Window Cleaning 101

Thursday afternoon I finally did something I had been wanting to do for a long, long time - clean the kitchen window.  We've lived in our house for 10 years now, and I know Rodney and I cleaned it one time.  I'm just not sure if we did it more than that.  So you know it had to be dirty! :o\

As I said earlier, I've been wanting to do this, but I just wasn't sure how I would be able to clean all sides of the storm and main windows, and I just never wanted to figure it out.  So it never got done.  Until Thursday.  I was finally in the mode of just doing it and getting it done, and I'm sooo glad I did!  It took a little bit of figuring out how to get all the sides clean, but I managed with very little problems.  At one point I wasn't sure if I could get the screen back in, thinking I'd have to wait until Rodney got home, but after a short time, I managed to get it back in place.

The view from the kitchen window is such a drastic change, I can't believe I waited so long to tackle cleaning it!  You kinda get use to the film and dirt, knowing it's there but not thinking it's THAT bad, so when it is finally gone, it's just so unbelievable how clear the view is!  You just want to stay in the kitchen and look out the window :o)

As I'm looking out my newly clean window, I'm reminded of how much our lives (spiritually, emotionally and physically) are like my dirty window.  One thought I had reminds me of what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:12 - "For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."  We think we know what's going on and how things look, but we are really only looking through a "dirty window" or not seeing the full, clear picture.  That time won't come until we are with Jesus in Heaven.

And the second thought I had reminded me that this is also so true with our own lives.  We get so use to the dirt and grime (sin) that we don't realize how "dirty" we really are.  We think we are doing good and may have just a few corners with some dirt, but in reality the dust has just been slowly building up and before you know it, we are not just a tiny bit dirty but a whole lot dirty!  But thankfully the Holy Spirit shows us the truth, and if we ask for forgiveness and allow Him to do His work in us, then it's amazing how much better the view is in our life!  And like me with my just making the time to clean that window wonder why we waited so long to get that clean and wonderful view.

Who knew that cleaning a dirty kitchen window would be such a thought provoking experience :o)

Hydraenga

This year's spring weather caused havoc on my hydraenga bushes and I wasn't sure if they were going to do much this year or not.  Well, all I can say is that even though the bush itself doesn't look good (the leaves took a beating), both of them are overflowing in blooms!

This is the bush in the front (I did not take a pic of the backyard one).  You can kinda see the brown edge leaves.  But notice ALL the blooms!!!

The bush out front has always bloomed pink flowers and the one out back has bloomed blue.  For those of you who don't know, the type of soil determines what color flower you get.  There is some additive you can add to the soil to make the pink ones turn blue.  I've always thought about it, but never done it.  This is a flower in front.

But I've been also noticing that a few of the flowers are coming in blue!  Not sure what is causing this, but I'm not complaining!

Almost a two-toned flower - bluish, pinkish.

Remember When . . .

Came across this picture this afternoon.  Janae is 9 months and Allyson is 3 1/2 years old.  

Birthday Girl!

Today we celebrated Allyson's 8th birthday (which just happens to be her Grandpa Schrock's birthday too) even though her actual birthday is not until tomorrow.   We did the normal birthday tradition - Sunday afternoon party with both sets of grandparents, aunt and uncles.

Here are a few of the celebration pictures.

The Birthday Girl!!!  She is growing up way too fast!

My attempt at her birthday cake.  I had totally spaced buying the decorating frosting, so this is what I came up with.  :o)

One of her three gift cards!  She's at the age now where she likes getting gift cards/money so she can pick out what she wants.  She definitely made out like a bandit this year :o)

Allyson is also really liking chapter books.  She got four books and this is one of them.   She ended up getting the animated video of it too :o)

Her new jewelry box.

We got her a cd/radio boombox, and she really loved it!  Later that evening she was in her room listening to the radio.  I have a feeling this might be a regular occurrence now :o)

Mother's Day

Me and my girls!

Play Ball!!! Game Opener

Saturday was Janae's t-ball game opener and also team picture day.  After the pictures were taken, the ball playing started.

As you can clearly see her number is 1.  We did not ask for any particular number, but it might be cuz she was the first one to get a shirt (besides the coach's son) and this is what she got.  Before she got the shirt Saturday morning, we were trying to figure out what color her shirt would be.  Since her team name is the Grasshoppers, we were thinking either green or brown and sure enough it was green :o)

Here is Janae's first time at bat.

Waiting to run.

Running.  Notice she has to hold her helmet.  This is the same thing Allyson had to do when she played a couple of years ago.  I'm wondering if Janae got any ideas from watching home videos of Allyson :o)

Part of the peanut gallery.

Short stop.

I wish I could take credit for this picture, but I can't.  Branden was there with his much more advanced camera and captured this awesome picture!

Preschool Spring Program

On Wednesday evening Janae's preschool class put on their annual Spring Program.  This program was a showcase of some of the songs the kids learned during the year as well as talk about the different themes they learned about.

Here is Janae as an apple tree. :o)  Last fall the class had a field trip to a local orchard and got to pick apples.  They had a song to go along with this.

At the end of the program they gave us parents/family the opportunity to take pics of the class.  Here is Janae's class.  Can you find her?  Miss Jane, her lead teacher, is on the far right and Miss Diane, the teacher's assistant, is next to Janae.

Janae did a great job in the program.  I wasn't sure if she'd sing or not, but she did and we are all very proud of her!  It's hard to believe her year at preschool will be over next week!