The Crosses We Bear

My gramma sent these images to me in an email marked "PROFOUND." It made me think about what things I ask the Lord for that are not in His perfect will for my life, not in my best interest. And then act on those requests without hearing back from Him. Check these out and share your thoughts...

Then Jesus, looking at you, loves you and says...

"...Come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”
Mark 10:21 (my emphasis, my application)

Oh, Jesus, give me a heart that is satisfied to do Your will and to know that I do not carry my burdens without being yoked up to You. I want my cross (Yours really) to stretch across the fault lines in any life circumstance. You know my path and what dips and valleys and mountaintops await as I journey toward Your promises. Thank you for being my hiking companion.

Is He yours?

TLC: Jesus Style

So we had this really cool experience. It started when one of the families in our fellowship called and said they wanted to make our home their headquarters for a Saturday. They told me that Bryan and I needed to make arrangements for some alone time and be out of the house for six hours.

This family is a family of six -- big kids and little kids and one itty bitty kid. They'd been praying for awhile about stepping outside the threshold of their home to share their giftings. And we were the family the Lord placed on their hearts.

This was more than just a casual "free" babysitting day for Bryan and me, this was more about them and what they were offering to Jesus through service. Each of the family members used their gift in our home that day.

The wife loves to clean and decorate. That was her gift.
The husband loves to cook. Being chef was his gift.
The kids each decided on their own what their offering would be.
One loves playing. One loves reading. One loves coloring.

As the wife is describing to me what God's "Plan A" is (which is for them to do this for us in our home, now or at a later date), I am amazed. I am humbled. I am blown away, really. It made me think that I'd wished I'd thought of it myself to do for another family! But that's how the Lord works -- He always always always has the best ideas. He's always at work, all He needs are willing hands and feet. And Plan A involved our family, but yet if we weren't willing to let them "give" in this way, God would provide another Plan A -- a different family.

Thankfully, I was caught up a bit more than usual on housework, so I was willing to let this family come in and see the underbelly of my home. It's a humbling thing to let someone clean the soap scum out of your shower!

But I knew that this was one of the ways the Lord was filling my "prescription" from December's OB appointment.

Jesus is creative in His provision and this is far more personal than a regular ol' housekeeper stopping by for a couple hours to spruce up. And don't think that I didn't give the wife an earful of disclaimers about what to ignore (carpet spills) and what to forgive (probability of flies in window sills) and even what to enjoy (playing Trading Spaces while she's here) because it was a list a mile long.

How would you do with someone coming into your home and spending several hours there deep cleaning? Would you allow yourself to be vulnerable like that? One of the priorities we wives have is managing and caring for the home. What would your thoughts be? "Oh, my house has never been as clean as hers." "She'll be completely grossed out by my bathrooms and will faint from the 3 gallons of Tilex it'll take to make it sparkle." "My house isn't 'done' yet, there's so many projects and so much clutter." "She'll wonder 'What was she thinking when she hung that there?'" Aaaaaaggghhhh!

So rather than let my silly insecurities outweigh the benefits of coming home to a clean house after a relaxing day with my husband, I had to realize that having this family in this house doing what they love doing, really had less to do with me and my list of overdue household chores not being done by the time they got here and more to do with the experience Jesus was providing for THEIR family.

How could I refuse a gift like this? We've all heard that it's more of a blessing to give than to receive. There's such satisfaction in wrapping up that gift that we've searched all over the web for and know that it is absolutely something your child will enjoy over and over again. The joy is in giving that gift and watching your child open it and dance around excitedly and set to work playing with it as soon as all the packaging has been removed. Imagine the joy of the Lord as His kids share with His other kids the gifts He Himself hand-selected!

So for this family it was about the giving. It was about the giftings and talents and loves that Jesus placed within them and sharing them with someone else. In doing that, they were giving them back to the Lord. Their giving had nothing to do with writing out a check to help a charity and everything to do with obeying the prompting of the Spirit to give their time and bless others in the ways they bless each other inside the four walls of their home.

Bryan and I spent the day watching the Packers game and did a little window shopping -- I even took a 2 hour nap (which is always a treat). It was restful and quiet and just easy. It was nice to have a break from the daily routine. Even when we're all home together, there's a lot of getting up to deliver on requests made by the children. Socks need to find their mates, towels need folded, the floor needs swept a minimum of five times a day, bottoms need wiped, toys need found before one can fall asleep at naptime, tummies need filled, thirsty throats needs quenched. And for Bryan and I to just be able to sit and watch a whole game without getting off the couch was a huge treat!

When we walked through our front door at 6:30 that night... it was like watching the door swing open on Extreme Makeover Home Edition! Candles lit, fresh vacuum lines in the carpet, wall decor hung, Mommy's pretties rearranged creatively, a feast waiting on the table! Wow! And how?! The family quickly put the finishing touches on dinner and swept up their kids and made a quick departure so we could enjoy the reunion with our babes and tour our home that was cared for so tenderly that day.

My bedroom and bath are so often what I leave at the bottom of the to-do list, since it's not one of the main living areas. And we opened our bedroom door and walked into a... sanctuary, a restful retreat and a bed with my new linens (that have been waiting for their debut) and a bathroom so sparkly. It was like a Luxury Suite!

I could list everything that was done, every space that was blessed, every thoughtful task I know that was done with love. But I won't. Jesus is in the details... He shows up in unexpected but practical ways and it was like that in our home. Our kids were so blessed by all the one-on-one time with the "big kids" and keeps asking to see them again. And the dinner was perfection... we had the privilege of selecting from the "Spiritual Banquet" menu that the Chef customized just for us (so awesome). We dined on Caesar Salad, Chicken Parmesan (the best ever that my Chicken Parm connoiseur husband has EVER eaten), Steamed Broccoli, Sparkling Guava, and two mountainous pieces of Choclate Thunder Cake. All six of us (yes, that includes even the Trenkle in the Tummy) devoured every bite.

Oh, it was so fun. This was such a cool way for the Lord to show up and provide for us. Our budget doesn't yet allow for a housekeeper to come in twice weekly or for us to have a babysitter once a week or to take our family out to a Five-Star restaurant. But see how God's accounting works differently? He's more concerned about our hearts and our willingness to step out in faith than He is concerned about the balance in our pocketbooks.

And as much as we were blessed (indescribably and exponentially), I know that this family is reaping the fruits of their labor of love. All because they were willing to give of themselves and spend a day together, six people, working as one to bring glory to The One who deserves all the praise for such an awesome experience.

It was like Extreme Makeover Home Edition: Jesus Style. He cared for our home and children through the hands and feet of this family. And He cared for our hearts in which He makes His home.

May He ALWAYS be welcome across the threshold of the heart! Sometimes it just takes a little bit of vulnerability and a little bit of humility and a willingness to be... made-over.

And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
Matthew 25:40

What is your offering? What gifts has God placed within you to share with others? Is your heart a Home for the Lord?

Praying in Faith

Last night I had an incredible horrible headache. It was a really long day yesterday. We hit the library for storytime (but it was cancelled) and got McDonald's for lunch, remembered to call the pediatrician's office to see what time Kev's appointment for Friday (not Friday, "it's today at 2:30" said the nice voice on the other end of the phone), so then we laid down to try to sleep for 90 minutes so mommy and children could handle an afternoon at the doctor and possibly a couple errands. NOT SO MUCH. The kids, not one of them closed their little eyes for somr R&R.

So I got 'em up, ran Kev through the bath and we were 20 minutes early (for once) to the doctor. But the kids were on the edge of the melting-point. So, now running to Wal-Mart (to buy the dominoes that so fascinated the kids at the library that morning) was OUT of the question. We came home, I fixed ANOTHER "wunch" and laid the kids down. Only to find that my throbbing head was going to keep me awake. The kids slept for 20 minutes (tops) and then everyone was crying.

Crying, crying, crying!

We were all inconsolable. Dad was filling in for the youth pastor at youth group, so he would be home late. Then I hear screams from the boys room. Not the crying out in sorrow screams that they'd been crying, but outright fearful crying. And then Bryson comes sprinting into my room scared to death. Panic! Kevan's crying, too, goes up a notch and I realize when I walk in their room that the light fixture has fallen out of the ceiling and is dangling by its electrical wires. I breathe a sigh of relief, since it did not come crashing down on one of their heads and assure myself that this is a "monster" that I can handle, not fix, but at least deal with its presence.

I fixed another "wunch" for dinner and then we holed up in Kennady's room, since it did not have any strange dangling monsters. The kids followed me wherever I went, they were so freaked out they wouldn't leave my side. Please come home, soon, Daddy! Mommy's going to fall apart!!!

Just before Bryan got home, the kids and I were getting "cozy" on the floor with their pillows and blankets. And they noticed I was crying.

"You sad, Mommy?"
"Yes, Mommy's head hurts. It makes me feel sad. Would you pray with me?" And hold out my hands as I'm laying on my side with my own "bwankie and pillows."

Bryson reaches for my right and Kennady climbs over top of me to hold my hand and caress my forehead.

I start praying, "Dear Jesus, Mommy's head hurts really bad. You are the Great Physician, You are the best Doctor, would you heal my head and make me feel all better..."

And as I'm talking to Jesus, Kennady is whispering beside me, "Yes, Jesus, yes Jesus, make Mommy all better." And then quietly sings, "Come, Lord Jesus, come. Come, Lord Jesus, come..."

As I open my eyes to peek at her, marveling at the gift she's just given me by what I've heard, she adds: "And pwease bring me a Belle horsey, in Jesus name."

I smile so big and forget my headache for a moment. "AMEN!" That's my girl!

Thank you, Jesus, for the prayers of my babies -- that they'll lay hands on me and ask for what we know is in your power to give! Increase their faith and oh! May they always walk in Your love.

Timothy Moms

Sheila over at Timothy Moms is a friend of mine (who is madly in love with Jesus). She is blogging about teaching her kids God's word and I love reading her thoughts and seeing her plans and i love watching her live out her commitment to the high calling of being a mama.

She's looking for some comrades (or "comradettes") to join her in that calling -- let's do it! We mamas have to stick together and support one another in the privilege of mothering. I love her ideas, but I bet you have some, too... Click over and give it a read, you won't leave her page without being edified and inspired!

Bible Time

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up." Deuteronomy 6:4-7

This is the Bible we've decided to use this year in our teaching of Scripture to our kiddos. The Day by Day Kid's Bible is put together in chronological order and is divided into daily readings. It's written for 7-10 year olds to read independently, but is excellent for listeners that are 3 or 4 years-old. The language is so kid friendly that my babes have been able jump right into the story with all their curious questions. Click here to learn more about it, download sample pages & view a 4-minute clip explaining the mission and vision of this awesome resource.

We have taught Sunday School for 3 & 4 year olds and have some other faves...

Read With Me Bible NIrV was our first children's Bible purchase ever (long before any Trenkle tippy toes) and our Sunday School kids loved it. So, of course, it's the Bible we have given each of our children.

See With Me Bible: The Bible Told in Pictures is an illustration-only Bible and the pictures are so vivid and detailed. It's the pictures that tell the story in this awesome Bible. My babes love it!

We also own the Kids' Quest Study Bible NIrV and have used this as a springboard for retelling Bible stories to our kids. This is different from the "Day by Day Kid's Bible" because it is the Bible in its entirety from Genesis 1 - Revelation 22, whereas the Day by Day Bible is chronological and does not include every verse of Scripture. (The Day by Day Bible bridges the gap between Bible storybooks and full-text Bibles.)

Mighty Arms & Trenkle Toes

From Kids' Christm...

Each time I've been pregnant, I've been privileged to be pregnant at Christmas time and so even baby gets her (yes, I said, "her", just un-confirmed) own stocking!

This is Mary's song of praise as she rejoiced over her own pregnancy:

“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,
and from now on all generations will call me blessed.
For the Mighty One is holy,
and he has done great things for me.
He shows mercy from generation to generation
to all who fear him.
His mighty arm has done tremendous things!
He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.
He has brought down princes from their thrones
and exalted the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away with empty hands.
He has helped his servant Israel
and remembered to be merciful.
For he made this promise to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his children forever.”
Luke 1:46-55

Mary's song is one I can sing, too.
Mary's Mighty One is mine, too.

God's mighty arm became human flesh within her and it's His arm that was outstretched for me on a rugged ol' cross. That IS a tremendous thing!
I just ECHO Mary's praises -- when I'm hungry, I am filled!

Mary's child was miraculously conceived.
But so was mine! If you're a mom, so was yours!
If you have a mom, YOU'RE that miracle!
I can't help but marvel... (especially now that I'm like, not... puking!)

We are so incredibly fashioned together. That toes like those become toes like these!

It's a New Year and with it brings new opportunities to marvel at His mercy, His miracles, both ordinary & extraordinary, and His mighty arms that are continually ready to embrace, comfort, and uphold me (and you!).

Oh, Jesus, move powerfully in my heart this coming year. I want more of You and less of me in my everyday. I want to walk by faith, in the Spirit, full of Your joy that is my strength.

Makes me smile

This prescription is hanging on my fridge and will probably become a permanent fixture. The midwife wrote it for me at my appointment last month. I smile every time I look at it.

Does anyone know where I can get this filled legally?

That would give me a perma-grin.

Merry Christmas!

One of the things we like to do as a family during Christmastime is to let the tree be the only source of light and gather in the family room, turn on some Christmas tunes and just dance and sing and be. On this night, we played Third Day's "Drummer Boy" and the kids HAD to go get their Fisher-Price drum so they could keep the beat as they tried to belt out the song. It was so sweet!

News Flash: Surfer Hair Retired...

It was time for a trim, so we opted for a complete makeover.

This is Bryson's first look at himself, after his cut & bathtub scrub.

He likes it!

Bryson said as I was scissoring away, "I'm gonna be a NEW BRYSON!" Since he was ready, we were ready. We think he looks 4 inches taller!

Elves!

So, what have my little adventurers been up to? They've been like little elves. They helped Mama prepare the annual Turkey Enchiladas over Thanksgiving Weekend.

The kids loved cutting up the turkey.

Even Kevan helped in his own chipmunk way...

YUM!

M.I.A. & M.O.P.E. & S.O.S. & J.O.Y.

So, apparently I've been MIA for the past month. My last post was 11/17 and here it is 3 days before Christmas! Maybe none of y'all check in with my blog very often and haven't even noticed...but since writing is fun for me, I'VE definitely noticed.

To be truthful, MIA doesn't quite describe my absense. I've been missing, but more out of Pure Exhaustion, rather than "IN ACTION." Missing Out of Pure Exhaustion. That's it! M.O.P.E. Ew! I don't like that word. I like that Missing Out of Pure Exhaustion has an acronym that spells something, but MOPE? That's like... convicting! What else could the letters M-O-P-E spell out that might describe my month?

Mother of Preschoolers Extinct.
Mom Outside Perfect Expectations.

Sigh.

I'll tell you what -- I am so blasted tired. And can I just confess that I have been struggling? I am, above all, so blessed by my babes and husband and can hardly wait to kiss these newest little tootsies (can't I just skip to 30 weeks??), but I've just felt sad, frustrated, failing. I rejoice that my nausea is because of the new life growing within me, rather than say chemotherapy causing death to cancer cells and making me sick. I have to keep things in perspective.

But I've been sad. I love this time of year, normally I'm not sad at all in December. This is the time of year when we're all focused on Christ's birthday (whether the consumers or retailers acknowledge it or not).

I love my Savior. I love that He was born weak, helpless & dependent (exactly how I've been feeling lately). He was born to a clueless young mama no less (I can relate to her, too). So, where's my JOY?

This is, after all, the Season for The Reason.

You know, every season of my heart & life should be so centrifugally aligned so that The Reason can minister no matter the state of my emotions or physical strength. My itty-bitty turning point was 10 days ago when I revealed to my husband and a few friends that I was feeling like I was really falling apart. That I don't "Have it Together."

Do you EVER feel that way? Like you are so protective of "self" that you can't let others know that you're not rocketing off the "Christmas Spirit" charts? That your halls are not beautifully decked? That you can barely crawl out of bed, let alone climb into the recipe box to make my annual Peanut Butter balls? (Christmas Spirit is definitely low, extremely low, if one cannot muster up the energy to indulge in PB & chocolate!)

So, I reached up out of my pit and threw out an S.O.S. for my M.O.P.E. "Please pray for me... this is my heart right now..." And overnight, starting late that night, even as my crocodile tears soaked thru my slate blue pillowcase (which DESPERATELY needs laundered along with its coordinating friends), the healing began.

"Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." James 5:16

Thank you for not judging me, Friend.
Thank you for your comfort, Sister.
Thank You that Your arms are never too short to pull me out of my pit, Lord.

You are the Reason. You'll be the song that I sing this season & forever.
And ever.

The Donut Caper & the Sweet Heart

Looks innocent enough? Just happy kids with a sweet treat, prob'ly in the same jammies as the day before (and maybe the day before that).

But alas!

The truth is found UNDERNEATH the kitchen table! And then the temptress lures the little man into the action. Poor Kevan! Bryson & Kennady were NEVER allowed to eat donuts until like 18-months ago!



They really are busy and inventive kids. They are problem solvers, I'll tell ya. Need something up high? Grab the stool, put it on a chair. Need something under the oven? Grab the fly-swatter and use the handle to fish it out. Need something to eat? Help yourself! Some days I have a hard time keeping up and a harder time keeping them down. Phew!

They're pretty good nap-takers, though. They all go down at the same time, which is good for this mama, because this mama enjoys sleep. Today, Bryson and I got home from town late this afternoon. The other kids had already taken a nap, so I told Bryson he'd be laying down with me in Mommy & Daddy's room.

He: Resistance.

Mom: A gentle reminder that he needs to "honor & obey Mama." "Gotta stay inside the 'Circle of Blessing, Bud.'"

He: Sad, resisting. "I don't wanna sleep in your room," etc etc etc. Whining.

Mama: Gentle, asking, "Buddy, what's in your heart right now? I see that you have a heart that is disobeying... [HUGE PAUSE.] When Bryson obeys, Bryson is happy."

He: Reluctantly, climbed up, although resisted the covers.

Mama: Grateful, thankful (sleep coming soon!).

QUIET.
POUTING.
QUIET.
COVERS UP.


He: "I was feeling sad, Mom. I didn't have Jesus in my heart. But know what, Mom, then HE said, 'Calm Down.' And now I have Jesus in my heart again."

Mama: "Jesus said that, 'Calm down?'"

He: "Yup."

Mama: "Wow, let's get cozy."

SMILES.
SNUGGLES.
BETTER THAN COZY.

Praising Jesus for these little tiny glimpses of fruit in my child! Fruit so much tastier than any triple-decker-glazed-extra-sprinkles-Krispy-Kreme.

Oh, God, thank You that You speak to all who have ears to hear!
Oh, Jesus, thank You that You are faithful to sweeten the heart, if we'll just be still enough to feel Your peace.

"Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!"

Psalm 46:10

Broken Back & Punctured Lung

Hey, everyone. This is a CALL FOR PRAYER!

Bryan's niece 16-year-old niece Kelly was in a car accident today. She broke her back and punctured a lung. I don't know the details of the accident yet...

Bryan came in and told me just those 2 details while I was in the middle of my nap today. I couldn't fall back asleep. But when I went out to ask him more about it, he'd fallen asleep on the couch. I'll update.


Thank you for praying!

Kelly lives in Colby, Kansas with her sister Kylie and brother Bryant, mom Tammy and of course, Gramma & Papa Trenkle.

This photo was taken June '06 when they were staying with us when Kevan was born.

UPDATE: Kelly was driving her '98 Chevy Malibu to work on the dirt backroads, while talking on her cell phone. She hit a humongous pothole at too high of a speed and lost control of the car. It flipped into a ditch and rolled and rolled and rolled into the adjacent pasture. She was thrown from the car.

When the officer showed up on the scene she was found in the passenger side. (Apparently in shock, she walked back to the car and got back in.) She's hospitalized at Citizens Medical Center in Colby with a concussion, a punctured lung and a fracture in her lower back and is not paralyzed! Doctors think that the injuries will heal over time. The sheriff said there was no way she should have walked away from the accident.

(Just as a side note, Kennady can cooberate with the sheriff's assessment. She informed me that "cousin Kelly was in a car crash and it was real bad, because a dragon ripped her back open and now she's in the hops-ital." Wow, Kelly really is blessed to be alive!)

We're praying this brings the family together in an amazing way -- that we would all see how quickly life can turn upside down, in an instant -- and to keep our eyes and hearts on the things that really matter: our family & the Giver of Life, the Saviour & Guardian through every pothole... Jesus Christ.

Grown-up Jobs

A few nights ago Bryson wanted to be a coach when he grows up. The night before that he wanted to be a basketball player. But last week, during the nightly bedtime talk, Bryson told Daddy he wanted to teach people about Jesus.

"Oh, like a Sunday School teacher?"

"No, Dad. A pastor."

"Oh, so you want to teach grown-ups about Jesus when you get big?"

"No, I wanna be a kids' pastor."

"Cool, like Pastor Justin?"

"Yeah. Like Pastor Justin. A children's pastor."

"Wow, Buddy. That would be cool if you were a children's pastor when you grow up."

"Not when I grow up, Dad. Just when I get bigger. Like when I'm five, I'll teach the little kids about Jesus' blood."

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. To give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

It is so cool to trust that the Lord has known each of our callings even before we were conceived. And He's faithful to send the Spirit to guide our steps onto the unique path created only for one.

So, even when tomorrow Bryson tells me he wants to be a grown-up when he grows up, I rejoice because I know that I know that I know that God's mercies fail not. Somehow, He brings each of us to a place that fulfills our hearts -- if we will only seek Him!

Idiosyncracies

What are some of the funny things about your kids? I'll tell you about mine because I've been marveling about how unique God's made each of them. They're funny little people!

My daughter is the earliest early bird in the Pacific Northwest. She's sooooo cheerful and excited to rise just before the sun. (What a blessing for her, to naturally rise so easily -- I hope it's something she'll enjoy throughout her life.)

She's not very tidy. She tends to be a little... uh, impulsive and distracted when it comes to cleaning up her toys/clothes/room. I'm sure she has good intentions, but more often than not, I'll find her reading one of her books or sketching on her Magna-Doodle practicing her circles & pretty faces very intently. Sound like anyone else in this house... um, yeah.

Kennady still sucks her thumb exactly the same way she has since she was 11-weeks old. Left-thumb-in-mouth-while-holding-right-ear-of-Bunny-Bear. One day... No More Thumb. But for now, at bedtime when we ask her how we can pray for her, her #1 thing is "MY FUMB!"

"Dear Jesus, help me walk in the Spirit. So I can have self-control and stop sucking my fumb."

Bryson. Now unlike Kennady (and Dad) who prefers cheese over chocolate, Bryson (like Mama) prefers bigger chocolate over smaller chocolate. He is forever scoping out the larger dessert protion. Scoot back, Goose! I've learned to selflessly serve dessert to my sweet little children before serving myself (that way he won't choose my dished-up delight!).

Bryson is painstakingly particular about his clothing. He tells me what matches and what won't. (I don't think he's color-blind.) He has his faves and rarely tries any new outfits. Getting dressed to leave the house... please don't ask. It's getting better. But my definition of going-to-town clothes and his are not synonomous. Also, in case you were wondering, there is an order to how clothing is put on. (He and Bryan completely understand each other.)

His pant legs must cover the velcro on his sneaks completely and if they're shoes with laces, it's a monumental effort to get them disguised enough to his liking. He has a down comforter on his bed and at bedtime and naptime, the edges must be tucked in nice and neat and the seams? The seams must be straight. Bryson's very tidy and keeps his toys sorted completely and he's mastering folding his clothes. Bless his heart!

And Bubba? We're still learning about this little man. He will not leave his room without his blanket in hand. He also thinks he's 3 or 4 an dprefers the big kid toys, big kid chairs, big kid wrestling and big kid mischief.

He has mastered the art of saying, "No."
"Bring that here, Kev." Shake, shake shake.
"Gimme kisses." Shake, shake, shake.
"Come to Mommy." Shake, shake, shake.
Little turkey!

I know that's why the Good Lord is giving us another babe -- because He knows how my kids jump ship into Daddy territory. After they're done nursing -- SHOOP! They're like, "Mom, who?" Even Kev, about 4 or 5 months ago. So I have Mommy-only babes for about 20-months. And the child (lucky for me) has no choice for the first nine!

One of the things we're working with Kevan on are his tastebuds and the subsequent knee-jerk reaction. Well, it's more of an arm-jerk reaction. Kevvy don't likey, Kevvy throw-y overboard-y. We gotta get that in check!

Each of the kids have their own little mini-passions.

Kenna: Loves princesses and horsies.
Bryson: Loves any sport -- all the way. And puzzles.
Kevan: Oh, totally our remotes, cell phones, cordless phones, and the mouse from the PC.

You know, it's so cool to watch these kids grow and develop. The Lord has given them each a natural bent toward something. It's up to Bryan and me to seek the Lord and discern these things so they can be raised up in a way that maximizes their talents and giftings and glorifies the Giver.

What is it that you see so clearly in your kids? Do you ever take the time to write it down? That's why I'm on here... it gives me a chance to "publish" a moment in time, a conversation, a snapshot. I don't have time for scrapbooking!

Meal Times

The kids are so cute at meal times (especially when they're sitting still & systematically putting food in their mouths and not throwing it on the floor).


Mom makes it a point to ask, "How was your day, Dad?" And then the big kids ask each other and Mommy about their day. It's so fun to hear them describe their day. A recap of the day's events sounds so exciting from their perspective, when it can often times be the same as yesterday (and the day before) for the Mom.


What I'm realizing is that we are in the act of making meal time, "family time." One day there will be so much more to talk about than which puzzle they did. They'll (hopefully) be coming to Mom & Dad with things that are "puzzling" them -- friends, faith, sex...whatever!


So today, we enjoy the simplicity of their perspective. And the wisdom of these babes as it pours from their mouths like such sweet nectar.

"Kennady, where do babies come from?"

With all the matter-of-fact-ness of an expert midwife,
after pondering a moment, she answers,

"From Mary!"

"Oh," Daddy says, "Well, how will the baby in

Mommy's tummy come out?"

"Um. Like a balloon, the baby will just POP!"

I'm so glad the Lord holds the whole pregnancy/childbirth process in His very hands. He is my Creator & then He knits together the spirits, souls & bodies of my precious children. That's really awesome!

For You formed my inward parts;

You covered me in my mother’s womb.

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Marvelous are Your works,

And that my soul knows very well.

My frame was not hidden from You,

When I was made in secret,

And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.

And in Your book they all were written,

The days fashioned for me,

When as yet there were none of them.

Psalm 139:13-16

Look who's in trouble!

"Kevan. What did you do, Bubba?"

(He can't remember, so he's taking a closer look here.)

"Looks like dirt, ma."

"Kevan, we don't eat dirt. We don't play in the plant. That's a NO-NO."

"I was just reading this book... I have no idea what you're talking about."

"But here, I'll help you clean up your messy kitchen, Mama."

My Princess + Disney Princesses = Dreamy!

My friend and I took our daughters to the Rose Garden in Portland to watch the "Disney Princesses on Ice" show. It was so much fun!

My daughter loves the Disney Princesses. Her favorite is Sleeping Beauty. I did not have to teach my daughter how to TWIRL. I did not choose Kennady's favorite colors for her (PINK & PURPLE). I do know, that ever since we started calling her Princess, as a term of endearment, she's lived up to the name.

We remind Kennady that really, she IS a princess. Since she is a Daughter of the King....
King Jesus!