Sunday, November 20, 2011

Happy Birthday Simeon!

Yesterday, Simeon turned seven years old.  Seven. I actually asked him last week if he was sure he was going to be seven because somehow, in my mind, I was stuck on six. But no, seven.  Seven wonderful years of Simeon. I could not have imagined who he would be when I first held him in my arms so many years ago.  And I know I cannot imagine who he will become.

He is happiest when someone will play football with him. He sighs and resigns himself to playing by himself when he can't convince anyone to play with him, but he still plays. He has two Vikings jerseys and two more on his want list. And oh, how he struggles with losing.  He is getting better at coping.

He is a typical middle child in that he is a peacemaker, but sometimes he just gets tired of making peace and loses it. Self control in his emotions is a struggle for him.  I love that, in spite of those times, he's the one who plays with and gets along with everyone. He seems to unite the family. One of my favorite things about Simeon right now is that he giggles. Somethings strikes his funny bone and he disolves in giggles and it is hard not to laugh with him.

Simeon doesn't necessarily reveal how he is feeling about normal, daily events. It's hard to tell if he is excited about something.  His heart is tender, though. You often see him with tears in his eyes when someone else is getting in trouble. He is quick to apologize to me when he feels like he has done something that upsets me. He loves to read a children's Bible at night. Out of the blue, he will share that he really likes something. And he loves to be at home.


Dear Simeon, I am so thankful that God gave you to me as my second son. You have added so much joy to my life and I love spending time with you. May God continue to mold you into a man after His own heart and use the gifts and talents He has given you for His glory. I love you.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Meat in the Freezer

This morning I am grateful for meat in the freezer and meat waiting at the butcher's to be ground.  Joel spent 6 hours yesterday butchering 3 deer that we received from a friend.  My meat supply had all but run out, so I am thankful to have meat to choose from again.  I am also grateful for the hard work my husband puts in each year to provide for our family in this way.  He enjoys hunting with all his relatives in December, but it is also a lot of work.  I cannot imagine having to pay at the store for all of this good, healthy meat that we enjoy throughout the year.

It is also apparent that my children are growing up.  Everyone except Lucas went with Joel to "help" with the butchering for a few hours.  Most of the kids played, but Josiah was thrilled with the whole process and when I went to pick them all up for supper, he was showing me how he could run his hands along the loins of the deer.  Thankfully, I have come a long way and was able to watch him do that without gagging and even feign excitement!  He was also in tears when I told him he could not stay for the rest of the butchering.  Oh, and Lucas was all excited to see the deer hanging and wanted to pet its' ears.  Oh my. . .

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Report cards

Report cards came home Friday.  It is always interesting to see what the teachers have to say.  Joel and I both laughed out loud at one of the comments on Ezra's report card.  "I have noticed that Ezra is on Ezra's time and works at Ezra's speed which is not all that fast."  Yes, we have also noticed "Ezra time". . .The teacher is confident that it is something she can work on with him.  I, on the other hand, am at a loss as to how to speed up Ezra time!

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Praying for the Vikings

Sunday noon prayer: 
Boy 1: Dear Jesus, please help the Vikings to win today.  
Boy 2: Dear Jesus, thank you that the Vikings have a new quarterback.  Help them to win today.  
Boy 3: Dear Jesus, please help Adrian Peterson have a good game today.  Help the Vikings to play well. 

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Jesus and Fingernails

While painting Evelyn's fingernails tonight, I noticed that she was still nibbling on her nails. When I told her that she needed to stop doing that, she told me that she really liked to. So, I told her it was a really bad habit and it made it hard to paint her nails nicely. She thought about that then asked me, "What does Jesus do with his nails?" Of course, I told her that Jesus did not bite his nails. She replied, "I won't bite my nails again." Not to be a doubter, but, we'll see. . .

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

A lesson from David

I am studying Beth Moore's David study this fall. It has been very good and I am always amazed at how God meets me right where I am in each study I do. This week we've studied what David did when he was forced to flee from Saul and hide in the caves. Beth Moore had us read Psalm 142 which is one that David wrote while in the caves. Then she pointed out six things David did in response to overwhelming circumstance.
  1. He prayed.
  2. He cried aloud.
  3. He poured out his complaint to God.
  4. He rehearsed his trust in God.
  5. He longed for God's presence.
  6. He confessed his desperate need.
This week we received sobering news from Joel's brother, Josh and his wife Amanda. Their precious baby girl, Gabrielle, who is due in February, has a heart with no chambers. What that means, in the bare basics, is that her heart has to work a lot harder than a regular heart and she will have to undergo her first of several surgeries when she is just five days old. And there are no guarantees.

So, I find myself, like David, crying aloud and pouring out my complaints. Now, I'm supposed to start rehearsing my trust in Him, right? I confess that often times I forget to go there. But this time, I can't quite get there. I'm not sure exactly why this time I have struggled to rest on the character of God. Perhaps it has something to do with the memories of watching my sister and brother-in-law live through and with losing a child and the deep hope that Josh and Amanda don't have to suffer that pain. Perhaps, as I almost scream at God that He has to do a miracle on that heart, I believe I want wholeness for little Gabrielle more than He does. My head knows that He is trustworthy. My heart can't seem to find the strength to trust. So, this morning, on a walk with the kids, I forced myself. I know, that sounds awful, right? But, I found two things I could say and I repeated them. Over and over. I don't even remember now what those two things were and it didn't magically make me feel better.

But tonight, I feel like I can think about the whole situation without dissolving into tears. That I can begin to pray for the miracle that Josh and Amanda are praying for, without demanding it. And I guess, that's a step in the right direction.

Friday, September 23, 2011

A new Vikings runningback

Joel visited the boys' school the other day and Ezra's teacher stopped him to share a conversation she had with Ezra. She is a Vikings fan, so she and Ezra were discussing the game. Ezra was recapping it for her, telling her that the Vikings played well in the first half, but then lost it in the second half. Then he told her that the Vikings "have one good runningback, but they really could use another one." And, "My brother Simeon is pretty fast, he would be a good runningback for them."

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Thoughts from Evelyn

Evelyn went to the farm this week. I might be wrong, but I think this was the first time she had gone all by herself. When I asked her if she was ready to come home, she told me, "No, I wanted to stay the whole week." Oh, well, I certainly missed her presence around the house. I always missed the boys when they were gone, but I also enjoyed the break from the constant energy and noise. But Evelyn, I just missed her. Maybe it was because, in the best sense of the phrase, she is mine, I understand her. She wants to do what I do, be like Mommy. . .Apparently, Mama's miss their little girls in a different way!

Some of Evelyns highlights from her time on the farm:
  • She got to ride the horse, Copper, with Grandpa sitting behind her. She "likes Copper."
  • She told me she was going to save the sack lunch Grandma made her for the trip home, for when she went to the farm again. I did convince her that Grandma had sent it for the car ride and she could eat it.
  • She was thrilled to find the kitties in the haymow. And only one ran away.
  • She loved her time with her cousins, Johanna and Micaela, although she told me that they should have stayed longer
  • When we got home, Evelyn got her pjs from her suitcase, and then stuffed everything else back in, "so it will be ready for when I go to the farm again next week."
I am so thankful she had such a good time and thankful for wonderful grandparents who love and sacrifice for my children. And, I'm thankful God gave me a little girl to love and miss!

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Happy Birthday Ezra!


Every time I sit down to write about Ezra for his birthday, I stare at the screen and eventually give up. I think it is because I find Ezra so hard to describe. I feel like you have to experience Ezra. He is easy. Easy to have around, easy to please, easy to enjoy. He is normally happy to help and happy to obey. He spontaneously and genuinely says "thank you" and "I love you." He makes you laugh with his random thoughts and interesting expressions. He notices a new hair do or new shoes. He initiates conversation with just about anyone. When he comes home or someone else comes home, he always greets with a cheerful, "Hi _____!" He approaches life with gusto and enthusiasm.


And now he is five years old and seems to be growing up by the minute. He was so proud to turn five and be "faster and
bigger." For his birthday meal, Ezra chose salad. . . "like you and Dad have, Mom with all the stuff and that sauce with chunks in it."

So we had a cobb salad and Ezra got his blue cheese dressing, just like Dad. His brothers convinced him that he needed to have corndogs, so we had homemade corndogs as well.

Ezra, may you always enjoy life and people as you do now. I am so thankful for the joy you add to my daily living. I am excited to see you grow this year as you start school for the first time. I love you. . .Happy Birthday!





Thursday, August 25, 2011

First Day of School!


I am completely behind and out of time and energy to write an update on the first day of school. I hope to write more soon. Everyone had a good day!
Don't they look so grown up?! Be still my mommy heart. . .

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Some pictures

I am finally getting around to posting some pictures. . .

Click here to see pictures that include pouring the basement walls and a visit from cousin Thomas!

Click here to see pictures of the house moving onto the foundation and demolition inside the house!

We are so grateful for all the people that have helped get us to this point and excited to have the house settled in its final resting place!

Friday, July 29, 2011

First Family Grill-Out at the acreage!



We had fun grillling hotdogs and smores over a fire out at the acreage this week while our house in town was being viewed. I envision many more of these events in the coming years!






Monday, July 4, 2011

An update in pictures

Here's some of the fun we've been having the past few weeks!

Monday, June 27, 2011

Monday morning prayer

This poem was in our hymnal next to one of the hymns we sang on Sunday. It spoke to my heart and became my prayer. . .Lord, may my children see me leaning hard on You. . .

The Teacher

Lord, who am I to teach the way
To little children day by day
so prone myself to go astray?

I teach them knowledge, but I know
How faint they flicker and how low
the candles of my knowledge glow.

I teach them power to will and do,
But only now to learn anew
My own great weakness through and through.

I teach them love for all mankind
And all God's creatures, but I find
My love comes lagging far behind.

Lord if their guide I still must be,
O let the little children see
The teacher leaning hard on Thee.

Leslie Pinckney Hill

Saturday, June 18, 2011

For Josiah

Hi Josiah!
Since you are spending a few days at Grandpa and Grandma Bundt's farm, and I know that you wanted details of the work that occurred on the acreage while you are gone, here are pictures and videos to look at. Here is the finished trench that Daddy dug to the basement and your brothers and sister playing in the basement:



And a few videos too -- the first link is Mr Vore cleaning out the basement with a borrowed skidloader. The second link is Daddy and Mr Vore working together to clear debris.


On a side note, I thought you might like to show Grandpa and Grandma the picture of the
first meal that you planned and made
with me this summer. I sure had a lot of fun making this with you. The hamburgers and milkshakes turned out great!


Have a great time with Grandpa and Grandma! I miss you!
Love,
Mom

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Happy Birthday Evelyn!


Evelyn is three today. She commented all day that she "likes her birthday!" Where in the world does time go? It feels like just yesterday that I was bringing home my precious bundle and knee deep in shades of pink. Today her favorite color is purple and she continues to bring life to our home. She wakes up smiling and goes to bed singing. She is not a girly girl, but bounces about and sings all day long. She loves horses, calling them "coppers" like Grandpa Bundt's horse whose name is Copper. She always wants to help me and recently wants to wear her hair in a pony "just like you Mommy." She has a unique ability to lift my spirits when things are going a bit rough. Evelyn likes to do things herself and often mothers her brothers, echoing phrases that I use. She loves to swing. These days she is always filling her "water bottle" which is her sippy cup and tells me it is full so that she can take it to the acreage with her. She oozes life and draws everyone around her into it as well. What a joy and a responsibility it is to have a little girl. I am so thankful God chose to give her to us.

My dear Evelyn, I pray that you will come to know Jesus as your own Savior so that your sweet joy may continue to run deep and true as you engage the world around you. Happy Birthday!

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Random news

Wow! I tried to prepare myself for having two more home from school for the summer. In hindsight, I'm pretty sure it is impossible to remember how much more noise, more "interpersonal conflict," more food consumed and more mess comes with just two more home. On the flip side, there is also more laughter and more funny comments.

One of the things I keep reminding myself these days is that this cleaning up, making messes, cooking, laundry, etc, is life. It is not something that we get done so that we can do life. It is life. My prayer for the summer especially is that I can live this life abundantly, with joy, so that my children work and play with contentment and joy. I don't want to miss it because it is a lot of work.

We've been hard at work at the acreage.
Our fabulous "hired" help demolished the upstairs bathroom.
We discovered that the insulation was not very good, so we are also in the process of tearing out plaster in the other rooms upstairs to more fully insulate the exterior walls.

The other afternoon, I went out in hopes of helping Joel a bit by cleaning out some of the torn down plaster. That had already been done, however, so I ended up weeding around the rhubarb plants while the kids played. It was so fun to see the kids disappear and play. They embarked on a covert operation to sneak around me, starting behind the pine trees and then crouching in the tall grass and dashing across the lawn when they didn't think I was looking. And there it came. Peace in my heart. Whenever I start to think that it's too much work and maybe we shouldn't even try to get out on an acreage, God gives me a glimpse of my hearts desire when I started praying for an acreage. . .the simpleness of living and growing as a family, together.

Some random reports:
  • Josiah thanks God every night, in some way, for the acreage.
  • Ezra told me today that my hair looked nice, "since I combed it". Apparently, the way I've been doing my hair hasn't looked so combed. . .because I really do comb my hair. . .every day. . .
  • On Sunday, we took the kids to Sioux Center, picnicked and played in the park, and got icecream as a treat. The icecream was a special treat for the kids working so hard on Saturday at the acreage. The conversation in the backseat on the way home started with that fact and then someone said something along the lines of "well, Mommy shouldn't get icecream because she didn't work." To which Simeon replied, "Mommy works every day." Thank you for noticing my dear son!
  • In typical competitive fashion, the three older boys were dividing up people for teams for something the other day. As I recall, Mommy and Evelyn were put on one team, to much dismay and then Simeon yelled out, "Oh yeah, baby. . .we have Jesus on our team!"
  • I bought an air freshener this week. It's for the basement. That's where the older boys sleep. I'm sure it is the first of many I will buy attempting to mask the smells of boys. Sigh.

Well, off to bed. The morning comes quickly. . .


Wednesday, May 25, 2011

House Moving

Life has been pretty exciting these past few weeks! Yesterday our house moved onto our acreage. We praise God that everything went so well and are so excited for the future!

There are pictures of the big event here.

Also, here are a few videos:

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Happy Birthday Lucas!


Well, my baby is one year old today. What a year it has been! I've finally had a few weeks of Lucas sleeping through the night every night. It is hard to believe how little I have slept with this child. I don't know if my heart was just weak, or if there really were issues that he was dealing with. It certainly seemed as if he was uncomfortable when he wasn't sleeping all those nights. I never could put a finger on what was causing it all. For now, I am just grateful for some sleep!

He is, just in the past week, really started walking while holding on to things. When I try to get him to take a step towards me, he just smiles, plants his feet, and dives at me. He thinks it is great fun! Lucas only has one tooth, with a second one trying to poke its way through. He is very particular about the food that he eats and seems to be quite sensitive to how he is feeling (cold, hungry, tired, etc). In the past few weeks he has really started opening up to other people. He loves to be outside and will sit by the door and cry if his siblings go out. He also loves to play with the dog and it's funny to watch them together. He never stops squirming, and so seems to rarely sit in a lap. Instead, he seems to think everyone is a jungle gym to climb on. He loves to play peek-a-boo, to giggle and his smile lights up the room.

It is a weird feeling to have a baby and wonder if he might be your last one. I think I savored the moments with him more and mourned the passing of each stage a little bit. Lucas has been my most "needy" baby in terms of not sleeping, fussiness, and wanting to be held. As I reflect on the year, I think that I am glad that my fifth baby needed me so much because it required me to be with him amidst the busyness of my family's needs. Was it difficult at times? Yes. Was it worth it? Absolutely.

My dear Lucas. You truly have been a light (as your name means) in my life. I am so grateful that God chose to spare your life and add you to our family. I am excited to watch you grow this year. Happy Birthday!

Saturday, May 21, 2011

House Burning

We had an amazing morning as we burned the old farmhouse on our acreage. We are so grateful for the expert help of our good friend Jason. You can see pictures of the burn here. Jason told us that it went as well as it could have gone and we are so grateful for God's hand of provision for us. Now we eagerly await the arrival of our new house!

Friday, May 20, 2011

Busy Week!

What a fun, busy, exhausting week we've had at the Bundt household! There was lots of work on the "new" house and at the acreage trying to get things ready for the big move this coming week. Thankfully, Joel's dad came for a week, otherwise I'm not sure what we would have done! We also celebrated Simeon's graduation and had fun at Tulip Festival with family. You can enjoy pictures here. . .there are older pictures first, but then the new ones.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Our New House

You can see pictures of our "new to us" house and some of the work done on our acreage this weekend at this link! It was very fun to walk through the house with all of the previous owners' stuff gone and dream!

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Les Miserables

For our birthdays this year, Joel and I bought eachother tickets to see Les Miserables in Omaha. We dropped off all five children at church with a babysitter and headed out. It was a quiet, relaxing trip to Omaha and we headed straight to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch. We enjoyed a delicious meal and shared a piece of cheesecake for dessert. Yum! Then we headed to the Orpheum Theater and thoroughly enjoyed the performance. It was as good as my memory from seeing it when I was in high school and it was fun to share it with Joel, who had never seen it. We headed home right after the performance and got home just in time to tuck the kids into bed. They had a fun day and we had a wonderful time being together for a day. Hmmm. . .I wonder what's playing in Omaha next year. . .

Gratituesday




Saturday afternoon, Joel, the boys and Jason worked out at the acreage. The big cement pond and fountain that you see above all has to be taken out in order for the new house to be moved on to the property. Evelyn, Lucas and I went out to see the progress after naps. It was fun to be out there as a family, watch the kids run and play in big open spaces. I walked by our ten or more rhubarb plants and dreamed of flowers and gardens! Amidst all of the work this is taking and will continue to take, I feel such peace and excitement being out there. For that, I am so grateful.

Today, I am also grateful for Jason, who has done so much work out at the acreage. He called last night and informed me that he and a high school guy had gone out after school and finished taking out the entire pond and fountain. He does all this work so unassumingly, seeming to really enjoy it, but I am so grateful for the stress it relieves for Joel and the help he is to us.





Wednesday, April 27, 2011

A few Evelyn stories


Well, I am supposed to be mowing the front lawn while the kiddos nap this afternoon, but the mower has decided to chew up the lawn. Not the best thing to have a lawn mower do when you're trying to sell your house. So, I think I'll wait on that.

Instead, I'll take a few minutes to share a couple of stories, courtesy of Evelyn. Yesterday, I was doing a bit of computer work while Evelyn and Ezra watched Sesame Street. When it was over, I set the computer down on the ground. Evelyn looked at me and asked me if I was going to put the computer away. I told her I would in a little bit. She looked at me and said, "You took it out, Mommy, you need to put it away. . . it goes over there." Thank you Mommy Evelyn.

Then, while I was preparing supper yesterday, Lucas started wailing in the living room. That's not so unusual around supper time for him, but this sounded a bit more serious, so I went to check it out. After a bit of prompting, Evelyn confessed that she had hit Lucas on the head with a coaster. She was sent to her room for a bit and had to apologize to Lucas. Fast forward to bedtime. I went in to pray with Ezra and Evelyn. After praying with Evelyn, she tried to tell me something. I couldn't understand much more than Lucas, so I asked her if she wanted me to pray for Lucas. She nodded her head, so I briefly prayed for Lucas to sleep well. I turned to leave and Evelyn said, no, pray Lucas. Apparently, I wasn't getting what she wanted. Well, after a bit of discussion, I finally figured out that she wanted me to pray and ask Jesus to forgive her for hitting Lucas on the head with a coaster. I did and she was satisfied. Wow, I didn't see that one coming!

Well, off to finish up the cinnamon rolls for the thirty high school students who are doing a service project out at the acreage on Friday.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Easter Weekend

We had a fun, full weekend and were blessed to be able to spend time with Joel's parents and my parents and sister. What a treasure family is! Here are pictures of the weekend.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

A bit behind



So, I'm a little bit behind in folding laundry. . .
Anyone want to come and help?!
I'll be here for the next hour. . .

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Daily fun

I can't resist sharing some of the fun we've been having around here.

even amidst the sickness. . .









Legos. . .











Reading. . .






Lucas enjoying his snack. . .http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJC4b2PfkC8

The musical ones making the house soooo quiet (warning, you might want to turn the volume down on this one!) . . .http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wexDOzjORcs (yes, that is Christmas music in April)

Evelyn's joy in her big brother playing with her. . .http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTRghHhylTU

It's the little things, the ordinary daily happenings, that make a family.

Friday, April 1, 2011

An idea for another year

Ooooo. . . I love this idea from Ann Voskamp, a repentance box for Lent*. It is a box that is sealed, where you can write your sins, drop them in and then on Easter, throw them away, just like Jesus has taken away all of our sins. Motherhood, for me, has made me so much more aware and sensitive of my sins. There are so many little eyes watching me, little ears listening to me, and all day long, my sins seep out and settle over the little ones in my house. Sometimes the weight of it crushes my spirit. I love the picture of putting away my sins, visibly throwing them into the locked body of Jesus who has taken care of them all. I love what this could teach my children. An idea for another year, when they are just a bit older. But, I think I might start looking for my own box today. . .

*There are 2 posts associated with this link. The first one has to do with a peace retreat, which, as a side note, I really like the idea of as well. However, the second post is the one I am referencing here.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Two More Months and Other News

It is hard to believe, but in two more months, I will be done nursing Lucas. He loves to pull on my hair and face while he nurses and since he has gotten more aggressive about it, I've taught him not to do that. Apparently he needs to pull on something while nursing because he now pulls on his own hair! He also continues to kick while nursing. All the movement I felt in the womb was not just my imagination. I'm not sure his legs ever stop moving! It is always a bit sad for me to be done nursing as it is such a unique stage, but I am enjoying watching him grow.

Another fairly new development in our house comes from Evelyn. Quite often when she and Ezra get into a disagreement, Evelyn has started to yell, loudly and quickly, "Do to others as you would do to you!" She can't quite get the proper phrase out in her frustration. It often takes me a moment to quell my laughter before I can go in and help them resolve their issue!

We shared with the boys yesterday afternoon about the robbery. We started by talking through the Bible story of Joseph and how he had bad things happen to him and how he responded. Then we told them that something bad had happened to our family. They were sad, with tears from Josiah. Josiah was especially sad to hear that they had taken his baseball bat and skateboard. Simeon said his tummy felt scared. They were able to give some good reasons why they thought the people might have taken our things and how we might be able to pray for them. They are rooting for the police to catch them! They all thought it was quite funny that the people took the foosball table, but only took two legs for the table. Josiah had many ideas of what we could do out at the acreage to keep things secure. Simeon prayed for the people who have taken our things at bedtime. Ezra has asked quite a few times when the police are going to find our stuff. We ended by giving them each a notebook to write down gifts that God has given us. I want them to be able to focus on how much we do have, not what was taken away. I know that it will continue to be hard when they discover more of their things that were taken and I hope that the notebook will give them a place to process things. I am thankful that there has not been any fear in them and pray that will continue.

Heading to parent teacher conferences this afternoon. It is always fun to hear how Josiah and Simeon are doing and to see their rooms! A week of spring-like weather lies ahead - yay!

Friday, March 11, 2011

Simeon's name

It took both Joel and I awhile to figure out exactly what Evelyn was saying when she said, "Fay-ya." Finally we realized that "Fay-ya" is what Evelyn calls Simeon.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Happy Birthday Josiah

Happy Birthday Josiah!
Vital stats (just because I want to remember): Weight - 67lbs, Height - 4ft 4.5in (both just above 75th percentile)

I told Josiah last night that he might not want to go to sleep because it was his last night as a seven year old. He giggled and said that was probably a good idea! And then it hit me. . .I no longer have a seven year old. He is eight today. Somehow, that sounds so old, and I find myself a bit weepy!

I could not have known eight years ago how much Josiah would change me. He started me on this journey of motherhood and I have learned so much. The poor guy has had to deal with the brunt of my learning curve, and unfortunately that will probably continue. By God's grace, He will use even that to shape both of us.

I am so grateful for who God has given me as my first-born son. He is so unique and I treasure him more and more as he grows and develops. Josiah is changing into a boy and I am enjoying the humor he now partakes in. He likes to joke and giggles while watching the 3 Stooges. He is also becoming very interested in wrestling and participated in his first wrestling meet last weekend. I was very proud of how hard he worked! He continues to love school and his teacher enjoys him too. It is so fun to listen to him read. I appreciate his sensitive heart towards others. He seems to know what might hurt others and takes steps to avoid that. Just this week, he made the brownies for his class treat, with just a little help from me, but wanted to make sure a girl in his class that has some allergies would be able to eat them. He still loves legos. He is planning his garden for out on the acreage. The first thing he wants to plant is sweet corn. . .to sell. And he thinks pumpkins and watermelons would be fun too. He picked Lucky Charms for his birthday cereal and hotdogs for his birthday meal.

Dear Josiah, may God's riches blessings be yours this year and may you continue to strive after your namesake, doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord and not turning aside to the right or to the left. (2Kings 22:2) I love you!

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

An Ordinary Nuisance

Today, I am grateful that my God still does miracles. For I am certain that today, He did one for my family.

It started out as a normal morning, except that I was cold. Okay, that's not so abnormal. But, I was really cold. I decided to check the thermostat and found that it hadn't kicked in yet this morning and there was a good reason that I was cold. Josiah got up and promptly wrapped himself in a blanket on the living room floor. I messed with the thermostat, but couldn't get the furnace running. So, of course, I told my husband who graciously went downstairs to check on the furnace. He tinkered with it, changed the filter, and the furnace clicked on. Josiah and Joel went off to school and I noticed that I was still cold. I checked the thermostat again and it was a degree colder than when I had first checked it this morning. Hmmm. . .

Enter the furnace guy. He arrived about 10am this morning and started tinkering with the furnace. After a little while, he came upstairs and asked me, "Have your kids been sick?" Strange question for a furnace guy to ask, I thought, my heart beating a bit harder. "Yes. . .why?" "Let me show you something." So I went downstairs with him and he showed me where the exhaust vent from the furnace had detached from the furnace, successfully blowing carbon monoxide into our house instead of out of it. Perhaps that explains the frequent headaches Simeon has been having and the crazy behavior of my dog. . .

And now, the furnace which wouldn't turn on this morning, has had no problems since, even though the furnace guy didn't fix anything besides the vent. But it did cause someone to come look, notice condensation on a pipe, look further, and save our family from a very scary "who knows what might have happened."

An ordinary nuisance. Today it was a miracle. I am so grateful.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Lucas is Nine Months


Lucas turned nine months old this week.

Here's his stats:
22lbs - 75th percentile
31 in long - above the 97th percentile!

What he's doing:
Pulling himself up on things
Loves to play peek-a-boo
Consistently waking up at 4am, and often before as well
Saying, "da, da, da, da. . ." to himself
Disappears to explore. . .his particular favorites are the dogfood and the bathroom trash can
Each day is different as to whether he will eat baby food or not
Just tried black beans and homemade bread, both big hits




Wednesday, February 23, 2011

How does your world look this morning?

Here's how my world looked this morning. . .



























Thankfully, we are moving around now and don't seem to be feeling too badly.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

The Weight of Weeping

Here I am: "Heavy from the hurts I heard. Not the troubles my own heart has known, not troubles my body has born, but troubles I've witnessed, heard of, empathized. One wonders how this world can bear the weight of the sin that bears it down daily. Maybe that is why it groans, and we groan. Yes, I think that's it. We know that as long as we walk this twirling sphere, there will be tears and sorrow. And we get weary with the weight of weeping."

What I need to remember and live: "It doesn't help the hurting to be angry or bitter or frustrated or even sad all the time over the sadness, the injustice, the injuries this world can inflict. To weight our hearts down with grief doesn't lighten the load of others."

Lord, may I: "give thanks and pray to (You) the One who still works miracles in hurting hearts. I'm slipping off my load of hearts onto Him who can truly heal them. "

Quotes taken from: Ashley Haupt at Little Pieces of Ordinary, Feb 18, 2011 posting.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Easy

I want it to be easy.
Going, moving. . .
Just one more dish.
One more toy.
One more answer.

I want it to be easy.
Thinking, speaking. . .
Stop a fight.
Fix a bump.
Mend a heartache.

I want it to be easy.
Straining, striving. . .
Just try harder.
Do more.
Be more.

I want it to be easy.
Comparing, judging. . .
Another voice.
An added weight.
A silent battle.

I want it to be easy.
Waiting, yearning. . .
"For My yoke is easy
and My burden is light."

Monday, January 31, 2011

A Sunday School conversation

Ezra's Sunday school teacher told me that they were discussing how people differ in the amount that they like to talk around others in their class on Sunday morning. Ezra said that God gave him a brain so that he could think. Then he said, "I think a lot of thoughts. . .sometimes I don't share them. . .but, mostly I do."

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

A couple of handsome boys!

I love Sundays -- all dressed up!


We're on the move.

Hello world. Lucas is on the move. His particular favorite things to get into are the dog food and Legos. I spent most of Sunday afternoon Dear God, please give me another set of eyes!


Friday, January 21, 2011

Evangelist Ezra at it again

Ezra and Evelyn were coloring at the kitchen table this morning, when evangelist Ezra decided to speak:
Ezra: "We are God's people, Evelyn, so we should not lie."
A few moments later,
Ezra: "Mom and Dad don't want you to go to he-el (hell), so you should trust in Jesus."
Evelyn: "Okay, I will trust in Jesus."

Friday, January 14, 2011

"Mommy" Evelyn

As I was doing the dishes one evening, Evelyn informed me that she was going to sweep the floor and that I needed to "stay in the other room" while she did that. She then seriously admonished me to "be obedient."