Another BIG Day

Yesterday was filled with the little but momentous events that fill our lives. The morning started off with a visit from the plumbers, who are really nice Christian guys. They okayed our ideas and will get back to us on cost estimates so we make sure that we don't go bankrupt in the process of remodeling. :) We also talked with them a lot, and I think we'll have made some friends by the time the project is done!

Later, Lauren and I met up with her friend Natalie and Natalie's mom, Kristina, at Wildwood Park for a playdate. Lauren and Natalie became fast friends at Hoodland Lutheran's VBS program this summer. They are perfectly matched little girls and had a great time. Kristina and I were able to relax in the shade and talk. What a blessing!

In the afternoon, Jason took Lauren to get her ears pierced. It was like a repeat of my own ear piercing experience: first ear hurt like the dickens so trying to keep her calm for the second ear was very tough. She's happy now though, and she was able to choose really cute little butterflies for her first earrings (see pictures below).

Rounding out the day was another tooth adventure with Alex. He has two adult teeth erupting and so the second loose tooth had to go. We'd been working on it for a few days but it was a no go, so in steps mom to wrestle the tooth. I was able to get it close, and then Jason finished it off. Now we have a momentarily gap-toothed kiddo. He is thrilled.

Filling in the Little Spaces

When you're a mom, there are many times throughout the day when you're unsure of what to do with the kids. Maybe they were playing or coloring but now they're done, and its not nap time or lunchtime or any other time in particular. During these in-between times, it's easy to let the children watch TV or play video games. We've gotten into a bad habit of doing just that as we packed, moved across country, unpacked, and now try to fix up our new house. I needed to fight back against this habit, and the best way to fight a bad habit is to establish a good one!

This weekend I went to our local library, which is tiny but awesome, and picked up The Bad Beginning, the first book in A Series of Unfortunate Events. My plan was to read a chapter each evening in the interval between dinner and bedtime. Our kids do chores to clean up the house after dinner but there always seems to be a lull of about 30 minutes that needed filling. So I read one chapter of The Bad Beginning on Saturday night.

Since then, the kids have been clamoring for more. We read mid-morning while I drink my coffee. We read after lunch but before bedtime.We read at the dinner table while Olivia takes forever to finish her meal. I rarely have to suggest reading to them. It's easy to forget that no matter how old the kids get and how well they can read, they still love to hear stories read aloud.

This morning I read one chapter but then I needed a break to answer some emails. When I came back, Alex was reading the Disney version of The Prince and The Pauper to Lauren and Olivia.

I hope that we can build a lifelong love of reading in each of our children and help them to serve one another with their gifts and skills. The Bible reminds us, "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16 ESV) We desire to use even the littlest spaces of time wisely, which may mean the occasional TV show or video game, and we pray that God will faithfully teach us to do just that!

The Adventures of Emily - Part 4

Day 151: My language acquisition lags far behind my physical progress. In truth I cannot fully determine if my captors use an intelligible language or merely use a combination of grunts and gestures at each other. There is no comparison to our own soft, tonal form of communication. Whether there is in fact a true language with structure and grammar behind it, I cannot say; nothing I have seen so far can confirm it. In lieu of learning my captor's way of speaking, I have begun attempting to teach my primary jailer our own native tongue.

At first I was quite impressed, she seemed eager to learn and able to repeat a few simple phrases. However I have since learned that she is an excellent mimic and apparently lacks the sophistication to acquire a new language. Our sessions have had an unexpected benefit; we have developed a certain rapport, and I may be able to turn her. An inside agent would be exceptionally beneficial to our cause. Still the communication gap looms. I have turned to physical gestures to communicate my most basic desires. My captor certainly understands my expressions but often misses the nuances. What she understands as, "I'm happy!" is often truly, "I'm delighted that I have created something foul for you to clean up!" She may perceive that I am displeased but be wholly unaware of how she has thwarted some well-thought-out plan of attack by relocating me.

My jailer does have one skill that I enjoy. Before placing me back in my cage, she will often make sounds in her language that are melodic, reminding me of our own tongue. This has a calming effect and may be related to their mission against me. I am unsure of it; however, I will continue to work towards turning my captor. I do believe that she has a soft spot for me despite my imprisonment and rough treatment. Further reports to follow.

Bring On the Cuteness

So over the past 5+ years, God has been pleased to give us three girls. We haven't always been quite sure what to do with them, but as they've grown up and we've learned to parent more effectively, the girls have been a delight and a blessing. One of our favorite things right now is how Olivia is old enough to enjoy playing with Lauren. They like to dress up and dance around. I've included several pictures and a couple videos as proof.

This is Olivia "reading" her bible and dressed to impress.

Lauren is all set to help Mom in the kitchen with her new apron.

Lauren dancing to Jesus, I Come

Lauren and Olivia dancing to Arise My Soul Arise. At the end they dance together, and it's really cute.

Sunday HYMN 8/12/12

Our hymn for August is one that we've done before. Our kids are so young that we have to repeat often to make sure they remember it. We're singing the RUF version of O The Deep Deep Love of Jesus.

One of the things that I like about this song is the metaphor of the ocean. It's nearly impossible for me to imagine God being everywhere and extent of Jesus's love, but when I think about swimming in the ocean, I can start to comprehend the strength, power, and enormity of the blessing that is Christ.

This is a slightly different arrangement, but I like it too:

O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus

1. O the deep, deep love of Jesus,

Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!

Rolling as a mighty ocean

In its fullness over me!

Underneath me, all around me,

Is the current of Thy love

Leading onward, leading homeward

To Thy glorious rest above!

2. O the deep, deep love of Jesus,

Spread His praise from shore to shore!

How He loveth, ever loveth,

Changeth never, nevermore!

How He watches o’er His loved ones,

Died to call them all His own;

How for them He intercedeth,

Watcheth o’er them from the throne!

3. O the deep, deep love of Jesus,

Love of every love the best!

’Tis an ocean vast of blessing,

’Tis a haven sweet of rest!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus,

’Tis a heaven of heavens to me;

And it lifts me up to glory,

For it lifts me up to Thee!

The Buddy System

As I work through the Insanity fitness program and eat through the Whole30 program, I am reminded again and again of the importance of the buddy system. When we were little, the buddy system helped ensure we didn't get lost or stolen, but as an adult, the buddy system helps us reach our goals and have more fun doing it!

Jason is doing the fitness program with me. It's hilarious because we are so different. He's 6'2, at or below his recommended weight, but he really struggles with the cardio aspects of the program and always complains about his quads burning. I, on the other hand, am 5'4, always above my recommended weight, and struggle most with my calves burning and holding in my core. The juxtaposition of our weaknesses is very helpful and motivating.

I have a friend in Atlanta who is accompanying me on the Whole30 program. I'm so thankful to have her support via email. She has young kids to feed too, and we face many of the same struggles. She's also a great cook and has wonderful ideas for meals!


Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!
(Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 ESV)

P.S. Next week I'll be starting the Hello Mornings Challenge. We'll be studying 1 Peter. Go here to learn more. :)

Alex is Growing Up... Or the Things We Do for Love

Alex had a momentous event this morning. His tooth has been loose for a while, but he has been tentative in wiggling it. I noticed a couple days ago that the adult tooth is coming in so it was time to get serious! I always  tell my pre-med students that there is a significant reason why I had no desire to become a doctor. The issue was not for the lack of scholastic ability but for the lack of an iron stomach. I felt queasy just thinking about him moving his tooth around.

Jason tried several times to tie some floss around the tooth, but even when we got it tied under the base of the tooth it just wouldn't work. Enter the mom. So despite my queasiness, I grabbed a piece of paper towel and yanked out the tooth. Alex is thrilled!

Here he is talking on the phone to Nana about his lost tooth.

In this one, you can really see the adult tooth coming in.