Following the Falkins

Brrrrr...Cold

2012-02-12T13:41:00.001-05:00

When I went in to kiss and pray over Anna before I went to bed last night, here is how I found her...

She was bundled up with a toboggan hat, 2 layers of pajamas, and lots of stuffed animals. Hmmm...I guess when it's 18 degrees outside we should consider turning up the heat a little.

Worth Remembering

2012-02-07T21:20:00.001-05:00

“Let,then, the good-night words of parents to their children be always those wordsby which the parents would be glad to be remembered when their voices areforever hushed; and which they themselves can recall gladly if their children’sears are never again open to good-night words from them.”

H. Clay Trumbull(Great Grandfather of Elisabeth Elliot)

Daddy Daughter Sweetheart Dance

2012-02-04T21:08:00.000-05:00

And what did Mommy and John Caden do while Daddy and Anna were at the "Ball"? Go to Loribell's for frozen custard and then home to get in their pajamas and play trains!

Love Their Imaginations

2012-01-25T18:27:00.000-05:00

For an hour they sat contentedly picking the bark off of a large stick that John Caden found in the woods. I wondered, but didn't dare interrupt their sibling bonding time (or my mommy alone time) to ask why. Then I heard Anna running around saying, "Baa, baa" and John Caden chasing after her with his "staff" saying, "My little lamb you must stay on the grass." Who would have thought that one simple stick could turn into two hours of imaginative play!

Momentous Day

2012-01-21T20:37:00.000-05:00

Haircuts are quite a challenge for a child with sensory processing disorder. We have tried it all--taking him to kid friendly salons, playing movies, giving lollipops, having neighbors sing and dance, wrapping him in a cape, covering him with a towel, offering numerous rewards--new trains, ice cream outings, etc. Nothing has ever made it any easier--Tim usually ends up having to hold him in a headlock in our backyard and we just have to let him cry and throw-up and get it done.

Well, on Monday night without me even mentioning that he was due for a haircut, John Caden just randomly said, "I have an idea...let's give me a haircut and surprise Daddy." So we kept trying to find a time this week but rain and other circumstances kept delaying us. All the while though, John Caden kept making random comments throughout the week about how he was going to try to be brave and try really hard not to cry when we did it. Knowing that this was something that was really on his heart that he wanted to achieve I began praying that the Lord would enable him to do it. God was gracious and answered my prayer! Although Tim was home today, I told John Caden that I would go on a run and as soon as I got back I would come in and sneak him around back and we'd get it done. So John Caden waited anxiously by the window (of course with his little buddy) for my return.

And although it wasn't easy on him, he did it without any tears or throw-up! So proud of my boy! Daddy of course was very proud and surprised {wink, wink} too!

Counting Graces

2012-01-18T20:18:00.004-05:00

Dog throw-up, boiled over grits, spilled apple juice, and a screaming boy who fell off his stool--all on the floor before 8am. What do you do? If it had been left to me, I would have just continued to fume in my head. But my internal fuming and external silence were broken by my 4 year old's determination to "count graces." "Mom, aren't you glad Hudson wasn't right under me when my juice went everywhere...he would have been such a sticky mess you would have had to give him a bath..." and "At least I didn't drop my waffle too..." and "I'm glad we have extra juice in the refrigerator..."

A much needed reminder to me this morning to "wrestle to name graces...to see glory in the moment…” "How do I see grace, give thanks, find joy in this sin-stinking place?...How did Jesus do it again? He turned His eyes. ‘And looking up to heaven, he gave thanks...’ (Matthew 14:19). Always first the eyes, the focus...Give thanks to keep the gaze on heaven.” (Ann Voskamp)

"If you think of this world as a place intended simply for our happiness, you find it quite intolerable: think of it as a place of training and correction and it’s not so bad.”

C.S. Lewis

On a Day When...

2012-01-07T21:02:00.001-05:00

...you get to start your morning with a tea party...

...and then head outside with your kids to play all afternoon...

...and you collect the very last rock that lines the pathway...

...that leads to the creek..

...and around the backyard that you've been working on for years...

...you find and get to replant your missing hydrangea that still has a touch of life in it that the fence installers had discarded several weeks ago...

...and all the while the children continue to play...

...and laugh...

...as you sip sweet iced tea outside in January until sundown...

...then all seems well with the world...

and your heart confers with the words of G.K. Chesterton:

“Here dies another day

During which I have had eyes, ears, hands

And the great world round me;

And with tomorrow begins another.

Why am I allowed two?”

Grace...yes, all is grace.

“Bless the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits.” Psalm 68:19

Happy 100 Days of School

2012-01-06T19:35:00.000-05:00

Warm Sunday in January

2012-01-01T20:48:00.000-05:00

Tim and John Caden enjoyed the 60 degree afternoon by playing in the woods.

This little fellow wasn't too happy about being left behind at the gate.

But a puppy nestled snugly in a Gardenia bed makes for a much happier mommy at the end of the day than a puppy coming in from the creek with wet, muddy paws!

Too Cute a Face to get Mad at

2011-12-30T20:48:00.000-05:00

"No Mommy, I haven't been digging in the dirt..."

"Really Mommy, I promise."

Sticking Together Closer than a Brother

2011-12-28T20:40:00.000-05:00

I love seeing what a close connection these two boys have with each other--what one does the other does.

We often catch John Caden "inconspicuously" sharing his snacks with Hudson...

Perhaps this is why our supposed 12 lb. Cavachon is now 20 lbs.

Christmas Day 2011

2011-12-25T21:12:00.002-05:00

Christmas Eve 2011

2011-12-24T21:11:00.000-05:00

Christmas Eve Eve

2011-12-23T21:18:00.000-05:00

Driving to Poppa and Granna's for our Annual Family Christmas Breakfast

Opening Presents with Cousins

Going to LoriBell's for Hot Custard in our Christmas Pajamas

Driving around Looking at Christmas Lights

Hudson and Advent

2011-12-20T17:34:00.000-05:00

Every night when we head to the piano to sing our Advent song, Hudson comes with us and he seems to end up with his paws all over the pedals. Maybe it's his way of participating??

Anticipating Christmas at Our Home

2011-12-19T22:33:00.000-05:00

Snowflake Gymnastics Meet

2011-12-18T07:52:00.000-05:00

Sweet Friends Waiting for Their Warm-up and Being Supported by a Gymnastic's "Big Sister"

The "Snowflake" Dance

Saluting with a Smile

Anna in Action

Anna and a Very Proud Mama

Bars: 8.7

Beam: 9.15

Floor: 9.45

Vault: 9.2

Overall: 36.5 (1st Place for Advanced Progressive age division)

And what do you do with a 4 year old little boy to keep him happy during his sister's 3+ hour gymnastic meet? Have Poppa color a Christmas tree blue of course!

Homeschool Fieldtrip: The Nutcracker at the Fox

2011-12-15T20:40:00.002-05:00

More Weekend Christmas Festivities

2011-12-11T21:36:00.000-05:00

Christmas with Nannie

Journey to Bethlehem with Granna & Poppa

December Weekend Fun

2011-12-07T18:47:00.000-05:00

We did lots of fun Christmas things during Gramma & Grampa's visit.

We went "Back to Bethlehem" in Canton, GA

Oh How I Love Her!

2011-11-27T21:59:00.001-05:00

I think she is so amazing!

I was honored this weekend when she asked me if she could go running with me! I hope we'll get to have many more Anna/Mommy jogs together.

Hudson and the Deck Stairs

2011-11-27T21:25:00.001-05:00

We were on a mission over the long holiday weekend to convince Hudson that he could go down the deck stairs. Other stairs have been no problem but he has been very fearful of the deck stairs.

So close...but he wouldn't do it.

We tried to lure him with Cheerio treats but he wouldn't do it for one...

...nor for two nor for any other treats that we used to entice him.

Finally today the mere sight of Tim and John Caden running aournd playing in the backyard without him was more than his poor little heart could bear. So with quite a wiggle wabble waddle he finally took his first step and made it to the bottom.

Fall Photos with Samscreek Photography

2011-11-23T20:46:00.000-05:00

Samscreek Photography

Homeschool Fieldtrip: Operation Christmas Child

2011-11-19T16:34:00.000-05:00

What a neat opportunity the kids had today as they turned themselves into shoeboxes to learn how a shoebox donated to Samaritan's Purse journeys to a needy child across the world. We also were able to meet a former recipient of a shoebox and hear her story of how receiving the gift of an Operation Christmas Child shoebox led her to the Lord and changed her life forever.

Nothing sweeter than...

2011-11-07T21:47:00.001-05:00

...a boy with his guitar:

...or a boy with his dog:

Sunday Afternoon in November

2011-11-06T15:44:00.000-05:00

Fall Soccer

2011-10-15T23:44:00.000-04:00

He was the leader of the pack!

Here's a video of him in action:

Poetry Day

2011-10-14T20:05:00.000-04:00

Our homeschool group gathered at Cauble Park today for each child to have the opportunity to recite a poem that they have learned during the year. I was so proud of both Anna and John Caden!

That's a First!

2011-10-12T21:14:00.001-04:00

Poor little Hudson is on two weeks of rest and recovery after having his "little boy" procedure. After telling John Caden for the 100th time today that he cannot be chasing and playing rough with Hudson, John Caden very frustrated with the whole situation, declared, "Well, I'm just going to go and take a bath then!!!" I decided to hang back and see if he would follow through with his "threat." Sure enough, 10 minutes later I had a clean, calm boy in pajamas at 4:30pm this afternoon!

I was impressed (well first of all that he didn't flood the bathroom but) that he even remembered to let the water out of the tub when he was done. The only thing he confessed to forgetting to do was "wash his elbows" ??!!

Considering that this is the way John Caden is accustomed to playing with Hudson (wrestling on the floor), it's going to be a very long two weeks for both boys!

Sitting in the Thanksgiving Chair and Counting it All Joy

2011-10-11T21:28:00.000-04:00

As posted on girltalk:
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." James 1:2-3

To "count it all joy" doesn't mean we will always feel happy in the midst of trials; but regardless of how we feel, it is a command we can and should obey. Martyn Lloyd Jones explains:

“There is all the difference in the world between rejoicing and feeling happy. The Scripture tells us that we should always rejoice [Phil. 4:4]....To rejoice is a command, yes, but there is all the difference in the world between rejoicing and being happy. You cannot make yourself happy, but you can make yourself rejoice, in the sense that you will always rejoice in the Lord. Happiness is something within ourselves, rejoicing is ‘in the Lord.’ Take the fourth chapter of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians. There you will find that the great Apostle puts it all very plainly and clearly in that series of extraordinary contrasts which he makes: ‘We are troubled on every side (I don’t think he felt very happy at the moment) yet not distressed’, ‘we are perplexed (he wasn’t feeling happy at all at that point) but not in despair’, ‘persecuted but not forsaken’, ‘cast down, but not destroyed’--and so on. In other words the Apostle does not suggest a kind of happy person in a carnal sense, but he was still rejoicing."

Mercier Apple Orchard & Lost Mountain Nursery

2011-10-02T19:25:00.000-04:00

Moments to Remember with John Caden

2011-09-14T21:50:00.000-04:00

I never want to forget...

how he slept every night with his "puppy lovey" held tightly next to him...

how much he loved playing with Hudson...

and how he sang with such fervor during our "Hymn Time" in homeschool.

Fieldtrip: Hummingbird Banding

2011-09-09T21:08:00.001-04:00

Art Show

2011-08-31T21:14:00.000-04:00

Anna is very excited about another year of art classes. At their "Art Show" today Mrs. Heilman displayed their work from last year. (Thanks Amy H for being the great mom that you are and thinking to bring a camera to capture these pics for me)!

You Know You're a Homeschool Mom When...

2011-08-29T19:40:00.000-04:00

You hang a replica of the solar system from the rafters in your basement...AND...

You boil a boatload of eggs and...

make lots and I mean lots of egg salad just so...

that you'll have two empty egg cartons available for a math demonstration.

John Caden's 4th Birthday

2011-08-23T22:14:00.000-04:00

Clean Puppy

2011-08-22T23:41:00.001-04:00

Love Hudson bath nights! A bath makes him mellow, fluffy and oh so cuddly!

Soccer Boy

2011-08-18T21:24:00.000-04:00

Seeing my little boy in soccer cleats tonight at his first soccer practice made my heart melt! What a little heartthrob he was!

1st Day of School 2011

2011-08-08T17:25:00.000-04:00

Anna 1st Grade

John Caden (and Hudson) K4

Happy Toes, Happy Girl

2011-08-06T19:27:00.000-04:00

Granna took Anna for her first pedicure this weekend. She's been all smiles ever since.

Music to Our Ears

2011-08-03T22:15:00.005-04:00

We have tried it ALL to keep this little boy in bed at night...we're praying that we've finally found a solution--"The Christian Mother Goose® "Read-Along" AUDIO Book of Nursery Rhymes CD." As the website claims, John Caden truly has been "captivated by Christian Mother Goose’s warm British accent and dramatic style, all set to a beautiful background of musical expression. This Read-Along Audio CD will impress upon each heart and mind God’s endless love and devotion to His Little Ones." He follows along wonderfully (without there even being a chime of when to turn the page) and eventually nods off to sleep!

More Hudson Cuteness

2011-08-01T22:44:00.000-04:00

Anna's 6th Birthday

2011-07-26T23:17:00.000-04:00

Friend's Party at LoriBell's Custard Creations

Family Party at Home

Family Trip to Cagle's Dairy Farm

We got to feed and pet the animals.

Anna kept one ear covered at all times in case a cow let out a loud Moo!

Farmer Arnold gave us a milking demonstration of Ms. Rosie the Cow.

Tib the Collie rounded up sheep and cows.

We took a hayride pulled by the this huge tractor.

More presents...

...including a violin.

We ended the day by going to see the movie "Winnie the Pooh."

This was their first trip to the movie theater and they were mesmerized!

Dog Tired

2011-07-21T23:43:00.000-04:00

Not sure who's more exhausted from all our house training this week...Hudson or Mommy.

But his sweet snuggles make him worth it!

Man's Best Friend

2011-07-19T21:16:00.000-04:00

Tim definitely has a new best friend. This has been Hudson's favorite spot in the evenings--under Tim's desk chair, right between his feet. After Hudson plops down between Tim's feet he falls asleep instantly.

Hudson's Big Day

2011-07-18T23:16:00.000-04:00

Hudson's Tennessee Family

Each of Us Holding Hudson for the First Time

Playing with Hudson in Our Backyard

Playing with Hudson in our House

Hudson Tuckered Our after His Exciting Day

Puppy Anticipation

2011-07-18T00:02:00.002-04:00

'Twas the night before bringing, our new puppy home

Not a one of us was sleeping, there was too much to do!

His crate, food and bowls were positioned with care,

In hopes that little Hudson would soon be there!

The children weren't nestled all snug in their beds,

Because visions of puppies danced in their heads.

They set up a pet store in Anna's bedroom,

And asked again and again if morning would come soon!

So to Tennessee we will go to get you,

We hope little Hudson that you'll like us too!

Sweet dreams little puppy, rest well tonight,

For tomorrow we'll adopt you with eager delight!

Rolling, rolling, rolling

2011-07-10T20:20:00.000-04:00

Evidently after hearing me tell Anna this morning that she'd have to remake her bed because it had too many wrinkles, John Caden didn't want the same thing to happen to him. I found him attempting to roll the wrinkles out of his own bed with a little rolling pin!

Enjoying the Fourth of July

2011-07-04T21:19:00.000-04:00

Flying our flag

Dressing patriotically

Eating a yummy meal at Granna and Poppa's

Enjoying cupcakes with red icing

Eating homemade peach icecream

Coloring with cousin Alyssa

Playing with Uncle Gary

Watching fireworks in the rain

The last thing a homeschool mom wants to do on a Sunday afternoon

2011-06-26T20:19:00.000-04:00

As I was preparing our summer school lesson plans for the week, Anna and John Caden came running up to me and announced, "Mommy, we are going to 'play' school. We will be the children and we need you to pretend that you're our teacher." I'm sure my face must have turned green---considering that I am their teacher five days a week, "pretending" to be their teacher on my day "off" just didn't seem like such an appealing nor a novel idea to me. We ended up playing ball instead. :)

One of Our Most Favorite Times of the Year...

2011-06-24T21:33:00.001-04:00

...Blueberry Season!

When the blueberries become ripe in our backyard, to John Caden especially, it's truly better than being in a candy store! Umm, umm good!

Living Up to His Name

2011-06-19T20:35:00.000-04:00

Dear John Caden,
Before you arrived into this world we experienced many "battles" with your development and delivery--hence your name "Caden." We were convinced though that once you were here, the "battle" would be behind us and we would realize what a "Gift of God" your were and that the complicated pregnancy would all be worth it--hence your name "John." But your name hasn't quite played out like we were expecting---we are still in the "battle!" :) There are the daily battles of dealing with your sensory processing disorder in which getting you dressed, brushing your teeth, and getting you bathed become an all out war. There are the nightly battles in which you've learned how to throw yourself off your bed and bite your tongue causing your tongue to bleed or how you've mastermindedly learned how to get your foot through the side guardrail but not be able to get it out. There are the monthly haircut battles in which the neighbors come out to see what all the screaming is about. (Throw-up on the hairstylist's shoes quickly brought our salon visits to an end -- haircuts are a task that are best carried out in our own backyard). Then there are your random boughts of trouble like today when you decided to take your shirt off and flush it down the potty. Or last week when you attempted to make your own "coffee" by breaking up crayons into little pieces and putting them into the DVD/CD player on the computer. You've also left your battle marks by carving things into the table with a pencil, scribbling on the computer monitor, and flooding our house by stopping up the sink drains and leaving the water running. Your father and I sometimes laughingly talk about starting an excel spreadsheet to keep a record of the expenses you've incurred us, but every time you give me one of those tight squeezes that only little boys know how to give and you tell me that you love me the "muchiest," that list of expenses is nullified and the "Caden" part of your name is overshadowed by the "John." We hold to God's promise in Isaiah 65:23, "They shall not labor in vain or bear children for calamity, for they shall be the offspring of the blessed of the LORD, and their descendants with them" and in the meantime we rejoice over little victories like today when you proudly announced, "Mommy, Daddy!! A fuzzy got on me and I didn't get upset!"

Father's Day 2011

2011-06-19T17:44:00.000-04:00

Anna's Dance Recital 2011

2011-06-18T17:28:00.001-04:00

How to Have a H.E.A.R.T. For Your Kids

2011-06-12T19:56:00.001-04:00

“As intentional parents we do not react, but we respond. We do not panic; we pray. We do not give sermons; we give scripture.”

“Parenting is clearly not at all about me, and yet it is about me: God is using this opportunity not just to prepare my children for His calling, but also to break me, mold me, and use me as an instrument of righteousness for His name’s sake.”

Rachael Carman

Outside Findings

2011-06-09T19:57:00.000-04:00

In the backyard, enough hydrangeas in bloom to make a beautiful bouquet...

...and in the front yard, a 3 foot long Eastern Garter snake!

Ft. Lauderdale 2011

2011-06-04T18:00:00.000-04:00

Watching ships and boats at the port and intracoastal...

Going to the ocean...

Looking for seashells...

Swimming...

Spending time with family...

Chasing lizards at Gramma's...

Visiting "Uncle Aaron's Firetrucks" :)...

And becoming very tired of sunscreen by the week's end.

Gymnastics Friends

2011-05-27T22:12:00.002-04:00

Anna & Mabel--so cute!!!

Anna's First Gymnastics Meet

2011-05-21T23:01:00.000-04:00

Smiling going in...

...and an even bigger smile going out.

Beam: 9.175

Floor: 9.225

Vault: 9.250

Bars: 9.350

2nd Place for Age Level (37.000)

All the while, a very supportive brother in the stands. :)

Look who showed up on our front doorstep Sunday afternoon...

2011-05-19T21:53:00.000-04:00

Gramma and Grampa!

They drove all the way up from Ft. Lauderdale to surprise us with a short visit!

Oh the things they say and do

2011-05-10T22:01:00.001-04:00

Before leaving for a doctor's appointment today, I told Anna and John Caden, "Do not disturb Daddy while he's in the office working---especially if he's on the phone." Adhering to my instructions, Anna discreetly got the S.O.S. message she needed to get to Tim by sliding him a little note under the office door.

John Caden has a knack for speaking it like it is. Often I will find him with a book, so I'll ask him, "What ya reading Buddy?" To which he he will reply, "No, I'm not reading Mommy--I don't know how. I'm just looking."

Another cute little John Cadenism that he says at various times: "I don't wonder why. I just do."

Mother's Day

2011-05-08T17:48:00.003-04:00

… he gently leads those that have young…" Isaiah 40:11

"The Shepherd leads those with young not to be Hallmark versions of perfection, but rather persevering versions of humility. Motherhood does not require, thankfully, perfection. It simply requires commitment and humility. Grace stands in the gaps. It’s not that you aren’t going to blow it. It’s what you do with it afterwards.” (Ann Voskamp)

10 Helps for Busy Moms

Easter Egg Hunt at Granna & Poppa's

2011-04-24T18:00:00.001-04:00

Anna, John Caden, Alyssa, and Morgan eagerly await for the door to be opened and the hunt to begin...

John Caden was happy that he found one in a "tricky" place...

Anna enjoyed finding them in quiet spots...

...where like last year she became distracted by the flowers...

...and egg hunting turned into flower picking.

Easter Morning

2011-04-24T17:40:00.000-04:00

Done, very done with pictures.

Resurrection Cookies

2011-04-24T17:30:00.000-04:00

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place pecans in Ziploc bag and let children beat them with the wooden spoon until broken into small pieces. Read John 19:1-3 and remind them that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.

2. Let each child taste the vinegar. Pour 1 tsp into the mixing bowl. Read John 19:28-30 and explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink.

3. Add the egg whites to the vinegar. Eggs represent life. Read John 10:10-11. Explain that Jesus died to give us life.

4. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand to taste. Sprinkle a little salt into the bowl. Read Luke 23:27. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers as well as the bitterness of our own sin.

5. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because of His great love for us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.

6. Beat with mixer on high for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3. Explain that the color white represents the purity of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.

7. Fold in the broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto a cookie sheet covered with waxed paper. Read Matt. 27:57-60. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.

8. Place the cookie sheet into the preheated oven. Close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape to seal the oven door. Read Matt 27:65-66. Explained that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22. Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were very sad when the tomb was sealed.

9. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are empty!! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matt 28:1-9. HE HAS RISEN!!!

Easter Egg Hunt

2011-04-23T16:32:00.001-04:00

Our annual church Easter egg hunt picture...

... maybe one year we'll get a smile from John Caden---but not this year again.

Anna's off and running...

They both spot an egg...

...but it's a purple one, so John Caden leaves it for Anna...

...and he goes on his way in hopes of finding some green ones...

"Anna, it's for you---it's another purple one."

Making Memories on Good Friday

2011-04-22T23:05:00.000-04:00

Christ Community's first service on our church property...

...and brrrr was it chilly!

Strawberry Farm

2011-04-18T07:08:00.000-04:00

Journeying to the Cross

2011-04-15T22:08:00.001-04:00

Morning reflections: Trail to the Tree

Afternoon musings: Spring bunnies and eggs (new life)

Evening remembrances: Lenten Lights

Bedtime devotions: Children's Easter stories and Resurrection Eggs

Amazing Love

I’m forgiven because You were forsaken,

I’m accepted, You were condemned.

I am alive and well, Your spirit is within me,

Because You died and rose again.

Amazing love,

How can it be

That You, my King, should die for me?

Fieldtrip: Wiggly Worms at Smith Gilbert Gardens

2011-04-08T22:50:00.001-04:00

We visited Smith Gilbert Gardens today with cousins Alyssa and Morgan. First we had storytime in the Carriage House in which The Diary of a Worm was read.

Then we went digging for worms...

...and gave them a new home in a flower bed.

Next we examined worms using a magnifying glass.

And of course we took a stroll through the beautiful gardens.

We ended our visit with a picnic lunch.

He loves me...he really loves me

2011-04-03T21:41:00.007-04:00

During my parent's recent move I came across this in my Dad's toolchest...

Pictures...

A black and white picture that he had printed off from his computer on paper of my sister and I and our spouses celebrating Father's Day with him years ago...

...and an old picture of my sister and I when we were little riding with him on his tractor.

The tears began to flow as I stood looking at these two pictures he had chosen. I wondered how long they had been there...I wondered why had he not asked me for a true color print of the Father's Day one that was taken with my camera...I wondered why they were here in his toolchest...why had he chosen pictures of my sister and I and not the grandkids. Then it hit me...it is simply because he loves me--my dad must really love me.

A couple of months ago when he took my car into his mechanic and brought it home washed and vacuumed--he did it because he loves me. The times he's picked up things for me in his truck from Home Depot and helped me with yardwork and things around the house--he did it because he loves me. The times he's built wood shelves and stools for me--he did it because he loves me. The many times that he and Granna have kept my kids--that too was done out of love for me and not just for the sake of his love for his grandkids. The times when I would come home from college and he would wash my car, change the oil, fill up my gas tank, and leave money in the console for me--all done with love for me. The time when I was in a car accident as a teenager and he took me back to the site of the accident to convince me that it wasn't my fault--that too was love. The time when I had surgery as a child and he whispered in my ear, "Just squeeze my hand as hard as you can" to distract me from the pain as the nurses were pulling out the tubes--that was his subtle love showing up again. Building my sister and I a playhouse as a child, renovating our house to provide my sister and I with new rooms, taking us to the beach yearly and going for early morning runs with me and playing volleyball until sunset, letting us ride the tractor and plant the garden with him rather than him just getting it done in a more time efficient manner by himself...why hadn't it really sunk in until now...I have a father who loves me...he really loves me.

Seeing these pictures in my dad's toolchest brought to mind a quote by Max Lucado:

"If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning... Face it, friend. He is crazy about you!"

Just as ignorant as I have been of my earthly father's love for me, how much more so have I been of my Heavenly Father's lavish acts of love.

The song "Captured" says it this way:

I heard your echo in the canyon

upon the timberline

You said these mountains were your invention

And so was this heart of mine

I heard you whisper on the water,

there on the mighty sea

You spoke of love deep as the ocean

When You spoke of Your love for me

I am loved by the Father

I am loved by the Son

It is love that has captured

The heart of this wayward one

I heard your laughter in the sunrise,

amidst the morning birds

A song of freedom for all creation

And you sang me every word

I heard you singing in the silence,

a simple melody

Words of love, O I can hear it

My Father is very fond of me

Enjoying a Spring Day at Poppa & Granna's

2011-04-02T22:56:00.000-04:00

Picking flowers...

Playing Hide N' Seek...

Running around...

Being Poppa's shadow...

Swinging and sliding with Granna.

Mat Man

2011-03-30T20:29:00.000-04:00

One of John Caden's favorite preschool activities is building Mat Man while singing the "Mat Man Rock" song. (It's actually one of Mommy's "favorites" too--there's a great musical interlude during which John Caden and I have a blast dancing together). :)

One Thousand Gifts

2011-03-27T15:18:00.008-04:00

"Our fall was, has always been, and always will be, that we aren’t satisfied in God and what He gives. We hunger for something more, something other," writes Ann Voskamp in her book One Thousand Gifts. She continues, "How do I give up resentment for gratitude, gnawing anger for spilling joy? Self-focus for God-communion. To fully live—to live full of grace and joy and all that is beauty eternal…an emptier, fuller life...How did Jesus do it? He turned His eyes. ‘And looking up to heaven, he gave thanks...' (Matthew 14:19). He looked up to heaven, to see where this moment comes from. Always first the eyes, the focus.” Thus Ann begins her journey of intentionally giving thanks/counting graces "to keep her gaze fixed on God." As she "wrestles to name graces--- to see glory in the moment" she begins "the list. Not of gifts I want but of gifts I already have…I don’t even know they are gifts really until I write them down…Gifts He bestows…it is sort of like…unwrapping love...To name a thing is to manifest the meaning and value God gave it, to know it as coming from God…To name a thing, in other words, is to bless God for it and in it.” In her journey she learns that "...to give thanks is an action and rejoice is a verb and these are not mere pulsing emotions. While I may not always feel joy, God asks me to give thanks in all things, because He knows that the feeling of joy begins in the action of thanksgiving...I am mother-tired, but when my soul doth magnify, my time doth magnify...Every breath’s a battle between grudgery and gratitude and we must keep thanks on the lips so we can sip from the holy grail of joy.” Ann concludes, "A life contemplating the blessings of Christ becomes a life acting the love of Christ.”

Motivated by Ann's "dare to live fully right where you are, my gratitude journal is lying open on its permanent home on the counter, enumerating moments, making a ledger of His love.”

And making it even a sweeter experience--Anna is counting her own graces right alongside me! I love the accountability that God is already providing through my daughter--my sister in Christ!

“Bless the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits.” Psalm 68:19

Taking it Literally

2011-03-24T11:51:00.003-04:00

While discussing the character trait of being "humble" during our character-building homeschool time this morning, I explained: "Being humble means not seeking personal attention or being prideful or bragging. Philippians 2:4 talks about how God wants us to take our eyes off of ourselves and look not only to our own interests but to the needs/interests of others." A puzzled look came across John Caden's face. Quite perplexed yet curious he asked, "But Mommy, how can we take our eyes off of ourselves?" As he was raising his hands to his eyes to try to see if they could really come off, I quickly came up with a better explanation. :)

Art Class with Mrs. Heilman

2011-03-23T20:41:00.000-04:00

Art class with Mrs. Heilman (a friend from church) is one of Anna's favorite weekly homeschool activities. They've done a little bit of everything this year...learned art vocabulary, drawn self portraits, painted a nativity scene, learned to fold/cut paper dolls, made objects from clay, etc.

Miss Peggy

2011-03-22T21:09:00.002-04:00

Dear Miss Peggy,
Although we are excited in knowing that God has great plans for you and your family as you move to New Jersey, we will never forget the blessing you have been to Anna and John Caden as their gymnastics coach over the past 3 years. You have meant so much to our family.
- Do you know that if it hadn't been for you we probably wouldn't be doing gymnastics today? (Remember Anna's first trial lesson and how scared she was of doing "pizza rolls" and how you had to hold her hands and jump with her to get her to jump on the trampoline? Remember talking to me on the phone afterwards and convincing me to bring her back?)
- Do you know that while John Caden sat in the green stroller and watched from the sidelines, nearly every week he would ask "When can I have Miss Peggy?"
- Do you know how many Kleenex we went through when it was time for Anna to be moved up and out of your class?
- Do you know how many times John Caden randomly says throughout the week, "I love Miss Peggy"?
- Do you know that John Caden's favorite day of the week is Tuesday--because that's his gymnastics day?
- Do you know that on Wednesdays John Caden starts asking how many days before it's his gymnastics day again?
- Do you know that on Anna's gymnastics days, John Caden doesn't like for us to drop Anna off and leave-- he pleads, "Please, may we stay so that I can sit and watch Miss Peggy?"
- Do you know that one of the sweetest prayers I've ever heard John Caden pray was for you? "Dear God, Thank you for Miss Peggy. Please help her to be silly with me at gymnastics."
- Do you know that you get more hugs from John Caden than even his own Mama does?

We love you Miss Peggy! You will always have a special place in our hearts!

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back. (May I add--may you often think of John Caden being your little shadow always at your back). :)

May the sun shine warm upon your face;

the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,

may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

One Man Band

2011-03-21T20:11:00.001-04:00

A cute singing boy, a little pink piano, and Daddy's guitar---what else do you need for a one man band???

Sibling Love

2011-03-21T20:08:00.000-04:00

Anna convinced John Caden to stand beside her for "one quick second" for a picture today -- surprisingly he honored her request.

John Caden's Morning Rituals

2011-03-16T22:03:00.001-04:00

He "feeds" his "puppies"-- painstakingly taking the time to make sure their ears are not in their bowls, etc...

and then he's off to chasing trains around the house.

There's nothing much cuter than seeing a boy sprawled out on the floor with his beloved trains!

Hooray for Spring!

2011-03-13T20:58:00.000-04:00

Hard Working Boy

2011-03-06T18:14:00.005-05:00

So proud of this boy!!! John Caden shoveled mulch for 4 hours to help us get our dump truck load of mulch spread out before the rain came. When I told him at the end of the day what a hardworker he was he humbly said, "Well, Poppa was a good helper to me." Thank you John Caden! (And so grateful that Poppa could come and be your "helper").

Need a Yardman?

2011-02-20T18:03:00.001-05:00

John Caden's new favorite outdoor activity is raking leaves. He loves it so much that we've even spotted him pulling leaves off plants and trees and throwing them on the grass so that he'll have more to rake.

Sweet Treat on Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T21:24:00.000-05:00

John Caden obviously enjoyed the Chocolate Mud Cake I made for dessert tonight!

After licking his bowl dry he said, "Mommy is the best cooker ever!"

Our Homeschool Group's Donuts with Dad

2011-02-12T20:47:00.000-05:00

"Cuppie" kept everyone entertained...

and the kids got to decorate their own heart-shaped donuts.

Such yummy fun!

I Guess Someone was Hungry...

2011-02-02T20:44:00.000-05:00

...either a little mouse or a little John Caden? Whoever took a few bites put it right back in the fruit bowl where they found it. :)

Pajama Time

2011-01-30T20:14:00.000-05:00

Dentist

2011-01-26T14:54:00.001-05:00

Anna and John Caden love going to the dentist because we have the sweetest dentist in the world! John Caden adores Dr. Vo so much that he couldn't take his eyes off of her today and kept wanting to follow her around the office. :)

Growing Up So Fast

2011-01-15T21:22:00.000-05:00

How can my little girl be old enough to stay up reading chapter books by herself now?

100th Day of School

2011-01-14T16:50:00.000-05:00

Training them Young

2011-01-11T21:08:00.000-05:00

Although very pretty in our woods...

we decided it was time for the snow in our driveway to be cleared, so...

we gave the kids a shovel and went to work...

Daddy and Mommy remained a little ahead on their side :)...

but the kids made great progress! And the best part about it was they didn't even know they were working...

John Caden even commented, "This is so fun, isn't it?!" Hmmm...wonder if he'll be saying the same thing ten years from now when he's a little older and his shovel is a little bigger! Your Daddy has great plans for you son!

January Snow"fall"

2011-01-10T20:58:00.000-05:00

Trudging through knee deep snow resulted in the kids spending more time falling down than standing on their feet!

Melting Mommy's Heart

2010-12-30T21:18:00.001-05:00

Oh. My. Goodness!!! My heart truly skipped a beat and fluttered tonight when John Caden asked me to lay down with him---he put his sweet little arm around me and fell right to sleep. It made me think back to a song I made up and used to sing to him when he was a newborn:

One More Night

He was only two days old, when he captured his mama's heart
With eyes so blue, and dimpled cheek, she loved him so much from the start
And as he grew, she often wished, that time could just stand still
Because she knew, he'd grow up fast, and it wouldn't be long until...
She'd be on her knees, asking God, to give her one more night

One more night, to hold him in her arms
One more night, to dance beneath the stars
One more night, to let her hug him tight

One more night, to show him the moon's light
One more night, for his heart to be all hers

To hold his tender hand
For him to be her little man

Their days were filled, with laughs and smiles, and happy memories
She often thought, how blessed she was, that he was her baby
She poured her love, into his heart, and cherished her sweet son
Because she knew, that way too soon, her time would be all done
And then she'd be..., asking God, to give her one more night

One more night, to hold his tiny feet
One more night, to feel his breath so sweet
One more night, to look into his eyes
One more night, to sing him lullabies
One more night, for his heart to be all hers
To hold his tender hand
For him to be her little man

How fleeting were, the precious years, that she was the sole lover of his heart,
She'd done her best, to give him roots, so when he had to part,
There'd be no regrets, of moments spent, just between them two,
But looking back, she couldn't help, but think the years had been too few
So she found herself, asking God, to give her one more night

One more night, to kiss his soft, round cheeks
One more night, to rock him off to sleep
One more night, to stroke his little head
One more night, to lay him down in bed
One more night, for his heart to be all hers
To hold his tender hand
For him to be her little man...

One more night for his heart to be all hers
To hold his tender hand
For him to be her little man
For him to be her little man

Snow

2010-12-26T17:10:00.000-05:00

Christmas Memories 2010

2010-12-26T00:23:00.000-05:00

CHRISTMAS EVE

Granna reading the Christmas story...

Poppa cooking us our traditional breakfast meal...

CHRISTMAS MORNING

CHRISTMAS MIDDAY

Brunch in our pajamas with our sweet neighbors--"Mr. Steve" and "Mrs. Jennifer"...

Walking home in the snow...

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Christmas Fun

2010-12-22T22:34:00.002-05:00

Christmas at Our Home

2010-12-16T23:08:00.000-05:00

Journey through Bethlehem

2010-12-11T22:33:00.000-05:00

McPherson Family Christmas

2010-12-10T21:57:00.000-05:00

Granna & Poppa

Nannie (Poppa's mom)

Aunt Peggy (Poppa's sister)

"Up" to No Good

2010-12-09T21:31:00.000-05:00

While on an important phone call with a doctor today, John Caden was crying at the top of his lungs. I had no choice but to send him to his room and close the door. He cried the whole 15 minutes I was on the phone. As soon as I was off the phone I noticed that he had become very quiet. I knew that probably meant that he was up to something---I however was surprised when I opened his door and saw that he was actually up on something---his dresser---and was sound asleep on it!