Someday...

Someday I'll be big enough to play outside with my brothers and sister...

Yesterday in Photos

We Heart Abeka!

No, not the homeschooling curriculum! Sweet Rebekah McElroy is the granddaughter of our piano teacher and she comes to visit Geneva during Aiden's lessons. We see them at the park most weeks and at church on Sunday and we just can't get enough of that sweet, spunky personality!

Geneva calls her Abeka, we think, because of her beloved Aunt Bec. I think she actually is trying to say Auntbeka. We heart Aunt Bec too!

They're a Bunch of Characters

Moranda Park

On Friday the kids and I went back to a park we loved when living in Port Hueneme. There's a little stream to feed the ducks and a pathway about 1/4 mile long that takes you to the beach. Just being outside running around with my children felt so good.

Yes, I Have My Hands Full, Thank You

Everyone has their opinion on nearly everything, but usually people will keep their opinions to themselves in a public place like, say, the grocery store. All this changes, though, when you have children. For some reason, taking one's children into public gives most people the perceived permission to comment.

It's strange, being the mother of 4 small children. Everyone has something to say about it. Well, not EVERYONE, but usually every other person or so. The most common is, "You have your hands full," which is about as useful a statement as, "You cut your hair!" Another common one is "Are all those yours?" (accompanied by look of utter disbelief). Sometimes I wish I had a shirt that says: Yes, we know about birth control and we chose to have this many children anyway.

It's sad to say but most comments are negative like that, even if all my children are dressed to the nines and behaving like angels. On occasion, someone (usually a sweet elderly lady) has something very encouraging to say such as, "Oh, I had 8 kids within 3 years and it was the best years of my life." My favorite from yesterday's Costco trip is, "I bet you can leap tall buildings in a single bound too!" That was a first. I liked that one.

I try to remind myself that being a spectacle like this is a great opportunity to be a light in this world. God says that children are a blessing and motherhood is honorable. And He's not saying that sarcastically! More on that in a later post...

So all you mothers out there, hold your head high with pride, put on your thick skin, and let your light shine!

Fun and Games at The Shire

We love this time of year at our home. What is otherwise a dusty yard is turned into The Shire for a few short months. So as you can see, we have been taking advantage of all this green. We even have grass!

Devin is secretly planning the construction of a fort for the children. Don't know when, but we'll show photos as soon as it's up.

The grass withers and the flowers fade but the word of the Lord endures forever.