The Good Thing About Imaginary Friends Is....

Here in the Baltimore/DC area we got hit with a major snow storm. It started snowing Friday night around 5 and didn't stop until Saturday around 5. At some points in the night it was snowing about 3 inches an hour and there was thunder and lighting accompanying the snow. I have never heard of a thunder snow storm. But WE got one in the early morning hours on Saturday. Well, my oldest daughter loves snow. She loves to make snowmen, and "dig for buried treasure". The problem is that when it looks like this outside....

it isn't very much fun for a four year old. She can't really walk in the snow drifts that are above her head. So we came inside....

The good thing about an imaginary friend is that even in bad weather they can come over for a visit. My daughter Abby has a "friend" named Martha. Martha is four and even has a boyfriend named Nick. (I am sure that Nick is named after my sister in law Rachel's Boyfriend). Martha also has a dog name Lala who comes and plays with Abby's dog Coco and usually they come to play every day. Well yesterday, Abby decided that it was Martha's birthday.

My wife and Abby made Martha's cake.-Strawberry with Chocolate icing! (from scratch ;)

It was so good!!!! Well, we had a nice time together has a family and imaginary friends.
(Just so you know - Abby knows that Martha is just pretend. I asked "Is Martha going to blow out the candles?" Abby response... "Um, no, remember she is just pretend". )

We still sang happy birthday and Abby blew out the candles!!! Below are some of the other photos that i took over the weekend. Please enjoy them...

These were my "artsy" photos before the snow got really bad...

These two loved it out there... Until the snow got above their heads!!!

You know you have gotten too much snow

when even this one doesn't want to go outside anymore.

I think Abby and Martha did some dancing!

Thanks for reading

~Justin

It is ten at night...

Do you know where your husband is? Last night around 10 pm here in Maryland we had some snow.... My oldest daughter Abby loves when it snows here, but it was too late for her to go play in the snow last night. So I took the dogs for a quick romp through the snow. Then I made a snowman for Abby to see when she woke up in the morning...

My idea was that I wouldn't be able to play with Abby in the snow today, so I would make a snowman for her instead. It worked perfect!!! This morning I woke up to this...

"Mom, Mom...." "There is a snowman outside my window!!!"
"How do you think it got there?" Rebecca asked
"Um, I don't know..."
"Well, who do you know that makes a great snowman?"
"DADDY!!!!" "Thank you daddy!"

So my idea worked wonderfully and here are the photos to enjoy!




This last picture was taken at work today. I just love it!
Thanks for reading
~Justin

Little Blue Bird v. Jeremiah 29:11-14

"I’m just a bird with a melody to sing
I’m hardly heard look at these tiny little wings.
But I can see an arrow flying and I’m not afraid
I can hear the terror try to steal the night away
And I’m not afraid I’m not afraid"

~ Jason Upton.

Lately this little guy has been outside my window at work. Today I was able to get a few shots with the encouragement of a co-worker.
Some times I wish I was like this little bird....

He doesn't seem to have a care or concern in the world.

Then I started thinking about how I am actually blessed to be who God made me.

Sure this little guy's life looks to be "pretty easy" at least from window at work.

But I know that has made me the way I am. He has plan and place for me.

God's plan is to bless me and not for harm. So in actuality I am glad that I am who I am...
(That sounds little like Popeye)
However, there are days like today that

I wish I could just sit on a branch and sing (chirp) my troubles away.

Well, if you are having a bad day, please understand this. God is still there and His plan is still intact. He is still on His thrown and He still loves you!!!!

Thanks for reading

~ Justin

Princess Party for 3

So a couple of weeks ago my oldest daughter asked my wife a question that really scared us. The question was...


Who is coming to my birthday princess party?


Well, we weren't really planing on a party for Abby (mostly because we had just traveled back to Maryland from NY for Christmas). So my wife came up with a great idea.



"How about we have Princess party when Aunt Rachel and Tante Sharon come to Maryland?"


So we did! And it was great! Here are a few of the photos from the party!

Thanks for Reading

~Justin

CRAFTY!!!!

Recently, my oldest daughter has been really into coloring and making crafts. Here is one of her recent projects. It is for me to take to my office and hang in my window. I have to say that I love her projects!!!! I love when she gets so excited to show me what her and mommy have been working on.

Also, it is a perfect way for mom and daughter to have a bond and for Abby’s mind and talent to grow!!! And as an added bonus I get to enjoy the finished product.

Also, Abby told me a story of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus,

only her story involves the Volcano in the Wii Resort.

It was cute!

Please enjoy in the photos…

Thanks for reading

~ Justin

4 years later and God still amazes me

4 years ago this past Monday my life turned completely around. My wife gave birth to a wonderful little girl Abigail Grace!!!! Well, she turned 4 years old on Monday and I think she's going on 24... This little girl has a way of either saying or doing something every day that just simply amazes me. I very often find myself just shaking my head in wonder.
God truly blessed me and my wife with 2 wonderful little girls. I love when they greet me at the door. (Which usually is Abby running in the living room screaming "DADDY" and Madi pointing and smiling) I love hearing them giggle and laugh. I love our play time upstairs. I love that they both hit the stair hang over (Notre Dame Fighting Irish Style).
photo taking from the internet.
I love sitting and watching "Wonder Pets, Dinosaur Train", and whatever else. Our only problem right now is getting the girls to share and play with each other nicely. There is 3 years separating them and they don't like to share. If Abby is playing with something then Madi wants it. (But usually it's not an age approporiate toy) and vise versa. So Rebecca and I are taking any suggestions that the masses might have out there. Thanks for reading and please enjoy the photos!

~ Justin

Hot Coco AKA Family Time

Last night I came up with an idea on the spot! I was making some hot chocolate and said out loud "I am making some hot coco" and Abby replied "Me too" which was followed by my wife saying "I want some too". Normally my wife does work at night from home. But I said that everyone had to stop what they were doing and

join me at the table for some Family Hot Coco time!
So we put on some Christmas music, had some Christmas cookies
and had our Hot Coco time! Man, I love CHRISTMAS!
Here are some of the pictures taken during the cookie making process!
I hope everyone is having a blessed Advent Season!

Thanks for reading
~ Justin