Whirlwind

Life has been busy over here since my last post. If you are curious what I have been up to in the last 3 weeks, check out this blog...

http://teamchina10.blogspot.com/

I started it last month to document our journey to China to love orphans. Join me there to catch up on our ordinary lives :)

First Things First

Packing, planning, preparing, making lists, sending out support letters, organizing the Fundraiser, there is a lot to accomplish in the three weeks before our family gets on the plan for a 20 hours of travel to and 3 weeks of service in China. But before all this started, I promised God that I would not be a "Martha", busy about many things. I asked Him to prepare my heart for China. Not just help me arrange for a dogsitter and a house-plant waterer.

I am so forgetful. So faithless.

Already this week I have been distracted by "good" things. Not the "best" thing--sitting at Jesus' feet and letting him move in, work on, clean out, and order my heart. I DO NOT want to plan and pack and just show up to "look after orphans in their distress".

Yesterday's quiet time was a gentle reminder of His heart. Since last summer, we have been praying for the orphans in China. I have wanted to find ways to love them in practical and tangible ways. God opened the doors for us to go to some of them and bring them hope this summer. The verse we have used as our directive is:

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27

I read the verses that come BEFORE that one in the Bible. Verses 19-26 in the first chapter of the Book of James share a lot of pointers for how I can be prepared to carry out His kind of religion:

• 
  
  Be quick to listen.
• 
  
  Be slow to speak.
• 
  
  Be slow to become angry.
• 
  
  Get rid of my moral filth.
• 
  
  Humbly accept His Word.
• 
  
  DO what it says.
• 
  
  Keep a tight rein on my tongue.

Suddenly all my lists and things to do seem less important. I have plenty of other things, FIRST THINGS, to pray about and work on before I am truly prepared to love the least of these with Christ's Love. God didn't chose me to go because I was perfect. I need help in all of these areas. But I trust Him to accomplish this work in my heart as I am willing to obey and go.

NBC

Here Am I. Send Me.

A recent letter that was emailed to our close friends asking them to support us this summer as we venture out in a wild journey of faith:

“How are we going to explain THIS without all our friends thinking we are nuts?”

These were Bob’s exact words as we were brainstorming ways to let you all know about the AMAZING opportunity that God has plopped into our laps!

You are our close friends so you know how the Fitzpatrick’s operate. You are accustomed to our “spontaneity”!

Here goes: In July, our family is going to serve at weekly summer camps for orphan children with Bring Me Hope ministry!

Oh, and these camps are in China. :)

The first camp begins on July 5th and all SEVEN Fitzpatricks plan on being on the coast of China in Yantai to work as volunteers at BMH summer camps for orphans.

Our sole job description is to love orphans.

When it comes down to it, Jesus defines religion really simply: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27

Really, Jesus wants us to be loving orphans and widows no matter what longitude and latitude we are in. So saying “yes” was not a hard decision for us. Nope, deciding to go was easy. Getting us there—now that is more of a challenge.

But NOT FOR GOD!

It all started with a tap on our shoulders in church two Sundays ago. Our friends asked if we would join them as their family goes for a month to look after the ones that God has given them such a tender heart for. The Bolt family loves China, orphans, and families.

That is how Bring Me Hope ministry began—in the heart of this family. If you want to find out more about the family and their ministry, check out: http://www.bringmehope.org/ or http://www.bmhnews.blogspot.com/

We are going to serve alongside them by swimming, crafting, hugging, laughing with, playing with, crying over and loving children. Chinese orphans.

We can’t wait! Unlike our recent separate trips to “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to all creation”, this summer we are so thrilled to be serving as a family in China. Together. Shoulder to shoulder. Heart to heart.

There are a dozen different things we could share: mind-boggling details, faith-deepening facts, about how God has brought this about so suddenly. But we think the best thing to add here is that God has made the way straight and opened all the doors for us to go. So we go, in faith.

Here is where you come in: God has provided passports, visas and many of the practical things necessary to make it clear that He wants us in China serving these children whom He loves. What we really need is your prayers. Lots and lots and LOTS of them.

This will not be an exotic vacation or a refreshing family camp. Going will require something of us that we don’t possess apart from His Holy Spirit: Christ’s Love. That “stretched out to its farthest limits, laying down your life” kind of love. We can’t go in our own strength, with our own limited brand of love. It will hurt those children and our own hearts too much that way. But if we love them with the Love Jesus has for orphans, then the cost will be worth it.

If we love these kids like our own and with His Love, knowing they will return to their orphanages after only one short week, it is sure to be painful. But that pain should not keep us from loving them while we can. And we can.

So the Fitzpatrick Family is going to China in July 2010. To love the least, the last, the lost.

Will you go with us in prayer? Will you join with our church family at Temecula Hills Christian Fellowship and our hearts as we ask the Lord to do incredible things in and through us? As we seek to love these unwanted children and show them that they have worth and that they matter to Someone, will you intercede for them? Will you pray that the children He brings to the BMH camps will see Jesus’ love in real, tangible, expressive ways through us?

We have been told that it will be a great benefit to these children to witness an intact family interacting and loving each other; they do not have this modeled in their orphanages. Please pray that they would see His Hope for the family—even though ours is so flawed and imperfect. We want to bring Hope to these children.

Will you help us?

Please reply to this email TODAY if you are willing to join our team of people praying for us, the Bolt Family, Bring Me Hope staff, our Chinese translators (we will share a close relationship with these students while in China and hopefully in the future when we return!) and the precious orphans He brings us to love. In this way, we can keep you posted on particulars and plans so you can pray specifically.

Thanks for letting us share this burden with you…to pray…and carrying it with us.

In Christ,

The Fitzpatrick Family

Bob, Kelly, Reilly, Kate, Samuel, Aidan, and Peter

For some awesome photos of last year's camp:

http://www.bringmehope.org/media/?cat=3

Wanna join us on the wild ride of living dangerously surrendered to Christ? Comment with your email address and we will add you to our support team! :)

Which is older...

Bob Fitzpatrick OR...

• Astroturf (1964)
• VCR (1975)
• First Starbucks Coffee House (1971)
• First Super Bowl (1967-Green Bay beat Kansas City)
• Singer: Debbie Gibson (August 1970)
• Easy Bake Oven (1963)
• Compact Disc (1965)
• GI Joe (1964)
• Hand Held Electronic Calculator (1967)
• Mini-skirt (1965)
• Post-it Notes (1974)
• Internet-invented for/by US military (1969)
• Rollerblades (1979)
• Rubik's Cube (1974)
• ATM machine (1967)
• The First Home Video Game (1972 Pong)
• My Potato Head (1952)
• Twister (1966)
• Gatorade (1965)
• Push-button Phones (1963)
• Portable Music Player (1979 Walkman)

So Bob is older than computers, home video games, walkmans, cell phones and VCR's...but younger than GI Joe and Mr. Potato Head.

Thanks Brian!

40 Things I Love About You

In honor of his 40th Birthday, here is a list of 40 things I love about my husband Bob (in no particular order):

• Your squinty-eyed “serious” look 
• Your pink cheeks and tiny ears
• How your upper lip trembles when you are about to cry
• That you the kind of man who cries
• Watching you jump on the trampoline with Peter
• The way you run—your long stride on the balls of your feet
• That you do laundry AND dishes
• Your poetry
• Your heart for music—the way it speaks in lyrics and rhythms
• Your willingness to learn new things, you are so adventurous
• Your math genius and intense awareness of palindromes-so thankful you balance out our children’s gene pool
• That ring, worn faithfully for 17 years, on your left hand
• The way You hunt for silly books at the Library
• The handyman you have become
• Every inch of You—in your LUCKY Brand jeans
• Knowing you pray for our children every single night
• Your hardworking character—you get up every weekday at 5am to provide for us
• The way you get so excited about Peach Luscious—that sweet tooth
• Your sincere desire to grow and become more like Christ
• Laughing with you
• How you love YOUR mom, how you love MY mom
• Watching you play, tickle, and giggle with our children
• The way you fall asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow
• The patient way you deal with my mood swings
• How you love to hold hands anytime, anywhere
• That you don't quit or give up when things are hard
• Your growing sense of responsibility to the least, the last, the lost
• Waking up next to you
• The sparkle in your eyes when you're happy
• Your big, scrawly signature
• How you seem to like everything I prepare in the kitchen
• Sharing a carton of ice cream with you after the kids go to bed
• How you make time for me no matter how busy you are
• Burying under the covers with you on cold nights
• How you make me smile on really bad days
• How you're like a little kid when you're not feeling well
• How brave you get when I'm feeling scared or unsure or anxious
• The way I miss you when we're not together
• The utter happiness I feel when I'm with you—knowing you are mine
• And how blessed you make me feel each day for having someone like you in my life.

Happy Birthday Babe! I could have come up with a hundred more!

Bob, Age 40

Please stay tuned. I will get to this post. Honestly, we have too many birthdays in one day!

Don't fret honey, if you are reading this, I promise I will write a post ALL about you! Well, Aidan thought that was special!

I am sure you can't wait.

Happy Birthday beloved,  I love you! ;)

Sadie, Age 5

It's my dog's birthday too. Even though I am pretty sure she doesn't read my blog, I don't want her to be left out on her special day. I am sorry that I couldn't find any pictures of her. But I had this nice one of a baby Alpacha.

Happy Birthday Sadie-dog! :0

Samuel, Age 9

Samuel-Hebrew for "Heard of God".

Before there was a Bob in my life, there was a Samuel in my heart. I didn't "know" him yet, but I knew I would someday have a son named Samuel. Bob signed on knowing this quirky clause in his contract. He agreed to it on the night he proposed to me.

I knew from the first time I read the Bible story about the prophet Samuel in the Old Testament that I would someday have a son named Samuel. And I prayed, even as a brand-new believer, a sixteen year old not-even-dating girl, that my son would grow up and say, like his namesake, "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening."

Our Samuel is a servant. An eager, first one to say, "Okay Mommy" kind of boy. He makes me smile.

Samuel is our firstborn son. A prayer answered 14 years after it was first prayed. Each of our daughter's were named Samuel until we met them. And thought better of it. We didn't know before they were born that they would be girls. We knew our twins were both boys. I rejoiced the day we discovered that happy news.We would have TWO sons! And we already knew one of their names. 

Samuel came barrelling out me 21 minutes before his brother. No matter what the doctors tried to do to keep him inside. Samuel had had enough of sharing space with his womb mate. Aidan was wiggly and active and had a really hard kick. Even I knew that and I was on the outside. Samuel wanted out. I don't blame him for coming early.

My first and very quick glimpse of him revealed that he was a WHITE BOY. And I mean WHITE! He looked like a skinny porcelain doll with a long, Roman nose. It wasn't until I saw them hours later side by side hooked up in the NCIU that I learned that one twin had taken most of the red blood cells. It wasn't Samuel. To this day, Samuel is fair-skinned while his brother has his daddy's dark skin.

Samuel is a big, strapping boy now. He wears a man-size shoe and is a head taller and quite a few pounds heavier than his twin. But he started out small...6 pounds 5 ounces. I remember asking the doctor if I would break them, they appeared so fragile and tiny. But Samuel was a hard-core eater and he made up for lost time baking in the oven. He still can EAT!

It didn't take long for Samuel to catch up to his "due date" age. He walked early, ran early, rode his bike without training wheels before he was four. And his first, and only word for a long time, was ball. He loves all things that have to do with sports or being active. He is a lot like his daddy.

Maybe that is why I like him so much. And I have had a head start understanding what makes him tick--I've been with his daddy for more than half my life. I understand his tender heart, his eagerness to serve and help, his loyalty and dependability. He is very hard-working and just. I love all those things about him.

I continue to pray the same prayer I began before I even met him nine years ago: that Samuel would grow up to say to His Lord, "Speak, for your servant is listening."

Momma loves you, sweet Samuel boy! You are wonderful. :)

Aidan, Age 9

Nine years ago today, my husband and my mom were arguing and trying to convince me to "pinch it off" so that one of our twins would be born on May 27 and the other on May 28. That way each of them would have a kid to share their birthdays with. They thought that sounded like fun. You know, just stall my labor for another 6 hours so that my mom and my husband would have the birthday dates they liked. Yeah. Well. Needless to say, this cutie patootie was born at 6:15pm on May 27th. His twin brother arrived 21 minutes earlier. Both of them born on my Mom's birthday. At least one of them was happy.

Aidan came into the world squirming and ready to run. Footling breech, his right leg was the first part of him to make an appearance in our lives. Oh, that tiny little foot! Now it is a size 4.5. Then the rest of his skinny, red body slimed out. Red because he had "stolen" all the red blood cells in the placenta so he was really, really red. And tiny. 5 lbs 11 ounces and almost 7 weeks early. All our other babies had been BIG! Here was this itty-bitty red baby who had to be pulled out by the thigh. He had a man's handprint on his thigh. No joke! The doctor helped in his arrival without the scalpel (thank you, God!) but with his hand.

I did not get to hold or cuddle him right away. He was whisked away to the NCIU. But as soon as I did meet him, I knew that I could love a son just as much as our daughters. Amazing. Even if it would be months before he would make eye-contact, (preemies oftentimes don't make eye contact) it was love at first sight.

And my love for this wiggly, squirmy, active, zealous, energetic, wildly creative, witty kid has been growing ever since. He is the only one of our 5 kids that I don't clearly understand. The rest of them I "get", you know. Aidan constantly stretches me, surprises me and amazes me. My constant prayer is to stay a step ahead of his lightening-quick mind. I am not always successful. But oh the stories he provides us with! He keeps us all guessing and laughing. I love that about him.

Bob and I used to pray that he would survive to celebrate his 2nd birthday. And here it is, today is  his 9th! Nine more to go until he is on his own. Now our prayer is that WE would survive the next 9!

Just joking.

Aidan--Irish for "Little Fire".

A word from the (sometimes) wise: Be mindful of what you name your child. :)

I look forward to all this year has for my sweet Aidan-boy. Watching how God is going to use each and every unique inch of that wonderful boy, I expect lots of twists and turns. And laughter.

You are one terrific kid, Aidan. And Momma loves you! :)

Happy Birthday to my Mom!

I Heart My Mom!

May is a busy time for birthdays in the Fitzpatrick House. My momma, our twins sons, my dog and my hubby all celebrate their special days within 24 hours of each other. Whew!

Today is my favorite Momma's 50-something birthday! I adore her. Our kids adore her. My hubby adores her. Even our dog Sadie thinks she is amazing. She is really funny. I am so glad God made her and made her my mom. Her servant heart and willingness to lay down her life for a friend are examples to me. I am proud to be her daughter.

Happy Birthday Mom! I love you.

Make Me a Servant

JOY!

Driving in the car with my five kiddos today. Praising Jesus. Hearing my boy, 9 years old in 2 days, belting out these sweet lyrics:

"Make me a servant.

Humble and meek.

Lord, let me lift up those who are weak.

And may the prayer of my heart always be,

Make me a servant.

Today."

All his siblings join in the chorus. A momma's heart swells with JOY! And sings along. May the prayer of my heart always be...make me a servant Lord Jesus.

My Daughter has a Bucket List, Too

One of my favorite blogger's wrote a post about her ten year old daughter's Bucket List. I just happen to have one of those too. A 10 year old daughter.

So I promptly explained to mine what a bucket list is and she got started compiling her own right away.

Here is sweet Kate Marie's Bucket List with no prompting (okay, besides telling her what one was--a list of things you want to try before you die). I didn't even let her see the other list. I told her I would read Kristin's little girl's list if she told me hers. So in Kate's own words:

1.  Go to Paris
2.  Learn Pig Latin
3.  Go bungee-jumping
4.  Share the Gospel with 3 or more people
5.  Know all of my multiplication facts

I need to add #5 to my list right now. She is my girl!

A Word from the Wise

I am running towards the finish line on my 8th year of homeschooling. Usually around May I start to feel a bit weary. Since Bob is a high school teacher, he can relate. He calls it "senioritis".  I call it "i want to quit" or "this is too hard" or "that's it! i'm all done. you are all going to public school tomorrow".

Last week I was feeling my oldest out, trying to see how receptive she'd be to attending school next year. NOT our homeschool.

Her calm and measured response was, "Oh Mom. I don't want to go to school. I like yours. Anyway, you always want to quit this time of year ."

She is growing up. And growing wise. I am so proud of her for being so level-headed and sound-minded.Where did she get that from?

NOT from me. My favorite quip is "Keep calm and carry on." For a reason. I need a constant reminder since this does not come naturally to me.

Since this conversation, God has provided plenty of encouragement to stay the course, to finish the race, and to end well. I always need a little of that in May. And He always graciously reminds me what I am doing and why--and HOW to accomplish it. I can do it! Only by His grace and in His strength. But it was so nice to know that I have this wonderful, witty, and wise advocate living in my own house. A child of my own.

Amazing! She was just a tiny kindergartner just the other day.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Lip Sync Liberties

My side of the family is notorious for taking liberty with the lyrics of songs. Any songs. All songs. Reverent hymns, traditional carols, family favorites, pop hits. We are indiscriminate. My dad is particularly terrible and yet I can't for the life of me think of an example to quote here.

Which is why I keep this blog journal. To remember stuff.

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I admit I am also free and easy with my song-singing. I make up words as I go along. So does Kate.

Tonight during family night we we were singing along to Chris Tomlin's "Glory in the Highest" and Kate's remake goes like this:

"Glory in the Highest.

God of Laryngitis"

Not exactly what I think the artist was going for but it works for me.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

On Friday, May 14 the Homeschooling Friends Players proudly presented A Midsummer Night's Dream. It was our second production. In 2008, we performed Twelfth Night. It is always a ton of fun. The kids  really enjoy letting their inner thespians out. All of them worked really hard at a tough script and made it truly funny! I laughed long and loud and hard while I enjoyed the finished product. I directed with some dear friends so I didn't have time to photograph the show. That explains why I don't have specific photos of my darlings! I am posting some friend's pictures (thanks Lynette). There were none of Reilly or Aidan in their roles but I may post those later (thanks Margi). For now, enjoy the splendor of Performing Arts on a small scale and a limited budget! :) But a lot of heart:

"What hempen home-spuns have we swaggering her so near the cradle of the Fairy Queen?"

Our mischievous sprite Puck aka: Kate Marie

The players of the play in the play? Huh?

Tom Snout the Tinker aka: Samuel (2nd from left)

"I have a sudden craving for hay!"

Nick Bottom surrounded by fairies.

We couldn't very well call them Lovers!

Since the cast involved all homeschooled kids ages 3-17...

So here are the Friendly Friends!

Hermia aka: Reilly (3rd from left)

"I know a bank where the wild thyme blows."

Impish Puck giggles while Oberon and Titania quibble.

"I'm your spaniel!"

Too bad I don't have this in life action.

Our Helena wags her tail-end here!

HILARIOUS!

Bottom and Titania

Snug, Flute, Bottom, Snout (Samuel), Quince, and Starveling

The Cast of HSF Production of

A Midsummer Night's Dream

The Fairy Queen and her Fairies

Cobweb, Mustardseed, Moth, Peasblossom, First Fairy and fairies in training!

BIG!

I am an over-the-top, larger than life kinda gal. I like to do everything BIG! I figure, "why bother?"  if I can't do something on a grand scale. It's a weird, quirky thing about myself that I have learned to accept over time.

I am sure I need some sort of medication.

So when I walked around my house this evening, I intentionally ignored all the piles of laundry, the fact that my bare feet were sticking to the floor, and half-filled cups in every room of my house. I don't have time to tackle a deep clean this week. So why bother even tidying up a few flat surfaces. I told you I am an all-or-nothing woman.

When a random thought popped in my head that I should set the table pretty for dinner tonight, I wondered who had put something in my cup of tea. Totally unlike me. My kids were at a baseball game with their daddy, I had the house to myself. I could practice my denial tactics with no one to influence by my poor example. Or my excellent example--of a sluggard! :)

My house looks like a tornado hit. I would ordinarily serve the crock pot meal on paper goods and toss it all in the trashcan on a night like tonight. But that disturbing thought was planted in my head--set the table pretty for my family.

Without so much as wiping off this morning's cheerios, I put a cloth over my table. Wrinkles and all. I placed my Mothers Day bouquet in the center and folded up some napkins next to our everyday dishes. Nothing fancy.

EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY OOOHed AND AHHHed OVER MY SIMPLE 5 MINUTE GESTURE!

When we had our "best, worst and weirdest" table time conversation, all of my children said that my nice dinner was their "best" for today. My not-normally-gushing, in fact, mostly-unobservant boy thanked God in his prayer for his wonderful mommy and her beautiful (HIS word) table. Kate said she felt like she was at a five star  restaurant. Did I mentioned that the kitchen counter was laden with morning (and afternoon) dishes, the chairs needed to be swiped off before sitting because of crumbs, and you could see the bumps underneath the cloth? Nothing beautiful in this picture. Not one fancy thing. But this simple little bit of five-minute effort made the world of difference to my family.

Why do I always feel like I have to do things perfectly if I am even going to make an attempt? This warped need or pressure or feeling or mental handicap or whatever it is paralyzes me from even beginning some things. Good things.  

I do believe that good is the enemy of best. I do. In some areas. But I need to balance this belief with a big 'ole dose of GRACE. I am beginning to see that ordinary, small, random acts of kindness are what fill my days with quiet joy and pleasure.

All the small, almost insignificant moments that go unnoticed if I am not careful. Mindful.

Sisters on their bellies in the grass, rehearsing their lines for drama. Hair shining in the sun. Not a moment of sibling rivalry or bickering.

Little boy rocking back and forth on a pretend-pony at the park. "Look at me mommy!". And that beaming proud face.

Monkey-boy scaling the net at the soccer field and righting himself with incredible dexterity as he almost falls on his head. Almost. And the pleased-with-himself grin that follows.

The teachable  moment in the room alone with the tenderhearted big boy who is still learning to express his hurt. And deal with conflict with words instead of tears. A tight hug to top it off.

A contented kiss from a hubby who doesn't seem to notice that the rest of the house is a health hazard. He is just so happy to have a warm meal in front of him and a wife with a smile.

Simple things.

Oh Lord, teach me to treasure those ordinary moments more than the planned, perfected and prodigious events that I prize.

I Heart My Mom

One of only a few photos of my Mom and Me.

I need to remedy that! This one isn't very flattering!

December 2008

Mothers Day will never be the same for my mom. It was changed forever on December 14, 2008, when her second child died. Bryan was her sweet, funny little boy. He grew up to be a kind, funny big boy. Because I have three sons, imagining the pain of knowing Bryan won't be bringing flowers today slays me. Mothers Day isn't as sweet when two children are now one.

Bryan was a doting son. No one can replace his place as the "Best Gift Giver Ever". He always spoiled my Mom. Now there is just me. I am not so good at doting. And I am terrible at gifts. They aren't my love language. But words are. So this Mothers Day, I offer these words to my beloved Momma:

My mom is a great mom. I won't list all the ways that she showed Bryan and I that we were the most important things in her life. But we always knew. Always. Even though she doesn't use words often, my Mom communicates her love for me in a hundred different unspoken ways. Big ways and small.I know that I am still one of the most important things in her life.

Daily encouragement and prayers, Taco Tuesdays, pre-schooler teaching, new undies, Family Nights, and all the adventures that she joins me on. My mom is present in my life. A comforting, reassuring, constant presence. I am so glad that we live so close. Are so close.

Nothing makes my heart smile more than seeing Kate run into her arms, squealing her name. Nothing makes me laugh harder than watching my Mom act like a kid to make my children giggle. Nothing makes a lump form in my throat quicker than watching my mom cuddled up on the couch reading to Peter.

I am so proud to be her daughter and I honor my Mom on this Mothers Day. For both of us.

On the Fifth Child

I followed all "THE" books with my first child. Breastfed until 14 months. No sugar. Educational Mommy & Me classes. Organic baby food. Childproofed home. Select playdates. Germ-free existence. Well-chosen books and music for enrichment. Daily baths. Flossed teeth. Brushed teeth! And absolutely NO TV!

My firstborn loved to memorize Scripture. She quoted the entire chapter of Luke's Nativity story at Christmastime as a three year old.

I had four more kids.

Otherwise I would have been insufferable. "See, all you need to do is be consistent and parenting isn't so hard." Intolerable. I want to slap me back then.

My fifth is three years old.

Peter came out this week wearing this: he had a Norwegian flag, a Robin Hood hat, a medieval breastplate and a grin. He said, and I quote:

"My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."

With a perfect Spanish accent.

He's seen The Princess Bride, his Daddy's favorite movie, just a few times.

At least I am not a smug momma anymore. The only thing I know after all these kids is that I don't know diddly-squat.

Cinco de Mayo

Here is my Cinco de Mayo post posted on May 8. It isn't in Spanish either. Lo siento.

We were enjoying our Mexican Nachos for dinner on Wednesday evening. All those little hands reaching for the cheese laden chips. I made homemade guacamole as a treat. We love our Mexican food over here in this American/Irish/Norwegian family.

Peter asked, "May I have some more CACAmole Mommy?"

He doesn't speak Spanish either. Thank goodness.

On Mothering

One of my favorite bloggers asked for links that "capture" motherhood in a photo from her readers. In preparation for Mother's Day and all. I like the idea but couldn't decide on just ONE (I do have 5 kids-no way!). Here are a few that make me smile when I remember back over the last 12 years that I have been living in the (Mother) Hood.

And yes, I  posted only one picture of my first pregnancy. Four children in under four years does not a flat belly make. You didn't think I would be THAT transparent, did you?

And it all started with a kiss...

Thanks Kristen, for prompting me to walk down memory lane. I included the Chick-fil-A photo in honor of her. She thinks she is their biggest fan. We may be her rivals.

Man, we have a lot of kids.

Junk Hunt

In an effort to create some energy and fun in the daily routine of keeping rooms tidy around here, I decided to play a game with my kids today during chore time. Junk Hunt. A sort of Show & Tell to raise my children's awareness of our tendency to keep too much useless stuff around. The object of the game was to locate the strangest, most useless item in their room. We are practicing simplification and decluttering this Spring.

Can my kids get credit for that in homeschool?

Back to the game--the judge (me!) would award a prize to the child who cleaned their room and presented his/her object for show and tell in the Junk Hunt contest.

Here are the entries:

Please don't ask about the bottle of wine. I will tell you that it is unopened.

But this object was voted MOST USELESS JUNK:

In case you can't figure out what it is...let me explain. The statue. Not the wine.

This little bronze figurine of Apollo came from Italy from a wonderfully thoughtful family member (who hopefully does not read this blog) who knew we were studying Ancinet Greece in History.

Kate's words during her acceptance speech (they got to eat the chocolate bunny), and I quote:

"Every girl needs their own naked Greek god to watch over her at night."

Spring in My Garden

My dreams for Spring, in no particular order:

I want my kids to get along with each other as they eat their unprocessed, homemade, healthy breakfast. Without me having to get out of bed with them at 6:00am.

I long to be thin again. Without having to give up eating endless chips and guacamole.

I like clean socks, sorted and paired neatly in drawers. Without having to do loads and loads and loads (and loads...) of laundry.

I aspire to have my children well-educated and enriched. While I cuddle up with a good book and a hot cup of tea. After a nap.

I crave an active and healthy lifestyle. Without...well, see above.

I long for a intimate, authentic relationship with God. Without having to listen to Him and obey His Word.

I fancy a close and endearing relationship with my husband. Without having to meet his needs for respect.

I want the world to be a better place for those less fortunate than me. Without having to live sacrifically.

I want to enjoy the children I am raising. Without having to teach them by my example to be patient, selfless, and kind.

I desire to be the kind of person I hope my children become. Without having to actually DO anything.

While I admit that science has never been my thing, it is clear that I lack a fundamental understanding of a basic law of nature. You reap what you sow. For a while now, I have sown weeds and tares and waited expectantly for wholesome fruit and lovely flowers to appear. What a dork.

Today I took a good long look at my "garden" and it feels nearly overwhelming--all this yard work that needs to be done around here. Not just the "real" weeds in our lawn and flower beds and garden spot. But the tares of selfishness, laziness, unkindness, covetousness, bitterness are crowding in. Cleaning up my lot in life seems daunting and back-breaking. Pulling weeds--the ones that threaten to choke out the life of anything lovely in my garden--is definitely not my idea of fun. I don't even know where to start.

Galatians 6:7

"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows."

That's not true. I do know where to start. I hear Him, the Gardener of my soul, whisper to me that it is when I seek HIM...God's approval and pleasure alone...then He will grant me joy. He will make the tasty fruit grow in my life. He alone can bring something beautiful out of the mess I have made in my weed-filled garden.

Oh the joy of glimpsing (again!) a bit of that BIG truth today. Grace. Grace. Grace.

Nehemiah 8:11

"The joy of the Lord is my strength."

Another Friendly Houseguest

Here is Aidan holding our most recent visitor.

We have a serious problem with keeping doors closed around here. Do I live in a barn? No.

For a gal who is not a natural animal lover, I am feeling like far too many of my posts have to do with the animal kingdom. Well, in addition to the ones about my own crazy monkeys.

I've been  hoping for my college roommate and her family to visit. Got this critter instead, for all my wishing.

Why I Married Bob...Again.

There were several practical reasons to legally perform our marriage vows again. There were even a few romantic reasons to have a renewal ceremony. But that is not why we chose to stand before God and our family and friends and make our promises to one another. Again. In truth, we did not CHOOSE to do it all over again. God did.

We found our original Marriage License in an obscure scrapbook tucked away in the bowels of my closet. Four days before our second Wedding.

We didn't need to get hitched after all.

But we did. God knew we did.

Bob and I needed to watch our first wedding on a poorly shot video. And observe ourselves making our promises seventeen years ago. And cry. We were so young.

We needed to listen to all "our" songs and remember the one that was playing on the radio the night we met. And laugh. We were so young.

We needed to dig out our first vows from storage and say them aloud. And pray. Please God, make them true.

We needed to go through 24 years worth of photos to make a slide show of our growing family. It didn't matter that most of the guests at our second wedding would not watch it. It wasn't for them after all.

We did the whole Renewal Ceremony entirely for Bob and me--for the health and preservation and protection and renewal and restoral and ...of our marriage. He accomplished so much in those two hours. And God knows we needed it all.

I needed my beloved to pursue me again. To bend his knee and ask for my hand all over again.

He needed me to be excited about spending the rest of our days together. To stand before God and vow that he is and always will be the only one for me.

We needed to cry, remember, laugh, and pray together all over again.

I was not a blushing bride this time around.

Bob was not a love struck and naive bridegroom.

Our 17 years together have held sorrow and tears, laughter and joy, triumph and defeat, darkness and light. And God knew that we needed to acknowledge, all over again, that He brought us together, He has kept us together, and in Him alone, we can count on staying together.

God knew I needed to say these words again to my groom, the father of my children, my partner, companion, my better-half, best friend, my beloved:

"Bob, once before I pledged my love and commitment to you. I promised to love you, honor you, obey you, comfort and keep you. I pledged to be by your side in sickness and in health, in times of want and times of plenty, for better or worse. We have shared all those times—sorrow and joy, triumph and defeat. You have been my side as we created a family, a home, a life together. This past year has tested the vows we made when we were young. I haven’t always keep my promises. But God’s Grace has prevailed. There is still no place I’d rather be than in your arms. YOU complete ME. Today, at the beginning of my 18th year as your wife, before God, I renew my vows to you, promising my eternal love and devotion. I take you today, for all my days, as my beloved husband."

Bottomline: We didn't have this fancy second wedding to celebrate all that Bob and I have done right in our years together. We can take no credit for anything good in our marriage, our family, our selves. It is by God's Grace alone that we celebrated our marriage last week. God knew all along.  

Wedding No. 2

My sweet friend April took photos at our recent Wedding or Renewal of our Vows or 17th Anniversary or whatever you want to call it. On April 3, 2010, the beautiful ceremony was held in the Hubbs lovely back yard beneath a vine covered arch. Nearly a hundred of our dear friends and family surrounded us in celebration and love. It was an incredible day! I will tell the story about why this particular day needed to happen again, and why it was ordained by God to be repeated. But for now I offer you my friend's photos.

Since we could not afford our album for Wedding No. 1, these images are especially precious to me. They are raw and uncut--no photo shop to make me lighter or wrinkle-free or sunkissed with highlights in my hair--but they make me smile anyway! Thanks again , April,  for capturing our happy day for us!

Preacher Man Marcelo Officiated

At the Altar. Again.

Renewing our covenant to one another.

Making vows to our children--

Promising to keep Christ the center of our lives, our marriage, our family, our hearts.

                                                                Praying for our family.

A Kiss started it all over 22 years ago!

Bob's good friend Brian offers a blessing.

A Toast--Given by the Best Man--My Daddy!

A Made-With-Love Cake

(Click on any image to enlarge it.)