The Calling

Caleb is a warrior. He is headstrong, he is overflowing with faith, he pours his entire heart and being into everything he does. Now, he has a heading. God has directed his path. The following is an excerpt from his personal journal (I typed it exactly how he wrote it):

"4/30/14
Tonight at 5:12, I had an important vision. So, I just walked up to a baby, and a roman army. The baby asked why I came here. I told the baby and the army I was here to tell them about God. So I told them. The baby and the army asked "Can I have Jesus in my heart?" A diamond appeared in my hand. A flash of light appeared among us. Then I got the verse phil 2:13 (NLT) For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him."

After Caleb told us the vision he said he thought he knew what it meant but he wanted to see what we thought. I immediately knew how to interpret it. I began speaking before I even realized what words were flowing from my mouth. I told him that the Lord was preparing Him to preach. That he was going to lead many to Jesus. Damian added that he believed the baby and the army represented that Caleb would preach to all ages. After we shared our thoughts with him he agreed that he also believed that is what it meant. He also believes that the diamond represents God's presence and that the flash of light was when everyone accepted Christ.

He has talked about the vision everyday since. He shared his calling with his Royal Ranger troop. He gave a speech about it in his (public school) classroom. He has begun digging into his Bible more. His heart is set. His mind is steadfast. He is excited about his future harvest.

Thoughts On A New Year.

Today is a quiet day full of peaceful moments all strung together creating a beautiful calm. My children are curled up in various cozy areas reading or drawing. The world outside is silent and covered with heavy snow. It's a good day to write, to think, to dream. So here I sit, at my wooden kitchen table that is scarred with the memory of meals and homework and play, and I write.

Comfort. It's a word that brings warm fuzzies to my heart. I long for it but God is calling me to step out of it. I am no longer content to pray for the hurting, hoping that they will step out of the mire on their own. That way I won't have to touch the filth. No. I must wade into that filth and grab those hurting in a loving embrace. I must meet the need with practicality, if it is within my power to do so. This year I will open my eyes wider. And yes, I will still pray, but my prayers will sound different. More fervent, less rushed. More passionate, less selfish. God is changing my heart. I must make a difference in the lives He has placed in my path. Those inside the church as well as outside. My soul longs to love harder.

I am blessed. This year I will be more thankful. I will slow down and drink in the beauty of simple things. I will realize the gifts all around me. My hard-working, Jesus loving, servant hearted husband. My three miraculous darlings who fill this life with such innocent joy. Sunsets. Bird songs. Hugs. Books. I will post Philippians 4:11-12 somewhere in my home and live it out on a daily basis! ("I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.")

I have other dreams, goals, resolutions, whatever you wish to call them. Those will remain safely tucked away in my dear journal. Now I am going to go and embrace this moment, turn the music up and feast with my little family! Happy New Year.

Recent Tidbits

Medium Boy had his surgery eleven days ago. He has been such a brave trooper! I have enjoyed watching how the oldest really stepped up to help during this time. When Caleb was dizzy, Ethan held his hand and walked him to the bathroom. When Caleb was thirsty, Ethan ran to the kitchen to get him a juice box. If Caleb was crying, Ethan did all he could to comfort him. So precious to see sibling love carried out in servanthood.

Ethan has been reading his Bible each morning and writing about his readings. He told us yesterday that he feels like he's growing closer to God each day and loving Him more each day. Last night at church he came to the altar to lay hands on and pray for one of his teachers. Then on the way home he told me that something was urging him to take his baseball cap off in the sanctuary. (*We have never discussed that it's respectful to take of your hat in the house of God*) I told him that the urging he felt was God speaking to his heart and his whole face lit up in a smile. It's wonderful to see him developing a relationship with God independent of us!

On a completely different and somewhat random note, the way my boys play video games directly relates to their personalities. Ethan is methodical: defeating every enemy, collecting all coins, and finding each secret before finishing the level. Caleb is like a hurricane: Rushing through the level with his only goal being to finish. It makes me laugh!

The Retreat

Recently life has been flying by at warp speed. I actually took a photo of my May calendar and sent it to a dear friend with the caption "Welcome to my crazy." I'm not complaining (well, mostly). This is the life we were called to, this is the life we have chosen. But sometimes one just needs to step back for a moment and simply breathe. This past weekend we were given the opportunity to do that. Imagine a cozy, adorable house with a large deck that sits right next to a lake. Imagine a blue heron swooping down to catch it's breakfast while you are sitting on the deck in your pajamas eating yours. Imagine quiet, except for those three little cuties you brought with you! This was our retreat. Now imagine it was all free (true!). We fished, ate s'mores, blew bubbles, played games, and visited the camp playground. We rested. We prayed. We were refreshed. The first night we were there Caleb got up complaining of an earache. Caleb has had multiple ear infections over the past eight months. We have been told he needs to have tubes put in and that he will probably need his tonsils and adenoids out. Our thoughts immediately went to the possibility of finding a nearby hospital or urgent care facility. The house we were in had a dedicated prayer room across the hall from where the kids were sleeping. Caleb went in, threw himself down on the altar and cried out, "Jesus I love you! I have faith! Please heal me! Amen!" I was standing in the doorway with tears streaming down my face as I watched this. Precious. Within ten minutes all of his pain was gone and he slept peacefully through the night. Our God is awesome. Our God is powerful. Our God cares.

Super Saturday #6

AAAARRRGGGHHH Mateys! Today we are pirates! The buccaneers built their very own pirate ships out of legos. They also designed their own pirate flags and drew pictures of what they'd look like as pirates.

We played cannonball pop (with balloons), musical islands (variation of musical chairs), and two versions of Attack! In one version each kid has their own pirate ship (an area marked out on the floor) and the other two pirates try to throw cannonballs (wadded up paper) onto the ship. Version two finds us under attack by stuffed pirates and we must defeat them (knock them over) with the cannonballs!

Of course there was a treasure hunt! Captain Mommy found a treasure map and the buccaneers and Captain Daddy followed it. X marks the spot! This was their favorite and when they found the treasure...well, I didn't know pirates could squeal like that! The treasure had a few coins and some pirate fruit snacks.

We ended the day with a trip to Pirate Cove(our local library has a pirate section) where the buccaneers relaxed in their hideout after a long day! G'night Mateys!

Super Saturday #5

Well, after a month long hiatus, Super Saturday is back! We had taken a break to pack, move, and unpack! Now we are happily settled in to our new home, new church, new life, and are slowly easing back into a routine!

Today we went on a jungle safari! I hid small jungle animals throughout the apartment and the kids had to find them and photograph them. We also set up a jungle obstacle course: A blanket as quicksand they had to jump over. Another blanket thrown over some chairs became a bat cave. Green yarn taped in doorways were poisonous vines. Hungry creatures (stuffed animals) also needed to be avoided! At the end of the course they rescued a cute pink baby doll. We played jungle charades and Snakeball (think basketball with a toy snake and a plastic bowl). We also visited "The Wild", that's the name of a children's bookstore downtown! Each kid was able to pick out a new book. Capped off the day with some ice cream which I know has nothing to do with the jungle but it was yummy!

I am having difficulty processing the fact that summer break is almost over. Two more weeks and my boys will be heading to their new school! My mission these next two weeks is to savor every second.

Super Saturday #4

Put on your swimsuit and come to the beach party! We played lots of games at this party:
*Fish-Fish-Shark: A beached up version of duck-duck-goose.
*Beach Bingo
*Musical towels: A beached up version of musical chairs!
*And, of course, we did the Limbo! This was a big hit and we played it for a very long time! It was hilarious watching the different ways they tried to "go low!"

Activities included beach color-by-number pages, a beach word search, a beach word scramble and a design your own surfboard contest! I also pulled out some old school fun in the form of paper dolls. I was surprised how much they enjoyed dressing them up in different summer ensembles. The boys also made their own surfboards out of legos.

We ate some goldfish crackers, lots of fresh fruit, and popsicles! Of course no day at the beach is complete without some actual water so we ended the day at a local spray park. We splashed and played and shot each other with water guns until we were completely drenched! Unfortunately, we had to leave a little sooner than expected. Poor Caleb slipped, fell, and ripped off his entire toenail from his little toe! There were lots of tears and quite a bit of blood. He's fine now after a prescription of mommy cuddles, neosporin, and a CARS band-aid!

Super Saturday #3

This is a top-secret, confidential, for your eyes only blog! Welcome to Spy Training Camp. The day starts with breakfast bombs, then training begins.

1. Spy Preparation: Here the spies received their code names and created their spy name badges. Speedy Tiger (the big boy). Hidden Eagle (the one in the middle). Wild Lightning (baby girl). Every spy needs a good pair of binoculars so my spies designed their own.

2. Laser Training: Probably the most fun part of the day! Spy Mommy created a "laser" course (it was yarn) and my spies had to make it through without touching the lasers. After several tries both boys made it through successfully. Wild Lightning didn't really get it...but she had fun!

3. Bomb Training: The spies had to pass the bomb quickly before it exploded! If they were holding it when it exploded, they had to fall down and yell "I've been caught!" As we all know, a good spy never gets caught!

4. Observation Training: The spies and I took an observation walk. They had to keep their eyes open to find everything on their "spy eyes" list. I also had several "I Spy" books on hand and a spy word search, word scramble, and coloring sheets.

At the end of the day, each spy received a certificate of completion making them official spies! Oh, one more thing, this message will self-destruct in 5 seconds.

A Bit of Independence

Yesterday I took the kids to our public library. After picking our books and a few movies, it was time to play. Caleb and Ellie wanted to play in the "kid's room." Puzzles, legos, crayons, and no one shushing you. Ethan wanted to read. Mommy, very reluctantly, went with the two younger ones and left Ethan to read. A step towards independence. I could see him clearly but it felt like he was so far away. I watched him intently but he didn't look my way once.

It's so hard to let go.

Super Saturday #2

A Very Merry Unbirthday To You! All three children woke up to a balloon tied to their bed with this message on it. Since my children have never seen Alice In Wonderland, we started the day by watching it. The animated Disney version, not the creepy Johnny Depp one! Of course we baked our "unbirthday" cake and ate it! The boys and I played an indoor game of croquet while Eliana cheered us on. Other games included: "Find the Queen of Hearts!" and "I'm Late, I'm Late!" We also had several Alice activity sheets and we created our very own Mad Hatter Hats! The messages, "Eat Me" or "Drink Me" were found on various food and drink items. We had such a nonsense-filled day!

Super Saturday #1

Summer break is (almost!) upon us. This year I'm trying something new: Super Saturdays. Each Saturday will have a theme and our activities that day will revolve around that theme. My boys woke up to a note telling them to look under their pillows for today's theme which was pajama party day. Everyone wore pajamas for the entire day (except Eliana. She got a new Dora swimsuit yesterday, tried it on this morning and refused to take it off!) Breakfast was pancakes, lunch was pb&j toast sandwiches, fruit, and yogurt, and for supper we ate blueberry muffins and cereal. Polar Express played in the Schoonmaker bed-in theatre. Games were sprinkled in throughout the day; teddy bear toss, pillow pass, sleeping bag races, and "what am I dreaming?" charades. Quiet time was spent reading in a fort made of blankets. To end the day we sat in circle and took turns adding to a bedtime story I started. Here's a preview:
Me: Once upon a time there was a princess and two brave knights. They were lost in a forest of purple trees and they were hungry!
Caleb: They tried to get out of the forest but they just went deeper until the didn't even know if they were still alive!
Ethan: Then they saw a shadow on a big rock. The knights whipped out their shields and the scaredy princess hid behind the knights. It was a giant duck!
Ellie: He had no brains!
It was a comfy, cuddly, laid-back kind of day!

Overwhelmed Mommy

This morning I sat in a pew at our church and felt overwhelmed. We served on staff at this church many years ago and after a season away, we returned here for a time of healing and restoration. Eight years ago today, in this church, our Pastor closed the mother's day service by praying for couples who were struggling with infertility. For anyone who doesn't know our story, we hoped and dreamed and prayed for seven years to be parents. I was told by doctors that I would never conceive without medical help. After years of failed procedures, medicines, and a drained savings account, we had come to the end of ourselves. We walked forward that day and were prayed for. Three months later we were blessed to stand before that congregation of people who had prayed for us, cried with us, encouraged us and tell them that I was expecting a miracle. God had healed me. I was pregnant with no medical intervention, just Divine intervention! This morning I walked memory lane. I remembered the years of devastation and disappointment. I remembered the years of wanting to skip church on mother's day because I was so sad. I remembered the pages of promises, prophetic words, and scriptures God had given over those years. I remembered the moment the Dr.'s office called to confirm what I already suspected. The joy, the tears, the feel of my babies the first time they were placed into my arms. I looked into the faces of my three beautiful miracles and I was overwhelmed.

The Hunger Games (An Unpopular View)

I have no doubt that what I am about to write here may cause some controversy among my friends. I have agonized and prayed about this post for 3 days. Which brings me to this moment.

Up until about a week ago, I knew nothing about The Hunger Games. I have not seen the movie or read the book. However, after seeing dozens and dozens of posts on Facebook about it I decided to do some research. What I found disturbed and shook me to the point where I felt I could not be silent. The Hunger Games are an annual event in which 24 children (ages 12-18) are chosen to compete in a televised event in which they battle to the death. This is horrifying. I'm sure there are other layers to the story but in everything I've read over the past 48 hours, the battle is the main thrust. I cannot imagine being entertained by such a vicious idea. More than that, I cannot imagine God, the creator of man, sitting in a movie theatre being entertained by a movie that is based on violence and the destruction of man.

Hunger Games director Gary Ross says, "Is it violent? Yes. Do we back off from what it is? No, we don't."

"Which is why it's still terribly hard to read the book or watch the movie at times. The career tributes are older kids from the richer districts who are trained from childhood to kill, and several of them decide to team up and hunt the remaining kids. We see them kill as a pack—delivering quick stabs with a knife and a spear—laughing as they call out encouragements to one another. We see a large teen snap another boy's neck. A dead teen is shown with an arrow in his chest, and a poisoned girl lies dead on the ground, her skin a light shade of blue. We see "news" footage of a boy swinging a blood-covered brick." (From pluggedinmag.com)

The novel ranked in fifth place on the American Library Association's list of most banned books for 2010, the reasons being it was "sexually explicit, unsuited to age group, and violence."

I also read many reviews that were positive but even in those the violence was mentioned over and over. I have to be honest here, it breaks my heart that this is what our society is watching and enjoying! Have we truly become so calloused, so desensitized? I do not believe this is what God wants from His people! To sit and enjoy and pay to watch the very things His word says we are to stay away from! We are to be in this world, but not of this world. And what kind of world is it when assault and murder are considered acceptable entertainment?

Theology 652

Yesterday we were driving home when Ethan suddenly declared that he saw "God's glory." The sun's rays were shining down from behind a large fluffy cloud. Then he said that we were going to drive right into God's glory! Caleb said, "Mom. God is healing someone right now!" Love it. I want to be warmed by God's rays of glory!

On the way to school a few days ago Ethan told me, "Mom. I asked Amelia if she loves Jesus and she said yes. That's when I decided she would be my girlfriend. Because you told me the Bible says we can't marry people who don't love Jesus!" Caleb replied, "I better ask my girlfriend, Emma if she loves Jesus. If she says no, I'm just going to have to break up with her."

Eliana's nightly prayer: "Jesus, help me not to cry. Protect my dreams, my heart and my body. Bless Daddy, Mommy, Ellie, Caleb, & Ethan. In Jesus name, Amen." Sometimes she also prays for all her baby dolls, her bed, the pictures on her walls, her puzzles...

"Mom. Joey (name has been changed to protect the innocent) is my enemy but I am going to give him the best Valentine card I can find. That way God can see me loving my enemy."

I love the daily questions and interpretations of Christianity and the Bible. I love that they love Jesus. I pray for wisdom to teach them how to live each day to the fullest, surrendered to Jesus, showing love, and unyielding in their faith. And I write it all down so I'll never forget the journey!

(For those of you wondering about the 652; my kids are 6, 5, and 2!)

The Twenty-Five Days Of Christmas

I love Christmas. December is my favorite month of the entire year. I always try to soak up every moment of this season of magic and warmth. So this year I have started a new tradition! Credit for this wonderful idea goes to pinterest.com (a website I highly recommend because it is full of beautiful things and inspiration.) (a website I do not recommend because you will become addicted and it will suck hours away from your life!) It's a clever twist on an advent calendar. We count down the days until Christmas but instead of getting candy there is an activity or treat for every day. The kids are loving it and are quite anxious to get out of bed and come downstairs each morning! This is what our list looks like:
Bake cookies - What a lovely, delicious, mess we made!
Decorate the tree - Damian and Eliana had their picture taken while
picking out the tree and made it into the local
newspaper.
Holiday Stroll downtown - free cookies, a visit with santa, and so
many Christmas lights. The kids and I
had our picture in the paper for this
too! Owensboro loves it's Schoonmakers!
Christmas craft day - Now I know why I don't regularly do crafts with
my children. My house was a glitter
wonderland.
Check out Christmas books at the library - We also got to make
ornaments.
Unwrap new pajamas to wear to bed - So far this was the favorite.
Feetie pajamas rule!
Eat snowman pancakes
Visit the holiday forest at the art museum
Daddy's super secret surprise! - I don't even know!
Shop for teacher presents
Santa scavenger hunt
Picnic in front of the Christmas tree
Browse Christmas decorations at the mall
Christmas food surprise in lunchbox
Play Christmas games
Walk the path of lights at Legion Park
Act out the Christmas story
See daddy perform in the Christmas play
Panther Creek's drive through light spectacular
Unwrap a new book to read at bedtime
Christmas movie marathon
Eat cookies for breakfast
Snowball fight
Open presents!!
Road trip to Uncle Aaron & Aunt Ashley's

If you read this whole post you must really love me! So, this is how we are squeezing as much merriment as possible out of this Christmas season! Merry Christmas to all!

Silly Songs and Flagpoles

Last night our boys performed at their school. The kindergarten and first grade classes had been hard at work on some silly songs to sing for their parents. The boys were so very excited and literally sang to us. By that I mean they constantly looked at us to see our reaction and to make sure we were paying attention! At this particular school they have a kindergarten theme song. Ethan learned it last year and Caleb sang it with his class last night. After the kindergarten class sang it through once, the music teacher invited the parents down to sing the song with their child. This began a lively debate between the husband and I about who was going to make a fool out of themselves in front of 100 people. I won (I guess?) and stood next to my son. The look on his face when he saw me was worth every ounce of embarrasment I felt. I'm pretty sure on the awesome mommy meter, I am currently off the charts. Here are the words of our silly song:
Tootie Ta
(chorus) A tootie ta, a tootie ta, a tootie ta ta
A tootie ta, a tootie ta, a tootie ta ta
Thumbs up, elbows back, feet apart, knees together, bottoms up, tongue out, eyes shut, turn around...(chorus again)
**Yes, I did all the motions...no cheating for this awesome mama.**

In other news, this morning was See You At The Pole. This year was the first time my boys attended. It was, I pray, the first of many meaningful flagpole moments. Now, I realize we live in the Bible belt but my boys school went above and beyond the normal on this day. In the school newsletter there was a 1/4 page write up on SYATP and an invite for parents to join in. Last night at the concert the principal spoke about it and invited everyone's participation. We explained SYATP to the boys last night and they were excited and hopeful that all their friends would be there. A few of the older students ran the short service along with one of the teachers. First order was the pledge of allegiance, then a scripture reading from Matthew. The most meaningful part for me was the prayer time that followed. The teacher who directed this had broken out the Lord's Prayer into sections and written a prayer for each section. These were read by the students. These were not your cookie cutter, "Lord bless our school" prayers. These were prayers that "everything we do in this school would glorify You.", "Protect us from the influence of the evil one." "Let Your presence be evident in our classrooms and hallways." I was overwhelmed with gratitude that my boys attend a public school where there are some strong Christian teachers. A school where the principal not only allows this to happen but also participates and fully supports it. What a blessing.

Aftermath

Last night Damian and went to a Hillsong United concert. I was bursting with excitement. Not only do I love Hillsong United, but Damian and I haven't been on a date since Christmas! We were so very close to the stage, waiting happily, when it happened. Up on the screen flashed the announcement that photography was not allowed. What!? Those of you who know me at all, know that I capture life, days, moments through the lens of my Nikon Coolpix. I was quite upset and planned a little rebellion. I changed the setting on my camera (no flash required) and stealthily took a photo as soon as the band came on stage...I deleted the photo by the end of the first song.

I was convicted. My heart attitude was so very wrong. God couldn't possibly speak to me the way He wanted, my worship to Him would not be a sweet smell, if I was plotting deceit and planning rebellion in my heart. It may seem like a small thing, but to me it was huge. I struggled. However, I am glad now that I was able to focus solely on Jesus and the powerful words of the songs. I would never have entered in to His presence to the depth that I did if I had been worried about getting the perfect shot.

The name of United's recent album and their tour is Aftermath. This past year there has been a lot of wreckage in my life. I have dealt with self-condemnation, betrayal, loss, loneliness, depression, and disillusionment. Now I am in the aftermath of this wreckage. But I have a big God. A God who can take the devastation that is my wreckage and turn it into a beautiful journey. A God who loves me enough that He walks with me through the deepest, darkest moments. A God who sustains me when I simply cannot take another step. And last night He met me. In an arena with thousands of people, it was just me and Him.

"Fly. You are in the mire no longer. Fly." This is what He said to me. I am set free. Free from fear, from sadness, from worry, from the past. I can live, truly live again. There is no way for me to put into words just exactly what transpired in my heart last night. I cannot begin to express how it feels to be in the presence of the Almighty. It defies imagination. What I can tell you is that today I feel lighter. My heart is no longer bleeding. I am beginning to feel pure joy again. Out of the ashes I have found Love.

Aftermath
The skies lay low where You are. On the earth you rest your feet. Yet the hands that cradle the stars are the hands that bled for me.
In a moment of glorious surrender, You were broken for all the world to see. Lifted out of the ashes, I am found in the aftermath.
Freedom found in Your scars. In Your grace my life redeemed. For You chose to take the sinner's crown as You placed Your crown on me.
In that moment of glorious surrender, was the moment you broke the chains in me! Lifted out of the ashes, I am found in the aftermath.
And in that moment You opened up the heavens to the broken, the beggar, and the thief. Lifted out of the wreckage, I find hope in the aftermath.
And I know that You're with me. Yes I know that You're with me here. And I know You're love will light the way.
Now all I have I count it all as loss but to know You and to carry the cross. Knowing I'm found, in the light of the aftermath.
*Hillsong United*

Who Needs an Alarm Clock?

Someone needs to teach my children that summer vacation is made for sleeping in. 5:00 AM. I wake up to find Caleb's nose a mere inch away from mine. "Mom, is it morning yet?" Groan. "Sort of." "Great!" he says as he crawls into bed with me. Eliana wanders in whimpering and rubbing her eyes. She lays down on my chest and whines, "Blankie! Nap!" Well, if you want to take a nap...go back to your own bed! Running footsteps alert me of the approach of the big boy. "Target acquired!" Uh-oh. Ethan takes a flying leap landing directly on my bladder. Ow. Knees in my ribs, elbows in my face. Is this a bed or a wrestling ring? Damian is snoring. Really?! Why am I the only one feeling the morning love? And how can he sleep through all this noise?! "Mommy needs to go potty." Oh, apparently that is code for pig pile on mommy! Giving in to the inevitable I wrap the three of them in my arms, squeeze, and shower them with morning breath kisses. Sleep will wait, my lovies will not.

Summer Memories

Lately I have been feeling compelled to document my childhood summertime memories. This desire mystifies me because grown up Shawna is not a fan of summer. I am a cozy sweater, roaring fire, snowy night kind of girl. Perhaps it's watching my own sweaty and giggling munchkins soak up the sunshine. Perhaps it's that I miss my family and as a result have been dwelling in happy memories. Whatever the reason, I have decided to yield to it and give voice to long ago summer days.

My sister and I had what I consider to be the ideal setting to grow up in. It was a small town, and we explored every corner of it. We lived on the same street for most of our growing up years. The neighborhood was light on traffic and heavy on front porch visits. We were safe and free to roam.

Summer was innocence and warmth and bare feet. We gave ourselves up to it with complete abandon. We performed acrobatic feats on monkey bars that were a little too high and a little too rusty. We did cartwheels and somersaults in short shorts and tank tops, not yet knowing we were supposed to feel self-conscious about our bodies. Freshly laundered clothes hung from the clothesline and waved to us in the hot breezes. We feasted on onion grass and ice pops and sun tea. We adorned ourselves with crowns of wild flowers. Our hands and feet were streaked with earth and we had not a single care in the world.

We learned lessons that I hope to teach my summer sweeties: Neighbors should be know. Getting dirty can be healing. Play can be a balm to a hurting heart. A cold glass of iced tea and a front porch are an invitation for good conversation. The purpose of each day is simply to enjoy it!

Middle Child

Caleb, middle child, who will you be when you grow up? Today you are a happy helper. It's so sweet to watch you share a toy with Eliana in order to make her stop crying. Or volunteer to help Ethan find the latest thing he has lost. I can always count on you to help me put the dishes away and "deliver" everyone's food at mealtimes. Today you are my cuddlebug. Always curling up in mommy and daddy's laps. Giving out hugs and kisses to your brother and sister. It melts my heart when you say, "Mommy I love you 100!" There is so much love in your little four year old self. Today your faith could move mountains. When someone is sick or something goes wrong, your first response is always to pray. And such fervent prayers! "God. Please help all the bad guys to start loving you. Please. Please. Amen." (This was prayer was offered up after we drove past a jail in town.) And you never doubt that after your prayer, it is done. I love (and am a bit envious of) your depth of pure, innocent, faith. I pray that is something you never lose.

Caleb, my sweet, loving, faith-filled, joyful little boy...I love you 100 too!