Really back
Well, here I am. Blogging again. More posts already this year than the last five years put together.
I figure it is time to catch everyone (ok, the six of you that happen on this post) up on life around here . . .
Blake, the oldest, our trail breaker. The thing is, you learn so much the first run through. Then, the second child comes along and only about 5 % of the lessons apply even remotely. Nonetheless, he stands on the edge of college graduation. A highly successful three years at Cedarville mixed with friends, hockey, computers, programming, life lessons, and lots of studies. June will find him on the other side of the country getting settled into a full time job just outside San Francisco. Very surreal.
Paige, already flown as well. A different path, but equally well suited for her. Children's Ministry has caught her eye for years and God keeps drawing and using her there. Sometimes parenting is hard because things don't go well, and sometimes it is hard because they do. Need to daily remind myself that the end goal is to work my way out of their daily reliance.
Faith, a tender heart, a desire to do her best, learning so much about herself and the world and her Savior. I can't say enough about how amazing it is to watch her grow. Probably more strong-willed than the first two, and watching her surrender that will to Christ each day is breath-taking. She was recently diagnosed with dyslexia (not a surprise, just finally got the official testing done), and that is probably a journey worth sharing as well. She is a gifted photographer and has really enjoyed babysitting more in recent months.
Debating if Brooke is in junior high or high school is common just now. The nebulous world of homeschool grade levels. She loves kids and serves often in our church on weekends. Still loves dogs and is about to pass me up height-wise. She continues to be one of the hardest workers I have ever seen. Her attention to detail and her love for order are much appreciated around our busy home.
Nothing holds Nathan back. He has tried baseball and theater and likes both. He enjoys youth group, writing, computer programming, and has definitely grown in the areas of discipline and independence this year. Exciting to see the maturity begin to bloom.
And, our bonus baby, Eli. Constant motion. Loves to take everything apart, even if he isn't sure how to get it back together. Loves to read, and for once if the house is quiet I don't automatically assume a child is getting into trouble, he just might be reading! He loves our dog, snow, baseball, and despite being highly distractable he is doing amazing in school.
That's it in a nutshell, the family Christmas letter version as you can be sure that all is not roses and cupcakes around here. Real life happens, and I blog about that often enough that I hope I can share the joy my kids bring without you thinking that we're somehow "all that." They're human, I'm human, and God is choosing to use us just like that.
Glad to have you along for the ride.
I figure it is time to catch everyone (ok, the six of you that happen on this post) up on life around here . . .
Blake, the oldest, our trail breaker. The thing is, you learn so much the first run through. Then, the second child comes along and only about 5 % of the lessons apply even remotely. Nonetheless, he stands on the edge of college graduation. A highly successful three years at Cedarville mixed with friends, hockey, computers, programming, life lessons, and lots of studies. June will find him on the other side of the country getting settled into a full time job just outside San Francisco. Very surreal.
Paige, already flown as well. A different path, but equally well suited for her. Children's Ministry has caught her eye for years and God keeps drawing and using her there. Sometimes parenting is hard because things don't go well, and sometimes it is hard because they do. Need to daily remind myself that the end goal is to work my way out of their daily reliance.
Faith, a tender heart, a desire to do her best, learning so much about herself and the world and her Savior. I can't say enough about how amazing it is to watch her grow. Probably more strong-willed than the first two, and watching her surrender that will to Christ each day is breath-taking. She was recently diagnosed with dyslexia (not a surprise, just finally got the official testing done), and that is probably a journey worth sharing as well. She is a gifted photographer and has really enjoyed babysitting more in recent months.
Debating if Brooke is in junior high or high school is common just now. The nebulous world of homeschool grade levels. She loves kids and serves often in our church on weekends. Still loves dogs and is about to pass me up height-wise. She continues to be one of the hardest workers I have ever seen. Her attention to detail and her love for order are much appreciated around our busy home.
Nothing holds Nathan back. He has tried baseball and theater and likes both. He enjoys youth group, writing, computer programming, and has definitely grown in the areas of discipline and independence this year. Exciting to see the maturity begin to bloom.
And, our bonus baby, Eli. Constant motion. Loves to take everything apart, even if he isn't sure how to get it back together. Loves to read, and for once if the house is quiet I don't automatically assume a child is getting into trouble, he just might be reading! He loves our dog, snow, baseball, and despite being highly distractable he is doing amazing in school.
That's it in a nutshell, the family Christmas letter version as you can be sure that all is not roses and cupcakes around here. Real life happens, and I blog about that often enough that I hope I can share the joy my kids bring without you thinking that we're somehow "all that." They're human, I'm human, and God is choosing to use us just like that.
Glad to have you along for the ride.
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