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Thursday, January 24, 2013

My children are examples to me...

You see it all over Facebook.
Parents status updates...
"Johnny got all As on his report card."
"Suzy is in all advanced placement classes."
"Tommy was MVP on his team."
"Mary was in the newspaper for first place on her poem."

While this is all good...
And we have every right as parents to be proud...

I am more pleased at the "inside" actions and the "person" my children are becoming.
They are not perfect.
But I see the young men they are becoming and I admire them.
In fact, I told my older son, I aim to be more like HIM.

They respect their elders.
They are kind, compassionate, caring.
They are good with children and animals.
They aren't judgmental.
They have a VERY diverse group of friends from a variety of ethnic groups, economic backgrounds, etc.
They don't talk bad about people.
They are Christ-followers.

These are the things I'm pleased with. 

Yes, they get good grades and do well in school.
Yes, they are talented (both play in the band).
Yes, they each have unique interests.

But those aren't the things that MATTER in the long-run.
Their hearts are in the right place.
And I am so thankful that God has guided me as their mom in their upbringing.

Not saying our journey is perfect or over.
But I'm so pleased with the way it's going right now.
I can only ask God to continue to be with us as we continue to lead them on the path to adulthood.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Winter Adventures-Cabela's & Bronner's...

Both of the boys had been requesting to go on adventures to different places.
And even though neither were close to each other...
We decided to make a day of it and visit both places they wanted to check out.
First up was Dundee.
Evan wanted to go to Cabela's.
I do not know where my Evan got his love of the outdoors.
The rest of the family is happy being pampered in a hotel with room service (not that Evan doesn't enjoy this)...but my Evan would be just thrilled to be camping, fishing, hunting, and enjoying the outdoors.
And so we went to the "mother" of all outdoor stores...Cabela's in Dundee.
And even though I'm not an "outdoorsy" kinda gal...I can appreciate God's handiwork and nature.
They have AMAZING animal displays set up all over the store.
Pretty fascinating.
Forget shopping...I could just spend hours looking at all of the animals!
Um, yeah...we're interested in purchasing these chairs...we need to try them out...yeah, that's it.
(Shhh, we were just tired and taking a break, hehe!)
LOVED this bear.
He looked like he was smiling!
They had an awesome aquarium with amazing fish!
Every kind of animal you could think of!
Loved these giant bear statues outside the store!
Evan loved looking at all of the antique guns.
Goodbye Cabela's!
Next up was dinner!
We headed up to Frankenmuth and stopped at Zhender's for their famous chicken dinners.
We ordered the family style where they bring everything to your table and you have as much as you want.
Dessert was ice cream.
And they garnished them all with these little animals, hehe!
Nate got a monkey.
I got a giraffe.
Jamie got a camel...
And Evan got a giraffe too.
After we were stuffed from dinner, we headed over to Bronner's.
World's largest Christmas store!
Yes Santa, I've been a very good girl...
The boys and a vintage/outdoorsy Santa...
Massive Christmas displays everywhere!
Pretty!

Enjoy CHRISTmas...It's HIS birthday.
Enjoy life...It's HIS way!
We had a great time at both places.
We hope you are having a wonderful winter as well!

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Chicago! Chicago!

 
We don't normally take many "winter" or "cold weather" trips.
Once the cold weather sets in, we pretty much sit tight until spring/summer.
But the hubs and I decided to take little weekend to Chi-Town and let the babes spend some time with Geeg and Papa!
Even though it was a few days after the holidays, the Christmas decorations were still up.
 
The holiday trees outside were lovely when lit up!
 
The John Hancock Building was awesome!
We had never been "up" in it before...we mulled it over...
 
 
We had lunch our first day at The Cheesecake Factory.
The Dulce De Leche cheesecake is amazing!
 
While deciding if we wanted to go "up"...we walked around "down" in the lower level of the John Hancock Building.  They had several shops and this adorable little Christmas train set!
 
I loved this tree!
 
We went shopping at the Water Tower.
LOVE!!!
That's me in the black puffy coat...going up!
 
Beautiful decorations!
 
Loved this unique little shop!
Peek-a-boo!
 
What a ham.
Cheesy!
 
The Lego wall of the city of Chicago, right outside the Lego Store at the Water Tower.
 
Beautiful all lit up at night!
 
Love the holiday décor!
 
Even though we're not "winter" people...we bundled up and had a great time!
 
The river is so pretty at night with all of the lights!
 
Me and my hunny!
 
NBC building...see the peacock?
 
We've been to Chicago several times, but we discovered The Hershey Factory for the first time!
How about a five pound chocolate bar!
 
Now that's a lot of chocolate!
 
Chocolate milk anyone?
No, it's not really syrup...it's a bank, hehe!
But those WERE real Hershey bars!
 
Well, we DID decide to go UP in the John Hancock Building.
It was a first for both of us!
 
I thought I'd be more nervous...
But I wasn't!
The elevator went SO fast!
40 seconds!
 
A little chai latte to keep warm!
I'm looking a little sleepy here, hehe!
 
What a view!
 
The amazing city!
 
Fun window washer "staging" area!
 
Silly!
 
Gorgeous at night!
 
The lights and city were stunning!
 
We had a FABULOUS time!
And can't wait to go back!