A Whole Decade!

Ten years ago our world changed...a little baby boy with his big blue eyes and wide smile was born. He surprised us with an early arrival, but that was only the beginning. He continues to surprise us with his music-making, his tough questions, his appetite for reading, and, more importantly, his desire to learn and follow God's truth. He has blessed our family with so much joy!

We thank the Lord for sending us His Son, Jesus Christ, and we thank Him for sending us our son.

We love you, Hudson!

Happy Birthday!

A Day to Remember

So, new year resolutions are made to be broken, right? It's been a busy few months, but little worth blogging about. Despite my track record with new year resolutions, we set out this year intending to take at least one 'field trip' each month. January was full with a two-week trip back to Texas, so we started this resolution in February.

My sister-in-law and I had a double-date to Branson last weekend; no, not with our dear husbands, but with our eldest sons. The four of us ventured south to visit the Titanic Museum. Hudson is a walking Titanic encyclopedia having read every book he could find on the subject, so when we learned there was a museum in Branson, we knew we had to go!

The street view of the museum fed our enthusiasm…

Is that not impressive?!?!

Unfortunately, cameras were not permitted inside the museum, but it was top notch. In addition to the recreated Grand Staircase, first and third-class quarters, and the captain's bridge, the museum was full with personal accounts of those on the tragic voyage. We were amazed at how many pictures the museum had of the passengers. Even some pictures taken while on the Titanic where recovered and on display. A 1:48 scale model of the massive ship was impressive along with some of the artifacts from the ship.  

Interestingly enough, the Titanic's claim to be 'unsinkable' reassured some passengers and concerned others. One little girl told her father she did not want to get on the ship because the claim to be 'unsinkable' flew in the face of God. Sadly, her father seemed to have more faith in the ship than fear of the Lord because his simply replied that all was fine because the ship "truly was unsinkable". "Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein." Luke 18:17

After the museum, we went to eat lunch at the Bradford Inn. We snapped a few pictures on the porch before seeing the sign that they were closed until Spring...uh oh.

Being the low-tech people that we are, we had no smartphone handy to make recommendations nor give us directions. So we did what people used to do all those years before the iPhone was invented...we drove around. We were hoping to find a place unique to Branson that had decent food and, more importantly, good dessert. Nothing says unique like a 40-foot tall chicken...

We took our chances and pulled into The Great American Steak & Chicken House. We were pleasantly surprised with some good country cookin' and yummy desserts. Even Hudson filled up his hollow leg and was unable to finish his blackberry cobbler. We played the part of the good tourists and even bought the photo from the restaurant photographer to help capture our Mother-Son Day Out:

We rounded out our time in Branson browsing the outlet mall. The girls benefited from our time away with some matching outfits found on clearance...

We really enjoyed spending this special time with our sons. It is not often that our children are able to have our undivided attention. Too soon, we will blink and these boys will be young men. We must be intentional about setting aside special times like this with each of our children to strengthen that bond and get to know each of them deeper.

"For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother." Proverbs 4:3

Happy New Year!

After a six week sabbatical, I decided there was no better way to begin a new year than with a blog post and a resolution to not wait six weeks between posts. :)

Since the last post, we took a few weeks to visit friends and family in multiple states. Upon our return to Missouri, we were greeted with winter a few weeks earlier than the notation on the calendar. This Texas girl had the opportunity to drive in the snow like a native Missourian as the front came in. It was slow-going, but not as bad as I expected. However, the van was unable to make it up the driveway when I got home. Thankfully, Randy was able to get some traction and get the van to the house. We got seven inches that first snowfall. A few days later another five inches piled on top of it. The temperatures stayed well below freezing for several weeks, so the children got ample time to experience snow. Sledding, snow angels, launching snowballs and laying the foundation of a snow fort consumed their time outside. 

One afternoon I was walking through the woods behind the house. The scenery was amazingly simple: white and brown as far as the eye could see. While the visual contrast was beautiful, it was the stillness that struck me most. During the summer and fall, those woods are teeming with the sounds of life - birds, insects, and small animals. However, that winter day, none of those creatures were stirring; they were probably nestled in their warm nests or burrows waiting for a warmer day. It made me realize how noisy life can be...in the woods, in the home, in the car...there is always something clamoring for our attention. These are not all bad sounds, you get used to them, but when they are silenced it is a bit disconcerting and yet refreshing. I am thankful for the sounds of children laughing, beautiful music, a tea kettle whistling, and the wind, but I am also thankful for the quiet moments. These times help to balance the volume of life and are so revitalizing. Winter seems to be the time when God planned for all creatures to quiet down and rest. We should do the same.

"The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing." Isaiah 14:7

"And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places;" Isaiah 32:17-18

Intentional Parenting

A friend sent this very interesting article in which the author makes a convicting observation about Christian parenting. It challenges you to evaluate your parenting objectives and examine your approach to see if you are falling short of the true goal to raise children who love the Lord and seek to live a life pleasing to Him through the grace granted by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. 

The time with our children moves too quickly that we need to be intentional in our child rearing. Training up our children takes time; time preparing our hearts and minds to do so and time with our children. Take the time to teach your children the standard by which to live and the source of the grace to do so: Jesus Christ.

http://infoforfamilies.com/blog/2013/11/13/how-to-raise-a-pagan-kid-in-a-christian-home#.UojhNNKWYVA

"And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." Deuteronomy 6:7

Autumn in Missouri - Update

As I anticipated in my previous post about autumn in Missouri, the changing of the leaves was amazing. They say 'a picture is worth a thousand words', so I decided to let the trees speak for themselves...

The Great Outdoors

One draw to country life is the amount of time the children get to spend outdoors. At our place in Texas, their room to roam was limited. I knew they needed to be outside more, but we simply did not have the space big enough for their imaginations. We tried to work into our schedule a weekly park outing, but even that was not sufficient for the energy of little children.

I have been pleased to see them outside for hours upon hours riding bikes, harvesting the plants in the garden, collecting eggs, chasing chickens that have gotten out, playing with the dog, and making up games at their little fort in the woods. They have given themselves little projects to clean up the walking path in the woods and lined a few more trails with rocks they have found.

The neatest little project is their 'log cabin' in the woods. Using felled limbs, they have made a little fort which is used for all sorts of settings: weddings, battles, and even a funeral for a little chipmunk that lost its battle with the cat.

A cedar tree is the location for a tree house. H and B like to enjoy some reading in their little refuge off the ground.

On school days, they all work hard on studies, finish their chores and are back outside picking up where their pretend world left off. Ironically, these playgrounds of their own creation get much more attention than the pre-made swing set in the yard.

It makes me smile to see them running around outside, soaking up all that vitamin D, burning off some energy, and building memories.

"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is His reward." Psalm 127:3

Property Search Update

For those who know our plans, you have probably been curious if we have made any progress on our home. We are still looking for the right piece of land.

Randy has made it his full-time assignment. He has diligently scoured the internet for properties, driven to look at them, spoken with owners and met with a real estate agent. We keep tabs on the market to see what may come available.

We know that the Lord has his plan for us and we are learning to find peace during the wait. As you can tell from the other posts, we have been more than busy. There is not a shortage of things to do here in Missouri.

We covet your prayers for guidance and direction in our search and the patience to let Him lead.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6