I can remember the day he was born. I couldn't imagine how I could love another child as much as Matthew...then I saw Brian and my heart grew instantaneously. I can't think of how else to describe the feeling -- one minute he's a total stranger and the next he's looking up at me, his brown little eyes locked onto mine, his hand grasped around my pinky finger, and I know, beyond a doubt, that there's absolutely nothing I wouldn't do for the guy.
Like his mom (whose Birthday was yesterday), he was counting down the days to his birthday for the last two months. Today, he was in our bed at 6:00am ready to get the party started (we made him wait until 7:00). He loved every minute of it, from presents this morning to triple chocolate cake tonight. Since his love language is gifts, he was in heaven -- his love tank is maxed out!
One of our traditions has been to decorate the kids doors on the eve of their Birthday while they're sleeping. We take brown paper wrapping paper and completely cover the door, taping it down, and then cover it whith a large birthday greeting surrounded by little majic marker sketches of their favorite memories from the past year. I drew a hockey player, a guy shooting a huge nerf gun (early Christmas present from grandma -- it's so big he can hardly hold it), a guy shooting a 22 rifle (with reference to camp shaminau), Annie, a skiier going over a jump (he skied for the first time last Christmas), a skateboarder, and a bible (he loves preparing for Bible Study Fellowship).
When I tucked him tonight he said that this was the best birthday ever, and that the only thing he was sad about is that he has to wait a whole year for the next one. And we didn't even have a bounce house!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Friday, March 21, 2008
It's 3:15 on Good Friday and everyone is home--what a blessing it is! Tonight we will decorate our eggs and remind the boys that we will do our egg smashing contest on Easeter Sunday--one person says "He is risen!", the other says, "He is risen, indeed!" then the two of you point one end of your egg at each other and go for it! The last person at the table with one end of their egg in tact wins!
I am so thankful for the time we have with our kids to teach them about Jesus Christ. Even at their young ages, they have deep faith in him. They know that God is always with them, that he is all powerful and that only by believing in His death and resurrection can they spend eternity with him. Even Kelly is learning--she calls Jesus: "Je-Je" and squints her eyes almost shut with a big grin when it's time to pray.
I've been thinking a lot today about the Good Friday service at my church growing up--it was a Tenebrae service and as each scripture was read one candle was extinguished until the sanctuary was dark. After a few minutes of silence the Bible was SLAMMED (to represent Christ's death), jolting you from your seat, even though you new it was coming.
The past few months as Ben and I have watched friends experience deep loss and as we have grieved with them, I think of how the disciples grieved when their friend (who probably seemed more like a brother) suffered and then died in front of them.
And then, in the midst of their very real, very raw grief, he came back to life! Hallelujah what a Savior!
I am so thankful for the time we have with our kids to teach them about Jesus Christ. Even at their young ages, they have deep faith in him. They know that God is always with them, that he is all powerful and that only by believing in His death and resurrection can they spend eternity with him. Even Kelly is learning--she calls Jesus: "Je-Je" and squints her eyes almost shut with a big grin when it's time to pray.
I've been thinking a lot today about the Good Friday service at my church growing up--it was a Tenebrae service and as each scripture was read one candle was extinguished until the sanctuary was dark. After a few minutes of silence the Bible was SLAMMED (to represent Christ's death), jolting you from your seat, even though you new it was coming.
The past few months as Ben and I have watched friends experience deep loss and as we have grieved with them, I think of how the disciples grieved when their friend (who probably seemed more like a brother) suffered and then died in front of them.
And then, in the midst of their very real, very raw grief, he came back to life! Hallelujah what a Savior!
Monday, February 4, 2008
Ben should maybe get his own blog
The best way to clean the microwave: Fill large pyrex 1/2 way with water & 2 lemons, quartered. Microwave 10 minutes. Wipe down microwave with paper towel.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Matthew's skiing foray
As part of his birthday present, Ben took Matthew skiing today. According to Ben they went down all of the runs (even black diamond) and Matthew had a blast! This was Matthew's first time on skis and he couldn't get enough. He would only allow Ben a 15 minute lunch break! They went in a few times to warm up, but they spent most of their time on the slopes...about 35 times down the hill. He even mastered the chairlift (though it ran him over once). Wish we had a photo from the day!
While they were away, I worked with Brian on learning his letters (he thinks "Z" is the easiest one to remember), and baked cookies for Ben's work. Chocolate Truffles. Maybe I should post that recipe!
Ben and I agree that one of the funniest parts of the day was hearing Brian's rendition of Jesus feeding the 5000 (Sunday School lesson today)--"He used (his pronunication 'usid') the bread and the fish and EVEN he had left overs!" He definitely has his own speaking style!
The second highlight of the weekend was debunking the bunk beds...Matthew and Brian are back in seperate rooms! Ben and I tend to learn the hard way--but at least we learn eventually!
While they were away, I worked with Brian on learning his letters (he thinks "Z" is the easiest one to remember), and baked cookies for Ben's work. Chocolate Truffles. Maybe I should post that recipe!
Ben and I agree that one of the funniest parts of the day was hearing Brian's rendition of Jesus feeding the 5000 (Sunday School lesson today)--"He used (his pronunication 'usid') the bread and the fish and EVEN he had left overs!" He definitely has his own speaking style!
The second highlight of the weekend was debunking the bunk beds...Matthew and Brian are back in seperate rooms! Ben and I tend to learn the hard way--but at least we learn eventually!
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