Thea Belle on the Rocking Chair

 

 

So Sweet...

Brad came around the corner to start putting the boys to bed and this is what he found...Oh, perfect...

Hmmm....

He wears these boots most of the time. And he put the hat on himself too...Yep.

More Attempts at a Picture of Deke & Thea Together....

Hmmm....

Well, Dietrich looks...dangerous but Thea still not sure...

Poor Thea....

Swimming Holes & Snow Storms

This week the boys and I set up a card table and made a woodland tent. Then I packed the boys flash lights and paper bag lunches, found some forest noises soundtracks on Rhapsody (looped it) and then sent the boys with a map to hike out to their camping site. After we picnicked on a blanket on the floor of the woods, the boys came looking for me to help them get their swimsuits on. Apparently a cool dark pool had been discovered by their campsite and there commenced an hour of jumping and swimming. (Later Brad pointed out how bad this was for the card table, but at the time, it seemed like not only a fun way to spend an hour, but allowed me to get the kitchen cleaned up and make some headway on the laundry pile (-:). My favorite part of this entire expedition was that Lincoln was included in all of it and nary a fight ensued for a few hours -- miraculous.

Meanwhile -- this is what is looked like outside. Our second magnificent snow storm of the winter. I am so so so thankful for my husband who faithfully digs us out all winter, and keeps the sidewalks clear and, this time, even dug the van out of the garage, moving it around to the front (which required 45 minutes of digging and shoving with the help of two garbage truck guys -- who eventually gave up and went on their way -- thank you, though! -- and a neighbor down the street). He is my hero (for this reason and so many others (-:)

Lincoln loves it outside...what a trooper! (Though he, and all the boys, did come up to the door to get snow out of their collars or have their gloves re-applied, etc. a few times -- They are getting better and better at staying outside to play for awhile -- especially! if their dad is out there with them (-:)

Mama! Help!

And then back out to play...

Look at that smile on Brad...oh, I love him so much!

Snow in his boots -- not so happy...

Time to come in to warm up...

Hot Chocolate....

 

Grandpa Tom Comes for a Visit!

 

Broken...

This happened a few weeks ago. Dietrich and Lincoln did this. I was upstairs putting Thea Belle down for a nap. I can't remember what Atticus was doing. I do remember that I was sick with sadness and frustration (i.e. plain old vanilla "anger"). Now I see that it was part of God's plan to build the levels of chaos to such heights and depths that I was unable to endure it any longer. I finally imploded. But instead of ending up in a psych ward or becoming a runaway wife/mother, God miraculously brought everything He has been trying to teach me, work in me for the last 37 years all together into this cumulative catalytic point and I finally feel a kind of peace that I have longed for, sought for a very long time. Not that numb kind of apathy that sometimes takes over when you just can't stand things any more. Not a hopeless sort of anger. A glorious throne on high from the beginning is the place of my sanctuary. -- one of my favorite verses (it's Jeremiah 17:12) and one of my favorite sermons of all time (from G.Campbell Morgan). This is all good. The chaos is part of the story. And I don't know what God has planned for my children. And I don't exactly know if I am doing this right -- parenting, wife-ing, keeping a home, loving the other people in my life -- but I am working diligently and with all my might asking for wisdom to do this well. God is faithful. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 Not sure what the harvest will be, but I will rest in God's kingship, His wisdom, His goodness. 

 

And...it's just a plant and some dirt...