Drippings of Grace

~ When Nothing Seems to Stick

2012-01-23T11:06:00.002-06:00

We start the day out as we try to do most days, reading words that are living and active and relevant. And then we recite our verses for the week. This week’s daily bread is from I Corinthians 13, and we go about setting it to memory. We’ve talked about what it means to be a resounding gong and a clanging symbol – just filling space with noise. We’ve discussed what it means to be able to fathom mysteries and knowledge and possess incredible faith. And today, I try to explain what it means to give everything we have to the poor and to surrender our bodies to the flames. So much is meaningless if there isn’t love to back it up! Nothing we do means anything if we don’t love people.

We read the words three times, and I am amazed at how the words spill out of my mouth without looking (the result of hours spent Bible quizzing as a child). Then I hold up our little cheat sheet, and each boy fills in the verses from memory. We finish by seeing who can add today’s verse to those we’ve learned so far. The hands fly into the air as each one begs to be the first to prove he knows it. Then we review all the passages we’ve learned so far this year about the kind of character we want to have: verses about being alert and guarding our hearts (Proverbs 4:20-23), about being generous people (2 Corinthians 9:6-8), about being content (Philippians 4:11-13), and about living innocent lives (Philippians 1:20) and more.

We continue our day. One struggles with Algebra, another has trouble with math (fractions), and when we get to grammar, one acts like he doesn’t remember anything he’s learned in the last year-and-a-half. I sit there wanting to pull out my hair, and in my heart I think, “Is anything I’m teaching making a difference? Are they retaining anything they’re learning?” (I know! Every teacher has those moments!) I am full of self-doubt and discouragement until I remember the words of Isaiah 55:10-11.

“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

There are some things that are making a difference. They may not remember how to simplify fractions or diagram a sentence. They may forget from day to day how to solve equations. But every life word that they committ to memory is sharper than any double-edged sword and penetrates to their very heart. They may forget them for a time, but the words are shaping and molding in them a character that will bear up during the storms of life, a character that will help them stand firm when no one is looking.

I may not be the best teacher, but the best Teacher is preparing them for a glorious future. His words are watering the soil. His words will bring that seed to bud and flourish and bear fruit. His word is accomplishing in their lives what He has determined is His purpose.

Quite frankly, that just takes some of the pressure off!

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16)

For an effective memory aid to help you commit His word to your heart, click here. Just type your verses in the first block and hit convert. It will remove all the letters except the first of every word. Somehow, it tricks your brain and it works! We love it!

Want to ponder the words of I Corinthians 13, download this e-chart.

2012-01-05T11:42:00.005-06:00

Happy New Year!

Here's hoping your 2012 is full of joyful moments with those you love and an extreme committment to a radical faith in Christ!

Here are some of our favorite family photos from 2011.

~ Christmas in Chicago

2011-12-20T21:35:00.002-06:00

I’m a southern girl through and through, and I dream of tender Tennessee Christmases with my family, but there is something quite magical about Chicago during the holidays.

It had been 25 years since we had celebrated Christmas in Chicago. I always knew I wanted to take my children back and experience it with them. So this year, we decided spur of the moment to take a little family time in the windy city.

We had just taken our exit, curved to the right and found ourselves in the beauty and chaos that is Chicago. As we pulled up to the first red light, I saw him about three cars ahead of us. He had a spray bottle and a smile and was looking to earn a little money. It dawned on me that I had not quite prepared my children for this trip, and I blurted out, “Boys, you’re going to see things in Chicago that you don’t see where we live.” The three younger boys had their necks craned looking at all the skyscrapers, but my oldest saw him. He asked me what I meant by that, and I explained to him about homelessness and poverty, and he said, “Like that man back there?” I knew he had seen him.

We were driving down Michigan Avenue and winding our way across the river to State Street when I saw her desperation. Her sign said, “I lost my job. I have four children. I just need to feed my family.” The three younger boys were taking in all the sights along the river, but I knew he saw her. And later when we walked past the young girl who sat with her eyes closed just inside a doorway so as not to be trampled, I saw his eyes look down to read her sign. “I’m not a bad girl, I just made bad choices.” She never opened her eyes, but he saw her. I know he’s seen poverty. He’s seen the sick and broken and hungry and homeless in other countries but never this close to home.

I had struggled initially with the decision to take the boys to Chicago because we had decided to approach Christmas differently this year. In trying to teach the boys what Christmas really means, we had been working on getting them to sacrifice their own wishes and dreams for the sake of others who had needs. We decided as a family to simplify our Christmas, and the boys eagerly chose to send a goat and two chickens to a village somewhere around the world so another family would have a means to feed their children. Taking them to Chicago with all the lights and glitz just seemed at first like a step in the wrong direction.

But as we looked beyond the lights and the glitz, we saw the very reason why Christ came in the first place.

At the end of our first night, we were waiting in line to take a carriage ride down Michigan Avenue. As we got closer to the front of the line, I heard a Salvation Army bell ringer singing and talking to people as they passed by.

A woman approached her carrying a small box. She reached to put something in the bucket and then proceeded to empty her box a few coins at a time. It took several minutes for her to empty the box, but when she walked away, the bell-ringer turned to us with her toothless grin and began shouting, “Did you see that? They was all quartas!!” She praised and smiled and raised her hands, and I can assure you, he noticed!

The next day, we saw the windows on State Street, experienced the over-crowded but yummy Christkindlmarket, and watched the ice skaters at Millennium Park.

I began to notice that every time I gave my oldest money to buy something, he asked if he could keep the change. Before we left, I watched him walk proudly to a Salvation Army bell ringer and empty his pockets and my mommy heart melted! I thought we were just going to have a special family time. I had no idea God would paint such a vivid picture in my young one’s mind of what the season is all about.

Here are some of the highlights of our trip:

The view from our hotel room just a block from Lake Michigan.

Visiting Santa at Water Tower Place

The Chicago Water Tower was the only public building in the burned zone to survive the Fire of 1871. It is just one of a few of the surviving structures still standing.

While waiting for our carraige ride, we noticed a great little place to get warm and kill some time. We made dad stand in line!

Our view the second day!

The lobby of the John Hancock building. Bennett was in heaven!

A view of Navy Pier

Cloud Gate in Mellenium Park

Our Hotel

Warming up at Panera

What a way to end a day! Resting at Panera while dad gets the car!

~ Oliver Twist

2011-11-12T22:17:00.005-06:00

One classic tale by Charles Dickens

One timid little boy who says, “I think I’ll try it!”

A cast and crew of 41 kids

Twenty rehearsals

One seasoned director

An undisclosed amount of post-rehearsal trips to McDonalds for starving little actors

Many nights of tag-team parenting

Fourteen hours of tech week rehearsals

Countless new friends

Hundreds of trips across town (at least it felt that way)

One murder scene

Two original songs

One big brother on stage crew

One “not-so-timid anymore” little pick-pocket

Two incredible performances

One awesome cast party

And one little boy who could use a nap!

This was Ellison's first foray into the world of theater and mom and dad could not be more proud! Special thanks to our director, Mrs. Therese Burazin, who helped shape and mold our young hooligan. Photos were taken at our local Home School Drama Troupe's production of Oliver Twist. Several of the above photos are courtesy of my friend Tom of Tom Otte Imaging. (Thanks Tom and thanks for the lens!)

~ When the Prognosis Is Devastating

2011-10-31T19:11:00.004-05:00

He was a man of few words; at least that’s what everyone said.

And that’s how I remember him.

His eyes were kind, his voice and his manner gentle.

I remember his smile and his laughter, lots of laughter.

But not a lot of words.

He didn’t talk much, but when he did, it was usually worth hearing.

To say the prognosis wasn’t good was an understatement.

Lung Cancer.

His daughter asked him, “Daddy, are you scared?”

His answer was just three little words, “I’ve faced worse!”

When he said those words, he did not know how the disease would progress and how quickly it would steal his last breath.

He had not traveled that road before.

But he had known pain in his life.

He walked the agonizing road of loneliness that comes when a boy loses his daddy at the age of ten: a lifetime without the one who would have taught him the way to walk, to live, to be a man, to be a father.

He walked the road of overwhelming sorrow when he lost his son at the age of five to a brain tumor. How does one recover from such a sadness?

Certainly, those three little words reflected his pain in the troubles of this life.

But surely no one can face the uncertainty of a devastating diagnosis with words like “I’ve faced worse” without the unwavering certainty that death in itself is not something to be feared.

This world is full of trouble and pain and sorrow.

YES!

We are not promised an easy road.

But for those who know this is not our home, we fix our eyes on the One who has overcome this world,

the One who has swallowed death in victory,

the One who has prepared a place for us to be with Him forever.

And through that lens, we stand firm, letting nothing move us.

Not even a devastating diagnosis!

We can look death in the face and say,

“I’ve faced worse!”

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Phillipians 1:21)

Last month, my Uncle Aaron went to see Jesus face to face. Photos were taken at the celebration of his life and are for those who were unable to attend. It was a great celebration indeed!

~ Never Forget

2011-09-11T16:17:00.002-05:00

I will never forget the day the glass shattered, the ash fell, and our world was changed forever.

I was a not-so-young mother of three. I had just dropped my three-year-old off at Moppets and was sitting in the auditorium at MOPS waiting for our leader, just chit-chatting with my friends.

My two middle children had just been born the previous month and probably didn't weigh much more than their three pound birth weight. They were possibly still in the hospital or had already gone to live with their foster parents (who sacrificed greatly to keep them in the same home). I didn't even know they were mine, yet. We were still full of hope and waiting anxiously for news that they had found us a child.

In the next moment, our leader approached the platform and told us that a plane had flown into the 1st tower. At the time, we had no way of knowing the extent of what would happen that day. We prayed for the people who lost their lives and for the city of New York. And then we went about our morning.

I remember flipping on the TV later that morning and watching the devastation - people running, buildings burning, smoke and ash chasing people down the streets of NYC. I remember desperatley wanting to hear my husband's voice, to be with him.

Today, I think of all those who would desperately like to hear the voices of their loved ones - the voices that were silenced on that dark day.

On my way to church this morning, I told my 10-year-olds about that day, about the planes, and the selfishness of those pilots, and the selflessness of those passengers. And I choked up when I told them that there were people who didn't want another plane to kill more people, so they sacrificed themselves. They put others first. They gave their lives.

My children won't remember the events of that day. They were too young. They only know what they learned in school or saw on TV. They won't remember the hands stretching out to offer hope to their neighbors and people choosing to see the needs of others as more important than themselves. They won't remember how a country gathered up its courage and refused to live in fear or how for a brief time, a nation cried out with one voice to its Creator for help.

The Bible tells us to remember the past, not just so we can mourn all over again. Remembering helps us have hope.

Never forget!

Never forget that evil is real.

Never forget what happens when people put away petty differences and selfish motives.

Never forget what happens when there is clarity and unity of purpose.

Never forget that there is One who can take whatever evil can dish out and use it for good.

Never forget that He is the one who is in control!

We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15: 1-6)

Photos were taken in a very dark auditorium at our 911 memorial service on my husband's Android phone. (My apologies!) We started the service with "I was..." and ended with "I will..." The challenge was, "Where is your hope and what will you do to trust God in that hope in the days ahead." People hung their responses on a chain link fence much like the one at Ground Zero. Powerful service!

~ To Love Is To Go

2011-08-24T22:57:00.000-05:00

Even though the work is hard,

And the conditions are difficult,

And the area is in turmoil,

TO LOVE IS TO GO!

Even though you don't know the language

or the people

or their ways,

TO LOVE IS TO GO!

Even though others have stopped going,

TO LOVE IS TO GO!

In July, my oldest went to Mexico to build a house for a family who had little more than a broken down shack. I was scared to send my son into a country with so much unrest, where thousands of people have lost their lives due to drug-related killings, but I knew God would honor his desire to serve the poor. More importantly, I knew God would BE honored by his obedience. God loves the poor. And God calls us to love the poor. And in that moment of trying to be a parent and make the hard call to send him or not, I could not deny the truth that sometimes to LOVE, you have to GO!

Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. (Proverbs 14:31)

If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (I John 3:17-18)

Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard... and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. (Isaiah 58:6-8, 10)

Pictures are from Josiah's trip to Tecate, Mexico: working at the house site, finding ways to make friends when you can't communicate (soccer in the streets), dedicating the family's new home, and giving a new truck to a lady who is tireless in her efforts to help her people - God's ambassador in Tecate! (The second week, our volunteers and youth pooled their money and bought a truck for this special lady and her incredible ministry to the area.)

~ A Family Photo Shoot

2011-08-21T21:23:00.004-05:00

~ How To Have a Country Wedding

2011-08-20T21:11:00.003-05:00

Find the perfect spot...

Make sure there's an awesome barn...

and a tractor (of course).

Surround yourself with people you love...

and people that love you.

Find ways to make it meaningful.

The bride's two grandpas had passed away, but their belongings hidden behind a tree made the day special for the bride.

The couple's chuppa had belonged to the bride's grandmother who passed away.

Keep it simple...

No unity candle here - just salt and sugar!

Old fashioned fans for the guests

Add a touch of whimsy...

Do what country folk do -

Have a campfire!
Roast a pig!

Keep it family friendly.

Remember every detail...

Savor every moment...

and linger long after the sun goes down.

All photos were taken at the wedding of a friend's daughter. It was held at the amazing Cedar Hill Barn in Markesan, Wisconsin on a perfect August afternoon.

~ Baseball, Hotdogs, Apple Pie & Chevrolet

2011-08-02T23:02:00.001-05:00

Oh well, three out of four ain't bad!

Today, we're wavin' our flags and celebrating the all-American way because Ellison and Aidan are officially American citizens, finally!

When their citizenship certificates arrived in the mail, we knew we had to celebrate. And since today's their birthday, we decided to make a day of it!

So we headed to the city for some traditional American cuisine at the Dogg House.

And then we spent the day at a friend's lake cottage.

After a full day of family fun, we headed home, grateful for our country and for the two little Americans who have made our lives so full and interesting these last 10 years!

We never did find that apple pie!

(This is the sunset we followed home. The photo doesn't do it justice. It was a ball of hot pink fire. Occassionaly, the road would turn and it would disappear behind trees. When it would reappear, Bennett would scream, "There's another one!" I think he counted 10-15 different pink balls in the sky!)

Happy 10th birthday Ellison and Aidan - we love you!

Morning in the Park

2011-08-01T10:54:00.001-05:00

He ran everywhere he went. He always does.

His eyes sparkled with each new discovery -

a brand new fawn,

ducks rushing at him as if he were a new playmate,

crimson red cardinals fluttering about (and playing kissy face),

and then he heard the whistle from the little wooden train and he took off...

What a lovely way to spend the morning -

chasing a three-year-old through the park!

It's a Summer Celebration

2011-07-29T22:18:00.002-05:00

We pack our bags for the day, pick up string cheese at the cheese factory made fresh this morning - our snack to share, and head out to the country .

Our friends are having a party to celebrate summer.

The weather is perfect.

The pool is brand new.

The children are excited to spend the day with their friends -

these children who were babies together and have grown up together.

They have celebrated summer together for years.

We spend the day watching the older kids play with the younger ones and listening to squeals of laughter - pure summer fun!

They have noodle wars and chicken fights,

and every so often a child screams, "There's a plane!"

It happens often throughout the day as planes from all over the world make their way to our local EAA Fly-in in Oshkosh, WI.

The kids make gak while the mommies get the pool for a few moments of peace and quiet. (recipe here)

We scarf down the best Peanut Butter Trufffle Brownies. (recipe here)

It's a beautiful day for a celebration, and we find ourselves grateful that while our friends down south start school in the next week or so, we still have another month of summer.

~ The Cows Make It Taste Better

2011-07-25T09:28:00.007-05:00

Last night, we ate ice cream in a corn field.

We surprised the kids and decided to have ice cream for supper.

I know, seems like we've been hanging out in corn fields alot these days.

But when you can eat your ice cream next to the cows that made the milk - well, what can I say?

It just doesn't get better than that.

Our flavor choices:
Root Beer
Mint Brownie
Midnight Milky Way
Purple Hippo (Grape with orange sprinkles
The County Fair Sundae (Vanilla, Caramel, Spanish Peanuts & Popcorn)
& Mango Tango Sundae (Mango ice cream, Strawberries & Raspberries)

As if having ice cream for dinner wasn't special enough, when we got home, the best neighbor in the world had hung a huge bag of buttered popcorn from our local popcorn stand on our back door.

So we did what we had to do -

We had popcorn for dessert!

If you have a hankerin' for ice cream for dinner tonight, take a drive to the country and stop in at the Kelley Country Creamery. Say hello to the cows for me!

~ Summer Days Drifting Away

2011-07-22T23:14:00.000-05:00

We drove into the middle of a huge corn field -

220 acres to the left,
120 acres to the right,
(give or take a few),

about a half-mile down a narrow gravel drive, the corn standing guard all around, its tassels swaying in the warm summer breeze.

And when we reached the clearing, there it was -

the best little private swimming hole in the Midwest and lots of friends to share it with.

The boys put on their suits, and we didn't see them for the next three hours. (Well, we really knew exactly where they were at all times.)

We grilled chicken and had garden fresh pasta salad and roasted marshmallows,

but they were too busy to eat.

There was boating, kayaking, a diving platform, a sandy beach, and best of all - a zip line!

We cheered those who were brave enough to thrust themselves across the water.

We watched the sky change from blue to pink to gray as the sun began its descent, and just before it was too dark to see and before the mosquitoes could have their way with us, we called them all out of the water to head home.

Oh, how I love the lazy days of summer, especially when they drift into a pefect summer night!

~ Always a Soccer Summer

2011-07-18T20:40:00.002-05:00

He starts the season with, "Mom, I can't wait 'til soccer practice starts. I love soccer!"

He leaves his first practice dead tired. The coach has worked him to the bones.

He tells me some of the other kids complain about how hard they had to work. He says he knows the coach is just trying to get them in shape.

We're on our way to the field for a game. It's in the 90's and he's brought two water bottles, just in case.

I express my concern that he stay hydrated.

He responds at the top of his lungs, "I love to run!"

CRAZY KID!

I hope he always works this hard and has this kind of passion for whatever he does!

~ On Going Home and Coming Home

2011-06-14T11:39:00.017-05:00

It was good to be away -

to "go home".

To feel like we could rest and breathe again -

nowhere to be, no appointments, no cell phones buzzing, no computer to check, and no TV!

There were moments when I found myself longing for that life...

walking next door to Mom's for breakfast every day (Oh to live by my mama!),

having my in-laws just down the street and enjoying dinners together,

hearing my children's laughter as they played with cousins and begged for sleepovers,

having my brothers and sister close and playing cards and laughing over speed scrabble when it probably would have been smarter for all of us to go to bed (like when my sister looked at my son's board and asked "Deep? What's a deep?" or how our game seemed to turn into the Princess Bride version of speed scrabble [think wuv, twoo wuv]),

having my grandma a block away and watching her great-grandchildren give her hugs and kisses and watching their eyes explode when her hand reaches into her candy stash to give them each a treat (and remembering all the days I spent at her house stealing peppermints and orange peanuts from her candy dish),

being in a place where I actually run into people I know from way back (Liz from Cookeville and Stephanie, my first cousin),

and sitting beside my husband for the awesome service at Long Hollow Baptist Church.(Oh the luxury of sitting next to my husband on a Sunday morning!)

For nine days, I pretended that was my life.

That may seem a little silly for a grown woman to say, but every day in my real life, I hear people say,

"We're going to mom's for dinner,"
or
"My parents are watching the kids,"
or
"I had lunch with my sister yesterday."

Simple little, harmless statements that make my heart want to throw a pity party.

The fourteen hour "mountain" that separates me from my family feels insurmountable and I begin focusing on what I'm missing -

the birthdays,

the family reunions,

the Sunday dinners,

the grandparents watching the endless soccer and baseball games,

the graduations,

the holidays,

the cousins growing up together,

the nieces and nephews turning into incredible men and women,

my sister volunteering to take the kids and me telling her, "Of course they can stay with us,"

cooking my Mom something special on Mother's Day or just being with her on a Mother's Day,

getting to say, "Just come on over for supper," or "Let's do Christmas at our house this year,"

and on, and on, and on...

Oh, it's a pitiful sight, this pity party.

The eyes gush, the nose runs and suddenly God's will seems just a little unfair.

(Even now, I'm a little blotchy just typing this. Not sure if it's from the sadness or the extreme shame I feel for admitting all this.)

I tell you, it's ugly!

It's not really a place where I want to get comfortable.

It's a place that says, "I'll trust You in everything God, but not this!"

It's that place of longing for what lies behind instead of wildly anticipating what lies ahead.

It's the ugly, arrogant place that says, "See God, I'm making this huge sacrifice for You. Why aren't You noticing?"

It's the delusional place that says, "I know what's best for me better than You do!"

I don't like myself much in that place.

When I live with one foot in reality and one foot in the wishing and hoping, the foot trying to hang on to reality becomes pretty useless.

“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:15)

I need both feet!

So, I usually remind myself of the moment I told God that I would follow Him every day of my life,

And then I remind myself of the moment I stood before this man of mine and promised to follow Him anywhere (really - anywhere),

And I grab hold of the week here or the 10 days there that I get to go "home" and I pretend for a little while...

but then I come home.

I come home to the leaving and cleaving and dying to self.

I come home to the blooming where you are planted.

I come home to the beauty of this place where I live and the miracle of this man and these children I've been given and the friends who have become like family and the people who desperately need to know about my Savior.

I come home to the pressing on...

To the taking hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. (Phillipians 3:12)

I come home to boundary lines that have fallen for me in pleasant places (Psalm 16:6),

and I crawl into my own bed and put my head on my own pillow (which is better than all the pillows in the world) and I say without any hesitation,

"It's good to be home!"

Photos: Fun with cousins and water squirters from Dollar Tree and eating delicious s'mores with giant marshmallows at Granny's house. (Aunt Lori says, "Don't try this in the microwave!)

~ A Great Way To End a School Year

2011-05-27T21:50:00.001-05:00

I started the school year with a bit of trepidation, this first year of schooling at home.

Would I remember how to teach?

It had been 22 years since I ran my own classroom.

Would my children cooperate and see and respect me as their teacher?

Would they beg to go back to their respective schools?

I knew God had called us to this. I knew He would carry us through it.

After a year of great Bible discussions, rich literature, learning a new language and beginning music training, not to mention the essentials of a great education, I have to say it feels more like starting a new life than just teaching school.

And when they say to me, "Mom, we are homeschooling again next year, right?", I breathe a deep sigh of relief, and I offer whispered prayers of gratitude for this extreme priviledge of getting to watch them become all that He wants them to be!

To celebrate the boys' hard work, we spent the last day of school at the Milwaukee Public Museum with another homeschooling family (friends of ours). We went specifically to see the butterflies as we had just ended our year studying butterflies.

It was a great ending to a great year!

~ When Your Arms Are Overflowing

2011-05-21T22:26:00.002-05:00

"I opened the window to let the fresh air in

And continued to work away the day,

Painting walls and filling shelves just so,

Until the wind blew and took my breath away.

The lilacs seemed to dance across the room

Reminding me of sweeter things to come...

Empty arms and aching heart no more...

When will this child I've longed for come home?"

I remember standing in an empty nursery in the spring of 1998 after 11 years of infertility wondering when God would answer our prayers.

One month later, on June 24, 1998, my first child arrived .

And they just kept coming!

"He gives the barren woman healing. She'll dance with joy like the mother of children." ~ from There's No One Like Our God

Pictures taken Mother's Day 2011. Lyrics are from a song called "Carried Away on a Breeze".

That's My Mom!

2011-05-07T23:19:00.003-05:00

This morning before church, I sat down next to my oldest son. As I crossed my legs, I bumped his shoe, and we compared shoe sizes. His shoe was bigger than mine. Now obviously, my foot is bigger than his. He's only 13. But he was wearing bulky tennis shoes, and I had on dainty sandals. The thought crossed my mind that it won't be long 'til his foot will fill my shoe. In the next moment, I had this thought:

I'm 46 years old, and I still can't fill my mom's shoes.

Oh sure, I've borrowed her shoes when we go to visit, and they fit just fine (Although, I'll never understand where she got that dainty narrow foot. My toes do pinch a little.)

And yes, I've inherited pairs of shoes she bought in a daring moment and then ~~was too chicken to wear~~ said she just didn't wear them that much.

And I confess, there have probably been times (early in life) when I stole shoes from her closet, and they ended up in mine. (I'm sure that happened once or twice.)

When I say I can't fill her shoes, I'm not talking about the size of my feet.

I'm talking about the enormous role she has played in my life. I'm talking about her enormous heart.

She is amazing.

She is a server,

a giver,

an encourager,

a truth teller,

an intercessor,

a great example of a Godly woman.

She is always faithful,

fiercely loyal,

and deserves a crown in heaven for her patience.

She has seen tragedy and sadness and disappointment in her life, but there is no hint of anger or bitterness in her.

On the contrary, she is full of grace and forgiveness and acceptance, always ready to give testimony to God's amazing grace in her own life.

And if that's not proof enough that she's the greatest mom in the world, how 'bout this:

She's an awesome cook!

Anyone who knows my mom counts themselves lucky to eat at her table. (She cooks in her spare time - for fun!)

Still not convinced.

She smells really good, too!

(One of my sons came home after being at her house and said with a smile on his face, "Mmm! Mom my pillow smells like Granny!" He was right. It did!)

I may never be able to "fill her shoes", but I hope someday my children will feel the same way about me that I feel about her.

I hope someday they can say,

"That's my mom, and she's my best friend."

I love you, mom! Happy Mother's Day!

~ Friends FOURever

2011-04-28T00:09:00.006-05:00

These precious little angels have been friends since the womb.

Three of them totally caught their mommies by surprise!

There must have been something in the water at church.

(Zachary's 1st Birthday: Zachary, Emmerson, Bennett & Ansleigh)

Their mommies got sick together,

had cravings together,

and got fat together.

(Bennett's 1st Birthday: Ansleigh, Zachary, Bennett & Emmerson)

Recently, these four have all had birthdays.

Now their mommies talk about potty training,

which socks don't wear out (Puma if your interested),

and how to survive the day with a three-year-old.

(Emmerson's 3rd Birthday: Emmerson with mom Jackie)

(Zachary with mom, Heidi)

(Ansleigh with dad, Greg)

(Bennett with his mommy)

My how time flies!

~ It's Not Just DNA

2011-04-26T22:09:00.005-05:00

It's early in the day, and we are watching our smallest busy himself about the house, making his presence known wherever he goes. He loves noise. His brothers are off playing in another part of the house when I tell my husband,

"He is sooo you!!!"

I whisper it because I never want the older boys to think they are less of daddy than their brother.

And then I wink and ask my husband if he thinks the little one will be-bop when he walks as he gets older. (That's what caught my eye when I first saw his daddy - that happy bouncy way he walked around campus when we were young and carefree.)

He laughs and says he's been noticing the same crazy bounce step in our little one that I always tease him about.

It must be in the genes.

The day rolls along. We start school and tend to our subjects, and when it's time for science, I pull out the beads and the pipe cleaners, and I help my oldest make a replica of a strand of DNA.

I look down as my hands thread the beads and I remember the morning conversation and I marvel at this carrier of genetic information I am constructing.

The day is winding down when one of my middle boys comes to me out of the blue and says in his quietest, most serious voice,

"Mom, I wish I knew what my birth dad looks like."

We have never been afraid to talk with the boys about birth moms or birth dads. In our book, they are to be honored and remembered for their incredible sacrifices and gifts. However, this comment caught me a little off-guard. Wanting to be ready to tend to this need, I cleared my throat, shook away the cobwebs on my brain from a crazy day, and I uttered the most profound thing I could think of at that moment,

"Oh really, honey? Why?"

"I want to know if I reflect him."

Just as I feel the little flutter in my heart, the one that happens when I wonder if I'm going to be able to handle this the way it needs to be handled, I hear him chuckle and he says,

"I heard that on T.V."

"You heard what on T.V.?"

"That children reflect their parents."

And just like that, something caught his attention and off he went.

No time to formulate the perfect parental response.

No time to reassure him.

No time to scoop him up in my arms.

I'm left standing there with a spatula in my hands, speechless.

As usual, I think of the perfect thing to say later that evening in the quiet, and I will say it to him when I get the chance.

I will tell him that, if it's true that children reflect their parents, his birth father must have the most beautiful dimples, the greatest smile, and the kindest eyes in the world.

And then I'll tell him all the ways he reflects his forever father.

I'll tell him, "You reflect his curiosity, his love for nature, his desire to help people and his ability to make people laugh."

And then I'll tell him all the ways I see Him reflecting his heavenly Father.

I'll remind him to never stop putting other people's needs ahead of his own and to keep loving with no expectations for himself. He's got both of those things down!

I think back on the day and I marvel at the ways a day twists and turns and all comes together.

And when I crawl into bed to find rest for the night, I have this brief thought:

There are many ways to pass things on to your children - DNA is just one of them.

~ Our Favorite Classroom

2011-04-10T18:37:00.014-05:00

"And there was evening, and there was morning —

the fifth day."

We have spent the year exploring creation with Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day.

We have studied everything we could think of that God created with wings on the fifth day of creation.

We've studied bats.

We've studied flying reptiles.

We've studied every kind of insect...

bees,

flies,

grasshoppers,

dragonflies,

and the list goes on.

But we have been saving the best for last.

We have been waiting for the birds to return to our area so we can learn about feathers and flying and nests and eggs hatching.

And then when we know all there is to know about birds, we will end the year studying butterflies (my personal favorite).

It's been a great year looking at all the ways God filled the skies on that fifth day.

We've had a lot of fun.

But the most fun we have, is when we spend the day outside watching for all the ways God's creation points to Him.

It is, by far, our favorite classroom!

(And it's how the twins chose to spend their very special family day.)

The boys discovered this rock in the creek. Apparently "love" really is all around!

Of course there are always feats of strength and challenges of skill and bravery involved.

Next year, we're studying swimming creatures of the fifth day.

Can't wait to see where that takes us!

And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.” So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.” And there was evening, and there was morning—

the fifth day.

Genesis 1:20-23

~ When God Gives You Forever

2011-04-08T22:55:00.003-05:00

Nine years ago today, God gave us an incredible double blessing.

Our twins were eight months old when they arrived from South Korea.

They were born eight weeks premature and weighed only 3 pounds each.

Much to our surprise, they were not tiny when they arrived.

They are identical twins.

After eight hours in a hotel that first night, we could tell their cries apart, and they would turn to our voices at breakfast the next morning.

I believe God had already begun knitting our hearts together.

We became a family that first day at the airport, but God determined it to be so before the foundation of the world.

Happy Family Day Ellis and Aidan! We love you and we love being your forever family!

~ He's the Light in the Darkness

2011-03-23T22:02:00.005-05:00

Photo from here

A few days ago, my husband, who happens to be the pastor, had finished his sermon and we had just finished the closing song. Several times throughout the service that day, people had walked up to him, whispered in his ear. I could tell there was a problem. When he got up to dismiss the congregation, he shared that he had received word (and had someone confirming details throughout the service) that there was a gunman on the west side of our city who had just shot a police office and that there were others who were in harm's way. As a family, we prayed for the safety of those involved and for this man with a gun. Later that day, it was confirmed that one police officer had been killed and another officer and his canine unit had been critically injured.

Today, my boys and I were having lunch at McDonalds when my oldest son noticed people parking in the McDonalds' parking lot and then crossing the street. We thought it strange because there is nothing across from McDonalds. And then we realized they were crossing to the median and just standing there, waiting in the freezing rain. That's when we saw the first police car go by. Once we realized what we were watching, we turned around in amazement as squad car after squad car passed by. Some of those having lunch got up and went to the window. A few even made their way out to the median to join the others. We watched for what seemed like a really long time as this long precessional of police cars, ambulances, firetrucks and more led the way as the hearse carried this young officer's body to the church to prepare for a service this evening.

As I sat there watching this moving display of commraderie and brotherhood, I couldn't help but think of Ken's sermon on Sunday. Just before he made the shocking announcement to our congregation, he had been speaking from the book of Joshua about how some decisions affect the whole community. We've been in a series on the life of Joshua called Big Shoes, and this particular Sunday, we focused on Joshua's leadership as he came face to face with how one man's sin, Achan, impacted more than just himself. Achan had disobeyed God and as a result of that one decision, his sons and daughters and even the whole of Israel paid the price. (You can read the story of Israel's defeat and God's judgement in the book of Joshua, chapters 7 & 8.)

Today, our flags are flying at half-mast in the state of Wisconsin. There are blue ribbons on lampposts, street signs, tree trunks and parked cars in honor of this fallen hero. There are family members grieving, co-workers devastated, a child left fatherless, and a community rocked by this tragedy.

Because of Joshua's leadership in the story of Achan, because he cared more about the honor of God's name than he did about himself (Ch. 7, vs. 9), he led Israel to unite and purify themselves, and God led them in a great victory.

My prayer is that somehow, as this city walks through this tragedy, God's great name will be honored and this city will see great victory!

Sunday, we sang this song in our service before we knew what this city would be facing. Just pause the player in the upper right column to listen.

~ Swimming With Flipper

2011-03-01T22:35:00.002-06:00

In Australia, young aborigine boys are sent off on a spiritual journey in the wilderness for as much as six months as a rite of passage into manhood.

Boys as young as twelve, in the Amazon's Satere Mawé tribe, must wear ceremonial gloves filled with bullet ants, each causing 30 times more pain than a common wasp sting.

In one tribe in Papau New Guinea, boys undergo hundreds of excruciating razor cuts until their skin resembles the skin of a crocodile.

We considered all our options for Josiah's 13th birthday and decided to do our own thing to mark this transition in his life.

So with seven days in the Bahamas, Dad made sure his week was filled with all the things that make for a perfect coming of age ceremony:

leaving what is familiar and stepping out of his comfort zone,

coming face to face with a little danger,

dreaming about the future,

getting a special ring to mark the moment (more on that another time),

and making some lasting memories.

By far, one of the highlights for Josiah was getting to do a Dolphin Encounter on Paradise Island.

When he called me that night, he was full of stories about getting to meet and swim with the real dolphin who played Flipper in the television show.

I'm pretty sure Flipper was not part of the "danger"; however, he did propel my son across the water at 30 mph!

As you can see, Flipper was a friendly fellow.

For Josiah, it was one of the highlights of his trip (as is evidenced by the big smile in the photos). I'm sure he liked it better than the alternatives.

Special thanks to Josiah's Granny & Papa whose generosity made this little life memory possible.

~ I Hope She Knows

2011-02-24T21:38:00.009-06:00

I'm driving down the road and my car is quiet -

No two-year-old screaming at his brothers,

No nine-year-olds arguing back and forth.

A friend has taken them for the day.

I am left alone with my thoughts.

Today is his thirteenth birthday - my oldest.

He's with dad experiencing all kinds of new things...

the clear blue water of the Carribean,

snakes (big ugly ones that can squeeze the life out of you),

horses & sting rays & starfish & dolphins,

and cliff diving.

And I know it's not just all fun.

He's seeing more than the beauty this island holds.

He's seeing those who have been abandoned, left to suffer on their own,

Living quarters that, in his world, would be condemned,

Electricity being shut off,

Bodies that are shutting down from disease,

And he's seeing their joy as he walks by to serve them...

the ladies smiling and calling him handsome,

the children taking his small offerings of sweet treats with delight in their eyes,

the man who can't use his own body telling my son that he messed up his own life and reminding this young one of mine he should read more, stay on the right path.

So much for his young eyes to take in,

his young mind to process,

his tender heart to hold.

And right in the middle of my quietness I think of the young girl who held him 13 years ago today -

the one who gave him his chocolate brown eyes and his cute little lips and his jet black hair,

the one who chose to give him life,

the best gift that she could possibly ever give him.

And I wonder if she knew on that day 13 years ago how her broken heart would heal my empty arms,

how her sacrifice would forever change my heart.

And I think of the One who created those eyes and those lips and can count every hair on that head,

The One who planned before the foundations of the world that her gift would be my great delight,

And all I can do in this moment,

In the stillness and quietness of my car,

is whisper "thank you"

and hope that somewhere, she knows!

I know He does!

~ How To Spend Your Day

2011-02-22T20:57:00.001-06:00

Lookin' for something out of the ordinary to do?

You could do this...

Or you could do this...

You decide!

Top photos are just a typical winter day at recess here in the Midwest taken yesterday.

Bottom photos are from Josiah's 13th Birthday Adventure Trip with Dad in Nausau, Bahamas taken yesterday and today.

~ On Puberty and Potty Training

2011-02-21T21:25:00.002-06:00

My son is turning thirteen this week.

We've always planned for our children to have a special one-on-one trip with one of us when they hit that critical age, a kind of rite-of-passage.

A time to talk about becoming a teenager,

A chance to get to have a parent's undivided attention,

A chance to serve someone else and experience a different culture with mom or dad,

An opportunity to discuss those really private things that only a parent should teach his/her child,

and most importantly, to us...

An appointment to talk about faith and wholehearted devotion to Christ.

Since God has so amazingly crafted our family with all boys, we decided that Dad should be the one to take the boys away.

My oldest wanted to go somewhere warm, so he and his dad chose to spend this special birthday in the Bahamas with friends of ours, missionaries from our church, who serve at an Aids camp.

They will be spending a few days at the camp serving the residents and clearing some of the land for a new building project coming up.

They will be encouraging our friends in their work there.

They will spend a few days just having some daddy/son time.

I know God will use the time in our son's life to teach him many things.

What I did not count on when we were making all our plans for the trip was how the two-year-old would respond.

As we were packing the day before they left, the youngest kept saying, "I going, too, with Daddy!"

He pulled out his swimming suit, packed his suitcase, and brought down his sleeping bag and was determined that he would be leaving in the morning.

Since they left, he walks around asking where daddy is and crying, "I miss Daddy. I do! I do! I do!"

When we skyped tonight, the other boys were saying goodnight to Dad, and I looked over to see him in the corner in tears. He crawled back in my lap and said a tearful goodbye.

I'm thinking we may have to change our plans: three-year-olds and thirteen-year-olds get a trip with dad!?

It's o.k. though -

He recovers pretty quickly!

This week I glanced down at my table and started laughing. On one end of the table, there was a booklet about potty training and on the other end were books my husband had ordered about talking to your child about adolescence.

Potty training and puberty!

No one person should have to deal with both of these at the same time!

~ What True Love Looks Like

2011-02-14T21:15:00.001-06:00

We started our day with love words.

Daddy got up early to make red velvet cupcakes. He knows they're my favorite.

Before the frosting was stirred together and before we started school, we paused at the table to read them...

Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not boast,

It is not proud.

It is not rude,

It is not self-seeking,

It is not easily angered,

It keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil

But rejoices with the truth.

It always protects,

Always trusts,

Always hopes,

Always perseveres.

Love never fails.

We talked to the boys about what real love looks like, and we each chose a characteristic of love to work on today.

We closed the Bible and I told them a story.

Once upon a time...

And I told them about that special Valentine's Day 26 years ago when he dressed himself from head-to-toe in every shade of red imaginable and asked me if I would sign his ticket and be his date - his prize for wearing the most red at a Valentine's party.

What I don't tell them is how young and naive I was.

What I didn't tell them is how I felt all wobbly inside.

What I didn't tell them is that I only thought I knew what love was.

What I didn't tell them is that their Daddy has spent every day since that Valentine's Day teaching me what true love looks like - how real love is selfless and humble and worth fighting for.

On that day so long ago when he stood before me with the pen and that sweet hopeful look on his face, love was just a tiny wish -

a hope that I would say yes.

And after 26 years, I can tell you what true love is -

It's choosing every day to say YES!

Ken, I said "Yes" then because you were cute and you made me feel all goofy inside.

Today, I say "Yes" because I know that true love demands it

(and because you still make me feel all goofy inside!)

Happy Valentine's Day!

I love You!

~ How To Beat the Winter Blues

2011-02-13T12:31:00.005-06:00

Winter is long here in the north.

I start feeling a little blue around February.

So we snuck away to one of our favorite places this weekend on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Just being near water always makes me feel better,

We enjoyed the peace and quiet of the lake this time of year,

But it was not quiet in our car, nor in our hotel.

We enjoyed two full, loud days with the boys.

We swam,

We had late-night pizza,

We played a roudy game of spoons,

We invaded the arcade (where Mommy won prizes for everyone),

We swam some more,

And we ice skated (without skates).

If you can't beat winter, you may as well embrace it!

~ It's A Great Day to be Great

2011-02-06T21:00:00.001-06:00

The streets were dead in Wisconsin tonight.

Nobody was out and about.

We were all a little preoccupied.

That is until around 9:00 p.m.

Now there are fireworks going off in our neighborhood.

It's a great day to be a Packer fan!

~ Flowers From Indonesia

2011-02-05T22:12:00.004-06:00

Last Sunday, we were driving away from church and one of my children said, "Where's Dad?"

I told them Dad had to teach a class and he'd be home later.

The smallest one whined, "I don't want Daddy to work!"

Other voices chimed in with, "I wish Dad didn't have to work so hard," and "I wish Dad could just come home with us."

At this point, let me pause to say that our Dad is wonderful about protecting time for our family. He's devoted to having a day off and to shielding our weekly family night from outside committments. He also is 100% Daddy when he walks through the door (most of the time).

Having said that, there are seasons in ministry (as I'm sure there are in any profession) that get a little crazy. This particular Sunday came on the heels of a very busy and stressful couple of weeks, and for a brief moment, I found myself wanting to whine right along with them.

But this is our life. It's what God has called us to.

- Long hours

- Middle of the night phone calls

- Early morning comittments

Pouring ourselves out for others -

For the lost,

For the devastated,

For the confused,

For the lonely,

For HIS glory!

And if one person's life is changed,

If one person's pain is eased,

If one person's marriage is healed,

Then it is all worth it.

And if we never see those things happen - it's still worth it because He called us to this and He deserves our best. After all, He gave us His best!

So I tell myself this, remind myself again, and I stop the whining words before they fly out of my mouth and tell the boys again how important Daddy's job is and how important our support is.

The next day was crazy for me. The boys and I finally got home late in the afternoon. When I walked in my back door, I glanced over to see a beautiful basket of flowers sitting on my counter right there beside the netflix video to be returned, the tub toys fresh out of the dishwasher, the science experiment, and the sports applications. It was a little piece of sushine. (Apparently, the local florist just opens your door and sets things inside if you are not home. If I had known that, I would have done my dishes!)

My first thought was that my hubby had sent me flowers. As I opened the card, I realized they weren't from him. They weren't even from this country. They were from someone in a different country that I didn't even know. And they were addressed to me:

"Thank you so much for supporting Ken in his trip to Jakarta. He was a HUGE blessing to me at a very dark and difficult time. May God bless you!"

I am so grateful that God always gives us what we need when we need it!

That night, we shared with the boys at dinner that the flowers were for them to for their sacrifice.

After all, we're all in this together!

~ A Perfect Snow Day

2011-02-02T20:58:00.002-06:00

The announcement came just after we put the kids to bed,

No School!

School is never cancelled where we live - at least not very often.

And when it is cancelled, it's never announced the night before.

Our county is the last to decide.

Sometimes every single school is cancelled for miles around - except our schools.

Life just continues as normal.

But with the news of a blizzard coming, they gave us what we were all dreaming about, longing for -

A reason to stay in bed

A reason to stay home

A reason to take it easy

and play all day,

to build forts,

and dig tunnels,

and drink homemade cocoa.

And then just when we thought the day couldn't get any better, any more beautiful...

The great Artist splashed a little pink ribbon across the sky - to make us smile,

His signature to remind us...

This masterpiece really is His doing!

~ Memories of Camp

2011-02-01T20:54:00.005-06:00

My oldest left for Snow Blast last Friday.

It's a youth retreat our church hosts every year in the North woods of Wisconsin.

Over 150 kids filled our coach bus

our faithful school bus

our mini bus

and at least five Minivan/SUV's.

It was a lot of luggage

a lot of kids

and thankfully, a lot of chaperones.

It brought back many memories of my own times at camp as a kid:

- Getting to see great friends from around the state every summer (We kind of grew up together.)

- Going to chapel every night

- Wondering which boy would ask you to sit with him at banquet on Thursday night

- Waking at least once during the week to find the big bell missing from its resting place (those crazy boys)

- Watching all those cute boys play baseball down in the field (I was a bit boy crazy - ok, a lot)

- Showing up to banquet one year in a sailor dress and realizing at least six of us had the same idea (and one of the others was the exact same dress as mine)

- Having a young man make a grand gesture by sneaking out of his dorm, running over to the other side of camp just to tap on my window and say goodnight (makes a girl feel special - makes the counselors crazy)

- Wondering who was brave enough to go hang out in the cemetery after curfew (not me - I was chicken!)

Now that I am an adult, I look back on the pure, innocent fun we had at camp, and I am thankful for all the adults that showed up every year to make sure we had a fun and safe environment to make new friends, have fun, and grow in our faith.

Mostly, I am grateful that Christ chose to make himself real to me in that place, surrounded by loving adults and special friends, and that I surrendered my life to Him there so very long ago. I don't really remember any specific sermons, but I remember the moment I said, "Yes, I'll follow you forever."

I hope my son makes many special memories at camp.

I hope he has tons of fun in the snow.

I hope he finds many special friends and recognizes the caring adults who sacrifice for him.

But mostly, I pray that in all the noise and excitement and adventure,

in all the new experiences and new friends,

when the moment comes,

I pray he hears His Savior's voice calling him to something deeper and richer.

And I pray he says, "Yes!"

~ The Dripping Never Goes Away

2011-01-25T22:50:00.000-06:00

I wake up,

Crawl out of bed

Longing for a few more minutes

To sleep, to think

Before chaos ensues

Like it always does.

These boys of mine DID NOT come with a volume control;

No mute button,

No slow-motion setting,

Not even a pause button.

I fear I'm not ready to face it all again.

Will this day hold anything new?

Will it be any different than all the rest of my days lately?

I pause, as I'm in the habit of doing.

I bow my head.

I confess, cry out really, I am incapable of doing this thing I do everyday on my own.

I am nothing without Him.

I determine to set my ears to His tune for this day

to listen for His rhythms

And in that moment, I hear the ever-so-soft dripping sound I hear only when I stop to listen for it

and the dripping washes over me until my heart begins to see the newness of this day

-the mercies

- the grace

- the goodness

- the gifts

All four children sleeping in long enough for me to get my bearings (and a cup of coffee and a quiet moment) this morning.

An older child nestling up close to offer humble words, "I'm sorry for my attitude about lunch. I started thinking about all the people who would have been happy to have my lunch. Will you forgive me?"

A child noticing that mom didn't yell today, and following it up with, "...and neither did I!" (We're both working on it! We're too much alike, the two of us! It is a daily taming for both of us.)

A nine-year-old who started and finished a book while he waited for his brother's gym class to finish. (That's six books in less than two weeks.)

A science experiment that actually works!

The big "aha" as one of them stops me in the middle of the story of Abraham sacrificing his son, Isaac, "Oh I get it! God provided the ram to take Isaac's place, and Jesus will take our place!" (Ahh, sweet light of truth!) (We were reading in this Genesis commentary again. Great discussion always follows!)
A two-year old squealing with delight, "Nummy! Thanks for making dinner, Mom!" as he shovels a huge mouthful of mashed potatoes in his mouth.

A passport arriving in the mail for one who was not born in this country. His first passport was issued by the Republic of Korea. This one was issued by the United States after two attempts, just in time for him to take his 2nd international flight as he and his dad go away for a "rite of passage", "coming of age", "Yea! I'm a teenager now" Father/Son trip (more on that at a later date)

Two blessed hours of quietness before I lay my body down (unless it collapses from sheer exhaustion first).

Photos are of our humble little school and the little one who likes to be in the middle of it all.

~ Southern at Heart - Cheesehead on Sundays

2011-01-23T20:04:00.006-06:00

Today was the big game

Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears

We may or may not have worn green and gold to church along with the rest of our fine congregation this morning.

(not - sorry, we don't own any!)

We may or may not have participated in the following prayer at some point this weekend.

(It's not something I'm proud of.)

The Cheesehead Prayer

Now I lay me down to bed

A wedge of cheese upon my head

Allegiance to the Packers I promise to keep

and cheer them on while I'm asleep.

If I should die, don't let me wonder,

Just bury me neath the frozen tundra.

But, Lord, before you take my soul,

Let me see the Pack in one more Super Bowl.

Forgive me Lord, for those I hated,

The Lions and Vikings, they're overrated.

The streets of heaven, so I've been told,

Are paved for us in green and gold.

If I get to heaven I'll have only one wish,

A big screen TV with a satellite dish.

I pray for this Lord, for only one reason,

to cheer on my Pack to a winning season.

I'll close this prayer by thanking you Lord,

for listening to me and the time you afford.

But one more thing......please remember the Bears,

Because that's a team that hasn't a prayer!!!

(Sorry - Couldn't resist!)

We may or may not have jumped on the cheese bandwagon.

(There actually was cheese involved. It just wasn't the foam kind you wear on your head; although, we are not above that type of thing. We just prefer the salty kind that squeaks between your teeth.)

(God brought us to WI. Cheese curds are why we stay!)

I may or may not have taken a brief nap in the middle of the game.
(OK, I admit that I did, but I didn't fall asleep until after our first two touchdowns, and I woke in time for the fantastic ending!)

We may or may not have done some victory dancing!

(Actually, it was just the boys hangin' on to Daddy's legs while he stomped around. Bennett screamed, "Hey guys, wait for me!" Ken's been taking ibuprofen ever since.)

(Thankfully, there is a crop feature on my editing software. The more they danced, the lower dad's pants fell! We got a good giggle out of it!)

We may or may not have paused throughout the evening to chant, "We're going to the superbowl! We're going to the superbowl!"

We may or may not already have plans for Sunday night, February 6th at 5:00 p.m.

(We may even buy some green and gold for the occasion!)

"We're goin' to the Super Bowl! We're goin' to the Super Bowl!

We're goin' to the Super Bowl! We're goin' to the Super Bowl!"

~ The Best of 2010

2011-01-08T17:06:00.003-06:00

The calendar flips forward,

the days keep flying by

but we pause to mark the moments,

to capture the precious faces,

and to slow down the passage of time

if only for a moment.

May 2011 be full of precious moments for you and yours.

~ We're Still Celebrating

2011-01-04T14:51:00.029-06:00

We still have our tree up.

The twelve days of Christmas seemed to fly by this year.

Actually, the whole season was over before I was ready to say goodbye.

So I've declared Christmas not quite over in our house until I have a moment to enjoy it.

In the meantime, here's a look at our 2010 Christmas season...

- Eight inches of snow (just to put us in the mood)

- One night of baking

- Two strange rashes, three fevers and one case of strep throat

- One beautiful Christmas Eve with church family and friends

- Four happy boys on Christmas morning

-12 hours with four kids in a Yukon (both directions)

- Six nights in strange beds

Bennett and Aidan asleep in the hotel in my hometown

This is the guest house where we stayed in Nashville.

The moment this one goes up for sale, I'm packing up my family and taking them with me! (Just kidding!)

- A tender Tennessee Christmas with too many family and friends to count

Lots of cousins

Beautiful nieces

My brother (left) with his wife and friends

My Brother and Dad

The matriarch of my family and the one we hold responsible for all the chaos - 94 this year!

Beautiful sisters-in-law

Ken's brother and nephew

Siblings

Crazy People

Niece and her adorable red head

Grammy and her youngest great-grandchild

- And one family still celebrating the gifts of family, friendship and forgiveness this Christmas Season

It's all because of Jesus!

It's Not About Santa

2010-12-18T22:53:00.008-06:00

We were packing up, getting ready for our annual trip to see Santa when my oldest came close, lowered his voice so his brothers wouldn't hear him and said, "Mom, do I have to go see Santa? None of my friends do that anymore."

I felt a slight crack in my heart!

We've gone to this same place to see this same Santa since the year my oldest was born. This man has held every one of my children. His face graces every one of our Christmas photos (except one - my mistake).

We have a tradition of lining our kitchen cabinet doors with the photos during the holidays. They remind us of the beautiful gifts God has given to us and help us mark the passage of time. They make us very aware how fast time slips by. (Someday, I will run out of cabinet doors!)

My husband recently questioned whether we needed to continue the tradition since the boys all know Santa isn't real. I reminded him we have a two-year-old and that we have many more years of visiting Santa. He was thrilled!

For me (and I reminded my son), it's not about seeing Santa. He's just our excuse. Once a year, we get to sneak away for a day of shopping and fun while everyone else is having school.

We get to get away from normal.

We eat at our favorite places (this year everyone was hungry for Japanese).

We teach our children to think of others first and to be generous with each other.

We celebrate the One who is our greatest gift.

When we finally got to the picture taking, the boys climbed in Santa's lap and huddled close for the photo. When we were done, my husband shook Santa's hand and Santa said, "I remember the first time you brought them in."

We couldn't believe that after twelve years and thousands and thousands of children, he could remember our family.

But then again, we've always been somewhat of a spectacle.

Josiah's first Santa visit - 1998

Ellison and Aidan's first Santa visit - 2002

Bennett's first Santa visit - 2008

This year's Santa visit - 2010

~ When All the World Is Still

2010-12-12T10:24:00.005-06:00

When all the world is still...

...wrapped in blankets white,

God speaks in the silence.

The winds have come and the clouds have delivered a fresh covering of snow to remind us that His love covers everything.

Worship Him wherever you are today.

We're not going anywhere!

Enjoy!

(To listen, just pause my player in the right column.)

~ A Boy and His Books

2010-12-08T21:02:00.005-06:00

I came into the living room this morning during those last minutes of darkness just before dawn. The soft glow of the Christmas lights revealed my nine-year-old snuggled in a blanket in the chair next to the Christmas tree.

I asked him where his brother was. They never, NEVER, travel alone!

He pointed behind his chair.

And that's when I spotted him, curled up behind the chair reading, the yellow glow of the tree spilling onto his pages.

I asked him what he was reading, and he held up a tiny little book ornamnent from the tree.

The boy will read anything.

Since we started homeschooling in September, he has read fourteen books, including the entire Little House series. (Right now he's reading two different books at the same time.)

Tonight when I put him to bed, he asked if he could keep reading, and I said no because it was pretty late. I told him if he woke up early tomorrow he could read in his bed. He informed me he would read seven chapters then.

He loves words just like his mama.

Don't get me wrong. When it comes to language, he confuses the terms proper, plural, and pronoun all the time. Half the time he's capitalizing when he's supposed to be 'changing the y to i and adding -es'. Or when asked to change the noun to a pronoun, he'll give you a proper form of the noun instead.

For the mom who loves writing and grammar and diagramming sentences, it makes my head want to explode.

But for the mom who loves books, it makes me proud. I love watching him finish one and immediately hunting for the next one. He's always excited to share the story with me. He's the kind of boy who would get in trouble with the teacher for reading when he's not supposed to be reading.

I guess it's a good thing his mama is his teacher.

Now if I could just get him to understand the difference between a pronoun and a proper noun!

~ I Need a Do-Over

2010-12-06T20:50:00.004-06:00

Last night in Wisconsin (and perhaps other parts of the world), school children gathered their shoes (or boots or stockings depending on where you are from) to put outside their bedroom doors so that when St. Nick came, he would fill it with trinkets if they had been good this year.

If they weren't, tradition has it, they would receive a lump of coal.

I did not grow up with this tradition.

Oh, I grew up with stockings all right, but until my first child entered kindergarten and his teacher told him on Dec. 5th that St. Nick would be coming to his house that night (Thank you very much!), I had never heard of St. Nick's Eve.

This observance has its roots in the Catholic Church and in German tradition. And if Wisconsin is anything, it is Catholic and German in its roots.

I on the other hand, am Protestant and my people are from the hollers of Tennessee (not sure where beyond that).

Anyhow, I digress.

As I was saying, somehow without meaning to, St. Nick's Eve has become a part of our holiday tradition. That first year, I had to run out after my kindergartner had gone to bed so that he wouldn't be the only child left behind the next day.

As usual, last night I was caught off guard again. Luckily, I had done some Christmas shopping the day before and had some small toys in my trunk outside for each of them.

They scurried around looking for their boots before bed, putting them "just so" by their bedroom doors.

The big boys worried about the smallest one's boot. He was fast asleep, and they were afraid he would be left out. I told them not to worry.

I would handle it.

They said, "But his shoes are so little. Will there be enough room."

I assured them, "I'LL TAKE CARE OF IT!"

They all went to bed anxiously anticipating St. Nick's arrival and totally at peace that mom was taking care of everything. All was well until...

...St. Nick forgot to come to our house last night and they woke to empty boots this morning.

Let's just say it was not pretty. There were tears - theirs and mine.

I blame it on the kindergarten teacher. It's really all her fault. I'm just thankful we have this motto at our house.

I better get going. St. Nick's Eve is on Dec. 6th this year (at least at our house).

~ He Thinks He's Korean

2010-12-04T16:23:00.008-06:00

I walk through the door to his squealing delight.

"Mooommmmy, you're home!"

"Yes, and I got a Christmas tree."

"Yea!!! Let's go open it. I do it and you do it and Siah do it...," and he continues, eyes bright, until he has gone through the whole list of us.

His enthusiasm contagious, we open boxes and pull out treasures, each like a friend from the past. As I remove each one from its box I unwrap its significance for the boys.

To one I say, "You have more ornaments because you have been with me the longest."

To another I warn, "Be careful. This one was Mommy's when she was a little girl." (Daddy points out it is verrrry old!)

And then I pull still another one close and whisper, "Let me tell you about this one. See the date. I bought it for you on your very first Christmas while you were still in Korea. I wanted you to know you were ours even though you weren't here yet."

He turns it over and reads,

"We can't wait until all your Christmases are with us!"

His face dimples and he cradles the precious words in his hands all the way to the tree.

They continue placing each ornament in its perfectly appointed spot, sometimes one right on top of the other.

One says, "I love doing this!"

The smallest one says, "I do one more." He keeps saying it until the boxes sit empty and then he comments about how "bootiful" it is and plays "I Spy" through the branches.

"I see you, Mommy!"

He is mesmerized by the shimmer of the lights and all the ornaments. He spots the star with the picture in it. (You know, the kind the first grader brings home, made with paper and glue and glitter, lots of glitter.) Once again, his eyes dance with excitement.

"Daddy, it's me!"

"No buddy. That's your brother."

"No Daddy, it's me."

He argues like this for a while and what we always snickered about, from the moment he was a miracle in my tummy, has become a reality.

We used to joke, "He'll probably grow up thinking he's Korean."

After all, these are the faces he plays with all day long.

These are the faces he hugs good night every night.

These are the faces he touches when he first says good morning. (He pets their heads.)

We often look at the twins' pictures from the past and get them confused. That's the thing about identical twins. But trust me, there is no mistaking this little one from his brothers!

His blue eyes and blond hair are a constant reminder that God chose to complete our family in His own perfectly imaginative way.

There will always be a blur of white in the sea of dark heads.

There will always be a little piece of sky among the earthy brown eyes.

And there will always be a little one who wants to be just like his brothers.

Children often ask us when they see our Korean boys, "Are you going to tell them they are adopted!"

We just laugh! Isn't it obvious!

It just never dawned on us we might have to tell our youngest one he's not Korean.

~ No Promise Can Compare

2010-12-02T20:21:00.010-06:00

Yesterday, we started our countdown to Christmas, marking the days with small little mittens filled with treasures as we prepare for Christ's coming. This year, in addition to our traditional countdown, we began an advent devotional from one of my favorite writers, Ann over at Holy Experience. The passage for Dec. 1st took us right back to the beginning of the story of Jesus' coming - right there in the book of Genesis.

We have spent alot of time in the book of Genesis lately. Our history curriculum for the year covers the Old Testament and Egypt. Our Bible curriculum covers Genesis through Joshua. In our read aloud, we have been reading the Genesis commentary that I raved about here. And my oldest son's Omnibus curriculum had him reading and studying the book of Genesis for the first month of school. As I opened the devotional for yesterday's reading, I wondered if I might hear their little voices moan with, "We've already done this."

But Ann has a way. As we read the verses about the Fall and Eve's decision to sin once again, we caught a glimpse of Christmas, right there in the words God uses to curse the serpent.

"And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."

Their little minds didn't catch it at first because, as Ann put it, it was only a whisper, a hint of what was to come.

Jesus!

Christmas!

Right there in the first book of the Bible.

As we discussed it, their little eyes sparkled with realization. Jesus is coming. It was God's plan from the very beginning. The Old Testament confirming the New Testament. Or perhaps it is actually the New Testament that confirms the Old.

At the end of the devotional, Ann's challenge was to sing a worship song or a Christmas carol to invite Christ to come be with us. My oldest immediately responded with, "Mom, I have Shout to the Lord on my Ipod." I told him that would be great. I knew we probably all knew that one.

He grabbed his Ipod and began to play the song. I was blown away that I was getting to worship with my children in school for the first time. (I'm quite sure that is their first experience with that!) As we got to the chorus, we sang louder. Then we sang the words that will give new meaning to Christmas for my boys this year -

"Nothing compares to the promise I have in You!"

God is amazing. He is weaving His story together for my boys. We've been preparing for Christmas for the last three months, and we didn't even know it. We've studied creation. We've studied the fall. We've studied the curse. And now, my boys understand even better the promise that God made from the very beginning. Jesus is coming. There's no promise that can compare to that!

And this year, we'll be ready!

Take a moment and enjoy our favorite new Christmas song; after all, it's all about Jesus.

Just press pause on the music player in the top right margin.

This is the Lincoln Brewster version my son had on his Ipod.

~ What the Seasons Teach Us

2010-11-30T21:58:00.002-06:00

There is abundance in the laboring

and beauty in the fading,

wisdom in the cultivating,

and strength in the bracing.

There is peace in the quieting

and purpose in the dying.

There is hope in the waiting

and life in the wakening.

~ With a Thankful Heart

2010-11-25T10:12:00.003-06:00

Today, I am grateful for...

...waking up to a nine-year old's birthday wishes

...lingering in bed with a hot cappucino

...a husband who stopped home mid-day yesterday with French pastries

...an almost teenager who's not too big to crawl up in my lap and let me run my fingers through his black silky hair like I did when he was a baby

...a little voice saying, "You wanna watch it with me?"

...the beautiful sound of little fingers on the keys practicing Christmas songs

...a two-year-old who only wants to wear his shirts backwards and inside out with the tag in the front

...a husband who cooks better than I do

...a weekend to rest from schooling these boys

...wiping a green, goopy nose (two years ago there was no nose so now I wipe it happily)

...a long call home

...snowflakes on my birthday

...a mom and dad who teach me everyday about loyalty and respect

...a warm house on a blustery cold day

...not having to cook the turkey this year

...friends that feel like family

...sweet birthday words from my mama (who gets me like nobody else)

...a pantry ready to begin holiday traditions

... a hubby who risks life and limb taking children out to play football on Thanksgiving morning in 36 degree weather

...my Savior

...having more than we need (always more than we need!)

~ Be Careful Little Eyes What You See

2010-11-22T21:00:00.001-06:00

These boys of mine are growing up so fast I can't keep up. Every day brings new changes:

* These pants hurt my waist!

* Does my hair look ok?

* Can I ride across town on my bike?

Can I take my brothers with me?

* None of my shoes fit!

* Can I buy this new gadget that costs ____ (way too much)?

* Can I go to the high school football game with my friend?

Add to those a new big boy bed and staying at the YMCA by themselves and increased allowances for new nightly kitchen duties and leaving the oldest home to babysit for a late date with hubby and on and on and on...

My chidren are growing up!

And I'm not ready!

How am I supposed to protect them and keep them safe with all these changes coming at me so fast? Not to mention ...

Internet

Ipods

Texting

Netflix

Cell Phones (WITH CAMERAS)

How do I hold on to their innocence while letting them spread their wings?

How do I counteract all the negative influences in their lives when I don't know what all their little minds are taking in? When they're not with me 24/7 anymore? When other influences compete for priority in their lives?

I've been thinking alot about this lately.

I long to teach my sons to think about what is good and right and lovely. I want them to know how to keep their minds pure. After all, God calls us to this - to a life of holiness. A few weeks ago, we spent the week in our devotions talking about loveliness (thanks to Ann's post here). It might seem strange to talk with boys about loveliness for a week, but it gave us many opportunities to talk about how we can be loveliness to a world that is surrounded by such ugliness and how there is still much to appreciate in our lives despite the horrible things we see around us.

The more we talked about filling our minds with what is good and right and pure and lovely, the more I found myself asking, "How does one with a houseful of young boys protect their little eyes?" No matter where I look, I see things that, in a second, could undermine everything I long to teach my children.

It is scary raising boys. They are such visual creatures. Just the other day, my youngest kept asking to wear his green shirt. Apparently, Bobby on the Brady Bunch was wearing a green shirt, and he noticed. (He keeps telling me, "No mom, not this shirt. I don't look bootiful. I want my green shirt." HE's TWO! Scary!)

Anyway, I know that what we take in with our eyes helps determine what our minds think about. So I am very diligent in what I allow my children to do, where I allow them to go and who I allow them to be around. Sometimes, that makes me seem like the meanest mom ever. I'm sure other moms must think I am overprotective and a bit fanatical. Sometimes, I start to question whether I'm doing my boys more harm than good. Maybe I'm just being too cautious.

In our read aloud time, the boys and I have been reading a wonderful book by Nancy E. Ganz called Genesis: A Commentary for Children. It is one of the books in her Herein Is Love Commentary Series. The author wrote it especially for children to teach them about the love of God. I have to tell you, she may have had children in mind, but I am loving this book. It has given us so much to talk about. We read right before lunch, and sometimes they don't want me to stop. Lunchtime is often filled with questions or comments about the book and about God and His plan for mankind. I highly recommend the book for anyone to read if they want a new perspective on our Creator.

The other day we were reading the chapter about the Fall and how Eve had the witness of the world (the earth was full of praise), her own self (being made in God's image), and God's own words to help her flee temptation. However, Eve made a choice to move toward temptation.

These are the words that so captivated me in this lesson:

"The first step towards the fall was just a few millimeters. Scripture records that it was the movement of her eyes." (Ganz)

She looked at the forbidden fruit.

That was the first step toward the first sin, and it was only two more steps until she had disobeyed God. Three tiny steps to break her fellowship with God forever. From there, all it took was two more steps and the world was changed forever. Ms. Ganz goes on to say, "There were just five little steps from God to Satan, just five little steps from heaven to hell.

She saw.

She took.

She ate.

She gave.

He ate."

And with those five little steps, Satan "silenced the praises of God on this planet."

The moment I read it, it confirmed for me that I'm not just some overprotective mom. I'm doing my job. I'm protecting the one thing that has the potential to send my children down a path of destruction and despair - the path that leads away from God instead of the path that leads to Him. I'm protecting their eyes, and I won't apologize for it, and I won't cower from it because of what the world allows or deems appropriate.

I tell my oldest all the time, "With every temptation you will have to decide what to do with your eyes. Will you decide one little look won't hurt you, or will you turn your eyes to the One you know will help you resist it."

Amazing, isn't it, how just the shift of our eyes can determine our course. The question is, "In what direction will we shift them?"

~ A Brief Getaway

2010-11-17T22:29:00.009-06:00

In less than 36 hours, I'm headed out of town with my gals.

We usually head up to the Northwoods for a girls' weekend once a year.

This year, we're doing things a little differently.

We're celebrating one of us turning 50. (It shall forever remain a secret - but it's not me!)

I'm leaving all the boys behind to fend for themselves.

If they need me, I'll be here.

I'll be relaxing here,

Or swimming here (yes, it's heated year round),

Or daydreaming here.

I might be here with my book,

Or here taking a nap.

And I'll definitely be eating this (not just your run-of-the-mill continental breakfast)!

The last time I was here,

I was with this man.

(We celebrated our 20th anniversary here and didn't know we were pregnant at the time.)

Sorry you can't come along this time, babe, but thanks for sacrificing so I can go again.

It's a brief get-a-way -

Just 24 hours!

But when I come home, I will be a new woman.
(Okay, maybe not new - just rested!)

This time, it's all about the birthday girl!

And since my birthday happens to be next week, I'm just pretending it's all about me!

~ A Taste Explosion

2010-11-13T20:36:00.006-06:00

Last night, some friends took us to one of their favorite places for dinner. It was about an hour from our home.

We had an incredible evening!

The restaurant was called Wild Truffle. It is a Wood-Fired Pizzeria/Trattoria/Wine Bar. I knew I would love it as soon as I heard the name. To be honest, as long as the name wasn't McDonald's, they had me at hello.

You can see their menu here, but I thought I'd share what we ate because we don't normally eat like this. I usually find a pace I like, find a dish I like, and because I know I don't get to go out often, play it safe and go somewhere that has delivered before.

Last night, I stretched my culinary wings.

Here's what I ordered, but we all tried some of everyone else's dishes. It's just more fun that way!

Stuffed "Hot Dates"

Dates stuffed with sweet Italian sausage in a spicy piquillo pepper-tomato sauce

Wood-Fired Tomato and Wisconsin Goat Cheese Fondue

served with wood-fired crostini chips

Pan-Roasted Chicken Scaloppine Bellagio

with smoked Prosciutto, apple & arugula salad, butternut squash-maple puree, balsamic glaze

and for dessert

Warm Autumn Apple Tart

with maple cinnamon ice cream and a cider caramel

(Ken had one of their wood-fired pizzas. It had carmelized onions, peas, bacon and two eggs sunny side up on top. He moaned with every bite!)

Here are the drippings of grace for me:

Having a reason to dress up

A night away from the kids

An evening of adult conversation with friends

The gift of this incredible dining experience (Thanks, Brian & Linda)

The small spoonful of the Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee I borrowed from Linda's dessert

(heaven in a dish - which I will be ordering next time!)

Sitting in the backseat with my man

A babysitter who does dishes (Thanks, Kahli)

Children who race to the door to greet you like you've been gone for weeks

pictures from here

I don't know why God graces us with little moments like these.

Maybe it's to remind me that there is life outside of McDonalds.

Maybe it's to remind me that life is better when you let people in.

Maybe it's to remind me that He is a Father who loves to give good gifts to His children.

If that last one is it, He made His point very clear last night. (Thank You, Father)

If you live in the area and you've never been to the Wild Truffle, stop by for dinner sometime. You will not be disappointed. The owner, Mark, will treat you like royalty and tempt your tastebuds with his incredible descriptions of their Handcrafted Desserts. When he asked where the world would be without egg yolks, we loved him immediately!

~ On Turtles, Hurricanes and Family

2010-11-10T20:37:00.002-06:00

Day 1

We left Raleigh, North Carolina on a Sunday and headed toward Myrtle Beach.

The skies looked ominous, and the forecast for the next week was not encouraging.

As we were leaving Raleigh, my sister (in the car in front of us) called me to ask if we would like to just stay at their house. I asked if they wanted to turn around and go home. That's when she clarified her question. "No, I mean do ya'll want to just stay at our house." I immediately knew she was pulling my leg. We sort of have bad luck on vacations. I decided not to let her sarcasm bother me, and we all pressed on.

It started raining about two hours from Myrtle Beach.

I'm not talking about the kind of rain that makes you want to snuggle in bed and listen to the pitter-patter of raindrops on the roof.

I'm talking about the kind of rain that makes you want to pull the car over except that you are afraid someone will plow into you.

When we got to the condo, it was still raining.

And it rained

and rained

and rained.

The kids played in the parking lot in the rain and made some wonderful discoveries. (It entertained them for days!)

My niece, Emily, and Ellis

Bennett

Aidan and my nephew, Christopher

Emily found the first turtle...

...and then they all became turtle hunters.

This is where you could find the kids while we adults were taking our siestas.

At bedtime on day 1, I lamented I had been in Myrtle Beach all day, and I still hadn't seen the beach.

Day 2

The rain continued.

Ken decided to take the kids to the beach in the rain to check it out while I put Bennett down for a nap. I mean, if you can play in the parking lot in the rain, you may as well play at the beach, right?

At the end of the 2nd day, I kept saying, "Mama's been in Myrtle Beach for over 24 hours, and I still haven't seen the beach."

Mama wasn't happy!

Day 3

We woke up to rain.

Surprise!

I walked around saying, "I've been at the beach for 36 hours and I still have not seen this beach!"

The forecast said it was supposed to be somewhat clear.

Somewhat clear really meant intermittent moments of calm. Otherwise, RAIN.

We went to the beach anyway.

And we had a blast!

After a long day of playing at the ocean, we decided to eat at this wonderful restaurant in Little River, SC.

We couldn't sit outside to watch the boats come in.

It was raining!

We did briefly get to enjoy the view.

But the food was great. My boys decided they love shrimp and red snapper.

Oh dear. Fish sticks will never be the same!

Day 4

Hurricane effect storms - need I say more!

We stayed away from the water and opted for a day of shopping at Barefoot Landing.

Day 5

We hit the beach again. It was overcast and drizzly, but we didn't let it stop us.

Although, when I first saw the white capped waves after the torrential storm the day before, I feared for the lives of my children.

Day 6

We let the dad's take the boys to the condo pool, and we women went shopping. We hit a few local boutiques and just enjoyed the day together.

I discovered a new favorite store -

PURPLEOLOGY!

Can you guess what they sell?

Absolutely anything purple!

Loved it!

(I'm wearing lots of purple this fall in honor of my favorite new store! It's amazing what you'll buy on vacation you'd never buy any other time!)

Day 7

SUNSHINE!

We knew it was coming, and we had one day to soak it all in.

And we did!

Surprisingly, I'm actually happy there was a hurricane off the coast that week. At least I could blame the bad weather on the hurricane. Although, I did think once or twice that we should have just stayed in Raleigh! All in all, it was still an awesome vaca!