Ch-ch-ch-changes!!!

Okay, so...  Our lives have felt like a broken record for a while now...  "Wake up, get food, clean, pray for bedtime to come fast, wake up, get food, clean, pray for bedtime to come fast..." and on and on.  There has been very little contentment and peace, let alone actually really enjoying the kids!  My mind seemed to be especially stuck in that survival mode rut that sucks the life out of everything.  We desperately needed change.  We prayed for change.  I started looking for ways I could make even small changes around the house.  It all started there.
I happened upon a blog about a traveling family (it's on my blog roll, check it out!) that just completely opened my eyes to how simple and fun and free life can really be.  Reading those blog entries was like getting that first glass of cold, clean water after wandering aimlessly through the desert for days, not that I really know what that's like but you get the drift. Lol.
We have begun a revolution in Hanewinkel house!  From how we are training our brains to think, to what we eat and clean with, to how we "flow" as a family...  Everything is changing!  This blog of ours is going to be our way of letting other people into our home to witness all of God's goodness as He helps us to really begin enjoying this season of our life.  We will be posting more about each change we make and how it effects our family, and we will be doing this regularly.  We invite you all to buckle up and enjoy the ride!

Standing Outside With My Mouth Open Wide...

We had a FABULOUS rain the other day... Quite perfect for playing in puddles. As a matter of fact, that is exactly what we did! The kids and I ran around like crazy people and got soaked and had so much fun. Ryan came home and joined us for a little while too!
The ground has been so dry lately that the word "parched" is a serious understatement... We wish it would rain some more!!!!

I Scream For Ice Cream!

Lucy tried her first bite of vanilla ice cream! And... She didn't like it. She made horrible faces and spit most of it out. Go figure! She's the first of all the kiddos to have that reaction to ice cream thus far. Here are some shots of her first taste!

I recently took the little people up to Joel's school to watch his music class perform some of the songs they have been learning to play on the recorder. It was so much fun and Jude & Rory were so excited to get to see what their big brother has accomplished with his instrument so far. Joel is the one in the red t-shirt. His music teacher, Mrs. Francis, is a real sweetheart and was a great blessing to Joel all year. He will miss her very much when he moves up to the 3rd grade.

The boy in the yellow shirt next to Joel is B.J. and has been one of Joel's good buddies this year.

DS Buddies

Joel and Jude each have their own Nintendo DS (which they LOVE LOVE LOVE). I took this picture a few days ago of them playing their game time w/ their best buds Cole and Morgan. Aren't they all so stinkin' cute?!

Long Time, No Post

Wow, it has been a looooong time since I have posted any updates on the family here! So, without further ado, I will launch you all into a brief summary of the goings on at Hanewinkel house since February (my last update).

Joel celebrated his 8th birthday quaintly this year b/c he got sick and we had to cancel his party :(. BUT, he did get some awesome gifts and money (what kid doesn't like that?!) so he wasn't too bummed. I can't believe he is 8. Joel's soccer season is coming to an end now, and he has proved himself to be a true soccer warrior this year! He scored a couple of goals and did really well when he was placed in the game as goalie, but playing forward is his favorite b/c he gets to run all over the field, ha! Joel also made a clay sculpture of a dragon in his art class and was recently selected to be one of the 5 kids from his school to have his art work displayed at the local art fair... We just went to see it this evening and it was pretty cool! All in all, Joel is doing superb. A very fine fellow indeed!


Jude has fully embraced this whole "big brother" thing w/ baby Lucy. He is an excellent helper w/ all things baby and, out of all the kids, he seems to enjoy holding her and feeding her the most! It is really cute to watch. He has decided he wants to be a construction worker when he grows up (a carpenter who builds houses, to be exact) and has been having the time of his life watching new houses go up on our street. He gets out some of Ryan's nails and hammer and will scavenge for left over wood at the home sites to build his own little creations. And of course he has to have his shirt off for all the hard labor just like the real "workers"! He is such a character!

Rory is working toward perfecting the art of gab day by day here! She will talk to anyone who will give her an ear, and is always making up cute songs about her being a princess and daddy being her handsome prince... All whilst wearing one of her many tu-tu's. She is loving everything about being a miniature woman and insists on wearing lipstick every day (and sometimes even blush if mommy says it is okay). She acquired a battery powered pink mustang for her birthday this year and cruises up and down the street in front of our house every chance she gets! She is so "Hollywood", it's just adorable.

Lucy is HUGE! At 3 and 1/2 months she is already wearing a lot of 6-9 month clothes and has been rolling over ever since she was 2 months old! She actually just outgrew her cradle and is now moved in w/ big sister (who is very excited about that!). Lucy is so happy most of the time and started to grab at toys and trying to get a hold of her feet as well. She has turned into a mega drool monster and will soak anyone and anything she comes into contact w/ now! We can't imagine life w/out our little Lu anymore.

Baby Lucy!

I know this is little "behind schedule" but we would like to introduce you all to our newest miniature Hanewinkel... Lucy Alina Hanewinkel born January 20, 2010 weighed 8 lbs. 7oz. and was 20 inches long. Daddy got to assist in the delivery which was super awesome! Lucy is such a doll and is doing great at home. Joel, Jude, and Rory have done a masterful job welcoming her into the clan and Rory is proving herself to be quite the big sister! We are so thankful to God for our new little blessing and consider it such an honor that He has increased our family again. Thank you Jesus!