Favorite Quotes from the boys...

My neighbor called me to ask what my son meant when he told her I was going into a nursing home... she asked again and he said, "No, wait. I think she is going into foster care."

Our Elliot was so cute tonight. He found all 4 blankies this week. As usual at bedtime he had me brush them over his head with the silky part on the edges. But this time I had to do all 4 blankets. He's been acting like a little squirrel all day, finding chairs and hidden places to stuff and hide his precious blankies... parhaps to keep away from brothers or parents?

My niece, Cassie(3), to her uncle, Matt, after he asked to kiss her:
..."No, you can't kiss me. I'm waiting for my wedding day. But you can come to my wedding day."

Nicknames for Elliot:
"Little Hercules" (my friend, Silvia)
"Yellyit" (b/c he yells or screams)
"Belly-it" (by the boys)
"Baby Bacon" (the boys)
"Thunder Thighs" (our pediatrician)

Mason:
I love my root beard! (root beer)
"Daddy, I have to tell you something. One of my toofs is bigger dan the ofer toofs."
"How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in humidity"
Are we in our land yet?
Wewember? (remember)
I'll betect it! (protect)
"Daddy, can we play chest?" (chess)
"Oh, I lost my mind. I forgot to..."
"It's a caffeine bar!"(protein bar)
After reading the Prodical Son parable: Mason, what is another name for pigs? "I don't know. S-S-S-L-I-M-E?" (swine)
The Father put on a robe, rings, sandals and had his servants kill the fatted what? "Fish!"
I love you to 100!
Fank you, Wesawie.
Do the die song! Do the die song!(El Shaddai)
I don't want NO girdles(girls) at my birfday party
I like petting Elliot
Is it tomorrow yet?
When is it tonight? Is it tonight yet?
At least one of the following is requested each day: Mom, can you...
play Little People with me?
play blocks with me?
cars with me?
Can you scratch my back?

Jonathan:
I wish Daddy was the President!
Can I go to 1st Grade forever?
I'm the oldest, Elliot is the youngest, and you, Mason, are the middlest!
Happy Father's Day, God!
"Mason, it's called 'leapord see'." (leprosy)
"My favorite things are...
1. gardening
2. pepperoni sandwiches
3. legos... no wait!
God is #1
gardening is #2
pepperoni is #3
legos are #4
everything else in the whole wide world is #5"

"April Fooos Day! Haha!" After giving Daddy his frozen underwear.

End of the Year Reflections

Already December 2010 and realizing how little I blog, but with all that has happened, I am ok with it. I journal more than I blog, but I don't consider myself efficient nor faithful in either. I look forward to blogging and think about it often, but its not a priority like some. I do not feel the need to have "followers" for the sake of having followers. Its just another way to get things off my chest in sort of a prayer fashion... talking with the Lord more than anyone else. But I also do it as a way to look back and remember what has happened and how the Lord has provided over time in so many ways. Anyway, its already the end of the year and I am ready to reflect on it in big ways. So many interesting things happened this year to reflect on.
Highlights of the year include, but in no particular order:

• Attending the True Woman Conference in Indianapolis, IN with friends and sister;
  

• Running the Oak House and renting rooms for college age students;
  

• Rob became Dean of Sciences at Bethel College;
  

• Summer Vacation! 10 year Anniversary Europe Trip with Rob. Kids stayed with Cummings and had a fabulous time!;

• Jonathan's first overnight camps at Bethel Basketball camp and Camp Lookout in the Ozarks;

• First year(well, semester) of homeschooling Jonathan;

• Elliot talks! We loved our visits from Char and First Steps!
  

• Jonathan and Mason have learned Twinkle, Twinkle on the cello and violin, respectively;

• I am back in Bible Study Fellowship!;

• God answered our prayers for more college leader servants at Grace Church! PTL!;

• The Lord kept me safe while in the hospital for a week in Oct for Crohns/Colitis;

• He also healed me from the strange and rare (and might I add, hilarious) bacteria infection from a tree frog!;

I am not a mystic by any means, and I don't want to sound like I can hear God's voice audibly or literally, but as a follower of Christ I believe what Jesus says when He said He would send down the Helper to remind us of all He has taught and help us live unto Him. Through His Word, the Bible, sermon messages, other believers and something I can describe as only a still small voice... the Lord seemed to prepare me for something this year. I remember hearing from the Holy Spirit in mid-summer this year(close to my 33rd birthday in July) that the upcoming year will be a hard one and I will face the challenge of dying to self, selfishness, and things I want or want to do... it has been interesting because it has definitely played out like this.

I have battled and faced a very selfish stage of wanting to eat what I want to eat, and temper what I want to do and how I spend my time and even how I act and display my attitude.

The disease plays into everything quite interestingly. It has caused my body to shut down and have low immunity to sickness... and having to actually choose not to eat what I want to eat has been a battle of epic proportions! Why is denying self is soooo hard when it comes to Starbucks Peppermint Mochas???? And Cookies and cakes??? And why is it that you want it most when you know you cannot have it????

A Mother's Psalm 23

The mother is a shepherd.
Her children SHALL NOT be in want(of too many toys or sugary foods)
She makes them lie down at naptimewhether they want to or not;
She leaves them beside quiet babysitters, to restore her soul.
She guides them in paths thru messy rooms, for goodness sake!
Even though she walks thru the valley of endless laundry, she fears nothing,
for she delegates the job to whiners,
Her rod and staff, do command.
She prepares a table before her familythough peas and carrots be enemies.
She annoints their little heads at bathtime,their screams overflow.
Surely a mother's prayers and love will follow them all the days of their lives and they will hopefully dwell in a house of their own someday and be grateful forever.

Michelle Myers9/2/09 Studying Ps23 this month and this just flowed on paper... had a laugh and thought I should share it. You know I have 3 busy boys and love them terribly! I do not wish them to grow up too fast nor do I wish them to grow up too slow, but am a thankful mother for this season of LIFE!

I am a Christian

"I am a Christain"
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean living."
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean up my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow
(Author unknown... if you know, please tell me)

2010... a new year, a fresh start!

What a fabulous Christmas break! The five of us saddled up the new mini-van with nearly everything we owned and headed southwest to Arizona. There, we celebrated Grandpa Mason's wedding to Thea and Christmas with her family. The trip was a blast, and one we will all remember for years to come: beautiful AZ cliffs, warm weather, swimming in the hot tub at the hotel, meeting Thea's side of the family, eventful bachelor and bachelorette parties, and of course, Christmas morning and the kids faces, were just a few of those memorable events. To add to the fun, we were able to slip back to St.Louis on the way home to hang out with my side of the family a couple more days. We were blessed to be able to see all the family this year for the holidays.

For New Year's Eve, Rob and I gave Jonathan a special surprise. We finally let him watch Star Wars Episode IV. He was extatic. As he watched the movie, Rob and I played Settlers of Catan until it hit mid-night. The three of us turned off the tv, stopped playing the game, and listened and watched the fireworks outside behind our neighborhood. Our neighbors always do a great job at providing a nice display for the 4th and for New Years. Then, the three of us prayed together and offered the upcoming year to Jesus. We each took a turn expressing our thanks to the Lord for something memorable during the past year. Jonathan was of course so thankful for his family, our AZ trip, and watching Star Wars. The three of us embraced, cuddling closely and prayed some more as we stood at the door.

I love these moments... especially times when it is intimate, quiet and together. New Years can be extreemly special when it starts out simple... with your closest friend by your side and your family in the home.

It does feel like a fresh start this year. A new set of goals and new set of things to accomplish and things to do. But in the midst of the business of our lives- the clutter, the paperwork, the laundry and activities- Rob and I are consistantly in discussion about how to simplify and remember our focus, our drive, our mission and our reason for living. It's all about Jesus.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.Matthew 6:32-34

So, even though it is a new year and a fresh start(and don't I appreciate them!) my goal is the same this year as it was last: to honor and glorify Jesus, to sit and His feet, know Him more, and to share the good news of His salvation to all who will hear of it!

Thank You, Lord for 2010!