Dear Jonah

Grace had a thankfulness writing assignment for school. Her letter was so sweet.

Dear Jonah,
I want to thank you for being my brother. I want to thank you for playing with me after school. I want to thank you for giving me presents, love Grace F.(that is what she is called in school)

21 days of stress

People keep mentioning to me these are the best times of my life. If what they say is true God help me, after this weekend if THIS is the best man Lord just send down your chariot now and take me to paradise.

February has not been a good month for this family. Eric had his procedure at the beginning of the month, then colds came on and you know they last a while, I mean there is seven of us that the germs have to make miserable. If each of us is sick for a minimum of three days that is 21 days total. This past weekend takes the cake. It started with Jonah and then spread like wild fire. Fevers, coughs, aches, chills, snot, lots and lots of snot. First it came on me, then on Eric, the dreadful germs, the headache, the pain of moving, the pain of sound all the while seeing to the needs of five kids six and under. Now chaos ensues on a good day, I will leave it to your imagination for what this weekend was like. Parenting and sickness don't mix.

So let me end with this, if you see me don't say this is the best time of my life, I just might slap you and I am not prone to violence, I have a hard enough time killing hornworms on my tomato plants.

A lesson from Grace

I came in one night to tuck Grace into bed. To my surprise she sat there on her bed with her Father's large Bible sitting on her lap. I asked what she was doing thinking her reply probably was a homework assignment or something her Teacher asked her to do. "I'm just reading," she said "I wanted to read about Moses." I think my heart leapt for joy. My little first grader was reading the word of God on her own free will!

Her new faith in Christ is teaching me so many things in my own relationship with the Lord. To desire him more, to trust him with my whole self, to walk day by day with our savior and to show Christ to others. Much like Grace I also became a Christian at an early age and looking back it has been hard to pin point a life changing moment like a lot of Christians I know have. My testimony is not dramatic. Watching Grace is like God giving me the gift of seeing what my conversion might of looked like. Now that I am in my 30's it is harder to remember growing in Christ in my younger days except for that one moment playing hide n seek with my brother when I asked Jesus into my heart. That memory has lasted. That moment was life changing and even though it is not something that gets wows and exclamations when told, I now see the awe inspiring work God has gradually done in my life, just as he is doing for my daughter. That is a treasure!

What is in the toilet stays in the toilet

I have a problem. My kids leave the toilet seat up. My 14 month old Titus loves to play in the toilet. So far all types of things have been found floating toys, food, and my personal favorite dog food which when soggy resembles poop. This week though Titus took my sneakers and you guessed it gave them a bath in the toilet. Now I guess I could wash and wear them but it grossed me out so much that I threw them out. I mean really no one would notice but I would know and just feel gross. So needless to say I will be purchasing a new pair of shoes because what I find in the toilet stays there!

The Haircut

Grace has been growing her hair since birth minus a few trims a long the way. Over the holiday weekend we took her to get it cut since she has been asking for a hair cut since she started first grade. It turned out nicely and she is caring for it a lot better.

Grace is enjoying first grade. She is also looking forward to playing soccer this Spring. It has been fun watching her grow in her faith and set a good example to her siblings. She is a treasure.

The twins at three...

I am not sure if easier is the right word to use but things are definitely better now that the twins are able to speak in sentences. New challenges abound like fighting, competition, potty training, eating meals and other rather daunting issues. One thing is for sure Micah and Kerith are VERY different and for that I am very thankful but they do have one thing in common and that is they love their mom A LOT. So much so they won't go to Children's Church anymore. It's been the one challenge that has Eric and I both scratching our heads. They are well behaved as they participate in the adult service both cuddle up to me and let me rub their heads. I have to admit I am starting to treasure the moments even if it sort of takes my mind off the sermon. Seeing Micah try to sing praise and worship has been priceless, and watching Kerith try to take notes with her pencil has been another memory I will treasure. 

Their current favorite game is Mom and Dad. They usually fight over who gets to be Eric. Nice huh? I guess my job is not glamorous enough for a three year old.

Kerith's favorite saying is "I am not hearing it" she picked it up from me. I say it to the kids when they are tattling on each other. Micah's new word is actually which comes out as "axually" and everything is "axually mom..."

don't worry I haven't forgotten the rest of the kids I'll update them as well. I know you want to hear all the funny stories I have. I have many. Lots of blackmail...

Snow!!!

We finally had our first snow fall. Even though it was only a couple inches we still had a bit of fun.

Jake had some fun too.

Taylor not so much.