Magic Moments

 A new year, a new orchard. This year we tried out Apple Creek Orchard and it was a really pretty place. We picked apples, took a hay ride, and the boys had fun with the apple slinger. We were joined by Tom's parents and it feels so good to have them now living close by instead of far away. 

 My littlest is seven and it's hard  not to be sad. We couldn't be without him, and we're so glad he's ours.  At seven years old Cade loves to do what everyone else is doing. He will NOT play by himself, and maybe it's because he's used to having someone to entertain him all the time. He loves legos and soccer. He also loves to read. I am ALWAYS finding Cade trying to tackle reading a book he probably isn't quite ready for. Lately he's been trying to read The Hobbit. While he's able to read all the words, he just doesn't have the depth of understanding to read it independently quite yet. He LOVES Tom Sawyer so he was delighted to find an abridged version to read.  Cade makes up his own mind about things. He will NOT be bossed around. He holds his own, so I don't worry about his brothers pushing him over. Cade also won't be pushed over physically. He is one tough kid. If Cade is crying, I know he is actually hurt because he never cries ove...

 Cade gives me a run for my money daily. This child is always one step ahead, usually making mess, and always needing something. I love him dearly. He brings the laughter and the chaos around here. Cade is a few days short from being 7 and I can't really say what grade he's in. Grade levels matter little to homeschoolers. I guess by age he's in first grade, I bought him mostly 3rd grade curriculum. He's super smart, yet he daily acts like he doesn't have the time of day for school. He's really into reading though, and he insisted that he was going to read The Hobbit. I had my doubts he was ready for a book at this level, but he's doing it. I listened to him read tonight and he read it wonderfully and knew exactly what was going on. I even caught him reciting and singing one of the songs in the story while he was supposed to be unloading the dishwasher. I'm sure he'll reread it again multiple times over the years and glean more of the story line each ...

 How do I recap an entire season? The days go by so fast and I just run from one thing to the next. Aiden's ankle finally healed from a soccer injury and he finished out the season reffing. He is very much enjoying a paycheck. We spent an entire month at our cabin. We're only lucky enough to do this because Tom works at home. We all enjoy the flexibility he has. We stayed busy at the cabin swimming, jumping on the trampoline, water skiing, tubing, pontooning, fishing, and enjoying our family. We were still busy with guitar lessons and performances with Sage. Cade's Spanish classes continued through the summer, and we even managed to squeeze in a few piano lessons for Cade. Now we're back at home and the boys have been busy with friends. Aiden is back at soccer this week and we start school in less than 2 weeks. We scheduled vacation for September because we refuse to go places during peak season and fight the crowds, so it's fun to have something to look forward to ...

  14 years and 9 months ago Tom and I began praying for the little life that God was growing inside of me. We had no idea how to be parents, but we knew that above all we wanted our child to never know a day where he turned his back on God. God is faithful and today as we celebrate Aiden's 14th birthday, we give thanks to God for Aiden's steadfast heart. Aiden's shoulders are square, he's smarter than I am, and he's left most of his little boy ways behind. But as he grows in stature, he grows in faith, and we couldn't be more proud of who God has shaped Aiden to be. These days Aiden is either playing soccer, reffing soccer, at Taekwondo, bossing his brothers around, or wishing he was at our cabin. He is helpful and kind, has more empathy than is good for him ( ), and has a solid stance on right and wrong. Aiden has his sights set on becoming a falconer this year and trapping his own bird (send prayers for me ). It's very hard on my heart knowing how limited ...

  I read this poem to the boys this morning while thinking about the Ukrainian soldiers. Tennyson wrote this just six weeks after the battle in the Crimean War in 1854. At the time, it was the British on what was basically a suicidal mission against the heavily armed Russian Army. Tennyson calls out the bravery of the British to sacrifice themselves without question and declares them heroes. Thankfully, God rules over rulers and countries. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. Psalm 95:3 God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm. God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne. Psalm 47:6-8 His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, "What have you done?" Daniel 4:34-35 Charge o...

 All three boys began taekwondo this year. At first I only had plans of Cade doing it, but eventually the other two joined as well. Tom and I frequently say it's the best money we've spent. The boys have learned so much. They are stronger, they've learned balance, concentration, self-control, and discipline. Their teacher is simply wonderful. I told him he can't retire until our youngest achieves black belt. The boys have worked hard and were all ready to take their tests to move up a belt this weekend. All three will be moving onto yellow belt, and it was really good for them to have to perform under pressure. Sage thrives on pressure and does well. Aiden doesn't do as well with pressure, but he rose to the occasion. Cade is six and still learning about himself. He got nervous and had to repeat his requirements three times because of silly mistakes, but in the end he did amazing. So proud of these boys. I'm the mama who sits with tears in her eyes at the taekwo...