Easter Is Coming!

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Easter greets us early this year. If you haven’t already looked at your calendar, Easter falls on March 27th!

What I love most about our partnership with Zondervan Publishing is that we’ve been introduced to so many wonderful books, especially themed books around the holidays. They’ve been such helpful resources to us….as we’ve introduced such special Holidays to our toddlers. We’ve truly loved reading these books to our little ones, while adding to their library collection…….and at the same time, getting the opportunity to share these book titles with you!
IMG_6455I was really excited to receive the Angels in the Bible Storybook. We talk about Heaven often…..and how angels are all around us. The cover of this book is absolutely beautiful. Since Ezra isn’t reading yet…..this has just been a great book for me to read to him in the mornings. And for all you homeschool moms…..I think this would be a GREAT resource as you study the stories of Angels in the Bible.
IMG_6448Oh Berenstain Bears…..you are always welcomed and loved in our home. This book was a sweet one. Ezra loved the illustrations and I appreciated the way it touched on Easter eggs hunts and candy, but was intentional about those things not being the focus of Easter.
IMG_6470IMG_6431Curating a book collection for Ezra has been something that I’ve truly enjoyed this year. I recently purchased this magazine rack from PB Kids to neatly display his books. A friend of mine, who has encouraged me to point Ezra to reading/books since the day he was born…..also made it a point to tell me how important it was for kids to see the cover of books. The spines of books aren’t as interesting for our little ones……so this is how I’ve displayed books and I often swap them out with other books we already own- just to keep it fresh!

Also….instead of buying toys as birthday presents…..I’ve let Ezra pick a book out for his little buddies most recent birthdays. We’re all about books these days.
IMG_6426IMG_6422What are a few of your favorite childrens books? How do you display books for your little ones? And how will you be celebrating Easter this year?

Ezras 1st Ski Lesson

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I can’t believe the time has come…..my baby is a BUCKEROO, enrolled in Ski School and just had his very first lesson at Whitefish Mountain Resort “Big Mountain” [as it was called when Reed was growing up].

Reed has been talking about this for years. I remember him dreaming about moving back to Montana, while we were still in Nashville….he so badly wanted to raise his family outdoors and enjoying activities such as skiing, together.

Last week was Ezra’s first ski lesson. And the cherry on top is that he got paired with Miss Dixie as his instructor! We were thrilled! He adores her….and so do I. She has such a sweet & happy spirit, she moved here to be an instructor on the mountain…and she just loves life! We have had the opportunity to get to know her at our shop this past year….so to have already known his teacher made this new class/routine a really smooth transition. There were no tears…..just a “bye mom” as he headed on up the magic carpet!

EZRA LOVES TO EAT SNOW. I’ll even catch him swipe a hood of a car on the way into the grocery store and lick his fingers!!! Gross and hilarious at the same time. On the mountain….its no different. Just more snow! Whenever it was his turn to sit and wait, before skiing further down the mountain….I caught him [many times] roll over on his belly and eat snow.

The kids area up on the mountain is fantastic. Theres a place to store all backpacks and gear in the kids room. After the class….Ezra enjoyed some winding down time and colored for a bit. It’s really nice to have a kid friendly environment where everyone can just hang feel comfortable. Un-rushed and not feeling like you’re in the way of the crowd.

Reed met us up there after work. Ski Class + Hot Chocolate will definitely be the start of a new tradition this year….so happy!

What a blessing it is to live here in Whitefish, Montana and for Ezra to have the opportunity to learn to ski at such a young age [3 1/2]. Each and every season has been so much fun….whether its summer lake days, evening campfires in the Fall and skiing on the mountain, which is just 10 minutes from our house…….I don’t take any of this for granted.

Heres our day in photos……

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Background check legal requirements

Background checks are designed to make sure that the person you’re hiring is legally eligible for the job.

This is usually done by having the person’s:

name

state

date of birth

misdemeanor criminal history, if it is required

a photo

A criminal record will give you a fair idea if someone has a history of crimes. You may be able to get a copy of a person’s criminal record from a local law enforcement agency or a court, and that’s why the best background check services are essential in this area.

What is my legal obligation to provide the information?

The only legal obligation you have to provide the requested information is to help the person locate the right person to help them with the request. If you don’t believe someone is entitled to the information or has not asked you for it, you can refuse to answer their question and not help them.

What can happen if I refuse to give the information?

If the person’s request is for information that you do not have, you must give it to them. In such cases, you must include your reason for refusing the request in the information you give them. You may, however, refuse to provide the information without the request, and then your refusal must be acknowledged. What can I do if I refuse to give the information? You may decide not to respond to a request for information, or you can ask the person not to use the information in their request. If you don’t give the information or if you refuse to cooperate with the request, the person can file a lawsuit in a federal court for a violation of their privacy rights.

How do I file a complaint? If you believe that your privacy rights have been violated by a government agency, you may file a complaint in a federal court. To do so, you must file a “privacy complaint” with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the federal agency responsible for regulating the privacy practices of the federal government. This agency also has a toll-free number you may call to file a complaint.

If you think your rights have been violated, you may also contact a lawyer. If you decide to go to court, the judge or jury must decide whether or not there has been a violation of your privacy rights. The judge or jury may rule that the federal government violated your privacy rights, and the government is then required to pay the plaintiff money.

However, if you don’t think there has been a violation, you may challenge the government’s actions. If you win your challenge, the judge or jury will award you damages. If the judge or jury doesn’t rule in your favor, you have a chance to appeal.

To file a lawsuit to challenge the government’s actions, you need to file your federal complaint with the court, and you may have to pay your attorney’s fees if you win. However, many courts will give you a chance to appeal, even if you lose.

Our Christmas 2015

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First all, can we talk about this adorable photo? A year tradition that I love so much!
2012 | 2013 | 2014

This year was by far the most exciting with Ezra. Christmas as 3 year old…..oh the WONDER!

It amazes me how quickly my parents come to mind as I am walking out certain seasons with Ezra. As my own excitement was building as I began to wrap presents and prepare the mantle for “Santas visit”…..I couldn’t help but think that my own parents felt these same feelings, towards me. How sweet is that? As we get older, our relationships change with and towards our parents and we tend to think of the most recent relationship & love we have with them…..but children throw it all back for us. This Christmas….I thought a lot about how my parents might have felt leading up to Christmas with my sisters and I being toddlers.

This Christmas was busy. I was intentional about not filling up my schedule and running around with my head cut off. I wanted to be available and most importantly, be present. I wanted to experience Ezra’s joy and wonder of the Season. And I’m so glad I did. No regrets there.

I lead worship for Fresh Life Christmas, which is always an honor and so much fun. Reeds family [mom, sister, and two brother-in-laws] joined us, which was SO awesome.

Our traditions include Church on Christmas Eve- then we head over to Reeds parents house for dinner, presents and games. Its ends up being a late night, but its a time where we are all together. Talking, laughing and catching up.

Christmas Day is spent at our own house. This time with the three of us is really special and important. I don’t want to rush the morning, by making plans to be somewhere……so we just get up when we get up and the day starts off in the kitchen. We did the whole SANTA thing, but its not the focus of Christmas for us…..so presents didn’t take center stage this year……who knows about next year, but it was awesome to enjoy some family time that morning.

Later that day, Reeds family came over and we made a real Christmas dinner……the turkey, potatoes, my moms salad that she would always make….and I brought out her silver setting. Just a few ways that I was able to bring her life and legacy into our 1st Christmas without her here.

Im so thankful for family…..and humbled that I get to be a mom to my sweet boy. He definitely made Christmas special this year.

Heres our Christmas in photos!

[Christmas Eve]

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[Christmas Day at our house]

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Christmas Cookies

We’ve been all about baking and decorating Christmas cookies this year. Gosh, its honestly been years since Ive done things like this……I love how our babies bring back the joy and wonder of the Christmas season. This Christmas has been so much fun with Ezra. He’s all about the lights, snow, Polar Express, wrapping presents and of course……COOKIES!

I won’t tell you how many cookie + movie nights we’ve had……but I’ll tell you this…..we’re racking up hours [and calories].

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