Our Adventure with Boys...

Multitude Monday #1815 - #1835...

2012-01-30T20:00:00.005-05:00

Joining with The Gratitude Community in my endless list of thanks...because it continues to transform me...

January 23rd...3 gifts found in Christ
...He redeems
...He is our peace
...He offers us wisdom

January 24th...3 things blue
...his "D" (blankie)
...my Nalgene bottle that reminds me to stay well hydrated
...my Bible

January 25th
one gift borrowed...the piano instructors yard for a good game of tag while he had his lesson
one gift found...time to study His word while he had Occupational Therapy
one gift inherited...how much Joshua reminds us all of Kelsey

January 26th
one gift before 9...an invitation to breakfast
one gift before 12...hearing the train whistle while we were playing outside, jumping in the car with the boys and catching the big CSX train
one gift after dark...Daddy playing with the boys and all of them laughing and wanting more

January 27th...3 gifts that might never have been
...this cross against a cloudy sky

...seeing Eli at his preschool chapel (Will actually sat and sang the songs)
...an incredible conversation about God with the boys while driving in the car

January 28th...3 graces found in your friends
...my husbands friendship that reminds me of Christ
...a friend that knows my story as well as I do
...a friend that wakes up for our early morning runs

January 29th
a song heard...Your Love Never Fails...it captures so much of my story and Will loves to sing and dance to this one
a soft word..."It's just amazing what God has done."
where I saw light...sun room light shining down as he demonstrated his multitasking capabilities

My Joy this Morning...

2012-01-27T17:06:00.001-05:00

video: if you received this post via email...please visit www.ouradventurewithboys.com to view the video

Sweet Shot Tuesday...

2012-01-24T14:17:00.002-05:00

This is Will's best buddy Cameron...

Multitude Monday # 1794 - #1814...

2012-01-23T05:40:00.001-05:00

3gifts/day:1000gifts/year:JOY DARE!

January 16th...3 ways you witnessed happiness this morning
...Wes soaking up the minutes with Will as they sing and dance together
...Hearing Eli exclaim in the middle of the restaurant "God made everything and Jesus helped him...He made the cars, the trees and the road."
...Joshua adding "Yeah and Jesus died on the cross for our sins and that's how He made God happy."

January 17th
one gift that made me laugh...boys splashing in mud puddles

one gift that made me pray...an email from his teacher
one gift that made me quiet...this picture from his plane...Daddy was coming home early!

January 18th...3 gifts from God's word
...Psalm 71:5,6
"For you have been my hope, Sovereign LORD,
my confidence since my youth.
From birth I have relied on you;
you brought me forth from my mother’s womb.
I will ever praise you."

...Habakkuk 3:19
"The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to tread on the heights."
the yellow sunlight streaming in the window

...Psalm 145:19
"He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them."

January 19th
a grace in the kitchen...homemade brownies
a grace in the weather...bright streams of sunlight

a grace that might never have been...afternoon conversation with a friend because of an impromptu playdate

January 20th...3 gifts you saw only when you got close-up
...his beautiful little hand

...an embrace from Micaiah
...how he called me close to show me the daffodils emerging from the ground

January 21st
one thing in the sky... the first snow of the winter

one thing from your memory...how moving toward gratitude rather than bitterness has transformed my life
one thing that's ugly-beautiful...the truth about the neighbors broken window and the important conversation that followed

January 22nd
one grace wrinkled...Will screaming as we left church because he wanted to go into the main congregation to "Sing, Sing"
one grace smoothed...how the boys erupted into a chorus of his favorite songs to help him calm down as we drove home
one grace unfolded...watching old home videos after "sundaes on Sunday"

Eli...

2012-01-22T23:04:00.002-05:00

I love how his eyes tell a story in this picture and how the chocolate on his face tells another!

As he was playing outside...I couldn't stop staring at these curls emerging from the bottom of his hat...

Wow, look at those eyes!

This is classic Eli...

Finally...SNOW...

2012-01-21T22:54:00.001-05:00

A Mud Puddle Break...

2012-01-20T22:49:00.000-05:00

It had been a long day of rain...so when Wes got home I took the younger two on a walk around the block...

they bring such joy to rainy days!

Multitude Monday #1772 - #1793...

2012-01-16T06:05:00.009-05:00

I have decided to take Ann's Joy Dare and capture three specific gifts each day...
3gifts/day:1000gifts/year: JOY DARE!
I've shared before how much this 1000 gift challenge has transformed my life and moved me from getting through my days with "the grim strength of gritting my teeth" to "the glory-strength God gives...that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy" (Colossians 1:9-12)

January 9th
a gift in my hand... my camera
a gift I walked by...brothers caring for one another
a gift I sat with...Eli sitting in my lap as we look through his "looking book"

January 10th
a gift that's sour...more difficult news about him
a gift that's sweet...my husband's gift of a fountain coke
a gift that's Just. Right...going to bed at a good time

January 11th...3 yellow things that strike you as fresh mercy
the yellow tulips in her vase that the little one points out to me and how he asks me to bend low and smell
the yellow mitten he chooses to lace up
the yellow sunlight streaming in the window

January 12th
gift above...the bright sun shining down today
gift below...baby saying "kiss"
gift beside...my husband as we sleep

January 13th...3 sounds you hear
wind rushing through the trees
Will singing "Sing, Sing, Sing" as he plays
boys coming home

January 14th...3 ways you glimpsed the startling grace of God
geese startled into flight
a trail run around the lake with my husband
conversation lingering long with him

January 15th
one thing I wore...brown riding boots
one thing I gave away...a copy of One Thousand Gifts
one thing I shared...thanks for a quiet weekend away just my husband and me

Eli's Heart...

2012-01-12T10:47:00.002-05:00

Bad Hair Day...

2012-01-11T10:43:00.001-05:00

Multitude Monday #1750 - #1771...

2012-01-09T13:48:00.004-05:00

Joining with the Gratitude Community to give thanks for His everyday, ordinary gifts...

1750...boys running, laughing and playing together
1751...fresh from the oven chocolate chip cookies
1752...hearing Eli say "I love you all the way to the sun!"
1753...Will worshipping and teaching us all what it means to come to Him as a little child
1754...hearing Will say "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!"

1755...Psalm 55
1756...rock band with the boys
1757...how God is moving in the hearts of our boys
1758...my new running watch
1759...my Message Bible that stays in my purse for opportunities to catch a few minutes with Him
1760...time to catch up with my best friend
1761...hearing about how God prompted my heart to share this verse with them and how it confirmed something that was spoken over them months ago
1762...catching this glimpse of the moon

1763...and turning around and catching this glimpse of the sunset

1764...her encouraging text with Isaiah 50:4
1765...my husbands encouragement and help in following through with what God has called me to do
1766...dancing in the kitchen with Wes and Will
1767...watching my husband worship the Lord
1768...Geyser fun
1769...new basement carpet (again...yes, it's a long story)
1770...this reminder in Colossians 1:18-20
1771...the encouragement of another parent that shared...that her child came home and said "Mom, I want to learn to pray like Josh. He prays like a Mommy and a Daddy."

Will Singing...

2012-01-06T20:33:00.004-05:00

Here is the video of Will singing Chris Tomlin's "Sing, Sing, Sing"...

Here are the lyrics so you can follow along...

"We will sing, sing, sing
And make music with the heavens
We will sing, sing, sing
Grateful that You hear us
When we shout your praise
Lift high the name of Jesus

What's not to love about You?
Heaven and earth adore You
Kings and kingdoms bow down
Son of God, You are the One
You are the One we're living for

You are the love that frees us
You are the light that leads us
Like a fire burning
Son of God, You are the one
You are the one we're living for"

Not bad for a 21 month old right?

video: If you received this video via email please visit www.ouradventurewithboys.com to view the video

Sweet Shot Tuesday...

2012-01-06T09:47:00.002-05:00

Christmas Tree Decoration (the 2nd time around)...

2012-01-06T09:41:00.004-05:00

So when my dad was here last week, he helped me take down the Christmas tree and we placed it outside. A little later, Eli went outside to play. My Dad called me to the window to see what Eli had been working on...

Eli had taken all of the various toys laying around the yard and "decorated" the tree in his own creative way. He even found a shovel and some standing water and watered the tree when he was finished.

Geyser Fun...

2012-01-05T09:51:00.000-05:00

Multitude Monday #1722 - #1749...

2012-01-02T09:32:00.004-05:00

Joining with the Gratitude Community to give thanks for His everyday, ordinary gifts...

...how he runs over with a pea in his hand and says..."Mommy I brought this to you because I know how much you love hearts."...and shows me how the pea looks like a heart

...reviewing these 20 questions with my husband on New Year's Eve

...hearing Will sing "Sing, Sing, Sing" by Chris Tomlin

...brothers racing

...bathtub curls

...his ability to focus

...brothers sharing Happy Napper rules

...brothers laughing

...his wide eyed excitement over ice crystals on the mulch

...cousins

...my husband with one on his back and pulling one along as we hike up the Appalachian Trail

...and the way he encouraged Joshua all the way

...his love of the outdoors

...cold water after hiking 2 1/2 miles all by himself up the Appalachian Trail

...a Christmas tree surprise deep in the woods

...a beauty of nature

...the kids delighting in a whirlpool in a small pond

...family

...natural steps

...how he carried a different one out of the woods

...brothers

...these sweet faces

...how happy he was to see the car after 5 miles on the trail

...how Wes and his brother clipped the cable on our van automatic door and made it into a manual door...which saved us a $1000 repair

...having Will worship with us on Sunday morning and seeing him raise his hands and sing

...a run around the neighborhood with my brother

...how God continues to pursue and show His love and care

...receiving a text with Joshua 1:9 from my brother

Multitude Monday #1687 - #1721...

2011-12-27T13:07:00.004-05:00

"For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Joining with the Gratitude Community to give thanks for the best gift of all...

1687...He came as a child
1688...He is our Wonderful Counselor
1689...He is our Mighty God
1690...He is our Everlasting Father
1691...He is our Prince of Peace

and because He came...I can give thanks for these everyday gifts that are a glimpse of His heart...

1692...how Eli calls me to the door to show me a flower he has picked for me
1693...the way he says..."it's your favorite color...yellow!" (it was actually a dead piece of pachysandra, roots and all)
1694...how he beams when I remind him that he is the only little boy that ever brings me flowers
1695...Micaiah's note to me before bed
1696...how the boys play hide and seek in between office buildings as we wait for Will's prescription to be filled
1697...how the Dr. reassures me that he is not worried
1698...the three older boys singing Feliz Navidad at the top of their lungs
1699...how Eli wants his Bible right next to mind
1700...Joshua curling up to snuggle
1701...watching Eli's preschool chapel
1702...spying a bald eagle in the sky as we hiked
1703...spotting a fox and over 25 deer on one of our evening runs through the cemetary
1704...boys running through the fields

1705...the boys playing tag

1706...the way he turns around to make sure I'm still there

1707...boys all piled on top of one another...laughing

1708...hearing God's word as I study the book of James with Beth Moore..."our anguish is meant to lead to a birth"..."If you will trust God with your anguish, it will birth something precious in you"...not like the Isrealites in Isaiah 26 who were in labor and gave birth to the wind.
1709...my husbands gift of time for ME
1710...a pedicure
1711...time to try new recipes
1712...how he packs them all up for a trip to the zoo by himself...yes, he is THAT good!
1713...days of unhurried time with the boys
1714...celebrating His birth in community
1715...receiving Christmas cards
1716...reading updates from friends
1717...the reminder of James 1:19-21...especially vs. 21 that says
"humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you."
1718...hearing Micaiah say as he looks at the trees "Wow, can you believe that all of this was made from nothing?"
1719...watching Joshua put puzzles and legos together for hours...(something he has always really struggled to do)
1720...the baby is feeling/breathing better!!!
1721...Eli asking "What of all of this did God make?" and Wes' response..."Everything!"

Afternoon Hike...

2011-12-23T06:17:00.003-05:00

The weather was so mild yesterday...we decided to take a hike at one of our favorite spots...we even spotted a bald eagle flying in the sky!

Eli's turn...

2011-12-22T21:49:00.005-05:00

We joined Eli at his Christmas Chapel this morning...

It was so adorable watching all of the young kids share the story of Christmas.

Multitude Monday #1666 - #1686...

2011-12-20T04:50:00.002-05:00

"Don't be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
James 1:16, 17

Joining with the Gratitude Community to give thanks for every good and perfect gift...

1666...Will with a few of his favorite things

1667...making pretzel treats with the boys...a Christmas tradition

1668...a night out with my husband and close friends
1669...the Lion King and the creativity of the costume designer
1670...this quote from the Lion King..."Oh, yes, the past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it, or learn from it." Rafiki
1671...hearing Micaiah read scripture for Christmas chapel, so clear and strong
1672...celebrating Christmas with Grandma and Pap

1673...making gingerbread houses with friends

1674...our very own Rudolph and how he knows how to make us laugh

1675...a caring and compassionate emergency room doctor
1676...how she reassures when I am scared
1677...that his O2 sats didn't dip below 92% and require an overnight hospital stay

1678...having all my boys home
1679...slow mornings

1680...read alouds over breakfast and lunch
1681...the creativity of the boys as they try to figure out ways to dunk the basketball
1682...time to spend in His word...
1683...Micaiah's handmade note to his drum instructor
1684...the orange light of the sunset lighting up the tree
1685...boys counting deer in the field
1686...walking the lights of 34th street with the boys

Multitude Monday #1649 - #1665...

2011-12-13T17:58:00.004-05:00

"The secret to joy
is to keep seeking God where we struggle to see where He is."
Ann Voskamp

1649...little boys running around in footed jammies
1650...exciting possibilities
1651...the way he stops crying as soon as you start singing "Our God"
1652...Josh and Eli calling us up to see their decorated Christmas tree
1653...the way God reminds me of the important thing
1654...prayers answered
1655...a warm cup of tea
1656...bright sunshine in the early morning after days of rain
1657...his look of fascination as he watched the wind blow the branches of the trees
1658...time to be with a friend during her husbands kidney transplant surgery
1659...the sacrifice of a brother
1660...that Brent is feeling "amazing" with his new kidney
1661...promises kept
1662...hearts that are ripe
1663...the Lord's forgiveness and promise that there is a better way
1664...time to play with bokeh on our neighborhood Christmas tree (which I have heard is prettier than the National Christmas tree)

1665...my husbands love for me

Holiday Bokeh Party...

2011-12-07T23:01:00.005-05:00

Multitude Monday #1630 - #1648...

2011-12-04T22:52:00.005-05:00

Joining with the Gratitude Community and giving thanks for the everyday ordinary gifts that He provides...

1630...hearing him say "I love Jesus."
1631...his head resting on my shoulder
1632...friends praying
1633...watching him play with his friends at preschool
1634...hearing Will say "Night, night Mr. Sun."
1635...my husbands calming presence
1636...excitement over the Christmas train
1637...Joshua saying "give me a million kisses"
1638...dinner with friends

1639...games of War with Micaiah
1640...Eli and Micaiah playing games of War
1641...boys playing hide and seek in the Christmas trees
1642...Will's allergy testing was negative
1643...making dinners with friends to freeze for our friend and her family for after her husbands kidney transplant
1644...believing that God will make a way
1645...our neighborhood tree lighting tradition

1646...hearing His voice speak truth into my life
1647...for Mildred, the lady that offered to pay for doughnuts for the boys when I reached in my purse and realized my wallet was at home
1648...this quote from Beth Moore's study on James..."When, like a laser, the call of Christ sears a hole through your self-protectiveness, you go wherever He leads whether or not you feel like you fit." May I listen and obey and know that He will provide the strength to do what He has called me to do.

Santa 2011...

2011-12-02T15:27:00.001-05:00

All I can say is this picture makes me laugh for many different reasons that I think I will keep to myself!

6people12times...November...

2011-11-30T14:09:00.001-05:00

Our neighbor took this picture of our family. We decided we would meet at this location one Sunday after church and he would take pictures of our family and I would take pictures of his.

What you don't know when you look at this picture is...
Will had picked his nose as we were driving there and had a nose bleed (yep, if you zoom in close enough you can still see it)...
the kids were actually out of the van for approximately 10-15 minutes total...
he took about 10 pictures of our family...
in 7 of them Will was throwing a temper tantrum which caused his nose to "rebleed"...
this is the only picture where Josh and Will are actually looking in the direction of the camera...
we took the boys straight to Coldstone Creamery for lunch (yes they only sell ice cream) and called it a successful family photo shoot!

If you would like to see pictures from the previous months...please visit the following link...6peopletimes12

Multitude Monday #1628 - #1629...

2011-11-29T21:50:00.006-05:00

Giving thanks for...

1628...this message (please take 30 minutes, click on this link and listen)...Wonderful Counselor

1629...that "out of chaos life is being found...in you"

video: if you received this post via email...please visit www.ouradventurewithboys.com to view the video

Beautiful Chaos...

2011-11-27T17:55:00.003-05:00

video: if you received this post via email please visit www.ouradventurewithboys.com to view the video

Multitude Monday #1602 - #1627...

2011-11-21T23:04:00.004-05:00

Leaves of thanks from our Gratitude Wall...

the sun, moon and stars...Micaiah
my Pilgrim hat...Eli
my Pilgrim helper...Mommy

seeing Mom Mom...Joshua
only 4 boys...Daddy
life...Micaiah
Eli and his "homework"...Mommy
footballs, baseballs and basketballs...Micaiah
that Aunt Susan, Tucker, Taylor and Max are coming to visit...Eli
a smokin' wife...Daddy
watching the boys pack over 200 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child and thinking of the lives that may change from this simple gift...Mommy
meeting a family (mom, dad and child) that made 400 shoeboxes to bless 400 children from around the world...such inspiration...Mommy
family...Micaiah
watching him play...Daddy

seeing funny pictures of Uncle Sam...Joshua
that Aunt Meg came to visit...Daddy, Mommy, Micaiah, Joshua, Eli and Will
his little hands turning the pages of a book...Mommy and Daddy
playing outside with friends...Eli
music...Micaiah
a playdate with Eyasu...Joshua

hearing the boys laugh...Mommy
watching Will dance...Joshua
the way Eli sleeps on his big stuffed dog "Tanny"...Daddy
worship in the kitchen with Josh and Will...Mommy
the train table...Will

my first family photo shoot...Mommy

Photos from the Week...

2011-11-17T14:38:00.003-05:00

the boys figured out how to share the disc swing...

Will figured out that he really likes donuts but he shouldn't play peek a boo after eating one...

and sometimes naptime doesn't come soon enough...this is Will almost every day around 12...

Multitude Monday #1576 - #1601...

2011-11-14T21:29:00.005-05:00

For the past few years we have made a "Gratitude Wall" in the house during the month of November...
when I was pulling things out of the attic a few weeks ago, I found our leaves from last year and couldn't help reflect on the how important it is to record His blessings...
today's list of thanks comes from our leaves on our family wall...

falling leaves...Mommy
great friends...Daddy
God...Eli and Micaiah
school...Josh and Micaiah
Jesus...Micaiah and Eli
Grandma...Joshua
preschool...Eli
his note waiting for me on my pillow after a long difficult day...Mommy
"The Earth is Yours" by Gungor...Mommy, Daddy, Micaiah, Joshua, Eli and Will (please take a moment to listen the song below by clicking on the play button)

Eli's hugs and kisses before work...Daddy
playing fort with friends...Joshua
seeing a falling star...Mommy
Mommy...Micaiah, Eli, Daddy
lunch with Ian...Eli
how he pulls up to the piano, turns it on and moves his little fingers playing across the keys...Mommy and Daddy

playing with Cassie...Joshua
sunshine...Mommy
"that Mommy is so beautiful"...Eli (oh, yeah he got dessert that night!)
talking with the boys about the seasons and how creation speaks His name (Rom 1:20) and hearing them "get it"...Mommy
the beautiful sunset...Eli
hearing the chant "Let's go Mace boys!"...Mommy
soccer balls...Micaiah, Joshua and Eli
hearing Will belly laugh...Mommy
that Poppy is so fun...Micaiah and Eli
sunshine, tea and good conversation with a friend and mentor...Mommy
his delight in the caterpillar...Mommy

Happy Birthday Grandma...

2011-11-11T00:05:00.000-05:00

Here are the things we love about Grandma...

"She's loving." ~ Micaiah

"She takes care of us when Mommy and Daddy aren't here. She is so happy when we come to visit." ~ Joshua

"She likes to do puzzles with me. She is so beautiful." ~ Eli

She likes to walk with me. ~ Will

Happy Birthday Grandma...We love you and pray you enjoy your special day!

The Train...

2011-11-10T21:14:00.003-05:00

is one of Will's favorite things right now and Eli is still pretty fascinated by them so we took the Light Rail to meet Daddy for lunch on Monday.

Eli yelling for the train...

Will taking in the sights...

Eli too...

Almost the entire time we were riding the train Will was saying "Choo Choo, Choo Choo" as you can see in the picture below...

It was definitely the best $3.20 that I've spent in a long time!

Multitude Monday #1547 - #1575...

2011-11-07T14:29:00.003-05:00

"It is good to praise the LORD
and make music to your name, O Most High,
proclaiming your love in the morning
and your faithfulness at night..."
Psalm 92:1-2

my endless list of thanks continues...
1547...rest
1548...an afternoon walk with a friend
1549...Eli giving me "princess kisses" before bed
1550...watching him build and build and build with Legos
1551...warm tea
1552...driving through a canopy of yellow trees
1553...the beautiful solitary red maple standing out at the pond
1554...an answered prayer
1555...the way he runs to me when I pick him up from preschool
1556...a reminder to go to Him
1557...sweet playtime at the library with Will
1558...the first CD of James ...He is sovereign, oh so sovereign.
1559...sunshine shining bright
1560...watching him learn to use a fork
1561...waking to breakfast, balloons and cake to begin my birthday celebration
1562...this message from them
1563...prayer covering
1564...lunch with my sweet husband...that took the day off and planned special things along the way
1565...a new camera and his encouraging words that wrap it
1566...Excedrin for a migraine
1567...a night out with Wes

1568...a wonderful surprise dinner with my husband and some very special friends
1569...words that speak life
1570...for my mom and Erin that took care of our boys for a night so we could enjoy a night out...Thank You!
1571...soccer

1572...a crazy opportunity
1573...a hike and dinner with close friends

1574...pyramids

1575...boys falling into bed exhausted after a long, fun-filled day

Happy Birthday Mommy!

2011-11-03T22:11:00.006-04:00

This is Wes. I'm hijacking Jenna's blog today for a special birthday post. When someone in our family has a birthday we typically tell them why we love them, and today is no exception. So without further ado, here are the reasons we love Mommy (in no particular order)!

Eli: She says I'm the best helper and the sweetest boy.

Micaiah: She takes us to school and fixes our food.

Will: She still lets me have a bottle.

Joshua: She's cute and she's cuddly.

Wes: We were absolutely made for each other. The longer that we are married, the more I respect you, admire you and desire to be by your side. Although we live in a beautiful whirlwind 364 1/2 days out of the year, I can't imagine it any other way. Happy birthday today. I hope you enjoy your "day off".

6people12times...October...

2011-11-01T09:04:00.002-04:00

My brother in law took this photo after our annual Halloween Parade...the bulge in my left cheek is Snickers with almonds (mmm...so, so good).

If you would like to see pictures from the previous months...please visit the following link...6people12times

Multitude Monday #1515 - #1546 ...

2011-10-31T09:53:00.005-04:00

Giving Thanks for His everyday gifts...

1515...time to clean
1516...laughing with friends about things from long ago
1517...that the Lord protected Wes from the nasty water meter hole
1518...belly laughing with the boys as Wes sings his newly written hit song "I Need You Housechurch" (all about falling in the water meter hole)
1519...a run with both boys...wow, a workout!
1520...the smell of a clean room
1521...time to sit and journal
1522...a day without an outburst from him
1523...his attitude with tutoring and therapy
1524..an enjoyable dinner out together as a family
1525...everyone ready for school before 8:15
1526...a rainy day that slows
1527...encouragement from moms who have been here
1528...the gift of "time"
1529...a leaf walk with Will
1530...pressing into the Lord after loosing my temper...He forgives and reminds me there is a better way
1531...going through Josh's baby book with him during a rough afternoon
1532...The David Crowder Band live
1533...snuggling with Micaiah as we listen
1534...hearing them sing "No One Like You"...seeing his eyes light up and remembering this video
1535...hearing Micaiah sing "Oh Praise Him" with everyone at 11:30 at night and praying that this moment stays ingrained in his heart for years to come
1536...waking up to large snowflakes falling from the sky
1537...the need for nebulizers slowly decreasing
1538...an afternoon movie with the cousins
1539...photo strips of piles of kids
1540...laughing so hard I was crying with my cousin, husband, and brother and sister in law over old letters from my Dad
1541...listening to her voice during worship
1542...friends gathering
1543...watching cousins walk hand in hand
1544...cousins gathering for our neighborhood Halloween Parade

1545...kids all around the table (13 in fact)
1546...my loving husband...beautiful inside and out

Today...

2011-10-26T16:12:00.003-04:00

"Uh Oh!"

Another thing of note today...

These days Eli naps about 2-3 times per week. He still has a rest time in his room for at least an hour and a half...where he can play quietly or look at books.
This afternoon, I was called upstairs to the bathroom by Eli and happened upon the following scenario...
Eli standing at the potty waiting to be wiped (or so I thought). I wiped his bottom and told him to get dressed, wash his hands and go back to his room for rest and he stood there stone cold and pointed down to his pants with his little finger.
"Eli, pull up your pants and go back for rest."
He just points to his pants again...
"Eli are your pants wet?"
Again he just points...
At this point, I bend down to try and help him and realize that he has a swim diaper around his ankles and it is filled with pee.
"Eli, where did you get a swim diaper?"
"From the closet."
"And you wanted to see what it was like to pee in a diaper?"
"uh, huh."
"Well, what did you think?"
No answer...
"I think we need to clarify the rules for rest time."

Multitude Monday #1493 - #1514...

2011-10-24T18:51:00.006-04:00

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed...
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
2 Corinthians 4: 7-10, 16-18

Recording the things that cause me to press into Him in my list of thanks this week ...because we really do have a choice as to how we view these "light and momentary troubles"...All for His Glory...

...close friends announcing they are moving...
...angry outbursts that are so difficult to understand...
...nebulizers every 4 hours...
...laundry that is piled high...
...dishes left in the sink over night...
...closets bursting with clutter...
...fights over homework...
...brothers fighting...
...him calling out long after bed time because he's having difficulty falling asleep...
...cancelled plans...
...smoke coming from the dishwasher...
...hearing that he still has room to improve...
...therapy and tutoring appointments...
...temper tantrums...
...difficult conversations...
...hearing him process aloud how all of the different people in our family are related...
...hectic schedules...
...attitudes...
...goalie gloves left at home...
...to do lists left undone...
...dust monsters...
...steps piled with stuff...

Weekend Fun...

2011-10-23T18:22:00.002-04:00

Eli and his buddy Ian...

Will sporting his beautiful smile (and crusty nose)

Columbus Day Nature Hike...

2011-10-18T20:30:00.002-04:00

Here are some pictures from our hike...

Music in Nature...

2011-10-18T15:06:00.003-04:00

Multitude Monday #1491 - #1492...

2011-10-17T14:49:00.004-04:00

My list of thanks is really quite simple this week...

1491...I finished the half marathon
1492...I remember crossing the finish line

Multitude Monday #1458 - #1490...

2011-10-10T06:18:00.001-04:00

It has been one of those loooong weeks for a multitude of reasons...as I sat snuggled with a sick one on the couch watching Charlotte's Web, I was struck by the words to this song (embedded below) and the way God continues to use a multitude of ways to speak to me about His everyday gifts...

Counting His "ordinary miracles"...

1458...hearing his classmates yell his name and cheer when he comes into school late after a doctors appointment
1459...seeing him work with his Daddy

1460...a butterfly landing on my sleeve
1461...Eli's appreciation for it's beauty
1462...a dry, cool day to play outside
1463...basement ready and waiting for carpet (ok, well maybe we need to find a spot for all of the stuff on the floor, but the floor is ready) almost exactly 2 months from this

1464...a nebulizer mask (no more plugging up the tube!)
1465...nebs that help wheezing
1466...prayer with him
1467...how Eli greets me in the morning with his bible in his hand and says "start at the beginning" as he hand me the book
1468...a midday walk
1469...watching Eli play hide and seek with his friend Ian
1470...help from a neighbor
1471...beautiful fall weather
1472...fresh air blowing through the window screens
1473...basement carpet
1474...watching the spider spin circles of his web as we stand on the porch late at night to allow the cold air to relieve his croup
1475...outdoor worship
1476...glow sticks flying through the air
1477...a few minutes to catch up with a mentor
1478...a set of stairs to keep him busy
1479...Topps Attax games between brothers

1480...dinner with friends
1481...watching my husband receive words of praise from multiple people during the evening
1482...how she giggled when I said "He's always that good!" and then her encouraging words that followed
1483...time with my husband after a long week
1484...geese in flight
1485...church bells chiming as I run past (a reminder to me that He is ever present and hears our prayers)
1486...Joshua's small group leader asking where he was today...and then his encouraging words that were timed so perfectly..."He is such a light...he is just so sweet."
1487...pizza at the playground
1488...my husband's diligent work to keep up the house

1489...these feet

1490...a basement that is usable again!

6people12 times...September...

2011-10-04T15:54:00.003-04:00

I know, I know it's October...hey, better late than never!
This is another self timer shot that captures every bit of the chaos and varying personalities of our family of 6.

if you would like to see pictures from previous months please visit the following link....6people12times

Multitude Monday #1416 - #1457 ...

2011-10-03T13:56:00.004-04:00

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever."
1 Chronicles 16:34

My list of His gifts this week...

1416...mud tracked all through the house from an afternoon hike
1417...hosting house church here
1418...hearing him say "I like Jesus, He's my best helper."
1419...his diligence in finishing 38 pages of the "Hidden Pictures" book
1420...cheeks and curls bouncing as he runs

1421...his excitement over the candle flickering
1422...a friends genuine concern
1423...spiderwebs covered with dew
1424...worship on the backroads
1425...vivid green (a blessing in the midst of days and days and days of rain)
1426...looking for them playing as we drive by the school
1427...hearing him singing "I am with you always. Matthew 28:20"
1428...Will screaming "Daddy, daddy" when he walks in the door
1429...listening to the monitor and hearing how much fun he had when Daddy put him to bed
1430...his determination
1431...making up silly songs to help him with his spelling test
1432...coloring contests that motivate busy kids
1433...trains running back and forth across the table
1434...a unique opportunity to care for my husband by putting his socks and shoes on before he left for work (his work in the basement finally got to his low back)
1435...afternoon play dates
1436...laundry baskets overflowing
1437...4 baskets of clean laundry waiting to find their home
1438...catching a glimpse of a baby hand print on the mirror
1439...watching the O's win against the Red Sox in the bottom of the 9th inning and all of us cheering like we were there!
1440...a mid-day run with a friend pushing the boys in the jogging stroller
1441...conversation that digs deep
1442...how he calls it his "lookin book"
1443...the sliver of the moon in the sky at sunset
1444...a cool evening chasing the baby at the soccer field
1445...joining him on his class field trip

1446...their forgiveness when I loose my temper again
1447...an insurance check that covers our expenses and more
1448...watching my husband lead our congregation in worship...
1449...how God continues to use his giftings in such rich and meaningful ways
1450...a long run completed before the sun rose
1451...listening to him tell the doctor about backyard kickball with "Popster Lollipop"
1452...dishes piled high in the sink
1453...watching him have fun on the soccer field

1454...an uninterrupted night of sleep
1455...God's reminder that prayer really does matter (Amos 7:1-9)..."Although God is sovereign and can act independently, He is in relationship with His creation and will respond to prayers of petition and/or repentance." (Genesis 18:20-32, Numbers 14:1-25, Jonah 3:10)
1456...his proud smile after his soccer goal

1457...the Saucony shoe gang

Determination...

2011-09-29T13:04:00.002-04:00

I am praying that God continues to ignite the fire of learning in your heart despite how difficult it is sometimes...

Buddy...I know He has big plans for you...you just wait and see!

This is a promise from His word to you...

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
James 1:2-4

Breakfast anyone....

2011-09-28T10:04:00.004-04:00

the boys decided to take breakfast into their own hands this morning...

Mulittude Monday #1398 - #1415

2011-09-23T12:41:00.010-04:00

"You can’t get to joy by making everything perfect. You can only get there by seeing in every imperfection all that’s joy...
Ann Voskamp

When I read the blog post linked above I couldn't help but think about the years I've spent trying to make things perfect...and how through trials that tested my faith and my inability to "fix" them...God confirmed in my heart what I deep down knew to be true...I CAN'T. He also confirmed another thing...He is Good...and worthy of my trust...even when things don't make sense.

This exercise in seeing God in and giving him thanks for the everyday things has definitely helped in my quest for joy in the midst of chaos/imperfection... so, I continue my endless list of thanks and pray for continued strength to trust Him.

1398...watching him look in the Bible for answers to his homework
1399...dinner and conversation with small group girls
1400...community around God's word
1401...seeing his brother care for him
1402...beautiful sunset
1403...his honesty at the doctor's office
1404...fall colors beginning to appear
1405...good news from the insurance adjustor
1406...his excitement in finding this

1407...wheezing that cleared up within a couple of days
1408...a beautiful rainbow at sunset
1409...opportunities to talk about how God never breaks a promise
1410...boys in puddles
1411...squirt guns shooting dirty, muddy water
1412...baths that cleanse
1413...the crunch of leaves underfoot
1414...an opportunity to discuss the importance of being honest
1415...boys playing 2 x 2

Let's Go O's...

2011-09-21T19:20:00.001-04:00

Eli's favorite part of last weeks O's game...

Multitude Monday #1370 - #1397 ...

2011-09-19T13:58:00.005-04:00

The endless list of thanks continues...

...him laughing at the Munchkin rolling around on his tray

...success in the morning
...watching him dance with his classmates
...celebrating his 9th birthday
...a friend to share it with

...his excitement in supporting the team

...our time together

...train walk with the younger two boys
...memories of how quickly time passes
...early morning fog in a field
...that the Dr. just laughed as the boys were teasing one another and said "I don't know how you do it."
...no more tests needed

...his love of puzzles

...time with a friend to be real
...beautiful lightening storm accompanied by a gentle rain
...His nudge to remember that even in the midst of the storm he is safe and present
...making homemade playdough with Eli

...more puzzles

...how he wanted to do each one all by himself

...puzzles as place mats (because after days of work he wasn't ready to put them away)

...14 mile run (the longest run I've ever completed)

...that he got all 4 boys ready and took them to soccer early in the morning so I could run
...the boys spying on me as we ran down the street

...soccer season

...a sermon on discerning God's voice that confirmed things I feel like He has been speaking to me
...Wes spending hours in the basement to restore it to a living space once again
...an afternoon family hike through the woods

...Micaiah's brave heart as he gained a new smile

The Trains...

2011-09-16T05:37:00.001-04:00

There is a spot in our neighborhood where you can get a really good glimpse of the MARC train coming in and out of a tunnel. On a weekday they come about every 15 minutes or so and when they come you see one coming out of the tunnel and then about 5 minutes later one going into the tunnel. You feel a big rush of wind as they pass by.

I spent many hours in this spot when Micaiah and Joshua were little...almost every afternoon we would take a walk to see "the trains." They would stand up by the fence to get a really good look at the train coming and going.

Now it's Eli and Will's turn...

Taking full advantage of the time alone with his brother...

Will is now at the age where he is really interacting with his brothers...but there is something special about his relationship with Eli (and I don't completely understand it because Eli struggles to be kind most of the time)...Wednesday when Eli was at preschool, Will wanted to go up the steps so I walked up with him...he immediately went into Eli and Joshua's room and began yelling "E"...when he didn't get an answer he ran over to his bed, climbed in and yelled again...I guess he thought he may still be sleeping...my prayer is that there relationship would strengthen as the days go by...that Eli would realize his important role as a big brother and that I would see more times where he is loving him like this...

Glimpses...

2011-09-14T22:14:00.002-04:00

into Micaiah's 9th birthday (on the 12th)...

posing with his class...

loving on Eli...

Going to the O's game against the Rays...

Celebrating Matt Weiters homerun...with his friend (that we just happened to run into as we walked into the ballpark)

hoping for a gameball...

Happy 9th Birthday Micaiah!

Multitude Monday #1344 - #1369...

2011-09-12T13:50:00.008-04:00

The endless list of thanks continues...

...rain drops sparkling on the leaves
...wisdom from an old journal
...Will splashing in puddles
...reading time
...smooth IEP meeting
...M + M cookies at the end of the first day of school
...a neighbors help
...perspective
...my husbands example of not holding too tightly to earthly things
...how he ended the night playing Peace on the piano
...receiving his newsletter
...the waters receding
...puzzles with Eli
...hearing him share about reading The Magician's Nephew as a class to begin their Creation unit
...giggling with the boys over Micaiah's hiccups
...back rubs
...chapel with the boys
...a sweet friends encouraging words
...his diligence in cleaning up the basement
...the sun shining!!!
...this song
...his beautiful handprint with his signature (even if it was on the wall and door of his room)

...that he has started sounding out words

...the way he approached his friend

...worship on Sunday morning
...for time to remember

10 Years Later...

2011-09-11T15:51:00.004-04:00

I remember exactly where I was and how scared I felt knowing that things were so uncertain...I also remember a coworkers wise words...she said "Honey, you don't have to be fearful...Jesus is your rock."

Driving in the car yesterday I was listening to a CD that Wes put together for me and this song came on...A Mighty Fortress by Christy Nockels...I felt the Lord once again remind me that He is a mighty fortress in whom I can take refuge...when I got home I took some time to look up scriptures that remind me of this promise from Him...

"But the LORD has become my fortress,
and my God the rock in whom I take refuge."
Psalm 94:22

"Truly my soul finds rest in God;
my salvation comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken...
Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge."
Psalm 62: 1, 2, 5-8

"Since you are my rock and my fortress,
for the sake of your name lead and guide me."
Psalm 31:3

video: if you received this post via email please visit www.ouradventurewithboys.com to view the music video

Buddies...

2011-09-10T22:53:00.001-04:00

Will and his buddy Cameron enjoying the Zoo today...

The Aftermath...

2011-09-09T22:36:00.000-04:00

from Hurricane Irene and the rain/flooding that followed...
this is the only spot in the basement that wasn't damaged by water...so everything is piled in that corner on top of the guest bed...you can see the beautiful red and black asbestos tiles that were underneath the carpet padding, Wes has spent hours removing them (after sponging them with water again to reduce the dust)...you can also see the pink carpet padding and some of the carpet from before in this corner...we need to complete one side so we will have a place to put all of this stuff while we remove the carpet, padding and tiles from this section...

he has removed all of the tiles from the portion of the basement in the picture below, filled in the "termite drilling holes" that were in the foundation from years before we bought the house (that we now realize were the culprit of the water fountains in the basement) and he just started to paint the floor with some type of sealant.

I will post pictures of our progress as the weeks go on...

First and Third...

2011-09-07T22:17:00.006-04:00

A little brotherly love on the first day of school...

Will couldn't help get in on the action...

I love this perspective...

Perspective...

2011-09-07T19:18:00.004-04:00

After we spent a good portion of the afternoon trying to shop vac the water and emptying buckets out of the basement...we realized we were fighting a loosing battle and resorted to ripping up the carpet and carpet pad underneath.
This day began emotional for me...dropping Joshua and Micaiah off for their first day of school, Joshua's IEP meeting shortly thereafter so when I looked at the basement the emotions came around again. I left the house to go on a walk telling Wes before I left that I knew I could be thankful that it did not damage the sunroom...I had no idea I had a lot more than that to be thankful for...

Yes, this is our neighborhood playground...the houses nearby are being threatened by flood waters...not just their basements...their houses. Thank you God for prompting me to go outside for a walk...and bringing me the perspective that I needed at just the right time.

Multitude Monday #1305 - #1343...

2011-09-05T22:10:00.008-04:00

"I only deepen the wound of a hurting world when I neglect to give thanks."
~ Ann Voskamp

The endless list of thanks continues...

...hearing Will say "Wow"...

...a beautiful purple, orange, and yellow filled sky at sunset...

...him laughing at Kettle Corn popping...

...backyard baseball...

...electric cords strung across the street...

...hearing details about his day...

...brothers asking for his autograph...

...dinner on the outside patio...

...emails of prayer requests
...power returned to our neighbors...

...the difference a friend makes...

...the way he pushed my hair back to gain my full attention...

...running into a friend...

...watching him walk in with such confidence...

...13.1 mile run (the first one that I can "remember")...

...my own caravan...

...an afternoon nap...
...sharing the couch with Eli...

...taking time to stare at his beautiful face...

...a crabcake and a baked potato...

...hearing his piano music in the house...

...the boys swimming with Mom Mom...

...a fun "Mystery Ride" to Hersheypark...

...brothers caring for one another...

...watching Wes have fun...

...the little one falling asleep on my chest...

...brave boys...

...these two laughing...

...their excitement in sharing the ride with me...

...rides just his size...
...how he turned around to see where I was...

...brothers lined up in a row...

...Eli's robot moves...
...robot races...
...Will playing with trains (even if he sits on the train table to manipulate the trains)...
...chocolate chip pancakes and bacon...
...Will's little voice saying "uh oh"...
...seeing the bottom of the laundry basket...
...rain falling...

6people12times...August...

2011-09-04T23:12:00.006-04:00

A kind stranger offered to take this picture on our way out of Hersheypark today...we surprised the boys with a "Mystery Ride" this morning to celebrate the end of summer. We were there when the park opened and we stayed until after dinner time. Everyone had a blast...it was definitely a day to remember!

if you would like to see pictures from previous months please visit the following link...6people12times

And He's Off...

2011-09-01T17:03:00.008-04:00

the first day was really rough at drop off but when I picked him up he told me about some things that he did...

~rode the bikes with the big tire in the front and two little tires in the back
~his teacher read a book about a pelican (teacher) and a frog (the student)
~he was the "engine" aka line leader and led the class to the playground
~he played in the car center
~he did the seesaw with a friend
~he was not the flag holder
~it was a sunny day, so a friend put a sun on the calender
~he sang some new songs

I offered to take him and his brothers out to lunch to celebrate...it was so neat to see Micaiah and Joshua question him about his day...Micaiah had the same teacher when he was 4, so he was able to ask some specific questions...and then he asked Eli for his autograph!

We dropped him off yesterday morning and he went right in, hung his backpack up in his cubby, washed his hands, grabbed a book and sat right next to his buddy Ian...he's loving it!

Just Like His Brother...

2011-09-01T16:13:00.003-04:00

Picture of Will taken after a bath the other night...his hair looks just like Micaiah's.

Multitude Monday #1272 - #1304...

2011-08-29T22:14:00.008-04:00

The endless gift of thanks continues...

a cool, windy morning that reminds me that fall is on it's way...reflections that help...a special note from him when I came home...a morning walk with a mentor...His reminders to trust that He will sustain...Grandma and Pap offering to come help for a few days...an extra set of eyes as they ride on the street...the oldest one holding my hand as we walk through the mall...milkshakes with Pap...God's faithfulness never fails...my husband's provision for our family...the vividness of the colors after a rain...Will cheering as his brothers bowled (after he decided that it wasn't scary)...that Grandma and Pap were there to help with the others when I had to take Eli out of Chick Fil A throwing a huge temper tantrum (his second within an hour)...celebrating Eli's birthday with family and friends...meeting his teacher and seeing his cubby...that God protected Will from a collision with the swing...light saber's made out of pool noodles...seeing a Great Blue Heron...appreciating His creation as I cross the bridge at the Reservoir...preparing for the storm...Mom's treat at Chuck E Cheese...their excitement to spend a day with the cousins...a shelter from the storm...watching him try, fail, keep trying and finally succeed (I have so much to learn from him)...her encouraging words...Eli's 4th birthday...that the Sunday message was on Perseverance (yes Lord, I am listening)...laughing at Joshua's "stroller turban"...that our house was spared from any major damage from the storm...that our power was restored after only a day and a half (8 years ago with Hurricane Isabelle we were out for 2 weeks)...dinner on the back patio...boys singing Happy Birthday to their brother

Multitude Monday #1239 - #1271...

2011-08-22T14:57:00.008-04:00

I need to confess that this week has been difficult. I'm tired...a little worn out and feeling like I can't meet all of the needs that come up throughout the day.

I was telling a friend this morning that I feel like my "mom of boys muscles" are being stretched. Eli is crazy on his bike now (without training wheels), looking for "dirt bike jumps" and hills that he can ride on (he's had a few bad wrecks but gets right back on to ride just as fast as he did before), Joshua is also all over the place on his bike, Will is fascinated with going up and down curbs and running (which leads to lots of falling), and since the Ravens game on Friday night, Micaiah has moved from baseball season to football season and wants to play tackle football with his brothers.

It's really interesting because I had an internal monologue with myself today as I was watching Josh and Eli ride their bikes, Will run down the sidewalk and Micaiah punt the football..."Maybe it would just be easier if I kept them inside. I would be able to 'control' the chaos a little better. Things wouldn't be so difficult." And then I thought..."huh, control...there's that word that I struggle with so often coming up in a different area of my life." That's when I began to think on the things of scripture that I know are true...God's promises to me...

2 Corinithians 12:10~ "When I am weak, He is strong."

Philippians 4:12, 13 ~ "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength."

1 Corinithians 13:7 ~ "It (love) always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

and what I feel like is my life prayer...

Colossians 1: 9-12 ~ "Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven't stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you'll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us."

And then...Joshua came over to me and said...

"Nonny, do you know what God does? He never breaks a promise!"

Wow buddy, I can't thank you enough for being His vessel to speak truth and life into your momma!

I am telling you that no matter how hard this gratitude thing is on weeks like this....it continues to challenge me to see the things that He has blessed me with even when I feel like things are so out of sorts.

So the endless list of thanks continues...

Monday, August 15th
1239...hearing how he has put more of the Narnia pieces together
1240...understanding from others
1241...Eli learning to turn while riding his bike without training wheels
1242...how he finds my eyes in the midst of 2 boys screaming from sword fights gone wrong and bee stings and says "I love you!"

Tuesday, August 16th
1243...cool breeze on an early morning run
1244...our son's repentant heart
1245...that I responded with grace when 18 eggs ended up cracked on the kitchen floor

Wednesday, August 17th
1246...my adventure with Joshua
1247...an afternoon invite to the pool for Josh and Micaiah
1248...a family celebration for Eli (he is now completely independent in riding his bike without training wheels)
1249...the way he loves his little brother
1250...baking with Eli

Thursday, August 18th
1251...watching spiders in the windows spinning their food
1252...kisses from Eli
1253...reminder to be content
1254...excitement and anticipation for an upcoming Bible study

Friday, August 19th
1255...a morning babysitter (I'm tired!)
1256...Micaiah's art show
1257...Eli pointing out the sun peeking through the clouds on our way home
1258...his Ravens preseason excitement
1259...that their were an extra pair of shorts in the box

Saturday, August 20th
1260...motivation for a 10 mile run
1261...hearing this song and letting the words soak in as I ran
1262...the van showing up at mile 6 with the boys and Daddy cheering
1263...Micaiah running the last mile and Eli finishing the neighborhood loop with me
1264...a morning at the park as a family...football flying, bikes moving
1265...surviving a trip to the shoe store with all 4 boys to get school shoes

Sunday, August 21st
1266...His reminder to persevere
1267...her encouraging words
1268...his heart in wanting me to stay while he attended his friends party (he tried so hard to let me go!)
1269...pizza at the playground
1270...sundaes on Sunday
1271...finishing our read aloud

Ravens Preseason Game...

2011-08-19T16:03:00.002-04:00

We had 4 tickets to the preseason game against the Chiefs. I dropped Wes and Micaiah off at the train so they could go down early and take advantage of the two field passes...

I brought Joshua down later...he was so excited to go to his first Raven's game.
Micaiah was hilarious to watch...he was so fired up for each play.

Joshua was doing great, enjoying food in the front row seats of the box when I came down and found a seat to eat my Caesar salad and watch the game...well, the Caesar salad was a little too much for Joshua and his hypersensitivity to smells...let me just say that he destroyed the row and we left the game early!

He said to me today..."Nonny, the next time we go to a Raven's game, can you not get a salad?"

Will at 16 1/2 months...

2011-08-19T05:01:00.004-04:00

~he waves bye bye and makes the same grunt every time
~gives his Daddy kisses before he leaves for work in the morning

~gets very excited when "Our God" comes on the radio...he does a little shoulder dance and then drums the beat
~loves to climb absolutely anything...stairs, the kitchen stool, the couch, small coolers, the train table
~likes to participate in "street scooter tag" with his brothers while he rides in his red car
~absolutely loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (this was the only way we could get him to take his nebulizer treatments a few times a day and now he's hooked)
~continues to need nebulizer treatments and singulair daily to keep his lungs healthy for the next round of sickness that may come our way
~has curly hair like Micaiah

~looks like a cross between Joshua and Eli
~was 27 pounds at his 15 month appointment...
~has 12 teeth
~is down to 1 bottle
~says the following words..."Da, Da"..."Ma, Ma"..."dottle" aka bottle..."Go"..."Ei" aka Eli..."hot"..."light"..."outside"..."bath"..."Iah" aka Micaiah..."Icky" aka "Mickey" and then he proceeds to try to sing a song from the show..."up" which means down, out, or up depending on the context..."rock"
~loves to stand on Micaiah's bed and activate the "touch sensitive" reading light
~loves to sit on Joshua's belly and bounce
~loves to have screaming contests with Eli

~loves to play in the toilet water and with the toilet brush
~"is the cutest baby ever" according to his big brother Micaiah
~beeps the horn on his car when you say "beep, beep"
~points to the sky when he hears an airplane and babbles
~has the most adorable little babble as he points to something around him and his mouth looks like this...

~blows "fish kisses"

If I've heard it once I've heard it 1000 times (ok...maybe 50)..."What would we do without Will?"

Josh and Eli...

2011-08-18T05:38:00.002-04:00

First there was this...

and then this...

Yes...there are two new drivers on the road...no more training wheels!

"Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero."
Marc Brown

I came across this quote recently and couldn't help but see the application in this area...Joshua inspired Eli to take the challenge...way to go Josh!

video: if you received this post via email, please visit www.ouradventurewithboys.com to view the video

My Morning with Joshua...

2011-08-17T20:23:00.006-04:00

He has always been our animal lover...he is the one that packs his backpack full of animals when we travel (so he can set up his zoo whenever we arrive)...he is the one that started the stuffed animal daycare...he is the one that still remembers the animals that we didn't buy him from our Spring Break trip in March...the one that really wants a dog to call his own.

So I thought that this adventure may be worth the price...

Let me tell you that he told Ms. Amanda that he would be back to take care of "Chippy" and to take him for another ride. Ms. Amanda gave him a shirt and a medal and as you can see he wore them both proudly before we even left the barn!

Multitude Monday #1187 - #1238...

2011-08-15T04:54:00.000-04:00

"So let my whole life be
A blazing offering
A life that shouts and sings
The greatness of our King
Glory to God, Glory to God, Glory to God Forever."
Excerpt from the song Glory to God Forever by Fee

the endless list of thanks continues...

stream walk with our cousins...crayfish, salamanders and frogs in their new temporary home...Star Wars on the porch...forts in the bedroom...the Yough river salamander...building dams...Topps Attax games...Josh's first sleepover with Ry and Nick...cousins sleeping over at camp...skiing at sunset...Grandma's apple pie...vast expanse of clouds and skyline...zip line rides...waking to gently falling rain...campfires...rainbow lollipops...boys retrieving water and discussions about our friends in Africa doing the same...ice cream for lunch...waterfalls...and hikes behind them...family bike ride along the river...wind chimes making music in the wind...brave boys...all three boys tubing together...hanging clothes on the line to dry...Joshua learning to ride his bike without training wheels...and Eli following very close behind...9 mile float trip down the river...lunch along the river...that Micaiah made it all the way in his own ducky...the beauty of God's mountains...visits with family...a walk through PA's largest cave...kayaking on the lake at sunset...boys jumping off of the dock...an hour or two spent trying to catch minnows...Western Maryland Adventures...that the three older boys caught fish...Eli's large mouth bass...finding his footprints on the rock...his hair...my aunts gift of a pedicure and massage while she watched the boys...stopping at the fair on the way home...riding the Ferris wheel as a family...

and some of the "Ugly" things that challenged us to see the beauty in these too...

forgotten bike seats...dead batteries...rain...missed naps...a tube going under instead of on top of the water...scrapes and bruises...a dock ladder thrown in the water...a river rat that went in to drink...forgotten camera battery wall charger

Random pictures from our week away...most taken with Wes' iPhone...

A Day Trip...

2011-08-03T20:50:00.005-04:00

A visit to the American Visionary Art Museum...

followed by lunch atop Federal Hill...

It had been a morning of bickering between the boys...
"I want to push the button first"
" I will be the first up the steps"
"I don't understand why you're scared of the steps"
"You're taking too long, it's my turn to push the button."
"Let's go over here."
"Let's go over there."
"I am hungry."
"I just want to go home."

So I was thankful that I stuck to my plan for lunch. The boys enjoyed watching the various ships go in and out of the harbor, and spotting different sites that we had visited on previous visits to the city.
But most of all, I am thankful that as we sat there eating lunch a women and her husband, son and daughter-in law walked by (a mother of 4 grown boys I later found out) and she repeated the words that I feel like God continually reminds me of again and again...

"Those were the best days...be sure to cherish every minute of it."

6people12times...July...

2011-08-02T20:56:00.005-04:00

We're halfway through the year...we asked our neighbor to take this picture as we were leaving for a bike ride after dinner tonight. Josh and Eli take turns on the trailer bike behind Wes. Micaiah does a great job pedaling on our trip around the neighborhood. I turned around at one point tonight and caught a glimpse of Will clapping...I think he likes the adventure.

if you would like to see pictures from previous months please visit this link 6people 12times

Multitude Monday #1150 - #1186...

2011-08-01T15:13:00.005-04:00

“If I have a hope, it’s that God… put us in with the sunset and the rainstorm as though to say, ‘Enjoy your place in my story. The beauty of it means you matter, and you can create within it even as I have created you.‘”
-A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: How I Learned to Live a Better Story

the endless list of thanks continues...

Monday, July 25th
1150...the start of a new week
1151...an afternoon nap
1152...mid afternoon jam session with the boys
1153...a thunderstorm that draws us close

Tuesday, July 26th
1154...a walk to the snowball stand
1155...a weeping willow tree by the pond

Wednesday, July 27th
1156...Will blowing me kisses after I lay him down for a nap
1157...Micaiah coaching Josh and Eli in baseball
1158...that they were willing students for a little while
1159...that he arrived safely in Texas
1160...encouragement from a friend

Thursday, July 28th
1161...a scripture from a friend ("His way is in the whirlwind and the storm" Nahum 1:3)
1162...Micaiah taking a risk and working through failure
1163...catching up with a friend
1164...that God is strong in my weakness
1165...opening the door for him to return home

Friday, July 29th
1166...an early morning solo run with worship
1167...a scripture text sent at just the right time
1168...sunlight streaming down Mill Run
1169...worship around the campfire

Saturday, July 30th
1170...an all day boat day
1171...a boat shuttle out to the baptism "point"
1172...5 families (10 adults and 16 kids) from our small group gathering at the "point"
1173...Joshua sharing the story of how John the Baptist baptized Jesus
1174...watching Wes baptize Joshua

1175...the way he walked into the water toward his Dad
1176...watching Wes baptize Micaiah

1177...knowing that he could cross of the first thing on his list of things to do this summer
1178...seeing others from our small group take the step of publicly professing their faith in Him
1179...dinner together...yes, a little crazy but oh so good!
1180...Mom's gift to Micaiah and her words that I hope will run deep

Sunday, July 31st
1181...zip line runs with cousins
1182...high fives while double tubing
1183...swimming, swimming, swimming
1184...the beauty of tree covered mountains leading right into the water
1185...spending time with family as the sun goes down
1186...laying all four of them softly into their beds at home after a fun-filled weekend at the lake

Multitude Monday #1119 - #1149...

2011-07-26T08:24:00.009-04:00

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
1 Chronicles 16:33-35

Monday, July 18th
1119...celebrating 13 years of marriage to my loving husband
1120...flowers from him
1121...dinner complete with a homemade heart shaped napkin
1122...O's game with Micaiah

Tuesday, July 19th
1123...a cardinal shouting loud from a neighbors rooftop
1124...peace in the midst of chaos
1125...hearing him work with his tutor...she made it so much fun

Wednesday, July 20th
1126...an air conditioner in this sweltering heat
1127...getting dressed up for our anniversary dinner
1128...a great dinner at a fun little seafood place
1129...good, deep conversation

Thursday, July 21st
1130...my breakfast date with Eli
1131...watching him bee-bop to the Jazz music in the background and then hearing him say "Mommy I like this music."
1132...boys using the fan to make their voices sound funny
1133...a much needed break
1134...my handy husband that fixed our washer that has not been working properly for over a week
1135...forgiveness and prayers offered at night after a long day

Friday, July 22nd
1136...exciting possibilities
1137...packing them up to go to the lake with Daddy
1138...another chance to see the depth of Joshua's love for others
1139...watching him take risks as he played with his baseball friends at the pool
1140...snuggling with Micaiah

Saturday, July 23rd
1141...babysitters
1142...watching 2 baseball games uninterrupted
1143...ice cold rags to cool his neck
1144...gatorade to replenish in sweltering heat
1145...us all together again

Sunday, July 24th
1146...worship that brings me in the presence of the Lord
1147...words that touch deep places in my soul
1148...deep-heart level conversations with Micaiah
1149...slip and slide fun with Daddy

Weekend Baseball Tournament...

2011-07-24T08:05:00.001-04:00

He was so excited..."We can steal and lead off Mom."
So during the second game I decided to try and get a shot of him hitting...the game was tied 8-8 with one out and Micaiah was up to bat...

He hit a double!

He then stole 3rd base and his buddy Ryan M. hit a single that allowed him to run in and put the team on top 9-8. Glad I decided to get the camera out when I did!

Micaiah and Ryan K. resting in between games.

A Lazy Summer Afternoon...

2011-07-22T22:18:00.001-04:00

Summer To Do List...

2011-07-19T07:06:00.006-04:00

At the beginning of summer the family came up with a list of things we would like to do...at the top of Micaiah's list was an Orioles game...so when we saw that with 5 fill up's at BP you would earn 2 free tickets...he and I made it our mission.

I thought for sure he and his Daddy would go but when he and Wes were discussing the game... Micaiah said he wanted to go with me because "I don't think Mommy's ever been to an Orioles game."

I've been to some Orioles games but none as exciting as this...O's vs Red Sox...big hitting...we stayed the whole time and even though we lost, Micaiah helped me see things during the game that I may have never noticed and with so much excitement that the guy in the next seat told me multiple times through the night "I love it." This boy loves baseball through and through.

Multitude Monday #1098 - #1118...

2011-07-17T20:49:00.010-04:00

This video of Laura Story playing her song "Blessings" was played at the end of the sermon yesterday at church...I feel like God continues to help me process these last 7 years and the trials I've been through. There have been so many blessings in the midst of these years...many would not have come without the trials themselves.

In her bio, Laura Story says "But there’s a decision that I find God is asking us to make: whether we are going to choose to interpret our circumstances based on what we hold to be true about God, or whether we’re going to judge what we hold to be true about God based on our circumstances.”

Counting His gifts in my life has been one of the ways that I continue to remember that God is faithful and good, even in the midst of things that don't make sense or in the midst of stories that I would have hoped for a different ending.

Monday, July 11th
1098...boys excited to attend VBS
1099...one thing checked off the to-do list (it's actually been on there for months)

Tuesday, July 12th
1100...help from a neighbor
1101...hearing my watch chime the hours...a reminder to pray
1102...going to sleep listening to my husband sing and play the guitar

Wednesday, July 13th
1103...his delight in the pebble harp
1104...chocolate no bake cookies

Thursday, July 14th
1105...early morning quiet
1106...a little boy with a walking stick
1107...cool wind rushing through the woods as we hike

Friday, July 15th
1108...opportunities to grow in compassion
1109...how Daddy makes it all better (Eli's lip boo boo from the playground)
1110...hearing Joshua sing "Beautiful One" during rest
Saturday, July 16th
1111...an 11 miler
1112...his hands turning the pages of a book
1113...his focus

Sunday, July 17th
1114...his story during this sermon (12:40 on)...
1115...grass clippings all through the house because of slip and slide fun

1116...a family bike ride after dinner...Eli and Will in the bike trailer...Josh on the trailer bike and Micaiah riding his own

1117...how he is adamant about getting a hug and a "squeeze cheek" kiss from his brother before bed
1118...this quote from Laura Story "We have a faithful God. Every promise he’s kept, every need he’s met.”

video: if you received this post via email, please visit www.ouradventurewithboys.com to view the video

A Message to Daddy...

2011-07-14T05:12:00.000-04:00

1, 2, 3...

2011-07-13T22:04:00.002-04:00

GO!!!!

He screams it with such enthusiasm that we're afraid he may loose his voice!

video: if you received this post via email, please visit www.wjmace.blogspot.com to view the video

Multitude Monday #1073 - #1097...

2011-07-11T05:15:00.001-04:00

I am reading Complete Digital Photography, by Ben Long this summer...the other day, he was talking about how as adults our brains "edit or abbreviate our visual experience so that we do not become overwhelmed with visual information." And then he went on to say...

"Little kids are different. Because the world is a new place for them, they notice far more detail. They have to see these details because they haven't yet learned to abbreviate the visual complexity of the world down to simple symbols like desk. Unfortunately, for a photographer, the visual complexity of the world is also the raw material for your photography. So you don't want your brain to abbreviate your experience, you want it to see every detail. In other words, you want to learn to see again, as you did when you were a kid."
Complete Digital Photography, Ben Long

Wow...I couldn't help but see this as another reminder from God to "SEE"...so I continue my list of endless gifts finding joy in "seeing" the sacred in the everyday...

Monday, July 4th
1073...a day to celebrate my husband's birthday
1074...kids tramping through a hidden stream

1075...salamanders swimming

Tuesday, July 5th
1076...mounds of laundry- a reminder of a great long weekend at the lake
1077...that the dentist affirmed him with the same phrase we normally do
1078...time to celebrate

Wednesday, July 6th
1079...Joshua's birthday breakfast
1080..."GOD IS LOVE" written very large in the dirt on the back of a box truck...a great early morning reminder
1081...meeting Daddy for a picnic
1082...a rescue my family had been praying for

Thursday, July 7th
1083...a mini cleaning spree
1084...watching Joshua delight in his friends
1084...open play at a local "Bounce Place" that doubled as his birthday celebration

1085...milkshakes with his friends to top off the evening

Friday, July 8th
1085...witnessing the creativity of our Maker as we walk through the Aquarium...the multitude of colors, the detail and even the humor...
1086...an early start to the lake
1087...a fun "pit stop"

Saturday, July 9th
1088...the joy in jumping off of the dock

1089...a boy and a bucket of rocks

1090...our kids as friends

1091...a late evening boat ride

1092...his exclamation that "this was the best day ever at the lake!"

Sunday, July 10th
1093...him all alone on the road
1094...time to read in the sun
1095...a glimpse of them through the kitchen window

1096...for Wes' diligence in extinguishing the smell in the van
1097...His reminders

Happy 7th Birthday Joshua!...

2011-07-06T08:18:00.004-04:00

Joshua enjoying his breakfast this morning...

"I love that you are a friend to everyone." ~Daddy

"I like when you let me wrestle with you." ~ Will (with a little help from Mommy)

"I like to have dance parties with you." ~ Eli

"I love that he is nice and plays Star Wars Lego's with me." ~ Micaiah

"I love your care free spirit and the way you love other people." ~ Mommy

Happy Birthday Wes...

2011-07-04T21:16:00.001-04:00

As my grandmother used to say "God knew you were going to be a firecracker!"

I love that your birthday is one big celebration...you deserve it!

We love you!

Multitude Monday #1045 - #1072...

2011-07-04T20:46:00.001-04:00

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name."

Psalm 100:4

Joining with the Gratitude Community to "give thanks to him and praise his name."

Monday, June 27th
1045...that he stayed home to watch Will
1046...our kids learning about gratitude
1047...hearing over 100 kids sing out praises to Him

Tuesday, June 28th
1048...David Crowder worship in the morning
1049...thinking on Philippians 4:8
1050...snickerdoodle chex mix
1051...dinner out with small group girls!

Wednesday, June 29th
1052...boys and kazoos
1053...a super hot husband (looks like Wes got a hold of my gratitude journal but I'm going to add it because I agree)
1054...Daddy's breakfast with Joshua
1055...dancing with Will in the kitchen
1056...a chance to extend grace

Thursday, June 30th
1057...a hurting neighbor that I had never met stopping to knock on the door for support during the early days of motherhood because she "knew I had a lot of kids."
1058...Micaiah teaching Eli to throw and catch grounders
1059...prayer for a brother

Friday, July 1st
1060...that God gave me boys
1061...bags packed and waiting to leave for "camp"

Saturday, July 2nd
1062...a 9 miler!
1063...that Daddy packed up all the boys to come cheer me on although our timing was a bit off...it's the thought that counts!
1064...how Wes has a way of calming stressful situations
1065...that Napa didn't close until 6pm

Sunday, July 3rd
1066...God's reminders of his love for us displayed in the beauty of his creation (Rom 1:20)
1067...low maintenance friends
1068...perfectly timed rain
1069...fireworks lighting up the sky
1070...that Will laughed at them...I thought for sure he would be scared (gotta love this kids personality!)
1071...pizza mountain pies
1072...late night talks around the campfire

6people 12times...June...

2011-06-30T14:08:00.003-04:00

Uncle Brian took this one for us at the Lynch Family Reunion...

if you would like to see pictures from previous months please visit this link 6people 12times

Multitude Monday #1015 - #1044....

2011-06-27T13:58:00.010-04:00

As we were standing with approximately 80,000 people singing the chorus to this song...the words struck me and I remember whispering to Wes..."did you hear that?"

Yes, I've listened to the song before but the emotion that was a part of that night and what God has been doing in my heart through this 1000 gift challenge, made me hear it in a different light...

"It's a beautiful day, Don’t let it get away"

And then I read this..."According to Bono, 'Beautiful Day' is 'about a man who has lost everything, but finds joy in what he still has.'"

Joining with The Gratitude Community in the unending list of gifts...

Monday, June 20th
1015...Micaiah praying for Eli to ask Jesus into his heart
1016...his wonder in the dew drops that looked like silver

Tuesday, June 21st
1017...finishing this book
1018...an invite to the pool
1019...hearing of God meeting a friends needs
1020...he and his Daddy swinging, catching up on their days
1021...boys with flowers in their hands

Wednesday, June 22nd
1022...free U2 concert tickets (thanks Wes for working so hard!)
1023...mom babysitting
1024...fresh flowers in the bathroom 1025...dad's life lesson poem to Micaiah

Thursday, June 23rd
1026...text messages to pray for a loved one in our small group
1027...long restorative afternoon nap
1028...an impromptu picnic (thanks Daddy)
1029...that Micaiah hangs his towel up without being asked (even if it isn't the way I would do it)

Friday, June 24th
1030...hearing of God's pursuit of a close cousin
1031...backyard fort building
1032...lunch outside

Saturday, June 25th
1033...reconnecting with an old friend and her family for the morning
1034...cousins playing

nice one Eli...

1035...brothers

1036...Grandma Ruth's last week of work...YEAH!!
1037...sticky smores fingers
1038...baby closing his eyes to sleep

Sunday, June 26th
1039...an early morning walk with my sister-in-law and a few kids
1040...watching the fog move across the lake
1041...boys and fishing poles

1042...Eli trying to catch a baby catfish
1043...an octopus wedding

1044...Micaiah's game ending double play

A Day at the Park in Color...

2011-06-23T22:21:00.002-04:00

Oh my goodness...look at those eyes!

Yes, most people that see him right now fall in love within a few minutes...

I was hoping to focus on his face but also capture his socks in this picture...as most of you know, Eli is sporting the high socks pulled tightly up to the knee trend right now and I know it won't last long.

A Day at the Park in B+W...

2011-06-23T22:13:00.003-04:00

The 3 Stooges being goofy...

Will's facial expression and the boys tenderness in caring for him keep drawing me back to this picture...

I also kind of like that Eli is trying really hard to avoid posing for the camera...this is real life with the boys...

U2...

2011-06-22T23:25:00.000-04:00

absolutely amazing!

pictures taken with Wes' iPhone...

Multitude Monday #985 - #1014...

2011-06-20T05:37:00.001-04:00

"What if we really figured it out...that...gratitude for the seemingly small and insignificant...this is the seed that plants the giant miracle in the midst of it all...
so count the way He loves...1000 more...never stop...so that when you wake in the morning you can't help unfold your hands to the heavens and though you grieve and though you wonder and though the world is ugly...
IT IS BEAUTIFUL"
an excerpt from Figuring Life Out- One Thousand Gifts
(see video below)

Monday, June 13th
985...a slow morning
986...glorious weather
987...hearing of friends trusting, clinging to Him
988...this backyard beauty

Tuesday, June 14th
989...all the boys playing together
990...Micaiah and I laughing as we browse through Father's Day cards at Target
991...152 acts of kindness...the kindness jar is more than half way full

Wednesday, June 15th
992...the talk by the pond as they enjoyed donuts
993...a stranger's offer to take a picture
994...capturing his loves

995...mid-day laugh as I reach for the toilet paper (no one has fessed up to this so I suspect that Will had a mid-day snack)

996...a chance to clean the silverware, spice, and Ziploc drawers after the kitchen sink was left running for over 20 minutes (with the stopper in) while we were playing outside and overflowed into everything surrounding it (note to self...Eli can turn the water on but he cannot turn the water off)

Thursday, June 16th
997...a new package of wiffle balls
998...a gentle spring rain
999...scriptures shared via text
1000...reaching this milestone (the journey began October of 2010)
1001...the way giving thanks for the sacred in the everyday has changed me!
1002...the boys chasing fireflies in their jammies

Friday, June 17th
1003...weeping willow trees bent low
1004...a mother's day card from Kendall our Compassion Kid from Guatemala

Saturday, June 18th
1005...hearing Joshua say "I'm going to miss this book" as he drops it into the book drop at the library.
1006...all the boys serenading Will with a rendition of "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" to get him to stop crying...it worked!
1007...patio furniture
1008...a new favorite book

Sunday, June 19th

1009...for my husband
1010...that the smoke alarms in our house work
1011...that my husband knew to throw the breaker when the broiler wouldn't shut off
1012...that he spent part of his Father's Day taking the stove apart to fix the issue
1013...Caesar Salad with Shrimp
1014...Jeremiah 31:3...His everlasting love

Please take a moment to view this video...Figuring Life Out-One Thousand Gifts...this challenge has definitely changed my life...I look forward to "1000 more"...thank you Ann from the bottom of my heart!

Happy Father's Day...

2011-06-18T22:44:00.007-04:00

to the best Daddy around!

Micaiah says..."I love that you really play with me and that you enjoy throwing baseball. I also am thankful that you are really loving."

Joshua says..."You are a good friend. I like it when you play with me and throw me onto the couch and tickle me."

Eli says..."I love that you play with me and do puzzles with me."

Will says (with a little help from Mommy)..."I love when you tickle me. My favorite part of the day is when you come home."

Mommy says..."Wes, you are an incredible father. You provide our boys with such a great example of their Heavenly Father's love for them. I am thankful that you work hard to provide for our family. It still amazes me that you can push yourself to learn anything whether it's a musical instrument or a new career (VP of IT with a Biology degree). We appreciate you more than you know and pray you have a wonderful Father's Day!"

Brothers...

2011-06-16T21:42:00.003-04:00

Brothers, a photo by Jenna Mace on Flickr.

A Day at the Zoo...

2011-06-15T21:05:00.003-04:00

Thank you to the nice lady that offered to take this picture!

Multitude Monday #953 - #984....

2011-06-13T05:32:00.008-04:00

"The time has come To stand for all we believe in
So I for one am gonna Give my praise to You
Today today it's all or nothing
All the way The praise goes out to You
Yeah all the praise goes out to You
Today today I live for one thing
To give You praise In everything I do
Yeah all the praise goes out to You"
an excerpt from "The Time Has Come"
(see link in post below)

Joining with The Gratitude Community as I continue my journey toward
1000 gifts of praise to Him...

Monday, June 6th
953...his fever that allowed us to sit on the couch and read books together
954...homemade peanut butter cookies to celebrate the last day of Kindergarten
955...the way he shakes his head "no" whenever you ask him a question

Tuesday, June 7th
956...backyard hydrangeas beginning to show their color
957...watching them participate in field day
958...their first Slurpee's
959...catching up with a friend that I haven't seen in months
960...a little girl in pony tails

Wednesday, June 8th
961...Eli's breakfast date with Daddy
962...good news from a friend that we have been praying for...the adoption is finalized (2 years later)
963...hearing this song...The Time Has Come and allowing the words to run deep
964...his teacher's "encouraging" words
965...time to sit in the sunshine and read
966...the baby trying to jump

Thursday, June 9th
967...his smile as she praised him
968...how even the words she used to describe him remind me of Kelsey
969...the way Eli says "William" emphasizing the "L's"
970...the way Joshua puts his hand on his cheek and says "Hmm, let's see."

Friday, June 10th
971...meeting Daddy for lunch
972...hearing the exclamation "Oh Dear!"
973...the smell of dinner in the slow cooker
974...an afternoon nap

Saturday, June 11th
975...Joshua and his baseball trophy

976...Eli and his favorite socks

977...my Dad seeing him pitch

978...that all the younger boys made it through his doubleheader (with a little help from friends)
979...Eli and his best friend

980...celebrating Poppy's birthday

Sunday, June 12th
981...seeing my husband express his God given talents...simply beautiful!
982...Song of Solomon 8:6 and
983...this song..."You Won't Relent"
984...a surprise backyard wedding

Kindergarten Graduation...

2011-06-11T20:47:00.004-04:00

On Thursday, June 9th Joshua officially graduated from Kindergarten...I had heard from some mom's that had traveled this path before that it was a very special day but I had no idea the depth that his teacher's would go in order to make this day extra special.

Dress was "occupation costume"...a little look into the future. Joshua chose a fireman which surprised me given that he has always been our little zoo keeper but saving people is pretty important business! Here is a sweet moment between he and his teacher prior to walking into the ceremony...

his teacher called each student up individually and affirmed them with a characteristic that they felt the child exemplified...Joshua's was congeniality..."a person of a pleasant disposition; friendly and sociable"...yeah, I think she knows Joshua well!

She proceeded to recall different stories from the classroom that were examples of this characteristic...the picture below is a story that Joshua remembered all too well as you can see by the expression on his face...

Then the teacher's assistant spoke a verse that she had personally chosen for each child...Joshua's was...

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
"Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all things. For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

And this is a picture of Joshua and his buddy Leo...

Belly Laughing Part 2....

2011-06-09T14:15:00.003-04:00

Will laughing at Mickey falling...people always comment on his deep belly laugh so here is another video...

if you wish to view Part 1 again here is the link...Belly Laughing Part 1

video: if you recieved this post via email...please visit Our Adventure with Boys to view the video