Although it has been cold & snowy, wet & rainy, and pretty much grey & miserable, we found ways to be happy & busy this winter. Daddy’s birthday brought a new Ipod & ski trip. Valentine’s Day meant sweet, chocolaty gifts and a movie date. Long cold nights were filled with Wii games & warm toasty fires. Fantastic – all the way ’round
Mr Birthday Fantastic with his lil Jane Storm
Mr. Birthday Fantastic with his lil Ben Grimm
Good morning, Valentines Day!
Our Valentine Cutie Pies
Filed under Celebrations, Family, Holidays
Ben Grimm’s birthday was a small celebration but full of love. That’s what birthdays need, right?! There may have been cupcakes, Legos, friends, grandparents & Chuck-E-Cheese. But there was definitely lots & lots & lots of love. I love my little man. He is full of life. He is already multiplying, adding & subtracting. He is tender-hearted and kind. He adores his big sister, mommy, and Legos. He never stops moving. Ever. Six years old means kindergarten, soccer, learning to read, and so many other new adventures. He melts your heart with eyelashes for miles, a sprinkle of freckles on his nose and a mischievous smile. He’ll giggle if you trip. He’ll belly laugh if you fall on your face. He loves a good gag. What can I say?
Ninjago ruled cupcake
Lil Grimm with Daddy
Birthday with Hon & Pops
Grimm & his sister
Grimm & Mommy
Bet you can’t guess where we celebrated!
Friends! Cupcakes!
Lil Ben Grimm, daddy & I could not love you more. You fill us with joy overflowing. We’re so proud of your helpfulness, tenderness, silly humor & big heart. Happy 6th birthday son!
Jane Storm’s 1st gift of the day
New earring from Hon and Pops. Wears them everyday.
Birthday cake. Rainbow chip please.
Gifts from friends!
Ice Skating party
Mommy was a bit distracted and Jane Storm reminded her that she didn’t yet have a birthday post. Birthday posts are tradition. Although it’s been a few weeks, turning 9 is still a new, exciting event. Lil’ Miss Storm isn’t so little anymore. Always one of the tallest in class. She gets wonderful grades and her teacher says she is thoughtful and helpful in class (yeah!). Miss Storm keeps improving her soccer skills and loves playing indoor and outdoor games. She reads more than anyone I’ve ever met. Almost like a video game junkie but with books. We actually take her books away as discipline. Trust me, you gotta use what works in your house. Her eyes are always bright and shiny but her personality is more and more mischievous. Scaring the daylights out of her little brother has become her favorite prank. She’s so smart and fun. We praise God He chose us to share life with this little firecracker!
For her 9th birthday she went ice skating with her friends and had a pizza party with her family. She got a new coat, lots of Warrior Cat books, and went on a breakfast date with mommy. She asked for Rainbow Chip birthday cake (way to make my life easy-peasy) in layers. Her wishes were easy to grant and her birthday was a joyful celebration. She’s growing up too fast for me and Mr. Fantastic. We’ll always see her as our baby girl. Happy birthday Lil Miss Storm, mommy and daddy love you forever!
Filed under Celebrations, Family, Kids
Dear Parents with Young Children In Church
I know it’s hard, but thank you for what you do when you bring your children to church. Please know that your family — with all of its noise, struggle, commotion, and joy — are not simply tolerated, you are a vital part of the community gathered in worship.
This article brought such encouragement to me this morning. We bring our little Fantastic’s to worship with us for the reasons the author outlined and more. As sobs welled in my chest my soul was refreshed. Thank you so much Jamie Bruesehoff.
We’ve been out having adventures lately AND remembering our camera. We spend every Saturday – rain or shine – cheering for little Fantastic’s at the soccer fields. We celebrated Easter and birthdays. Last Saturday we squeezed in a local ‘Beat Pete’ 5k run as a family. First time Mr. Fantastic and Jane Storm ever ran. I can say for sure Mr. Fantastic LOVED it. Jane…well, hmmm. Maybe she’ll forget how cold and tired she was when she was done. Poppy & Ben Grimm cheered us on while we ran. Despite sneezing my brains out my face the rest of the day, I had an amazing time. I love mixing my sweet family and favorite hobbies.
We had the best time over Easter with Mr. Fantastic’s family, playing outdoors. Mr. Fantastic surprised me with a beautiful soak at Lava and the most thoughtful birthday gifts. That was all before Spring slapped us in the face with some windy cold fronts. Brrrrr. We’ve also played house-flippers at a friends new place with paint, tile, wiring…you name it. We love friends AND tools. Our cup is full. Jane Storm’s also a ‘Girls On The Run’ beast. Rarrrr. Who knew? It surprises and delights me. With so much celebrating going on, we’re so grateful. Always.
Filed under Celebrations, Family
A few weeks ago ‘Jane Storm’ turned eight. While we’ve been there from her tiny beginning it still amazes me what a miracle she is. When I look into Jane’s baby blues I see her soul and a developing mind, heart and purpose. It may have begun in me but she is destined to be so distinct from me. When we went to Parent Teacher Conference this Fall, her teacher told us she was “destined for great things.” She also insisted she didn’t say it to all the parents. (Hee, hee, …ok) Actually, it’s something that touches a parent’s heart most deeply. There is nothing more thrilling than a stranger getting to know your child and seeing their potential. I’m “storing these words in my heart,” somewhat like Mary did. Her father and I earnestly pray God will use her talent, intelligence, spunk, and creativity for His Kingdom and Glory. I believe it’s possible.
The 1st photo is Jane and mommy. She’s getting ready to wish and blow out her candles. She insisted on helping make her cake. We tried to make it as pretty and yummy as possible. Pink icing of course! She’s a regular Betty Crocker – just like her Grandma Hon. It seems maybe some traits skip a generation. She even looks like her Grandma. Except an abnormally long torso daddy saw fit to pass along.
In the pic of Jane and her cousin J they’re eating chili for birthday dinner. J is the best cousin a kid could have. He’s the reason I changed my mind about parenthood. He really is the reason she’s even here. He is tender, thoughtful and patient. You should hear the elaborate imaginary worlds these two concoct.
In the photo of her and her little brother, they’re on the way to an ice skating party. At school, she read a series of books about ice skaters. Jane and her friends really got into it. It just so happens, we have an affordable rink nearby for her and her friends to live out their imaginations. Since her little brother adores her, he was just as excited to try ice skating. They donned hats, scarves, coats, skates and had the time of their lives.
Jane met her two best friends from school at the rink. They ate cupcakes and skated ’round the rink till the night was done. We are so grateful for God’s provision of these friends. Last year was a rude introduction into girl-bullying. Jane loved school since the first day of preschool but at the lowest point last year, she didn’t want to go at all. Not to fret, it’s a new year and every day is once again a good day with great new friends!
Last weekend Jane had her best pal since she was 3 over for a sleepover. M was sick with a fever the day of Jane’s party. We had to make up for the loss! This friendship is so special because these little girls are as opposite as night and day yet their love for one other is fierce and resilient. They have matured from toddlers, preschoolers, kindergartners to “big” girls together. I think they teach one another how to get along but honestly, they teach me all the time what friendship really is.
So. She’s eight…already. The time has flown. The blessings and the lessons brought to our lives with her are exhaustive. Along with her teacher, we find her amazing. We trust God to mold her into a passionate lover of Him.
Happy 8th birthday little one!
Filed under Celebrations, Family, Kids
Filed under Absolutely ridiculous, Family
This post is a virtual landscape of all the amazing things we’ve done this Spring. Our lil’ Thing learned how to ride a 2-wheel bike…within minutes. He’s definitely got great balance when he’s concentrating. Now, to convince him to concentrate more often…
Our Human Torch entertained us with a school program and ballet recital. She is so mature and beautiful. Watching her entertain was delightful.
Our Poppy retired from the workforce after nearly 40 years of service. He is the epitome of a perfect employee and role model. What he’ll do with his work ethic and busy hands, only time will tell.
We spent two days refinishing a dresser with friends. It’s beautifying the master bedroom and attacking us as when sleepily cross the room in the middle of the night. Beware of the vicious dresser!
We flamingo’d all over town. Really, Mr. Fantastic flamingo’d all over town. We raised a bunch of money for our youth ministry. We must like teenagers a lot. Our thanks for flamingo-ing the town?? Birds ended up in our own yard. Vicious twist, I tell you.
Invisible Woman went to an amazing Beth Moore convention while Mr. Fantastic prepared the garden for another season of veggies. Which brings me to today. Soccer season is over. School is over next week. We’re attending at least 4 graduations and saying a lot of goodbyes to students we love. We’ve been having SO MUCH fun – as all the pictures and videos make clear.
Filed under Entertainment, Family, Kids, Life
The past few weeks are filled with delightful memories. We spent Easter in Eastern Idaho and enjoyed prime rib, an Easter Sunday production, and time with our family. Hon & Poppy returned safely, joyfully from their Hawaiian adventure. We watched D get beautiful, picked up by a boy, and head off to Senior Prom. We listened to all the silly stories of teenagers returned from a sweet high school memory till 1 in the morning. We prayed with, for, and about Jane Storm’s baptism; celebrating her declaration of new life in Christ. Friends and family joined us in a local park to play and fellowship in the glow of such a beautiful moment. Mr. Fantastic had the privilege of dunking Jane Storm into the waters of baptism. Such joy for our family! We are so proud of the steps Jane Storm is taking to walk with Christ; what an example she is setting for her little brother. With birthdays, holidays, prom, and baptisms this is, so far, our most memorable month of 2012.
Filed under Christianity, Faith, Family, Holidays, Kids
We cannot imagine our lives without you.
We do not have words to express how much we’ll miss you.
We’re so grateful for all you have taught us.
We say a sorrowful Goodbye March 15th, 2012.
Filed under Family
Blog writer. Adventure seeker. Sold-out Jesus follower. Mother. Teacher. Wife.
The Fantastic 4 