burden and my heart could be light again. How I need that every day and not just once a week! The power of prayer is so potent-- not just for those we pray for, but for those doing the praying! Any suggestions from my readers out there? How do you carve out time? Is there a particular habit that works for you?

I am so conscious of telling others "I'll pray for you" and then not taking time to do it. My heart is always truly in it when I tell someone that, and sometimes I do say a quick prayer for that need right then. But not always. Any tips here on how to effectively remember others and not just my own agenda? I feel so badly when I forget to pray for someone. Sadly, I'm sure there are many times that I don't even remember that I forgot!

So a few things I am praying for tonight:
Lisa, a friend with a precarious pregnancy, praying for a miracle
Another friend who is really wanting to get pregnant
All my siblings, that they would trust in the goodness and sovereignty of God in all things
My church and our great need for a women's ministry and a men's ministry
My husband and his desire to grow in his spiritual leadership
My dear friends and family

And I am thankful for a God who hears us, who heals us, and who loves us. I can't imagine living life without knowing these truths.

Happy Easter!

Well, it was a Happy Easter for the Baumgartner family! We visited Aunt Jill and Uncle T.R., and cousin Holden down in West Virginia for the weekend. These cousins always have a great time together. This weekend we colored Easter eggs, made Easter cookies, had an Easter egg hunt, played at a great park, and went to the Haught's new church. We also ate lots of great food (stuffed mushrooms, anyone?). Thanks to Jill and T.R. for a wonderful time!

A Little Celebration

So, do you remember the commercial about celebrating the "little" moments in life by purchasing an ice cream cake? Something like getting new glasses, getting an A on a paper, etc. Some things were fairly ridiculous, others a good cause for celebration. I think maybe it was Dairy Queen or Carvel, who knows. Anyhow, we had a little celebration today in our home, minus the Dairy Queen cake. In today's mail, we got the official letter from the Christian school we want Eric to attend, saying that he has indeed been accepted. Eric was so excited and I thought it was a perfect opportunity to celebrate "the little things" that make life so fun.

We had fun making this poster, hanging streamers, going to the library to pick out a family video, and planning the menu (pizza and ice cream cones!). Check out Eric's own handwriting on this sign too! He wrote "I'm Going to BCCS". Gotta love the enthusiasm.Today: I'm thankful for the little things. Like my new flannel PJs (only $4 on clearance!), a generous person who gave Chad a gift card for gasoline because he helped them fix their computer, showing the kids the leaf buds sprouting on the trees (finally!), and the excitement of a little boy at the prospect of a whole new world waiting for him at school. God is so good to us!

Moms Are Great!

No, I'm not tooting my own horn here. I'm a Mom, and yes, sometimes I think I'm great, but most days, notsomuch. Today, I'm referring to my mom Debbie and my mother-in-law Barbie. These two great moms know just how to love and encourage their (adult) children, and how to bring great big smiles to their children and grandchildren alike.

For instance, in Saturday's mail, I received this special gift from my mom for no reason at all, other than she knew I would like it a lot. It has a little hanging thingymabob for 10 different seasons/occasions. It got it just in time to use the leprechaun hat, but tonight I changed it to the Easter eggs. Thanks, Mom! And for the box of Leprechaun Loot, me and the kids be thankin' ya.


And my mother-in-law Barbie is so wonderful to me. She lives 5 minutes away from us, and very frequently she gets an email from me asking if she can babysit for us. Nearly always she says yes. I am so blessed to have her around, especially when my own mom doesn't live near me (hint, hint Mom). And my mother-in-law is so wonderful that she even helped my husband to plan a little birthday party for me a few weeks ago (last year I didn't have a cake, boo hoo for me!). Check out this great cake that she made for me, knowing that I have a special thing for butterflies. What a great job she did!


So today, I am thankful for moms who know that even adult kids who are now moms to their own children need their mommies from time to time!

I love you, Debbie and Barbie!

Now how will I top this when it's Mother's Day???