Getting Ready for Lent

I'm not sure I did the numbering right- Are you suppose to count the Sundays?? But it's better than nothing... I think we'll color a number each day. Behind the tombstone it says "Easter Sunday!"

Tomorrow I want to do an Ash Wednesday activity with the kids where we write sins on little pieces of paper and burn them. Hopefully we won't burn ourselves in the process! Then I think we'll talk about the events leading up to Palm Sunday and maybe add little pictures to the calendar for different ones (blind Bartimeus, raising Lazarus, Mary washing Jesus' feet, etc.) I'm hoping to also do a resurrection garden. (It didn't go well last year, but I think it's worth trying again.) I know a lot of people fast during Lent, but it seems a bit much to ask of preschoolers. I think we might try praying in the dark, at least on Sundays. We'll see how that goes. =?

None of this stuff is anything worth selling, or even keeping, but hopefully it will help the kiddos learn the meaning of Jesus' death and resurrection. Sunday at church one of the pastors talked about Jesus being our treasure. William started saying, "Pirate...treasure....ship..." I tried to tell him Jesus is our treasure. "Jesus?" William asked confused. He was probably imagining Jesus with a patch on his eye, or maybe baby Jesus in a treasure chest. I pray God enables us to explain the gospel to him in a way he (and Lily!) can understand!

Visiting Grammy Iva

Last weekend we finally made it to Grammy Iva's to celebrate Christmas. Talk about belated! We had beautiful weather and everyone was healthy. Praise God! We had a great time hanging out, visiting, meeting Iva's new puppy Gracie, and playing at the Children's Museum. Lily even got a sleepover with Ella. Sweet memories!

Merry Christmas!

Peace on earth; goodwill to men!

Making Coffee Bread

This month we are learning about family trees and heritage as part of our study of the patriarchs. Last week we made pizzelles with Grandpa R. Today we made Finnish coffee bread with Grandma B. Yum! Now the trick will be to not eat it all before Christmas...

A Taste of Farm Life

Making applesauce

Helping Grandpa

Birthday Prep

Jenn's Photos

We enjoyed seeing Jenn's pics on Facebook from her phone camera during her trip out west this fall. But now she has some of the ones from her nice camera on her website. They are amazing!

Pics from Mom and Dad's 40th

For those that don't have facebook, here are some of Vanessa's pictures from Mom and Dad's 40th wedding anniversary party:

You will know them by their fruits

Last night we had a belated 40th anniversary celebration for my parents. Thanks to a couple amazing sisters-in-law, it was a beautiful evening. (Hopefully pictures will be coming soon.)

My parents are so easy to celebrate. Afterwards, Eric made the comment that they are a great example of humble faithful service- maybe not impressive at first glance, but now their labors are coming to fruition, and it's striking. It's such a pleasure to rise up and call them blessed because they are- and we are blessed because of them. I love you, Mom and Dad!

Creation Wall

We've spent the last month putting together this creation mural. The posters across the top are William's. The ones across the bottom are Lily's. Lily likes to point to them and sing Mrs. Leinhart's (my kindergarten teacher's) 7 Days of Creation song with me.

One night, I was sitting on the couch nursing, staring up at the half completed mural, when Eric looked over at me. He was confused for a minute. Then he said, "You love home schooling, don't you?" Yes, I do!

Visiting the Dinosaurs

We made a visit to the Natural History Museum today to see the dinosaur bones. I didn't get any pics inside with the actual fossils- I was too busy directing the children. But here's a couple at the picnic area outside.



They also have a live animal section outdoors. The picture on the bear is from there with some mothers helpers I took with me.


When we got home, we made dinosaur crafts. Instead of doing the ones I planned, William made himself into a dinosaur.

Special Grace

I love being a mom.

However, there are a few things that tempt me to self-pity in this job: when I'm sick and I still have to care for my kids, when my nursing baby bites, when I have to clean up poop, pee, and throw up. This week has been full of all of the above.

The worst was this morning. William has been sick since yesterday, and he has been asking to drink orange juice. I kept saying no. Then this morning he got some for himself while I was upstairs. He spilled it on the table and floor, and then threw up the rest on the carpet.

And yet God is helping me. As I sopped up the mess, I was surprised I was just fine- not especially excited, mind you, but not upset at all or sorry for myself. That's amazing grace! Something I can't explain, and I'm so grateful.

And all week has been like that- seeing cancelled events as a chance to get projects done at home and start homeschool, enjoying little things like animal-shaped sandwich cutters, lift-the-flap library books, playing ice cream stand with Lily, and hearing William call Lily by her name.

Of course, I'd still appreciate your prayers for us all to get better. The girls seem to be on the mend, but Eric says he isn't feeling well now, though he still went to work today. But it's so sweet to know that the grace is there for whatever the day holds. God is our Good Shepherd, and He is watching over us.

Little Conversations

Sometimes the most significant interactions happen in short little conversations in the middle of doing life. Lily's starting to have these with me, which is so fun.

In the bathroom while getting ready in the morning:
Lily: Mommy, I can go on the potty.
Me: Yep.
Lily: I go on the potty all the time.
Me: Yes, you do.
Lily: William doesn't go on the potty.
Me: He's learning. You know, William's brain doesn't work right. Remember that book we read about the girl and her brother was in a race and his brain didn't work right?
Lily: Yeah, I remember that.
Me: Well, William is the same way. His brain doesn't work right. That's why he has trouble talking, and he's still learning to go on the potty. But that's ok, because we still love him. And he's trying his best, that's what matters, right?
Lily: Right.

While getting dinner:
Lily: Where's Daddy?
Me: He's at work.
Lily: Why don't you go to work?
Me: I work here at home.
Lily: Why?
Me: Because someone has to do the laundry and the grocery shopping and make the meals and take care of you guys.
Lily: I'm sure someone else could do that. You could find someone else to take care of us.
Me: Yeah, you're right. Someone else could do that. We could find someone else. But I want to be the one to watch you guys. You are so much fun, and I don't want to miss out!

All the stuff going on with Sovereign Grace right now reminds me of a little conversation I had in the kitchen with my dad when I was a little girl. Mama was making dinner and Daddy was talking to her about something about Billy Graham.
Me: Daddy, who's Billy Graham?
Daddy: He's a famous evangelist. He travels around the world telling people about Jesus.
Me: Do you wish you were a famous evangelist?
Daddy: No.
Me: Why not?
Daddy: It's really hard to be humble when you're famous. Billy Graham is amazingly humble even though he's famous, but if I was famous, I'm not sure I would do that.

That was a teachable moment that is still instructing me today.

65 Candles

Happy Birthday to the best daddy in the whole world!

Aunt Marian

Eric's Aunt Marian came to visit us for a couple days this week. What a treat! Aunt Marian is Eric's special aunt- the one who took a special interest in him and took him and his siblings on fun adventures when he was a kid. (Everyone should have a special aunt, don't you think?)

It was a real treat for me to get to know her. She's pretty much lived my ideal life- traveling the United States and the world. She's a prolific reader and a history buff. I especially enjoyed hearing about her experiences volunteering in institutions for children with physical and mental handicaps in India and China.

She was a great sport, going with us to an African Safari park. I thought we'd be in air conditioning the whole time, but that did not end up being the case. I think she handled the heat better than either Eric or me. I'm sorry I totally forgot to take pictures at the park. I guess I was too busy waving carrots out the window trying to entice the giraffes... Anyway, here's one at bedtime.

Thanks so much, Aunt Marian, for taking the time to invest in Eric and now in our kids!

Great Grandma

My dad's mom is my last living grandparent and my children's last living great grandparent, so we were so glad that she was able to visit us yesterday and meet Lily and Abigail for the first time.
Grandpa R brought her, so we also gave him a warm welcome. =)

Father's Day Fun

Easter

Easter was a bit of a neglected holiday again this year. I'm hoping next year I'll be able to devote more time to both Lent and Easter. But, thanks to Auntie Jenn Outfitters, the kids had adorable matching outfits for church on Sunday. And after church we enjoyed dinner and an Easter Egg hunt at Grandma and Grandpa B's.

Bonding

We are so grateful to have had three weeks of pretty much constant help from Auntie Jenn and both sets of grandparents. It's been a big help to me and great bonding time for everybody.

Grandma and Grandpa R went home tonight, so now we are "on our own." But next week the kids are on spring break, so the schedule will be easier. And Grandma B reminded me today that she is still available to help. We are so blessed!