Ride the Rock

 Last Saturday, May 12th, Marc and I... with the kids... participated in "Ride the Rock" a 16.5 mile bike ride around Joliet (mostly through various park district trails.  Ride the Rock is an annual "family bike ride" event (free!) to promote the importance of living an active life style with your family.  Marc had told me about it last year and we both thought it would be something fun to try when we moved to the area.

 Marc registered is a few months ago and told me it was 8-10 miles.  We planned to get a bike attachment for Sadie (and already had a bike trailer).  I thought it would be very doable.  As the time got closer Marc looked up the route and discovered that it was actually 16 miles.  Definitely more intimidating, but I always love a good challenge.  I thought we should try some longer bike rides in the weeks leading up to the event to get a feel for what we were up against.  Our longest ride (prior to Ride the Rock) was just over 4 miles (to Dairy Queen and back) with a break in the middle.  Let's just say this little tester did NOT go well...

 Like I said before, I love a good a challenge and I did not want to give up.  Marc wanted to wait until next year, I wanted to prove that I could do it.  The morning of the ride, we woke up around 5 am to thunder storms.  At that point the bikes were already loaded, snacks packed, water bottles ready... I still didn't want to give up.  Marc, being the amazingly supportive husband he is, told me that if I really wanted to try that he would support me and that he would do it with a happy heart.

The rain put us a little behind schedule but we arrived a little after 9 am (which was the time people could officially start riding).  There was a HUGE line to check in but by the time we parked (in a huge, very muddy, grass field), unloaded, and got ready to ride the line was gone and we were able to check in and start riding. We started out with the girls in the bike trailer and Kinnick on the tandem bike attachment (see above picture.)  Kinnick and Sadie switched back and forth throughout the race.  Kinnick loved riding the big bike but isn't quite tall enough to peddle.

I told Marc the day before the race that I was sure I could do this race physically, but unsure whether I could handle it mentally--with whining kids, arguing, bad attitudes, etc... well I was ready to eat my words because almost the entire first mile of the ride was uphill.  I was pulling the trailer (about 70 lbs.) and I was DYING!  Thankfully the path evened out and the ride got easier.  There wasn't any more uphill stretches as long as the beginning one (and there were very some very fun downhill rides!)

I was very impressed with the set-up of the event.  We got t-shirts (even though it was free!) and LOTS of yummy snacks.  There were 4 rest stops throughout the ride.  The first one (3 miles in) had apples and bananas.  #2 had granola bars and a craft for the kids--they got to make streamers for their handle bars.  Stop #3 the  kids got to make their own trail mix and there was a playground.  At the final stop we enjoyed strawberry smoothies and fun dance music.

The weather wasn't too bad, it was a little on the cool side and it rained between stops 3 & 4.  The last 2 miles was on a dirt path so it was messy.  Macey stayed nice and warm in the trailer.  Sadie did fine.  Kinnick complained of being cold and liked to tuck his hands inside his jacket.  He also wanted to know if we could cover up his face while he was riding (ha!)

I was surprised at how not crowded the trails seemed.  There were over 2000 participants but the trails were not too busy.  There was one section where we rode for almost 5 minutes without seeing anyone.  We ended up seeing familiar people at the rest stops each time and even talked to one little girl who plays soccer in Sadie's soccer program.

If I were to say it was easy, I would be lying... it was difficult but very much worth it.  I loved the feeling of crossing the finish line together and celebrating as a family.

We hope to make this an annual tradition and try to invite some friends with us next year.  (We are also hoping for no rain in the future!)  Not sure when the kids will be old enough to try it on their own bikes (we saw one 4 year old boy that did it all on his own bike!)

When we made it to the end we were excited to see all the fun activities.  There was lots of food and music. A petting zoo (free) that the kids enjoyed and a climbing wall (maybe in the future...).  We started at 9:45 am and finished just after 1.  The kids didn't need lunch because they snacked so much throughout.  We took them out for ice cream to celebrate their hard work.

Kinnick and Macey both crashed when we got home and we had to wake them up at 5!

We ended the night with a fun date... we enjoyed going to the "Morning Star Mission" Gala with some of Marc's colleagues.  It was fun to get dressed up and enjoy a fancy dinner; however, by 9 pm we were ready to crash also!  It was a L-O-N-G, fun-filled day!

Walking for a Cause

 On May 5th, our family participated in a walk-a-thon for Royal Family Kids Camp.  This organization puts on a summer camp each year for area foster kids.  The purpose of this camp is to bless these kids, give them positive memories, and communicate that they are loved.  We found out about this camp from a mom in my MOPS group--her husband is the director of the Joliet area camp.  We talked to our kids (mainly Sadie) about the importance of doing what we can to help others and what the Bible teaches us about helping orphans.  She had a really hard time understanding why people were giving us money to walk or how walking was helping raise money (even started crying during one of many conversations!) but in the end she was excited to do the "walk-a-pon" for the kids.  It was a great family experience.

 Before the walk-a-thon, they passed out balloons to all the kids.  They had balloons to represent the 50 children who will be at camp this summer (possibly more this year if they get the funds and volunteers needed to make it happen!)  We prayed for these children and their families.  The kids were supposed to keep the balloons throughout the day and tell people who asked about Royal Family Kids Camp.

The walk was 1 mile.  We took the double stroller but our kids walked quite a big--Macey probably walked the most of the three! Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, we raised $275!  The same weekend our small group put on a garage sale to raise money for this organization.  We ended up raking in over $1000... Almost enough to send two children to camp.  Our small group is also looking forward to serving one day at camp this summer as a group service project--can't wait!

Our MOPS group also hosted a garage sale this past weekend.  It was SERIOUSLY the largest garage sale I've ever seen!!  "Garage Sale" didn't even do it justice--it was more like a thrift store in a garage.  It was a two week event preparing and pulling off something this big...Lots of hours, lots of moms (and kids!) We started with the goal of sponsoring one child and a dream of paying for 2 campers.  When it was all said and done we made just over $2600--an entire cabin, 4 campers, paid for from our abundance of STUFF with God's blessing.  We were also able to send boxes and boxes of clothes and baby items to Ms. Pearl's ministry, "Under His Wings" ministry (crises pregnancy), and Good Will.  I just love seeing what God is capable of when we allow him to work through us.

Sadie's Library Card

We celebrated a big milestone with Sadie this week... she got her very own library card!  We I got my library card, the librarian asked if Sadie was 5 yet--she wasn't so she had to wait.  During our weekly trip last week, it dawned on me that we hadn't gotten her card yet.  She was so excited when I reminded her that she was old enough. I let each kid pick 5 books and 1 movie each time we go.  Sadie of course had to hold her books back until we got her card so she could check them out herself.  She got a little goody bag with a chain necklace, book mark, and pencil.  She was also thrilled to see that she got a big library card as well as a key chain sized one (like the one I usually use).  What 5-year old doesn't have keys?

So grateful to celebrate this special milestone with my little girl... I'm excited to be a part of her journey to becoming a life-long reader and lover of books!

Our Easter... in Pictures

 Two weeks before Easter, our church had a huge Easter egg hunt between services.  They printed little invitations so we could invite people.  This was a perfect opportunity to meet some of our new neighbors.  We made some cookies and Sadie and I went to the houses that we knew had little kids.

 Thanks to Pinterest, the kids and I enjoyed some fun Easter crafts...

 We made marshmallow eggs, eggs from coffee filters, and dyed eggs using kool-aid...

 The kids loved smelling the yummy colors!

 Our family time the week before Easter involved making a "Holy Week" Calendar.  We prepped everything on Palm Sunday and each night before bed we added another item.  On Easter morning we read the Easter story and filled in our last box.

 The kids loved this activity so much we had to leave the calendar up for weeks.  They would use it to re-tell the events leading up to Jesus death and resurrection.  I'm sure we will do this again in the future.

Hunting for Easter Baskets:

 This is the first year we've been at home for Easter.  Our church does not do a sunrise service so we enjoyed Easter morning at home!

 After church we watched the movie Hop with Sadie and Kinnick while Macey napped.  After our down time we got ready for our big Easter dinner with friends.  We invited another couple from our small group that doesn't have any family in this area.

 Sadie and I made these rice crispie eggs as a treat for the kids.  We had a big meal... Amy brought ham and I made the sides.  It was great to spend Easter with some people we love since we couldn't be with our family.

 The kids had fun making a cross craft and spent lots of time playing outside on the trampoline while us adults got to visit.

Two weekends after Easter, the celebration continued with a trip to Grandpa & Grandma's house.  The kids were so excited to see their cousins (hadn't seen them since Christmas!)  Saturday morning, Jadyn and Jaren brought over their new pets... baby bunnies!

 After lunch, Kassie hid Easter baskets for the kids to hunt...

 And we got to finish of our weekend with a trip to see "The Wizard of Oz." Marc and I took Sadie to watch her cousin Jadyn in the HS's musical.  Aunt Kassie did Sadie's hair for the occasion!

Some of the elementary students were in the show to help with "little people" parts.  Jadyn debuted as a munchkin, a jitterbug (costume above), and a green girl from emerald city.  Sadie loved watching the play.  Of course the week after we had to check out the original movie from the library.  The kids loved it and are asking to get it again... it always feels good to share pieces of our childhood with them--especially when they love it as much as we did!

The family time activity we did is from Kirk Weaver's book, Bubbles, Balloons, and Chocolate.  We love the activities! (I plan to post more on this.)  Just in case you're interested in this activity...
Sunday:  Palm Sunday, make green palm leaves
Monday:  Jesus overturns the tables in the temple, make a brown table and use a few coins
Tuesday:  Jesus teaches in the temple, make a paper scroll
Wednesday: Nothing, the Bible doesn't record everything Jesus did--what do you think he did?
Thursday:  Last supper/Praying in the Garden, trace your child's praying hands, use a cracker
Friday:  Crucifixion, make a cross from popsicle sticks
Saturday:  Burial (actually on Friday), make a paper tomb and bolder
Sunday:  Resurrection, color a paper angel and use a small piece of gauze
**Each day had a (short) scripture to go with it.

Happy 5th Birthday Sadie Sue!

It seems these days I'm constantly playing catch-up in my blog!  I really want to be caught up and stay up to date.  I'm hoping I can get back into a consistent schedule... but for now, here is a post about Sadie's birthday day... March 27th:

We started out day with birthday cinnamon rolls, per request of the birthday girl.  The day really unfolded perfectly for us... we didn't have it all planned out (rather I was juggling a committment I made before realizing it was Sadie's birthday and Sadie's request to go to Chuck E. Cheese on her birthday.)  Yet God knows what we need and He's always ready to step in when we ask Him too.

We started our morning at Chuck E. Cheese with some free birthday tokens (from Sadie & Macey).  Sadie wanted to invite her friends Audrey, Colee, and Man.  The 6 kids had a terrific time playing.  And we made it out with no meltdowns and without spending any money!

After Chuck E. Cheese, we headed to the park to have a picnic lunch and meet some other friends.  They brought cupcakes for Sadie.  The kids scarfed their lunch, played a few minutes, and tried to eat cupcakes without being blown away (yes, it was that windy!)  We called it quits at the park and invited some of our friends back to our house to hang out awhile longer.

That evening we were supposed to have small group, but our sitter cancelled so we took it as a sign to enjoy a birthday dinner at Cracker Barrel.  Sadie LOVES eating at Cracker Barrel.  She didn't get any presents on her birthday because her present from Marc and I is a trip to the American Girl Doll Store (yet to come).  Because she didn't get any presents we let her pick a special treat at Cracker Barrel.  She choose candy (no surprise there!)

And instead of another cake, we celebrated Sadie with birthday cake milkshakes... very yummy! These had to wait until the next day because she also got a free ice cream sundae at Cracker Barrel.  I love having special days to celebrate the births of my kiddos... this day was a keeper!

Meet the Duggars!

So this should be my "Hearts at Home" post, but I failed big time at getting cute pictures with my fabulous girlfriends.  We did however have a wonderful time!  The weather was much warmer than it usually is in mid-March.  We enjoyed the sunshine as well as the fabulous speakers.  Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar spoke at the main morning session.  I also attended their workshop.  I must admit, I was a little star struck.  I've enjoyed watching the show for the last few years, but after reading their first book 20 and Counting I was hooked for sure.  I'm a big Duggar fan!

Waiting in Line... for almost 2 hours!

 We had to skip our last session to stand in line, but it was worth it.  (I ended up ordering downloads of the one I missed and several more!)

Totally worth it... loved meeting Michelle Duggar

 I loved having a few minutes to visit with Michelle--she is just as kind and genuine as she seems!  She took time to answer questions, sign books, and connect with each person.  So glad I had the opportunity to meet her.  Definitely the most famous person I've met!