Magic Moments

  Sage is 10! Single digits no more. He's in love with all things guitar. He'll play classical songs like Opus 241 #18 and in the next minute I'll hear him on the electric hammering out a Greta Van Fleet favorite. He's a math whiz, has a powerful kick in taekwondo, and wants to be an electrical engineer. I find him reading way too late in bed before he sneaks into our bed and falls asleep. Sage's heart is tender and He loves Jesus. We pray that this is always true, and Sage's faith is always his strong foundation. No matter what he grows up to be, may he always first be a God honoring man. God, grant sage wisdom beyond his years and keep him safe. Happy birthday to our dear Sage!

 Football in the rain? These three say "yes." It was a cozy, rainy day. School, reading, playing, painting (always), dinner, and a quiet evening. Just living the everyday.

 We're trying to settle into our new house and it's slowly starting to feel like home. We're working to make it ours and thus Tom and I haven't sat down for three weeks. We're really tired. This weekend we took a break from painting the exterior. It's project we wanted done by Friday, but alas it is taking longer than we anticipated. We watched football with family, we went to our new church for the first time, and we went to the apple orchard. The orchard was disappointing. We couldn't pick our own apples and the apple crop wasn't great. We vowed to make the trip to Apple Jacks next year because that's our orchard and we love it there. We brought home pumpkins, picked up pizza and watched a movie. I wish the weekend wasn't ending. Monday morning brings all the commitments of the week....school, taekwondo, guitar lessons, Spanish class and more painting. Aiden started with a new soccer team here and of course during his first game he sprained his...

 It's the end of the summer dock pictures. We've pulled out all the boats and Tom and I get to muscle in the dock tomorrow. I snapped last minute pictures tonight wishing I could freeze time. I want to freeze the boys at the ages they are, freeze this time we've been living at the cabin, freeze the weather that's been beautiful, and just hold onto the moments where the boys are young and sweet and still delight in little things. I don't want to freeze the season of growing pains our country is having. It's stressful and difficult to navigate. I'm burdened daily to impress the gospel on my children and talk about standing firm in our faith. In the last times, believers will walk away in the face of persecution and I want the boys to fight the good fight, and I want to see them at the finish line. Now more than ever is the time to cling to hope in Jesus. At this time next week I'll be tucking the boys into bed in our new house. This time at the cabin has b...

 Sage had a guitar recital today with most of the other kids from his studio. It was so sweet to hear the beginners all the way to the advanced. The recital included some special guests like dueling banjoes, guitar and flute duos, and a fiddle and guitar duo. They were phenomenal. We love our studio and Sage's teacher so much. Sage has gained so much confidence these past weeks as he's had opportunities to play in the community. Today Sage started playing his recital song and stopped after one line, told the audience he needed a minute to tune his guitar, and then started again. It was the sweetest. We're so proud of him.  Sage and his patriotic ensemble played at Munsinger Gardens last weekend and it was lovely. Sage played melody for a couple songs and also held down guitar three.  https://www.amazon.com/photos/shared/7VxHaHWwQUCgg9s4_oAHOQ.WbUBmYiWbjOgWDk9_6W4l5

This weekend was packed with fun. Raspberry picking was one of the many highlights. 

 You could say that Sage played his first gig today. The owner of Arts in Motion called Sage's guitar teacher and asked him to play this morning at their venue. Arts in Motion is the best little place I never knew existed. It's along the Lake Wobegon bike trail and it's just beautiful. They offer art classes and an art gallery, they have delicious food made  in house, and a gorgeous building. Sage's teacher asked Sage to join with 3 other students to play a patriotic set list and of course we were so excited. Sage held down guitar three and played melody for a couple tunes. He was the youngest in the group by far, but he did awesome. His gift is his guitar and I tell Sage all the time God gave us gifts and talents to bless others. Hearing Sage play almost brings me to tears. I love seeing the boys develop their talents. I just couldn't be prouder.