sweeter still

We got to do some fun things this summer, as my last post captured in photos. But for me, the best moments can't always be caught on film. Those sweet, tender moments with my little ones that just melt my heart to pieces ... the questions they ask as they learn about faith ... those are the times that I remember "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away" (quote sent to me by my loving father-in-law). Here are some of those moments for me.

My sweet Cole has been so precious with the baby. Here I found him singing songs about Jesus. Any time the baby gets fussy, Colson will run to him and find a toy for him to play with.

A frequent question of concern for Colson is, "When is Jesus coming back to get us?" When I tell him that we don't know when He will be coming for us, he says, "It's taking too long for me!" As I see all the pain in the world, and watch the deterioration of values and morals in our culture I, too, eagerly await the arrival of my Savior!

My Kaden has decided this summer that he adores his mommy. Not a day goes by when he doesn't run and embrace me and say with a huge smile, "Mommy, I love you and I'm going to marry you!" I just love it when he catches me off guard and whispers those sweet words in my ear.

This summer, I have found it invaluable to teach my kids to "be still" before the Lord. It is so hard to do in this culture (I have struggled miserably myself at doing so consistently, and am taking action to change that) and I want them to learn while they are still young. So nearly every day, the kids and I have "worship time" where each one takes a turn choosing a worship song from the web. Most of the time we close our eyes and either fold or lift our hands. I love seeing my kids worship the God who knows and loves them!

Once during one of these worship songs, there was a video that showed a bloodied Jesus on the cross. Kaden was shocked and asked me, "what is happening to Jesus?" I explained that he was dying on the cross. He replied, "No, he can't die! We need Jesus to go to heaven!" It was a wonderful opportunity to talk with my son, once again, about not only Christ's death, but also His resurrection.

And Ky, my sweet little servant. I have been touched by her tender heart so many times. Just last week we were praying for our friend, who is also the children's ministry director at church. At the beginning of the school year with many new programs starting up, she has a lot on her plate. After finishing our prayer, Kylee said, "Mom, if Ms. Becky is so busy, we need to go to the church and help her! Go on, Mom, call her cell phone!" So I did, and what Ms. Becky told Ky she needed help with was cleaning the refrigerator used for the Upwards Soccer ministry. "Alright, Mom, let's go!" So we changed into cleaning clothes, gathered up the boys and headed off to the church. Each of the kids grabbed a spray bottle and a rag and cleaned for a bit, with Kylee staying the longest to finish up the job. I was so touched by the way Kylee's heart for others, once again, drove her to action.

There was another precious time when we were driving and I heard Kylee telling her brothers, "I hope that someday I can go to Africa and give baby dolls, horsies, dress up clothes and doll houses to some little girls who don't have any. I have lots of that stuff that I don't play with all the time, so I can give it to them!" I love her heart to give to and serve others - it's so pure and unadulterated by all the logistics that get in my way of "doing" so often. I do hope that we will have a chance to get our little girl (and her family!!) to Africa someday.

Thank you, precious ones, for taking my breath away so often!!

The sun is setting on summer

The end of summer always brings with it a bit of sorrow. The long, bright days full of pools and popsicles, sleep overs and sprinklers, extended time with friends and family, camping excursions and baseball games are ending. We are now ushering in a new season, and I was acutely aware of it today as I saw the first glimpses of gold in the trees above. Sigh.

Autumn is my favorite season, but with my daughter starting kindergarten (sniff sniff) and the cold, long Wisconsin winters that follow such a glorious time, I find myself cringing just a bit. "No, not yet! I'm not ready!" I want to cry, as if time will stand still just for me :O)

But, since I can't extend summer any longer, here are some wonderful memories that I am so grateful for:

Off to the pool

Foster family day at the baseball game

Sprinkler park with friends

Sleep overs!!

Relaxing around a campfire

Fudgesicles!!

Ky loved her swim lessons!

So long, summer!!

I did not need this today...

As I was trying to perfect the crust of my homemade apple pie, I heard a shriek emerge from the playroom in the basement. "Mom! Come quick!" Kylee screamed. I rushed downstairs, scared to discover the source of her screams. Then I saw it - my 3 1/2 year old twin boys absolutely covered in bright pink chapstick, laughing gregariously over their own appearances. At that moment, when I still had to finish dinner for the family, tidy up the house and bake the pie for neighbors who would be joining us for dessert in an hour, I felt like crying. "I don't have time for this right now, boys!" I declared as I picked up the empty tube of chapstick and surveyed the hot pink streaks in the new carpet. "Put your hands up and follow me upstairs, " I commanded... and fortunately for them, they did!

However, as I led them out the sliding glass door and asked them to sit on the back step until I could find the time to clean them up, I had to force a stern face to let them know I was not pleased. As I looked into their pink faces and noticed their hands still raised above their heads, I started laughing and finally asked Kylee to go and get the camera. I knew that I would appreciate some photos in the future. Such are the adventures in motherhood!!

Crazy kids

I love to take photos of the kids and I'm always trying to get that "perfect picture" when each of them are looking at the camera and smiling nicely. That doesn't happen too often, as any of you who have photographed kids knows full well. However, I have found that some of my favorite, crazy, real photos happen when the kids are just being themselves - giggling or laughing hysterically, enjoying each other, and especially when they dress themselves! They might not be the photos I usually post or share with others, but when I see them I think, "Yep, those are my kids!"

At our foster family picnic, Kaden received a bag full of "got milk" paraphernalia and LOVED them... as embarrassing as it was. He would put on the cow hat and declare, "I'm a cowboy!"








One rainy day the kids came downstairs already dressed and asked to go on a rain walk. Because the baby was asleep still, we got to play just in the yard, but they still had a blast in their Hawaiian, cowboy, rubber boot attire.

Photos

Bringing all four kids with me on errands is not something I necessarily enjoy, but, at times, it needs to be done. On this particular day, however, it was my pure excitement that gave me the motivation to drag the kids with me to the Walgreens photo center. Our lifetime family friend, Jan Anderson, had taken some photos when we visited Oregon in June and I had several printed to frame around our home. I couldn't wait to see how they turned out! When I gave the clerk my name, however, I was surprised to get a furrowed brow in response. Then she cocked her head to the side, pulled my photos out and said accusingly, "Now these look rather nice, are they professional?"

I smiled innocently and said, "No, they were taken by a family friend, are they that good?" I tried to peek over the counter into her hands to see the photos, but I wasn't getting away that easy. She was still suspicious.

"They are very good, and I don't want to be dealing with a copyright situation here."

I assured her that they were not professional, that our friend was an RN and does photography on the side for fun, and I added that if I would be sure to tell Jan that her photographs were questioned at the counter... if, of course, I could only get them in my hand! The anticipation was mounting...

The clerk shuffled the photos through her hands one more time and stole another look at me as I struggled to keep the baby quiet and my kids from bolting down the aisle towards the toys. Whether she had compassion on me or truly believed me I'll never know, but I did finally make it out of the store with the photos (and all 4 children) in tow.

Thanks so much for taking the photos, Jan!! What do you think?

Kylee's Daddy date

In our home, one of the greatest rewards is getting a date with Daddy! Sometimes our kids work towards Daddy dates with sticker charts, good behavior and chores, and other times dates occur spontaneously, when Daddy feels the need to spend quality one on one time with a particular child. Whatever the reason, when a child knows they get to spend alone time with their daddy, they are filled with joy and excitement and they love to start planning their date. I just love it!

Kylee recently asked Daddy for a night out, and he was more than happy to oblige. She started her preparation by laying out all her dresses on her bedroom floor. She then found her Daddy, asked him to close his eyes, and held his hands as she led him to her room and said, "Now open them!"

"Which one would you like me to wear tonight, Daddy?"

Once he had made the selection, she told him he couldn't come back into her room until she was all ready. "But you can go and find a fancy shirt to wear tonight, OK Daddy?" To her, a "fancy" shirt is basically any shirt with a collar, and she loves it when he dresses up for dates!

After I helped to create pigtails and fasten jewelery as requested, Kylee was off to the bathroom to apply lip gloss for her special occasion. "I think he'll love it, Mommy!" She says, as she uses a brush to perfect the silkiness of her pigtails. "OK, I'm ready!"

As is customary in such an event as this, I make the announcement that the princess is coming and she descends the stairs while her Daddy (and sometimes brothers) stand in staged awe. "You look absolutely beautiful, Kylee! I can't wait to spend time with you tonight!" He wraps her in his arms and she soaks it all in. She is in heaven and I blink back the tears that have formed. I love that Kylee has a Daddy that knows how much his little girl needs to feel treasured by him, and therefore, she and Jim get to have so many moments like this in life!!!