The Days are Long....

When I look back through the photographs of my children,

I am reminded that although the days sometimes seem long

the years go by much too quickly.

So I will treasure the moments.

The joy of riding in Daddy's arms.  The giggles over silly songs.

I'll treasure the memories and the secrets whispered into my ear.

I'll hold them close and let them go.

Because the joy of holding my babies close only grows when my children choose to run back into my arms.

Living Christmas Trees

Yesterday I had a chance to hang out with Hope and Breeley alone for a little while. We were driving to get chocolate milk, apple juice and a coke when Hope piped up from the back seat. "Mommy, turn on the 'ees song." I asked her to repeat herself several times as I normally don't have any trouble understanding her. When we stopped at a light I half turned and said, "What song, Hope?" Closing her eyes and raising both hands in the air she begins to sing, "At the cross I found my knees...." *

Our family is once again involved in our church's Christmas production. I never blogged about it last year, so this seemed like a good time to pull up all the old pictures and relive the memories.

Living Christmas Trees tells the story of Christ's life from birth through resurrection. Our dear friends are once again directing it and it is a privilege to work alongside them to share the story of Christ.

The kids absolutely love being a part of it, which I knew they would. What I didn't know was how much closer our family would grow to each other through this experience.

Doug was hesitant at first and ended by fully embracing his roles, makeup and all. So the the makeup was a stretch - he could hardly wait to get home and take it off. :) He was really great about helping put it on though. Years of helping his mom came in handy here.

Bree was a trooper. She got fussy towards the last of every evening. They were long days for her, but she hung in there and made into at least one scene in every performance.

Hope loved practice, but was a little unsure of walking into a room filled with people. She did great being a part of several scenes. Her favorite part was the make-up!

Becca grew up so much during this process. I loved watching her grow into her roles and love being on stage. During the scene of Jesus' ministry the song Healing Rain played. Becca was the "dead girl" who Jesus raised to life. A dramatic and heartbreaking scene. She did so good holding still and coming to "life" on cue.

Tyler had a short appearance as "little Jesus" as he grew into a man. Being on stage is totally his thing. He loved everything but the makeup.

We are enjoying putting in the hours, growing together as a family and being a part of telling the story of Christ. If you live in the area and would like to come, here is a link to the church website for information.


*The song she was singing is Hillsong's "At the Cross."

This Crazy House.

I wish that when life got crazy, blogging didn't take such a backseat. Even though it's an "extra" thing, it's my kids baby book! I want to make sure I keep up on it. Consider yourself warned - This is a random post.

I'm hoping to catch up over the next few days on the fun our family has had this fall. We had our first camping trip since Becca was Bree's age, started practice for our church's Christmas program and our homeschool co-op, small group, a new Bible study, friends, family.... I realize that a lot of people do a whole lot more, but I'm feeling like my cup is running over. Mostly in a good way, although the clutter that occasionally spills off the table tops reminds me when my home is getting neglected.

I'm loving this season of life. Tyler is getting so big. He's ready to "be a man". (his words) But every now and then I still get to wrap him up in my arms and he'll squeeze back for a few minutes.  I'm treasuring those hugs. The sitting and chatting and listening to his giggle. It's rough some days. Trying to find that line between making most of my growing boy's decisions and letting him begin to make decisions. I hear from parents all around me "it only gets harder." So I'm holding on, savoring, learning, listening. In my short nine years of being someone's mom the only things I've learned for sure is to love hard, hold on tight and pray for the strength to let go when I feel the Lord's nudge.  It goes too fast.

Sitting with Breeley snuggled in my arms reminds me of this. We had just moved into this house when Ty was her age.  Becca came soon after. Bree is such a mix of the two of them as babies.  Bree reminded us so much of Becca as a baby. Snuggly, good sleeper, adapted easily to a variety of sleeping arrangements, loved her blanket, sucked her thumb. When one hit, we got a glimpse of a whole 'nother child residing in Bree's little  body.  Now I feel like I'm re-raising Tyler...with lots of older siblings thrown in the mix.  I'll suffice it to say, she lets her needs be known. Quickly, loudly, repeatedly.  She is now "that child" in the church nursery. "Oh, you're Breeley's mom." It's always funny to hear that from new people at church.  I'm so glad my skin has gotten thicker in regards to remarks about my children. Bree needs to be loud many days for me to hear her over the clamoring. Clamoring so loud that it makes me wonder what the neighbors think of us. I love watching my children's personalities unfold year by year.


 Hope is full of personality, spunk, and sass. She makes us laugh. Even Doug can't always keep a straight face when the situation calls for it with her. The other night at dinner she was refusing to eat what was served.  I have never been able to keep a straight face with my kids. Never. It drives my patient husband crazy . I can't blame him. It's got to be beyond frustrating when your backup is laughing so hard tears are running down her face. So I normally leave. But this night at dinner, Hope came up with a response so quick, so funny even Doug was rolling. I think I need to pray for more wisdom here. :)

Adding a cat to our home recently has created another set of challenges. From finding litter sprinkled on the bathroom floor and beyond (gag) by chubby fingers (gag, gag, gag).  To the scratches on hands, faces, legs to the ones who should know better than pester but still don't resist.  To the dog and cat fights that are happening more and more regularly around here. Some days I wonder if there wasn't a better solution to the mice than the cat. And yes, we tried everything. My husband was staying up at night to shoot them with a BB gun because we could not catch them in traps. One mouse even pulled itself off a glue trap leaving all it's belly fur behind. I like to think of it as a free wax job.

When my kids are grown I wonder what they will take away from this crazy house? What will the consider worth passing on to their kids? What will they find that needs to be purged? Talking to my dad this morning reminded me of the great heritage we will pass on to our children.  I want to pass on a heritage of love: for the Lord, for his kingdom, for his people and the people who have yet to become his.  I pray this is the heritage I will leave:  passion for God and the things that matter most to him. The responsibility of raising my children in a way that honors and pleases God is daunting, overwhelming and solemn.  Yet I wouldn't trade it for the world. I am touched by lives that will never be the same because their path of parenthood was different. It was much to brief.  The joy of seeing their children walk, talk, or take their first breath was not theirs to treasure. So I am reminded to treasure the  moments and parent with purpose. As I try to teach them the things of God, my children remind me to treasure my faith, and celebrate it. As I was typing this post they came in excited, overflowing with excitement really, because they had made something out in the backyard: two left over pieces of wood and a jump rope, twined together to make a cross. And I was reminded by my little ones of the words from Psalms:

"Create in me a clean heart, Oh God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me." Psalm 51:10 &12

Photo Shoot

My friend, Cristi, let me take pictures of her kids today. It was fun to practice and try to capture other kids expressions and personalities. The weather this week has been GORGEOUS! The fall colors are coming out. Being a true pro (HA!) I didn't charge my batteries the night before. Oops! We're going to finish on Friday. Here are my favorites from today.

My favorite of the day!

The "goofy" picture bribe. It worked for awhile!

Thanks, Cristi! My battery will be in the charger soon!

Just a Day in Our Life

Sometimes, life comes clearly into focus. Like when my little ones giggle and I stop to giggle too.

When sisters try to kiss brothers. And brothers put up a mighty protest, even when Mom says something like, "It's just a little kiss." Oh, but honor is on the line. I realize as my finger presses the button. My boy is becoming a young man.

And I get this look. And the request "Please don't put that on the blog." Sorry, Ty.  I'll attempt to clear your dignity with this, you never let her kiss you. Although she got mighty close. :)

My sweet baby trying to figure out what all the fuss is about. And why  Mom-mom has the camera out for so long today. Ignore the fact that the one I'm still responsible for dressing is still in pajamas.

Like watching Becca try desperately to ignore me. She is so much like me. Give her a book and she is lost to the world. But that little grin....

Almost succeeding in refocusing....

Gotcha!

After lunch one is worn out.Her heavy body sagging against me as I read "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nihm" to the oldest let me know she'd given in. The soft snoring punctuating my reading brought more giggles.

It really is the simple things. The things that matter. Not a single perfect picture in the bunch. The house is cluttered. We were still doing school when the school bus dropped the last kids off for the day. It didn't matter. There was joy. And giggles. And kisses. And most of all love.

Out of the mouth of Hope.

Last night Hope and I went to the grocery store.

Alone.

It was a big deal to her. She got to move up a row in the van to sit closer to me. We chatted, she requested her current favorite, "Adventures in Odyssey."

We were having a fabulous psuedo-date (You know, the ones where you get to spend time together and still accomplish something mundane yet necessary.) until I parked the car.

I half listened as she rambled.

"Mom, (uh-huh), we can't eat your grocery list. That's gross."

"That's right, honey. Give me a second, okay?" I gathered up my grocery list, coupons, purse grab her hand and we get out and walk towards the store.

"Mom, (yes, Hope), we can't eat cars. That's gross."

"You're right. We don't eat things that aren't food." At this point I should probably mention we are shopping at the dreaded dinner hour. The store was packed; tons of people were coming and going. I should also mention, I'm married to a tall, strong man. It takes a lot of tall to make me notice.

But there was a man walking out of the store tall and big enough to make me notice, just as Hope started in again, looking at the said man.

"Mom, (yes), we don't eat people. That's just gross."

I've rarely seen a man so big that scared of a child so small.

Sometimes

 

I feel like

I have two sets

of twins

separated by a few years.

I know this is blurry, but I love the big brother protector thing going on here!

Anyone else see the same thing?