NapTime

The men of the house have had a rough day - can you tell? We had a million errands to run this morning and Will just finished workng nights. He went to work at 5ish last night and didn't go to bed (in this case just a nap) until early this afternoon. Parker decided a nap might be a good idea and joined him. Peace...Quiet...what shall I do? Take a picture of course! Will puts his body through so much switching shifts the way he does. I sure do appreciate the time he spends at home. Parker does too. Sweet dreams my sweet boys.

Big 12 Champs (almost)

After the defensive brilliance of the young Jayhawks agaist the Colorado Buffs, KU is one step closer to at least a shared Big 12 Title. This from a team none of us expected to even reach the NCAA tournament. I love being a fan this time of year. The excitement and adrenaline rush of watching your favorite team in a close game. I love college athletics! Kids - some of whom will never play in the NBA - play with more heart than the "pros". Its not all about the money and the women and the money and the bling, oh and the money. Especially at a school like KU where the history and the expectations drive the athletes. I suppose you can find that on any campu. Wichita State isn't one of the storied schools of Division 1 basketball, but they have stirred up a city with excitement and anticipation. Go March Madness and Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

Shrove Tuesday

We had a fabulous time at our church last night for Shrove Tuesday. What a neat group of people they are. The men above made hundreds of pancakes for well over 100 church members while the kids served and cleaned up. These same guys make breakfast every Sunday morning. What an amazing service they provide! Fellowship and celebration on this last day before Lent was very cool. Harry Craig, our Deacon and resident KU fanatic, took the children outside at about 6pm. He told them the history behind Ash Wednesday. The he burned the palms from last year's Palm Sunday to be used for today. It was a pretty dramatic way to teach children about Lent. So remember everyone, today begins the season of Lent. A season to pray, sacrafice, and remember what Christ gave to us. We are dust, and to dust we shall return.

Curious George

The kids and I went to see Curious George this weekend. I loved those books growing up, and I wasn't disappointed with the movie in the least. It wasn't one of those computerized, realistic cartoons. It was just like the illustrations in the book. The kids LOVED it. I only wish we could have seen it with the Eddys. Clark, you must see this movie. Very cool.

New Look

Sorry about all the different looks lately. Just trying to find the best way to present my blog. I like this one. The black just wasn't me. Here's my newest dilemma. We bought this painting in Lawrence Yesterday. I lOVE it, but we have a few issues. I think it may be too big for the space. The wall is fine, but the focus of the room is all srewed up when the tv is on. Plus Will thinks it makes his tv look small. We designed the room to focus on the fireplace. I like the piece, but it may be too busy. I need help. Any comments? I feel about as decisive as Kerry these days. sigh.

Kansas Weather

I Love living in Kansas. Here are a few reasons why:

1. The weather. In the past 3 weeks we have hit 68 degrees and -6 degrees (with out the windchill). We have had snow and glorious sunshine. For those of us who have a hard time making up our minds anyway, this weather is perfect. As sson as you get sick of one weather type, it will change. Plus, I was able to take the kids to feed the ducks with no coats in February...case closed.

2. The home of the Jayhawks. They have been so entertaining this year. Who knew they were going to be so good? I think their average age is 10 this year! Can't forget how well the Wildcats are doing in BASKETBALL this year.

3. The wide open spaces. Classic Kansas joke - Kansas is soooooooo flat that on a clear day you can see the back of your head - ha, ha. This is the Kansas I prefer.

4. I love Kansas now for all of the reasons I wanted to leave when I was younger. Its a safe place to raise my family. People are friendly. Its not very big. Things move a little slower. I know I have the time to appreciate the little things because the bustle of the big city isn't right outside of my door. I see 10 people I know everytime I go to Target. I see the governor in the local Eddie Bauer - and no one is bothering her.

These aren't all of the reasons I love to live in Kansas, but they are a few important ones. The most important is that my family is here and together and happy and healthy. It doesn't really matter where we are - the rest is gravy.

Brother Ben

I have been thinking alot about my brother Ben lately. He is in training in Alabama right now. His poor wife misses him something awful. Growing up, Ben and I couldn't have been more different. We were so close in age (17 months) but eons apart in personalities. To this day, no one can push my buttons and get me instantly furious the way Ben did when we were kids. We fought and argued and cussed and even got physical at times. I swore I would NEVER like him. Now that a few years have passed, I can truly say that I DO like him. The things that drove me crazy when we were kids (his outgoing personality, his humor, his charm) are the things that make me adore him now. I couldn't be prouder of my baby brother if I tried. He has turned into an amazing man who cares for his wife and son, loves his parents, makes all of us laugh, and lives his life in such a Godly way. When God made Ben, He truly broke the mold. Hopefully a little cyber gushing will make up for the time I tried to throw him out of my car in high school...while it was moving.


PS - nice legs Ben! The goose picture was when Ben was about 2 - one of my favorites!

Parker's Girl

This is Parker's good friend Hayden. Isn't she about the cutest thing you've ever seen? She reminds me of Abby at her age because of her extensive vocabulary and tendency toward drama. Hayden has anew baby sister named Emery who is every bit as cute as her big sister - adn I think she has as much hair! Parker loves protecting Hayden (she's a year younger and about half his weight). This is absolutely the closest thing he will ever have to a little sister and he loves it!

Morgan's First Grade Program

What a fun night! Last night was Morgan's first grade music program. She has been excited for weeks! Grandma Mary came up from Wichita and let her pick a place to eat for dinner. She picked Johnny Carinos for spaghetti and italian cream sodas. Every six year old has to carbo load before a big music program.



The program was great. Hundreds of parents and grandparents sqeezed into an elementary school gymn. There is nothing like it - really. But as soon as the kids came out in their pretty dresses and button up shirts, your heart melts. They worked so hard on some really cool songs with actions and ribbons and the works. Morgan is one of the smallest in her grade, so she was in the front row - easier for picture taking moms and grandmas! Good job sweet first grader - we are so proud of you.
P.S. Don't you just love the striped tights!

ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK

After Sunday's game, need I say more!

A Day in the Life

There is nothing better in this life than playing in a blanket fort with your three year old son. I spent most of the morning getting our taxes sorted out, but when Parker came up with a blanket and said "hug me, mama" it was all over. I would much rather play in a blanket fort than do the taxes anyhow. I have all the time in the world to do my taxes (at least till April 15), but I only get this time with my son once. Thank God I have these precious moments at home.

Happy Birthday Abby! I can't believe I have a child who is 9 years old! How fast the time sprints by! It seems like yesterday we were brining that tiny pink thing home in the snow. This weekend was the birthday party for my baby who has turned into an amazing little girl (I'm being too often reminded that she will not be a little girl much longer). We journeyed to Kansas City to visit Libby Lu's. Abby, her sister, and two of her friends had a little girl's dream makeover. Hair, makeup, wild clothes, nails - the works! They really had a wonderful time. I have a feeling the success of these parties is highly dependent on the person working at the time. We were blessed with a gal who had as much fun as the girls and really put a lot of effort into the whole process. Parker was not as thrilled by the whole process. As if this wasn't enough, we then ventured to the

A day in the life...I'm telling you what! Sorry no pics of Abby, she has been obsessed with her Nintendog (virtual puppy) this weekend and has not been seen much. She's not allowed to play with it longer than about 15 minutes a day during the week. The younger two kept me on my toes. Morgan lost her second tooth at school on Friday and got a visit from the tooth fairy. Her and Parker were playing soooooooo hard yesterday afternoon they just passed out together (see pic). The top picture is Parkers idea of helping me with the dishes. I'm not sure if its possible to get more water on my floor. Getting ready for the upcoming week. Sunday afternnon is our regrouping time. Its one of the few event free times we have together. Everyone can hang loose, finish homework, play whatever they want, and just reconnect. I have a feeling these times ar4e going to become more and more precious when the kids really start getting busy with sports, ballet, and so forth. They are growing up so fast (sniff, sniff).

I know you all are about sick of the slide pics, but I can't get enough of them! This, of course, is Parker in Grandmas washer and me at about the same age in the dryer. I love these pictures. Children in major appliances. Whose idea was that anyway? Ben's idea for Parker by the way. I simply felt the need to take a picture. We have had a great week. We spent Monday at home having a fun and then went to KCMO Tuesday and Wednesday for a mini vacation. We stayed at Great Wolf Lodge and swam for two days straight. The water slides were great. We also went to the kids favorite resturant, Cheeseburger in Paradise. I am grateful everyday to have kids I like so much. Not just love. They have turned into such cool little people. There is no one else in the world I would rather spend time with.

I can't tell you how many times over the years my parent pulled out the old slide projector and screen. When we were kids or even teens it was kinda fun to look back at our baby pictures and the adventures we had in Alaska and Washington and Western Kansas and even the farm in Iowa. Over Christmas this year we pulled out the slides again for the first time in years. So much had changed since the last time we watched these slides. We were all married now and Ben and I have kids. Suddenly, we were the age of our parents in these pictures. Nostalgia and a unique form of gratefulness washed over me. My parents raised us without help from in-laws and parents. They raised far from everything they knew. We grew up knowing how to depend on each other...and never once doubted how much we were loved. These were some of my favorite pictures from those slies (thanks for digitalizing them Dad). The pic of me and Dad "clowning" around was taken in Goodland, Kansas in the early 80s. The pic of me and Ben would have been in Washington or Alaska(?). I love the pictures of me and my parents when I was a baby. They seemed so young and ready for whatever the world could throw at them. I don't remember not having siblings. These pictures were of a time when my folks were embarking on all things new. Their family, dad's ministry, and great new challenges. Thanks for doing sucha good job Mom and Dad. Its been a great ride!

Welcome to 2006! Who knows the adventures that await us! I hub-bub of Christmas and Nutcracker is now over. Maybe some amount of normalcy (whatever that is) will return to the Wise house. The girls enjoyed the experience of Nutcracker as always. We were blessed to spend Christmas with family this year. What an amazing time it was. Seeing ALL of our family this year was amazing. A time we will not long forget. We thank God everyday for the blessings he bestows. Our friends and our family.

This may be my last post until after Nutcracker. This week should be rough. The girls have practice for 3-4 hours every day this week leading up to dress rehearsal on Thursday night and performances on Sat and Sunday. What a magical time it is though. Abby has a liturgical Ballet recital last Friday as well. It was one of the most beautiful things I have seen them do to date. I was able to sneek a few pics of Morgans regular ballet class this week as well. She is full of natural grace that amazes me every time I have a chance to watch her. I had to include a picture of Parker. He is such a trooper this time of year. He helps me shop, goes to dance practices, and helps me clean the house. The life of the youngest boy!

The purity of snow and children gives this season a magic all its own. The air was cold, but the kids couldn't think of anything except playing outside in the sparkling white. We received the "gift" of 7 inches of snow last night. The kids had a snow day...remember those? With all of the plans for Nutcracker and school productions and the holidays, it was fun to just play in the snow, drink hot chocolate, and feel the bite of winter on our noses. Pink cheeks on little girls...what more can I say!