And the Winner is...

Noah, Cohen, Sophia, Finn

We've all been "on the fence" about the voting results.  Thanks to good voter turnout, the Crazy Redneck wins the contest.  Funny thing is, I wasn't feeling crazy enough at 5:30am to pull it off.  However, someone else had the same idea, but took it to a whole new level - old NRA shirt with a huge hole in the side and matching camo hat and shoes.  And it worked!  He was the 1st one kicked out.  Pretty sure he was driving this truck we were following on our way to Austin this weekend....

Yes, there's a duck in the truck

There's a quack in the back

This goose ain't gettin' loose in the caboose

Delivery truck with Peek-ing duck

Travel feather bed

World wide webbed feet 

It could keep going and going if you allow it....

And you question my sanity

I need your help to decide what makes me look more crazy to ensure I get sent home quickly from jury duty.  (voting poll on the right)

Crazy Redneck

Crazy Cowboy

Crazy Dude Lady

Crazy Judge Wannabe

Crazy Quad Dad

Thursday's Truth

Those who wait for the Lord - they will soar on the wings of eagles. They will run and not get weary they will walk and not faint. 

Isaiah 40:31

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Thursday's Truth

We walk by faith not by sight.

II Corinthians 5:7

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Fun Times With Papa & Grandma

Papa & Grandma flew down for a visit a couple of weeks ago.  When we pick them up we usually wait in the car in the loading zone. This time I thought we'd surprise them and meet them inside the airport as they came out of the terminals.  The kids were so excited and kept watch for them as everyone passed by.

We took advantage of the warm sunshiny days we were having and the extra helping hands and went to explore downtown Houston. There's a new park called Discovery Green that I'd been too chicken to check out on my own during the week when it was rumored to not be crowded. The rumor is confirmed, we had the entire playground and splash pad to ourselves. Not a soul in site! 

Finn

Noah, Grandma & Sophia

Cohen, Noah, Sophia & Papa

Cohen

Grandma Picnics With Her Little Chicks

We were all spoiled to pieces. Chris and I got to enjoy a weekend away and recharge while they spoiled the kids even more at home.  Life is definitely a whole lot more grand with them here! Grandma & Papa, come back soon!  

Thursday's Truth - Every Time is Story Time

Everyone loves a good story, especially kids. One of our kids' favorite books is called "How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?" by Jane Yolen.  They act out all of the silly things the dinosaurs are doing to get out of bedtime.  They can remember what's next by hearing just one line before the anticipated naughty behavior they are so eager to mimic. They can listen to it over and over and never tire from it.  As a mom, I know it's my job to tell our kids lots of stories. And not just the colorful, glossy-paged ones. I tell them stories that show what miracles they are or specific stories about how God has helped us that day. Like today when it was pouring rain while we were driving in the car, I told them how God is our umbrella and He is always right there with us helping us to see even in the rain.  Right now they are so young the stories are pretty short and simple but I'm getting practice telling the tales that might be passed down through the generations. Stories our kids will roll their eyes at after hearing the first line because they've heard it a hundred times or more. But if they listen enough just maybe they'll start acting these stories out too.  

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Deuteronomy 6:5-7

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Party Time!

The kids' birthday party was a week ago. We kept it a small, family function but still had a big time!  They didn't know what to think at first but warmed up to all the food and fun in no time. Here's a quick video with some birthday party footage.  

It's My Birthday Too! from Mari Goerlich on Vimeo.

Thursday's Truth - A Kid At Heart

What are your favorite memories about being a kid?  Mine include laughing out loud over almost anything, having best friends live next door, feeling rich with ten pennies in my pocket and even richer once I had bought half a dozen pieces of candy with it.  The simplest things made me happy.  It's the moments when the box that wraps a present brings as much delight as the gift itself.  Or when you never worried about how a home was run only how fast you could run through it to the backyard of opportunities.  When did we complicate things as grown ups? Why are we looking for happiness when it's all around us?  Why are we worried about taking care of ourselves and everyone else when God is already doing that for us?  Being a kid at heart is what God intends - trust in Him to take care of you like He's the only Daddy you know, laugh out loud, be silly, find joy in the simple things that have always been right around you, meet some new best friends next door, live each day as if you've never lived it before. 

Finn

He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 18:2-4

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