Where Does Time Go?

Let's just start by saying Allie loves her "Friend Lil!" They have been together since Lily was about 8 month old and Allie was 11 months old. They are quite the buddies - a lot like sisters and for that I am thankful. I was going through pictures and I could (and think I might) make a book of them over the last 3 years - it was so much fun to go back through pictures and see all they have done together! Lots of fun for sure! As I was looking at the pictures I have to admit I was a little sad - where did time go - they have gotten so much bigger! But I was also realizing as I was looking at the pictures that each and every stage has been so fun and I am thankful for all of Allie's friends God has given her! I am excited to continue to watch them grow and learn. All of Allie's little friends hold a special place in our family's heart and really are like family to us. Just ask Allie - she will tell you about all the cousins, aunts and uncles she has! God is good!

Now - - - check out the little girls - from their first stroller days together to a current picture of them at Family Fun Day! I could have posted a lot - but this will give the dramatic changes! I love these girls!

Daddy/Daughter Dates

I love - LOVE the fact that I have a husband who loves to "date" his daughter!!!! I love - LOVE the fact that I have a little girl who LOVES to be with her daddy! When I was younger my dad and I would have special dates. For his birthday he and I would always go out to lunch for pizza at Godfather's Pizza - always! We would also go out to dinner and Christmas shop for my mom's gifts before Christmas - and the best part - we still do this. It is something that I treasure and hold very dear to my heart! My dad showed me at a very early age how a man should treat me. I felt treasured by my dad and knew that he loved me very much - that he would set aside special time for just me. I still feel this way - I get excited each December knowing that I get a night out with just my dad. It is special to just be together, get to talk and catch up, laugh and have lots of fun looking for gifts for my mom.

Tonight I am home with Ethan - which is super fun. Jeremy is out with Allison. He has been taking her on dates. Usually about once a month. I love it - I love seeing her eyes light up when he asks her, "Allison can I take you on a date tonight?" Her first response (after a HUGE smile), "where are we going?" Tonight Jeremy asked her where she would like to go out to eat. Her response, "Taco Bell!!!!" (very enthusiastically!) Not bad that she is such a cheap date - lol!!!!! She also didn't know when she left that he was going to surprise her after Taco Bell and take her to Build-a-Bear. Wish I could see her face when she goes in and realizes what that will mean.

My heart is happy knowing the investment he is making in her little life. She is learning not only that her daddy loves her very much but also how a man should treat her and care for her. She is building precious memories to last a lifetime - just like my dad has done and is still doing for me!

There is nothing like Daddy/Daughter dates! I think my heart is smiling as much as she was earlier this evening when she eagerly needed to "get ready for her date!"

I have posted some pictures - not from tonight but from her date with Jeremy in February for Valentine's day complete with flowers and candy as well as a few pictures from Dad's and Donuts at PreK with Allie. Enjoy - now off to enjoy my little guy!!!! Mommy/Son time is super special too!

This is the Day the Lord has Made!

For those who check here (which I think is a small group of you) you may have noticed that it has been a while since my last post. We can suffice to say that the Writebol's seem to have spent the last month and a half with some form of a new illness about every two weeks. And yes, we have a new one that popped up this weekend. My little "E" caught a bug and has spent the weekend sick - I feel like the rest of us are waiting time-bombs! Needless to say I am one tired mom - worn out on most all fronts. The end of the school year is a very busy time for me and it seems there is something going on every night (between school and a husband in ministry). I am embarrassed to say it but I have had my fair share of complaining over the last several weeks. God has been really working on my heart - - - there have been some situations beyond sickness that have challenged me and caused me to have to really focus on where my joy comes from. My joy can't be in things of this world - it can only be from Christ. Therefore - my verse for this week is:

"I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation." Habakkuk 3:18

Today, tomorrow, the next day and the next and so on were all created by Him for his glory and purposes and my good. Therefore - I will rejoice in Him. He is my joy and salvation. (Thanks Esther for posting that verse - I needed to see it and think on it! I love you!)