A December Day

Painting homemade Christmas cards

The not so perfect Family Day.

Last year we got a groupon to a fabulous family park about an hour and a half away - Davis Farmland.  We took the kids on a hot, humid day that ended in thunder-storms.  They loved it; we loved it - it was a great day.

So this year, I had kept my eye open for another coupon because it is pretty pricey (for us!).  We got another 50% off one and headed out a few weeks later.  The weather was very similar to the year before - hot, hazy, humid with threatening thunder-showers.  But, that's about where the similarities end.  

I LOVE family days.  I LOVE traditions.  I LOVE quality time and making memories.  But this day started all wrong from the very beginning.  We weren't out the door till 10am and then we had 3 stops to make before actually "starting".  Once we were about 15 miles away, I realized I left all the kids water bottles I had chilling in the freezer, in the freezer!  Now, I don't know about other kids, but my kids drink water.  I mean - all.day.long.  Constantly.  And they freak and throw tantrums about not having their water.  

So, other families might stop and buy bottles of water or just buy drinks there.  But no, this family packs snacks and lunches so there is no extra expense.  This mother knows that if we buy one water bottle we must buy 3 water bottles and 1 if not 2 water bottles will end up spilled all over 1 or 2 children.  Just not worth it to me.

BUT, at about 30 minutes in while they are eating their packed snack of peanut butter crackers (I know, who doesn't want water with their peanut butter crackers?) and they realized mommy has no water for them, all kinds of craziness erupts.  

So.  when we pull in 2 hrs. later, someone is still upset that we have no water.  (At this point, Justin has purchased a gallon of water at a gas station when we gassed up, but guess what?  yup, no cups.)  It's hot and sticky outside.  We're already sweating.  Samuel is throwing a fit and arching his body cause he doesn't want to go in the stroller and someone else has to pee.

The day pretty much continues like this off and on with someone remembering they're thirsty (we did find one sippy cup in the back of the van that the 2 littles "share" (ha ha! not willingly) and J and I's 2 coffee mugs are washed to use too.  Then someone is sweating or someone wants to go in the jumpy cow but someone else wants to have their face painted.  Meanwhile, Justin and I are just SO HOT.  

We decide it must be time to eat and find a little shade to sit in while we pull out our loaf of bread, jar of PB and jar of honey (yes, I didn't even pre-make the sandwiches), our apples and newly purchased pampered chef apple corer/slicer.  Earlier in the day we were warned by a panicked father to NOT go near the playground because his son had been stung there and he was telling everyone of the dangers.  Justin looks at me like - it's summer.  There are bees.  People get stung.  Get over it.  But then, guess what?  Yes, Sam has taken off his shoes while I am making sandwiches and steps on a bee.  

He's crying.  Eli's crying cause she wants more and no one is listening to her.  Addison's worried about more bees.  I'm sweating.

Then, I go to slice the apples while balancing the slicer and apple on my legs (not recommended) and cannot get it to slice all the way through.  So what do I do?  Turn it upside down and push with my fingers toward the blade, something explicitly warned not to do in the instructions, and proceed to slice the top part of skin off my thumb.  Blood comes pouring out of my finger and down my hands as I calmly tell Justin - I think you need to find one of those first aid boxes.

Anyway, the day pretty much proceeds as such with the kids only sleeping about 30 min. in the car on the way home and having pretty much total meltdowns before they get in bed that night at 9pm (because, oh yes, did I mention we went straight to their VBS program that went from 6-8pm?)  Yup.

So, as much as I love family days and quality time and making memories, this was one I wanted to cry about (and think I actually did).  Justin reminded me several times on the way home that the kids had fun, at least we think they did.

on the safari

checking out the turtle

...and the goose

Eli's the size of a mini horse - who knew?

brothers

A New Birth - A New Celebration

There is a new birthdate marked on our calendars to remember and celebrate year after year.  February 26.

On Sunday, February 26, 2012, Addison Christian Frank joined the family millions strong.  He gave his heart to someone else and began a journey he will forever mark from that moment forward.  That moment he sat on the kitchen bench with Justin next to him and Eli across from him; myself standing near and trying to join in as well as keep a screaming, sick with pneumonia, Samuel, quiet for just a moment.  He will remember that moment as his father and I both remember our moments we experienced at the same age.

"Do you hear God speaking in your heart, Mom?"
"I want to live forever with Him."

"He died for our sins."
"I sin sometimes..."

"He came back from the dead so we can live with Him."

We've never pushed, we've never questioned.  We prayed.  I've often wondered when it would happen. 5?  7?  11?  And in that moment a part of me wanted to put him off.  Tell him, let's wait till you're a little older.  A bit more sure.

But Why?  What am I scared of?  Why am I making this about me and not about his little child's heart of faith.

"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."    2 Timothy 3:14-15, ESV 

“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."   Matthew 18:2

“Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.Mark 10:13

The never ending road of discipleship lies ahead.  God has done this work in him and I must trust that He will see it through to completion.  

June 17th Garden

We have just had perfect weather for some crazy growing!! The box in the back is the fabulous one Justin made me. I have broccoli, small bunching onions, 2 types of lettuce, swiss chard and cosmos growing in it. After I took this picture, I thinned out the broccoli, giving away 2 plants and planting 5 down along the front of the parsonage. We have 5 left growing!

In the pots I have 2 tomato plants and one red pepper plant with some lettuce and marigolds planted in each.

For herbs (in the small planters by the grill) there is chive, oregano, basil, nasturtiums, parsely, plus a portulaci and pansie.

In the last picture, the closest pot holds soy beans, onions and nasturtiums and the pot in the back has nasturtiums and pole beans.

I'm growing 3 types of lettuce - Black Seeded Simpson, Lollo Rosso and Looseleaf Blend. I harvested all the spinach after the picture was taken as you can see it was about ready to bolt. The broccoli head is forming as is a little pepper!

I've got a thing for trees

I think that I shall never see
A poem as lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast.
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lives her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

Joyce Kilmer

Spring in Virginia

Click here to see larger pictures.

Addison and I were able to go to Virginia about a month ago. It was such a wonderful time of being with my mom and dad, seeing my sisters and a few nieces. We hadn't yet been experiencing spring in Massachusetts so I was just overwhelmed by the color and beauty that surrounded me there as we drove around.

One day we drove out to see the Natural Bridge. This bridge of rock is higher than Niagra Falls and one of the seven natural wonders of the world. It was gorgeous there and just a beautiful day to be out in the country.


We were able to be there for my youngest niece's prom. Addison got his first t-ball set from gram and papa. Addison experienced his first quarter ride at the mall - actually he experieced about 5 of them since Aunt Debbie is a softy! And we went to a great children's museum one day - I'm not sure which one of us four had more fun!

(Sorry that the picture is sideways, but I just couldn't resist this video.)

Addison had a great time in the music roo, switching between piano playing and drumming.