Bathroom Remodel

For those who haven't heard....our downstairs bathroom is going to be getting a face lift. Not of our own choosing. Unfortunately our existing shower is leaking water and has been for a while. So much water has leaked out that the drywall is damaged and needs to be taken out. The shower surround is going to be torn out and replaced with beautiful ceramic and stone tile. Tonight I met our contractor at The Tile Shop. We looked at many different tiles. Colors, sizes, styles and costs....it's very overwhelming. Thank goodness this wasn't my first trip there. We finalized plans for the shower walls, border tile, new floor tiles, and shower floor tiles. Now Jason and I need to purchase a new shower controller and shower doors. Then the demolition can begin. It should take a little over a week to get the entire project done. I can't wait to see the finished product. Here is a peek at the existing shower. We have already painted (Jason's favorite- pumpkin orange), put in a new faucet, new light fixtures and drawer pulls on the vanity. So the new shower will complete the transformation.

Birthday Pancakes!

Three years ago on this day Jason and I were preparing to head to the hospital. I was having an early scheduled c-section. We were excited. We were nervous. We were already in love with our two little children. We didn't know we were having two little girls, we only knew that God was blessing us with two little lives to impact and influence. We had waited so long, prayed so hard and longed to be parents...and in His time, God made it possible. For nothing is impossible with God. Luke 1:37

This morning we celebrated with birthday pancakes! God loves you Kate and Annika and so do I!

My Two Little Girls

Happy third birthday to my two sweet little girls, Kate Elizabeth and Annika Joy. I love you!

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 1:5 and 29:11

Happy Birthday Kate and Annika!

Yesterday we had Kate and Annika's third birthday party. We held it a few days early, they don't actually turn three until tomorrow, April 20. We had beautiful weather- thank goodness because we had a house full. All of the kids were able to play outside without jackets and the adults all enjoyed the warm sunshine out on the patio. We had a Dora and Diego theme so we cooked up a Mexican fiesta, had a pinata filled with treats and toys, along with cupcakes made especially by Grandma Bakke. The girls received a lot of neat presents including new scooters and helmets, soccer balls and a miniature soccer net and lots of Dora stuff!

Tomorrow I am taking a personal day to stay home with the birthday girls. They have requested to make pancakes and go to their favorite book store- The Wild Rumpus in Minneapolis. It should be a fun day. I still can't believe my little girls are three years old.

Spring Break Fun

Greetings and Happy Easter! Our family had a great spring break...lots of family fun and visits with Grandma and Grandpa Cloutier in Lakeville, Grandma Bakke and Grandma Great out at the farm in Westbrook and Aunt Jenny and Uncle Chad a little bit everywhere. Grandma and Grandpa Cloutier were here for Palm Sunday weekend and stayed until Wednesday. On Sunday we had MORE snow- argh! Enough already! Despite the unspringlike weather we enjoyed each other's company. We had fun playing outside, even making a snowman, driving to Winona to visit Great Aunt K and Great Uncle Wayne, cooking up a feast, playing "Going on a Bear Hunt" with grandpa and of course reading lots of books.On Wednesday night we celebrated Uncle Chad's birthday at Old Chicago. Kate and Annika thought it was so fun, they even sang happy birthday to Uncle Chad. Too bad I didn't get that on video........Thursday we packed up the truck and headed to Grandma's farm just outside of Westbrook, MN. There are so many fun adventures to go on at the farm and the girls are becoming so much more independent. They even wanted to go out and play without us. Hmmmmm.... I can handle that! They had a good ole time playing in the mud, chasing kitties, riding the tractor (lawn mower), feeding the barn cats, checking out the new lambs and their favorite....climbing the huge dirt pile and racing down as fast as they could run. Their imaginations are just going like crazy. They love pretending they are Dora and Diego rescuing animals and solving the world's problems.

All of that fresh air really wore all of us out and now it seems that I need a break to recuperate from spring break. Only eight more weeks of school until summer break, I can hardly wait! I will post more pictures from our spring break and Easter adventures later this week. God bless!

Thoughts on this Palm Sunday.....

This morning at church we celebrated Palm Sunday and at Sunday school Kate and Annika made Resurrection Eggs- which through symbols tell the story of Jesus' days from Palm Sunday to Easter. During the worship service the girls also waved palms...making a path for Jesus. There were several verses from today's worship service that really meant a lot to me.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11

Salvation is found in no one less, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12

Jason and I are on spring break this week and enjoying time at home with Kate and Annika...and Ginger puppy, too! Later this week we will be heading to Jason's grandma's farm in southwestern Minnesota and celebrating Easter with family. I pray that this Holy Week is a special time for you all to reflect on the ultimate sacrifice that our Lord made so that all may have eternal life. God bless!

Jason's Recovery

Hi everyone! Just wanted to let you know that Jason is doing very well two days after surgery. He is moving around without crutches and bearing weight on his knee. Each day has been a little better after a scary Friday when he felt terrible and was nauseous almost all day long and had a low heart rate. He will be heading into work tomorrow, but no running for a least a few weeks. The doctor suggested an exercise bike as a good option. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers.