learning from our kids

Yesterday I can't remember what we were talking about but I said something about learning from the boys and K said "you're a grownup you can't learn from kids." of course, I laughed because I know we learn so much from our kids. I could go on all day about all the things I've learned (except I've also learned that quiet time doesn't last all day!)

so a couple things I learned today. We got home from swim lessons (which I've learned are really good for helping boys nap) and got ready for naps. KG was in her carseat grinning at everyone. Then in my lap grinning at everyone. Then I put her on the floor for some play time (she can almost rollover now) and she screamed bloody murder. she was hungry and thought when I put her on the floor instead of her comfortable spot with me. That somehow I'd forgotten about her and that I didn't see her needs. Isn't that just what I do- when everything is comfortable, I grin at the world, but when I'm out of my comfort spot or feel like I have unmet needs, I cry out "hey- what about me?" As I watched KG today, I thought of some favorite verses that talk about God providing for us when we're in need and how He knows when we really need. I turned to Malachi and didn't fid the verse I thought but did read this:

"Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts,
“If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it." Malachi 3:10

(When I'm in need, do I hang out to the little I have, because I'm afraid He won't provide for all my needs?"

"He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord." Deuteronomy 8:2-3

(Do I know that hard times make me stronger?)

Yes, we learn lots of things from our kids

Duck, Duck, Moose

a slight twist on the old family favorite because of a sure cute T-shirt Nana & Papa brought back from Alaska. we played tonight after dinner. My plan was just to burn off some energy for a good bed time but I got so much more than that. K was the first "ducker" and went around the "circle" in perfect clockwise fashion. He duck, duck, duck, duck, moosed and then continued his perfect clockwise run to C's spot. C's turn- I have absolutely no idea what order he went in since there was no order. When he "moosed" K, he took off running somewhere, ended up laughing in the garage and finally came back a while later. T did his own thing too. Some could be their ages especially T- but some fits with what I've been thinking about lots lately. Children are not a blank slate but a garden- it's my job (and James') to tend our kids' gardens- weed, prune, water, fertilize, ... to produce a beautiful garden. As I see everyday, our kids' gardens are very different- but both beautiful.

Happy Birthday!

Does time fly or what? K is 5 now!

We had a wonderful birthday party yesterday. the kids all had a blast- I think the grown ups did too! K had a Diego party- he colored Diego coloring pages for decorations, put together Diego goodie bags for his friends, and made and decorated Diego island cake. James did a great job decorating the Diego cake. The kids loved playing in the pools and slip n slide.

"Happy Birthday K" or "Happy to you" as T sings

this is definitely C- fits his giving everything his all

T was glad to be cuddled and warmed up by Grandma
KG spent lots of time with Pops Leon

Thankfully T didn't hit anyone- he was trying out his tennis skills in the pool
one of the few times the kids were still in the pool- they got a big whirlpool going in it
Didn't James do an awesome job on decorating the cake!
and K did a great job on Diego Island. I should add a map legend since he can't explain on the blog- but the blue is the water, light brown at the bottom the beach, brown up top the mountains and Diego's house, and the gray is the town- pretty creative!

New at this

We got so spoiled living driving distance from Janelle where she could bring of some of her super yummy jams and relishes and all sorts of good canned things. So... time to learn. After being inspired by a friend bringing me blueberry jam and assuring me it's not too hard. We began our canning! We had a great trip picking blueberries Monday with James and then this morning picked blackberries with a friend. I've always liked to go to pick strawberries but blueberries & blackberries rock! way yummy and no bending over! Now the only question is what all to make!

We've done some other fun stuff lately- James and I went to lunch on the motorcycle all by ourselves- thanks to Grandma watching the kids. We timed it carefully between KG's feedings since she is still sure she needs her food directly from the source. I even gave in and bought another bottle to see if she liked it better.

We also went to the zoo or the Z-O-O as K likes to call it. The first trip where C walked the whole time and T got to walk some. here's the boys climbing in the playground

it was a great day for seeing animals- this elephant put on quite the bathtime show
the boys were hard at work painting- I need one of those walls
last fall little T didn't get to be in the picture of boys watching buffalo
we've taken pics of the boys watching the polar bears in this spot starting when K was almost 18 months and C in my tummy

More Fun

So we're sitting outside watching three boys do the slip and slide- all in their different ways. K has been telling me that C broke the rules (which I'm sure is right but he's having a blast doing it.) T is doing his own thing in an almost 2 year old way and KG is thankfully taking a good nap so I thought this would be a good time to catch up on the blog. Here's a few pics from our fun summer. Here are the boys in Morocco (actually the Marbles museum in Raleigh for Father's Day.our family about the walk the gang plank :) actually a rare moment of all 6 of us awake and in the picture together

the boys paused long enough in their sock hockey game for me to get this pic
here's sweet baby girl already 3 months old!

I think what's hard about digital cameras is you get so many good pics- it's hard to figure out which ones to use. I think June Cleaver's house wouldn't have been so perfect if she had digital pics, facebook, flickr, and email to keep up with! (I may have to add that to my facebook status- forget my messy kitchen!)

Refreshed

We got home Friday night from a week at Sandy Cove, MD which was wonderful. We were blessed to get to go on Operation Oasis (a program through Sandy Cove Ministries to thank veterans and their families for their service by giving them a FREE 5 night get away.) We had such a good time. We met such terrific people, ate wonderful food (which I didn't have to cook or clean!), heard good messages, enjoyed time together as a family & together as a couple (they have a terrific Club Cove program where the kids go to class which lets adults go their class and have time together.) We played tennis (once all of us & once James and I), swam every day, played frisbee golf, played putt-putt golf, ... lots of fun but also lots of relaxing. We came away refreshed and refilled. We went to the homeschool week and heard a couple who are missionaries in Bolivia speak.

the big boys and I did some paddle boating
the only way we could keep floaties on him
this boy loves his sister
the boys loved swimming- they're getting good. We even got KG in one time.

What a view- we saw this gorgeous sunset every night after dinner
T in his quad stroller cruising around Sandy Cove

worn out from a great week!