Our Children

I am going off a bit from "catching up" on my blog to write a little bit of what I'm feeling today.  With the shooting and killings of so many of God's babies this last week, my heart has been full, and my emotions near the surface.  I have definantly taken a step back to remember what is most important in my life.  I had been so busy with Christmas preparation, that it was easy to put my family on the back burner.  But not this weekend, and not today, and hopefully not tomorrow or the next day.  Our little boys like to fall asleep in bed with us.  Sometimes we let them, then we carry them to their own beds.  Only to find them snuggled in our bed or on our floor next to the bed when we wake up in the morning.  This weekend they have fallen asleep in our bed, and I have left them there.  I don't mind hearing their breathing in my ear, or having their arms draped around me.  I am just so grateful that they are still here with me.  So many mommies and daddies don't get that privilege after Fridays shootings.  

Before Jarin left to school, I hugged him every chance I could.  I sat with him and we colored Christmas pictures.  Those dishes and the messes can wait.  But how do I really know that my babies will come home to me every day?  I don't. 

I just sent Jarin out the door to catch the bus.  I watched him for every second I could as he turned the corner out of sight.  It was a lot harder for me than I expected it would be to let him go to school today.   I wasn't here when Brayden and Emilie walked out the door.  Maybe that was a good thing, because sending three out the door with my emotions so close to the surface, may have been too much today!

I am sure that as time goes on, that these emotions that are so near the surface right now, will become buried in the hustle and bustle of life again.  But I hope that at least a part of it will stay on the surface for many years to come.  On those days of frustration and fatigue with the day to day events of raising children, I hope that I will not forget the feelings I feel now of loving them a little deeper, and taking the time to hold them a little tighter for a little longer.

I look at the piles of unwrapped gifts I have bought for our family this year.  Things that I thought were "needs", some "wants".  But now when I look at it, it's all just "stuff".  All we really need is each other and our faith in God and Jesus Christ.  

I read this poem on facebook, and really liked it.  I am so grateful for my knowledge of my Savior and that death isn't the end, it is just a new chapter in our journey.

twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.
their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
they were filled wit

h such joy, they didn't know what to say.
they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
"where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
"this is heaven." declared a small boy. "we're spending Christmas at God's house."
when what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
those children all flew into the arms of their King
and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.
and as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."
then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe
then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"
"may this country be delivered from the hands of fools"
"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"
then He and the children stood up without a sound.
"come now my children, let me show you around."
excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
and i heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
"in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

Written by Cameo Smith, Mt. Wolf, PA

Getting Involved

I love to see our kids get involved in things.  I love to watch them as they discover new things about themselves - their likes and dislikes.  I love to watch them as the light bulb turns on and they "get" somethings.  I especially love to see the smile on their faces as they are participating and loving their new-found activity, and building self confidence along the way.

This year has had a few new-found activities.  Jarin played flag football for the first time.  He had lots of fun running around the field trying to pull of flags.  (See the boy in brown with the big smile, running right to Jarin?  He is a friend of his, and he just kept chasing Jarin the whole game - and jumping on his back.  It was so funny, and fun to watch as they would both fall to the ground in a giggling heap).

He especially had fun just being a kid with his friends.

Emilie tried Volleyball for the first time.  When we got to her first game (she had to miss the first and only practice).  I asked her if she had any idea what to do.  She said, "ya, I watched it on the olympics".  So she had the basic concept down from watching TV, but we still walked through some of the rules.  She got out there and just pounded the ball.  That girl isn't afraid of anything.  She really likes the sport and is pretty good at it too.

Emilie also joined the Orchestra this year, playing violin.  She has really liked this too. I'm glad to see her enjoying a musical instrument.  Piano just wasn't her thing.  

Birthdays

Happy Birthday 2012! 

 Jarin turned 7

He got a new bike without training wheels!

Jarin wanted his jungle toys on his cake.  I reluctantly said OK, but had to scrub the things first! :)

Kamdens turned 4, his birthday is 7-11.  So free slurpees for his birthday!  Can't beat that.  His cousins came over and we had a water party with slurpees.

Grandma & Grandpa

He couldn't decide which flavor of pudding cake he wanted, and we had lots of cousins over - so we made it big and half and half (chocolate and lemon).

Brayden turned 16 (SERIOUSLY!!???)  So strange that he is that old.  He got his first cell phone.  Since he's old enough to drive (scary!), we decided it would be OK for him to have a phone.  I have to admit, I have really liked him having it.  It's a great way to keep in touch with him throughout the day.

I haven't had a picture of these two showing any form of tolerance for each other in quite a few years.  So this picture is a treasure to me.  I guess miracles happen on birthdays!

Emilie turned 12.  She gets to go to Young Womens at church - EXCITING!  She got to have a birthday party with girlfriends.  It was a "peace sign" party.  I think it was a big hit with a bunch of pre-teen girls.

 Her gift was a bedroom makeover.  She got it painted and a new bed and bedspread, and new decorations.  She loves it.  I had hoped it would motivate her to keep it clean.  I guess miracles THAT big don't happen even on birthdays! ha ha

Richfield

Richfield, Utah

This is our second year to go on this 4-wheeling trip with this group of heathens!  ha ha.  We go to Moab every spring with them, and that just wasn't enough.  So we added Richfield in the fall.  It's still not enough, but it will have to do for now! Some of the couples go to just one of the trips with us - but the Petersens, Douglas's and us are the die-hard 4-wheelers who go in both the spring and fall trips.  We have really come to love them, and we have a really great time together.  This is the first trip we have ever been on together where the weather cooperated.  It was almost too good to be true!  We have froze on every trip, and this one was just pleasantly beautiful.  It was perfectly perfect.  

We love these two, Marilyn and Roger Douglas.  Some people don't have to be blood relatives to be considered family.  We feel blessed to have found our way into their lives, and them into our hearts.    

And these two, LuAnn and Sheridan Peterson.  They are such a fun couple, and we have come to love and adore them as well.  Oh the laughs we have had with them.....priceless!

This is the biggest group we have ever had on one of our trips.  So.Much.Fun!!

Douglas's, Petersons, Crawfords, Drifty & Krista Crossley, Jen & Bryce Douglas

I think if Roger had to chose between his Dr. Pepper and his family - he'd chose the Dr.  Just kidding - but it would be a hard choice!! :)

Crossleys

Hold on Drifty!

We think we're prepared for about anything in the back woods - even flat tires.  But not for this one.  The stem of the tire broke.  So we got to take it easy going back, and enjoy the scenery a bit more.  That's not such a bad thing.  It was actually very relaxing.

But taking it easy and repumping the tire over and over wasn't doing the trick.  Ira and the other guys headed back and switched tires and brought a new one back for the broken one.  

Drifty is pretty much impossible to get a picture of.  So Sheridan posed with Krista since Drifty wouldn't.  Finally he agreed, and this was the best I got.  Him with a mouth full of sesame seeds.  Oh well, now he will go down in history like that.  ha ha

We have been on many beautiful rides.  But this weekends rides was on the top of the list.  It was just so beautiful with all the colors, the fresh fall air, the fun friends and family.  It was wonderful and I can't wait to go again.