Spring Break

We had a ton of fun the last week with our Kentucky cousins who came to Jersey to visit. Although the weather didn't corporate the whole time, we made the best of our time together! Lots of Wii, movies, and some time out of the house filled our days. It's great to see them build relationships with each other and make memories! We love our Kentucky cousins!!

Nora at the park. She's killing me these days. Teething and not sleeping make for one tired mommy.

Micah and Garrett.

Esther

Lij killin' it on the monkey bars.

Gid on the rock wall.

Just monkeying around.

Olivia making music.

Micah caught having a good time playing.

Both so serious.

Love the static!!

Esther and Isaiah

Liv and Lij

Gid getting some help from Isaiah.

The kids all lined up. SO MUCH FUN!!

So much to say

I've got tons to say. Tons. I just don't have a cohesive way to put it all together. The next couple of blogs show what we've been up to. Maybe I'll be inspired and have more to write later. . .until then, enjoy.

Happy Birthday Garrett

Garrett turned 6 last Wednesday and we had lots of fun celebrating. We spent the morning doing school (you don't get the day off just b/c you're homeschooled and it's your birthday), the afternoon at a park, and the evening with my mom and dad for presents and cake. I was making cupcakes for our playgroup the next day, so I took Garrett to the supermarket to let him pick out his own cake. And, like a true St. Patty's Day baby, he went for the holiday cake, over the birthday cakes. I love my boy!

He didn't even know it was a leprechaun - he just kept calling it his "smiley face cake". Whatever makes you happy, buddy!

Getting a picture of Garrett is near to impossible these days. He's ALWAYS on the move! Here's a collage of our attempt at getting a picture of him for his birthday blog.

I think it shows exactly what he is like at this age!

Happy Birthday Garrett.

Spring time

You know it's starting to warm up when. . .

babies have bare feet outside. . .

bikes are dusted off

and ridden ALL day.

Chalk colors the pavement. . .

and any other concrete matter.

Happy Spring Everyone!

The 'eyes' have it

He's not as scary as he looks.

I know, I'm in trouble!

Piercing blues

Wide eyed wonder

It's all about You

Almost 9 years ago, I stood on a stage with my future husband and sang along with my sister as she sang this song.

It's all about You, Jesus
And all this is for You
For Your glory and your fame
It's not about me
As if You should do things my way
You alone are God
And I surrender to your ways

Jesus, lover of my soul
All consuming fire is in Your gaze
Jesus, I want you to know
I will follow you all my days
For no one else in history is like you
And history itself belongs to you
Alpha and Omega, You have loved me
And I will share eternity with You

At the time, I was singing to God, in the moment. That our marriage, the ceremony, was about Him. To an extent, I guess I was thinking about our future - but mostly I was in the moment.

I was sincere in my worship that day, but looking back, I had no idea what our future would look like. And if I had known, been given even a glimpse of our path, I'm not sure I would have sang with such conviction and certainty.

Two weeks ago in church, we sang that same song. And as I thought back to that stormy night 9 years ago, I smiled at my innocence. That night, it was just the two of us. The words of that song took on a whole new meaning Sunday morning, as we stood with our 5 children singing.

It was like an "Ah-ha" moment.

"Ohhhh. God, this is what you meant? All THIS, THEM, ME, US? Back THEN, right HERE, right NOW, FOREVER? IT'S all about YOU.

These beautiful children aren't about me? DARN!

That time in Indiana and Michigan wasn't about me? I was a pastor's wife, you know. Come to think of it, we went through some pretty awful stuff because of Your ministry, there's got to be something in there for me!

No?

And now? Now that we live in Jersey. . .we're here to heal, right?"

I AM.

It's all about You (this beautiful life You've blessed me with)

And all this is for you (Olivia, Garrett, Esther, Gideon, and Nora)

For Your glory and Your fame (To God be the glory)

It's not about me (not one single moment)

As if you should do things my way (You are the author and perfecter of my faith)

You alone are God (I lay my pride down)

And I surrender to your ways (To God be the glory)

Our life in Black and White

I bet you thought this was going to be a disclosure about our deepest, darkest secrets, based on the title. Well, you were wrong. It's just some beautiful black and whites of our five gorgeous children, who ARE our life.

Garrett doing some pre-bedtime reading to mom. Notice how serious he is.

Nora giving daddy smiles.

Gid being a stinker.

"Strike a pose!"

"CHEESE!"

Yes, I noticed the food on both girls faces - but do I care? Nope. (it wasn't too long ago that I would have cared)! Such is life with lots of small children - wiping faces is not always a priority.

Chuck E. Cheese

I hate Chuck E. Cheese. Don't get me wrong, I've done my fair share of partying there, as both the host and the attendee. And no matter how you slice it, it's stimulus overkill. The kids are treated to their every whim, games galore, tickets spit out at them, in order to treat them to a prize (which are displayed, with the number of tickets needed, so that the kids want more and more). Soda and pizza, cake and candy. It's every child's dream. And every parent's nightmare. After a three hour stint there on Monday, this mom was done. The only redeeming thing to come out of that place are the sketch photo's that cost only one token. I am always pleasantly surprised at the quality and clarity these pictures come out with. Not to mention that the date is printed on them, so I'll never have to ask, "when was this taken?" I wish I knew where to find all our pictures like this, so I could do a comparison - these will have to do for now.

Mommy and Nora

Kylie and Esther

Olivia, Jon and Garrett

Gideon and Mommy

Olivia - getting more and more beautiful!

Esther, a beautiful cheeser.

Mommy and Esther