It seems that I rarely have time to sit down and write. Instead, I end up quick editing a bunch of pictures and slapping them into a post. Not ideal but this phase of life is on fast-forward. Last night I crashed into bed at 7:45pm and slept until Hope woke up at 6:30am. That felt GOOD but I didn’t get a thing done last night. I have plans…big plans…for writing. Maybe even writing a book someday. But, right now, I do what I can.

So without further ado, here’s a bunch of pictures from Legoland this week, ha, ha!

Dave and Hope raising their hands on the airplane "roller-coaster"

Lauren and her school friend Gabi who came with us to Legoland

Dave with Lauren taking a picture in the background

Lauren and her camera

Me, with nice bokeh in the background captured by Dave

Red and purple flowers, interesting combination. The Red Hat ladies would love this!

More flowers in bloom at Legoland

Southern California in Miniland!

I think the Southern California Miniland section is new. Tiny Lego people laying on the beach, playing beach volleyball and barbecuing while their RVs sit in the parking lot. Oh yeah, perfect!

1. The NY Grandparents’ 3 month “vacation” at our house is coming to an end. They start their journey home in a couple of weeks. We will all miss them but I suspect that Hope will be particularly sad to see them go.

2. Bethany Hamilton, the Soul Surfer girl, is speaking at our church on the 22nd. Lauren is ecstatic!

3. Hope is using more and more words. “Daddy’s car”, “Lauren’s school”, “Hamburger!”, “Taco!”, “Thank you!”, Mine!” At this point, she is able to communicate what she wants and that makes her (and us) very happy.

4. Our neighbors dug up their side yard and replaced it with mulch. Lauren helped and Hope and I went over to watch. The neighbor grandpa picked up a grub and showed it to Hope. Hope grabbed it right out of his hand and popped it into her mouth! Our neighbor was just as fast as Hope in grabbing it right back out.

5. Dave has been working on making some videos for church. I’m glad he has a hobby he enjoys so much. Look out Spielberg!

6. After 13 years of making the same pancake recipe, I used a new recipe today that has butter in it instead of oil. Not sure why I didn’t switch sooner.

7. This week is Lauren’s spring break. It’s really nice to have my favorite eight year old home for the week.

8. I’m giving my testimony at MOPS in a couple of weeks. If you can pray about that, I would greatly appreciate it. I love telling Carmen’s story but that doesn’t stop me from feeling like I might throw up for a few days beforehand.

9. I just finished reading the To Save a Life series. The youth pastor at our church and his wife wrote them. Wow! I’m seriously impressed. As I finished each book, I couldn’t wait to read the next.

10. I have been finding some fantastic “deals” at the local Goodwill Boutique. Naartjie, Janie and Jack, Mini Boden, Gymboree, Justice (Lauren’s fav), etc. The girls are all decked out!

11. I have never liked summer at all because everywhere we have lived has been HOT in the summer months. I am soooooo looking forward to summer this year! 60s and 70s is really nice for winter and mid-70s is going to be really, really nice for summer!

12. After a few months with bangs, Lauren has decided she wants to let her bangs grow out and get a cute bob cut. I think I traumatized her bang experience when I trimmed them very, very crooked and Dave had to fix them.

13. My solution to a picture taken indoors at a play place with iso at 3200 and a weird greenish cast: change it to black and white.

Yesterday, Lauren received an award at school for outstanding integrity.

Lauren accepting her award

On stage

Her award read: “Lauren is hands down an amazing student. She is a model for her classmates in every way. She is honest, treats others fairly, has impeccable judgment and leadership skills. Lauren stands true to who she is and excels socially and academically.”

Lauren, we are VERY proud of you!

Hope and I get a lot of looks and then this question: “Where did she get her hair?”

Dave had blond hair as a kid and my maternal grandmother had curly hair. That’s my best answer!

Hope’s hair most definitely goes with her personality. A little wild. Vivacious. Full of bounce. Dramatic. Definitely not subdued or quiet.

Hmmm, my hair is mostly a thick, frizzy mess. What does that say about me? Ha!

Does your hair go with your personality?