Girls Day Out

Deceiving title, isn't it! After all, coming from me, you would expect

to see pictures of, well, MY buddies. Nope. That

wouldn't be exciting enough to document on film,

nor post on my blog. THIS, however, was

monumental! It took me about 15 minutes

to get them all buckled in! (mostly because

the three boosters were too close in the back

and it was rather impossible but I had a will.

And the seat belts knew better than to defy me...)

So here we are, all smiling! Well... 4 out of 5? I'll take it!

Take 2. This is a more accurate capture.

In 5 letters- chaos. Controlled chaos, and who wouldn't

prefer that to dead silence 24/7? (I added that last phrase

because I know better.. I have moments where dead silence

is rare and beautiful. And never long enough.) ;)

And our final pose-

Driving past the turkey barns with the windows open.

That's enough to make anyone plug their nose:)

Dedicated to my Bros

You wouldn't know it, but I dearly love my brothers.

Its a rather quiet, unspoken kind of love.

The relationship consists of me telling them that I love them and

think they are Amazing. (cuz they are)

I *know* they love me back, but like I said... its an unspoken love.

We would all defend one another in a heartbeat, and man I would

give everything to take away their hardships.

But in the day-to-day hustle and bustle of life, you sort of forget

that you possess this undying, defensive love for one another.

It usually starts when they leave their glass of half-empty milk sit

it some remote place where its bound to remain for another week.

It follows with a plate which doesn't quite make it into the sink, but

instead finds a home on a precarious ledge next to the sink. Not in,

but on. That's not what bugs me, its the fact that the food gets crusted

on. I hate crusty dishes. And sometimes I just can't be there to rinse

it off right away. I have long arms, but they can't stretch across the

house. ;)

Sometimes I can't help but wonder... How do you forget to flush the

toilet?? Honestly?!

Honestly, we get along fine. I cringe inwardly at their less-than-polite

manners... Sometimes I might slip with a comment like, "So, do you

have sink-phobia?" "Does the loud flushing of the toilet scare you?" "Is

the faucet not working?" ;)

I just finished mopping the floor today. The smell of clean was in the air

(and in my nostrils. permanently.) and the floor gleamed like never

before. No quicker did it dry, then in walks my awesome brother, who

I love dearly. I really do, no sarcasm there. He is hard-working,

thoughtful, a great husband and father, and honest.

On second thought, let me correct that-

No quicker did it dry, then in walks my awesome brother, who just

happens to be wearing his crusty work clothes and work boots.

I watched in silent dismay as he "tip toes" in his clunker boots

to the fridge for something to eat. He's roaming through the cupboards

when I couldn't help but calmly but sorrowfully say, "Your boots...

on my freshly mopped floor...."

Now maybe my assumptions are off. But I assume that *most* men

will shrug it off or say something callous.

But my awesome brother whips his head down as he realizes that yes,

he is wearing his work boots in the house. "You just mopped?" he asks.

"Ye-ah..."

"Oh man, I didn't even think about the dirt on my shoes. Shoot.

I'm sorry."

He said it all so genuinely and concern was written all over his face as he

eyeballed the floor for debris.

How can you be upset with THAT reaction?!

Tell me!!! Its not possible!!!

They're just plain awesome. I love my brothers!!!!!

If I were a marriage expert, I would mention how important it is to react

calmly and have a forgiving heart. ... and not to let petty little habits cause contempt between yourselves...

I would also mention how a soft answer turns away wrath.

I might even suggest that men can make a definite impression of masculinity (and chivarly!!)

when they react genuinely, with concern, and are truly repentant. Even if they had

a great reason for having to keep their shoes on. Like, "Listen, I was on the verge of collapse and would have blacked out any second if I hadn't rushed in here to eat some cheese!" :)

But since I'm not a marriage expert... I just won't say any of those things. ;)

Wilting Daffodils

"Aunt Laura, what is that thing?"

Eva points to a dead flower petal; so dead, in fact, that it would disintegrate if one touched it.

I sat there and explained away the facts of life.

"Flowers die, Eva."
To which she smartly replies, "I know Aunt Laura."

Oh yeah... Silly me, I forgot that you know everything already;)

I continued on with my little biology lesson. I explained that flowers grow in the dirt, but they grow because they are connected to roots. Once they are cut off from their roots, they stop getting the nutrients they need. Without the nutrients (yes that means vitamins) they need from the soil and roots, they shrivel up and die.

Then it hit me. That is just like us. Without our roots (the Lord Jesus Himself) and without the soil surrounding us (God's Word), we shrivel up and die. We need Him. We need His Word.

All I could think about was John 15. (I never remembered to check and make sure that's the right chapter... you've been warned!)

I am the Vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit. (or... flower petals...)

Most days consist of the usual daily activities: Eating breakfast, getting dressed, making our bed, playing with toys, some sort of coloring, workbook or flashcard activity, and learning how to get along with and serve one another. But on special days like today.... you will find us doing something quite out of the ordinaire: (see below)

I know we live on a farm, but.... TRACTOR!!!

This event was so special that we moved aside

the entire play kitchen just so we could get a

complete close-up. About every five seconds or

so, Kailey excitedly yells, "TA-TO" .... or .....

something sounding like that. 100% country!!!

Moments in Time

I'm standing in the kitchen, beholding the most precious sight... I'm watching out the window as Eva is teaching Kailey how to pedal her tricycle. I hear nothing, of course, but I watch as Eva patiently keeps putting Kailey's feet on the pedals... I watch her slowly pulling the tricycle forward and bobbing her head in encouragement. I watch her straighten up and point to different places around them. Probably explaining that she needs to stay on the driveway, stay away from the highway, and get into the grass if a truck comes down the lane. I think Kailey is in no danger of getting near the highway... the only progress she makes is to inch backwards! Yet Eva remains at her side, encouraging her to keep trying. What 4-year-old wouldn't rather be playing instead of teaching a 1-year-old to pedal a tricycle! I am sure Eva felt the same way, yet her love for her sister kept her near her. In that moment, my eyes started to water... how sweet and adorable are they when they are getting along! How precious are the moments when they pull alongside one another and learn about life from the other. The bond of siblings can only be strengthened when they spend time together, ever thought of that? I am so glad Eva and Kailey spend most of their time together. I am glad they are learning to be each other's best friends. I hope they cultivate their bond as sisters so that nothing will tear them apart when they grow up and go their own ways.

I couldn't help but be aware of the fact that I had no sister when I was growing up...

But what about my present circumstances? I am surrounded by wonderful and amazing sisters in Christ! Do I give up what I'd rather be doing to pull alongside and encourage them? Am I patiently teaching them? Do I praise them for trying, even though they only end up going backwards? These are the moments in time when I am reminded, "Be ye holy, as I am holy".