We are headed to Disney World on Saturday.  We have been having a "Count Down until Disney World" for about 4 weeks now so Jordan is very excited.  We have lots of packing to get done this week as well as cleaning!!  Hope to post some super pictures from the trip when we return!  

Valentine Story

I heard this story on the radio on Friday.  A local pastor was telling it:

There was this little boy in grade school and he was small for his age and meek and he got picked on and bullied a lot at school - the kids were constantly making fun of him.  It was almost Valentine's Day and he told his mom he wanted to make Valentines for all the kids in his class.  So she bought the supplies and watched as he worked and worked and finally finished his Valentines Cards.  The day of their party, when his mom picked him up from school, she was really nervous about the reaction he received from his classmates, hoping he got some nice Valentines so that he wouldn't be disappointed.  When she picked him up, he was so excited when he got in the car.  He told her "I can't believe it, Mom, I remembered!!  I remembered every single kid in my class!  Now they all know that Jesus loves them!"  He had given every kid in his class a Valentine that says "Jesus Christ Loves You" and had written out the Bible Verse John 3:16.

Ok, I heard this on the radio and started to tear up.  I don't know why.  Is it because the kid was small like my Jordan?  Is it because I possibly was one of those kids that picked on kids like this one?  I don't know why, but it touched me.  I think the main reason was that this child LOVED.  He LOVED unconditionally.  His main purpose was to share Christ with his peers, despite the way that they treated him.  It's a good lesson for all of us really.  Do we share Christ with those that we come in contact with, through our words and actions?  Even those that persecute us?  Do we Love and forgive and desire that everyone know the love of Christ?  Amazing the way that God grabs our attention and can speak to us if we are open to listening.

Date Weekend

The boys are at GG's house this weekend, so Tony and I got to have a couple of Date Nights.  It's so fun to have a little freedom every now and then - knowing the boys are having a super time with their grandmother and great-grandmother (Pops is working in Mexico!).  Here's a picture of us before our low-key date Valentine's day - we aren't fancy! :)  

Surprise Visits

Nana, Poppy and Caroline surprised us with a visit on Friday night.  I didn't tell the boys they were coming, as I didn't know until Friday morning when mom called to ask if it was ok.  The boys went to answer the door and this was their reaction when they saw mom and dad.  It was so cute.  They were so excited.  

Saturday we took them to the zoo which was fun.  It was a beautiful day.  It was nice to have them here while Tony was gone.  Unfortunately, they had to come back Sunday night in the middle of the night when I had to take Walker to the ER with Croup.  Luckily, we weren't in the ER but 2 hours.  Still no fun to do, especially with Daddy gone and waking Jordan up to drag him there too.  But he was a great big brother.  While we were in the hospital room waiting for the doctor Jordan said, "Mommy, Daddy isn't with us but God is.  God is always with us!"  I thought that was so sweet and it brought me so much comfort.  He really is growing up.  Thanks to Nana and Poppy for coming to my rescue in the middle of the night (again)!!!!

Jordan the swimmer

Wow, so today was Jordan's last swim lesson of the session.  Total, he had 7 lessons and we are going to go ahead and keep him in the class through February now.  He is swimming by himself for about 10 yards - head in the water, kicking and swimming with his arms.  He can jump off the side of the pool and swim to his teacher.  All he has to really learn now is how to come up for air and go back to swimming!  It's amazing that he has learned so much so fast.  I guess when it comes to swimming, it's all a confidence thing.  

These are some pics of the boys I took the last 2 days.

Walker let me style his hair before school yesterday... it's so cute.