Arkansas Trip

This past weekend we went to Eureka Springs, Arkansas. It was beautiful and I really enjoyed getting away with girlfriends with noone to keep up with.

My friend Janna and I ate beans and cornbread like real Arkansans.

We went to a glass chapel. Lovely!

We were goofy and decided to take angel pictures.

 With a tram tour, cemetery history tour, art fair and spa day- it was a really fun trip.

The Kids

 While older brother and sister went roller skating, Romy and I went to the library.  We heard a violin giving a mini concert, got a sucker from a Hispanic man and played with these cool shapes.

Our neighbor is throwing out an old mattress.  These kids find it so interesting and fun. :)

Prayers

I recently did a concert with the Kansas City Chorale of Jewish music.  We sang the following prayer in Hebrew.. but I really liked the translation.

O Lord, may the words of my mouth,
and the meditations of my heart
be acceptable before Thee,
Adonai, my Rock and Redeemer
Amen.

I've also been studying the book of Revelation with a Community Bible Study (CBS) nearby.  It has been very good.  We read this past week about the throne room of God and all the 4 beings, 24 elders, myriads of angels, and all creation sings.  I wrote this in response.

With You I am whole
With You I am nourished
With You I am clothed in white
With You I am secure
With You I will rise again
With You I am home

Then when I read it later, I realized this poem was all about me... and heaven is definitely NOT all about me.  It is all about God's beauty, glory, purity, majesty and love.

And then there is a little girl named Claire.  I went to high school with her mom.  Her mom graduated a year before I did.  Her little infant girl got sick and then doctors discovered that she has a tumor in her abdomen.  She had surgery and removed a large part, but it was all intertwined with her organs, tissues and vessels.  They are now doing chemotherapy to see if it might prevent the tumor from growing.  I've had some long talks with God about this girl.  I've just had to surrender that I believe God is Sovereign and I've asked Him to spare her life and heal her.  There is so much of this life that I do not understand and my heart can't make sense of.  All I know is that one day I believe I will understand the detailed plans that God has written in His scroll with the 7 seals.  Until then, life will always be mysterious and wonderful and hard. 

I saw this picture the other day of a veil nebula that they captured with the hubble telescope.  This is made out of gas and dust.  

Beginning of Fall in our Neighborhood

 This is what the beginning of fall looks like in my neighborhood.  These everyday moments are a treasure to me.  That's why my kids aren't in any extra curricular activities.  They need space to jump on trampolines, climb trees, play dolls, visit Grandma and jump on leftover mattresses.  They need time to just be and think and dream. 

Gwen Singing

For a few months now I've been writing songs to help the children in my class on Saturday night at church learn their memory verses better.  Gwen helped me write a song this time and here she is singing it. 

September Joys

Romy loves playdough.

She was so proud that she stacked her cakes. 

The neighborhood girls relaxing.

Zeke and Romy playing with door stickers.

Romy and lady liberty at Red Robin.

Gwen and her friend, Zoe. 

Luke and Zeke at the school lap-a-thon.

Gwen getting an eye exam. She doesn't need glasses yet, but she might in the future. 

Afterwards, we went to the art gallery. 

This painting spoke to me. Jesus looks so tired.

On A Thursday

 Today was a full day of parenthood.  Ben isn't home quite yet and it's almost 8:30pm.  This was my day just cause I want to remember what a typical day is in years to come.

I woke at 6:30am and finally got out of bed at 7am.
7:30 I couldn't find Gwen and Zeke.  They were outside swinging on a neighbor's swing set.  It nearly scared me to death and Gwen wasn't ready for school and she gets picked up at 8am. 
8am I hear Romy talking in bed and when I go to get her she tells me no, I'd like to stay here in bed and read this book.  I let her.
After I make sure the older two have snacks, shoes on, backpacks and such, they are picked up.  Then I go to retrieve Romy. 
She still doesn't want me to pick her up but I do and then discover her diaper has overflowed and the bedding is all wet.  I take off her clothes, take off the bedding and put it in the laundry basket.  Get Romy dressed.
Romy has breakfast and I go comb my hair.  We went to Ace Hardware, then the bank, then Walmart.  Then off to pick up Zeke from school.  Lunches made.
Then after lunch Romy goes for a nap and I work with Zeke.  Sight words, homework for school, work on memorizing the books of the Bible. 
Then I let him have play time with his friend Luke while I put garage sale items in the car and transported them 5 houses down and unload them.  I do that several times.
Then off to get gas because the light is on and then off to pick up Gwen from school.  We get back and I make dinner... for tonight and tomorrow night.  Tonight is scrambled eggs, cinnamon rolls in the waffle maker and cottage cheese and sugar snap peas.  (I know, strange) Tomorrow split pea soup and bread.
After dinner we go down to the neighbor's house to arrange and price garage sale items while the kids play.
Baths, teeth brushing, Bible reading, listening to more Bible books recited, tucking in and kisses.  I took a shower, and now...  as I was tucking Zeke in I saw this note from Gwen on his desk.  It made my heart glad. 

When I look at this little face I think, "I hope she views herself like I view her."  I see my features... but she wears them so much better.  I see that spark of knowing and the little voice and wispy blond hair like little feathers.  I know her personality.  She loves to be funny and to say "poo poo" and then cackle.  She is a great companion.

Shots Taken on the Fly

 Ah... Battleship... a right of passage.

My fall time display.

Me and my fav 2 year old.

Romy playing babies.

Walking to school.  The siblings up in front actually having a tender moment. :)

On one of our walks back home from school Zeke um... had to go.  I chose a tree out of the way... he explained that wouldn't do and chose this one... in someone's front yard.

More Romy Birthday

Romy Turns Two

Carefree and two...

This cake took time to make, but was delicious.

 She loves babies

The pinata. It was harder to crack than I anticipated.

After cracking it open it became a hat.