Sent from my LG phone

Sent from my LG phone

Sent from my LG phone

Elijah's Field Trip

Jacob, Lexi, Holly, Erin and Elijah

"Look Mommy, I'm a horse.  Take a picture."

We were really hungry at this point, so I know I was thinking "Man that fake food looks tasty."

The kids all got to try out this loom.  I couldn't take a picture because I was helping, but it was really fun for them.

Elijah loved every minute of every demonstration.  This is his learning style for sure.

Is this not the hugest rocking chair ever?

Things I learned on the field trip:
- It takes/took longer to become a master blacksmith than it does to become a surgeon.
- Women used dead hair collected from hairbrushes to fluff up their real hair.
- In 1860, toasters, tea kettles, cast iron stoves and an ice box (as opposed to the spring house) were modern conveniences.
- A zither is a musical instrument common to German settlers
- Elijah and Holly are best friends- really and truly.  They are kind to one another, share, talk, laugh and have fun,... and that's all.
- Elijah is a great kid!

Rainy Day Goodness

It poured today, and our middle boy was made new.  Great sheets of rain let loose from the sky and fell in giant waves across the parking lot outside the window.  Micah looked outside to see the downpour and said, "I wish I could go play in the rain."  I said, "Go for it!  Have fun!"
So, off he went.  We watched him for a while, dancing around in the huge drops, all by himself.  At one point he looked like he was talking to himself and  Eric said, "He's making up a great story out there for himself."

Skip ahead to bed time tonight.  I was reading a devotional book to the boys and the we came to the prayer time after the lesson.  All of a sudden, Micah said, "I prayed outside today."
I said, "That's great!  What did you pray about?"
He announced without hesitation, "I prayed out loud to God and asked him to come into my heart."
I told him that was fantastic and that I was so happy for him.  I told him it is an important decision and that God waits and waits to be invited into our lives because he loves us, and He wants to forgive us and help us love Him other people better.
He said, "That's what I prayed too.  That he would forgive me."
I asked him how it felt.
He spread his hands across the top part of his chest and said, "It felt all warm in here, and really good.  It felt really happy and nice."  Then he smiled the hugest smile I've seen from him.

I love it that he was alone in the pouring rain when he made this decision.
I love it that he knew words to pray to express what he was feeling.
I love it that he felt free to announce his prayer in front of his brothers and me.
I love it that he waited until the time was right for him. (We've had conversion conversations several times, and each time he expressed that he wasn't ready to decide)
I love it that God orchestrated our evening so that he could share his experience with us tonight.  There was time and a peaceful space.
I love it that Jesus met Micah in the rain today.
Thank you Jesus.  Be present in our dear son's heart, soul and mind always.
Amen.

Mother's Day 2011

My wild animals

7:00am- Eric went over the the church
7:15am- All three boys sneak out to the kitchen.  I can kind of hear them, but I stayed in bed.
7:45am- Boys bring a platter into my room, marching behind it saying, "Happy Mother's Day!"
I am so blessed!
Elijah:  I made you the bagel, but I only buttered one side because I didn't know if you'd want butter or not.
Micah:  This is juice in this cup, not coffee.  I know you really like coffee, but I didn't know how to work the coffee maker, so I gave you juice instead.
Isaiah:  Mommy, sorry I kind of poured too much milk in your cereal.  I hope you like Special K.

They all sat around the bed, grinning and watching me eat, happy as could be.  Their first breakfast for Mommy all by themselves was a huge success.

Repost from Marilyn

Learning to be who we are is a bigger task than we know.

These two thoughts have become one thought in my mind. There are more ways to live on this interesting earth than any one life can envision. We can run and run to find what we might not have. But the one treasure is the one we take with us everywhere... But still must choose it. This is the choice to come to deep peace with who we are, uniquely and personally. Then it is not so important where we are. 

Rest of her post here. (May 1st)  Does everyone come to terms with the fact that they can not live all of the lives they want to live, or are only a handful of us blessed with subjected to this reality?

There are so many different lives I can imagine for myself and my family, and yet I am very content with the current day, week and month I am living- blessed and happily fulfilled.  But oh how I love new experiences, people and places.  Is this human nature and few of us are willing to share our dreams?  Or are there only some of us who imagine ourselves in other worlds?  Maybe we don't share because we feel judged.  Maybe if I share my dreams with you, I also fear that you think I'm saying that I'm unhappy with my current lot in life when that's just not true.  Dreaming doesn't necessitate discontent.  In fact, I think just the opposite is true.  If I am discontent, dreaming is difficult because I have lost hope.  

Isaiah's Birthday

The chosen birthday meal- mac n cheese with hotdogs and ketchup.  Orange Kool-aid to drink.

Big 6 years old!

Isaiah had specific requests for his birthday.  He is a man who knows what he wants and isn't afraid to ask.  On Sunday, he addressed the Thorpe family at church.  He told them that his birthday was on Friday and that he wanted to come over to their house to celebrate his birthday.  He thought they should have a party for him.

Kym graciously offered to host if Kennady's softball game got rained out, but since the weather was looking nice, we told Zay that we'd have to make other plans.  He said, "Why can't we just go to Kennady's game?"  No reason at all so that's what we did... softball game for Zay's birthday followed by hot drinks and hockey with the Thorpe clan.

For his gift requests, LEGO.  No surprise there and he is still engrossed in his building and rebuilding.

Dear Isaiah, youngest in our family,
We see you as the 6 year old boy you have now become.  You articulate your thoughts so well, and have been doing so for so long, that you've seemed 6 to us for months.  You are patient and people-loving, quick to forgive and easy to get along with in general.  To say that everyone loves you is no exaggeration.  School is a breeze for you, when you have the time that you want to do your work.  You live, breathe and work at your own pace, and although we may at times try to speed you up, it often only results in our own frustration.  No one can argue with the quality you produce with your pace though.  Everything you do is done well if you care about it.  We love you so much Zay, and we can't wait to see what being 6 will mean to you.