New Hobby, Stress Reliever and So Much Fun!

Much Needed Smiles

God knows that when you are having a hard week, that kids always make us smile. Rylie decided that she didn't want her feet to get cold this morning so she put on her slippers. She also asked me in the sweetest voice possible: "Mommy, if I have a really good attitude today, can we go to Disneyland?" Rylie and Daddy were taking pictures of themselves. This is Rylie trying to learn how to lean on her hand just like Daddy.

Grumpa Ernie

As many of you know my grandpa passed away yesterday afternoon. It was a very difficult day and my dad was sad to lose his dad and we were sad to lose our grandpa. The night before he died he told my family that he had made peace with God. We really do believe that he had a relationship with Christ and that he had asked for forgiveness for his sin. As I reflect on his life and what he meant to us a few pictures stick out in my mind. My grandpa Ernie was a very hard worker and a businessman. We used to love going over Lakey's Cafe near Caldwell and working behind the counter and washing dishes to earn a little extra money. He was always visiting with his regular customers and gave everyone a hard time. In recent years he was involved in several Bible studies and read almost all of J. Vernon McGee's commentaries. He loved to share his theology and get you riled up about what you believed. He kept everyone on their toes at Grace Assisted Living and he loved giving Rylie rides on his cart. They would cruise around the halls at lightening speeds almost taking out the other residents and pick up some popcorn from the popcorn maker on his way back. Some of my best memories of him are playing cards (he taught me how to play poker), talking about his theology, and watching him interact with my girls. We will definitely miss him, but we know that he is out of pain and with the Lord. Although he was often grumpy (or pretended he was), I am so thankful that we had him for as long as we did. Please pray for my dad, Aunt Arni and Aunt Mary as they are struggling to find closure and prepare for the funeral. Thank you for all of your support and love for our family.

Joyful New Year

Everybody sets up their New Year's Resolutions and plow through week one, often with some success. I decided this year instead of resolutions, I am going to just call them much needed changes. Now that I have been a stay at home mom for over five months, I am finally ready to take on some new habits and evaluate my progress. So far I am cooking at least 4-5 nights a week (that is an improvement from 0-1 times a week)! I have been reading up on every topic imaginable, finance, parenting, digital scrapbooking and my new favorite-Read Through the Bible in a Year! These new changes in my parenting style, hobbies and discipline in our finances are so exciting, but difficult. I have given God my children, my budget, my time and needing to have control of every situation in my marriage. If you haven't sensed it yet, I have a new peace and a renewed joy for life. As I continue to grow as a person in my walk with God, I also hope to inspire others to wait on the Lord and not to settle for mediocre. Happy 2009 and I can't wait to see what God is going to do this year in and through my little Dayton Family.

p.s. Valerie MacMahon took these fabulous pictures that I used for my first two digital scrapbooking designs.