Tuesday, April 27, 2010

What's Really Goin' On



Are we cleaning up after a fun-filled weekend with our buddies, the Steece's ? (check out her site for a great recap)?





Or is it potty training mania?



Sunday, April 18, 2010

A Colorful Spring

Spring is definitely in the air in Texas! The weather has been beautiful leading to some serious spring fever. We have enjoyed the outdoors at Grammie's house, the zoo and the International Festival in Downtown Houston.

We celebrated Mema's 88th birthday at Grammie's house. Once the rain stopped (after the grilling was finished), we had tikes on trykes, tikes in swings, and a mad game of kickball.

Cousin Madeleine and Mema

Madeleine, Cohen, Noah, Grammie, Sophia, Finn

With a severe case of spring fever, I took off work one day for a family outing the zoo. This was the first time I had been to the zoo without the kids in a stroller or wagon - just hand in hand. We stopped to enjoy a tasty pretzel and view the blooming azaleas. We ended the day with an awesome dinner and fun time at Clay's Restaurant. This place is a must-go on a nice day with kids!

The Beautiful Azaleas In Full Bloom At the Zoo
Munchin on Pretzels With the Munchkins

Clay's Restaurant's Proud Peacock Giving Us a Dinnertime Show

Finn aka Mr. Social finds a new buddy at Clay's
No mechanical bulls at Clay's but these will do
(Finn and Noah)


We headed downtown for the International Fest - the Caribbean. We walked all around, danced to the steel drums, and dreamed of dancing like the colorful ethnic dancers on stage. Afterwards we walked over the Hard Rock Cafe for a bite to eat and couldn't leave without a brownie a la mode.

Super tall Caribbean dancers

The kids are all smiles after chowing down
Cohen
Sophia

Finn

Noah

Daddy and Sophia share a moment

The root of all happiness?
Cohen

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Just Believe

Okay, so let me be honest. That last post had the highlights of March. To every highlight, there were at least a dozen low lights. I keep questioning how I am ever going to get through the tantrums, the fighting, the jealousy, the miscommunication....the list goes on and on. I am run down, angry, frustrated and have been searching for strength for quite a while. Meanwhile, a friend emailed me asking me to find a verse to help her get through her tough week. So as I'm paging through my Bible for a truth she can hang onto, low and behold, I find one that was just right for both of us. It read:

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 1:19 & 20 (New Living Translation, emphasis added)

I read that verse over and over and realized I was reading it all wrong. I was reading it, "for us who believe IN him". I'm thinking, "well, I believe IN him but I don't understand this great power nor do I feel like I have it. What's wrong here?" But believing IN him and believing him are two different things for me. Yes, I can say I believe that Jesus is the Son of God but do I simply and truly believe him when he says things like "he gives us the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead?" Say what? That same power is within me? Amazing!

I picture the scene in Matthew where Peter starts to walk on the water and then a wind comes and he gets scared and starts to sink. Then Jesus says to him "you of little faith, why do you doubt?" Jesus must be saying this to me over and over everyday. I have the power within me to have joy and strength in every situation but it's hard to believe that. I want to know more. I sent that one to my girlfriend and I'm posting it here because it is my prayer that all of us who read it will truly believe in that power and learn to rely on it. Think of the things we could do, the joy we could have if we actually believed that the very power that we celebrate this Easter is available to all of us who accept that it's there.


Celebrating Easter 2010 from Mari Goerlich on Vimeo.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

March's Top 10 {a Springtime Rhyme}



Cool shades for any style,




Talking with best friends for quite a while.

Fire trucks,


and horsies.
Playing ring-around-the-rosey.

Cheering at the St. Patty's Day Parade,


chillin' with Daddy in the shade.

A visit from cousins - what a blast!


A balled python in our playroom; what can top that?


Turning off the computer for some backyard sun!


Oh, March was so much fun!