A Thorn Among Roses

Why do everything the designated way? When you are Sofia, you do it the Sofia way...only.

I can't believe it, but she is 7!!! Had some good, old fashioned fun...friends, bouncey place, vampire fangs. Normal bday stuff!

i walk into my bedroom and see sofia pounding down this box of crackers...in my BED!!! oh that delicious feeling of crumbs all over your back and butt while  you sleep.  ahhhh...relaxation! anyway, i ask the obvious question..."what are you doing?  you are in my bed!" she says very nonchalantly, "oh my goodness, momma!! daddy ate way too many of these amazing crackers. and then he left them just sitting here in the box. since there's not many left, now i HAVE to eat them. wow, dad. wow." my thoughts exactly...wow.

i have been pathetic about blogging...and it's because of life and work and family getting in the way...and seriously, i love looking back over the years and seeing it all play out in pictures and words, so i'm doing the "better late than never approach"... sofia turned 4 in january...i know it's mid february, but remember the theme!   i should start by saying that sofia had planned every detail of the birthday experience, down to the order in which we could tell her happy birthday.   nana played into the whole game and mailed her a package for her big day, which included a "birthday girl" ribbon, which she donned proudly for 2 days prior and on her actual birthday.  in her words, "this way people can say, "well look, there's birthday girl, let's say hi!" {don't you just wish she was more outgoing?} off we went with her plans...first was church, with the ribbon, of course.  then out to "bee-bee's...

even when you live close to family, it seems that getting every single person in one place is just hard. paige is always doing sports or chilling with her friends.  ryan travels.  i work and work out.  my parents travel a bit.  my brother work insane schedules.  my niece is only able to be with us twice a month, so gathering us together and then getting a picture...amazing feat. in the past year, we have all seen a variety of things happen.  but as i look at this picture, with my parents as the head, i am continuously reminded that they remain the same.  i mean, we are all getting older and our lives change and all that, but with the steadfast upbringing based on the foundation of God's amazing love for us through his Son, Jesus Christ, i am able to stand and look around and say, "i am blessed." i think sometimes that life was just simpler when i was a kid.  fewer distractions and more family time.  honestly, just less of us, too. ...

one of the deepest passions i have in life is serving the homeless.  it all started back in 2009 on a mission trip in NYC where we spent 10 days handing out water and snacks to people on the streets for nothing. people were so hardened they most often would choose to ignore it or refuse to accept a free gift...it's a very clear image of grace, actually.  god gives us his grace freely...it's just there, but we have to choose to accept it and act on it. when we all came home from NYC, the students started a not for profit called "the andy project"...and it's going wayyyy strong.  here we are 4 years later and every 2nd and 4th saturday, like 50 people head to indianapolis to love and serve the less fortunate. my student ministry, student impact of westfield, bring an entire trailer full of clothing, blankets, coats, hats and gloves for families...and we bring along students who just want to serve.   {and the fam comes along some of the time too!!  but always...

it's good old gymnastics time...well, in like 5 hours, but the girls are a little excited. they get on their leotards {sofia calls it her re-o-tard} as soon as they remember it's 'nastics time! i think they are pretty cute... {and yes, i do comb sofia's hair.  she's just a wild one.}