Addie and Ainslee had Katie and Kyndall spend the night one night last week as their mom had to go to Texas to see her father who was ill. The girls had a fun day topped off with 10 pm fudge-cicles in their pajamas!!! Oh to be so free!!

Have I mentioned how helpful Garrett has been lately? Well, here he is teaching the cat, Diamond, how to play his Leapster game!

Addie and Ainslee are just about to go "on stage" for their show-off night at the end of the week of dance camp at the local high school. They had a blast and we enjoyed seeing their new moves!! Move over, Aunt Becca!!

It was crazy hair day at dance camp......

Addie looks a bit sophisticated in her crazy hair!!

I know that as a mom it is natural to think my children are the most beautiful children on earth, but after seeing this picture, I have to admit that I am right!!! Seriously, this photo scares me a bit as I see them growing so fast and sometimes feel like time really is the cliche sand through the hour glass slipping away. In light of our little two your old friend from our homeschool group going to heaven a few weeks ago, time seems more precious than ever. I find myself praying for our friend's family and holding our children a moment longer, relishing one more book or one more minute in the park or just one more laugh and overall having more patience. We truly only have this moment. As I reflect on our little friend's short life and talk with her mom, I am allowed glimpses of the truth, which is that we are only here in this form on this planet for a brief time compared to eternity as God has promised. When I keep that in mind, life is much more understandable, tolerable, and well, just plain simple. But even though I have these glimpses more often now as I get older, I think that to keep that peaceful perspective likely requires actually being in heaven, and that's not happening for me just yet! I think of my grandmother passing away a few years ago and remember the peace with which she left the earth. I wonder if that peace comes from aging and being allowed longer and longer looks through the perspective-glass that I mentioned until we are there, fully complete, seeing it all as it really is.

Here are our leaning children...no, wait, it's really just bad photography by me but cute subjects!!! We took this on Sunday at church.

Garrett and Colton had some fun together last week. When I told them to sit up for the picture, they kept leaning back into the couch...interesting posture!!

This is what the Golf Chanel does to the men of the house!!

Yes, Nina and Pop, Garrett still loves his trains!!!

And yes, Nina, he still plays the alligator!!