We drove several hours to be with the Lovekamp family for S's first birthday. It was such a special time: seeing friends, sharing in a milestone, snuggling that sweet girl.
January 31: Youth
Here they are! Their very first project! We had a great time this morning with our newest charges. We hope they had fun, too. Our very first topic together: worldviews!
M loves to take her evening bath. She plays for a while by herself and then helps wash her hair and brush her teeth.
January 28th: Chocolate Mouth
Another bath photo, but it shows how much M enjoys chocolate ice cream! Actually, she is just like H and loves anything chocolate. January 29: Chip-n-Cheese House
This is our family's favorite restuarant. We eat here about once a week. We joined friends here last Friday and this week. A perfect way to end the week and begin the weekend! M calls any Mexican restaurant "the Chip-n-Cheese house."
Just a little mama-daughter lovin. Can't get enough of it.
January 26: First spaghetti 
Victorious! M ate spaghetti at home! A new world of dining is opening up for us!
(I MUST charge my batteries for the flash. These flashed-out pictures are killing me!)
This is actually a picture of our TV. We have all of the HP movies, but haven't watched them all yet. We tucked M in and then snuggled in for a movie. It was the perfect night at home.
January 23: My plants!
I love watching these guys grow every day! This is my hydro-plant-grower thingy. I've always wanted fresh herbs, so H gave me this contraption for Christmas. My little pods are doing great!
This was the trio at small group tonight. Mrs. J was playing her guitar. Mr. P was on the mandolin (which tickled M to no end. She LOVES a mandolin!). Little E was playing the "whistle." "It Is Well With My Soul" has never been so heartfelt before! 
These are my bunko friends. I couldn't shoulder the burdens of this life without them. Unfortunately, some have moved away, a few were subs tonight, but these women are so important to me and so loved.
Had to use the camera phone for this. M loves the train table at a local bookstore. We stopped by for an impromptu train date. We were the only people there, which I don't think has ever happened before. M loved having the train all to herself!
After working 14 hours straight, I came home to this: sizzling bacon and hot pancakes. In that moment, I couldn't have been more thankful for H.
January 13
A week of very busy days required an early bedtime. This week 10:20 was too late.
January 14:
This is how H and M look each morning when I come downstairs. M is snuggled in, watching her morning shows. H is snoozing on the couch while the coffee perks. I'm jealous because I'm dressed and ready to walk out of the door!
January 15: 
You will often find a book on the edge of the couch. Sometimes the book belongs to me, sometimes to M.
January 16: 
A tea party. Four giggly girls. Lemonade and miniature sandwhiches. So much fun!
January 17: 
M and I are working on some Valentine's Day decorations.
The guest(s) of honor missed her (their) shower today. Aubs is hospitalized until her precious baby boy is born. It could be at the end of this week, could be several weeks more. It's a day to day decision based on her body's needs. But friends and family still gathered around to celebrate the upcoming arrival of this miracle baby. This is the proud grandma to be (and yes, I know she doesn't look old enough to be a grandmother!) and a sweet cousin named MEB's. MEB's had the distinct honor of opening the gifts and showing them to everyone, which she did with grandeur. Despite desperately missing the guest(s) of honor, we had a wonderful time. 
We had a great party for H last night. Forty is a big year. We were blessed to have so many important people in his life come celebrate with us.
Happy 40th birthday, H! We love you! 
{Forgive the quality of this photo. I didn't realize how bad it was until I already had it on the computer!}
Baby steps. Shine your sink. I don't think I've EVER spent as much time cleaning my sink, but it did make a tremendous difference. This is the first step toward getting my house under control and keeping it that way. One small discovery step at a time. I can do this!
A Few of M's Favorite Things
