She will move mountains

Growing

Loving

Sleeping

Teething

Playing

(Ear) Tubing

Giggling

Munching

Sight-seeing

Coloring while waiting

Pretending

Relaxing

Learning

Wintering

Happy 5th birthday to our lovely Eleanor Lee!

The years have gone quickly with you and I can't believe how you have grown.

You are full of spunk, life, laughter, love, a sensitive heart, a mothering touch, a strong will, a free spirit, and lots of fun.  

We are so very blessed to have you and look forward to watching you continue to grow over the years. 

Your name means "light" and we pray you will be a light shining for the Lord in an often dark world.

We love you dearly, Peanut!

That's right, Jane

Praying Circles

I have tried to read a couple Mark Batterson books in the past.  A few years ago, I picked up "In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day" and got a few pages in.  A couple years ago I tried to read "Radical" and was enjoying it a few a pages in.  I never made it far into either of them.  No offense, Mr. Batterson, if you ever happen to read this.  I think I probably abandoned them for novels I could lose myself in during my brief moments of Mommy-Free-Time. 
Had "The Circle Maker" not come recommended to me by a close friend, and then by my mom, I wouldn't have even picked it up.  I am SO GLAD I did!  It took me about a week to read it.  I was doing so much underlining and jotting notes in the margins, that it took me longer than usual to read a book.  I also didn't want to rush through it but really soak in the words I was reading. 
There were so many verses and stories that really spoke to my heart and I think that last week was the perfect time for me to read this.  I won't give details because I think you should go out and read it yourself.  You won't be disappointed.  

Mumblings on a Monday

I took last week off blogging since we had our own version of Spring Break.  I spent the week making changes to our homeschool schedule and laying out the next two months.  I really want to finish the year strong and I'm excited about what we have planned.

Ellie went to my parents' house to visit for the weekend.  Our household was very mellow and quiet, even with 3 boys.  She is definitely the joie de vivre of our home.

God is up to a lot here.  I'm not ready to share details yet, but I will just say that we are continuing to grow and be stretched.  Through it all, God is good and is showing us ways that He remains our true Provider, Jehovah Jireh.  Thank You, Lord.

I finished a book over the weekend called "The Circle Maker" by Mark Batterson.  It was a great read and I would highly, highly recommend it.  We're circling some prayers and dreams like Jericho here.

Last week, Tim and I watched a BBC production called "North and South."  It was set during the Industrial Revolution in England.  I wish during high school and college I had the appreciation for history that I do now.  Tonight we are starting another one called "Wives and Daughters."

We have some friends who have chickens and are selling eggs.  We've started buying our eggs from them because the price is good and we can actually see the chickens and their environment.  We stopped at their house this afternoon to check out the addition they're putting on the house.  They have a son who is the same age as Noah and he enjoyed showing Noah the chickens.  They spent a good portion of our visit holding the new chicks they recently purchased.  We came home with some farm fresh eggs that their son had gathered while we were there.  Can I just say I love buying my food like that?  I do.

It was a good, rest-filled weekend overall...always a nice way to start the week. 

A New Season Coming

"For behold, the winter is past;

the rain is over and gone.

The flowers appear on the earth,

the time of singing has come,

and the voice of the turtledove

is heard in our land."

~Song of Solomon 2:11-12

Happy birthday, Little Man

 It was a tough pregnancy and labor before we were blessed 

to hold you in our arms.

 You seemed to wear a concerned look on your face for awhile.

Daddy and I could understand...you did enter a crazy household.

 There's that worried look again.

 Your first camping trip was when you were 2 1/2 months old.  

We haven't been camping since...not because of you, though. You were great.

 You fit right in.  

 You were Mommy's Little Man...

 and our little Dapper Dan Man.

 The sweet tooth began with cake on your 1st birthday and hasn't left since.

 You liked walks in your stroller.

 And you became Daddy's buddy.

 You had to be in physical therapy and didn't walk until you were 18 months.

And then you ran.

 Daddy and I have always had a soft spot in our hearts for you.

 You love to notice everything.

 And you love to make us laugh by being silly.

 You still tend to wear a concerned look on your face, although you hold your own

against your siblings.

Happy 3rd birthday, Caleb James!

You are a sweet blessing to our lives 

and

WE LOVE YOU

SO MUCH!

He is Risen!

Happy Easter!

Ninja Noah

Beware of lightning fast and stealthy ninjas on Saturdays.

Forgiveness on Friday

I feel like I haven't taken much time this week to reflect on the fact it's Holy Week.  Usually the kids and I are reading in The Jesus Storybook Bible about the events leading up to the crucifixion and Resurrection.  I don't know if it's because we've been so busy or what, but our readings have not been happening this time around.  Last night, I went to look for that Bible and don't even know where it has ended up!  I grabbed Noah's Bible instead and we ended up reading and discussing Maundy Thursday and what we take special time to remember over the next few days.
It is weeks like this one that make me so thankful for forgiveness, for grace, for mercy.  At times when I feel I just need a break and time away, I've been reminded that Jesus did not run from the cross.  He died for everyone.  Whether people choose to accept His Way as the only way, or not, He died to give them the opportunity to spend an eternity in Heaven.  I believe He longs for us all to be with Him...but only through belief and acceptance of Him.  No other way, no other god, no other belief can get one to Heaven.

John 14:6
"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.'"

We are living in a time where people, including some pastors, are starting to blur the lines of who can get into Heaven and how.  Basically, you can believe what you want and make it in because who am I to tell you you're wrong?  That would be offensive.  And we are to love people.  Loving people means not stepping on toes, right?

Matthew 7:14
"For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few."

I think it would be like a slap in the face, another beating from a whip, another thorn pressed into the head of a Savior who died - DIED - took our place, so that we may spend eternity with Him.  He tore the veil. 

He extended forgiveness.  I know I sin more than I wish I did.  Still he forgives me when I seek it earnestly.

Grace.  He is giving us a gift that we do not deserve.

Mercy.  He wants to save us from an eternity we do deserve so that we can be with Him.

He became a sacrificial lamb and shame on me if I throw what He did out the window and say it doesn't matter in the end because I'll just get to Heaven the way I want to.

Lord, forgive me when I am prideful and think I can control my own life.  Thank you, THANK YOU, for this Friday...this day you took my place and showed me a love like no one else can.  You are holy.  You are pure.  You love me and I will forever be grateful.  

A Yummy Field Trip

We had the opportunity to visit the maple syrup farm of some family friends in Charlevoix.  Thankfully, our timing turned out perfectly, as there had been an unexpected warm day earlier in the week to cause the sap to run.  They were making syrup on the Saturday we visited. If you'd like to purchase some delicious syrup, check out www.curreyfarms.com and order some!  Maybe you'll even get a batch that we got to watch the process on.  :)

 Heading out to the sugar shack

 Just a couple of the thousands of trees that they tap

 Who wouldn't want to live with a view like this??

 The sugar shack

 Grandpa and Zeke

 Art checks the temperature of the sap/syrup

 Checking against other samples to figure out what grade it is

 Noah eyes the samples, waiting patiently

Bottling syrup

THANK YOU to Art and Jan Currey for allowing us to visit your maple syrup farm and providing us with a great day!