How Does He Love Me? Let Me Count the Dave . . .

Early anniversary present -- 2 tickets to Dave Matthews Band! I'm so jazzed. I have been trying for years, and I do mean years and years people to go see Dave Matthews. Once we were too poor. Once we were too pregnant. Once we were moving. I thought I'd missed the boat once again this year, when my sneaky husband swooped in on his white horse, tickets flying. Unbeknowst to me, Dave just added two extra, bonus stops on his tour. If you're going to be there, I'll be the curly-haired Mom yelling, "I love you, Dave!" The kids are hoping I can score an autograph of the guy from Winn-Dixie. Oh, if Mommy can, she will.

Home Tour -- Ike's Room

Isaak, came up with the colors and plans for his room. He did very will, especially for a boy. He's not really one for thinking out of the box as far as color though. He's my basic, little man -- blue jeans and a t-shirt.

He loved the idea of having the "I Like Ike" button on his wall. We looked them up online and studied about Eisenhower a bit. He decided all his colors should look "old". Most of Ike's furniture is found (a.k.a. dumpster diving) or given. A coat of paint does a lot

The coolest part about Ike's room is the nook were his bunk bed slides right in. All his precious Lego kits are up high on the shelf were his sisters and Brom can't get to them. He loves to tuck a blanket on the side of his bunkbed and make a secluded fort. Very fun to only let certain friends or sisters in (maybe Mom on a good day).

Such Characters

Today was a school spirit day. They have these once a month here. Today was dress as your favorite book character. Well, since I failed at having two, elegant princess dresses on hand, Lucy and Susan were out. The girls settled on more fun characters. Paige decided on the Mad Hatter (despite the fact the Lewis Carroll creeps me out). She loves the Mad Hatter's craziness and party personality. Claire picked a family favorite -- Pippi Longstocking. Everybody loves Pippilotta!

P & C Baptism

What a day! Paige and Claire were baptised today at our church. Brant had a huge speech prepared. So many things he was going to talk about. About how we were so blessed to have twins. About how we had prayed for their salvation from the very instance we saw their sweet, little faces. About how special they were and how they had matured so much since they day of the choice to follow Jesus. BUT as soon as the part came were he went to hold his little girls' hands and announce their salvation, he could barely get the basics out.
It's just such an emotional event. I don't know that they fully grasp all that their decision means, but they know that they will try their best to live for Jesus. We have even talked about how this means that life will be a bit harder most of the time. I know even in their third grade way, being a Christian sets them apart. They don't pick on other kids or laugh when it would be the easy thing to do. It makes me proud to watch the ways that even a 9-year-old Christian can set themselves apart from the world.
Wet-haired and proud, Claire and Paige face a new day. It is nice that they have each other. What a comfort that would be when I was nine! I'm excited to see what God has for my girls.

Home Tour 1 -- P & C

I thought I'd share some home pics with those who haven't seen it yet. Before really judging the kids' rooms, please know that the kids are allowed to choose their own room color. It is the one bribe of moving -- you can make your room any color you want. That said, this is Paige and Claire's room. They choose acid green with some crazy striping. I hated this room while I was painting on the green. It literally hurt my eyes. I would leave the room to answer the phone or check on laundry, and my eyes would have that temporary I out-in-the-sun-too-long sensation. After we got the stripes on and brought in their stuff, I really like this room. It's fun, I really think I would have loved it at 9.





Because they are sharing, the girls got the largest of the three kid's rooms. They had enough room left over to have a pull-out couch in their room. Now the couch is a bit well loved from another home (thanks U.R. and A.L). The girls thinks it's so sweet, and don't even mind my lame temporary "cover". They read books there every evening.
The closet, though, is enough to make me jealous. We haven't really done too much with it, but there are plans. It's a small room. There are hanging racks and shelves on both sides. They even play "office" in here sometimes, which is why there is a chair. Now, when we get to my room you will see why I am seethingly jealous of their closet. The only reason P & C are not in the master is because I wanted the room with the bathroom.