El Sali, The God of My Strength

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.

The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song;

He has become my salvation."

Isaiah 12:1

For who is God besides the Lord?

And who is the Rock except our God?

It is God who arms me with strength

and makes my way perfect.

He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;

He enables me to stand on the heights.

Psalm 18:31-33

Before Breakfast

They've started calling her The Pastry.

I don't know why.

If she's a pastry, she's a sweet one...

With strawberry filling, of course.

{17 weeks old}

Fun-in-a-Box

And then he ran out.

And, then, fast as a fox,

The Cat in the Hat

Came back in with a box...

Then he got up on top

With a tip of his hat.

"I call this game FUN-IN-A-BOX,"

Said the cat.

"In this box are two things

I will show to you now.

You will like these two things,"

Said the cat with a bow.

from The Cat and The Hat by Dr. Seuss

**************

And, here are ten more thankful things...

51. Baby's loooong nap {4 hours!} which gave me some time to sew.

52. The professor's faithful, hard work to provide for us.

53. New-to-us books from a library that discards really good, old books and leaves them free for the taking. And, the friend who shared her book-source with me along with some from her own collection. And, I can't forget her daughters who babysat while we rummaged.

54. That the Lord gives us strength to carry out His service {1 Timothy 1:12} because I sure need it these days.

55. Re-reading the funny parts in Otis Spofford with the boys just so we could laugh all over again.

56. An empty week that God has filled with just enough fun activities to keep us pleasantly busy, but not too busy.

57. An answered prayer... I prayed for direction and wisdom in selecting a Bible for us to give to Big Brother on his upcoming birthday. I wanted one with a bit of kid appeal but nothing cartoon-y or over simplified. Just as I was beginning to grow frustrated with my choices God led me to the perfect one, and it was the only one like it on the shelf!

58. An evening walk because it wasn't over 100 degrees today.

59. Seeing decorated paper lunch bags and art supplies spread across the table.

60. The opportunity to go to bed early which I'm about to do after I finish my Graeter's ice cream {and I'm grateful for that too}!

When all Thy mercies, O my God,

My rising soul surveys,

Transported with the view, I’m lost

In wonder, love and praise.

words by Joseph Addison in 1712

Saturday Morning Treasure-Hunting

The professor loves nothing more than a good Saturday morning estate sale. Treasure-hunting among the belongings of those who are older {and perhaps quirkier} than himself never ceases to thrill him.

He was up bright and early this past weekend combing the classifieds while I was still lolling in bed in a state of semi-consciousness {mind you, I'd gotten up at 5 a.m. to feed my baby bird}. Grabbing baseball cap and a fresh shirt he said, "It looks like there's a good estate sale across town. It starts at 8:30. I'll take the boys."

My response went something like this, "Have fun. I wish I had an Ikea cinnamon roll for breakfast." Needless to say, Baby and I opted for beauty rest.

But what do you know, much to his delight he toted home two vintage Earl Thollander travel posters...

And, two nice prints of this abstract painting by Lamar Dodd, of University of Georgia fame.

Much to my delight, he also brought bakery fresh cinnamon rolls and scones for breakfast. What a man! All in all, the total for our new, old wall art was less than the total for my coveted breakfast treats... that's one sweet deal for everyone.

All in a Day's Work

She passed out in my arms today when I wasn't feeding her. This is rare and I loved it. One moment she was wide awake and the next she was totally gone...

I suppose that figuring out how to roll over {well, almost roll over 'cause that fat little arm gets pinned every time} is exhausting.

Today, as always, was full of blessings. Here are a few:

41. Watching a bluebird in the backyard.

42. The boys having fun at a "boy party" -- a party for boys to do boy things. Chaotic fun.

43. The UV filter fell off of my camera and broke. I'm so thankful I didn't lose the whole lens!

44. Baby's tight grip on my thumb.

45. A little extra sleep this morning. Miss 5 a.m. decided to sleep in an extra hour!

46. Laughing uncontrollably with the boys while reading to them. Otis Spofford is the perfect boy book.

47. Desk work and phone calls accomplished.

48. Listening to Little Brother sing the fruits of the Spirit.

49. Rain. Oh how we needed it, our lawn has practically turned to "grickle grass".

50. Friends.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise;

give thanks to Him and praise His name.

For the Lord is good and His love endures forever;

His faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100:4-5

4.5

Baby Sister has been monopolizing the milestone spotlight around here lately but today, Little Brother, is your day... today you are 4.5 years old. Where is my round-cheeked, roly-poly baby boy? He is swiftly disappearing, but the lanky boy that is replacing him is just as endearing.

You are one of the most contented children I have ever met. After we survived your newborn days {when you gained five pounds during your first six weeks of life and nearly killed me with exhaustion in the process} you have been content. I admire your contentment with what you have and with what life gives you... you accept gratefully and live happily rarely asking for more.

You are creative. You are constantly making things, painting, drawing, taping, and glueing. You're full of fun and unique ideas.

You are happy. Oh, how your presence in my life brings me joy. You make me smile and laugh everyday because you are funny. {This often makes discipline hard!} I delight in your delight with the world around you. I love to watch you enjoy life's small pleasures.

You are careful and cautious, and often resistant to change, but you have transitioned into your new big brother role with boldness. We've asked a lot of you lately... you've given up your baby spot in the family and you've given up your room... but you've done these things with eagerness and excitement. As neither the baby nor the firstborn you have embraced your new middle-place in our family with dignity. I am so proud of you, my son... and I hold you right in the middle of my heart.

May the Lord direct your heart into God's love and Christ's perseverance.

2 Thessalonians 3:5

A Kiss and A Prayer

I pray for you on your birthday, that your path, as is promised to the just man, will shine not less and less but more and more...

~Elisabeth Elliot

El Yisrael, The God of Israel

O Lord Almighty, God of Israel,

enthroned between the cherubim,

you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth.

You have made heaven and earth.

Isaiah 37:16

You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary;

the God of Israel gives power and strength to His people.

Praise be to God!

Psalm 68:35

Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel,

who alone does marvelous deeds.

Psalm 72:18

Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,

from everlasting to everlasting.

Amen and Amen.

Psalm 41:13

Sibling Love

With these three...

sibling love is...

just as sweet as can be!

And so is she.{16 weeks old}

Blessings Lately

{He wanted to know how a funnel works...}

Still counting His mercies with gratefulness...

31. A small boy's curiosity.

32. A dear friend's joyous news.

33. A cool house during the summer heat.

34. A baby who has learned to smile while sticking out her tongue.

35. A head full of thick hair, because at sixteen weeks postpartum my hair is falling out at an astounding rate.

36. A quiet morning... Big Brother was at camp, Khaki invited Little Brother to spend the morning with her, and Baby decided to take a three hour nap. In turn, I processed photos, cleaned the kitchen, washed two loads of laundry, deep cleaned in the bathroom, and enjoyed a quiet house.

37. A Little Brother who is sounding out words!

38. A list of birthday errands... how thankful I am to be preparing to celebrate another year with special people in my life.

39. A small hand quietly slipped into mine in the parking lot.

40. A dear professor, husband and daddy, home tonight after spending the week out of town.

Beauty Unexpected

Perhaps it was the soft morning sunlight. {I do love an east-facing window.} Or maybe it was because waking came too quickly today. Whatever the reason I found an unexpected appeal this morning at my cluttered bathroom sink as I readied for the day.

Do you ever take a fresh, new look at the most ordinary, mundane places and realize... why, yes, beauty lives even here?!

Two for Tea, and More...

...give thanks in all circumstances,

for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Giving thanks for...

21. An impromptu tea party with my middle man. We have a cookies and milk party planned next. Big Brother is at camp this week.

22. A Sunday evening double rainbow, just when I most needed to see it.

23. The professor filling up my car and getting it ready to drive to camp.

24. A beautiful morning spent driving through the country {to camp and back} listening to Ray Charles.

25. Baby seemingly down to five {sometimes six} feedings a day. Much easier.

26. A hug and, "Mommy. I wuv you, Mommy," from Little Brother.

27. Fresh peaches. And, tomato sandwiches.

28. Nursing and holding Baby. When we were at the lake with friends a few weeks ago a much older mother admonished me to, "Hold her... hold your babies as much as you can. Before you know it they'll be too grown-up to hold." I've tried to take this wisdom to heart, not just with the baby but also with the boys. There are a lot of useful {and silly} baby contraptions out there; I'm thankful that feeding sister requires me to sit quietly with her snuggled close.

29. An afternoon cat nap in the dim nursery because baby and I both fell asleep in the rocking chair.

30. Homemade waffles for dinner. Everyone enjoyed them.

A Valuable Life Lesson

{Uncle Ronnie, this one's for you!}

Allow me to present...

Evidence of an engineering-minded firstborn son who methodically and precisely follows the directions.

Evidence of a free-spirited second born son who enjoys creative embellishment and modification.

Evidence that the two are beginning to understand that a joint effort often yields something much better than either could create on his own!

El-Channun, The Gracious God

But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,

Slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.

Psalm 86:15

15 Weeks Old, or Hanging By My Toes

Baby Girl, I don't remember the exact date but it was about this time last summer that we discovered you were on the way. The story of you had already begun. From the very beginning you turned our world upside down, first with surprise and then with excitement. Now, a year later, I've never been so happy to be hanging by my toes.

As God has gently unfolded the story of you over this past year He has whispered, "Watch, Christian, I'm going to surprise you and delight you over and over and over again." And, that's exactly what He's done. I dreamed but never actually believed that I would have a baby girl {and a red headed one at that!}, but here you are in our arms and in our hearts. You've added sugar and spice to our world of puppy dog tails {and underwear fights}. You, my darling, are one of the three best things that has happened to our little family... first your brothers and now you. I've had three desires delightfully fulfilled. I couldn't be more blessed.


From your fuzzy red hair, to your sweet, bubbly mouth, to your tiny pink toes, you are my Strawberry Girl. You are 15 weeks old today... you love your brothers and your bugs. You know how to smile and charm the grandmothers at the farmer's market when they fuss over you. You are starting to giggle, which absolutely melts my gooey heart. You love to smile at the red headed mommy and baby that you see in the mirror. You open your eyes and your mouth wide while kicking furiously when you get excited. You suck your left thumb when you're hungry, and, occasionally, while you sleep. Speaking of sleep, you do so well at night but you're not one for taking long naps. You love your baths and being on your changing table; you still talk to your little purse and lately Daddy's special wall art has captured your fancy. It seems as though your hands are always in your mouth, and, oh, how you can drool. When it comes to your milk you have strong opinions, it's mommy or nothing, period, the end! You've doubled your birth weight now... this week you weighed in at 11 pounds and 15 ounces.

Your brothers adore you and your Daddy is smitten beyond belief. You are precious in our sight. I am so thankful that God began the story of you last summer, it's all part of His sovereign plan that reaches from everlasting to everlasting. And, yes, I'm so happy that He turned my world upside down with surprise... hanging by my delighted toes is exactly where I want to be.

Ten Things

Today I'm thankful for...

11. Watching the sunlight dance through the house over the course of the day.

12. The Boys' Club... how much they enjoy each other and Legos.

13. Slow paced mornings that allow little boys to stay in their pajamas.

14. Little Brother's dimples.

15. A kicky, smiley baby who is happy to see me each morning.

16. Clothes that fit.

17. Time to exercise.

18. Reading aloud to the boys. We've just started Otis Spofford by Beverly Clearly {thank you, Laura} and they love it. The bull fight had them laughing so hard.

19. Long conversations with the professor at the end of the day.

20. These verses, which I read this morning, regarding His will and calling for me:

It is God's will that you should be sanctified...

1 Thessalonians 4:3

For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.

1 Thessalonians 4:7

Now about brotherly love... do so more and more.

1 Thessalonians 4:9a & 10b

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life,

to mind your own business, and to work with your hands...

1 Thessalonians 4:11

In which I reflect with gratitude...

{my orchid, reflected}

Brain dead. That's me at the end of these summer days. That's me right now, sitting here in striped pajama pants with dry spit-up on my shoulder and hair that desperately needs to be washed.

Most evenings I have a photo or two that I'm eager to share with you, and often there are some thoughts to share as well, but lately I've found that after a busy, full day with the boys and Baby I'm utterly, completely, and totally inarticulate by the time everyone is tucked into bed.

I know hope this state of mind will only last for a season. In the meantime, I've decided that the least I can do is make a list of some of the mercies and small pleasures that God gently wove into my day.

So, today I am thankful for...

1. The early hours of quiet that I enjoyed this morning because everyone slept later than usual.

2. The professor concluded summer teaching yesterday. Today he began a month-long consulting project. While this contract work will be demanding, I'm thankful for every opportunity that he gets to continue practicing the profession that he teaches. And, I'm thankful that this particular consulting opportunity will, Lord-willing, provide all of the money that we need to install hardwood floors.

3. Moments to check in with friends and with my mom on the phone.

4. My mother-in-law offering to stay with a napping Baby Sister while the boys and I went to speech therapy this afternoon.

5. Today one brother made significant strides at speech while the other passed a screening with flying colors. After audio testing for both of them I'm thankful for four little ears that can hear perfectly.

6. A new issue of Real Simple in the mailbox.

7. Baby giggles.

8. Air conditioning during this extreme heat, and creative projects to do around the dining room table keeping our afternoons pleasantly busy indoors.

9. An evening walk with a happy baby in the stroller and the camera in my hand.

10. Pink crab apples tucked among bright green leaves.

Goodnight to the old lady whispering hush...

French Loaf Rising

So nice for breakfast tea and toast.

Created to Create

"Man has a capacity for communicating and receiving communication, for sharing with other human beings, and also with God. But the heart of this discovery is this: we are created in the likeness of the Creator. We are created in the image of a Creator.

So we are, on a finite level, people who can create. Why does man have creativity? Why can man think of many things in his mind, and choose, and then bring forth something that other people can taste, smell, feel, hear and see? Because man was created in the image of a Creator. Man was created that he might create. It is not a waste of man’s time to be creative. It is not a waste to pursue artistic or scientific pursuits in creativity, because this is what man was made to be able to do. He was made in the image of a Creator, and given the capacity to create - on a finite level of course, needing to use the materials already created - but he is still the creature of a Creator.”

Edith Schaeffer, The Hidden Art of Homemaking

El Chaiyai, The God of My Life

The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime;

And His song will be with me in the night,

A prayer to the God of my life.

Psalm 42:8

Dodging the Heat

Today's heat index: 100!

Ick. Shoes on the table.

Stay cool!

Bumbo Bust

She didn't like it.

Clean Baby Smell...

Quite possibly one of life's greatest small pleasures.

Bounty

{Pop gives an impromptu lesson on Confederate naval history}

We enjoyed celebrating "the Fourth" this past weekend with a bounty of family and friends. It was our first out-of-town, overnight excursion with Baby and she did us proud {although I am exhausted}. The boy-cousins ran wild, the table was full of food, laughter, and fellowship, and the babies were dutifully passed around, cuddled in loving arms.

**********

Over the weekend I enjoyed re-reading Lois Lowry's Newberry award winning book Number the Stars. As my mind filled with descriptions of Nazi occupied Denmark I became more keenly aware of the freedoms we enjoy today. I'm filled afresh with gratitude for God's bounty of blessings and grace upon our nation.

Today, as one cleans up firecracker litter strewn across the lawn the day after, I sported my ponytail and made busy unpacking suitcases and attending to laundry. Some friends delivered a box of fresh bounty from their garden which became tonight's dinner. Summer, I do believe, has reached its peak.

El Hashamayim, The God of the Heavens

Give thanks to the God of heaven.

His love endures forever.

Psalm 136:26

One Speckled Egg

Big Brother spotted it this afternoon in our front yard. I am amazed how something so simple can bring such wonder and delight with its mystery and beauty.