Egg Smashing

 What is it about eating outside that makes food taste better?

 Lilly was all about the egg smashing.

 Nathaniel said he couldn't reach anyone's head so he just smashed eggs on their backs. 

 Our friend Gama was a very good sport and let many of the kids get him. 

Jeremiah took complete advantage of this.

 

 Pastor Tom is a good sport too. 

 

Nathaniel is plotting something. 

 My wild boy.

 

 Organized weapon play. It looks worse than it is...

 These girls...I love them...

 Aaron and Pastor Tom practice some bow and arrow shooting.

 Nathaniel takes a turn.

It is always the best kind of day. Sunshine. Good food enjoyed outside. The company of people that we have shared life with for many years. Room for the kids to roam. Laughter and fun. Interesting conversations as a lazy afternoon unfolds. Games and general tom-foolery. 

Easter Egg smashing at Linda's is one of the highlights of our year. It was good. 

Spring Fun

We had a fun day at our town's egg hunt. Immediately after the egg hunt our church hosted a puppet show, face painting, and free food. It was a fun day. We brought Dovie who did excellently and was quite a hit with the kids. I feel beyond thankful to be living in the community and serving with these people.

Date Nights

As the boys grow it is getting more important to find ways to spend individual time together. When they were babies it felt like the days would never end but now we feel the press of time as we realize how our years with them are limited. In March we had two good opportunities to take the boys on individual "date nights."

Jeremiah's friend Carter was in Seussical the Musical with a local theater company so he and I went out to dinner at IHOP (his choice of course) and then watched the play. It was lots of fun. I really enjoyed getting to spend some time talking and hanging out. The play was really well done and Jeremiah enjoyed being able to encourage his friend.

Nathaniel has been very interested in music of all kinds lately. His current favorite band is The Vespers. Aaron and I had seen them in Chattanooga for our anniversary and we knew that they gave a fun show so when we found out they were going to be in Chattanooga again we took Nathaniel. He was mesmerized. He was pretty excited to get to meet all of the band members after the show. If you have a chance watch them on YouTube, they are a really fun band.

These boys are growing up. It is so much fun to watch their individual personalities and interests emerge. It is fun to have more in depth and thoughtful conversations. We sure proud of the young men they are becoming.

Meet Dovie

So this happened last week....

We have been considering getting a dog for a little while but were going to need to be a bit picky. Nathaniel especially was on a full out campaign to get a family dog, even going so far as to give us all his money. I posted something about how cute that was on Facebook and the next day got a message from a friend about a dog she knew that needed a home.

Less than a week later Dovie came to our home.

She is an almost-3-year-old Wheaten Terrier. She is sweet and loveable. We have some things we are working on (like not pulling on a leash, and going potty outside) but in general she seems to be fitting in very well. She has lots of energy, but also stays very calm in the house and can often be found sleeping in her crate. She loves to ride in the van on go on long walks. The boys immediately took to her. Jeremiah calls himself her trainer (although I am pretty sure she is the boss in the relationship) and Nathaniel is fiercely protective.

We are all trying to make the adjustment but so far are enjoying having Dovie around.

A visit

A few weeks ago Oma and Opa came down from snowy Philadelphia for a visit. February is a fickle month here in Georgia but we were graced with lovely pre-sping weather! We ate meals out on the deck in the sunshine. We enjoyed a gorgeous day at the Chattanooga Nature Center. It was lovely!

9

This boy...
Words fail me right now...
Nine years old. Half way to 18.
This boy...has a vivid imagination, a playful spirit, a brilliant mind, a tender heart, a fierce independence, a bold honesty, a love of books and words, a passionate sense of right and wrong. He is a goal setter, a list maker, a leader. He is loud and wild and energetic. He is also quiet and still and thoughtful.

Jeremiah, our prayer is that you will always know that you are deeply loved. Our love as parents is imperfect but God's love for you is constant. My you always feel His love and follow Him with all of your passionate soul.

Night time snow walk

Jeremiah and Nathaniel,
Last night your mama did something a bit out of character. Even though I prefer comfort, warmth, and routine I couldn't resist the magical call of the snow. All evening long the flakes were falling and by your bedtime the world outside was a winter wonderland. Suddenly I couldn't resist it anymore, I just had to get outside. I just had to be part of the beauty and not simply an observer. But, it was your bedtime and we don't usually mess with bedtime in this house. So I bundled up and headed out by myself. I admit I was at first a bit giddy at the silence and solitude. After a few days of all of us being snowed in together it was a wonder to be alone in such an empty, soundless, beautiful world. The flakes were falling wet and fast. Tree branches stretched gnarled and skeletal, dark forms made more visible by their ethereal white cover. The only sounds were the crunch of my feet and the occasional drifting muffled voices. Trees loomed ghostly and gorgeous on both sides of the road.

It was beauty that needed to be shared. I was so filled with wonder and amazement that I didn't want to be alone anymore. I wanted to share it with you. I practically ran up the driveway to come and get you, even though it was past your bedtime.

We threw caution to the wind and didn't even bundle up that much. We pulled on jackets and boots over pj's and a quick hat on the head. Jeremiah, your legs were skinny in your too-small pj's and your cowboy boots clunked loud. We took a magical walk through a Narnia-like world. If we squinted just right we swore we could see Mr. Tumnus dancing through the trees. Jeremiah you traipsed loud, sloshed through slushy puddles, and even kicked your boot off as you kicked at fallen branches. Nathaniel, you held my hand and kept up a continuous hushed commentary about what you saw and what you imagined (2 Fauns and 3 Fauns caves were we might possibly stop for some tea).

We turned toward home and used our very own lamppost to guide our way. I was so filled with joy. Thankful that I had followed my urge to go outside. Loving sharing this snowglobe perfect moment with you both. Tucking this memory away in my heart. And as we walked, taking it all in with awe, Nathaniel, you took my hand and whispered, "Mama, I think Aslan is on the move."

More snow

 (Mrs. Linda helps build the snowman!)

We have heard that the Dutch speed skaters are rocking the winter Olympics. Hup Holland!

This morning we woke to 2-3inches of snow! And the forecast calls for more. Aaron is home because school is cancelled again. We are settling in and hoping that the predictions of epic ice and power outages prove not to be true.
As we were finally finishing gearing up to go outside we saw our new pastor and his wife walk up our driveway! They were out for a neighborhood walk and decided to stop by. We had fun playing in the snow and taking a walk with them.
I got sick (again) last week, so having nature force some rest is nice. I am sick of being sick. But, it is what it is for now...

Snow Days

Snow ninjas

Monday dawned bright and sunny. We had Jeremiah's class and errands to run so I decided to make it an epic day out so that I wouldn't have to leave the house any more this week. I had no idea what the rest of the week would bring...

Tuesday we woke late for us and spent the morning puttering around. School work was started, bread put in the oven, laundry going. It was peaceful and cozy. Mid morning I looked out the window and noticed snowflakes coming down. I didn't think much of it. I don't watch TV and I rarely check the weather. I checked my Facebook feed and noticed that local schools were going to dismiss early. I texted Aaron and asked him if he would get to come home too. It was a pretty idyllic day. Falling snow, cozy house, appetizing smells, excited boys. Aaron slipped his way home. His usual 45 minute commute took him 2 1/2 hours, which felt like forever at the time but later turns out to be one of the shorter commute times of the afternoon. Friends were posting of 4 - 7 hour drives home!

School has ended up  being cancelled for the rest of the week. We have been hibernating here at home. Continuing with our school work. Drinking lots of hot chocolate. Scrounging up enough warm gear for the boys to play outside. Taking hot baths. Popping corn. Watching movies. Drinking lots of hot tea. Taking naps. Staying up late.

It has been a nice, unexpected break.