The Boxing Brothers

I was busy on the computer one morning....O.K., so I was playing on Facebook, but anyway.....Evan and Drew disappeared into Evan's bedroom for a few minutes and when they reappeared they came into the den dressed like this:
I couldn't believe it! I didn't even know they had two pair of boxer shorts (or as they call them "boxing shorts") and how in the world did they even know this is how boxers dress?!

Why do kids have to keep growing? I would give anything for them to stay this age!

New "Costumes" for Evan

Evan has been waiting for SO long to take part in "big kid" lessons and now that he is 5 he is finally able to participate. Evan has chosen to sign up for karate and soccer. I'm not sure which is more exciting for him: learning the sport or just wearing the outfit.

Here he is during his second karate lesson after he received a white belt. He can't stop staring at it. haha

Then there's the soccer outfit that he wore for 5 days straight! He even wore the outfit to bed -- shin guards and all! The only reason he took it off was to change into his karate outfit.

Please Listen

It's controversial and might even make you mad, but I'm asking everyone who reads this to listen to this sermon. Believe me, it will change your life. This is NOT my pastor so I am not endorsing any church or religion, I'm just endorsing Jesus Christ. Also, from the site you can download it to an MP3 player (i.e. iPod) which might make it easier to listen to than sitting in front of a computer screen.

Just click on this link, then either click "play" and "open"; or click on the little square picture to see the video. Or, to download it, click on "MP3".
http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?keyword=52906154239&entiresite=true

It's All Downhill...

Sledding is so much fun, even as an adult I enjoy it, but today I am SICK of the snow. How many more days until Spring?! And why do I live in Northwest Ohio?!

These pictures were taken last week, when I was excited to see the snow. Oh what a difference a few days (and a foot of snow) can make.Yeah, Drew looks sort of "simple" in this picture. haha He is trying to catch snowflakes on his tongue!

Andrew? Drew? Andy?

We call our three-year-old child by many names -- Drew, Andrew, Andy and Droopy -- so tonight I asked him which name he likes to be called the best.

His response: "Wally."

WHAT?!

Annual Traditional Pajama Picture

Every year Grandma and Grandpa Heibel give the six grandchildren pajamas as one of their Christmas gifts. The bad part -- they have to pose for a picture. Ugh! Next year I'm going to take Valium before trying to get everyone to smile on cue. My 17 year-old niece, Suzanne, complains about it EVERY year (she hates being the only "old" grandchild) but doesn't she look adorable? And let me tell you -- she was extremely relieved she didn't get stripes too! haha

Left to right: Drew, 3; Joel, 8; Mia, 3; Suzanne, 17; Ashley, 14 months; and Evan, 5.

Water Molly

When I was a little girl my dad frequently told my brother, sister and me a story he wrote about a molecule of water named "Molly." Since my dad's college and career background is in science, the story tells from a scientific perspective the process a molecule of water goes through -- from precipitation to condensation. We loved the story as children and now my children know and love the story.

After getting the story copyrighted as "Water Molly" in 1982, one of my dad's life goals was to get the story illustrated. This year for Christmas, with the help of Lori Strohmaier (an illustrator friend of mine), I was able to fulfill his dream.

Here are two pictures of my dad opening his surprise gift (he's laughing and crying!). It was a wonderful moment for the entire family!