I can hear the school bells ringing...

It's almost time for our little preschooler and 3rd grader to go to school this fall. One of the ways I can tell its coming is that Grammie takes us out to eat and to buy new shoes. Grammie buys the shoes every year, and the sizes just keep getting larger and larger...its astounding!!

No Safer Place

Earlier today I told Tim that I had a strange uneasiness about something but I wasn't sure what it was. As we talked I realized that, although I couldn't put words to it only moments before, I'm feeling uneasy about leaving Simon in Marshall while the rest of the family goes to Mexico. To be honest, it will be nice to have a break from caring for a very fiesty toddler, but it won't feel quite right without him either. Our conversation reminded me of what I wrote in my journal 3 years ago when we were leaving both of the older boys to go to Haiti. I've put it in my blog before, but I thought I'd share it again...

"We’re en route to Haiti as I write. We left Marshall at 10:30 this morning. My heart was heavy, yet hopeful, as I left two of God’s most precious gifts in Marshall. The heaviness came from knowing I will miss them—their smiles, hugs, kisses, orneriness—and they will miss me—my hugs, kisses, my lap, my touch in the middle of the night. The hopefulness came from knowing they will become more like Jesus and I will, too. This is so much more than a mission trip to Haiti for me. It is a statement TO the self in me that is still left MADE BY the Jesus in me that I hope is growing daily. The Jesus in me is saying that I choose to live fearlessly. Nothing is worth more to me than bringing glory to my Father. My comfort, my peace, my safety, and my agenda have no value to me. They have been crucified. Even the comfort and safety of my boys is not more important than walking daily right beside my Savior. I have felt uneasy about going to Haiti from the very first mention of it, and yet, I feel no uneasiness at all because I know my Father and I trust Him. Who else loves me like He does? Who else knows me like He does? Who else loves my boys like He does? I rest in the shelter of His wings. I lay my boys in the shelter of His wings. There is no safer place."
` from Jennifer’s journal, July 2006

It must be summer!!

Since school ended this spring, we've been busy with basketball camp, soccer camp, jr high church camp, baseball games, and who knows what else.  So, this week is the first time it's really felt like summer vacation for us.  The boys know mama's feeling like summer when she breaks out the whale sprinkler and ice cream on the porch.  There's just nothing like it...

 
 

Having a Great Week at Jr High Camp...

More of Simon's 1st Birthday

A Birthday picture with my mom and dad...

My first look at the cake and candles...

Ok, dad, let go...I've got it...

This cake is sooooo good...


Hey, Ezra, don't even try to steal this cake from me!!!


















This cake is making me soooo happy!!!!!

Mama says this is what we three boys looked like a year ago, but I don't really remember...

Our little Simon is 1 now!!

Oh, how the days have flown by this year. More pictures (including the ceremonial eating of the cake) to follow.

It happens to the best of us, Ezra...

While they were playing Guitar Hero together, Isaac said to Ezra, "Ezra, don't look at those girls dancing on the screen."  Ezra, with eyes half open, replied," I'm trying not to, but sometimes my eyes just do it anyway."

I love that boy.