Random

I am grateful for a home library (vs just the books we get from the public library each week) because it amounts to several hundred books that my kids can "read" to themselves since they know the stories so thorougly.

And today Isaac asked, "What's Disneyworld?"

What the Gospel Can Do

I was sobbing for joy by the end of this "cardboard story".

Isaac's Journal

I filled the kiddie pool today for you guys and you had such a ball! Jumping in, spraying the hose, throwing “splash balls” – these things are all so YOU, Isaac. You are active, physical, and also very relational so you were glad your brother, sister, and neighbor were there to share the fun. I really like those things about you, bug.

We just finished reading through the “Jesus Storybook Bible” and I am so thrilled with your seeming understanding of what Christ came to do and how he is reflected or foreshadowed in so many of the other stories. You are truly seeking and asking and wanting to understand God’s truth. I have really been trying to bring grace into even our times of discipline so that you will understand what it really is. Just two times I have told you that you would miss a privilege/be punished if you did something again. When you did it, you knew what you deserved and told me so. After I saw you fully owning your actions, I revoked the consequences and told you that I was giving you grace. What a light dawned in your soul!

We just got back from five days in Minnesota. You really love your Uncle Westley, and it was no different this time. Playing catch, riding the pedal cars, running around with toy guns, climbing trees, getting in on the big kid kickball game, chasing quarters thrown by Uncle Greg, watching Toy Story 3 in the theater with Daddy, Westley and Breanna – so much action and so much fun. We also went strawberry picking. You made it out of the field with two strawberries in your bucket – kerplink, kerplank, kerplunk! I think you enjoyed the Como Zoo as well.

We let you do a lot of nap skipping and by the last day or so of the trip you were worn out and weepy. When you get in a crying fit it is almost impossible to get you out! Sometimes it takes as long as forty minutes, because you just won’t be reasoned with and you insist you CANNOT stop crying. I like it that your emotions are so real – there’s nothing fake about you – but my goodness, sometimes it’s rough! Daddy and I are so torn whether to just snuggle you or whether to make you buck up and quit!

Either way, I’ve been loving you, Isaac. You are so full of life and grins and energy and when I get a kiss from you it’s like my whole world smiles.

Abby's Journal

You wish you were five or six because “Everybody else is!” Indeed all of your little girl friends (plus Isaac) are five (Veronikka next door), six (Grace Belcher), or even seven (Emma at church). I tried to comfort you by telling you that you are a very big girl for three since all of those big girls enjoy playing with you! Also, I said, you’ll only be three once, so let’s enjoy it! Oh, you’re too big already!

Thank you Jesus, Thank you Jesus, for your grace, for your grace. Thank you that you love us, thank you that you love us. Amen, amen. You sing that song or some variation several times a day! You are often reflecting on themes of grace or love or sin or just talking about Jesus. I love that He is on your brain and in your heart.

You got to do three days (1.5 hours/day) of Angelina Ballerina dance camp at a local dance studio. Crafts, snacks and dance instruction were all themed around your favorite book character – the little dancer mouse Angelina. You were so thrilled to wear real ballet shoes and try out all your hand-me-down leotards. I was a little nervous that you’d back out at the last minute, but each day you were eager to go. On the last day you did a little demonstration for the parents, and you knew just how to plié and arabesque with all of the bigger girls.

We just got back from five days in Minnesota. You had fun seeing everyone, but I also found you in a corner by yourself looking at books a few times – regrouping from all the action I guess. We went strawberry picking one day. I told you that you could eat as many as you wanted, but you held off because you were determined to pick enough to make a strawberry pie. So you picked a whole pound by yourself! Together with Mommy and Daddy’s twenty pounds, we had enough for a couple of pies and then some. You were so tickled that I followed through on your fancy for strawberry pie.

We also went to the Como Zoo one day and your favorite is still the pink flamingos! I think all of the aunties, uncles, grandparents and cousins in MN were just delighted by you. Your sweet smile and gabby stories and flouncy little sundresses are just irresistible!

Matthew's Journal

You’ve really turned a corner and now you are much happier and more communicative. (I think those two are connected.) You still aren’t talking much, but you’ve figured out how to let us know what you want by, for instance, pulling on the fridge handle when you want your milk. Or you’ll even go get yourself a chair to stand on if you want to watch what’s happening at the kitchen counter. It’s been great!

I think you’re also just enjoying summer. You’ll bring me your little crocs (shoes) when you want to go outside. You love it when I push you on your tricycle. Plus the sandbox really keeps you busy – you dig sand into a bucket, dump, and repeat. Just today we pulled out the kiddie pool for the first time this summer. You were soaked from head to toe, laughing, splashing, loving it!

We just got back from five days in Minnesota. You really enjoyed seeing new people for the first time! You went to everyone very well – only the new puppy had you nervous. We went strawberry picking and you just plopped yourself down in the middle of the row and helped yourself. I had a hard time keeping my bucket safe from you! Another day we went to the Como Zoo – it was so fun to watch your eyes light up when you spotted the monkeys or the giraffes.

I thought I’d do a little “Matthew’s Favorites” list here:
Favorite lovey: your blue blankey that I use to tuck you in every night
Favorite food: chili-or-spaghetti-type substances with ground beef, beans, tomato saucy
Favorite book: touch and feel animal board books
Favorite drink: whole milk!
Favorite person: Daddy when he’s home
Favorite activities: Emptying cupboards, making puzzles (with help), dancing or playing piano
Favorite place: Church (haha – NOT). Probably playgrounds – you climb all over everything!