Our Eight-Year-Old Gabriel

Today we celebrate eight years of having Gabriel in our arms. It is crazy that it has been that long and yet it's like he's always been in our family. 

Gabriel adds so much life to our home. His giant smile, tremendous laugh and high energy fills our home with amazing joy! This precious boy loves God, loves the Bible, loves life. He seeks to know God better, loves to memorize Scripture and explore the world God created. He enjoys gathering with the church and singing and drumming. God has filled him with such life!

Gabriel is all about art, science and animals. He draws anything and everything, but he especially loves to draw animals or made up creatures. He will sit and draw for hours coming up with all kinds of pictures or working through a drawing book and drawing everything in it. He is extremely creative. He loves learning about animals and nature. At this point, Gabriel wants to be a nurse like Daddy and so he has starting reading anatomy books and learning the human body functions on his own. He so enjoys reading and learning and putting things together.

Gabriel loves to learn hands on. He builds, he does puzzles, he digs up kudzu and cuts up bushes. He bakes with Lillian and loves to cook. Math blocks are a favorite building toy and he quickly picks up math concepts using them. It is so fun to watch him learn, explore and grow.

Gabriel is also a huge helper. He sees what needs to be done and does it. He is industrious and volunteers to help with all kinds of projects. He is eager to do something helpful. 

We are so grateful for this precious boy. Gabriel means mighty man of God, and we see God making Gabriel into a mighty man of God. It is incredible to think that when he was born, we thought we knew what his name would be. But one look at him and we knew that name wasn't right. God completely named this boy and it is a blessing to see God bringing to fruition the name He gave to us for Gabriel after he was born.

Father, we are so grateful that You have given Gabriel to us to raise for You! Thank You that You are making him mighty in You. Please continue to speak to Gabriel, growing him in grace and making him more like Jesus. Hide Your Words in his heart that He may not sin against You. Teach Him to trust You and Your Word fully as he seeks to be who You created him to be. We pray it all in Jesus Name, Amen!

Our Three-Year-Old Isaac

 Three years have come and gone since God's amazing surprise blessing was born to our family. Isaac's pregnancy was my "shortest" ever and he was born after a full day of labor, struggling to breathe and ended up spending ten days in the NICU. But our Isaac is a fighter and is still a fighter to this day. 

He is a fun and strong personality that brings smiles and sighs as he goes after what he wants with all of his might. Isaac is full of laughter, as his name means, singing, playing games, experiencing all life has to offer. He loves to climb and explore all of he world around him. He wants to know how everything works and can be a bit destructive when this curiosity is not 100% supervised. But it's such a blessing that he loves to learn and wants to learn it all. 

Isaac also loves to help with setting the table, taking care of Esther and cleaning chairs and trays. He has also become quite adept at cleaning his hands and face with a rag. Brushing and flossing is an automatic for him as he loves to have clean teeth. He completely believes he is as old as the big boys and can do everything they do. He's definitely getting there!

Recently, Isaac has taken to learning phonics and numbers as well as perfecting his colors, shapes, letters, and animals and their sounds. One of his favorite games is guess what animal I am! And he's quite diverse in acting out those animals. Such a fun time! He's also into books, especially the "poopy book" that teaches about using the toilet and what poop is. (Very much a boy!) He beginning to enjoy singing and asks to sing many things from "Jesus Loves Me" to silly songs from movies. And he loves to talk! He will talk about almost anything that he knows about and loves to ask questions. It's such a blessing watching him learn.

Isaac also loves his family. He loves being a big brother and taking care of the younger two, especially baby Esther. He makes sure to give her kisses before bed every night and asks to hold her. He plays with James and Timothy and is learning to clean his room and make his bed with Lillian. He's growing so fast.

We're so grateful for this precious boy God has given to us and hope that his strong will is tuned to God's will so that Isaac is strong in Him!

Father, Thank You for Isaac and the joy and laughter he brings to your world. He is such a precious life and we are so blessed that you gave him to us. Thank you for his stamina and go getter attitude. Use it for Your Kingdom and Your glory. Make Isaac strong in You, filled to overflowing with Your Spirit. Please save Him by Your grace and give him a deep abiding faith in the power of the cross of Jesus, and let him life a resurrected life sold out for You! In Jesus Name I ask these things. Amen!

Our 9-Year-Old Reuben

Nine years ago, our sweet Reuben was our first child born after moving to Louisville. We were so blessed to welcome our third child into our family a year after our move. 

From the beginning, Reuben has been an easy going, laid back boy. Generally he is very calm and just goes with the flow. He loves quiet and is sensitive, caring and gentle. Already, I see God preparing Reuben to be an amazing husband and father. He loves babies and cares so well for his young siblings. Every night after dinner he asks to hold Esther and he helps out by taking care of Malachi while she's eating. 

Reuben loves to learn. Currently he is reading whatever chapter books he can get his hands on: Notebook of Doom series, Magic Tree House series, The Hobbit. He has been writing and drawing pictures about the books he reads just because he wants to. He also loves non-fiction. Science is his favorite subject currently and loves to study nature. He is loving his mammals study. Math and Latin are also fun for him. 

Drawing and building are two things Reuben excels at that he also enjoys doing. For every section we've studied in Revelation he has drawn a picture to match and many are amazingly accurate to what we read. His Lego and magnet creations are also fantastic. He has such a good eye for detail. I'm excited to see how God uses these talents!

Reuben enjoys movies and the idea of being a hero. He has been working on a story about heroes that he plays with his siblings. He is so creative just like our Creator. He is always imagining and dreaming and putting himself into a story. Right now he talks about being a fire fighter and studies what they do. He has started to exercise to add to his natural strength to be ready for the hard work. Reuben is so strong and God is preparing him for strong work. He loves the big jobs that require lifting, carrying and pushing himself physically. I call him muscles when I need something done and he loves it! He loves to be told he has done something well.

Recently, Reuben has been growing in spiritual disciplines, especially Bible and prayer. I see so much of God's grace on him as he is seeking to understand what it means to be a Christian. He reads his Bible and prays to be able to obey. 

Father, continue to grow Reuben in the Truth of Your Word. Thank You for making him creative like You. Grow Reuben into the man you've created him to be and let him know Your amazing grace deeply. Make him Yours and give him understanding of who You are. Thank You for Reuben's precious life! In Jesus's Name. Amen

Introducing Together or Apart

Nearly seven years ago, I finished my first draft of my first book! This was such an amazing accomplishment as I had always wanted to write a book. 

Then next step, how to publish (This was what I had as my next goal in writing after finishing my manuscript.) Do I look to traditionally publish? Do I self-publish through Kindle? What about in between? There are so many options out there now, which is a huge blessing, but what to do?

After a lot of research and prayer, God brought me to Christian Faith Publishing. It is an in between option, self publishing, but the manuscript had to be approved by them and they would do basic editing, formatting, cover design and printing. They had the best option in the in between option I had seen and so I sent them my book. 

It was approved! And today I am a published author! I'm so excited to introduce my writing project to you! 

Together or Apart is now available for purchase on Amazon and Barnes & Noble! I would love for you to read my book, leave a review and share it with your friends. 

You can also visit my author website!

Together or Apart on Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

I am so glad I gave this 5th book in the Harry Potter series another read. I read it the first time about 13 years ago after I watching the movie and I remember not liking it very much. However, this time around I absolutely loved it! Maybe it's knowing the whole story and seeing the nuances but I greatly appreciated this book and where it falls in the story line of the entire series is such a turning point that even though it's a more challenging read because of the darker themes it is completely worth the read.

Rowling is a master storyteller and completely understands the concept of show don't tell as she pulls you into the wizarding world. In this fifth book the characters also reach a new level of development as we see bravery vs cowardice, self-centeredness vs other centered, and reality vs fantasy. There is also a stark contrast between two branches on the "good" side that shows the necessity of seeking out the truth and not being afraid to question even if you may not want to hear the truth. (Parallels for the current state of things, anyone?)

This book also gives a much deeper look into the characters. I really like how you feel with the characters and also react to them. 

I would share plot but it you haven't read the other books or seen the movies, I don't want to ruin the story for you.

If you are a Harry Potter movie only person, I highly suggest reading this one as it answers so many questions left by the movie.

I absolutely give this book 5 stars

Reading Challenges:

This book is being used on the 2020 Reading Challenge from Tim Challies as a book with a person on the cover in the committed section.

Our Four-Year-Old Malachi

Today our sweet Malachi turns four years old. 

What a precious bundle of energy that is full of fun and laughter! This boy is so full of life and always on the go. Malachi loves to learn and be a big boy. He picks up on everything and pays attention to little details. He thinks he's as big as the "big boys" and wants to do everything they do. This is such a fun age where he is learning phonics, letters, numbers, harder shapes, puzzles and drawing. He loves to learn it all! He is very excited about having his own books this year for "school" and I'm sure will do amazing as he really does love to learn and do what the others are doing. 

Books are another favorite! His two current favorite books are Waldo and "oops" book where we practice seek and find and work on colors, clothing and dressing ourselves. He is a whiz at "Where's Waldo" and has found Waldo, the Wizard and the scroll on every page. He is such an observant boy and pays attention to detail. This week we also introduced "What is Poop?" and I think that's going to become a favorite also. 

Malachi is very into be a big boy right now, which is helpful as we have conversations about what it means to be a big boy. He loves to choose his clothes and dress himself and use the toilet when he's not too busy building or playing. Currently he's in the process of giving up his afternoon nap and wants to hang out in the big boys room to read or play. 

Building is another thing that Malachi enjoys. Mega Blocks are a current favorite, but he'll be moving to LEGOs soon and is very excited to build with anything he can. He also enjoys being outside and climbing. Malachi is almost big enough to climb the trees in our yard, but definitely big enough to climb the cars, including our big van and thinks this is quite an impressive feat! He also climbs the bunk beds, ladders, cribs and sofas. Whatever he can climb on he can. He is so full of energy!

Malachi loves to laugh. He enjoys jokes and singing funny songs. He likes funny movies and shows. In books he'll find funny pictures and laugh. If there is something funny in a situation, he will find it!

Recently, Malachi has started enjoying Bible study with the family getting his Bible and journal to look at and write in while we study Revelation together. He also enjoy evening catechism and is learning the basic answers to theology questions. In the last couple of months he has participated in family prayers which is such a blessing to see him grow in. 

While Malachi is clearly a sinner like the rest of us, we see God's grace in him as he learns and grows in the knowledge of the ways of God. Malachi means "my messenger" and how we pray that Malachi will me a messenger of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Father God, thank You so much for our precious Malachi. You have made him such a precocious and energetic boy who loves to learn and is growing in his love of learning about you everyday. I pray You will take that love that You have given him and grow it into a realization of who he is, who You are and how desperately he needs You to save him from himself! Please save Malachi by Your grace. Make him more like Jesus. Show him the amazing love you have poured out on Your people and let Malachi experience that amazing love. Thank You for how you're working in him and make Malachi wholly Yours! In Jesus Name. Amen!

Heidi by Johanna Spyri

After James read Heidi as part of his literature studies, he told me he wanted me to read it. When I asked why he told me he really liked it and thought I would like it too.

He was right!

I can't believe this classic was not required at any point during my schooling! This is a delightful classic that kept me reading and on my toes.

If you're not familiar with this story, it follows a girl named Heidi as she goes to her grandfather's in the mountains, to her becoming a girl's companion in Frankfurt and then back to the mountains. I want to replay it all, but if you're reading this and have never read Heidi, I don't want to spoil the delight of this story.

This book is easy to read, but also makes you think and challenges you. I love the simplicity of words and yet the beautiful imagery that takes you to this scenic place. I found myself frolicking in the fields, staring at big buildings, and climbing the side of a mountain. You can see it all and sit in the homes from modest cabins to grande mansions. And you feel. As Spyri describes what is happening with the characters you are right there with them, feeling what they feel, seeing what they see, wanting what they want for them. It's beautiful!

I think my favorite thing about this book is seeing the capability of young children. We meet Heidi at age five and she already sees so much, knows so much and can do so much. At this young age she's cleaning, making her bed, caring for goats and exploring the world around her. Today we so quickly dismiss young ones as if they are incapable of doing many things, but this book reminds us that so much is learned so early and that they want to learn. Heidi also shows us a great zeal for life that is contagious. I wanted to be there with her, exploring the hills and the city, enjoying all aspects of life.

I also appreciated the way the book showed the beauty of the simplicity of life. Throughout the story, I was consistently reminded of remembering what is important in life and to seek God in all things. The book is not specifically Christian, but the undercurrent of faith is present. I absolutely see the truth, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" resonating throughout the text.

I highly recommend this beautiful book to anyone. I look forward to reading this with all of my children in the future.

5 stars for this classic

Reading Challenges:
Back to the Classics Challenge 2020 This book is for my Classic by an Woman Author

In other challenges I'm using this as a Book Recommended by Someone Else in the 2020 Reading Challenge with Tim Challies
With The Modern Mrs Darcy 2020 Reading Challenge I'm using this as a Book in Translation