HAWKS WIN!!!!

TWICE!!!!!!

In a fitting end to the long time Original Six conference rivalry, 

the Blackhawks beat the Red Wings. 

My household is so excited.  Not that I really know.  Norah is asleep in her bed.  Simon is asleep on the couch, with a bad cough and a fever.  Eric is out with the guys post soft-ball game.  I am home, keeping quiet-ish.  I awoke the boy at the winning goal with 2+ minutes left in regulation.  Only to have it taken away.  He couldn't even whoop it up at the win.  He's excited inside, I know it.

Pumped

Tonight is the first chance our new water pumps are being put to the test in our basement window wells.  After the last severe storms/flood, we purchased 2 pool pumps to drain the rain water that collects in our basement window wells.  With the hope of minimizing the spraying water into our basement when the ground is saturated.

We are under severe thunderstorms tonight, and possibly tomorrow.  This storm/rain system is from the devastating tornado in Oklahoma.  Since the last flood/storms were also due to the warm Gulf air, I have become more aware of the locations where our storms generate from and dissipate to.  The radar line from the Gulf or Oklahoma to and past Chicago is impressive, in the weather sense.  It boggles my mind that weather can be that severe, devastating, and wide spread.

We'll see if the kids sleep through this one . . . .

Mothers Day

Mothers' Day began with my two little blessings jumping on the bed and wishing me a happy Mothers' Day.  Gifts were even dragged into the bed to immediately open.  I opened the handmade ones from school and the sitter.  Simon painted a flower pot for me, and made paper flower chore coupons.  I will enjoy his offers of raking leaves, cleaning the bathroom, doing dishes, doing laundry, and making breakfast.  Norah gave a little jar she decorated filled with fake flowers.  She also made a picture frame with crayons glued around the edges and a picture of her, with a fake flower poking through her hand.  It looks like she is really holding the flower!  So precious.

Then, I opened my gifts that Eric helped them pick out.  Norah ALWAYS wants to give me a pretty necklace for ANY gift.  So, I got another wonderful necklace and earring set. This one is silver, so I am able to wear it with anything.  I love it.  I also received some summer dishes.  Fun plastic plates, cups, and a tray to enjoy lunching and dining on the porch and for simple clean up.  

We made it to church, on time even!  It was a lovely service.  The songs and music were especially pretty and the message was touching.  And then we were off to the Art Institute of Chicago!  Simon is doing a country research project on France for his class.  We have been looking at library books on Monet, Renoir, and Seurat.  I made a comment that I would love to see his face when looking at these paintings for real in the museum.  So we went.  Saturday night, Simon declared what he wanted to do for his birthday.  He stated that he wanted to go to the Art Institute of Chicago, because a book showed a painting that was there.  I firmly told him "no".  When he asked why, I told him we were going the next day.  This was the first major museum trip with the kids, and they did great.  We enjoyed the Picasso show, the French Impressionist paintings, and the Miniature Rooms in the lower level.  Norah loved all the tiny rooms, she was so excited.

While entering the Art Institute off of Michigan Avenue is an incredible experience with the stairs and the lions, we entered through the new modern wing that has a bridge to connect with Millenium Park.  So convenient.  That is where we took this picture, at the "bean".  

We enjoyed a late lunch at 11 City Diner and then headed home, which ended up being over an hour long traffic filled ride.  Norah napped in the car and continued her nap on the couch, over 2 hours.  She was tuckered out.  Simon worked  a bit on his France project, and we ended the evening watching a few episodes of the Muppets show.  A very fun day. I love spending time with my two very special children. 

Ironically, Norah asked me last night so very sweetly:
"Mommy, did you wish for me?"

I scooped her up, whispered in her ear, "Yes, I absolutely wished for you."  And gingerly kissed her on her sweet cheek.

Today I told her that not only did I wish for her, but I prayed for her and God gave her to me!