Having a Ball with the Fireball

Sarah is the most energetic child we have. Stillness = Sleeping. On the move, on the run, full of fire, and decisive about her desires. Maybe it's best she came when we were a little older forcing me to keep active. When Joseph was new she wore me out and everyone needed to help but now I am running along beside her with the same spirit of zest for activity and people. She loves books, animals, outdoors, being silly, and truthfully like most children enjoys anything life has to offer thats good. Eating markers, sticks, playdough, and the like is what she considers the good gifts. There is an early morning quiet beauty as she shuffles into our room with her beloved silky blanket (kee-kee), climbs in bed, and falls back to sleep all snuggled next to me. All of our toddlers have done this and I'm glad those times are not over. We and our extended family are having a ball.

- We have a big training job ahead and we know these can be great attributes in her as she learns self control. My mom says Sarah reminds her of me. She says she was thankful there were positive opportunities given for the release of my enthusiasm (ex: sports, choir, drama, public speaking, babysitting, drawing etc.) It's funny now when I look back on my childhood that I was involved in any activity our private school offered. Thankful my mom was able to put us in a better school than the public school at the time, I was full of the love of life. We may have to prayerfully keep Sarah busy with similiar activities and homeschooling may help give her extra time for the things she loves.

-

Joy comes from our Rock and Salvation

Kenny walking with Isaac back in '94

The TN dress alike was a coincidence

Sarah was thrilled with kittens at our friend's Donna's house

I was marveling on Mother's Day when I asked myself the question, "What do I want to do today?" when the truth hit me that besides wanting to spend time with my mom, I just wanted to enjoy what the kids and Kenny enjoy. Yes, of course, every mom needs time out with friends or alone time soaking in a bubble bath and thankfully I have those moments but I read this little saying in a book given to us from our Phoenix parents that quotes fathers. It says:

-"We find a delight in the beauty and happiness of children that makes the heart to big for the body"- Ralph Waldo Emerson. -

-And yes, sometimes children are not happy (or do they seem beautiful when they misbehave) but there is no one else I would rather be with. Once,about 11 years ago, we were taking a walk on the 47 acre farm we were living on and our first born son Isaac (who passed away 10 1/2 years ago) was holding both his mom and dad's hands and he let out a big happy sigh and said "Yep, all the family". I never forgot that expression because I knew what he was feeling. When Kenny, the kids, and I are all together it is wonderful but it's not "all the family" anymore without him.There is a lost sense of satisfaction. What I know now so deeply is that as much as I want to revel in this love of my family I can't put my hope in anything but God's love alone. It is forever unchanging and always there. He alone is our rock. I'm so glad for all his gifts but I have to remember "He gives and He takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."-book of Job

-Anyway, I plan to reserve a little place on this blog for a memorial to Isaac. I am looking forward to sharing his life and the story of healing with those who never knew him. The great thing is they will know him someday since we are all family in Christ.

Update-

- Today Kenny and Joshua took Paul to Knoxville for a weekend baseball tournament. I was unsure of how to spend the day when my great neighbor and friend invited me and the other children to go along with them to the lake up the mountain for the evening. On the way, we stopped at a Mennonite farmer's market and we found the place to purchase all of the little farm animals we want for Lily which hopefully we will be ready for by next month. It would really be good for her right now since she is struggling a little more with her mind being clear.

- At the lake everyone had a really great time. Sarah didn't even mind sandy bananas and pineapple. Julie (my neighbor) has two children close to John and Sarah's age. John sees Elijah, his soccer buddy, almost every day yet they still play extremely well. They have built a house bordering the front of our property. This family is actually cousins of my sister's family (who live through the woods behind us) so my kids have cousins and extended cousins that are more like brothers and sisters.

-The rest of the weekend we plan on staying close to home. Kenny is occassionally spontaneous so we shall see. I am learning to be much more easy going these days. Six kids have a way of bringing that about.

Paul the Pitcher

Paul is turning out to be quite a pitcher for the Braves thanks to his dedicated dad who built him a pitching area in our carport. "Pitch after breakfast and after lunch but don't pitch the day of the game" were the instructions and yes the discipline is paying off. We enjoy the games much more when we know our kids are working hard to do their best. It seems to be good for a young boy to have an outlet for their endless energy. Sports and hard work make them strong and happy. Paul is a happy goofball who is learning to balance his school work with physical exercise. I'm not sure if it is possible to make him sleep sounder because he has always been a nut case when he is disturbed from sleep but I'm sure the exercise puts him to sleep a little faster.

Repeatable Quote

When you pray, better to let your heart be without words than your words without a heart. -John Bunyan , author of Pilgrim's Progress

-This was a good reminder for all of us especially when we meet for prayer in the morning before we start school. We hope the kids can understand that "life" is not in a routine but in the hearts of passion for God. He has been faithful to their heartfelt prayers and I can tell they notice. I am so thankful for the freedom to have this open relationship of encouraging our children and will be even more grateful to see them choose it for themselves.

Danika's Graduation

Don't grow up too fast John

Danika and Sarah

Her Display Table

Rebecca(mom) and Danika

Here are a few pictures for the relatives back in Mo. of our homeschooled cousin Danika's graduation. Danika is a lovely young lady who is exceptionally outgoing and who carries a smile plus a complement wherever she goes. She was voted Outstanding Student from our area and was honored at the capital for her involvement in 4H and other community services. She is hardworking and has always served the younger children in our household when she stays. When her brother was hospitalized she helped run our house and kept the fun going as we played silly card games and enjoyed late night discussions. Danny may seem full of lightheartedness but don't let that fool the observer into believing there is no depth because her family has been through hardships that have made her strong in faith causing her reactions to be more love and service.She is working full time now and is working toward finishing a little house on her parent's property. I know Rebecca and Clayton are proud of her and are happy to keep her close. Congratulations Danika!

Smallest of All

I'm sure most of you like to hear about the youngest ones since they are changing ever so fast. Joseph is scrumptiously squeezable especially around the thighs. He is more content now that he can get a hold of his pointer finger to suck (why is it that all 7 children have sucked a different finger?) He is cuddled often not only by his immediate family but by cousins, Aunt Mama Lion(her blog name), and Grandma and Grandpa next door. He is now almost 6 months old which is my favorite baby age so I am eating his sweetness up. Sarah likes him too, only she thinks he may enjoy a bite of her celery, so we have to guard our littlest from the Fireball. She's learning to share mom's lap and even gives him an ocassional kiss.

Run, John , Run

Little John (the fans call him Little Man) sure can run even though he is almost two heads shorter than his team mates. He not only runs but can really attack that soccer ball(and occasionally his opponents -though not in anger) We have all had a great time this year watching him play his first season. The older boys have played baseball so this was our first soccer season also. He scored quite a few goals, if we might brag, and if you looked hard enough you would notice a little strut afterward. He really is a loving little guy but I think his older brothers will train him to be a tough little athlete. We just have to remind him to say "we won the game" and not "I won the game" when he scores a goal.

Lily's 1st Overnighter and her Elephant art

Lily has a special friend who seems to know how to bring out the sense of kinship in our very unique daughter. Without sisters close to her age, she has needed this sweetheart in her life to enjoy the girly things. They enjoyed a walk to the creek, getting muddy and wet, making cookies and Mother's Day cards followed by an outdoor breakfast the next morning. This young lady has always been kind to and concerned for Lily. Last summer she and her family of 8 visited Lily while she was in the hospital. Lily may not always catch on when she is overlooked but she definitely notices when someone loves her like this. We are thankful.
-For those just getting to know us-Lily was born with a cell migration defect in the left ocipital lobe causing seizures and a developmental delay. In her simplicity she is easy to please especially when she can draw or sing. I am also adding a little of her computer art of mostly elephants of which she has been obsessed with for at least 6 years now. Enjoy.

Pictures from a few months back

These are pictures from 2006. It's the best we can do at the moment.

Finally Blogging

As promised, here we are. We are so glad that our long distance relatives encouraged us to do this because we will enjoy having a so called diary for our family. I only have one regret and that is that I have such an interest in others that I may find myself drinking 3 cups of coffee (along with 3 pieces of chocolate) instead of just one in the morning while I read all of our friend's links. Then our generally quiet mornings may turn into hyper mom really on the move. One reason we have avoided the internet these past few years is because of the time spent away from all the duties of running this house. I have told myself it will be an early morning priveledge. (But why is it the earlier mom rises, the earlier little feet begin to shuffle?)
Our life at this time is full of activities, especially sports for the 4 older children. The two older boys, Joshua and Paul, are in baseball. John and Lily just finished their soccer seasons. We are continually working on home improvements. Tearing down our back deck, finishing a major indoor remodeling project, and yard and driveway improvements are just some. Another goal of ours is to make our little barn/shed ready to house a small petting zoo for Lily. She loves all animals and would prefer a pet elephant more than anything. We shall see how creative our little farm may become.
I will be working this week to update you all with pictures and even a little past history. Looking forward to all this record keeping. God be near you all today.
-Lori