Thursday, March 28, 2013

Ella Grace's First Communion

Our sweet, beautiful, wonderful Ella Grace is growing up.  
First Communion.

Just as Claire did when she was in 3rd grade, Ella
took her first communion classes at Hope and 
prepared to take her first communion on Maundy Thursday.

We are very blessed to share this, and so many other
special moments, with our dear family friends The Liskeys.
Ella and Claire L. took class together and prepared
to celebrate together, just as Claire R. and Katie did.
("big Claire, little Claire" is out!)

Ella was very nervous about the class and the whole
process, but she was also very excited and anxious to learn more.
I am so grateful for our church home.  They do such a great
job leading our children, especially the youth pastor, Mark.
I remember how much I loved my youth pastor growing up
and I look forward to my girls having the same relationship.
Class was good, and fun, and silly, and important.
Ella enjoyed it, especially the 'practice' part! 


Communion practice.  Open hand, take bread...

Dip in 'wine'.  Ella was all smiles when she made it through the first time.
Too cute!!

As is our family tradition, we had the Liskeys and family over
to our house for a quick dinner and celebration before service.
I can't tell you how grateful I am for their family.
God put these wonderful people in our lives at the perfect time.
We are raising our children together, in love and friendship, with 
the same values and faith and goals.
Not only are they great friends and people, they really are
just like family.  I can't imagine celebrating any family 
milestone without the Liskeys by our side!

Our girls may not always understand or appreciate how
lucky they are, but I know that no matter what happens in 
their lives, what friends come and go or what drama appears,
they will always have each other.  I am actually grateful
that they go to different schools. It's so nice to have a friend
'on the outside' that just loves you for you!

Our beautiful "little girls"

Avery was so sweet and dressed up so nicely for sister's special night.

Our wonderful forever friends!

I just love this picture.  So real, and sweet, and special!

Happy girls!

Our beautiful "big girls"

Haha, I love this silly goose!

Praise God for these two!


My family!



Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Snow, snow and more snow

It's been a long, winter.
Snow, snow and more snow.

At least Avery knows how to enjoy it!




Sunday, March 24, 2013

Spring break fun!

The RouseHouse had a great spring break!
We did just that, took a break!

We are such a busy family, running from activity
to wonderful activity.  We were all looking forward to a
week of relaxation. 
Plus, we have a very special trip coming up, so 
rest was in order... :)

Even though we are having the never ending winter,
we did manage to get outside a bit.
Everyone is playing softball this spring, 
which makes for a lot of hot dog dinners at the ballpark!



We also had plenty of lounge-around time.
Obviously, Avery took to it very nicely!

We did have one bigger project for the week.
We updated Avery's room a bit.  She needed some
new shelving/storage options.
She just keeps getting so big!
Helping dad put together her new desk organizer

She was sad to lose her old shelf, but very happy with her new one!

We took a break and caught one of the spring break
movies at the library, one of our favorite spring break traditions!
Popcorn and Wreck it Ralph~

Daddy and Ella had their own project, building a birdhouse.
Ella got her own toolset for Christmas and she's been dying to break them in!

She hung it up on the window.  It has an open back
so we can see the birds. I'm not holding my breath!


I did make the girls work a bit.  They spent an afternoon cleaning
out the playroom.  A much needed chore!  They made a good
pile for their annual garage sale.  They use the proceeds from
their garage sale and lemonade stand to buy their pool passes for the summer.

Avery rocking her new jean jacket!

Avery's 1/2 birthday fell at the end of spring break.
Her treat: a trip to the Civic Center to see Million Dollar Quartet.
This was her first 'real' show and she loved it!!
She was rocking out the whole time.  
My little broadway lover, no surprise!

All in all, it was a great week!
We spent some quality time together, had a few special outings,
got some work done around the house, and took
some time to sit in gratitude for our many blessings!