Happy Birthday, Emma!

8 years ago, Ken and I were blessed to finally hold our Emma, our girl. What a delightful and refreshing influence she has had on this household of boys! So motherly to the youngest, ever helpful, and she doesn't miss ANYTHING! Soon to be big sister to a little sister, and so excited to share her room with her sister. Ken and I feel so blessed, so rich. Thank you Lord, for sending us our Emma.

Goodbye, Again

I'm convinced now that September's beautiful weather was just for Oma. She left yesterday, and the weather seems to be mourning her departure as much as we are. I've been caught off guard by how easily the tears flow this year when I think that it will be almost a whole year before we see Oma and Grandpa again. I'm sure the pregnancy hormones don't help. The children and I have enjoyed the free flow between our houses, like they are extensions of one another. Even Matthew was in the habit of saying, "Me down Oma's" as he marched down the driveway, alone, at times. He loves helping "jampa" make a "hot" in the woodstove.

We already miss them.

I'm alive!

I'm here. I'm just finding it hard to put anything into words during this season of waiting and preparing. 5 weeks to go. If I could make it all happen today, I probably would.....

Book review, school review

Just finished reading a very entertaining book called Free Range Kids by Lenore Skenazy. Dubbed "America's Worst Mom" by the media a year ago or so for allowing her 9 year old son to navigate his way back home, all by himself, from Bloomingdales (they live in NY City) using public transportation, she decided to write a book to encourage parents to stop making decisions based in fear and hysteria, and start giving their kids the same freedoms that they grew up with. Walking to school, playing on the playground (unsupervised!), staying home alone, bike rides, trips to the store...she includes the real statistics on how likely it is your child is to be abducted by a stranger (1 in 1.5 million), crime rates (going down), and explains how the media is to blame for some of the fear and hysteria we battle. Loved this book---it even includes steps to take to become more "Free Range". Very funny.

Week two of homeschool is going almost smoothly. Big guys are doing great....medium gal needs a little help...little ones fight like cats and dogs....but in all---I'm finding it is doable. And I'm learning to delegate...alot! The chores I picked for the kids to do are the ones that take up most of my time--vaccuming, dishes, bathroom cleaning. Which frees me up to do more reading with children, playing and .....sitting (come on, I'm 8 months pregnant!) And this chorus from a song I love is helping me keep my perspective:

All of my life

In every season

You are still God

I have a reason to sing

I have a reason to worship.

This is a somewhat challenging season in my life. And I'm thankful for the Reason I have to sing.

And so it begins...

another school year. In spite of feeling unprepared and scatter brained, I made up a short schedule for each of the kids. Everyone has done some math, handwriting, and reading. Andrew a little more. And within 5 minutes of beginning I was having the, "I will not fight with you--I will send you to school where you can fight with your teacher..." conversation. It's with fear and trembling that I begin this school year. Keeping track of grades 10, 5, 3 and K...with toddler to occupy and newborn on the way...I can honestly say I'm not sure how to do it. How it's going to work. If it's going to work. One day at a time, right?

Fun with the Fam

Two whole fun-filled, sleep deprived, pool swimmin', lucky charm eatin', berry pickin', hair cuttin', shop til you drop weeks can be summed up in these pics....which are worth a thousand words, or so they say...

What a blast!

I can almost smell the lilac in this picture...can't you? I find myself in a season of breathing deeply--savoring the brief moments I have of rest, His rest, and strangely refreshed in the midst of endless need. I'm so grateful for His love, and strength, without which life would just end. Grateful for friends and family who lend a helping hand. And this verse is a lifeline today:

"Don't be afraid," he said, "for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!"

Daniel 10:19

I am encouraged. And I find His peace every time I look for it.

Tears can be cleansing. And weariness leads us to His rest.