Book recommendation

Most of you know I am a big reader. Huge really. I was in Wal-Mart last week checking the book aisle like usual and I saw this book, The Shack. It looked kind of interesting and since the recommendation on the back was from Michael W. Smith and the one on the front put it in the same category as Pilgrim's Progress, I figured it would be good. I bought it and started it when I got home. Two days later I was finished and still chewing on it. It is an incredible book, and pretty intense theologically but not in a boring or hard to understand way. The points made in the book concerning the Trinity and where God is in the midst of suffering and pain are amazing.

I of course shared the book with my dad. I wanted to see what he thought of it. We share books a lot. I called him a couple of days later and he answered the phone, "Hello, destroyer of sleep!" I said, "Dad, it's 10am I hope you are awake by now!" He said, "I am awake, but I couldn't stop reading that book last night and I woke back up at 4am reading it this morning. I have been reading and crying all morning!" I knew he would like it, but I didn't know he would love it like he did. So, we talked about it and all the points it makes and our favorite parts.

I would encourage all of you to get the book and read it for yourself. I found it at Wal-Mart, but I'm sure you could find it on www.amazon.com would rather. Go to http://www.theshackbook.com/ also to get some perspective on the author and his life. (it's his first book - amazing) I think you will be very thankful you did.

Our new addition and Happy Birthday Leah!

No, we aren't expecting another baby and no, we didn't get another dog (Thank God!). For Aubrey's birthday we got him a wooden playset for the backyard. Well, after many hours of hard work by D., the playset is up and being played on. Aubrey loves it. I think it was a good investment. There were 111 steps for putting it up, so it was kind of an intense project. One many dads have completed before. D. was a great sport about it. Aubrey of course had to help, so it was good male bonding time for them. And D. also had a fabulous, fun, albeit a little inexperienced, assistant to help him. Anyway it is finished and it pretty much took up our whole weekend.

Yesterday for Memorial Day we spent most of the day at home. Keith, Amy, Haley and Hayden came over and we made homemade ice cream. It was D.'s idea, and it only took him 3 trips to the store (multiple stores really) to get it started, but it was really good. If you haven't visited http://www.allrecipes.com for a recipe before, you really should. They have everything you could imagine there. The ice cream recipe we used was really easy and super good. We went over to the Higgins' house for dinner with the family, and it was good to be together. The weather was just gorgeous. Of course the kids found the sand pile, but had a blast doing it.

I also have to say a big Happy Birthday to my sweet little sis Leah! She is a wonderful sister, and I am so blessed that she is also my best friend. I am so proud of the woman she has become. I won't tell you how old she is, but she is still two years younger than me! Rats! In the picture, she's on the left. Hope you have a special day and another great year, Leah! Love you!

He's Four now!

I can't believe it, but my sweet little boy is four now. He turned four on Friday, but told his Aunt Amy that he wasn't four on Friday yet because he hadn't had any birthday cake. Apparently that is his qualification for turning a year older. You must eat cake.

Friday we let him pick where he wanted to eat dinner, and of course his answer was "Zaxby's". We swear he is going to turn into a chicken, because that is his favorite thing to eat. So, we ate chicken at Zaxby's and then picked up his Lightning McQueen birthday cake. It was really cute, and he loved it.

Saturday we had his party. Since we wouldn't let him have his party at Murphy's house (like he had insisted on since Murphy's party in October), we had it at our house. The theme was Lightning McQueen (Cars) of course, and we rented a bounce house for the kids to jump in. The weather was beautiful. We cooked out hot dogs and hamburgers, and just had a good time. Aubrey had a blast. He was so excited about all of his presents and all the friends that came to the party. We are so blessed to have such caring, fun people as friends and family. All of his little friends are such sweeties. And I think even the adults enjoyed themselves. Aubrey ate his cake and officially turned four. I always think every age is more fun than the last with him, and i hope we continue this trend with four. He is such a blessing!

P.S. - I am usually fashionably opposed to character clothing, but I had to let him wear his Cars t-shirt for the party. It was the theme!

Wonderful week!

Whew! This has been a whirlwind week. It started last Thursday with D.'s birthday and the arrival of my two sisters. Friday we had a field trip with Aubrey's class to the Mayfield Dairy and a birthday celebration for all the May birthdays at my mom and dad's. Saturday we went shopping and hung out together all day. We also had a fun night of Catchphrase the music edition. Let's just say that Leah and I know each other's musical knowledge very well.

Sunday was Mother's Day, and we all went to church together. It was so nice to have us all together. They give out awards for moms and our church and our family racked up! Mom won for having the most children/grandchildren present. I won for having the youngest baby present. And Beth won for having travelled the farthest distance to be there. Leah didn't win anything, but we shared our roses with her. We then had lunch at our house, which was great.

Monday and Tuesday were full of fun and laughter also. Leah and Jay left on Monday, and I took Beth to the airport yesterday. It is so quiet around here now. I love having my sisters with me. I wish I lived in the time when families lived right by each other on the homestead. I hate it when they leave. Aubrey is apparently taking after me by crying when our family leaves, because he gets upset whenever anyone leaves. I used to cry every time I would leave them, so I know how he feels. Yesterday he told Beth before she left, "I miss you already!" It melted her heart.

I love you sisters! Thanks for visiting!

Happy Belated Birthday, D!

Yesterday was D.'s birthday. He is now in his mid-thirties. I can say that because I'm a year younger than him. (which I love) I am so thankful for what a wonderful man D. is. He is a great husband and a fantastic father. I am so blessed to have him as mine. Birthdays are such good times to remember how grateful we are to have special people in our lives. I'm sorry I didn't get to post yesterday, but I wanted him to know I didn't forget him or any of you to miss telling him happy belated birthday.

But anyway, the whole Higgins clan minus Hal came over last night for a birthday dinner for D. We grilled out and ate way too much, but we had a good time. D. and Aubrey both wanted a Super Soaker for their birthdays, so that's what Aubrey gave his daddy. The kids were so excited and ready to play with it right then. Aubrey's birthday is next weekend so another soaker is on the way, and watch out if you're anywhere around because I have a feeling there will be water flying!

Yes, that's the roof

Just what moms don't want to see when they walk outside - their firstborn child on the roof of their house with their daddy! But, that's what happened to me yesterday. We were outside doing some yard/housework and I went inside the house to get Mallory up from her nap. When I came back outside I heard, "Hi Mom!" I looked up and that's what I saw. You know my little munchkin is a mini-me of his daddy and therefore wants to do all that his daddy does. So, up he went. He thankfully came down safe and sound and continued to help on the ground. I am extremely afraid of heights, so this was very fear inducing for me, but I guess all's well that ends well.

Slowly but surely

Well, we're getting there. Slowly but surely. Life with a dog, that is. I think I am having the hardest time adjusting, but that's probably because I'm here most of the time. Callie is a wonderful dog, and the kids both love her. I actually do too. It's just the housetraining that gets to me at times. It is very similar to having a newborn. I know most of you reading this are shaking your heads and saying, "We tried to tell you Sarah, but you wouldn't listen." Well, I hear you loud and clear now!

Other than that, we are all doing fine. Just the normal day to day stuff of life going on. Aubrey is almost finished with pre-school, which we will miss this summer. He loves school.

I had my first steering team meeting for MOPS (Mothers of Pre-schoolers) yesterday, and I am really excited. My friend Nancy and I are going to be the Creative Activities leaders next year, and you know that is right up my alley. MOPS has been wonderful for me this year. I have met new friends, and God has shown me lots through our meetings. I think next year is going to be so much fun.

I thought I would show you all what I came into the other day. I was outside with Callie, and Aubrey came out to tell me that Mallory was awake from her nap. I said ok, and came in a few minutes later. I found them both in Mallory's crib. Aubrey was making her laugh so hard. They were so cute in their jammies that I thought you would like to see them.