Giving Thanks to the Giver of All Good Gifts

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Melting my heart

The boys all visted the farm a few weekends ago to help Grandpa Bundt with harvesting. Simeon was able to stay a few extra days. It has been a very wet fall, so we were glad they got a chance to be there during the harvesting. They always have such a great time! I'm so grateful Mom and Dad Bundt are so willing and excited to have them, even during a very busy season for them. Simeon had a great time too, but he melted my heart when he returned. The next morning, as we were cleaning up their bedroom, Simeon sat on the bed and said, "Do you know what I missed most while I was gone?" "What's that, Simeon?" "You." My heart melted to the floor!

A patch

I put on patch on Simeon's pajamas today - they were his superman ones that he has worn a hole in the knee!  He was thrilled to be able to wear them again tonight.  I never thought I would put a patch on pajamas. . .I guess superheroes are pretty important!

Domestic

I am feeling quite domestic today – We received a bunch of apples from a friend, so I have made an apple crisp for the freezer and canned applesauce in my new canner.  I also have spaghetti sauce simmering on the stove.  I even roasted red peppers to add to the sauce.  I am having fun with my new toy.  Now if I can just find the time to try apple butter, jalepeno jelly, jalepeno slices. . .

A few thoughts from today

Joel gave Simeon one of his old watches today.  I’m pretty sure it was about every five minutes all day that Simeon turned to me and said, “Isn’t it nice that I have a watch Mom?”

Josiah’s prayer at supper tonight: “Dear God, thank you that I can go to school.  And thank you for Zeke.” (our new puppy)

Third Child Syndrome

Ezra's frequent phrase: "Ma-awwwm. . .are you listening to me?"

Conversation this morning

Josiah: "Mom, I think TK is a little better than Kindergarten." 

Me: "Oh yeah, why's that?"

Josiah: "Because it's shorter."

Me: "But think of all the extra fun things you get to do in Kindergarten. . ."

Josiah: "Yeah, but I don't get as long at home."

Josiah’s First Day of School

It is hard to believe it is here already.  I dropped Josiah off for his first day of kindergarten today.  He looked so grown up in his school outfit and backpack.  Grandma Clark is again picking him up each morning and Josiah has decided to try riding the bus to the high school after school, stop in to say hi to Joel and then walk home.  He did really well this morning.  He held my hand as we walked into the school, but as soon as he was in the classroom, he got busy putting his stuff away and gave me a cheerful “Bye, Mom!” when I said I was going to go.  I think I had a harder time!  I’ve been weepy all morning and it was weird not having him home for lunch.  

A friend who also sent her first child to kindergarten today sent me something this morning.  Here is part of it:

“I’ll never forget the feeling as I stood on the side-walk watching my son go into his kindergarten class-room the first day of school.  I felt like I was no longer going to be there to protect and defend him.  How would he manage if someone bullied him?  Who would help him if he struggled with a problem?  How would I deal with the negative influences he was bound to encounter?  . . . As mothers, we are constantly saying good-bye to our children, relinquishing them to the influences of others. . .Although I have no power to change circumstances, I do have the power of God available through Word and Sacrament.  I can also daily bring my children before His throne and seek His guidance, protection, grace, and mercy for them wherever they are.  This is one of the sacred privileges of motherhood.  And the assurance we have is that the same God who guided Samuel and comforted Hannah is available to guide our children and comfort us.  He knows and loves our sons and daughters even more than we do and is able to accomplish great things in their lives- things beyond our limited sight that He has prepared for them to do for Him and His kingdom.”

One of the great privileges of motherhood – to pray for our kids and believe God has so much good for them and even that what we do not see as good, He works for good. 

So, today I say goodbye to one stage of the life of Josiah, sad at what has gone so quickly and what I will miss, but excited for what is in store in this new stage.

School Time Memories

We are busy getting ready for school in our home.  Josiah came along with Evelyn and I to her last appointment for her helmet in Sioux Falls and afterwards we shopped for school supplies for him.  It was very interesting to watch him pick out his supplies.  The most important thing to him was that the supplies were blue.  We picked out his backpack first and then he matched the blues of the other supplies to the blue of his backpack.  There were two shades of blue folders and he picked the one that was closest in color to the backpack.  Very interesting! 

Simeon has been very interested in starting “school” at home with me.  He wanted to know when his school started.  I told him maybe 2 weeks and he counted the 14 days that was and stated, “Oooh, that’s not very long!”  He also wants to spell.  I told him he has to learn to write his name first, so he has been practicing.  He has a hard time with the “e” he says, and often goes back over parts that aren’t exactly on the tracing line.  After tracing his name a few times one day, he announced that he now knew how to write his name and was ready to start spelling! 

It’s fun to see them excited about learning!

More things to remember

1. Evelyn finally had her first tooth pop through two days ago.  It only took 14 months, but she has a cute little tooth on the bottom.  I’m pretty sure she is working on another one since her shirt is soaked each day! 

2. Josiah’s comment when I read him his school supply list: “I’m going to have a lot of fun in kindergarten if I have to get all that stuff!”

3. I had an argument with Simeon at 4:45am the other morning – Simeon was sure that he could not fall asleep!  I kept telling him that he had been asleep, I had been asleep, and he could just go back to sleep.  He was convinced he had never fallen asleep for the night.  I finally persuaded him to just lay back and keep trying to fall asleep.  He might have been asleep before I got out of the room. . .

4.  Ezra: “Guess what guys. . .I have big boy underwear on. . .I get a sucker if I go poppy in the toliet.” He knows all the rules, but not so successful yet in staying dry and clean.

So Grateful

We have a lot to be thankful for in our house this week. Joel was in a serious car accident last Thursday. Joel's car was hit in the driver's door when another car ran a red light. The pictures below show how bad it was.




As you can see, God protected Joel. He is in a lot of pain, but nothing is broken. He had three athletes with him and they were even able to compete shortly after the accident. It will be at least 4 weeks before Joel is back to normal, but I am so grateful that he is alive and not more seriously injured. It is an emotional process to think about what might have been. I wept to see Joel hug his kids when he got home on Saturday night and it makes me realize even more how much I cherish having a partner in love and life. So, things will be slower here and look differently for the beginning of the summer than we planned, but I am so grateful for God's hand of protection over Joel and those students.

Tulip Festival

Tulip Festival was so much fun! The boys were delighted with everything.

We did ride night on Wednesday night. They are getting older and really loved the kids rides. Even Ezra did everything his brothers did. Josiah was sweet and took Ezra's hand and led him through a maze ride.

We scrubbed streets. The boys entertained the crowds. We took up the rear guard and I'm pretty sure Josiah found all the spots on the road that the mobs of people in front of us missed! Grandpa Clark, Aunt Crystal and I accompanied the boys a few days and then Joel and I enjoyed doing it on Saturday. Someone would dump water for them and then the boys would vigorously attack the water with their brooms.

We watched parades. Ezra was in tears anytime he thought that we were going to miss a part of the parade. The boys loved the bands, tractors and motorcycles!

And of course, Aunt Crystal and I did a great job indoctrinating them on Tulip Festival food!

It was fun to have family around to enjoy it with. I'm glad I went to the work of getting costumes for everyone. I'm grateful Mom let me borrow hers, and I think I will have one made for me for next year. . .perhaps with a matching one for Evelyn!

Things I Don't Want To Forget

Here are some things I want to remember:

1. It is Evelyn's regular practice to finish her dinner, get down from her highchair and make a beeline to Joel's chair. She proceeds to pester him until he picks her up and then sits, mostly contentedly, on his lap until the end of our meal. I'm pretty sure her daddy eats it up.

2. Ezra's newest phrase: "Mommy, I tell you this. . ."

3. They are redoing the roads downtown. The kids and I sat on a bench, after picking up Josiah from school, Evelyn drank a bottle, and we watched them "do construction" for more than a half hour. I had to drag the boys away!

A farm boy in the city

I witnessed the reality of a farm boy in the city this morning. . .We went to pick up Josiah from school. The other boys like to get out of the car and run up and down the sidewalk while we wait for Josiah to come out. So, Ezra and Simeon had run down to the bottom of the stairs and turned around to head back to the van. All the sudden, I hear Simeon say, "Just wait a sec Ezra. . ." Then, almost in slow motion, I see him pull his pants down and proceed to relieve himself in the rocks at the bottom ot the stairs. Keep in mind that there are a row of vans and cars parked with parents in them, waiting for their children to come out too. So, I ran out and helped Simeon pull up his pants, asking him what he was doing? He looked sort of shocked and said he had to go really badly. I told him we didn't do that, he needed to come tell me that he had to go. He continued to look confused, so after I had meekly smiled and shrugged my shoulders at a few parents, and we were in the van, I explained that we could only go potty outside when we were at the farm, but at home, we needed to tell Mommy and we'd find a place to go inside. I'm pretty sure from a later conversation between Simeon and Josiah that this has been a common practice from Simeon outside around our house, although I have not witnessed it! About 2 seconds after we got back to the van, the students came running down the stairs -thankfully it was not 2 seconds earlier!! Oh, the necessity of learning the difference between the farm and the city!

Proud Papa

Joel has found a kindred spirit in our youngest son, Ezra. Not only will Ezra chow down on tomatoes (something the rest of our family is hesitant to do) and spicy things, but his newest passion, with the warm weather, is a motorcycle ride with Daddy. He stands, almost unmoving at the end of the driveway, waiting for his turn. When he finally gets up on the back of the cycle, he is grinning from ear to ear and is ready to go for as long as Daddy will ride with him! Joel enjoys how much Ezra loves it. . .and I enjoy watching my man and his son, both grinning from ear to ear.

She eats

I am home from church today, listening to Pastor David Johnson from Church of the Open Door, and taking care of Evelyn. She didn't really sleep this morning, but that is okay. I think she woke up because she was hungry. She ate a fairly normal amount and I'm so thankful for that. It is so good to see her eating and smiling. I am hopeful that her numbers will be falling on Monday morning. It is exhausting to mull over the "what if" or "what could be wrong." I usually feel like I can release my kids to God's hands, since they belong to Him anyway. But there is always a part of me that wonders and is unsettled. So I wait, feel silly that I am still worried, even though she seems to be getting better and remember that God is El Shaddai, able to supply all my needs. . . no matter what happens.

I am thankful

It has been quite the two weeks. Evelyn has been sick since Sunday, and I haven't been able to put her down. I am exhausted. But in the midst of it all, there is so much to be thankful for. I am thankful for something that requires me to slow down and hold my little girl who is growing up so fast. I am thankful for the warm weather, for my boys playing together, for family who loves me and helps me, for people who pray for me, for the gift of children, and the challenge of sick children.

I go to see the doctor this afternoon. I hope there are some answers there.

I am most thankful for a God who supplies all that I need and even adds blessings.

There will be a day. . .

I try to keep reminding myself that there will be a day where I will be able to finish a task in the time it should take to complete it. That will be the day that I will miss terribly the pitter patter of little feet and a voice calling, "Mommy. . ." Right now it just feels like I will never be caught up, much less complete the things I really should do but can't find the energy to do. It must be the start of spring that makes me think of all the cleaning that should be done. It is a struggle to find the balance of enjoying my kids and taking care of my domain and responsibilities. I don't have it figured out. Josiah has been sick. He went to school today, and ate finally, but tonight he complained that his stomach hurt again and could barely get off the couch to change into his pjs. I'm not sure what it is. His eyes well up with tears when I tell him I'm sorry he's not feeling well and I want to just hold him forever in all his innocence.

Random Observations

1. Before lunch today, Simeon and Ezra were "playing" soccer on the deck. Well, I'm not sure they ever started playing because Simeon had to keep explaining the rules!

2. Ezra's new favorite phrases: "Never ever. . ." As in, "Ezra, eat your beans now please."
"Never ever, Mommy." Then he proceeds to eat them. And his other new phrase is "Super duper. . ." which is followed by whatever he is excited about - "Super duper fast. . .Super duper yummy. . .etc"

3. Josiah spent the time after lunch building another contraption with his blocks. He is very creative with them and can explain how each part works.

4. While Josiah was doing that, his brothers made over 30 trips up and down the deck flight of stairs chasing each others frisbees.

5. Josiah's recent prayer at lunchtime: "And thank you God for Evelyn. She brings so much joy to our family."

The kids

We got some great pictures of the kids a few weeks ago - not that I'm prejudice or anything! I'm amazed at how much they have grown up since last summer.

Joel's Birthday

Today I am making treats for my husband Joel, to celebrate his birthday. I have cupcakes cooling on the counter for his track throwers. I made peppermint icecream cake for Men at Worship. I made one batch of bars last night for the teacher's lounge and have one more batch to make today sometime. Tomorrow morning I am making plunkit for the girls track team. It is some work, but I really don't mind at all. I feel like I do so little to really help and support the things that he does, that I like to do things like this. It makes me feel a part of what he is doing. I am so grateful for Joel and feel blessed to be his wife. We were able to go out Saturday night and went for dinner at the Blue Mountain. We had fun together. I do not take for granted to time we get together and the fact that we enjoy each other. I know that sometimes he feels last in line, competing for my attention amidst the demands of four loud children! I keep praying that I can show him in meaningful ways that he is the love of my life.

Sleeplessness

It is 2am. I am on the computer instead of asleep. My 9 month old daughter cannot figure out how to sleep through the night for more than 2 nights in a row. I didn't realize how precious sleep is. It affects my whole day. I have to fight to have the energy to do anything. All I want is to sleep all night long. I don't know what else to do for her. Lord, help her sleep.

Simeon's thoughts

Yesterday Simeon was sitting by me on the chair while I was feeding Evelyn. He had a book on his lap and Ezra was bugging him to play football with him. Normally, Simeon would be all about that, but today for some reason, he didn't want to. So, he told his brother, "No Ezra. . .the Bible says I can not play football." Where's the reference for that one? :-)

The Beginning

I have finally decided to start a blog. I really want a space to remember what is happening in my family - from the things my children say, to what our daily life looks like, to what I am pondering at the moment. I don't want to forget these precious, busy, sometimes really hard days and I think this is a quick easy way for me to put a few thoughts here and there. So, as Mary pondered all these things up in her heart, I give this space to ponder what God is doing and to remembering what He has done. May He be glorified above all else.