Top 10 on ERIC JAMES...

When I read other blogs, I find there to be top 10 lists for different things. And since tomorrow is Valentines Day I thought I would list my top 10 on ERIC...

10. Wears a tie to work everyday.
9. Loves Chicago-style deep dish pizza and Chicago-style hot dogs.
8. Makes up a story for the kids every night when he puts them to bed.
7. Does all the ironing.
6. Mowed his first yard at age 31.
5. Attends the DC Fair every year with the Utts.
4. Is the foundation of everything that transpires with the Rowell Family.
3. Coaches Jude and Anna's Soccer or Baseball teams every Fall.
2. Can talk, and talk, and talk, and talk, and talk, and talk, and talk....about what? I'm still trying to figure it out!
1. HE IS MY BEST FRIEND!

Proud Mama!

Eric and I have always been very open with Anna and Jude, teaching them to have an over-all understanding of people. How everyone my be "different" yet we are all alike in God's eyes. So, when the earthquake hit Haiti and it was all over the television, and Eric and I visited about it quiet often around the house Anna took it upon herself to ask if she could help. This is the part where I am so proud of her: She decided (with my help) that she wanted to do a fund raiser at her school. I told her she would have to present her idea to her principal and see what he says. She did this and he was on board. Over the weekend Anna and I made posters of the children in Haiti and the cost it takes to feed them rice, beans, and porridge. We also made a 1/2 sheet flier and sent home with all the kids. For five days each class participated, the kids at Denkmann school rock! Anna's goal was $200for the week. SHE RAISED: $934.34 I couldn't believe it!!! Anna wanted the winning class to receive a prize. So, we decided on an ice cream sundea party! Anna's 1st grade teacher's class won and her 2nd grade class got 2nd place! After her principal presented her with the check, she wrote Sammy Mah, President of World Relief a letter asking him to make sure the money she raised helped those children in Haiti!

Again, I am so very proud of her and her school. The youth pastor at our church, stated a few Sunday's ago that the first 9 years of a child's life are the most formative. I pray that both Anna and Jude are learning and becoming caring individuals that love all people so that when they become adults they will have this be part of their character. Yup, I'm extremely proud of them both!

Spring Cleaning in January?

I'm not sure when it occured to Eric and I but it did...
The fact that we really haven't de-cluttered our house since we moved in almost 5 years ago. WHERE DOES "STUFF" COME FROM? WOW, stuff just keeps appearing, more and more. So last weekend we cleaned and removed many things from the kids rooms, then today we hit the playroom. I cannot believe we still have potty training books, baby toys, and stuffed animals coming out our ears! I guess the really great news is I have a perfect place to donate all these items to: WORLD RELIEF. I am excited to say that these toys, books, games, and stuffed animals that will no longer be living with us will be put to good use by a little refugee boy or girl when they arrive in the US.

Martin Luther King Jr.

What a nice day....
Eric and I attended the MLK Celebration Saturday night at Augustana without the kiddies. It was wonderful, music, dance, and an overall beautiful tribute to a man that lived such a remarkable life. We had a little "grown up" time after the event with our friends Jerry & Kathy Jones (Jerry is the Director at the Martin Luther King Center here) It's so enlightening to have adult conversation, discussing Martin Luther King, Haiti, and the State of the Illinois Budget. Jerry and I both have State Grants that are being affected due to the terrible mess the state budget is in.
And today since it's the Federal Holiday, I spent the day home with the kids. We started out at the library and ended the evening Bowling. Yup... 4 year old and 7 year old bowling. It was so fun, laughing and playing just the three of us today. Eric got home just in time to take Anna to piano, while I made Turkey Meatloaf, Parmesan Potatoes and Veggies. The kids have been on a JELLO kick lately so of course we had a little Strawberry - Banana Jello w/ Bananas for Dessert.

I would be remise if I didn't request one thing: Tomorrow marks the one week Anniversary of the Haiti Eartquake. PLEASE Join our World Relief Family: "ONE 4 HAITI" go to www.worldrelief.com and PRAY tomorrow. I know I will be.

World Relief in Haiti

I have been in Baltimore all week at our World Relief Headquaters for a training. As we quickly became awhere of the situation in Haiti, I realized that World Relief had an office there with 30 staff. It has been rather interesting to follow the situation and how WR is responding. Last night at 5:30 pm our VP of Programs and Disaster Relief was leaving the office for Haiti. I got a few minutes to chat with Stephen to let him know that I would be praying for him and for him to have a safe journey. We got word that he and a few others were ablt to get into Haiti on a private airplane. Stephen wrote on Twitter that the WR office has collapsed and that 28 out of the 30 staff have been accounted for. He wrote they needed food and water. My heart has been heavy these past few days so I ask you to pray specifically for the two World Relief staff that have not been found, Stephen and the entire Disaster Relief team, and all those assisting with the efforts. It is so difficult to understand why things like this happen?

The Season.

The Rowell's had a wonderful Season of Celebrating, Eating, Traveling, and Laughing. Isn't that what one is supposed to do during the Holiday's. Here are a few photo's of what we have been upto the last few weeks. Enjoy...

Continued Christmas Celebration!

The fun is only beginning. Cutting down our Christmas Tree, A Rowell Family Christmas, Visiting the Best Santa in the World (Daddy) and having no idea it was him, and entering the School Spelling Bee with the bestest friends ever. Things have been so very busy around our house. Eric made a comment today that this seems like the longest Christmas Season ever. We've both enjoyed Celebrating at our Jobs, the traditional Augustana Smorgesbord, Making 10 dozen cookies for a Girlfriend Cookie exchange, Christmas Eve service at church and looking forward to the next week off of work to spend with the kids, Eric, and the Smith/Wood Gang. Christmas this year is really about rest, relaxing and really reflecting on the true meaning. I pray that everyone that reads this holds Christ Jesus in your heart very close during this time of year as he is the true reason we celebrate! Happy Christmas to Everyone!