So Very Proud!

We find ourselves without a digital camera now, so you'll just have to close your eyes and imagine the biggest smile you've ever seen on Stephen's face and his delighted little girl standing next to him in her bright yellow soccer shirt. I don't know who was more excited when Sis scored 2 goals in soccer today - she or Daddy. Stephen has been working with Sis diligently on her game, and today we saw the most timid little girl on the field let loose and play her heart out. The coach came up to us in astonishment afterwards and asked us what on earth we fed her for breakfast. It was so neat to see her efforts pay off and to share in this victory with her. As for the breakfast, I will definitely need to get that recipe for molasses and flaxseed banana bread from my friend Crystal. Sis had a generous portion of that before the big game. :)

School is in Full Swing...

I have composed many posts in my head about the adventures of our first few weeks of school; however, there is scarcely time to come up for air these days, let alone write leisurely journal entries. I am hoping that we soon settle into a smoother routine and that I continue to grow in my ability to respond gracefully to the million little challenges and interruptions in my day-to-day life. Homeschooling with a 5 month old and an active toddler is more difficult that I would have imagined. I cling to the promise of "new mercies every morning" and remind myself that the struggles I meet along the way are often God's "messengers" meant to stretch and sanctify me. I have had my tearful times, but I am learning to mingle them with generous doses of laughter. There are plenty of adorable moments that temper the myriad of challenges each day holds. For instance...

Yesterday Stephen was playing the "potty training coach." He told Baby Boy that he had wet his pants a little. Baby Boy responded, "That's okay, Daddy. It's just gas."

Buddy gave me a report about his first class at the Lighthouse Co-Op. He said, "Mommy there was a boy who kept crying for his mom. And I don't mean JUST WEEPING. Sometimes he has FITS!!!"

After his first soccer game, Buddy was telling a story about an exciting game he played. Halfway through his account, he stopped short and said, "Daddy, could you finish telling the story for me because it might sound like I am complimenting myself."

I am humbled and deeply grateful for the network of friends and family who are helping and encouraging me along the way. One friend sent me an e-mail last week that could not have been more timely. I was trying to plug through hours of tedious lessons with uncooperative children and a vomiting baby and was ready to throw in the towel. This friend refreshed me with her perspective on the interruptions in our lives. She said that, when her day doesn't play out the way she hoped it would, she claims God's promise that he can do "exceedingly beyond what we would ask or imagine." She trusts that God has even BETTER plans than those she could have come up with and waits with eager expectancy to see what He might have in store.

Some other highlights of our week include a couple hours with my mom on Wednesdays. She shows up to cheerfully fold up to a dozen loads of laundry and provides an eager audience for the kids' "show and tell." Then there's my "sanity walk" with my sister during soccer practice on Fridays. And the mornings at our Homeschool Co-Op when I visit and share stories with other moms who are making a valiant effort to cater to the needs of all their little ones.

Not a day goes by when I don't remind myself of Galatians 6:9, "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

Special Visit with Kristine

Last week my friend, Kristine, came to visit us. It meant so much that, with the craziness of homeschooling and planning for a move, she would prioritize a few hours with me. Kristine and I have been friends for almost four years now. We connected through e-mail when we went through miscarriages at the same time. I can't adequately express what an encouragement and support she was to me through that loss. Shortly after this, we shared in the ups and downs of pregnancies and delivered our baby boys less than a month apart. This past week was the first time Kristine had seen Papoose. What fun it was to introduce them. I am so thankful for the blessing of her friendship.

Baby Boy's News...

We are so proud of Baby Boy's progress with the potty. He is doing really well staying dry through the days. I think our success is largely do to a very cool Winnie the Pooh potty chair we purchased and a video called "Potty Power." The songs on this DVD are really catchy, and the excitement of the children who are "proud to wear their underwear" is contagious. :) I'd highly recommend it to friends who are coaching their little ones through this stage of toddlerhood...

Haircuts By: Sis Age: 8

I recently went out with Mom to get our haircuts done, we go to Creative Colors and Cuts, and we got it done by Correen, who is the person who cuts our hair! Mom goes there every 8 weeks and I have gone with her every time! We usually go to Panera and we either go for lunch and get 2 bagels and tea, and chocolate milk, or we go and share a cookie and each get a cocoa :)
I completely changed my hairstyle, and it is shorter than my shoulders, and just short enough to tuck behind my ears if I want to, I can put it back in to little pigtails in the back of my head! I really like my hairstlyle, and I also can't wait to show it to my Aunt Gretchen, who has a very simular haircut! Mom also cut hers and it is very pretty :)

By: Sis
Age: 8

Soccer By: Sis Age:8

I have recently started soccer, it has been tons of fun! I have practice every Tuesday, and a game every Saturday, and also Buddy has started soccer on Friday, which is a post to come :) Although it is busy :)
For my Soccer Team, we have had three games, although I was only at two of them because it was the day of Buddy's birthday, the grass was wet and it was raining and I had had a bad cold and Mom did not want me out in the rain although I do know the score for that first game, here are the scores:

My Soccer Scores: Team Name: Team Fitness Center

Team Fitness Center, My Team: Other Teams:

Game 1. 14 0
Game 2. 3 3 (Tie)
Game 3. 12 3


We are very exited, we have won two of our games out of three, and have not lost once, although there was a tie once :) I will try to write on the blog maybe every three games, there are four more games, including this Saturday :)

By: Sis

Age: 8

Big Day for Papoose

Papoose popped his first tooth!! The kids were so proud and excited. Of course we had to call Daddy and share the news on speaker phone. I'm relieved to know that this might be the cause of his recent fussiness and sleeplessness.

Lots of news and pictures to come. We are stretched thinly right now between soccer schedules, our day at the Lighthouse Co-Op and the newness of school routines...

Happy 7th Birthday, Buddy!

Today we are celebrating Buddy's 7th birthday. It is especially fun to be sorting through old pictures as we reminisce about his life and the joy he has brought to our home. If you scroll down, you'll see some baby pictures of my sweet boy. Those great big belly pictures were taken during my pregnancy with him. :)

Buddy takes pride in the fact that he was my easiest baby - from pregnancy through delivery and into the newborn/toddler stage, he was very kind to his Mommy. I was especially grateful for this since his older sister kept me hopping!

We have all sorts of plans for his special day. Coffee cake and presents with Grandma Z. (who is also celebrating a birthday today!), a date to go target shooting with Grandpa this afternoon, and a party at Grandma and Grandpa's tonight.

I love you, Buddy, and am so proud of what a wonderful boy you are!

A Decade of Special Memories...

This past Thursday I woke up early to eat breakfast and pray with Stephen before he left for work. While spending that peaceful time with my husband, it occured to me that that very day marked the tenth anniversary of the day we met! In memory of the decade we've spent together, I am working to compile some special pictures. I hope to add to this collection over the next couple of weeks. So many rich memories are captured in these photos. I am truly thankful for the marriage God has blessed us with. Stephen is my very best friend and the most faithful and loving husband I could ask for.