Copycat

So, I have a Yellowstone post coming, I really do.
But Jack has been so funny, I just have to write this now!
Two days ago he climbed up on the top step of the bathroom stepstool, TURNED ON THE WATER, and washed his hands. By himself!
And yesterday Eleanor and Will were watching a PBS episode of "Clifford", and when Todd turned around, Jack was sitting in the rocking chair, rocking, and watching TV! By mid-afternoon he had progressed to STANDING in the chair and rocking like a crazy man. A big grin, too, at every "No" he got.
He also finally learned how to drink out of a straw when we were at In-N-Out with Todd's family on our way home from Yellowstone, when we offered him a sip of chocolate milkshake! As soon as his lips touched that thing, no kidding, he was Straw Master and demanded half my dessert.
He climbs the small slide in the back yard, just like the "big kids". He is watching everything they do and is becoming able to DO it! And SO close to walking on his own. I am going to have my hands full very soon...as if I don't already!!

Independence Day, Birthday Cake, and The Plague

We headed to Lake City this past weekend to celebrate the 4th and Jack-Jack's first birthday! 15 of us at my parent's house made for a fantastic time (and quick showers)! My wonderful in-laws were with us, and we joined up with Andrew and Diana, and the Frevert family from California. We hiked, played games, swatted mosquitos, ate great food, shopped, hung out around the campfire (lots of mosquito swatting there), jeeped, sung around the piano, and celebrated the 4th of July in grand Lake City style: an outdoor church service, a parade (with lots of candy throwing!), games in the park, ice cream, BBQ, and fireworks. We had a little party for my sweet baby, and generally just enjoyed fellowship with a lot of dear people. Also, on our last day THE PLAGUE (also known as the stomach flu) hit us - taking down 10 out of 15. Ugh. To see more photos of the fabulous weekend - we have hundreds, I think - see facebook in a day or two!


I want to praise God for Jack's first year!! He is a special boy. Content, active, snuggly, happy, funny, verbal. He has 6 teeth, stands well on his own, and "walks" by pushing anything he can find around the house! He loves the pool, and baths with his brother and sister. He says a number of words - Dada, Mama, sssss (sister), MMMMM! (food), puffs, muh - muh (mr. monkey), dog, off, light, honk-honk, fish, balloon or ball. He calls his blankie, which he loves DEARLY, "tz". He does sounds for fish, and for things that go - cars, trucks,trikes, planes, trains! He points everywhere and wants to know what things are called. Mostly what he eats is table food. He rolls with the punches and puts up with plenty. He is sweet, sweet, sweet!!! Jack adds so much to our family. I love you, Buddy!!

Father's Day

A few days late, but I want to express my deep love and thankfulness for my husband, my dad, and my father-in-law - three men who have had and are having eternal impact in and through the lives of their children! Praise God!


"My daddy
Is a very, very, very good man.

He reads the very best books
And sings the very best songs.

He tells the very best jokes.
And rights the very worst wrongs.

My daddy
Is a very, very, very good man."
~Steven Layne

this, that and the other

If you are looking at this photo, I probably don't need to tell you that pipe cleaners have been a big hit with Eleanor!!

Also, a few mornings ago I was turning on a Curious Geroge episode for the kids, and Rachel Ray happened to be on and she was saying something like "delicious 5 ingredient meal in 15 minutes" or something like that, so of course I had to listen! And in the 1 minute I did I got a good meal idea: bring a couple boxes of your favortie broth/stock to a boil. Add refridgerated tortellini. After that cooks, wilt in some fresh spinach leaves for a minute. Once in individual bowls, top with fresh grated parmesan/romano and some lemon zest. Voila! I made it tonight and it was great. Will even ate some spinach!!! (it's like I hear the sound of angels singing when I say that!)

Also, Todd took Eleanor to a baseball game tonight. Isn't that sweet?!! Her favorite song of late has been "Take me out to the ballgame" so it was very appropriate!

Also, a young woman from church was here today discussing wedding music with me, when Eleanor was having some tummy problems and Will ran yelling and crying through the house, "I want to see the diarrhea!! I want to see the diarrhea!!" Hhhmm. I'm quite sure I've never had that thought in my life, much less screamed it in the presence of a houseguest!

Also, Jack is still the sweetest baby ever.

bedtime talk

So, I listened outside the door of Eleanor and Will's room last night when I noticed they were still talking loudly a while after I had put them to bed. They were talking about cows, there was a cow in the room, and they were calling the farmer to get it. Eleanor said she had called that farmer NINE times and he still hadn't come. And Will said the cow was being naughty and saying "MOO!" Will also said he was going to California to see Aunt Polly. Then he said that he was sick but there were no doctor's offices. Eleanor replied that she would call 911, and she and Daddy would ride with him to the hospital. Will said he caught the hospital with a string. Hmm. When I went in a few minutes later to tell them to quiet down, Will had taken his pants - and diaper - off. "They had throw-up on them, for pretend," he said. These kids, what a pair!!!

Jack's new thing

4 years ago

4 years ago, my life changed in a big and precious way...my first child was born! Eleanor's birthday was the 29th, and we had a wonderful few days of celebration. This past year Eleanor has become such a wonderful helper. She demonstrates kindness to and affection for her brothers, has grown greatly in obedience to Todd and I, shows a great sense of humor, and has a tender heart towards the Lord. She is sensitive and has remarkable insight. She loves pink as much as ever, loves doing crafts, and enjoys being outdoors. She makes us laugh often! She can be incredibly silly and loves to laugh herself. She has an amazing vocabulary and is good with letters and numbers.

For her celebration on Saturday she chose cinnamon rolls for breakfast, hot dogs for lunch, and pizza for dinner (actually she wanted pizza for lunch AND dinner but settled for hot dogs!). She asked for a pink cake with purple m&m's, which is what she got! Todd decorated with pink crepe paper and everyone showered her with gifts. She has been excited about her birthday for at least 2 months, asking about it most days! The anticipation was so fun. And she was not disappointed! She remained sweet even with all the attention, and after opening her gifts gave everyone a big thank you and a hug. "Thank you all for everything, I love all my presents so much!" she said when she was done. On Sunday her 3's class sang to her and she told me it made her feel very happy. On Monday, her actual birthday, we sang again and she opened one more gift. On Tuesday she got to go the zoo and invite a friend (anf of course grampa and gramma) along for viewing animals, riding the carousel, and eating cupcakes! Will was such a trooper. He did ask at one point, "Mommy, when is my birthday coming up?"

Just last week Eleanor and I had an amazing half hour conversation about salvation. She asked where people go when they die and do not know Jesus. I told her they go to Hell, which is a real place, the opposite of Heaven, where there is sadness and hurting and separation from God and His Son. She disolved into tears and cried that she did not want to go there. I reminded her that if she loves Jesus and trusts Him to save her from her sin, then she has nothing to worry about! That God's words are true and that He has promised earthly joy and a home in Heaven to those who love and trust in Jesus. I read to her John 3:16, and Romans 10:9. She interjected during Romans - "Yes, I confess Jesus is Lord! Yes, I believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead!" She had so many questions, some that made me cry and some that made me laugh inside! What a precious thing to see her responding in this way to what she knows about the Lord.

Eleanor enriches my life in countless ways. Happy Birthday, Eleanor, I love you!