Tea for two

Once upon a time, I used to dream of having a sister. Growing up as an only girl with four brothers . . . well, I had some pretty great pity parties. I couldn't see to the day when the Lord would provide me with sister-in-laws. Okay, I guess they are first and foremost my brother's wives and my husband's sister but in my heart they are my sisters. I am thankful for these women in my life. 

Jenny was my first sister and holds a very special spot in my heart.

The Sleeping Bel-Ray

This summer I dropped Shorkcake's nap time.  Most days she just plays hard all.day.long.  Then there are the days I find her curled up in a chair or on her bed fast asleep.  She was dressed in her ballet outfit this day (or bel-ray as I called it back in my little girl dancing days).

What we will to do

Joy and Strength by Mary Wilder Tileston did an inspirational job of compiling soul-filling text. Each morning I find my heart stirred and strengthened.  These words I copied in my journal and was compelled to share here as well.

"What we can do is a small thing; but we can will and aspire to do great things.  Thus, if a man cannot be great, he can yet be good in will;  and what he, with his whole heart and mind, love and desire, wills to be, that without doubt he most truly is.  It is little we can bring to pass; but our will and desire may be large.  Nay, they may grow till they lose themselves in the infinite abyss of God.  And if ye cannot be as entirely His as ye fain would be, be His as much as ye may attain unto; but, whatever ye are, be that truly and entirely; and what ye cannot be, that be contented not to be, in a sincere spirit of resignation, for God's sake and in Him.  So shall you peradventure possess more of God in lacking than in having."

-John Tauler


" Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do; Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

-Philippians 4:13-14

Happy birthday to our Agent E!

Agent E,
Pure and simple you are a delight!  Happy 9th birthday!

Shortcake turns FOUR!

Our princess Shortcake is four years old!

At four you:
- Luv your "friends" (AKA: brothers)
- Play kitty for hours
- You ask if we think you're pretty and clearly state that "gurils are pretty, boys are cool"
- You nap for about an hour every day but you party and keep Agent L up when it's time for bed
- Doing things "all by myself" is important to you
- You adore being tickled and laying down begging Papa to tickle you more
- You sing songs about God and about how you're never alone with Him and you sometimes slip in "don't be mad mom, I'm just a princess having fun" (seriously!)
- You love being outside and you can chase a soccer ball and tackle along with your brothers
- And finally, you love pink, pink, and more pink and dressing up like a princess.

Planning a party, but not

Dates are flying by and I find myself dragging my feet to plan Shortcake's fourth birthday party.  Her big day is two days away and the family party is five days away.  It's not the sentiment that "she's growing up too fast".  There is that but what it really is . . . is that we've passed over the half-way mark.  Of her nearly four years she has spent over half of them without knowing my mom.  Bless Oma's heart because she is a dear heart but Shortcake knows Oma, not Grandma K and it hurts so terribly.

This is all probably compounded since it looks like the family home is as good as sold.  Last weekend I breathed the smells of home that I'll probably never smell again, open doors and cupboards for the last time, ran my hands over shelves my Grandpa built, spent time in the last room my mom ever had consciousness in.

I probably shouldn't be writing when I weep.  It's all pretty raw right now.  How do we become so attached to stuff and places?  Lord please help me to be more like you because of this pain.