How I started the new year.

I started 2009 with some pretty wild people. Wild kids that is. Wonderful kids :) I had a blast. When I showed up to babysit at around 8:30pm, the gal who was there had already put the girls to bed. After she left I promptly went up there and told them to "get outta bed!" They were excited. We couldn't be all that loud since baby brother was sleeping upstairs, so we spent time coloring and making up stories.


This drawing was a group effort. I didn't get a photo of the final piece, but we each added to it until it was beauti-mus! I wanted to draw with the girls, but had trouble drawing as freely as they did. They just jumped right in without worrying about figuring out the whole picture first. They inspired me. I like to draw flowers. They are simple and lovely. So I drew one. Then another. Suddenly I had a whole garden! Our faith is like that. Just one step at a time as the Lord leads. We don't have to know the whole picture before we begin, we just have to know that the master artist is in control and even if we spill paint all over, he knows how to turn that spill into a sun rise! And thanks to Ericka L. for reminding me about that.


I am a way cool babysitter, so of course I brought some sweets for the par-tay. 'Liv doesn't look all that excited about it in this picture, but she was pretty thrilled that she got a treat that changed colors as she ate it. Gotta love fruit by the foot!

So we watched the Seattle fireworks on t.v. and then I took the girls out in the rain to watch some of the neighbor's fireworks, too. They're eyes sparkled. We went back in to draw more pictures- this time of the fireworks we saw. For some reason that night, I was totally impressed with both of the girls' creativity. It just ..... touched me. Anyway, they went to bed and I tried to sleep but ended up online for most of the night. Literally. I'll spare you the ugly details, but I had a chance to talk with Ericka in Ireland and my best friend from 6th grade who's in Texas. I was really thankful for those conversations. Needless to say I didn't make it through the day without a 3 hour nap.

This last picture is of a guy I went to high school with. I was watching t.v. this evening and this promo for a new game show (Game Show in My Head) came on and I guess he gets punk'd (or whatever they call it). Anywho, I thought that was awesome. It'd be like seeing someone you know get caught on candid camera. Can't wait to see the whole episode.

HAPPY TWO-THOUSAND NINE!