Birthday Girl!

I'm very late in posting these pictures of Hannah's birthday!  She asked for a "big girl purple room" for her birthday this year.  While she was away at Mimi and Pop's house, I painted her room and got her all new purple bedding.  It turned out really cute.  She was very surprised when she got home.  She also had a "Fancy Nancy" themed birthday this year.  She has really gotten into those books.  We ended up the birthday week with a princess tea party.  Sadly, I have no pictures from that, as I was busy helping the girls make tiaras and serving little sandwiches and cake. :)  Hopefully I'll get some pictures from the grandmothers to post later.  

I'm SO VERY THANKFUL for my little girl, who is not so little any more.  She has brought more joy into my life than I can say.  She is full of compassion for others; she is kind-hearted and generous; she is quick to forgive.  She often bolsters my faith with her love for Jesus!  I dearly love my little gift and look forward to seeing what the Lord will continue to do in her heart and life.  

Vacation pictures

I'm slow in posting pictures from our vacation two weeks ago.  We went to Hilton Head, SC for a week with my family.  We had a wonderful time catching up with everyone.  I hadn't seen one of my brothers since Christmas, so it was really good to hear what is going on in his life.  We had tons of fun and did a lot of stuff together.  The kids then went on to spend a week with Ken's parents and Ken and I got some much needed alone time.  

I think my favorite parts of the trip were the times that Ken and I got to spend with our kids.  We went down two days before everyone else got there and had our own "mini vacation".  One night at dinner, Harry put his arm around Ken and said, "Your my best friend, daddy!".  This was especially meaningful to us because Harry has typically been a "mommy only" boy.  Ken and the kids really grew closer together over the week.  I'm thankful for the time we could all spend together. 

Finding Joy in the Walk

I've been reading through an excellent study on the first Epistle of John.  This week's lesson was on having fellowship with God and finding that fellowship once you lose it.  One of the points that struck me the most was this: in our present culture of business one of our major idols is productivity.  "What have I produced today?" is the question that seems to define our worth in society.  Now, as a stay at home mom, I really struggle with this!  I often look around at the end of the day and think, "How can I have worked so hard and see so few results?".  I have a difficult time understanding the concept of investing in things that do not produce instant, measurable, visible results.  

What does this have to do with fellowship with God?  Fellowship with God is not something I can  produce in my life by checking off my "to do" list.  To experience fellowship with God requires me to slow down.  It is a relationship that can not be rushed or forced.  J.I. Packer talks about this in his book, "Keep in Step with the Spirit".  He points out that a life lived in contemplation and prayer and in observance of the people that God has placed around you is set in direct opposition to our present culture of business and productivity.  Yet we all hunger for the intimacy, warmth and affection that a life lived before the face of God will afford us.  What is the answer?  Slow down!  Invite God to "interfere" with your schedule!  Look for Him everywhere; listen for His voice; spend time in the Word and in prayer talking to Him.  

As I was reading this morning about slowing down, I was reminded of a scene from a movie that I watched recently.  There is a beautiful scene in "Becoming Jane" that reveals the mindset  of the two main characters, Jane and Tom.  Jane lives in a part of England that is known for its landscape, forests and wildlife.  Tom is forced to leave London and spend some time there in the country.  As they walk through the woods, Tom hacks his way through the beautiful scenery with his head down, seeing nothing.  His intention is to travel from point A to point B.  He is met with frustration as the plants and trees block him from his goal.  Jane, on the other hand, takes the meandering path through the woods, traveling slowly, enjoying the beauty around her.  She takes her time, touching the plants and trees, soaking in God's creation.  

I feel like these are the two approaches to life.  I can either hack my way through it with my head down, or I can enjoy the path that God has placed me on.  Either way, I will reach my destination, but my EXPERIENCE of the walk will be drastically different.  I believe it is possible to "get to heaven" without enjoying your journey with the Lord.  Fellowship with God is the POINT of life.  How can our lives bring Him glory if we don't enjoy Him?  How can we enjoy Him if we don't slow down long enough to get to know Him?  If I hack my way through this life I will miss out on the pleasure of knowing God, knowing my husband, knowing my children.  I will miss out on the joy of being known.  I will miss out on the beauty of the world He created for us to enjoy.  I will miss out on the job He has given us to do--to make His glories known to those around us.  I want to reach my destination, and I want to find joy in the walk as I make my way there.   

P.S.  Pictured above is Harry at the beach.  He was the only kid who slowed down long enough to sit with me and watch the waves.  I was shocked by this, because he is typically my "doer".  We had some sweet time together, watching the waves going in and out.  I am thankful for the moments he "slowed down" with me.

Anybody want one?

Is it just me or do you ever feel like boxing up your kids and mailing them to their grandparents?  Good thing Daddy intervened before I got out the packaging tape! :)  I was talking to another mom at the pool yesterday and we agreed that summer was invented as a way to torture parents.  Longer days with no schedule and lots of energy draining activities.  I still LOVE the summer even though it may not be a slower pace of life.  It's fun to be outside with the kids at the pool or park or in the backyard.  I think I'll be ready for school to start by August, though...

Little Swimmers

We have completed the first of two weeks of swim lessons at our neighborhood pool.  I was very surprised at the role reversal in my children this week.  Usually, Harry is my "jump-into-everything-head-first" kid.  I was afraid he would take that quite literally at the pool.  Hannah tends to be my more cautious child.  However, when we got to the pool, it was Hannah who couldn't contain the excitement long enough to sit on the wall with the other kids!  After a little while she settled down and joined into the group activities.  She has taken to swimming like a fish to water!  She has been the bravest kid in her class--jumping into the deep end more times than any other student.  Most of the other kids wouldn't do it, even with a life vest.  

Harry, on the other hand, has been very suspicious of the water.  If he can't stand, he's just not sure it's worth the effort.  After the 3rd lesson, I made him practice his back floats in the bath tub.  That seemed to help his confidence level the next day.  He is enjoying it, but still not as eager to go into the deep end as Hannah.  I'm hoping next week will help him get a little braver.  

We are headed to the beach in a week, and the kids are super excited to practice those new swimming moves out in open water!  I have already informed them that they will have to swim with other adults.  Mommy is afraid of water that goes past her knees.  So, maybe Harry comes by his reticence honestly.  I'll be sitting on the beach with my books and he is welcome to join me anytime! :)

Happy Anniversary!

Ken and I celebrated our 6th anniversary on Sunday!  We were busy with church activities on the actual day of our anniversary, so we celebrated on Saturday night.  We went to a quaint little town about 30 minutes away from where we live.  We browsed the shops on the main street of town and then ate at the inn in the downtown area.  It was such a wonderful evening!  We try to go on dates at least once a month, and it is AMAZING to be able to have a conversation with one another without being interrupted! :)

These past few years we have seen many of our friends' marriages become troubled and several of them end in divorce.  Ken and I have had our own troubled times as well.  I have become increasingly more thankful for a husband who is committed to his relationship with the Lord and committed to his love for me.  He is always looking for new and better ways to serve me and our kids.  He is generous, loving, and self sacrificial.  I am so blessed to be married to such a wonderful man!  I am also thankful for a God who models unfailing, unselfish, and constant love for us.  "A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart" (Eccl. 4:12b).  I know that without the presence of that third Strand, we would not be able to make it!  I am thankful for all He has done to bind our hearts and lives together over the past six years.  I am looking forward to many, many more.

Bike rides in the park

At a rummage sale at our church last weekend, Harry found a "big boy bike".  We weren't planning on buying him one until his birthday, but this one was in great condition and very cheap (can't beat $10!).  It has been funny to watch him learn how to ride it!  He isn't used to having brakes.  He rode his tricycle backwards as much as he rode it forwards, so it threw him off a little to stop suddenly when he pedaled backwards.  Once he figured that out, he was fine.

We met some friends of ours at a park new our house.  It has a great bike trail that goes in a big loop and then through the woods.  JJ and Harry had a blast and were so cute on their bikes!  It's funny to see such small people ride bikes so fast!  Hannah is more of a leisurely rider--she likes to take in the birds and butterflies and talk to people as she rides.  The boys were a bicycle version of speed racer.  I could barely get them to slow down to take these pictures!

Just as an aside, please pray for JJ's parents as they are in Malawi, Africa this week and next week.  Jessica is teaching a class for music teachers at the college and her husband is preaching some and helping out where needed.  The missing plane that has been in the news lately has been a great reminder to PRAY for everything!  Please pray for their safety as they are away, and for the Lord to bless the recipients of Jessica's hard work (she has been working for a year on the class she is teaching).  She is a VERY talented music teacher and I am so excited that the Lord is using her gifts and abilities to inspire and encourage people on the other side of the world.