Are you kidding me??????

My sister Katie just posted on her blog about some amazing deals she just got including a cute summer dress.  The funny thing is that I was planning on posting about the exact same thing today.  Great minds think alike! 

So we had two weddings this weekend.  One Friday night and one Saturday night.  I have lots of dresses and was thinking I would be have no problem picking out two of them for the weddings.  On Thursday I had some time to myself and needed to go to the mall for something, so I thought I would just look at dresses to see if there were any great deals, knowing that I really didn't need one.  I didn't see a whole lot and was getting to the end of my time, but decided to try Herbergers just in case. 

I immediately spotted a dress I really liked, but it was a size smaller than I normally wear, but thought I'll try it on just in case.  I tried it on and loved it!!!!  And it fit perfectly!!!!!  YEAH!!!!!!!! 

One big problem there was no tag on it and no tag on the other one hanging on the rack!  It was on the clearance rack though so I thought it surely can't be over $50.00.  Which by the way, I still wasn't willing to pay. 

Anyways, I took it to the girls at the counter and asked if they could help me figure out how much the dress was.  They put in quite a few numbers and proclaimed, "It's ringing up as four ninety-nine." 

Confused I said, "As in $499.00".  She said, "No, $4.99."  To which I almost shouted, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?"  Surely this dress had to be originally over $100.00.  I don't know how in the world they could sell it for $5. 

I told her to make sure that was the price because I felt a little bad getting such a nice brand-new dress for $5.  She checked some more and said, "That's what it is ringing up at so that's what you will get it for." 

Whether I needed it or not, $5.00 for a new cocktail dress could not be passed up.  To say that my day was just made was an understatement!  SO without further ado- my $5.00 party dress:

And it has pockets- so fun!!!!  



Our favorite family activity

Andy is back from a 12 day trip to Israel.  He had a great time and we will post pics and more details soon.  Until then, I can try to keep up with the rest of the summer.  He was at home yesterday and today so we of course took the opportunity to go fishing- our favorite family activity!!!!  We went to Lake Sally and fished from the shore.  We enjoyed a picnic supper and got some little fish which keeps the kids plenty entertained.

 Kaelynn caught the biggest fish of the day!  A good sized bass!

Kaelynn's attention span with fishing is okay, but she enjoyed walking on the rocks and looking at the waterfall more.  She wanted to do a photo shoot so here's one of the pics from that. 
We are looking forward to many more of these outings over the next few months! 

Better late than never....

Yes, I'm a month behind.  Here is an update of what happened in May......

Connor and Carson had a music program at school.  They performed dances and many songs.  They played instruments and did a great job!  We were very proud of them.  Look for a video at the end of the post.....



Andy and his dad got out for MN fishing opener.  They did pretty well and we enjoyed some delicious walleye that week!




We got a fire pit for the backyard and have a enjoyed a couple of evenings of smores and are looking forward to many more once Andy returns home.

  Kaelynn graduated from pre-school and is officially a kindergartner.  They had a small program where they performed songs they had learned this spring and the Lord's Prayer.  They had a ice cream party afterwards.  I can't believe she will be in school full-time in three months.  It is really hard for me! 





One of Kaelynn's teachers- Miss Randa




The proud parents!




Great friends- Grover and Zoe!



Andy sacrificed his dry clothes to bar-b-que for my mom's birthday.  The weekend was pretty rainy, but we were determined to make hawaiian chicken sandwiches anyways. 

My mom with most of her grandchildren! Happy Birthday Grandma!



I even got a little baking done in the midst of the craziness of the month.  I made this strawberry shortcake with almond glaze and was told by one of the members in our small group that it was the best dessert we had ever had at small group.  I had to agree with him.  It was pretty stinkin' good! 

As of this week we finished school and Andy is currently in Israel.  We have VBS this week and I am really looking forward to leading the worship for that.  I love it!!!  Andy is having a great time in Israel and returns on Saturday afternoon.  After next Sunday, the pace of life should really slow down which I am going to be so thankful for.  We have been on warp speed since February and I am really looking forward to a slow, relaxed summer.  I won't even put hopes up that I will post more this summer.  I'll post when I can.....    

Catch up.....

The blog and I do not have a positive relationship right now.  Sorry!!!  We have had full weeks the past month or so with lots happening.  I have also started working full-time and am feeling like the blog needs to take a back seat to laundry and cleaning for the time being.  I'm gonna do my best to update the past month here.  Hold on for the ride: 

The event that has dominated our time the last two months was the Easter musical at church, My Brother's Keeper.  We performed it April 15-17 and it was so much fun.  I never thought I would ever be in a leading role, I was perfectly happy in the chorus, but I had such a blast.  I continue to be so humbled that God would use me in this way.  What a blessing!!!!!  Close to 3,000 people heard the message of Jesus' sacrifice for them that weekend.  We believe lives were changed and we are so grateful to be a part of it.  Here are a few pics from the musical.  Hopefully we can send some of you a DVD when it is finished. 

 Easter Sunday pics....

 The boys finished their second book in Sparks and earned the second year award on Wednesday.  Next year they will be working toward the Sparks plaque that hasn't changed since I was in Sparks.  We are very proud of them and pray that the verses they are learning will be forever in their hearts.   

 We finished this month with a spring dance recital for Kaelynn.  They got to wear the same outfit they wore for the winter recital- which was a nice gift.  Kaelynn did a beautiful job! 

Hopefully it won't take me another month to get update this, but don't hold me to that.  We have 4 1/2 weeks of school left, and then a much needed break from everything.  June 11th is the magical date- school will be done, Andy will be back from Israel, Vacation Bible School will be done, and we will be officially on summer break.  Hopefully I will do a much better job then :)  I hope everyone reading is doing well. 

Blessings

I would say music is absolutely one of the most important ways I feel closest to God.  Music stirs in my heart such a desire to know God more and to give Him everything that I am.  The following song has been an incredible encouragement to me in the past day or so.  I love the words of the last chorus that say:

What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise?

Happy 5th Birthday Kaelynn!

Five years ago today at 2:00am our sweet little girl, Kaelynn Grace Kvernen, was born. 



1 year old

2 years old

3 years old

4 years old

Today at 5 years old!

One of her presents from Andy and I was her very own Bible.  She's been asking for one for a while so we thought her 5th birthday would be perfect.  She loved it!

Last Friday evening we had a party with some of our family here.  Grandma from Mpls. and Karrie and Justin and family were here.  As well as Grandpa and Great Grandma Ruth.  We had stuffed shells- Kaelynn's favorite meal, strawberries, spinach salad, and garlic bread.  She chose a Hello Kitty cake with vanilla ice cream. 

The girls table with Emma and Ava.

Kaelynn loves clothes and she got some very cute ones.  She got this cupcake nightgown from Grandma in Mpls.

Look what she got from Auntie Katie, Uncle Rusty, and Declan.  She loved the princesses, but wasn't sure about how they felt on her nails.  Fun for in the house though!

Today she was supposed to celebrate at pre-school with cupcakes, but we are having a snow day from a GREAT winter storm last night.  UUGGHHH!!!!  Oh well.  She'll celebrate tomorrow.  She opened presents this morning and we have church activities tonight so she will celebrate with her friends at Cubbies. 

On Friday evening she is having a friends party.  The theme is Dora the Explorer and we have lots of fun Dora activities planned.  It should be fun! 

Happy Birthday sweet pea!  We love you so much!

Update!!!!!

Goodness!  It's been almost 2 1/2 months since I've updated.  I'm sorry, but it's just been difficult to give it the time right now.  Life is on warp speed for us right now and it shows no sign of slowing down until school is out.  I have taken maybe two or three pictures in the last 2+ months, and those were nothing special. 

So what has kept us so busy? Well I directed a children's musical in February.  It was a ton of fun and it went well.  A few missed lines here and there, but the dancing and singing were awesome!!!  What a blessing to have that opportunity. 

We are in the midst of  preparing for our church's Easter production which is an original Broadway-style musical written by Andy and his team.  I have a speaking/singing part this year which adds on several extra rehearsals, but has been a learning experience and another great opportunity. 

I am working 3-4 days a week and am going to be taking a long-term paraprofessional position at Connor and Carson's school starting mid- April through the end of the school year.  I am excited about the position and am looking forward to being able to work with these students. 

All of this on top of small group, kids choir, adult choir, AWANA, and worship team make for full weeks. 

Oh yeah, and we have the most AWESOME kids in the world.  We could not do all of this stuff if they were not so self-sufficient and self-entertained.  They have been amazing during all of these rehearsals and meetings.  They don't complain and find things to do (for the most part). 

We had conferences for the boys this week and both of their teachers talked about how great they are.  They are both excelling in school and are leaders in their classrooms.  They both talked about how they make wise decisions and are model students!  We know that this is truly a testament to what God has and is doing in their lives.  We are so proud of them and I just had to give a little shout out to them........

Kaelynn turns 5 next week and I promise to get up some pics of her parties!  Until then.........