the Backyard

When Jonathan and I were looking for houses 5 years ago, we always hoped we'd find a place with a big backyard, lots of space, and a very kid-friendly setup. We wanted kids to want to be here! We've been so grateful for such wonderful neighbors. All of the kids get a long, with minor hiccups, with each other and there is a diverse range of ages. We have regular disagreements over rules, who tagged who first, who fouled who on the court, etc…. but they are always times to teach and train… and correct :) Such good opportunities. Myles and Tessa are the two youngest, and I feel very blessed that they are so loved by all of the big kids. Looking forward to an active summer!




The bottom pics are just bonus pics of days at home with the 3 youngest. Wyatt is such a doting big brother... that can be bad and good :) Usually good, occasionally menacing!

Resurrection SUNDAY

 My heart overflows daily, even in the midst of hard work and repetition, with gratitude to our great God for the good gifts He gives us. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think how blessed we are in the gift of our children… that are really just 'on loan' to us for this time were are here on earth. They are not ours, they are His, yet He is gracious enough to allow us to invest our time into them and hopefully show them a fraction of the love God has for each of them. Children are a gift from God - it is true b/c that is what God's Word tells us. And I am always confronted with the fact that all while we are teaching, training, correcting, encouraging them, WE are the ones who benefit by all the lessons we learn along the way as parents. The sin that is exposed, the vulnerability that is there, the depth of sadness and joy they can bring us… the gratefulness that God plants deep in our souls for their little lives that grow so quickly. Another show of God's abundant generosity to allow us to be apart of this journey. And while that generosity doesn't always appear beautiful on the outside… meaning, children don't always obey, they throw fits in stores, we lose our tempers, or say things to manipulate our kids, or be hurtful and unkind, we question deep down why we are doing what we're doing… but if we allow His Word to guide how we think/pray/believe toward our children and about life, it brings great comfort to know that we are not the authority of the ultimate outcome. He is. He will save, He will soften hearts, He will grow love… I will obey Him. My goal is not to force change, but to show them His Word, teach them His Word, and show them His love. I can never change their hearts, but He can. So we will be faithful to the calling He has given, and give Him the praise in the good and the difficult. B/c He is always working even when we can't see.

These are pictures from Resurrection Sunday! We had a great day - dinner with family and friends, egg hunts, and beautiful weather. Many warm memories.

Clean windows?

Another day...

At least he's got good company :)

Someone's sick...

... and while it's exhausting for a parent to have sick babies, there are moments (or seconds) of preciousness... This little guy just finds one spot, sits, and moans ALL DAY LONG even if you're holding him. All of us, at one time or another, have said, "Myles.... Pls stop moaning!!!" Meanwhile, in the moments (or seconds) that he is content to moan on the floor, I try to simply maintain household chores. It's amazing how a whole week goes by and you're wondering what you originally had planned b/c it's like someone hit a pause button on life. You look outside and wonder what everyone else is doing :) You are forced to choose between necessity and 'the rest'... and I am personally always surprised how much falls in 'the rest' category. It's really kind of telling and usually good for me to have that kind of reality check now and then. Although when you have 4 kids and sicknesses fall back to back, it does get a little tiring. But this will pass and for that I'm thankful! Excited to see spring weather! Yay! Wyatt and I did get out to plant some herbs today... Love season changes!