Growing Kids, Turning 40, and Loving My Life

The last number of months have been full of lots of living....ordinary moments sandwiched in between some pretty amazing stuff.

Our kids grow and change and learn new responsibilities, yet in many ways, my days flow from one to the next and can feel rather mundane.

I spent much of my winter taking my boys to basketball practice and watching their games. I absolutely love watching them play and improve and learn real-life lessons from the game of basketball. I am so proud to be their Mother. 

On February 28, Logan turned 14. Soon after his birthday, he got his permit...and took driver's ed....and now has his official paper from his driving instructor waiting in our safe, until time to get his school permit this fall. 

We all went to an Iowa basketball game for Logan's birthday.

He also grew about 4 inches this past year and every now and then, as I look up to him, I wonder just where in the world the time has gone.

Leon and I took our annual weekend away the first part of March. This time we got a hotel close to home. The children stayed at home and the boys did all the chores. Leon's brother and wife spent the nights with our kids. It was a delightful weekend away. We took one, poor-quality picture the whole weekend.

Life has had a lot of ordinary moments, as well. If a cowgirl emptying the dishwasher is ordinary.

 And the 9 year old learns to cook...

 And then I turned 40! What a birthday! My sisters from MO and TX (almost) surprised me for the weekend. Leon got a hotel room for us for a night, and we also spent time with the rest of the family. It was a very, very special weekend and I felt very loved and celebrated.

 And then one night some friends showed up in costume and kidnapped me for the evening. Pedicures, riding the carousel, and a delicious meal....

Turning 40 isn't so bad...

Easter weekend we had plans of going fishing, but the weather wasn't cooperating. Leon suggested making donuts.....and I said, "Only if you help."

 And he did a great job of frying them all....

 Our wonderful taste-tester stopped by to see if they were edible.....he usually smells donuts from miles away.

Easter Sunday traditional photo-

And we planted garden....

Our first campfire for the year-

Our first hike at the reservoir for this year-

AND WE FINISHED SCHOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!

The girls and I went to the Tulip Festival in Pella with my Mom and some more family....

Yesterday was Mother's Day.....

I was thoroughly spoiled. Lunch at Red Lobster with the family, a nice, long walk alone, movie and popcorn last evening, and The Pioneer Woman's lovely red dishes from Wal-mart!!

The last several months I've been doing a lot of reflecting on where I am in life right now compared to my life oh, say, 5 years ago. In the area of our children alone, we are in quite a different stage. I find it super exciting, to watch them grow and change and mature, but it also means a shift in parenting, and I'm not always doing so well in that. Leon often (gently) reminds me that they aren't 4 years old anymore, and I need that reminder. Honestly, I love, love this stage but it also has its challenges. 

One of the best things that's happened in the recent months is the healing of my own heart and the way God has led me to walk through some past pain in order to experience freedom. I am seeing his promise of Restoration for the year 2016 come true. 

As for this blog, well, I am praying that God would give me my voice back, so to speak, to be able to write again. So far, it has felt safer to keep a journal of sorts for our family's adventures and day-to-day living. And we'll see where God takes it from there.

Happy, happy spring! It's a delightful time of the year!

Life at our House

It's been a long time since I sat down and blogged. The urge to write is still here, but it seems a lot wiser and safer to write in my journal. 

We are currently in a state of transition in our family....visiting churches and seeking God's Will for our future. This stage of life has come with a lot of peace. I know that our choices make little sense to the people around us, but we aren't living our lives for people, but to glorify Jesus.

School: The girls and I have been doing the "Adventures in U.S. History" (My Father's World) this year and it has been so much fun again. I did this curriculum with my boys when they were in 1st and 2nd grades and they still talk about the things we did that year.

Here they are with their ships, the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria.

We made ink from mashed up raspberries one day, and then wrote our names with a feather pen dipped into our 'ink'.

We also made homemade bread and butter. 

And johnny cakes, too.....

This is how we do school around here sometimes....

Farm Life: The Farmer tried to finish harvesting for several weeks but if the beans weren't too wet, then he had a break down, but as of last week, we can honestly say we're done!!! Yay!!

When the Farmer works late, we try to make fun things happen around here. Sometimes we hang out with friends....

or play the Farming Game and drink Pumpkin White Hot Chocolates....

Or we can always take pictures with Mom's camera....

There are books to read....

 and knitting to try out...

and always, always, kittens to play with....

We can have a  tea party with our dolls, too.

Somehow I don't take pictures of my hard-working boys who cleared the garden, mowed the yard, and raked the leaves. These boys can do all the chores on the farm now, by themselves. Just tonight I was informed that Logan has been giving shots to sick pigs when he chores for several years now. I am impressed. 

I've been trying harder to involve my girls in the kitchen. They definitely show interest and it's often just a matter of me taking the time to show them how and let them be creative.

Here Annika is mixing up granola-

The girls making scrambled eggs...

Leon's youngest brother got married last weekend, and we all had a wonderful but packed weekend, celebrating with family. Now this week has been a drag....getting back into the swing of things and catching up on sleep. Annika said on Monday morning, "Mom, I just feel grouchy." I understand, dear daughter, I understand.

I read some really amazing stuff this morning and have been thinking about listening to God's voice... (however much thinking that was possible to squeeze into my morning of doing school and running a house..:)) Many different 'voices' will try to tell us how to live our lives, but there's only one Voice to tune in to...the Voice of Jesus. The Bible says, "My sheep KNOW my voice, and they follow me." I quote from Jesus Calling, "Be content to be a simple sheep, listening for My voice and following Me." And that's enough for me....