For the last few months, we have been attending a church service called Elevation.  We meet in a coffee house and sit on comfortable couches with our coffee and bible ready to listen to a great message and some awesome music.  It is so relaxing and you really feel a part of something important.  I guess I feel like we are in a warm safe place and you can just feel God 's presence.  We can hear the playing children in the other rooms as the walls don't keep in the fun they have in the studio next door.  But it doesn't bother anyone...we all just smile at the children's excitement and enjoyment learning about Jesus. They have games and competitions that keep my kids talking about Sunday all week.

I LOVE that I can wear my comfortable jeans and not spend the whole morning freaking out over my children looking their best and putting on their dresses, tights, uncomfy shoes and hairbows.  Having four kids can make a regular Sunday morning turn quickly into a screaming match between you and a strong willed child who simply wants to wear tennis shoes and his favorite shirt.  We have a much more calm and routine Sunday morning now and the kids actually get themselves ready with little help from mom.  Now that is a day of rest LOL

Recently, I took a class for a couple of weeks to learn how to make the coffee drinks and sandwiches at the coffee house.  Several of the church members volunteer at the coffee shop during the week and make themselves available to the community to discuss life and just be there for those in our area who stop in.  Many are unchurched and it is really easy to mention that we are volunteering as members of a church that meets in the coffee house during the week.  Of course, several groups from other churches also meet at the coffee house in the mornings for Bible Studies and I attend one on Thursday mornings with a  great group of women (though we are currently on break).  We all go to different churches and are all moms of Elementary kids.  With my business being so mobile, I can actually sit at the coffee house with my laptop and edit.  I can also meet clients there for consults and to order prints.  It's a great atmosphere and so quiet for working without feeling like I am alone at home (when Little C in at Preschool).

The Pastor just added the Podcast to the website and I wanted to share his messages if anyone wanted to hear a really great speaker.  He is very motivational and I relate so much to his family.  They also have 4 kids about the same age as ours.  Some of his family stories I can SO relate to, which is great to hear and also great because he shares his perspective and challenges our priorities.

Anyway...long blog to say...you should check out these great messages:

http://web.mac.com/djditt/ElevationChurch/Elevation/Elevation.html

I really enjoyed the January message about organizing and priorities...and can't help but still wonder where all the socks disappear to in this house. (Oh and we also have a his and hers junk drawer in our kitchen)

Today, we had a tearful goodbye to a loved bunny member of the family...

Thimbles was my oldest daughter's little baby bunny given to her by Santa Claus in 2005.  Her name was Thimbles because my daughter was a big fan of Peter Pan and the Thimble was a symbol of Love.  She was a light orangish brown bunny and was loved by all the kids and her sister Button.  Her sister Button is missing her very much right now and has never lived alone without Thimbles so we are very worried about her.  She has finally tonight started to eat a little bit, but this afternoon would only sit which is unlike her.  We will pamper sweet Button for the next few days.

Daddy dug a big hole (which is quite a feat in our hard cold ground) and we buried her when the kids got home from school.  We made a cross out of sticks and Thimble's twine she used to chew.  The neighbor's daughter came over and we each got to say goodbye...except for Sarah (Princess S) who just cried.  Seeing Sarah sad made everyone feel really sad too.  Well, Carter said he loved Thimbles and that was so sweet, but then proceeded to say he wasn't sad when Daddy said we were all sad...he barely gets it.

So we say Goodbye!!