Farmer Brown Day

It was such a fun morning! Ek was an adorable farmer, I'm not sure how practical her pink suede boots would have been for working, but they were perfect for a beautiful fall day like today! She said her favorite game was musical chairs, but she also seemed to enjoy her apple slices along side her hot chocolate on the hayride, I know I did! I am so thankful for her sweet school and her sweet friends.

New Day, here we go

Exodus 15:2 The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.

Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.

Psalm 118:14 The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

Isaiah 12:1 You will say in that day: “I will give thanks to you, O Lord, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me. 2 “Behold, God is my salvation;I will trust, and will not be afraid;for the Lord God is my strength and my song,and he has become my salvation.”
3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. 4 And you will say in that day:
“Give thanks to the Lord,call upon his name,make known his deeds among the peoples,proclaim that his name is exalted.
5 “Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously;let this be made known in all the earth.6 Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion,for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”

It's Thursday night, I'm tired

Where does fatigue come from? I mean, I am so tired I can hardly move. long pause. and a sigh. I sleep, I eat, I exercise, I should have the strength to keep going. Most of my days are quite similar. But this week, I have been wiped out. After putting the kids to bed, I can hardly stand up. My patience is thin. Its not good. I think it may have something to do with my sick babies. L has really been sick the last 2 days. Croup. urg. I guess it is the constancy of motherhood combined with the majority of our time being home the last couple of weeks. More playing and time together is awesome. More messes, not so much. So I'm off to clean my messes from today, I hear mess being worked on now by my wonderful husband. Farmer Brown day tomorrow, cannot wait, QT with my biggest, yet little, and she'll be an adorable farmer. Wonderful Grandma is coming for the little 2. And wait, I'm not done, Mopsey and Pops are coming tomorrow too. Is that light I see? Why yes, it is.

Fall in the air

We had such a nice time at the Fall Festival at H's school.

H had a hard time this morning too deciding what to wear, he changed 3 times.

I had fun putting a ballerina outfit on L, the same one Ek wore 2 years ago today, and I think she was quite fond of it too. It wasn't H usual day to go to school, so we took him just in time for the party. During the ride he wanted to make sure of my plans, 'So are you going to stay with me Mommy?' 'yes, H.' 'Are you going to go to my party?' 'Yes, H.' 'Are you going to leave me?' 'No, buddy, I'm going to stay right with you.' 'When are you going to leave?' 'When you do buddy.' He asked me in at least 10 different ways. For the first 30 minutes he had his shy face on and didn't let go of my hand. He even played several games while holding my hand. Then we went over to the playground side and just played and played. I love to watch them play. He played with one little girl for a while who I do hear her name a good bit, she is so cute! And of course he played with the usual buddies. L had a great time too, she is a great player. Great day.

H and school

H made me giggle on the way to school this morning. He asked if he was going to school, he had not been in a week due to his illness. He then said to my response of yes, 'noooo, I still have a cough (cough, cough) I need to stay home with you.' This may be his first attempt to get out of school with illness. He does still have a bad cough, but I do not think he is contagious and he is plenty playful. His teacher said he had a great day and I'm so glad.

His response does make me examine my own heart though, making sure I am not sitting on the sideline due to a previous illness or injury, looking for an excuse to bail out. Huh. They are quite the mirrors. Help me Lord to live my life with boldness and zeal, having confidence in your good plans.

Tomorrow is the fall festival at school. These are pictures from that day when Ek was there 2 years ago. I can't wait to see H and L there tomorrow with that day 2 years ago continuing to bring such sweet memories. H is having a hard time deciding what to be, we have spiderman, a race car driver and, of course, football. He told his teacher he is going to be a St. Bernard. What? Does he remember this hat from 2 years ago? Of course not, but where did he get St. Bernard from?

Nice day

We had a nice ordinary day today. H was off school for fall break, understandable that a 3 year old would need a break from the rigors of preschool. Ek had school, she already had her break. I worked pretty hard today getting the house clean for a Tupperware party at my house tonight. H was very patient with my cleaning although he badly wanted to go outside. I tell him all the time though to help me and I can play more, to not make more messes so I can play more, maybe one day it will sink in. We did get to meet Susanne and boys at the park to play and visit. The boys all had a great time, L did too, she is quite the content player, she just piddles around and smiles. We rode bikes after school while L was sleeping, why the nap after school?- because H was playing in her room at nap time and not letting her sleep. H and L went with J to Cracker Barrel for dinner, I haven't gotten the details of that trip yet, and Ek stayed home with me for a 'girl's night.' She had great fun. She loves to be big, help me, have conversations, just be around. It makes me so happy to, I love being with her. Off to sleep to get ready for another day. No cleaning tomorrow though, its all done and now I can play, Hooray!

Per J

Last weekend, J took H to the office with him. As they were leaving J was encouraging H and said "Big Bad H." H was not impressed, "I not bad H, I'm good." I tell H every night as I leave his room, "You're a good boy, H."-- even if I'm not feeling it ;), I'm glad its sinking in. J has retold the story several times and H just grins and grins.

Just a little bee sting

I won't be using that expression anymore. We went to the park today for a Fall Family Fun Day with our church. Our Pastor has a huge heart for building relationships, we are so thankful for that. So at the park the kids played, they rented a big blow up slide and grilled burgers and dogs. I really want things to be "worth it" and want to encourage one another in truth when we gather, so, I felt the Lord laying a gospel presentation on my heart that I prayed over and was ready to present to the kids today. We were going to play, eat lunch, gospel presentation, play a few related games, play some more, go home. L got stung by a bee on both hands and H did too. sigh. It was so bad. We were hanging around the slide, L had been held the whole time, so I was letting her toddle around, 1 minute later, she starts to scream, I lean down to pick her up to see a yellow jacket in her hand. It was so sad, she cried and cried and cried. She wasn't really all that calm when a friend is bringing crying H to me. He also was stung on his hand. He cried for at least 30 minutes straight. J finally got him distracted by a soccer game and L finally fell asleep. This was before lunch, see above schedule. I just wanted to go home, I was so flustered and I just wanted the security of my bee free home. Thankfully my husband is a bit more stable. H perked up and wanted a sprite and a cookie. A friend held L while we ate. I did the gospel presentation, it went ok, not great, I was still flustered. But I did it because God is worthy, His Truth is worth speaking of again and again in all kinds of ways. 5 children who were just playing at the park came over to hear after we asked. And I am just confident that God's word does not return void but goes forth to accomplish its work, and that work may have just been in me and J, and that is worth it. H and L are fine, H got back on the slide, L didn't like us looking at it this evening but both were in a great mood... after their 3-4 hour nap... which just so happened to be while the game was on.

One funny moment amongst the stings, I was holding crying H sitting in the back of the car with the back open to the park, it was comfortable and away from the crowd, yet I could see what was going on. J was walking around with L, she gets upset when others are upset, and I look back at Ek, she is kneeling in H's car seat, eyes peering over the top. "What are you doing?" "Hiding from the bees." tee-hee-hee

Ek Reading

This is a sweet little video of Ek reading. These were 2 of her homework sentences this week. I love this because you can see her working through it for the first time and her sweet determination. Other notables, J was sitting right there when L screams, that's why I didn't budge (I hope) and I love how H finishes the sentence for Ek and she doesn't even notice. Oh and I love her posed smile at the end!




PS This was the other night when she was so nostalgic about her fried egg. :) (See "whew" below)

Wish List

On our way to Moe's tonight (one day late, not kids night, but we needed to get out of the house) I asked H what he wanted for Christmas, more for entertainment than ideas. "A big tractor." "OH, a big tractor.""No a little tractor, no a tiny little tractor that L could play with, no that me and L could play with, no that L, Ek and me could play with." awww Simultaneously from the other side of the backseat, "Ya know what I want mommy, (little background info would be helpful, last week I bought a Nemo underwater camera for next summer to take to the Lake, etc for Ek to take pictures while swimming, etc, I saw it and knew next summer I would have wanted it, so I bought it, and she saw it), a Nemo camera for me, H and L so no one would have to share, that'd be awesome." I am not kidding, those words came out of their mouths at the same time. HA! So no help to the Christmas list, but it did provide a moment of comedy in my seat!

Speaking of wish lists, the Lord has provided my wish list for my dining room. J and I agree with each other before the Lord each year a few projects around the house. This year I wanted to work on the dining room. The Lord has given through the following, Mom and Dad gave me chairs years ago that were my grandmother's mothers, a table that was my Dad's parents, and a buffet that they bought early in marriage, Wow!, my neighbor Helen gave me a piano (who does that?) before she moved to Washington state, my new neighbor in Helen's home Tara gave me a light fixture because mine did not match at all, my aunt Holly came and helped me with sewing and recovering the chairs, Emma Jean gave me 2 plants and Grady came today to hang the light fixture. That is amazing. I am just so thankful and so pleased with my beautiful room. We should eat in there sometime! HA. No really, we should. I do love to sit in there and play the piano.

Just in

I'm just in from the doctor. We made it. The lollipops and ice cream helped a lot. First L, weighing in at 20 lbs, 10th percentile, I'm so proud. She had a great checkup and was very upset with us over the shots... but quickly forgot when she saw the bucket of lollipops, I know she is too little, but at that moment, I did not care. HA! Ek weighed in at 39 lbs was confused as to why she didn't get the shot and what was the nasal spray? Tee-hee. But she was quite happy. To rewind a bit she was also happy to have us come to the lunchroom to pick her up, she put L on the little round seat in front of her, not sure how there was room, and shared her apple with her. So sweet. I loved hearing what all her friends had for lunch and that Chiro (remember the Emma Cake story) is now calling her Emmy... I'm keeping a very close eye on that one. Oh and I turned my back for 1 sec and H is walking along the little round seats of a vacant table, is TCS ready for him next year? I'm not sure. Ok back to the doctor, H, sigh, poor H. He weighed in at 34 lbs. Sadly, he is back on Prednisone. Oh and Singular, Pulmacort and Zyrtec. What in the world? We need to keep praying for this guy. So no flu shot for H, we'll be back next week, and crazy, He was disappointed no shot today, huh? From the doctor we went to Bruisers to get ice cream. Ek said as she was making their purple dinosaur baby scoop, 'this is going to be so exciting.' When we got home, Ek said she wanted to ride bikes and H said he needed a nap. Awww. So they are watching Higglytown Heroes, the consistent favorite now for 4 years. I think I'll go watch too.

Whew!

It has been quite a day. It all began while it was still night when I awoke to little knees in my back, little H knees. I think he must have been dreaming about riding his bike, I couldn't even estimate how many times he continually kicked me. Not to mention his collection of things has dramatically grown. He has gone from puppy and haci (paci) (and I know he is 3, I'm praying for him!) to puppy, haci, tiny elephant, another dog, his Atlanta zoo panda bear and an Aflac duck. Yes, all of these were in our bed!! So I get up and go to the gym, it was one of those mornings when you were glad to finally get up, lol, and come back to hear first singing from my bed, H was listening to the ipod, "mighty to save!"- hallelujah- but then a terrible bark, H has croup. sigh. So we were off breathing treatments for 3 days, that was good. So we had a quiet day at home. Really it was nice. So nice to have time with the kids in my nice home with wonderful weather outside and a great yard to enjoy.

There were some funny lines out of the kids today, Ek: "I am so glad to have a fried egg (for dinner) I haven't had one of these in years." What does she know about years?! H, "Mommy, (while riding bikes and seeing Hunter in the lot between our houses) we can't walk through there, we'll get horns." "Horns, H, like what kind?" "Like a rhinoceros." LOL! He heard us talk about thorns and it got all confused in his mind, funny enough, I didn't correct him! HA! And lastly, H taught L how to pant like a dog. Hilarious. And today she also started "Woof!" like a dog, but she leaves off the w, you have to listen closely, but it is quite cute. H's second dog among his "things" inspired her.

What will tomorrow bring? Won't it be fun to see. Oh wait, we have flu shots for all tomorrow! Ahh! I need a night without H's knees tonight! I did tell him he needed to stay in his bed that he needed to cow humidifier to help him sleep, sneaky but true.

Bikes again

Ok we are on quite the bike kick these days! Yesterday Ek and I were outside, she was riding, I was watching from the front porch, L and H were asleep. We see a golf cart go by, which is a common occurrence, especially on the weekend. This one turns and comes our way. A friend from Ek's class was out with is dad. His dad was amazed that Ek could ride without training wheels and all of the sudden, very determined that his son could also. HA! He begged Ek to show his son, Ek was way to shy. So today, I am getting supper started and I have the door open to outside the garage, Ek and H are playing in the driveway, not my favorite but I let them for a minute sometimes. I peek out the door at them and the same father and son is back... this time with bikes. He had taught his son this afternoon. Ek is riding circles around him with the sweetest smile on her face. It was a hoot. The boy was a bit embarrassed but riding and trying. H was keeping right along with is training wheels. It was a fun sight. The dad was so proud, and I think the boy was too. The dad was also quite proud of Ek for inspiring him, I do hope she will continue to inspire her whole life. I should have run in to get my camera, next time I will.

Conversations

J and I have had several great conversations with Ek over the last 2 days. Yesterday J wanted to jog in the neighborhood and asked Ek to ride along, he didn't need to twist her arm. H, L and I rode along too. Ek rode about 3 miles on her bike. When we got home we were just encouraging her in who God is making her, strong, smart, beautiful, need I go on!, but we did. Then I came back to say a minute later if anyone ever said contrary, tell us so we can remind her they are wrong. Well about 5 minutes later she came to say a friend and her best friend at school told her she isn't strong because she could do a forward roll and a back roll. Her face was very sad and you could tell she was hurt. And it is true she can't do a backward roll, but it has just opened up great conversation about what could have been said, how she could respond and, thanks for encouragement from Tara that, of course we should be praying for her. She doesn't know her friend's best friend's name but she does know whose class she is in, so tomorrow she is going to find out her name so we can pray for her. This isn't the first time she has hurt Ek's feelings. All this reminds me of church this morning. We were at Christ Chapel in Macon, so fun! We were singing the song, "Rain down, all around the earth we're singin, Rain down." And Pastor John gets up to say, can you imagine how the flower feels (ok if it could have feelings, stick with me) to see (ditto) a dark rain cloud overhead? Probably not too excited to know it is going to be trampled by rain, yet that rain is what brings its deliverance. He reminded us that often our deliverance looks like inconvenience. Now, wouldn't it be nice to live without these inconveniences? Yet where would we be? I would love for my sweet Ek to always have kind friends (see picture below), yet I am grateful for the day's conversations. And I do pray we would continue to see the Lord in our daily life and know His love and thoughts for us, and we would submit to life in Him.

And I am grateful for sweet neighbor/ friends. This was tonight while I was cooking taco soup for all, J was wanting some bad after our last Athens visit when Mom made it.

More education needed

Last week, Mopsey asks H on the phone, "H, when you grow up do you want to be a quarterback?" His reply, "No Mopsey, I want to be a football player." Ok, so maybe he has great skills, but we still need to educate him a bit on the game. I guess his punting, catching, throwing, running won't be quite as useful if he doesn't know which way to go. We've been working though, helping him see who the quarterback is, he is the one who throws the ball. J helped him at the Uga game last week and he has been quite interested in the quarterback since. Maybe he make a go at it one day, we'll see. Keep at it H and we keep trying to help you along.

Fresh Resolve

I was so blessed today by Christi, Shannon and Anna coming to visit. These 3 gals were huge in my life in Augusta while in nursing school. They were my friends, my support, my encouragement. What an amazing thing to sit in my kitchen at my table with them today. We talked and talked about life. It had been at least 7 years since we were all at the same place at the same time. Our conversation was different than it was then, yet very similar. We talked about where God has us and, amazingly, we are still in such similar life circumstances these years later. Between us we have 10 children ages 2 months to 5 years. We talked about the highs and lows of the last 7 years, we talked about our families. It was just really great. Our kids played so well together, we really didn't see much of them. H and Christy's Mary Claire made us a bit nervous, they kept eyeing us with eyes that said they were up to something, but all came away happy and tired and unhurt. whew. Anna told me as she was getting in her car that we were just like we were, I agreed yet said we were the same but a growing same. Still seeking God, still trying to live life well for Him. I talked with Christi about a hour after they left to report the missing Croc had resurfaced and I'm so glad I got to recap with her for a moment. We talked when everyone was here about how hard it is to get into the Word, but we talked at good length about how we could get there- pondering on a scripture purposefully throughout the day, listening to sermon podcasts, being a part of a young mom's Bible study- and Christi said she was encouraged that she wasn't alone in the difficulty of this battle, yet she was re energized to fight for the time. Wow, what a huge encouragement this was to me. Fresh Resolve from fellowship, this is why we continue to meet as Hebrews challenges us to, to stir one another up. What a great day.

Hug

For some reason, I have been thinking a lot today about hugs. I really love hugs, especially from people I really love. What is a hug defined? "To clasp or hold closely, especially in the arms, as in affection; embrace. To hold steadfastly to; cherish. To stay close to." according to my google dictionary. So I guess that is why I like hugs, I like all those things. And oh how I want my hugs to convey those things. It is amazing to me to think of all the confirmations God gives us about who he has made us to be. I think we were made for relationships, relationship with Himself and with others that point us to Himself. I know I just crave time and attention from the people I love, I just like at least hearing their voices, but a hug is even better. I remember how hard my first semester was at UGA, and how at the time I didn't realize it but later I thought it was probably because of the sharp decline in affection from my mom and dad, even though they were just blocks away, I missed their hugs. Our daily routine right now is pretty busy, a good bit of my day is swept away before I can do much of anything. One of the highlights of the day is at 2:45. I pick H up 3 days a week at 12:30, we run home, eat lunch, march upstairs, lay L down, and then I read to H (anther favorite time of the day), H goes to sleep somedays very quickly others not so much. Ek is done with school at 3 and most days H and L are still asleep, so I get to quietly go upstairs and whisper to each of them, time to go get Ek, while I scoop them up and their little heads flop on my shoulder and I carry them to the car. Favorite time of day? Yes, a sweet moment of complete weight snuggle, not a wiggly hug, but a big, sleepy hug. I love it everyday.

Ladies and Gentlemen

Gorgeous day. 85 degrees, blue skies, light breeze. H, L and I are on the porch playing far away from the playroom I spent 2 hours tidying. H stands up on the 2 stair step stool, L sits on the first step. "Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls," H begins, "L will now do a fantastic trick for you." He patiently waits until she stands up and walks away, "And there you have it ladies and gentlemen." He is such a scream.

In other news, Ek brought home her first quarter report card today. All "O's." Not so much that she did nothing, as in zero, but that she was "OUTSTANDING!" I am so pleased and proud of her. She really is a great little student and tries hard. Her teacher said she is "blessing to have in class. She is a most excellent student and a sweet spirit." Thank you Lord for our sweet Ek, help us love her well Father. Oh and a reward is forthcoming. Scoops anyone?

Different and both great

Sometimes you don't realize who your children are until you see other children. Today we had one of Ek's dearest friends to play, Kardyn (Kd). Ek showed Kd how she could ride her bike without training wheels. Kd is more athletic than Ek, its in her genes. She runs different and is fearless and physical. I knew if Ek could ride her bike without training wheels, surely Kd could. Kd thought so too. She immediately got one Ek's bike to ride. She couldn't, but she tried. In 5 minutes she ran into a tree, a little tykes car, H's bike and an electrical box. Not to mention how many times she ran into the ground. Every time crying, more so because she wanted to get on, and wanted to ride, not so much because she was hurt. Her mother said they will be taking the training wheels off her little bike today. Kd was so determined and confident. She did have several great stretches. Ek, on the other hand, I had to plead for her to ride practice without training wheels. I had to not let her ride H's with training wheels. She has hardly hit the ground trying because she quickly learned how to coast to the grass with feet down for a quiet landing. Tee-hee. Its just so fun to see different personalities. God has made us all so unique and it is such a great thing to live life all together. I can't wait for Ek and Kd to be able to ride together, oh the fun they will have!

Color Coveting

I want to write of the positives in life. I do consider myself an optimist. Unfortunately though, my life is not all happy. pause for a giggle. And I do want to remember the tough times so I won't see anytime as all green grass, and I want to always be thankful for where God has me in life. Ok, here's the story. Tonight for dinner, leftovers. Quick, easy and off to prayer, right? sigh. Two plates, blue and red. Now my sweet Ek sometimes likes to call red things pink because she loves pink and that makes the item even better in her eyes. Looking at the plates, blue for H, red for Ek. L, thankfully, has no opinion. Well, long drama short. If only I had clocked it, at least 10 minutes of crying erupted. All over the blue plate. J walks in the house in the middle of Ek's tears. "Who had the blue plate last night?" Oh no, that is way to easy and much too little drama. I even tried bringing out the UGA plate which is usually the most sought after plate. Not tonight. I tried letting them work it out. Finally, the both ate off white. That'll show 'em. No not really, H cried for 5 more minutes in time out. I think we will only eat off white for a week. As I write though, this does remind me of a certain red cup that was coveted by someone I know, who was that?

Noah

This month in the nursery we are focusing on the story of Noah. Don't you just love Noah. What an amazing example of fearless obedience. Complete surrender-- I trust God, I will obey him. Wow did he ever get to see the provision of God. His amazing love for us and protection. Did I mention His provision? Wow! I have had a ball letting the kids point out the animals climbing onto the ark, but oh how I hope they get more than that. I love the picture of Noah on the ark after the rain has stopped, there is this huge picture of water and this little boat far far away, for drama, and a tiny little Noah with his arms outstretched. Can you even imagine what Noah thought when the rain stopped? The worship that must have come from his mouth. Or better yet, what was he thinking when the rain began? How badly I want to be obedient to God. I want Him to count me in on His plans. And I do hope so much that my kids will feel the same way. I have noticed lately how much more water my kids are drinking, this is not a change of subject, stay with me. Why? I have been and they drink after me. HA! So I pray, Lord help me to live for you, and help the little eyes around me see You.

An up-close encounter

I've got to tell a story second hand. J just called from Athens and I belly laughed when he told me. He took his dad and his son to the game today, what a day. I really couldn't tell of the 3 who was the most excited. Mom called at half, though, to report she had H. J had called at the half to report he had enough. LOL. Well J called on the way home, with the sweet taste of victory over the Vols still in his voice to tell me that before Pops and Mopsey got him he walked down to the field level. H was just a callin for Hairy Dawg. "He can't hear me" was the sadness of H's heart. He calls and calls. Finally J gets his attention and he comes over, leans over the Hedges, puts out his hand... to H's absolute screaming! rats. J said Hairy just kinda backs away. H's reply "I didn't want to shake his hand close up, I wanted to shake it far away." Oh it still makes my tummy shake! What a good boy. I can't wait to hear all about it from my little H himself. because I know I will.

Plans

I think one of my biggest roles as mother to my children is helping them discern the Lord's plans for their lives (Jeremiah 29:11-14). There are many choices that people are making today that will not be included in the list of choices to make because we believe in Biblical truth. We know we have been given 2 girls and a boy and so I continually pray for their purity and their spouses. So many things we hear about on the news are not really "choices" when we believe God. There are many things though that I pray for wisdom in how to encourage them. I want to find the places where God has called them to grow into the person God has made them. School, activities, friends, the extracurriculars in life. Ek is our first shot. And we have some glimpses into her interests. Cheer leading was such a big hit. She loved it. And we love the thought of her cheering, it is a wonderful practice of encouragement. Since cheer leading camp I have heard her cheers so many times that they swarm around my mind. There was a pep rally yesterday so I have been hearing, "Calling all kindergartners on the floor-- we are the kindergartners and we want more!" I heard it in my sleep last night. And today is her Nutcracker fitting. So excited! And I am praying for wisdom for over dance lessons in the spring. Oh I pray for wisdom to help my sweet Ek along.
PS In this picture she is saying the "word" of "Hey- Ho- Christ is in my soul! Huh! Thats a fact, no doubt, Word." Ahhh to be young and free.

Willing

There has been a reoccurring theme in many conversations and many of my thoughts this week that has lead me to put it down in ink, well sort of, anyway, put it down here. The thought of the places where the Lord has us, and how that place can be used for His own Glory. For instance, the wise teaching the new, the strong helping the weak, the healthy to help the sick. And this leads me to ask Him, where do I need help and whom can I help? It is just so amazing to think about the fellowship of the Body and realize we are so rich and strong when we come together. I just mentioned this last week, but we as Believers are known by how we love one another. And I pray we do and are. And the amazing thing is how much the blessing flows both ways, when you think you are helping, you are actually being helped. I just ask God tonight, to help me to see through His eyes, to hear with His ears, encourage in His truth, and most importantly, be willing. Oh Jesus, You were so willing. whew. so willing. and now You stand so worthy.

Look-a-Likes

This week is Homecoming week at Ek's school. Today was twin/triplet day. So here are the day triplets who joined us after school for a cupcake at our house.

And this is the Evening twin who joined us for cupcakes at Moe's.

More, please

Moments like these make me so happy. I just humbly ask the Father to give us greater love and desire to help one another along in life.

And I also want to remember this sweet little face, sweet baby Thomas.

These moments were enjoyed Sunday night at the track for a little Sunday afternoon play time for the biggest boys in the families, and for the kids too.

A Hunter's View

Today I watched the view from my rocking chair on the porch as if I was a hunter in a stand, as still as could be, not making a noise. I wasn't intending to shoot anything, although I really wanted to go get my camera, but I didn't dare distract the 3 little creatures who were playing on my porch! All 3, peacefully playing, without arguing, whining or hurting one another! All playing one game and interacting with great kindness and joy! It was such a sweet sight. The game? A family favorite... restaurant. H was the "sir", maybe waiter, may chef, I don't know... but he had a princess tea pot of water and was serving his sisters water and invisible chicken fingers. L's cup was a plastic yellow wine-shaped glass and Ek's was a plastic purple flower vase. I was served also, water and an salad and princess cupcake that looked an awful lot like a ball, and tasted like one too, but even more I was served a heaping serving of joy to see all 3 enjoying each other. How did it end? Not even in tears but a puddle none the less, they all 3 spilled their container onto the porch floor and I didn't even haft to clean it up. A glorious moment in my home. ahhh.

Other highlights form the day... Seeing my sweet oldest in complete joy dancing alongside her dear Caroline at the Mr. Al concert in Macon and getting to ride on a bus, wind blowing through our hair while we talked with her little friends.

L has decided she is quite big enough to feed herself. sigh. She "ate" an entire applesauce cup today, even finished it off my tipping it up. And yes, I agree, a bib would have been appropriate, there will be a next time. that deserves another sigh.... But she has also begun praying. LOL! She sits in her usual wide stance, bows her head low, talks and pops us again. How do I know this is praying? Its just like her siblings. And I'm sure our Heavenly Father loves it. One day maybe He'll even tell us what she said!

H woke up from his nap to me and not Mopsey. pause. deep breath. I tried to distract his cry of anguish to tell him cupcakes were baked during nap time (the ole diversion tactic taught to me my Mopsey herself). "But I want to eat a cupcake with Maaa-0ppp-seeeeee." me too H.

Blessing

I had the amazing blessing today of praying for a friend who is battling Cancer. She was told about 12 months ago that she had 6-12 months to live and believes God is sustaining her. She has a rare form of CA and is undergoing treatments in Maryland every several weeks. She is married and has 2 girls. I really don't know her well, I had just run into her around town several times in our time here in Dublin and just always loved seeing her. She is full of joy and peace. I was so shocked last year to know she was sick and have just prayed for her since.

God laid on my heart several weeks ago to call her and, although I put her on my to do list, I didn't call. Last week I felt that to not call was disobedience. I called her last week and scheduled to go see her this morning. This morning early God dropped Mark 5 into my lap. I was so grateful. The story was of the woman who had been bleeding and touched Jesus' cloak and was healed. I'm sorry that needs an exclamation point... and she was healed!!!!! Oh the power of our Savior! Our Creator and Redeemer is mighty to save. Mighty to save us from sin, from sickness and the power of death. She and I read the passage aloud and went to our Father who we know loves us and asked him for healing, for peace, for joy, for truth, for faith, for opportunities, for healing again. We prayed until we didn't want to stop. And we won't. Oh I'm so grateful to be His. And I can't wait to see what will happen in sweet Kathy's life. Oh the victory for Jesus that is being won. Oh the glory that has come to the Father through her life. Life in Jesus is sweet.

14 Months

What a difference 14 months makes...

August 2007

October 2008

Thank you Lord for growing us.

Exerting Independence

Today we arrived home after nap time with tired children from a birthday party for Ek's friend Michaela. Now if it had just been me, we would have marched straight upstairs, but when J is around, we move slower. So we paused in the living room, were talking and laughing, Ek and H were playing in the pillows on my bed. And L? Where is L? uh-oh, we lost her. I called her name and was looking for her when I hear a small cry over the monitor. She had crawled up the stairs, toddled down the hall, crawled under her crib to find a lone paci and got stuck. I guess she was ready for a nap. If she could have crawled in her crib, we probably would have found her asleep. Sweet L, we didn't forget you. We quickly kissed her and laid her down. Ah, nap time. PS, I guess the 4 bites of chocolate cake didn't keep her awake too bad. LOL

Going for a ride

Ek had the day off from school today. As I was still in bed at 7:10 this morning, really sleeping in!, I was thinking about what we should do. We could just sit around all day watching this cutie...

but we needed to get outside and love this wonderful cooler weather. Since Ek is now riding without training wheels and loving it, I was inspired to go get a baby seat for my red bike so I could keep riding it and we could all ride together. So off to Wal-mart and wouldn't you know it they had 2 to choose from. So while H was shooting bouncy balls into their cage, I studied and choose one for $20 less than the same on online, ya-hoo! Well, I will say, it is a huge hit (if only you could see H say 'huge'). Ek labored with me over the assembly during H and L nap time so we would be ready for a post-nap ride. And ride we did. L loved it. I loved it. H loved it. EK loved it. We couldn't wait for J to get home. In fact we delayed dinner until after dark so we all could ride. The look on Ek's face was so priceless. She rode at least 2 miles today on her bike. No kidding. We rode the length of the neighborhood just tonight, that is 1.2 mi. She talked constantly and even said she now liked bike riding better than swimming...we'll see next summer though! Pops will agree with me on that one, he's seen her in that lake!