Not Michael Johns!!!!

For those of you keeping up with this season's American Idol were you as shocked as we were at last night's elimination? Our entire family was so upset as Michael Johns was our favorite! I really thought it would come down to either him or David Cook as the winner. I almost cried this morning when I had a chance to actually watch it and see his reaction. I think everyone was shocked and did not agree. I thought it would be Carly this week. I must admit that this is our first time to keep up with American Idol or any reality TV show for that matter. But it has been a fun family thing. We all look forward to it each week. Oh well, who will be next?!?

Read Harry Potter.... Who ME?

A while back I saw somewhere that over 40% of Americans didn't read an entire book cover to cover last year. I couldn't believe it! But, when thinking back (especially to last year, being pregnant and all) I'm not sure that I read a book COVER TO COVER. I always have books that I am reading, usually motivational, spiritual, or self-help types of books, and I read a chapter here and there. And I probably read dozens of children's books with Samuel, but does that count? Anyway, I decided to do much better this year. I started out with "90 Minutes in Heaven" which I enjoyed. This past weekend I spent some time with my sister who teaches third grade and is an avid reader. She and her husband read all the time! She mentioned that she has been reading the Harry Potter books to her class this year and she loves them herself. So we were browsing through books at B&N (which I could spend hours doing) and I came across the Harry Potter series and decided to buy the first book of the series, thinking if nothing else Joseph could read it with Samuel over the summer. I started reading it and haven't been able to put it down! I surprised myself! But if you look at all of the awards the book was given it isn't surprising at all I guess. Anyway, you might be surprised too!

Spring & Baseball

Well, Spring is here and so is baseball! John Michael is learning all about the ballfield and loving watching his big brother, or anyone for that matter, play ball. Samuel is having a great time on the Red Wings. He looks forward to his games each week and informed me this morning that he was supposed to be there today at 4:30 (for a 5:30 game) but he wanted to get there at 4:15 so he could get in some extra batting practice. Okay!! As if it isn't hard enough to be there on time, let alone 15 minutes earlier! I should be proud of his dedication and should support his efforts, right? And what's 15 MORE minutes spent at the ballfield this week! It's not like I have anything to do at home (like laundry)! I will post some pics one of these days when I can actually remember to take the camera to the ballfield!

Here comes Peter Cottontail...

Easter has always been one of my favorite times of year but especially now that I have kids. We had a great time this year. Samuel, of course, loves all of the traditions and it was fun celebrating John Michael's first. We try to incorporate the real reason for celebrating Easter too. On our way to church this morning, we started talking to Samuel about how it is so much more than hiding eggs and looking forward to the Easter bunny. He proceeded to tell us the whole story of Jesus and the cross and being raised from the dead three days later. I was pretty impressed and proud that we have such a great kids program at church. Even though we talk about these things at home, I can always tell that the details come from somewhere else.

We had fun dying eggs last night and hiding them this afternoon. We had a big hunt last weekend at my parents with all the cousins and the boys had a blast. Now, time for a nap!

John Michael on Top Samuel on Bottom

For those of you wandering still about the baby pictures below, John Michael is on the top and Samuel is on the bottom. They look so much alike!