Dem bones, dem bones, dem .... broken bones

Tonight I am counting it a wonderful blessing that right now, none of my children have a broken bone. Just today, I was playing in the basement with Luke and Caroline and I found myself being so overprotective of their every move. "Watch out!" "Don't run!" "Don't do that or you might break your arm!" Yikes!! I guess one wouldn't blame me for being overly cautious. When Jake was three, he fell off of a slide and completely broke his collar bone. Then last year he broke two of his toes simply running into his bedroom. Then he broke his elbow (radial head) jumping off of a swing (one week before he was supposed to play in the all-star game for baseball). A couple months after getting out of his cast, he broke his radius and ulna galloping backwards in gym class! (he kind of wishes that he could say that he broke his bones while playing a cool sport) Anyway... then there is poor Caroline who was trying to keep up with Jake on her bike with training wheels. I guess going downhill (fast) and around a corner with training wheels is not really a good idea. The bones are all healed now, but I still have some battle scars of worry and fear. I will never forget when Jake was in the hospital the first time after breaking his arm he kept telling me that God had a purpose for it. Even after he realized that he was not going to be able to play in the all-star game, which was incredibly important to him, he looked at me with tears in his eyes and said, "God has a reason for this, and I am going to make the best of it!" I wish I could be more like Jake. I would like to keep my kids with me at all times wrapped in bubble wrap, but I know that would not benefit them! I am working on trusting the Lord to protect them.

Psalm 56:3 When I am afraid, I will trust in you.

This is what Caroline's poor arm looked like before the doctor put the pins in. : (

Secret Shopper

Last night, one of my tutoring kids did not show up at the library. So I decided to run to the grocery store for a few minutes until my next kid came. I always treasure every second I can get ALONE at a store! (It was a nice little excursion except the second I set foot on the parking lot, the ice got the better of me and now I have two bruised knees, a sore neck, and a sprained thumb.) Anyway... this morning I put some of the cereal I bought on the table and Jake looked at me in disbelief and said, "When did you go to the store?!" I found myself actually trying to explain how I managed to find a second of time to myself. He seemed to buy my story. Then later that morning when Luke came down for breakfast, I pulled out one of the new drinks that I had bought the night before. "Where did you get that?!" he asked. Again, I found myself hemming and hawing........ I guess I need to get out by myself more, don't I?

Unexpected Blessing

Those of you who know me well, know that I LOVE snow. I can't get enough of it! I think that everything looks so beautiful and new after a fresh snowfall. There always seems to be an excitement in the air whenever it snows ... neighbors come out of their winter hibernation to shovel their driveways and kids get their hopes all up about the possibility of a snow day. All the dirty, yucky grass gets covered with a fresh white blanket and everything seems well with my soul when it snows ... I told you I have a thing for snow. Anyway ... when the kids were getting ready for school today, huge snowflakes started falling and they fell for quite a while. I had no idea it was supposed to snow. I turned on the news and the weatherman reported that the snow would probably evaporate before it hit the ground. I love that it made it all the way to the ground. What an unexpected blessing for me today ... I love snow.

Luke

Today I was very sad to see Jake and Caroline go back to school, but I still have Luke!! I'm thankful for Luke today!!! Here are some pictures of his great smile.

Proverbs 15:13a (The Message)
A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face.

Bulls and Brownies

Tonight, Jake is very tired because he just got home from the Bulls game. (11:30pm) Cousin Jack went, too! Unfortunately, the Bulls did not win, but that's OK. It was fun anyway!!

And Caroline made some delicious brownie muffins ........ want a taste?

Luke is feeling much better. Still coughing a lot, though.

Sweet Sleep

Proverbs 3:24

"when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet."

I hope you all have sweet sleep tonight!

Highlights of 2008

Since I just started blogging, I would like to share some highlights from the year 2008. Stick with me... it's a long blog!!

In January, we welcomed with great joy Diane and Colin's baby, Caleb.

In February, we had our traditional Valentine's Day supper and ....

... Jake had a solo in the school musical. He played the part of the man who wrote "It is Well with my Soul", which he sang beautifully.

In March, we celebrated Easter.

In April, we went with Diane and Colin in their RV down to Tennessee to "rough it" in the Smoky Mountains. We stayed at a Jellystone campground and visited Gatlinburg. The kids' favorite part was visiting Ripley's Aquarium.

Cousin Jodi and her husband, Mark, were able to come and see us in Gatlinburg.

In May, I went to my best friend from high school's baby shower. She had a beautiful baby girl, Abigail. (miss you, Stace!!)

In June (the day before the last day of school) Jake broke his arm jumping off a swing and ...

... we sold our house in Geneva. Luckily, it sold right away. Thank you, Lord!! (We'll miss our little house, though.)

In July, we moved into our new home,

which happens to have an in-ground pool... the kids love it!! (Makes me a little bit nervous, though.)

In August, we went to Bethany Beach to stay with my Uncle Dan and Aunt Marg on our way to my Aunt Carol's funeral in Michigan. Bethany Beach is a very cool Christian beach community in Michigan with tons of things to do for kids. We had a great time.

... and Caroline started Kindergarten ... which she loves!! She is a little social butterfly.

... John's mom also came to visit us. (Don't they look alike?)
In September, Luke turned three! We had a golf birthday party for him.
On September 7, Caroline broke her arm while riding her bike. She had to have pins put in ...

... and on September 24, Jake fell in gym class and broke his radius and ulna!! (NO more broken bones, please!)
We also went to Door County, WI. My parents rented a condo there for the weekend.

Colin, Diane, and Caleb were there, too!
Steve and Rebecca's family joined us, as well.

Grandpa with all the non-napping cousins.
In October, we had two jedi knights and one very hot dog! (We trick-or-treated in 80 degree weather!)

In November, we hosted Thanksgiving in our new home. My parents, Steve's family, and Diane's family came for supper and then Uncle Phil and Aunt Nancy came with Julie's family for dessert.

The 'kids table'. Steve and Rebecca's kids (Houston, Holly, and Dawson) and our kids.

John finished the dining room just in time for Thanksgiving. He put up crown moulding and a chair rail and painted the walls. Good job, John!



And December was all about Christmas!!

May you have a blessed 2009!

Thank you for reading this long blog!! It was so much fun to put together!!