How You Live

As I was driving a couple of days ago, I had to stop and write down the quote I read on a church sign before I forgot it:

"Are you making a living, or making a life?"

This describes my father-in-law so well. His priority was making a life, living a life of truth and love that everyone felt in his presence.Holding Hope in Florida last year as she looks for yet another Oreo.

Lifting Jonny

I've been thinking a lot about Romans 8:28 -

"And we know that in ALL THINGS God works for the GOOD of those who love him..."

And I've been re-evaluating my definition of "good". Good is whatever glorifies God. Good is how the story finally ends when we are done with this earth, these bodies. Good is not whatever keeps my happy little life running smoothly...it's God proving himself faithful over and over and over again.

We Loved Him

Our dear Poppy passed away this week and we are changed as a family forever. He loved the Lord, his family. He loved The Truth.

I just want to post a few pictures today, with apologies because he hated having his picture taken and avoided the camera quite well.

This was Thanksgiving 2009, hanging out with some of the grandchildren. I can't help but be overwhelmed as I look at this picture - which is still missing 4 grandchildren - of what a legacy he's left them, how their lives will forever be changed by this.

See? Obviously not happy to have a camera pointed at him.


Getting a squeeze from Jonny at his birthday party. I'll miss those hands, that hug.

Another legacy - his pizza. The brothers had finally learned the trick of the trade, but he remains the master. Always.

He left us so much love, so many amazing memories. He lived each day to the fullest, remembering what was really important. I'm so thankful I knew him.

The Pink Ghost

Guaranteed to make you smile!

Ever need a change of scenery?

Happy Birthday, Superman!

The sweet middle boy is turning 7 this weekend. *sigh* I had to include one of my favorite little boy pictures of him. He still loves helping me bake, and helping lick the bowl....and helping eat it all...

When he was this age (4) I took a minute one day to write down all his little questions. I'm so glad I kept them; they really give insight to WHO BOYS ARE and who they desire to be:

Did you know I cannot STAND kryptonite?

Can you pretend you're my wife?

Mom, let's go for a bike ride!

Can I be done?

How many more bites?

Did you know I could punch a hole in this wall with my arm?

Mommy?

Mommy?

Mommy?

Can I have one?

Know what?

Know what?

Can I show you what I can do?

What can I laser through with my eyes?

Watching?

Do you know who I am, Mom?

Has your mama ever had...ENOUGH?

Oh, I wish I could see my Mom's face when she pulls this one up. How many times did we laugh at this story at our house?

And I don't know what's funnier - the actual story, or Mark's mullet. The hairstyles in the audience are pretty comical, too.

Little did I know this would be MY KITCHEN someday....

Hope is in the House

I struggle with how to describe this little girl of mine. How do I put into words what her presence does to our home?

Where are the words in the English language to explain how my cup runneth over when I see this golden brown hair bouncing across the room?

Even making breakfast must come second when she looks up at you with hazel eyes.

Sweet Hope is days away from her 2nd birthday. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm struggling with letting go this time.

We're getting closer to "non-baby" days and while a huge part of me does the "happy dance", the other part of me can't bear the thought of her not sleeping in a crib or not needing me so much.

So no matter how big she gets (and she is a full sack of potatoes, lemme tell ya) I will pick this girl up. I will rock her and sing to her and lift her 'till my arms break. That's my baby girl. Always.

What we do while waiting for Spring to arrive in Minnesota:

From Hearts at Home

Mom, do you know how valuable you are?

Do you want to be inspired and encouraged?

Are you in need of refreshment or rejuvenation?

Do you want to laugh?


A Hearts at Home conference gives moms the unique opportunity to pause along their mothering journey to refresh, refocus, and renew themselves. The 2010 National Conference, Mom’s the Word, is being held at the Bone Student Center of Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois on March 12-13.


See what others are saying about a Hearts at Home conference:


“I attended the conference this year for the first time. I enjoyed it immensely. I was lifted up, instructed, convicted, encouraged, and brought to tears, sometimes all at the same time.”

“I loved it. I feel so full of information. I need to sit and read my notes and just process it. It was really encouraging to hear all the speakers and be with all of those moms. Thanks so much! “

“This past weekend was awesome and life changing. This was my first Hearts at Home Conference and I am telling everyone about it. “

“I want to thank you all for keeping these conferences going each year and for making them so refreshing for women at various stages in their parenting.”


Hearts at Home wants all mothers to know how valuable they are! Check out this video for a small dose of encouragement from Nicole Johnson and be sure to join us March 12th-13th for more!

Jonny Big Fella

It's hard to choose just one photo for Jonathan. He's our resident Jim Carrey and his expressions keep us entertained.

Jonny came into our lives when we lived in Texas. Hands-down the easiest delivery of all 4 of my babies. And he's continued to be an easy-going, "where's the party?" kind of kid. If you're familiar with birth order, he's a typical third born: funny, playful, social, and just great to have around.

The challenges with Jonathan are usually VOLUME related. He does everything LOUDLY, but probably because he just wants to be heard in this house of six.

Aaron and I are feeling a little sadness to see J. grow - the last "little boy" in our house. He noticed this week that Jonny doesn't say "ree" anymore. As in, "That's REE cool!" Now he's learned to pronouciate "really" and that's the death of "ree".

I also love the pure energetic affection of my 3rd son. He'll give me the sweetest hugs and kisses I could ask for. I do get a little nervous, though, as he will put his hands on my cheeks and kiss me softly on the lips. Hide your daughters!!

G-man's turn

Maybe it's just me, but those Olympic commercials really got to me this year. You know, the ones that start, "What's better than being an Olympic athlete?" "Being an Olympic athlete's mom."

Then they cut to all these moms on the sidelines this year, going nuts and screaming, "THAT'S MY BABY!!"

Pretty much left me weeping in a fetal position.

This child with the heavenly smattering of freckles is my first-born. Talk about weeping in a fetal position - this kid has driven me to The Edge and left me there more times than I'd like to admit.

I remember creating a page in Greg's scrapbook when he was 3 years old and writing down his personality characteristics across the page. I hesitated and wondered if I could write, "stubborn, aggressive, exhausting, opinionated, challenging..." but instead chose words like "brave, enthusiastic, passionate, bold, curious..." to keep it positive.

I recently read this from "Mitten Strings for God" by Katrina Kenison as she described her own passionate son (see link at left) and it made me think so much of Greg:

....he has been my most demanding teacher, exposing all my weaknesses and requiring me to develop even greater fortitude. In his passionate, head-long rush into life, he has shown me exactly where my rope ends, where my patience runs out, where my edges fray, where my own outer limits really are. He has taught me that in order to be an effective and loving disciplinarian, I must first be able to control myself. He requires of me an inner strength that I don't always possess. So I work to keep my footing, for I have learned that my own quiet self-assurance, and my unwavering faith in his goodness, has a far better effect on him than my anger ever will. He has demanded of me a level of emotional steadfastness that I don't always possess. So I have had to go in search of my own deeper resources."

And I smile at that last sentence, because my "deeper resources" are found in Jesus Christ alone. This is not a solo job.

Lest I paint my first-born as all problem and no joy, let me add that Greg has a quick wit and humor that can entertain at any given moment. He is a born leader and will probably have people calling him 'sir' somewhere, someday. He is cool under pressure and loves a challenge.

One day after school last year, I was a little late getting home one afternoon to meet the boys. I pulled up just seconds after the bus, but not before he and Daniel noticed the house was empty. Daniel, uh, freaked. Tears, yelling. Greg instructed Daniel to sit down while he waved down the bus driver (she turns around at the end of our road). Greg still remembers his "heroic" duties that day.

What I love right now about Greg is that even though 9 is just around the corner, he still asks if I can lay down with him at night, tuck him in, give him all the "little boy" stuff at the end of the day. And I gladly oblige.

After all, "THAT'S MY BABY!"