Father’s Day 2012

It just so happens, that my kids have one of the greatest father’s I know.

It is so easy to spoil him on Father’s Day, partly because he is easy to please, but mostly because we all love him so much!

The kids and I sat down last week to make these cute little books for him.  They colored the pages, drew pictures, and answered some questions about their dad.







I love what Elaina dictated to me when I asked her what makes daddy smile and she told me that daddy smiles when he kisses mommy.

She went on to add: I love dad because God tells me to, but I’d love him anyway, no matter what.






We took him out for breakfast, a very rare treat for the 6 of us.







And then later went hiking and had a picnic in the mountains.  I thought for sure it was a disaster when 10 minutes into our meal we had to pack it up and run to the van because it was hailing on us.

But Saul is so easy going.  He smiled really big at me and told me this was a great day! 

I wish I could go with the flow more like he does. 

I guess that’s what makes us a good pair…





We all took him to buy a new pair of shoes and later spoiled him with a chocolate cupcake and ice cream.

Happy Father’s Day Saul!

The Solar System {New Planet Discovery}

 

 

The kids and I spent an afternoon creating new planets and writing newspaper articles describing them.

This was so much fun and a perfect compliment to our Solar System Unit!




They chose a color for their planet, and then tore and cut those colors from old magazines.  Then they glued and shaped the pieces into a new planet!



Nate’s new planet was named Astro. 

It was red and had a peppermint swirling storm in the center of it.




Isaac’s planet was named Green Planet, and was the recycled planet.



And Elaina’s planet was Planet Pink Cupcake, which has a ring of cupcakes, and only girls are allowed!




The boys spent some time writing out their newspaper article.  The had to include the 5 W’s: Who discovered it, What was discovered, Where it was found, When it was found,  Why it was found, and we also included How it was discovered too.



I love the vocabulary that Nate comes up with on these free write assignments!  I need to be sure to include these more often.  Both boys did very well thinking out their articles and being creative with the information.



And after a brief discussion to decide if Nate’s planet could support life,  we decided it could because our kitty seemed pretty content laying on top of it!

50’s Diner

We rarely go out to eat.

Partially because of cost.  Partially because we are taking 4 impatient, usually starving, loud kids with us. 

If we can find a place that’s quick and already on the loud side, then eating out doesn’t seem like such an ordeal.

We took the kids to a 50’s Diner this week.  They had so much fun looking at all of the cars and Elvis props.  Elaina couldn’t stop talking about how much make-up our waitress had on. (Pink glittery eye-liner)

We got to show them a jukebox too.

It was cute to hear the perspective that they have about times past.  They asked funny questions like, “Was Elvis really a King?”  and “Did you know any of those kids from Grease?”

We each ordered hamburgers, fries, and onion rings.  Saul finished off the biggest double cheese burger I have ever seen.  And then Ice Cream Sundaes for dessert.

snow day

We are in the middle of our first real

snow storm of the season. 

The kids are always anxious to get out and play.

(even though their nervous mother wishes they wouldn’t,

 as they are all getting over colds.) 

 It just so happens that we have the perfect sledding hill in our backyard.

Almost an hour later,

 noses red,

 fingers frozen,

they all begged to come in. 

 Hot cocoa was already waiting for them on the table. 

We’d declared early in the morning that today would be a “snow-day”,

 as all of the local public schools had been closed. 

 Even if they hadn’t been closed, we would have still been out,

freezing, and enjoying the time together.

We really needed a fun day, since we all spent the week couped up

with this awful cold...

Uno, Sorry, mounds of books. 

Cuddled up cozy by the warmth of the fire,

 while the wind howls and blows.

A movie and popcorn to round off the afternoon. 

 Nothing quite like it really. 

 A perfect end to a hard week.

Celebration

"There is only one happiness in life:

to love and be loved."

-George Sands

Beautiful flowers, a celebration dinner. 
Memories shared with our children of our special day.
A day spent remembering, honoring. Our anniversary.

Elaina asks, "Did he kiss you mom?  On the lips?"
And Isaac replies, "Doh!  That's what sweethearts do!"
"Ewe," captures what Nate is thinking, his expression says it all.




 Since Saul had to work, I awoke early to prepare a special breakfast:
Double Berry Parfaits
Secret Recipe Muffins
Sausage and Eggs
Mango and Orange Juice (his favorite)

All four kids had crammed into the kitchen to "help" make our anniversary breakfast.
"Why do you have a am be-bersary?' ponders E.
(thinking...)
"Who cares.  At least we get cake!"  Isaac is sure that could be the only reason to celebrate.

Twelve years.  Gone like the blink of an eye.
I married my best friend, promised to love, to honor...
To esteem, to admire. Devote myself to him, and only him.
^"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 

To have, to hold...
To start a new life, joined into a new family.
To leave.  To cleave.
"Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife,
and they shall become one flesh"
Genesis 2:24


In good times...
There have been lots of those. 
Times with good health, great connections. 
A strong sense of closeness.
Times where laughter, fun, and happiness abound.
Times with financial easiness, times of plenty.
Love and devotion seem effortless.
^"The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
 ² He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
 ³ he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
   for his name’s sake."
Psalm 23:1-3 

In bad times...
There have been those too. 
Times when everyday seems a struggle.
Where connecting and intimacy become suppressed,
whether by life or by circumstance.
Distance sneaks in.
^"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,
whenever you face trials of many kinds,
 ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
⁴ Let perseverance finish its work
so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
James 1:2-4 

In sickness and in health...
Times when we need each other most,
but feel guilty about our dependence.
Times riddled with pain, suffering, depression.
It's easy to commit to a life that is full of health and ease.
Wealth and fellowship.
When we are not challenged by interfering schedules,
diminishing resources, loss of dreams.
"Carry each other’s burdens,
and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
Galatians 6:2


Until death parts us...
From that balmy summer day of our wedding, to my very last breath.
"Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
Mark 10:9

As a new bride, I really had no idea what marriage would look like.
I had a notion, a hope of what it would be.
Life hasn't been what I expected.  Or what I planned.
It has been better...

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared for those who love Him"
1 Corinthians 2:9


Thank you Saul for 12 wonderful years!
For being my best friend, my love.
For listening, encouraging.
For nurturing and providing.
For laughing and smiling.
For memories to pass on to our children.
For walking alongside me in good times, loving me through bad ones.
For dreaming with me. 
For keeping your hope in the Lord.
You are loved beyond measure!