After bday

What a wondeful day it was. After physical therapy for my tired cartlidge in my knee, my children were safe and sound at school and with our sweet babysitter/bride to be, I was off to the coffee shop for an early coffee and salad lunch complete with lots of laughter, concerned conversation, plenty of stories of our children and presents. It was so delightful. I lost track of time and didn't even worry about it. I am so thankful for my friends who know me so well. Then I was off to gather all the kids back. We skipped homework and spent the afternoon snuggling and playing. We were then off to our usual dinner but it was anything but ususal. Balloons, pink cupcakes with pink sprinkles, a butterfly cake and even a hot pink sash that said "Birthday Princess." and a lot of friends. It was a bit overwhelming. I had to keep telling myself to settle into the love and attention. It is definately not what I am used to. Last week at the mall, Ek and I saw the sash and she just knew I wanted it, so she asked Christy to go get it for me. She was so excited for me to have it. She came over and said, "you wanted it didn't you mommy?" I told her I just loved it, "but you really wanted it, right?" What an amazing girl to make sure I had just what I wanted. She also made me a wallet at school and wrapped it when she got home. H drew me a picture of me and J that he wrapped and took to dinner as well. Did I mention they sang 'happy birthday?' They did. I know the Lord longs for us to know love. It is not always easy to receive. I am really thankful that He saw to it to give me a whole week of birthday love. Between the birthday dinner with mom and dad, and j's family, picking out my new gifts with J, all the phone calls and emails and my birthday meals, and my sweet kids, it was a great day.

New stage

Good afternoon new stage of life. I wasn't quite expecting you so soon, but since you are here, come on in. This is my sweetie, L.

Let's get a few things straight. She may have welcomed you today by telling me she wanted to sleep in her big girl bed and not staying in it too well, but you need to know there are a few ground rules before we get too far. #1. I am not going to get as frustrated as I did with the others when they got up time and time again when they were supposed to be going sweetly off to sleep. #2 I will not be too terribly sad that you are here because I am so grateful that my sweet girl is growing up so wonderfully. I'm not quite sure that I will take down the crib anytime soon because, like I said I wasn't quite expecting you yet, but I think that is quite ok. And #3. I will take this opportunity to speak truth to my girl that I love her, and take care of her by helping her know when it is time to rest. I will take advantage of this time to speak truth into her life about my love and our Father's love. So although I wasn't quite ready to welcome you, new stage of life, now that you are here, by God's grace, I'm ready.

Oh, wait, I think L has a question...

How exactly do you stay in this big bed without falling off? Oh sweet girl, I'll help you. The bedrail will be up shortly.

Almost birthday

While I was eating lunch with these adorable people today, I was thinking about my birthdays. Like the one 10 years ago when I received a ring, a promise and a commitment from my dear J. That sure was a good one. And the one in Texas when I got a card from my mother in law that said they sure wished they could be there with us and I knew in my heart that was so true, I cried to think how thankful I am for them and have never quite been the same. And another Texas birthday after I had Ek and I missed my mom and dad so much that I could hardly breathe because to celebrate without the ones who gave me my birthday just didn't seem anywhere close to right. And the one when I got a ring from my brother that I still wear everyday when we sat and ate in Columbia together and I just couldn't believe how blessed I was to have such an amazing friend as my brother. And this year I have just loved how much my kids are excited over my birthday and I am just letting them because I know how much I love to celebrate theirs. And I am so blessed to have such amazing friends who are so kind to make me lunch like last year while the kids destroyed the rest of the house and take me out to lunch this year without any kids. And I'm just so grateful that God keeps on with me. Even today at Bible study, he just showed me again-- keep on, I've got plans, I've got you. And I was even thinking about my name, my first gift from my parents that means, 'pure' and my given last name that means, 'God is my Judge.' And I'm grateful to know that God has made me pure through the shed blood from my Saviour, and that I stand forgiven before God my Judge. If I fell asleep tonight and slept through my birthday tomorrow, I would still be overwhelmed by His love in my life. I do feel, as Paul said in Ephesians, rooted and established in God's love. Hallelujah!

Sideline Shots

A few side line shots...

best buds...

and their daddies/coaches...
L and her 'best friend'
the starving fans...

Keep on encouraging

We have had a great weekend including a great church service this morning with a powerful sermon, a 2 hour visit to Brian's subs yesterday including a walk to the bakery and a wonderful visit with so many friends, some quality time organising clothes and closets, and a nice bike ride on a gorgeous afternoon while the kids played Grandma and Papa (except the bike crash was not so :( great). But my favorite line from the weekend was from Ek to H describing our morning yesterday-- "We are going to a nursing home, which is where old people live who can't live at home by their selves anymore, and dance to encourage them." And I think they did. Ek's studio's 3-7 year olds danced to sweet happy love songs for Valentines in their bright red shirts and passed out Valentine cards that they had made in dance class. It was great fun. May we always have hearts that are willing to share our hearts and talents and time to encourage others.

Winning week

We had quite the busy week. We had a combined 6 soccer games in 4 days and 2 dance classes. Mom and Dad came to see the finale on Thursday with soccer game at 3:45, dance observation night at 6:00 and soccer game at 6:45. The kids were so tired they could hardly hold their heads up until they got to their right shoes on, and then they were off and running (or dancing). Ek won both of her games and H won all 4 of his. The collective score for H's games were probably about 75-4. L was quite the trooper for it all as well, especially considering the lows probably hit the 20s with wind chill. The kids were blessed to have both sets of grandparents come to watch them play as well as 3 families of friends. It really was a great week, we had great conversations along the way and I love the opportunity to get to cheer for them so loud.

Sweet background music

I have been up late tonight fixing ice cream sundays and painting toe nails. Ek has her first ever friend over to spend the night. We went out to supper with the G's and then had them over for a bit for ice cream, then C stayed to spend the night. The kids played a very long game of hide and seek. Ek was the absolute last to be found. She was hiding under the couch in the breakfast room where we were sitting. How fun to hear those sweet girls giggling now as I type. May they always encourage and build one another up, sharpen each other to live life full for Jesus.

Ek has had a 'big day.' She is a bit difficult to wake up in the morning, so many mornings, I try to think of a little motivation to get her up. I usually begin with, 'you have a big day today...' Some days in desperation I try something like, "Its a big day today honey, you have PE!" Well today she was trying to wake up and she beat me to it. "I have a big day today," she said. "You do?" I replied. She was quite excited to look after the class "pet" today. Her teacher got one of those dinosaurs that expand in water and they had been watching it for several days. They then got to each write their name on a slip of paper, along with what they though it's name should be. Well, it was as if her dream had come true! Her name was chosen! So her proposed name was now official and she got to care for him for the first day. He got to sit on her desk all day and she got to take him to computer. She was quite excited about her day with "Dino." She said her friends were quite excited to, "C was cheering for me, and C!" Well, on the way to school, I just could not pass on the opportunity to meet this new pet. H and L were not about to miss out, so we all walked ourselves in and got a picture of Ek with the class pet. What a great way to start the day.

I couldn't help but travel on down to H's class and see his sweet teacher. After catching up on all the hilarity of the class, I bribed L with a lollipop to get her to come along with me. We stopped by the library to see our sweet girl on the bulletin board for achieving her reading goal and beamed with pride for a moment. So proud of how hard she is working and so pleased to see her hard work produce such wonderful results. Please see her super achieving sweet face in the bottom right corner.

Speaking of waking slow... my sweet dad has called me princess all my life. I seldom hear him call me by my name and actually I like it quite much. I really makes me feel quite princess-ish. I can't help but giggle that my Ek may not be a true princess as told in the Princess and the Pea. You know the story where the true princess cannot sleep with a pea under her mattress. Ek collects things under her pillow. I know that could not sound stranger. She has a bedside table with a large drawer and the top has a vast assortment of treasures. Yet, it must now have quite enough room because this is commonly what I find when I look under her pillow. And believe me when you look at this picture that all of this was hidden under her pillow. A collection of books, a snowman, a napkin, a towel, a bow and a ribbon and a bubble gun. I was washing her sheets today and just could resist a picture before I pushed it all away. Or is she a princess and that is why she is slow to wake up? hmmmm. Maybe I did pass on some princess-ness. I should do some further research on this...

Conversation stopper

Whew! What a day. Too tired to write all the details, so just a quick conversation. I asked H why he gets in bed with us almost every night usually around 5:30 but sometimes as early as 1:30. His answer, "because I love you." awwww. and done with that. I don't need to know anymore. See you in the night. And I'll keep you as long as you keep your knees to yourself.

Dancing girl

We were so tickled to get to watch Ek's dance class on Monday. It was the one day of the year that parents are invited (which drives me crazy and will be on my evaluation). She worked hard and concentrated hard and was a joy to watch. Parents were told to join in several times and Ek loved it. Ok, so did I. Have I mentioned I loved to be a part of their lives?

Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal!

Boy did I wish I had my camera tonight. H had his 3rd out of 4 games in a row this week and it was a great one. The other team only had 3 players to show up and it was as brutal as it sounds. We had 6, so we had 2 teams to their one. H played with his 2 best friends W and J. I realize that they are only 4 and 5 year olds, but, man they played great. And I realize that they really were only playing against one little boy because the other 2 were not really into it, but really it was a blast to watch our boys run and play. H, J and W have really improved in not just kicking the ball down the field but they can actually take the ball away, dribble it down the field and score goals. Tonight the 3 daddies/coaches were trying to help them understand passing. And do you know what? Their coaching was quite effective. At one point, J took the ball from the other team, kicked it up field about 10 yards to H who dribbled 2 times, passed it up field to W who dribbled several times and scored the goal. Wow. H told me later, while dribbling a basketball and waiting for his turn in the shower, that was his favorite part. Another moment I loved was watching the 3 of them while watching the other half play, sitting on the sideline with their little hoddies covering their heads with their red jerseys on top, just enjoying the game. Way to go guys!

Snow

What a joy to see a dream come true for my kids! This year they have especially been longing for snow. And we got some. In the middle of the day when we were all home. Amazing. They saw the first flakes fall and got to go right out and see what it was like. Cold. Wet. hahaha. Tasty? a little. What a joy to see their faces.

So here is a recap of our snow evening and morning.

Ek's first thought was to try and taste the snow. It had been raining for hours, hence the wet driveway.
Looked good to little sis, so she tried it too.
I think they were happy about it...



Ek was a bit confused why the ground wasn't immediately covered in a white blanket. After an hour or so there was finally a bit on the ground. Enough for a snow ball and...
a tiny snow man that now lives in my freezer. There was also a snow ball in my deli drawer in the fridge for a while. hahahaha
When J and I left for our dinner date (that we had planned for at least a month), this is the beautiful scene we left behind.
The next morning, there was a wonderful crunch to the ground as they headed out.

How interesting to see the same yard in a new way. They tried the slide and riding bikes but mostly walked around and enjoyed their snow prints (and there is one of those in my freezer too). The enjoyed making snow balls but were quite disappointed when their gloves got so wet so quickly.
R was quick to come over and enjoy the snow with the kids. We worked very diligently to make our adorable snow girl. We weren't sure it was going to come together until we put an adorable scarf and hat, a carrot nose and m&m green eyes, and sticks and mittens for the arms and hands. We were quite pleased.


The kids were then cold and ready for a warm breakfast. So we went inside and made eggs, grits, toast and bacon. Oh and coffee, yum warm coffee. We loved the snow!

True

Yesterday I had a great "ok, keep going!" talk with my kids on the way to H's soccer game. I was asking Ek and H about the Bible and why we need to know it. Ek's answers were so wonderful because they were so emphatic and full of joy and hope. "It's a book about Jesus!" "We need to obey it because Jesus loves us and knows what is best!!" I loved her trust. Not so swayed by the world and time. Not full of disappointment and confusion and regret. Just simple, *childlike* faith. God made us. He loves us. He has a great plan for our lives. He is trust worthy because he is full of love. Thank you God for my sweet Ek's hope and expectation. It's true of me too today. Because you are true today.

Back

I miss blogging. I have missed spending the time remembering these daily moments here. Sometimes it is a bit hard to remember my purpose, but today, I begin again. I come back to believing God's plan for my daily life in taking care of my kids, to raise them up to know truth and treasure the special plan God has given me for these days of cleaning, preparing, cheering, teaching, coaching, washing, loving, laughing, dancing, playing, and remembering. So I begin again.

Ek's first soccer game

Ek played her first soccer game yesterday at school. It is coed teams and on her team their are first and second graders. So I thought there would be an intimidation factor from the start from her, yet she does play tag on the playground about everyday with the boys. So I told her to get out there and get that ball and get in the goal. She grinned a sweet confident grin and was off. She really seemed so excited and it did not diminish at all. She appeared to have so much fun. She stayed very engaged in the game, ran very hard and kicked the ball a lot. There was not much structure to the game but they all played so hard. Ek's team scored 2 goals when they were opposite of me, Ek said one was hers but I didn't see it well. They other team scored 4 and she was a bit disappointed but not really. I think she just enjoyed being out there playing and she can't wait for the next game. Me either.

Morning at school

I love seeing my kids at school! It always feels like borrowed time. Yesterday I went to H's party at 10:00. We had a delightful snack of a sugar cookie, cheetos, pb&j and cheese. After snack the kids got out dinosaurs. It was quite entertaining- they mostly played dinosaur family. They had chosen what babies went with what mommies and which daddies were the strongest. Then they got out a puzzle and worked all together to get it together. I enjoyed watching them all play. Then we went down to see Ek. She had reached her reading goal and had her picture taken for the bulletin board so we went to see if it was up yet, it wasn't. So we walked her to the cafeteria to eat with her. The kind cafeteria worker let H eat too. Again, so fun to see Ek's world. She had great fun talking with C and she and C went over to see what the talk was at the boys table. It was a delightful day at school.

Still got some time. whew.

Also at the mall, the girls were so excited to 'try on' these prom dresses! So grateful that they were way to big (meaning we still have some time before those days arrive) and a bit concerned that the length really wasn't too short, what do these look like on a girl that is 5'4? They had the most fun looking at those dresses! Ek wanted to go the section that had her size! Not yet! whew!

Sweet friends

At the dance convention this weekend, we took a break to go shop. I mean if its going to be a girls weekend, go all out. At a girly store, Ek's dear friend, dare I say, best friend, C bought Ek and she a best friend necklace. She gave Ek the side that says, "friend" and she kept the side that said "best." They were so happy about it! When you put it together it makes a peace sign. Isn't that the way friendship should be, one that promotes peace! And why Christ came to be our friend (and saviour and deliverer and sacrifice and and and) to bring us peace with our Father. So thankful for sweet C for my Ek. On our way home, C drew this picture also.

Sweethearts

My #1 sweetheart was at Bible study but here are some sweeties I had breakfast with today...

This is what happens when you say, "Say, Happy Valentines Day Mom!" note to self- stick to "Say, happy!"

we are all well aware of several things, 1. L has opinions and 2. L loves shoes. So was I a bit surprised when she had an opinion about what shoes to wear with her sweet Valentine's dress today? no. was I surprised that bug boots were her choice? yes. I did not change them, though! And thanks to BP for sharing them.

love that look of love for her big sister...
and this look of love for her little sister...

And this is what happens when you have a room empty of furniture-- (I love L's concerned look!)