The Wind is Blowing Our Faces Into a Smile

May 22, 2014May 22, 2014 / amylynw / Leave a comment

There are many lost journal entries this month, as I’ve either been too exhausted to sit down and write, or I’ve been too wiped out by the end of the day. One of those two. Starting with tonight and working my way backwards, however, I will attempt to do a brief overview of our May Days.

The weather today has been awesome. Matthew experienced hail the size of small golf balls where he was working, and we experienced sunshine and dark clouds, changing back and forth all day. I had to explain to Betty five times tonight where all the snow went.

Elsie is my helper. I told her if she wore goggles while she chopped onions, they wouldn’t sting her eyes as much. The other day when we were driving and smelling cow manure which wafted through the open windows, she said: If I could pop my nose off whenever something is stinky then put it back on when something smells good… Well, that would be great. Speaking of smelly, Nadine had this descriptive offering of armpit odor: they apparently reeked of rotten chemicals with hotdogs dipped in mayonnaise. Yum.

Right now my dad is in Africa. In fact, this week he was able to visit the station where I was born and raised. Partly because I was feeling especially nostalgic, and partly because the kids have been begging to pop into our “old house”, I decided to do just that. We stopped in, and it is now a dentist office. Everything is bright blue from the outside. The downstairs is completely different, but the upstairs was just the same. It’s hard to believe I stood on those stairs in my wedding dress over 12 years ago! In my old bedroom, the inside of my closet door still had the glow-in-the-dark paint signatures of my siblings and friends, from back when I was a teenager. There were even a set of my nephew’s baby footprints, glowing in the dark when we shut the door and stood inside the closet. The same day, my same nephew, had just flown his first solo flight!

School is winding down, with our last week stretching out before us! I have learned way more than the kids, I’m sure. Nadine has become a much more confident reader. Elijah has improved in his math skills. Jack is reading and writing. Elsie is also reading and writing. Betty loves books and can write a few letters of the alphabet. She told me the other day: I don’t want to take it easy. I want to take a break. They love games, and have really improved in so many areas. I have a nice-sized list of things I am changing for next year. As my ever-wise husband has told me: this teacher and mama must keep a tight ship. This week Betty also overcame some of her fear of bugs. She managed to pick up fuzzy “calipitters” for hours on end with her second cousin, and she also willingly let an ant crawl onto her hand. She told me very excitedly the other day: Mom! Mom! Guess what? Lady bugs climb on trampolines.
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Besides book work, we are out and about for so many activities. Nadine’s horse club has been a huge blessing for her. Elsie & Jack have even gotten a turn to ride when we pick her up at the end of the day. Field trips, archery, friends, blowing bubbles, picking flowers, and riding bikes leaves mama pretty exhausted some days. I am no longer the endless source of energy that I see in my children. I remember having it. I know it once existed. But it has been sucked out of my veins and into their own. So now they just borrow my phone to take pictures of their tired mama.
We do have a lot of fun around here. The beautiful moments of this month I think can be summed up in this one picture of Jack:

Our windows are down. The wind is blowing our faces into a smile. Summer is just around the corner.

When It Comes to Five

April 23, 2014April 23, 2014 / amylynw / Leave a comment

Maybe it’s the way her hair curls to beautifully, or the way her smile has always been exceptionally bright. Maybe it’s her ability to make people feel special. Maybe it’s a little girl trapped inside a woman’s body, that comes out when she’s excited or playing a game. Nadine loves creatures with fur, especially the ones that neigh. She has friends she calls on the phone, can clean a kitchen well, and loves to write letters. A woman of habit, she sleeps in the exact same position every night. Her little sisters adore her, and the other day Nadine said something funny to Betty: You know English fully now, don’t you? When we were eating bacon the other day, Nadine discovered she actually liked it and said, I think I’m finally coming to my senses about it. You got that right! Today she started back doing a special homeschool girls’ horse club with a few girls her age. She proudly donned her helmet she’s been dying to wear since Christmas, and I left her happily basking in the environment where she thrives. DSC_1469-2
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Maybe it’s the way his bright blue eyes haven’t changed since he was a baby. Maybe it’s the way his body is swiftly changing into a young man. Maybe it’s the way I look at my phone and see a note from him telling me I’m the best mom ever… usually on a day when I’m feeling anything but good. Maybe it’s the way we both connect through music. The other day he walked into the kitchen and “Don’t Stop Believin'” was playing on the sound dock. He sighed and said, I love Journey. His peace-loving soul hates conflict and strives for resolution. Right now he is taking archery lessons and is one of the best shots in his class. He is counting the days until he can drive a car, and I have to remind him how awesome it is to be a kid. His feet are bigger than his mama’s. Today he was looking for the peanut butter in the cupboard. He poked around a bit then said, Maybe you can see it, because you’re taller. He paused and looked at me, then added, Well, not that much taller, and chuckled. He is a good observer. Once he saw how Elsie had dressed herself. I don’t remember the exact outfit, but generally it has to do with stripes, polka dots and flowers combined. He said, Mom, I always thought Elsie would be good trend-setter. When I asked the boys why they had their shirts off the other day (when it wasn’t hot outside) Elijah said, Because it makes us stronger!

Maybe it’s the way he is always catching up to his growing body. Maybe it’s the way his giant puppy paw hands will one day match the rest of his muscular body. Maybe it’s the way he leaps over three stairs at a time in his roller-blades and makes this mama’s heart beat very fast. Maybe it’s the way his heart tips the scales of my own when he wraps his arms around me and tells me he loves me. Maybe it’s in his smile that’s so big it makes his eyes squint closed. For Jack, an umbrella becomes a parachute, taking him to another world where there are things to fight and conquer. He is okay with going to the store wearing a button-down shirt, soccer shorts, boots with no laces, a holster with gun, and a cowboy hat. The other day said something very funny: Mom, I just have a question. If you pick your nose at night do you need to brush your teeth again? Today we reviewed our neglected chore charts. Orange marker in hand, Jack checked things off one-by-one. A few minutes later, I heard someone mowing, which is still a rare sound, after such a winter. For the longest time I thought it was our neighbor, then I poked my head outside to check on the boys. There was Jack, in his pajama pants, clip-on “pirate” earring, and flip-flops, mowing the grass for the first time this year. I didn’t even know if the mower would start. Elijah was right behind him, weed-whacking. They took the “yard work” part of their charts very seriously, and I think we’ll be keeping those chore charts handier.

Maybe it’s the way she likes two little strands of hair un-tucked from her ponytail, so she can smooth them behind her ears. Maybe it’s the way she wears stripes with polka-dots on most days. Maybe it’s the gaping hole in her smile where her tooth was knocked out last year. There’s something about Elsie that makes me chuckle whenever she walks into the room. She loves friends, changing outfits, and monkey-bars. If all three are included on any given day, it’s pretty much the best day ever. She loves to sleep with her stuffed bunny under her head, just so.
She also sleeps in a different position every night. She likes to do her own hair these days, and she likes to “babysit” Betty. She’s a terrific helper and does things almost always with a cheerful heart. Currently, she is wearing a purple shirt, red vest, shorts, striped socks up to her knees, and sparkly shoes. She sings hymns and songs and says the books of the Bible with lightening speed.
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Maybe it’s the way she cocks her head and smiles. Maybe it’s the way she says, Bless you! whenever she sneezes. Maybe it’s the way her hair is still uneven from the perfect haircut she gave herself many months ago. Maybe it’s the way her brown eyes pull me in with their sweet chocolaty-ness. There’s something about Betty that makes me scoop her up and cover her in kisses whenever she walks into the room. She loves her dollies, taking care of people who are hurt, baby spoons, and the color yellow. To emphasize something of great importance she will say, “So bad”. For instance, I want to button my shirt so bad! I need a banana so bad! Sometimes she will say, Mom! I have a secret! Then she’ll whisper in a voice loud enough to hear all around, Please, I want a chocolate chip! I mean three chocolate chips! She still loves receipts as “taggies” to hold while she sucks her fingers. The other day she exclaimed: I found them all! Seriously! After finding a pile of receipts in her little purse. Seriously. Her vocabulary is hilarious. There aren’t always darling moments, but there are many funny ones. Like today, when I laid her down for her nap… for the fifth time. Without a word, I carried her back upstairs, put her in her bed, tucked her covers around her and walked out. She cried behind my retreating back: I’m not a baby! I’m not a baby! To which I chuckle. In fact, you are. You’re my baby. When she’s not a baby, she is doing her own schoolwork, and already knows how to make an H, B, and E. You’re still my baby, Betty.

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Maybe it’s a combination of five hearts, all with their own special places in my own. Whatever it is, I love these beautiful children. Seriously.

You’ve Gotta Take Care of Those Kids

December 22, 2013December 22, 2013 / amylynw / 1 Comment

This was the other day in Target:

I was pushing that train of a cart, gently bumping into the corners of aisles as it turned its wide arch. I smiled brightly at the mom with one baby in her cart, sitting quietly on a clean cart-cover. Betty held a receipt, which doubles as a “tag” in a pinch, so she can suck her fingers. Elijah likes to hide under the cart. Sometimes even the extra nearly hundred pounds I’m trying to push doesn’t clue me in on where he’s gone, so I start calling his name and he laughs from his hiding spot. Switching seats, spotting sparkly boots, and constant chatter makes our trip the usual exhausting but profitable excursion.

Last night, armed with four very large containers of popcorn and Christmas jammies, we drove to nearby neighborhood to watch a local light show. The lights were choreographed to a radio station, and it was pretty impressive.

Tonight little miss Betty must have gotten bit by the giggle bug. When the boys got home from grocery shopping with Matthew, it was close to 10 o’clock. The little girls were still giggling up in their beds. Jack looked at Matthew and said very seriously: You’ve gotta go take care of those kids. I’m not joking.

Betty keeps us laughing. The other day she was playing with her little baby. She had been tucked into bed for about five seconds before Betty leaned gently over her ear and made a soft rooster sound. Time to wake up, baby! She would say, after cock-a-doodle-doo-ing into her ear.

Once when Betty was trying to get out of the kitchen, Elsie asked, What’s the magic word? Right away she replied: Betty!

Today, Matthew and I were trying to have a little bit of snuggle time on the couch. We literally had five pairs of eyes glued on our every move. There is a small sensor that goes off when we start talking or kissing. Immediately, all bodies are within touching distance of ours, or there is some urgent sentence that must be uttered. In the middle of our hug, Jack came over, put his arms around us and said, Group hug! Which in turn led Betty to pile on some more love. As Elsie would say: There’s room for more in this hug! Once we started to kiss, however, Betty squealed, Let’s get out of here! They’re kissing!
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The other day, Elsie was discussing age order. Apparently, Elijah was of a “medium” age. She then told Nadine: I remember you sucking your fingers! When, in actuality, she wasn’t even born yet.

This is the face I get when it’s time for bed.

It is also the face I am giving, because I am not one who loves going to bed. I’ve been enjoying the sewing machine and crochet hooks this month. Super secretive things have been in the works. There is much more on my mind to write… but it will have to wait. Right now I’ve gotta take care of this mama, who needs some serious rest.

Mangoes, Heartbeats, & IV’s

September 23, 2013 / amylynw / 2 Comments

School is always in session, even when it’s not. Take for instance last night when Elsie looked at me while drinking from a little milk container, straw stuck in her mouth while she talked: Mom? Am I drinking a cow’s pee? I then had to explain the anatomy of a cow. Fun stuff, really.

We almost managed to avoid visiting any doctors for an entire week. My wrist has been acting up (has a lot in the past) and I thought it was finally time to get an x-ray. At the urgent care, I was told it was nothing but a ganglion cyst. Ganglion is one of those words I really don’t like saying. I don’t mind the word “gang”, it’s kind of cool-sounding, really. A lion is so strong and majestic. Put them together, and ganglion is just plain awful. It feels dreadful too. Thankfully I didn’t need an x-ray, but Elsie is bummed we won’t have matching casts. I’m amazed at how she has had zero complaints about her pink cast. She rides her bike, jumps on the trampoline, plays on the playground, and has a personal assault weapon on her at all times.
We had a fun time with Matthew’s family last night. Jack learned how to use chopsticks. He loves China, including its food. Notice the concentration:

This week, Matthew was able to bring Elijah to work with him one day. He had an excellent report from the boss, and was a big help!

Besides being good with the drill, he is also a handy taste-tester. What’s an African girl to do when she has a few mangoes on her hands? Make mango sauce, of course! That, right there, is a small taste of my childhood in a bowl. I’m always happy when I can share a piece of Africa with my kids on this side of the planet.

Nadine’s love tank is always full whenever she can hold a heartbeat with fur on it.

She has also been incredibly helpful watching Betty each day for slots of time so I can write, cook, and do school with the short crowd.

Today marks the second and last Rituxan treatment for Matthew. Since I couldn’t be with him, I bugged him for pictures. I know he wouldn’t post them himself… but… I would, because I love him so very much! His voice is still weak, and sometimes he still is a bit tight, but he “feels” good. We continue to pray for strength and healing! I am so incredibly thankful for a man who never sits around (except if there’s an IV pumping through him!) and is never lazy. He simply follows Jesus in his attitude, actions, and mindset. I’m not married to a perfect man by any means, but he is a real man. There is nothing remotely fantasy-related in his life. He is all real-life and hard-core. Grow old with me, my love!
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Not Giving In To Wimpy

September 17, 2013September 17, 2013 / amylynw / Leave a comment

Elijah is my resident chef. He likes to help me cook and can make pizza dough all by himself now. Yesterday he made banana bread while I oversaw. Once it was in the oven I reminded him that he also had to clean everything up from cooking. He likes to “experiment” and had left a lot of egg shells and such in various places on the counter and table. Then there was the butter, the dishes and the measuring utensils to wash. As I directed him, in the background there were a few arguments that needed refereeing, a bottom that needed wiped, and the usual questions that needed answered. It was an hour and a half after everyone else had eaten lunch before I finally sat down to my peanut butter and banana toast. He must have noticed my weariness because he looked at me and said, You know, I guess that card is right: motherhood is not for wimps! You see, a few weeks ago a friend sent me a marvelous card with that saying on it. I didn’t even know he had read it, but Elijah pays attention to details when I least expect it. I just laughed. He always knows how to make me laugh.

There are plenty of days I want to give in to wimpy. I don’t like to be strong and hold it together all the time. Yet once I give in to those feelings, my life unwinds like a ball of yarn and tangles me up so. Like last week, when the oh-too-familiar “I really got hurt this time” cry met my ears from the front porch. Elsie held on to her arm and refused to let it go. An hour later, I dropped the other four kids off at my wonderful parents’ house and drove to the ER. Again. Elsie and I are becoming ER buddies. Turns out she has a buckle fracture in her wrist. After getting it splinted at the hospital she said, Everyone will be amazed! The next day we went to the orthopedic doctor where we discovered she needs a cute pink cast on it for four weeks. She described it as being: Cozy and comfortable but it hurts too. That’s how it feels. Elijah said, Elsie really looks good in a cast! You know, it really suits her!

On Sunday, Matthew and I were blessed to have an out-of-hospital date in the city! We ate at an incredible restaurant with some delightful friends. The view of Philadelphia was unbelievable. It almost felt like we were in an airplane. Even the elevator ride was fun!

Sprinkled throughout our week have been unintended haircuts, library trips, doctor visits, school, funny finds, purple peppers in the garden, and crock pot dinners.

The latest compilation of hilarious sleeping positions:

Last night was a hard one for Matthew. His throat has been stable, but was pretty tight again. This makes for little sleep for us both, and leaves a lot of room for trust. The water is rocky, but our Jesus is in the boat and He’s not going anywhere. Soon we will be able to rest. For now, there is no room for being wimpy.

Ushering in July

July 2, 2013July 2, 2013 / amylynw / Leave a comment

Mommy, I love you. Mommy, I kiss you. Mommy, I will not be afraid. These are just a few of the sweet things Betty said to me as I tucked her in tonight. Her vocabulary, personality, and fine motor skills are fairly exploding. She’s like a burst of colorful fireworks. I don’t know how she will express herself next, but I know it’s going to be bold, bright, and beautiful. She makes an impression on me every day and leaves her special mark on my heart that only her smile and dark brown eyes can do.

The last week has been full of strawberry picking, rain, new flowers showing their happy faces, rain, gorgeous sunsets, rain, old friends, rain, reading during quiet hour, more rain, and lots of games.

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I’ve been working on rearranging furniture and purging. We actually got rid of about 75% of our movies. I love how the kids were right on board with the idea of filling a laundry basket with videos and dvd’s. Out they went, along with the TV, and no one has complained once. We can still watch movies on the computer, and each child has a preset 30 minute allotment on the computer each day. Their account will automatically shut down after 30 minutes, which makes it easy for me and it has just about completely eliminated computer whining on their part and nagging on my part.

I also painted this reminder on the wall by our front door:

Elsie has had an incredibly loose tooth for the past week. Tonight I overheard this conversation between her and the boys:

Elijah: Elsie, if it falls out of your mouth while you’re sleep, you’re gonna die.
<Big pause> Then, on a lighter note, Elijah says: When you wake up and just look under your pillow, there’s a dollar. Right, Jack?
Jack: Mhm.
Elijah: Yeah, it’s like a fairy. She’s invisible.
Jack: It’s actually… an angel.
Elijah: I could get the pliers and pull it out and there actually will be no pain at all.
This is about the time Elsie came down with a very worried look on her face, and the idea that maybe we should just use our fingers to pull it out came into play. The tooth remains, and I certainly hope she doesn’t swallow it in her sleep. Our kids have been known to swallow their teeth, but never while sleeping.

So far our summer has been pretty swell. I think this last picture captures my sentiments spot on perfectly:

Happy July!

In My Head

June 14, 2013June 14, 2013 / amylynw / Leave a comment

Yesterday, Elsie came down to the kitchen with a coonskin hat on her head, and a silky pink polka-dot cape around her neck. In a very serious voice she asked me what I too have been wondering lately: Mom, is it going to rain every day? We’ve been caught in so many deluges the past two weeks! I’ve hung up clothes, only for them to be washed a dozen times in the rain before finally bringing them inside to the spin cycle and clothes dryer, because I really needed that shirt. I’ve gotten showered while running to move the car. Finally, today I was able to bond with the dirt once again and discovered my first daisy! Zucchini growing, flowers planted from seed, now blooming. It does my soul good.

On Wednesday we made out with a huge bin of K’nex for $5 from a used sale. Elijah has been skipping breakfast for the past two days in order to build this amazing contraption.

He often leaves me notes on my phone, can fix bikes, and loves anything electronic.

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He also loves apricot jelly. When he was making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for himself he saw me about to say something and interjected: I know, I know. No more jelly. That’s what you always say when there’s an inch of jelly on my bread.

I have a knack at going grocery shopping either dangerously close to lunch time, or at midnight. This particular time it was right around noon. Everyone was hungry. As Elsie remarked, her tummy felt backwards. To make up for it, I let the kids pick out a few special items to eat, and we had a spontaneous picnic at the splash park. As we sat on the grass, eating, Elijah looked at me with his orange fingers and said, The one thing that makes me think I’m dreaming is that you would never say yes to Doritos. He grinned and licked his fingers.

Matthew’s youngest brother just graduated from highschool. I’ve known him since he was three years old, which makes me feel very old. What a wonderful young man Jacob has become.

The other day Elsie asked me: Does God hear you when you talk in your head? It’s a wonderful thing that He does, because most of my talking to Him is done that way! While wrestling wet babies out of the kiddie pool. While putting certain children on time-out steps and wondering what on earth to do next. While wiping tables, bottoms, and countertops. While slicing onions and running through a few recipes in my head. While picking up again and again and again. While driving with the background noise at a deafening level. While running a few city blocks in silence. While peeking in on sleeping cherubs in their beds. While doubting, fearing, rejoicing, and giving thanks. He hears our silent prayers.

The past week it seems like our kids have fallen asleep in the weirdest places. While watching a movie, the boys fell asleep like this:

The other night Elsie fell out of bed and kept right on sleeping. I couldn’t lift her back onto her bed, and thought Matthew would before we went to bed. He forgot, and the next morning Elsie informed me that she slept on the floor all night. I felt bad, but it didn’t seem to bother her! Then, one night Jack was determined to wait up until Matthew and I came in from the front porch where we were talking. When I came inside to get something, I almost tripped over his sleeping body.

Both Elijah and Jack had the privilege of going to work with their Daddy one day the past week. Jack created a few things out of scrap wood. Here he is, holding his “Goliath Sword”.
Besides all of the usual keep-the-house-clean-feed-the-bellies-do-laundry-pull-weeds-kind-of-days, I’ve been burning the midnight oil and writing papers to finish up my doula recertification. I am one credit away from mailing in all my paperwork that I’ve been working on for the past three years. I am so excited to check it off my list and delve into school planning for next year. I sold all of my books which we used the past two years, and am excited for our new ones to arrive next week! I am hoping to plan out the bulk of the year before truly relaxing for a couple of months. Matthew has been an incredible support for me as I have pursued my dreams and goals. We are enjoying doing cross-fit together and eating 100% paleo! More on that another time! I do just want to say how incredible Matthew’s health has been since zeroing in on his diet. I have finally come alongside him in eating a disciplined diet and it’s such a blessing to be united in this area. God is teaching us many things as we wait on Him and trust Him with our unknowns. When He says, This is the way, walk in it… we have no choice but to obey. It might just mean eating more vegetables. It might mean how we do school. It might mean staying put. It might mean moving forward.
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At Least

March 29, 2013March 29, 2013 / amylynw / 1 Comment

I recently read an article which mentioned how saying At Least, when you’re about to blow up about something, can really help keep perspective. See, keeping my cool doesn’t come naturally. When several things bombard me each day to test my resolve, it’s not easy to keep the decibels low and the attitude right. I’m finding at least has helped me tremendously not to dive-bomb into discouragement, anger and defeat.

Discovering my keys were locked in the van yesterday morning… again, I was upset. At least I didn’t have to be anywhere, and many things were accomplished by being home all day. In addition, someone else was able to find joy in helping me out of my predicament. At least I have policemen for my friends!

Then last night I was moving the plastic slide from one spot in the yard to another. The orange part came unattached and slammed down on my wrist. It is still throbbing. At least I can still move my arm. At least my body knows how to heal.

Betty and the boys have been hanging out almost all week together while the older girls have had some time with Grandma Weldon. Currently, they are practicing knife-throwing at a wooden target outside. It was one of those moments where I almost told them they couldn’t do it. Then I thought, at least they’re not playing video games and at least they’re outside and learning a skill. I love that the target they drew is the Alley Cat. The dreaded feline that poops in our garden and makes mommy mad. Don’t worry, they won’t really kill it, all you cat-lovers out there.

When I told them to get dressed, they reappeared from downstairs wearing the exact same clothes they wore yesterday. The outfits that were just stuffed into the laundry basket after their bath last night. When confronted with this information, I was answered in typical boyish fashion: But this is my favorite shirt! I thought, why not? What is the big deal, anyway? At least there are two less outfits I need to wash this week.

Earlier in the week, we enjoyed a trip to the Franklin Institute with cousin Brian. Betty stayed with Grandma Watt and we had a fabulous all-boys day, complete with Five Guys for the three guys.

Betty is growing into her two-year-old-self very comfortably. She’s learned how to utilize the faucet mechanism of her tear ducts and can turn them on and off quite quickly if she so desires. Along with her strength of will and determination to communicate, she is growing in other areas too. Going potty, getting herself dressed as much as she can, and sitting at the table more and more are just some of the ways she’s growing up. When she cleans up, she does it 100 percent. I will need this girl to keep me in line when I’m old and grey.

On the flip side, when she makes messes, she does so 100 percent. Take the tube of toothpaste all over the chair as one instance.

She loves to eat wockles… or waffles.

Elsie has been enjoying her pink robe. She falls asleep in the funniest positions. She is also full of the funniest things to say. Look mom! I can move my eyeballs! She told me the other day, while she raised her eyebrows up and down. Putting her hand over her heart, she told me, Mommy, my heart is beeping.

Nadine is either exactly as tall as me, or a little taller. She is good at taking her little sisters under her wing, though loves having her own space as well. She loves a good s’more. It is crazy to think how we’ve experienced a snowstorm, gardening, and roasting marshmallows, all in one week. Yes, s’mores was our supper that night.

As the clouds roll over the sun today, I’m reminded of a Friday no one thought was good, two-thousand years ago. Day turned into night as God the Father left Jesus to suffer alone. Our sin was too great for Him to see. Then, darkness, sorrow, death. Everything we experience without Jesus.

Then, the greatest AT LEAST in history. At least it wasn’t the end. God’s plan was finished, yes, but it was not the end. At least after Friday, there comes Resurrection Sunday! Jesus Rose From The Dead Day, as my brother-in-law has so fitly renamed it. It’s not about eggs or jelly beans or hollow chocolate bunnies. When Jesus rose from the dead, He did something no other god has done. Because He didn’t stay dead, He gives us real victory over sin, real freedom from what trips us up, and real life from death. At least it didn’t end on Friday. Praise God!

I Ate A Carrot Once

March 20, 2013March 20, 2013 / amylynw / 1 Comment

Well, I finally found the Happy in my Birthday banner. Our sweet Elsie Rose is five years old. She writes, she nibbles off parts of her ABC crackers to spell her name correctly, she is full of hilarity. Today while she and Betty were driving with my mom to Bible school, my mom pointed out that there was a lot of traffic and she could see a long line of cars behind them. After turning around, she asked my mom, Why are so many cars following us? Then tonight at dinner, we were discussing carrots. Elsie is not a fond eater of veggies, although we sneak them into her diet many tricky ways. While discussing carrots, mainly the one-foot-long carrot Jack was eating, Elsie put her chin in her hand and noted: I ate a carrot once. Just once. That was enough. Probably never again. We’ll see about that.

This week I was pretty sick. I’ve been hanging onto a cough for a few weeks and my kindly brother-in-law doctor gave my lungs a listen and put me on some meds. Tonight I feel the best I’ve felt for awhile, so praying I’m truly on the mend. I won’t put pictures on here of how the house looked at its worst. Let’s just say: Mom’s Can’t Get Sick! Highlights would be the erector-set flower Elijah made for me, Matt’s sister coming for a day to teach the kids Science, hand-holding, robe-sleeping children, creative minds, eclectic outfits, my mommy making me dinner, homemade Indian food with friends, flurries along with crocuses, a clean bathroom, hot tea with friends, and a taste of spring!

The older three kids even got to tour The Master’s Baker, owned by some awesome relatives of ours. It was such a treat!

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Well, my tea is cold, my rice-bag is warm, and my bed is calling. Good night.

The Snow Angels Declare

January 25, 2013 / amylynw / Leave a comment

All week I’ve been watching my little geranium about to bloom on the kitchen window sill. This morning it was fully open. It’s simply breathtaking to see a burst of living color in the dead of winter. My eyes look at it, feeling starved. I can’t stop drinking in its color and life!

Now the snow is falling. Of course the boys went right outside to play in it. I happened to look out of the laundry room window to see them smiling at a pair of snow angels they just made. I gave them a thumbs up and they grinned even bigger. A few minutes later I heard their voices at the front door asking me to come and see something. My first thought was, No thank you, I’d rather not risk being bitten by the snow. However, an excitement in their voices drew me past even my annoyance of the cold.

Mom! We made snow angels down the WHOLE sidewalk! Sure enough, they did.

When I turned to come back inside, Elijah said, Now everyone can see how great the glory of God is!

I am speechless. What a way to look at everything we do. All for the glory of God, so everyone can see how great and awesome He is!

Grow Old With Me

(the story of our life)

quotes

The Wind is Blowing Our Faces Into a Smile

When It Comes to Five

You’ve Gotta Take Care of Those Kids

Mangoes, Heartbeats, & IV’s

Not Giving In To Wimpy

Ushering in July

In My Head

At Least

I Ate A Carrot Once

The Snow Angels Declare

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