Happy Birthday Undee!!!!  Uncle Daniel is 19 today.  Lydia's endearing name for her uncle is Undee.  It's a step up from Dedar(that's what each of the boys called him), but Daniel doesn't think so.  All I have to say is...I had to put up with all my friends calling me "Tadia"(that's what Daniel called me when he was 2) all of Rock these Rafters and I say this is sweet sweet justice.

We love you UNDEE,  Happy Birthday!!!

Quotes from the day...

"Mom, You know you don't have to wear underwear when you go swimming, I'm not." (went swimming at the YMCA)

"Mom, Are we ready for sword-fighting school yet?"

"Stink bug!"

"For the love of Lucy!"

"I love you mommy"

"Cheese stick, cheese stick"

A Room Fit for a Princess

When Lydia was born, we just put her in Ethan's old room and added pink.  I didn't know what I wanted to do with her room, so I said that when she got older I would decide.  Well two years later, I really wanted to makeover her room and decided for her birthday in January that I would.  As soon as I took her crib down and everything off the walls, we decided to go on Sabbatical, so we left her  room empty.  When we got home, I started right away in fear it would sit like it was for another two years.  

Painstakingly I removed the "Radio Flyer" border and began the painting process.  Glen decided to pitch in after all the wall paper was down (thank you very much) and helped me paint.  Then a wonderful craftsmen and friend, Steve Koss; took a photograph I had of the bed I wanted and made it a reality.  It was exactly what I wanted and Lydia will have a beautiful piece of furniture to cherish for the rest of her life.  We added the final touches to her room this morning...So 2 years, 2 months, 19 days, 7 hours and 43 minutes after our little princess arrived, she finally has a room to call her own.  

Lydia's Room Before:

Lydia's Room After:

Happy Easter!

No matter how hard I try to get a nice family picture, I've just got a bunch of silly little monkeys that can't seem to cooperate at the same time.  On top of that, even though it is officially spring; someone forgot to tell Galesburg and its snowing.  Glen and I, and our silly monkeys hope you are having a wonderful Easter remembering everything that Christ has done for us.

Family Night at Perkins

The boys had fun getting their faces painted by a clown during Family Night at Perkins on Tuesday.  They are so funny.  After picking them up from school, Ethan asked me "When you get married are you a mom and dad?  I said that no your not, but if God allows Children in your life then you are.  He continued, "Jaron and Evan aren't getting married."  There was a long silence and then Evan said very matter-of-factly, "We just haven't found the right one yet!"

I just laughed and laughed.  They are my joy.

A Heart at Home

The first year we lived in Illinois a friend at church invited me to a conference called "Hearts at Home".  My motivation in going was more to get to know the women that went that weekend, but came home a renewed mother and wife.  When I haven't had a newborn, I have tried to make it a priority each year and have tremendously enjoyed the fellowship and encouragement I receive about being a stay-at-home mom.  The attendance is over 3000+ mothers.  Some moms work outside the home that attend, but we all have hearts that are at home.  There are lots of seminars that are beneficial like "Keep your ducks in a relative row" or "Nuturing your child's spirit".  Then there are funny sounding ones like "Peanut Butter Motherhood" and "Chocolate kisses for couples" (I'm gonna end up a Reeses Butter Cup!). I always come away from the conference with a new sense of validation for the decision to stay in the home to take care of my family.  I also enjoy the girl time with my friends and the laughter and banter that comes along with spending 24 hours with people you enjoy.  So tomorrow we leave at 530 am, I'm not a morning person; but its definitely worth the lost hours of sleep.  

Glen loves for me to go too, he says that he can tell it recharges me.  He's right.  There is something about the power of motherhood that resonates when all these women come together to say that God, their husbands and their children are their priorities.  There are some very funny stories about being a mom and there are some very serious and often sad stories about being a mom.  It's just very inspiring.  

Sometimes being at home can be mundane and repetitive.  You are always cleaning the same stuff and you don't always see the reward of your hard work.  There are a lot of domestic aspects most moms would give up in a heartbeat.  But then again you get paid with hugs and kisses and "peas" and "tank toos" and that is priceless.  Every mom deserves a break and a recharge and this is one of mine.  So can you tell I am really looking forward to the weekend.  My whole family reaps the benefits of me having some time to feed my soul. 

Jaron receives an answer to prayer.

(To hear Jaron's Speech go down to music and hit pause button, then come back up and hit the play button!)

On Friday we went to Peoria Christian School for their Annual ACSI Regional Speech Meet.  Jaron had won the speech meet at school in January and was representing Galesburg Christian School along with about 10 other students.  He admitted to being a little nervous, but he did an outstanding job.  Jaron got a Superior Rating and a blue ribbon for his efforts and we were just so proud of him.  He is becoming such a outstanding young man. 

During the closing ceremonies they picked one student from each school that they considered an exemplary student to recite their speech for the entire assembly.  Jaron was picked and he got to go first.  We were so excited.  He walked up to the microphone and began his fable.  I quickly grabbed my camera to record the milestone and tried not to shake as I teared up realizing how incredibly privileged and honored I am to be his mom.  Again, he did a fantastic job.  His dad, brothers and sister looking on in awe as he delivered a flawless speech.

As soon as he took his seat, he leaned over and whispered to me.  "Mom, Mom,  I prayed to God this morning and asked him to let me say my speech in front of everyone for Him, and he answered my prayer, he really answered my prayer!"  

Jaron will never forget this day, not because he was diligent in studying and practicing his speech and not even because of God's grace to allow him to do so well, but because he will mark Friday, March 7, 2008 as the first day that he realized that God really answers prayer; his prayers.  What an incredible gift!   

Role Model for my Children

Uncle Nick is a star in all my children's eyes.  He is super cool, very sweet (ask Lydia), extremely funny and the best fisherman they've ever known (actually the only one they've ever known).  I'm guessing these shots were taken as part of his job promotion (and no he's not what you're thinking), but he said I could post them.  He works for an abstinence based program that goes into public schools in Florida, he's a tech man and a speaker.  I'm guessing the second shot was for Charlotte (his wife) and fun, but we got a big laugh out of it and the boys think he looks like the incredible hulk.  

Foreign Language Master

I often regret not paying more attention in Spanish class during high school and college.  I even regret more that I didn't speak Spanish more often than English while I was actually in Spain.  I understand the language when someone is speaking it, well when they speak it slowly.  I can read it better than I can speak it or interpret it.  So where does that leave me?  

I find myself starring in awe at people who have mastered foreign languages not excluding sign language.  I marvel at their abilities to dissect pretenses and transpose verbs.  I love watching people interpret hands moving and their ability to converse with each other.  

Then today it hit me... I speak a foreign language besides the limited Spanish I thought.  I speak the language of Motherhood.  It's a lesser known language, but a legitimate one none the less.  Ethan, my four year old; spits out words like "troken omote" and I actually know what he is talking about.  He is explaining to me that when he is old enough to drive, he will have several race cars that all operate on his special "remote control".  And when Lydia says "oooohhhhhh piiiiittttty" she's actually telling me, "Mother, that is the most beautiful thing I've seen in the last 20 seconds".  And even my eight year old gets a little tongue-tied with "Moody Theater", but I don't mind I actually know what he means.  Evan is a whole different story.  Glen and I often think he is from another country with his very adorable accent.  He sometimes throws me for a loop... his words and I often hit the language barrier, but in time I eventually figure them out as well.

So all this time I have been full of regret, not retaining all that I learned in college.  I have felt bad that my dad paid good hard earned money for my education.  But then I remember that I know what "troken omote" means and my regret turns to anticipation of the next big challenge one of my children will send my way.