Sand dunes at Cavendish Beach
Cavendish beach was just as beautiful in person, as it is in the movies. It was magnificently stunning. We were so blessed by the weather all week long. It seemed as though every time we got to a beach, or somewhere outdoors, God sent the sun out just for us.
He is a guide, a friend, and a companion. He cuts the trail, fends off the enemy, and gently urges the rest of us forward. He calls kindly, but without room for sway, for me to follow as he follows.
He leads, but not by his design. Desiring to please the one who made him, the shepherd’s mind is selfless, loving the sheep like his own, for love of his Master.
Yet, the Pastor is a man. He is strong, and often, a bridge for me to see God. Maybe even, a view of what I should strive to be. Yet, sometimes I also see “just a man”. We’re all just a man. If not for the Master, we are all equally vain, equally frail, and equally susceptible. Don’t let pride take you to trial. Look not up to thyself, little man, for though the Pastor fails, so do you. Therefore be loyal, both to him and to God, and show Pastor the love of Christ that he has shown you in the past.
Who helps him? I say, certainly not you. Who stands beside him when the wolves approach to take him from our guarding? None. He fights a battle few could understand, or prepare for. Pastor is the target not just for his life, but also for ours. He is hated because we are hated. He stands because we are in danger. Lend your encouragement, as he fights for you. Lend your support as he gives his life for the flock. Lend your heart to the Lord, and He will give it to a Pastor to manage.
Sometimes defeat takes man. The troubles that follow are always a different flavour; each as wildly bitter as the others. I don’t appreciate his failure, but I do understand it. For he does not appreciate mine, and yet, he is there for me. I forgive him, as he forgives me.
Today I miss Pastor. He’s gone for now: our paths separated by circumstance out of my power. Yet I love him. I always love him. One day, on that great day, we will stand together in victory, as we meet again. Until then though, I will stand now as he showed me stand in the past; that those who come behind will also have someone to give love, loyalty, and forgiveness; that someone will know as Pastor.
Do you love your leader today? Do you love your leader’s Leader? Lend God your heart then, and He will place you in the hands of a keeper, a friend, and a mentor. You can call him Pastor.
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” – John 13:34-35
Taking off down to the red sand beach
We went to see Green Gables today. Except that we ended up at the LM Montgomery museum instead. We saw the Lake of Shining Waters, and met the horses that give “Matthew’s Carriage Ride.” We learned lots of interesting facts. The old man working there told us about this beautiful beach that was right down the road. It was beautiful! I had so many fun pictures from the beach today. It was impossible to pick just one- so I used the first one. The tide was coming in while we were there. I went out about 5 feet into the water to take some pictures and lost my flip flop! I had my camera up in the air in one hand, while I chased my flip flop with the other. The warning about “strong undertow” wasn’t kidding around! We could feel the sand and rocks being pulled out from under our feet. But I did finally catch my shoe after almost falling in the water with my camera several times! The kids had fun playing in the little stream of freshwater leading out to the ocean, and of course with all the red sand. What a HUGE mess that sand makes! I wonder if they eve sell white clothing in PEI??? We also drove across the Confederation Bridge today, which is always quite a sight to behold. We never did make it to Green Gables… Well, we did… but it was closed because we spent hours at the beach… Oh well! I just finished watching America’s Funniest Home Videos with the kids in the hotel room, and we have more fun planned for tomorrow!
I love vacations.
In the hotel tonight!
After only having 2 hours of sleep, and being awake since 4am, Scott and I both conked out around 5pm tonight! I woke up at 11:30pm thinking that it was morning! Nope. Thankfully! Cause I also remembered that I hadn’t taken a picture all day long! We had spent most of the day driving, and then swimming in the empty hotel pool! So, I snapped this quick one of El and Scott. The flask woke her up on my first try.
Ella was terrified of the water at first. She was screaming and clawing me while trying to climb onto my head, I’m sure. Scott took her for about 10minutes and played on the stairs splashing with her and she was sold! Sticking her face in the water, riding around with Scott, trying to splash her brothers… I took her and we even went under the water… she just laughed! It was hilarious. She got so crazy that we couldn’t get her out! Keona had fun swimming around. I had a few races with her, and tried to teach her how to do handstands. Wow. Its been a long time since I’ve done a handstand… So for today… the pool was a huge hit! But I wanted to swim… so no pictures! :)
Road trip 2010-style
As in, playing with your happy meal toy while you watching “Over the Hedge.” I wanted to sit in the backseat with them… love that movie!
So on Sunday night, we (Scott) drove until about 2am- at which point, everyone else in the van was asleep, so he decided to pull into a Tim Horton’s parking lot and take a quick nap before continuing on. We were woken up at 4am by a paramedic guy knocking on our window. He said something in French. Scott said something along the lines of, “Parlez vous English?” Then the guy just looked confused, shook his head, and motioned for us to open the windows. His knocking had woken all the kids up, except Ella who was still sound asleep cuddled up to me in the passenger seat. Scott mumbled in his still half-asleep state, “He didn’t even speak our language… He was like some sort of alien.” I don’t know why this made me laugh so hard- but it did. Even if it was 4am. We were almost through Quebec and into New Brunswick! We put Ella back into her seat, gave everyone a granola bar, and we were off!
Bubbles…
From the wedding that Stef and I shot today. Now… I am tired. But more excited than tired! We leave for our vacation tomorrow!!!! Can’t wait to share all the pictures as we travel!
But for now- gnite. :)
P.S. Thanks for all the praying you did for the rain to stop today, Elijah. It stopped for the ceremony, and the pictures! We even got to see a rainbow. As we were leaving today in the pouring rain, Elijah knew that I had been praying for it to stop in time for the wedding. He prayed last night and this morning as well. As we got into the van he said, “I wish God had answered my prayer today, and stopped the rain. I guess His answer was ‘no’ this time.” I told Elijah to keep praying and that we still had several hours until the wedding. Elijah said that he would keep praying, and ask God to stop it before the wedding.
Thanks, bud!
God is so good. :)
My new (to me) piano!
A huge thank you to all the men it took to move it into our place today… :) While all the guys were moving our new piano, the kids and I were out shopping! Actually, we intended to go and pick up Eve’s new violin books but when we got to the music school- it was closed. The kids suggested we go to Value Village and look for some books on the way home. How could I say no to that?? So we did. We hit the jackpot- there were a ton of old Nancy Drew books! Just in time for our road trip. We’ll have lots of time for reading this week.
He’s got glasses!
Don’t worry Robbie, I won’t tell anyone what it was that made you smile! ;)
Now the triplets have glasses, Keona’s best friend has glasses, Uncle Robbie has glasses… She told me today that she is rather upset that she doesn’t need glasses. To quote her, “It’s hard not having glasses when everyone else does!” I reminded her that I don’t have glasses- that didn’t seem to help at all. I remember being her age, and thinking about how cool it would be to break a bone and have a cast! Crazy, right? I never have broken a bone. Other than possibly a finger when my friend and I decided to sword fight with baseball bats. Ouch… I never went to the doctor, though my Grandma did make me a splint out of popsicle stick and medical tape! My grandma was the best.
I will be sure to share pictures of my new (old) piano tomorrow. Can’t wait to play it!! Neither can Keona. NO glasses… but a new (old) piano to play!
(And my 164/365 that I forgot to post until today! Oops…)
Would try to call our cat down from our window… I haven’t a clue why. Miss. Vicki was sitting in an upstairs window, watching us head out for the night. When I walked out the door, the kids were all standing there calling her. I love all the different expressions.
To Elijah,
It’s not like she is sitting on the ledge waiting to jump. She is inside the house. You’re scaring your little sister. Kinda like this morning, when you chased her around with the “Jamaica” mug. You know… the one with the giant, fake, cockroach on the bottom of it. So, we gave you a drink of milk in it just for fun when you were little and possibly scarred you for life… That doesn’t mean that you can torture your sister! She looks up to you. And you, you laugh while she hides her eyes, and runs away screaming, from that horrid mug.
She will pay you back one day.
You forget that there are 5 of them and only two of you…
Love,
Mom
P.S. Please, have a better attitude tomorrow. I can only handle one grumpy person per day. Thank you muchly! :)
My three youngest
This is what I came downstairs to yesterday morning. The two boys are my early risers. They are always out of bed by 6:30 am. Usually, they go wake up Ella and take her out of her crib to play. Elijah will lift her out- Jeddy pushes her crib over beside the bunk beds so that she can climb out. I’m thinking that it must be pretty nice to have 2 big brothers! Elijah had made a 5 minute video of them playing and singing, and fooling around on Keona’s camera, so they were sitting there watching it.
Oh, how I love it when things are peaceful (even if it’s noisy) and they are all getting along!
Shower time!
These two are hilarious in the shower. They both love to have control of the shower head. Unfortunately, that usually ends with me being soaked. Like it did tonight…
We watched the first part of Anne of Green Gables tonight, in preparation to go see Green Gables in person next week! I am SO excited to go see PEI again. Have you seen the PEI commercial where the kids are dragging the mom to the car, while she pleads, “I don’t wanna go! I don’t wanna go!” That’s exactly how I felt last time we were there. Hopefully this time, the kids will be able to find some more shells, and starfish to bring home.
5 more days!!
Dad is there. He is always there. Every time I feel the slightest tremble of this world’s thick darkness, His presence reminds me of the fact that I have nothing to fear.
Dad is strong. He’s never failed to give me peace. His arms are long and reach around me to comfort away the day’s toil. He labours without tire, and He carries me whenever I request, though He continues to work. I never need fail for strength, for I may ask it of Dad.
Dad is true. Ask Him something, and you can trust the answer. It will come from His heart, and be right on from His perspective, though some may not like it. You can bank on Dad’s words. If He says He will, He will. If He promises, you are sure to find He will come through. You can trust in my Dad.
Dad is for me. He loves me, and has spent Himself for me. I never need doubt if what He is doing is for my good. It is always for my good, because He’s my Dad. Sometimes, I didn’t know what He was doing, and I worried about His love for me, but in the end I always find His love was for me first, and that trial was for my good. I don’t know how, but Dad loves me.
Dad forgave me. I had wronged Him so, and He gave me another chance. I shall not break His heart of hearts again. And though I may, and He always knows what is within me, He is always ready to forgive.
Dad is my pattern. I look to Him and see what I might be. Dad does, and I copy. Dad is, and I, and my sons, see what He is. Each little gesture and movement reveals more to me of Him. Maybe, I should be more like Him every chance I get. For His vast years have supplied no loss of proof that He is a good and proper pattern to copy. Oh Dad, be my pattern today.
I love Dad. When I don’t spend time with Him, I miss Him so. When I refrain my words from His ears and hold them captive within, He longs to hear from my soul. Then I can refresh His aching heart. I can restore His delighted countenance. I can speak with Dad, and hear His words again. The times of sweet Father and son fellowship can be restored, and I love it to be so. For I love Dad.
God comes to you today, weary child. Some seek comfort, others a peace, and some a friend. Some have no man to call dad here, alas. But dear friend, your Father in Heaven seeks a renewal of fellowship with you. He cries out to His child, “Give me thine heart!” He craves your sweet love from the inner man. Give Dad His desire this Dad’s day. Give God your heart.
And if you don’t know that He is your Father, He would have you today become His child. Christ died to make it so. He would make no difference between you and another. Ask Him to take you for His own today. There is no greater joy upon this earth then to know this very thing: Dad loves me.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17
“What manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God:” – 1John 3:1
“A Father to the fatherless” – Ps 68:5
Elijah and Jim
(Taken by Keona with her point and shoot)
When we moved to our new church, one of the things that we thought we would have to give up was the monthly senior’s home visit. We thought about it, prayed about it, talked to the kids about it… they were all so distraught at the thought of not being able to visit “our seniors” that we decided that it probably didn’t matter if we were going to a different church. So last Saturday, we went to visit the seniors. Jim, (in the photo above) has been there every single time, since we started going. Elijah always saves a spot for him on the couch. The worker told us that when she asked Jim if he was coming to church today, he wanted to know if it was going to be “the family with all the kids” or else, he wasn’t going. ha!
We had no college students helping out with piano and song-leading, so it was left to Scott and I. I cannot transpose music at all. I can play exactly what is written- and that’s it. So while I was playing the hymns, that were a tad bit high for Scott, he whispered that I was “killing him” several times. (Sorry hun!) A man named Stanley, who was there for the first time, still thanked me afterwards for playing all the old-fashioned hymns. He said that they were so good to hear. I think they enjoyed Eve’s violin playing more than my piano playing… :)
Another man, named Ernie was there again this week. He was crying while he spoke to Scott after the sermon- while he explained that his wife, who was several years younger than him, and still living in their home, had passed away very suddenly a few weeks ago. He told Scott that he had come with a heavy heart, and Scott’s message comforted him. Praise God! I’m so thankful that He is able to use our family to be a blessing to these precious seniors.
(taken with Keona’s point and shoot)
What a fun day! I didn’t even realize how tired my legs were until I sat down in the van after 11 hours of walking around Wonderland. The kids all look like they got a little sun, eh? I’ll have to post pictures of Scott later…. :)
The very first roller coaster we did was “The Bat.” I couldn’t believe that Eve and Prayer both rode it! Prayer got off and said, “That was GREAT!!!” Eve wasn’t so sure. Charity stuck to the milder rides with Aisy.
Elijah, rode Ghoster Coaster and Silver Streak! Then, he went on Silver Streak twice more with his buddy Keaton. It was SO cute seeing the two little guys on a roller coaster together. The pictures were hilarious! (Not my pictures- the ones they take of you on your way down the hill and then try to sell you for $10!) I figured that since Elijah had so much fun on Silver Streak- The swinging ship would be no big deal…. right? Wrong! He screamed the entire time! When we got to the highest swinging point, he started yelling, “I’m dead!!!! I”m DEAD!! I’m gonna die!! I’M DYING!!!!!!” After the ride, he told me that he really did think he was going to die! ha!
Keona and Somiya enjoyed the big swings, and rode around several times. The 3D motion theatre was also a hit with everyone. Elijah kept reaching out to try and grab the things that looked like they were coming at him.
All day long, Elijah wanted to play the water shooting game. We had to have 4 players to go, so Scott just paid for four kids to play so atleast one of them would win a prize. I may have helped Elijah just a little bit, so he would win on the game he wanted to play so badly. ;) He won himself a monkey in a banana! Scott won a monkey playing peach basket and gave it to Charity. She loves monkeys…
Robbie played a soccer game, where you had to hit the milk bottles that were on a stool and knock them all off. He had 6 girls behind him cheering, “Come on Robbie! You can do it!!” He did it on his last kick. He has “finish!” as he would say. :) The girls all yelled and clapped, “You’re the best Robbie! We knew you could do it!” He had his own personal cheerleaders. What more could a guy ask for? He wanted an England ball for a prize, but all the England ones were gone. He took a Canada one, but wasn’t too impressed. On the way out, Scott noticed an England ball in the window of the sports store. He convinced them to trade the balls for Robbie, and successfully hid the scuff marks that were already on the ball. :O
What an awesome bunch of kids in the picture above. We had such a great day with all 9 of them! Oh, and I forgot to mention the snow cone fight that Scott started. The kids ended up getting him pretty good… Scott managed to hit some innocent bystander behind me… oops. I think Greg’s favourite part was trying on all the funny hats... (Right Somiya?)
Now if only Stef and I could still ride the roller coasters without feeling like we’re going to pass out…
My little man…
I came downstairs at 7:30 this morning, and Elijah says to me, “Mom, I just ripped Patch the Pirate onto my laptop while I was in the basement.”
I had just woken up, and it took me a minute to even figure out what he was saying, “You did what?”
“I put the music… from the Patch the Pirate CD… on my laptop…”
He says slowly for me.
You know, like we do to our kids when they don’t understand something?
Me: "How in the world do you know how to do that?”
Him: “ I just put the CD in, opened up media player, and clicked on the rip CD button…”
Me: “Yeah, I know WHAT you did… how did you know HOW to do it?”
Him: “I don’t know. I probably saw Dad do it before.”
This is my 6 year old.
Scott gave him his old laptop when he got a new one for school last year. It only has a few kid’s games on it, but it’s his laptop. Did I mention that he kicked my butt behind at Mario Kart tonight?
The girls and Robbie, had their year-end recital last Thursday. Leading up to it, all I heard from Keona was, “I’m so nervous! What if I make a mistake?? My face is going to go red! I’m SO nervous!!!” Eve on the other hand, assured me that she “doesn’t get nervous.”
I don’t have a picture of Robbbie cause he wouldn’t cooperate…
They have amazing teachers. We are so blessed. All three of them did a wonderful job. Even if Keona was so nervous that she started playing before she actually sat on the bench, and she bowed to the wall instead of the audience… I’m proud of her. Knowing how nervous I am playing in front of an audience- I can only imagine for a kid. It was a very clam and quiet recital, until Robbie finished playing. At which point, Sarah shouted out “Wooooo!! Yeah Robbie!!! Wooooo!!” She made me jump. The poor people in front of her….
Oh yes, and Eve won “Best Violin Student!” Her prize- a gift card to Dairy Queen!! Right away, she asked if Dad could take her on a date for ice cream. Aw..
On Saturday afternoon, we went to Hamilton for a BBQ in remembrance of Harley’s birthday. Here are a few more photos from the balloon release.
(Click to enlarge)
It was a little chilly by the time Scott and I arrived!
So this is a little out of order, but last week I took the kids to the library, and somehow missed the big sign on the door stating that there would be a fire drill that morning. So did everyone else in the library apparently…
So we waited…
And waited….
And waited some more…
And then, the kids had finished all of their library books before night’s end.
They are all book worms. Even Elijah now! Who I never thought would enjoy reading. The girls have him hooked on “Magic Treehouse” books!! Next, we’ll try to get him into the “Canadian Flyer” series…
And just because…
See, I didn’t really have much to say.
Just wanted to share all these pictures and keep the journal going. :)
I had my hair braided every day as a child.
Every. Single. Day.
I hated braids with a passion. I would have given anything to have been able to toss my hair in the wind. Or blow my bangs out of my eyes, like the cute little blonde girl sitting next to me in kindergarten.
But alas, I had an afro. An afro, before the time of flat irons.
My mom, had long, gorgeous, blonde, wavy hair- and I wanted to be just like her.
Not to worry. I’ve made peace with my “fro.”
(I think the flat irons may have something to do with it… But who knows.)
And now, my girls… The ones with the perfectly straight, soft, blows-in-the-wind hair.
Well… they want braids.
The grass is always greener….
When we went inside…
Prayer- “Wow, nice hair Charity!”
Charity- “Thanks. Mom curled it. It felt like she was pulling my hair out of my head.”
Prayer- “Oh.”
Anne- with an “E”
Nana, happened to find 4 more china dolls at a garage sale and picked them up for the girls. Apparently, they’ve started a collection.
I had planned to take one of the girls outside and take some nice pictures with the light breeze we had today. Unfortunately, I waited too long… once we had finished cleaning up from dinner, it was raining outside. I really wasn’t up to covering my camera and going out to shoot in the rain. Been there- done that. Instead, we took a picture of the doll
and stayed up to watch Little House on the Prairie. I think I’m going to try and find the series on DVD. I’m also on the hunt for the Anne of Green Gables trilogy on DVD, at a decent price. Just a few more days (13!!!! Not that I’m counting or anything….) before we head out on a road trip and get to see Green Gables in person!
We were late for church yesterday. Don't you just hate that!? Maybe not specifically church… but being late in general? I hate being late. And yesterday, I made the mistake of telling Scott to hit the snooze button “just once.” Scott never just hits the snooze button… he always turns off the alarm clock when he goes to hit snooze. And turn off the alarm clock he did! When we got there, all the kids were sitting in on choir practice, waiting for me to get there to start the Kid’s Club. We talked about Persistence. What a great lesson to learn as a child. I challenged all of them to set goals for themselves this week, and to be persistent in accomplishing them. Now I have to come up with a prize for everyone who meets their goal! :)
The boys are always a bit of an untucked mess after church. ha! Being that we meet in a school building, there is alot of setting up and taking down to be done before and after church. The kids help out with that to make it as quick as possible because when it’s done- they get to go and play in the private park! I love this park by the way. It has NO sand! Just a soft, foam-type ground. Perfect for church clothing. :)
The field where they play soccer on the other hand- still results in grass-stained knees….
Just ask Elijah’s brand new khakis.
Today, we all went up to Hamilton, for a family BBQ in remembrance of Harley’s birthday. After dinner, we all headed over to a park and released balloons. Patsy was such a blessing to all of us today, on what must have been a very hard and emotional day for her. I hope that the family was able to be a bit of an encouragement to her while everyone was there today. She is one strong lady.
Happy Birthday Harley.
Jeddy and his green flip-flops…
I made him a deal, after being asked to take him outside to “find his toad” for the 459th time… I told him that he could go toad-hunting, after he let me take a nice picture. Never had him smile so quickly for a picture before! I think I shall bribe him with toads every time!! ha… It was a good deal.
I spent the day today outside with the kids. We remembered to pick Robbie up from school today, after leaving him there (accidentally) for over half an hour yesterday- until a friend called and dropped him off for me. I completely forgot the “half day” part of the conversation I had with my Mom. I am such a horrible big sister! I made it up to him by playing baseball and making a fool of myself by losing 10-4. It was sad. Charity and Robbie destroyed Eve and I. They also almost hit an old lady with the tennis ball. Well actually, it was about 10 feet away from her- but she gave us a really dirty look. I suggested we wait until she was completely passed, before we started playing again…
Oh boy…
We’re gonna have some fun this summer!
What was I telling you!? At about 10:30pm the girls shouted up to me that Prayer had never come to bed… When I went looking for her, this is what I found… She sang herself to sleep too apparently!
I took off her glasses and left her in the crib to sleep. :)
The girls also had their recital tonight, but I couldn’t pick just one picture to showcase- so I’ll share them all on Monday!
Wow, hard to believe how much time has passed since I have done a blog other than my daily 365… Maybe this whole 365 thing was a bad idea… It gives me an excuse not to do a “real” blog everyday. Though, I am looking forward to looking back at the end of the year and having a picture to show for every single day. Wow…
So, this past weekend our church had the annual “Faith Harbour Week” conference. It was such a blessing. I heard a total of 8 sermons from Friday- Sunday, and it was as if every one of them was preached right to me. I needed them all. This week, we have our final music lessons and year-end recital. I am really looking forward to the break from going out every day. Though we will probably still go out, I guess it’s different when it’s optional! ;)
I have officially ordered all of our curriculum and music books for next year, and feel as if I can relax now. I learned my lesson last year when I waited until the last minute and then was in such a rush to get everything together the week before school! Jeddy is super excited to start kindergarten! Me? Not so much… Kindergarten is definitely not my favourite grade to teach. Though I must say, when you start off the year with a child who doesn’t even know all of his letters, and at the end of the year, they can read the Bible out loud… That’s pretty rewarding. So probably the most frustrating AND rewarding of all the grades so far. I cannot believe that Keona is starting grade 6!!!
It was just the other day that I sent her off to kindergarten with little pigtails…
I remember feeling like big-stuff in grade 6. FIrst year of “junior high”…
Oh man, here we go!
Back to Jeddy …
Tonight, he came up to me after dinner and said, “ You know I love you so much Mom! I loves you so much only because you make me cornbread.”
Me- “Only because I make you cornbread?”
Jeddy- “Yep! Can I go find my toad now?”
He’s a character.
But I must admit- the cornbread was good. It was my first attempt at it, and it was an incredibly simple recipe.
It tastes exactly like Montana’s cornbread…
A must try!
Scott said we should do a take off of “Crocodile Hunter”- except “Toad Hunter.” I thought it might be a little distasteful… But I could totally see Jed doing something like that. If it’s slimy, or creep-crawly- he wants to catch it and carry it around with him. Strange little boy, he is.
Speaking of animals- guess what happened about 3 seconds after I took this picture.
The bird bit the cat.
Yep, you heard right.
Cat sniffed bird.
Bird bit cat.
Now I will continue to listen to the girls practice for their recital, while I read.
I really need a new book. A good book. Any suggestions?
AKA - the clumsiest girl I know.
Next to myself…
Honestly….
Tonight, this child rode her bike straight into my garden, flipped off of it, and landed smack on top of my biggest rose bush. She was pulling thorns off of her shirt, and even had a branch stuck to her arm.
I suggested that we take a break from bikes, and do my 365 for the day.
Her only request, “I don’t want to lay in the grass…”
My response, “C’mon… the grass has got to be better than the rose bush…”
Good thing she has a sense of humour…
My two crazies…
I often refer to Prayer as my “softie.” If Ella gets in trouble- she runs to Prayer. If Ella is upset- he runs to prayer. If Ella is tired- she runs to Prayer.
When we try to get Ella to finish her lunch- Prayer makes excuses for her. The other day, while we were eating lunch and Ella didn’t want to finish- she climbed onto Prayer’s lap and just sat there. I jokingly said, that we need to put Eve “the hammer” beside her from now on. Eve isn’t quite so nice. Well, she can be to a certain point…. but then (in the lunch example) she’d get tired of it and yell, “Just eat it! Now!” (I have not a clue where she gets that from….) While Prayer would say, “it’s OK… you don’t have to finish it. I’ll eat it for you.”
As I speak type, Prayer is upstairs singing Ella the 20th song before bed, because Ella doesn’t want her to leave…
Everyone needs a Prayer.
And sometimes… an Eve. :)
The girls with their new-to-them china dolls
While we were at Nana and Papa’s house in between church services, the girls somehow got on the topic of china dolls. They told Nana how much they LOVED them, and how their friends have these old ones that are SOOO pretty. They went on and on about them. I had already planned, a few months ago, to go looking at Value Village for a few of them- as they always have old ones in stock for a few dollars. Well, no need! Scott’s mom remembered that Aunt Gail had picked up a couple of them for the girls several years ago. At that time, the girls were too young for them, so she put them away until they were older. When she told the girls this, they were ecstatic. Prayer was literally jumping with excitement. (My kids are odd… I know this.) But the dolls were in the room where Jeddy and Ella were napping. So the girls would have to wait a while. Which they did with very little patience. As in, asking every 2 minutes if they could just go up and peek. Or insist that thye could get them without waking them up. Or suggest that they heard them awake. Ha! Eventually, Jeddy and Ella woke up, and Nana got the girls the dolls. They’ve threatened to “beat down” the boys if they come within a foot of the dolls. (Where do they learn this language!?!? Scott…)
And they’ve been playing “Little Women” with them ever since…
My I-forgot-about-my-365-until-10 o’clock-tonight picture….
Boring, I know. As a sidenote… notice how big Toad is getting!?
I still chuckle to myself every time I call him “Toad.”
The poor bird…
Charity petting the Stingrays
Scott was able to come to the zoo with us on Friday for the first time this year. The kids were all pretty excited to have Dad there! And… to go to Stingray Bay for the first time since they introduced the sharks. While we were waiting in line, (and we were in line for a good 20 minutes) surrounded by stay-at-home moms and their kids- I think Scott started to lose his mind. Just a bit… He, and the only other man I saw in line, were both off to the side, facebooking (or whatever) on their cell phones. You’d think that he’d be used to all the chatter, living with 6 girls and all… :P
