Rainy Day Reading

There is one lamp on this dark morning.
I am listening to one of my favorite sounds, the rain ever so gently hitting the window beside me.
I listen carefully as I read one of Paul's letters because that quiet sound cannot be heard when children are up and about, which they will be soon.
This day seems like it will be a good one for couches and books and blankets, even though Brian said it felt "beachy" outside.  Still, a rainy day invites snuggling up with a good book.  Maybe some cookie baking, too.
Here's a conversation (as best as I remember it now) with Jack from yesterday.  He was working on one of his papers, this one about Lewis and Clark.  He needed a synonym for expedition.  So, I checked the thesaurus and found "peregrination."  I am sure I wrinkled my face as I repeated the word  and said, "What's that?"
"Oh.  It has to with with wandering or traveling.  You know.  Like the peregrine falcon."
"Really?  How do you know that?"
"Mom, you learn a lot when you READ."
Alrighty then.  His vocabulary is better than mine!

Speaking of reading, here are a few books that have filled our hands lately:
  I am rereading Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson.  I love her fiction.  This one is different from the rest, a little depressing even but I like the characters.


The kids and I have a new read-aloud for the mornings.  Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm.  So far Rebecca has made us laugh and her aunts have made us shake our heads.


Jack and Kayla are into The Great Brain books by John Fitzgerald and really enjoying them.  I like to hear them talk with each other about the stories.
Kayla is also reading The Whipping Boy for school.  This one gives lots of opportunities for discussion.


Sam and Lucy love Chickens to the Rescue .  It is a cute book- they laugh through most of it- and we've read it a LOT.

Contentment

She stressed each word as she said it.
"Contentment has nothing to do with our circumstances."
This, after several weeks studying the Matriarchs in Sunday school.
And of course, I agreed.  God's call to contentment does not come with a promise of easy circumstances or even a change in them.  Take a look at Hagar (whom my heart went out to...she had it rough) or Rachel(who seemed to have a lot going for her).  In the middle of a hard day, or week, or even year, we can be content in our hearts because of who He is not because of what's going on around us.
So, I was a little surprised last week when we were having good days:  cheerful attitudes from the kids, productive days, parties, etc...  and my heart was not content.  It was grumpy at times, a little downtrodden.  And guess what?  It had nothing to do with my (pretty good) circumstances.  They do not pacify my sin.  I was reminded (after I caught on) that those "good days" that I long for are good things but they are not the recipe for a content heart.  This is:

"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.  In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  I can do all things through him who strengthens me."  Philippians 4:11-13

A Warm Day

Have you noticed the birds and the sun waking us up a little earlier these days?   Spring is just waiting to make its appearance- giving us hints here and there.
We got out and enjoyed it this afternoon after a pretty good day of school.  Why is it a nice day outside helps us so much to have a nice day inside?  Maybe it's just the anticipation of getting out in the sun and not freezing!  Whatever the reason, I'll take a warm day whenever it comes.

  "Mom- you're pretty good at baseball."

Then I missed the ball a few times.

"Well, maybe not so good, Mom."

She spent time cleaning out some of the flower beds.

Snagging the balls and eating an apple at the same time.

Throwing balls over the house for Sam to find.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

"He could be stern enough with the children when he needed to be...but by preference he was their playmate or their toy.  I have seen them crawling on him like so many pet coons, playing with his hat or his hair, going through his pockets, unfastening his buttons, looking into his ears and nose, feeling his whiskers and wrinkles."  from Wendell Berry's Hannah Coulter

When I first read that quote, I thought immediately of my dad.  That pretty much sums him up when it comes to his grandkids.  They love him.  And so do the rest of us.

Happy Birthday Dad!!

These guys call him Papa.

He loves to hold a little one...

and play around with the bigger ones.

She loves her Papa.

Filling water balloons- maybe he brings some trouble on himself??

Have a great day, Dad!

The Star Wars Party

I have to do a little more on Sammy's birthday.  I love the look on his face in this picture!  He really wanted something remote control- now he and his cousin Jonathan have something else in common!

Sam wanted to have a Star Wars party.  It was his first "friend" party.  Here's what we did:

We made rocket ships out of cups and rubberbands.  The top cup has rubber bands tied at the bottom.  When you push it down on the bottom cup and then let go, the rocket shoots up.  We used stickers with Star Wars characters for the pilot.  I found this idea at Family Fun.

The birthday cake was supposed to be Luke Skywalker's ship.  I have no idea what the name of the ship is and Jack said it didn't look too much like it but Sammy loved it.  I found the idea for this cake online, too.

The kids made lightsabers out of pool noodles and some duct tape.  

We set them loose outside and you can see what happened.  

I had hung balloons from the deck for the kids to hit (instead of each other) but the wind was so bad that the balloons got wrapped around the poles and popped.

Oh well.  I don't think the kids minded one bit.

Turning 5

The first words I heard this morning:
"Mama, am I five yet?"
"Yes!"
Saying hello to five and not looking back to 4.  He's been waiting for his birthday "forever,"  according to him.  This has been a big year for Sammy.  He learned to ride his bike without training wheels.  He started writing his name and reading the names of his family.  He tried soccer and began CC with the big kids.  He has proved himself to be a champion wrestler.  He has learned more about being a good big brother to Lucy.  He loves to read books and do copywork.
My favorite- his hugs.  He's already decided that kisses are gross but hugs are ok.  I still kiss his cheeks even though he wipes them away and laughs.
His belly laugh is contagious.
I can't wait to see what this next year brings for Sam.  If it's anything like this last one, there won't be many dull moments.
Happy Birthday Sammy!  We love you!

This and That

I've got lots spinning around in my head tonight.
My heart aches a little that Sammy will turn 5 tomorrow.  Saying good-bye to 4 is bittersweet.
I think he's going to have a fun birthday party, though.  It's his first one to invite friends to.  Pictures tomorrow!
Crazy weather this week.  Eight inches of snow on Sunday and close to 70 degrees today.  Not complaining!
Here are a few shots from the week.

 I could eat her up.

Sometimes I don't know what I would do without my Kayla.  She's a sweet big sister.

 I don't ever see a little girl in sunglasses without thinking of my cousin Crystal.  There's one picture of her around three when she was wearing sunglasses and looking so cute.  I think she still wears fun ones.

One more of my basketball star in action.

100%

Sammy and I sat on the bleachers, watching the last basketball game of Jack's first season playing.
Jack's coach encouraged him, always with smiles,  often and loudly, to be ready.
"Hands up, Jack!"
"Turn and shoot!"
And then.
Let's just say I was one proud mama.
MY boy scored in last night's basketball game.
The ONLY score.
Now I won't mention the final score of the whole game because it wasn't pretty but as Jack's coach said, he scored 100% of the points for the team.

 Just a little happy.

 These two are brothers (and the coach's sons) and all together, the three of them are great buddies.  I have been so thankful for this family ever since we came to Grace Covenant.

Coach took everyone out for ice cream after the game.

If you haven't been close to a table full of 8-10 year old boys, let me tell you- it's an experience.

Even little brothers get in on the action.

When we got in the car, Sam said, "That was awesome Jack.  I think you're the best player ever."

To me, that was the icing on the cake.

A Little More on the Snow

We stirred in the sugar, vanilla, and milk.  The snow in our plastic bowl began to look a little more like ice cream.  The smell of vanilla always reminds me of snowy days when I was little.  Doesn't it seem strange to come in from playing in the snow, with red runny noses and pink cheeks, just to eat something cold?  I prefer something warm, myself.  And so do the kids, really, but they couldn't pass up the opportunity for snow cream.  Who knows when it will snow again?  Better get it all in while we can.

Don't think they forgot about hot chocolate for a minute- and don't they look so cute?

First Snow!

The snow started this morning during church.  Finally! Big, fluffy flakes.
It was so pretty to watch.
When we got home, it was straight outside.
Later, hot chocolate- finally a real reason to drink it!!
The kids settled in to warm up and I found a good spot in the rocking chair beside a window.  I love to see it snow.  It slowed down for a bit but now it's coming down fast and hard.
Lucy found a good spot, too, in my lap with some books and a little conversation.  Why is it so much easier to slow everything down when it  snows?
Here's a few shots of our first  snow of 2012.

Teaching Lucy about snowball fights.

Falling...

Snowy Forecast

(last year's picture)

Didn't I just say I would like a good snow?  Just one?

Well.......I   think      it      is      COMING!!!

Just a little excited.  I love listening to the updates and reading the latest forecasts.  Right now we're in the 4-8 inches range.  

Can't wait for those first few snowflakes.  

p.s.  I made some changes to my comment settings- think it will be a little easier to leave a comment so give it a try if you want.

Beach and Books

"Mama, I want to go the beach!  I want to go to the beach, Mommy!"
Wouldn't I like to make that one happen for Lucy!
I don't know what got her started on that but I heard it more than once this evening.
It does sound pretty good to me at this point in the winter, even if it hasn't been that cold.  Still pulling for a good snow... at least one!

Lately Sammy and Lucy really like to read books in our bed instead of on the couch after they get their jammies on.  It's pretty nice.  We all get settled under the covers with plenty of pillows behind us.  One of the things I love about evening storytimes is how the older kids wander in and listen to picture books.  Sure it's good for them to listen to good stories but I think they just like the togetherness of it all.  So do I.
Here are a few we've read several times lately (I hadn't planned on including all yellow books!):

 

We all love Norman.  Great pictures and a strong storyline from Don Freeman, who wrote Corduroy.

I love the imagination of the little boy in this book.  One of Sammy's favorites.

I assumed this was an older book because of the wonderful, simple illustrations but it's actually fairly recent.

A sweet story of friendship.

An Afternoon Outside

Can you find Sammy in there?
We played hide and seek this afternoon and he hid in this tree just about every time.  Every time!  And he would laugh and laugh when I looked somewhere else.
There was also ninja training in the backyard.  Who knew?  All this time I thought they were just running around and swinging swords at each other.
As much as I'd love a good snow, the weather this winter has kept some of the winter blahs away.
Who can complain when the kids can be outside so much and not come in with rosey cheeks and numb fingers?
I keep remembering one evening in particular last spring when the windows were open and a warm breeze blew in the sounds of the spring peepers.  I cannot wait to hear that again!

Happy Valentine's!

Valentine pretzel treats:  check.  (thanks to Granny and Grandpa)
Chocolate:  check.
Flowers:  check.
Valentine cards:  check.
We've got plenty of red and pink around the house today.
There are more than enough sweets.
And oddly enough, we are getting plenty of school done in the midst of it!
I'd say it's a pretty good Valentine's Day.
Hope you enjoy yours!

Back into the Routine

Just finished two episodes from season 1 of Downton Abbey.  Love it.  I have a friend who bought seasons 1 and 2.  By the end of each episode we are sitting there with our jaws dropped.  Can't wait for the next one.
We are getting back into the swing of things at home.  Partly, at least.  Dentist appointments this morning that turned out just fine.  Jack lost a tooth while the hygienist was flossing his teeth.  Then another one after dinner.  I think he's hoping for big money tonight!
Once we had cleaned up the dishes, Sammy sat next to me on the couch.
Jack needed to give the tooth fairy some instructions.
I loved how he looked at Sam first, then me and winked, before he told us how he wanted his teeth to be left in the box next to his pillow.  I think he likes being in on something.  I also notice more and more in him a sensitivity to the younger ones.  That is answered prayer and a sweet thing to see in my eldest.

Debrief

We are home from assessment and glad to be!
Our kids did great with mom and dad all week.  Maybe I should say mom and dad did great with the kids!  They deserve a shout out- thanks guys!!
We spent a lot of time in "debrief" sessions during the week.
For most of the things we did, there was a debrief session afterward.
I feel like a need a good long debrief from it all now that we are home.  That will probably take a while.
But what I know for sure is:
*my nerves have had a chance to settle down!
*we learned a lot about ourselves and each other
*I really like my husband- even more than before!!
*we learned a lot about the church planting process
*we met a lot of neat people that I hope we can keep up with
*the week was good time away for the two of us
*God was faithful and showed us His kindness over and over again.

Fear and Trembling

Assessment Center.
Church planting.
These words struck fear in me when we were in seminary.  I was thankful that we didn't have to go to the center (it is what it says- a place to be assessed personally in every way), thankful that other people wanted to be church planters.  I was in awe of them to a certain extent.
Haha.
Where are we?  The Assessment Center.
What might we do soon?  Church plant.
I cannot remember a time in my life when I have felt so much fear and trembling:
more nervous lightening bolts shoot through my body and my heart pounding so often over a couple of days.  I don't think my poor nerves can take much more!  :)
I have felt nervous, uncertain, fearful, unsure.
And I can honestly say that God's loving kindness to me has been so evident through it all.
No need to be afraid.
Is there ever?
He's using these few days and these people here as true instruments of His grace to us.
We have been encouraged, challenged, and drawn out of our comfort zones.
We have heard stories of His grace.
We have met some dear people, all of us different, all of us seeking His will.
We have learned a lot about ourselves and each other.
We are not done and I can pretty much count on my nerves being shot again, at least one more time.
Ugh.  :)
But... that's OK.
He is good.  He is faithful.  And He writes the story.

 Hi...lar...i..ous.

Just for comic relief.

Pigtails

She wanted pigtails today!  For 15 minutes then she took them out.  But that was long enough to get a picture.  So cute.

The Light of Men

In ipso vita erat et vita erat lux hominum.

"In Him was life and his life was the light of men."

John 1:4

That is our Latin memory work for this week.

Something about the way it translates from the Latin gets to me.

His life.

Nothing else needed.  Nothing added.  

Just his life.

The light of men.

Pets and Books

Jack and Kayla are outside, digging pet graves before the rain sets in this afternoon.
They each buried a hermit crab over the summer.  Their friend from next door buried her hermit crab along side of ours in the fall.
Today, they're adding fish and one more crab.  No one seems too sad anymore, just eager to get the job done.
My head is spinning a little with everyone's questions and needs.  Nothing bad.  Just could use a little  quiet, and that seems hard to come by today.
I do have a couple of books I'd like to get to.  Maybe I'll do that for a while.
I started All Quiet on the Western Front last night.  The cover says it's "the greatest war novel of all time."  We're getting close to World War I in history so I thought I'd educate myself.  It's not my normal read!
The other is Elyse Fitzpatrick's Idols of the Heart.  Sooo good.
Last thing- we finished Railway Children this morning.  I cried at the end.  A happy cry.  Such a great story.