How a 3 year old defines equal

The other day Ellie decided to scoop some ice cream. She was going to get a treat for Nate as well. Being the independent little gal she is, she got out the ice cream, the scooper, two bowls, and two spoons and proceeded to scoop.

This is the result of her effort---Nate's bowl is the small one with the two small scoops in it, Ellie's is the larger one with all the ice cream that remained in the container in it.

Funny how things are equal to a three year old!

Spring is Here!!

We've had lots of days of sunshine, some rainy days, temps ranging from the 70s to still having frost warnings at night---spring is here!

Lots of kids climbing trees---



Lots of green grass to be mowed-----


And a couple of birthdays----

And we also had a fashion show! Ellie is very interested in trying on numerous outfits each day.

A note every mother likes to receive

In 2003, I received the above note from Jack who would have been 6 at the time. I have it in my room on a "keepsake board" with special things from the kids.

I have so many things that I love about being a mother. I feel incredibly blessed to have five special people that call me Mom. So much of what I know about mothering I have learned from my mom, who is the most giving person I know. I have an wonderful role model in Mom, and she is definitely my mentor. Mom has lived out her love for Christ through her actions. Looking back on my childhood, I felt appreciated for who I was as an individual (sometimes hard to do when you have five siblings). I have learned from watching Mom what true patience is, how important showing interest in your kids' lives is (whether it is taking a break from chores to snuggle and read or always making them feel like you have open ears and are interested in what they are saying), and that having fun is important too! Mom had quite the variety of personalities with all of us and gave me some great advice about appreciating each child. She said she always felt it was so important to love each child for who they were and to gently guide them in both their strengths and "weaknesses" (maybe characteristics we would consider bothersome but great for an adult---being strong-willed, etc) One other thing that I have learned through "seeing" with Mom is to always have gratitude, in every situation--to always find things to thank God for. Many days I will remind myself of Mom's ability to not complain but to give thanks. What a blessing she is!

As I looked at our five children today, I appreciate the gift God has given me and pray that I am able to raise and nurture each one of them to love Him deeply and to please Him throughout their lives. I look forward to the day in Heaven when I can meet the little one we never got to hold here on earth.

I am so thankful today that I am a mom and that I have Mom in my life! And I am thankful for the sweet notes my kids give me:)

Overheard

Today I was enjoying a tuna sandwich. I made a batch of gluten free bread yesterday, and the bread was so soft and fresh. I have always loved good bread and since going gluten free, find having good bread such a treat! And the bread was good today!

Ellie sat down by me and started eating her cheese sandwich. She asked me what I was eating and I told her a tuna sandwich. She asked for some, and I handed her the sandwich so she could try it. Her response:
"Ew, that really stinks. Could you put it away?"

My kid who will eat anything wouldn't touch a tuna sandwich:)

What's new around our house

We are so happy that it is May and the flowers are starting to bloom, the grass is getting green, and the trees are starting to bud. So, what have we been doing since my last post---

Jenny started off the winter with a special ride with Jessi---
We had our first snowman


And some sledding on a little hill


and much bigger hill.




We got cabin fever and made a huge pile of blankets and stuffed animals.



Here it is after it collapsed


Many, many hours were spent in "the best seat in the house". Lots of books were read and many different people claiming the "spot", even Mom and Dad.



We celebrated some birthdays---




Got dressed up (Ellie makes a great Spiderman)~


Fell asleep in some wonderful spots---Nate on the couch and notice Ellie tucked into her Tigger couch--
We tried out some new professions:

Air Traffic Controller


Beautician



We played a LOT in and with water---

We took a trip to the zoo with our cousins on a warm (for March) day---

And we spent time playing with our farm animals.

As I look back over the winter, I am so thankful for the many wonderful memories we have made. The kids have all had new experiences. Jenny is volunteering with an animal rehab center and was able to help feed an eagle, falcons, owls, a hawk and a fox. She helped at a science fair and held the falcon and fed a flying squirrel. She is loving getting to know more about animals and how to keep them in the wild.

Jack continues to shadow technicians at a local Apple dealer. Wednesday afternoons are his favorite time of the week! He has his own computer lab and is the one we go to with any computer issues. He also got his Timothy Award for AWANA this spring which is quite an honor. To get the Timothy award, one memorizes over 400 verses!

Joe taught himself how to play the recorder. Joe has an incredible gift with little ones---whenever he is with kids younger than him, they all want to be with him all the time. Now we can call him the Pied Piper---he plays his recorder, and the kids all follow behind! I think Joe has grown four inches over the winter as evidenced by the change in the length of his pants. Joe can create all kinds of neat things---lots of art projects, creations out of this-and-that found around the house, and paper creations.

Nate had his adenoids removed last month. He has struggled with congestion for years and has had trouble sleeping this winter. He seems to be recovering well, and we are praying that with the better sleep and overall change in congestion, he will continue to communicate more and more. He loves to jump on the trampoline and helps us all get our daily exercise. He also loves the zoo and all the animals there and now that it is getting warmer, we'll be able to visit more often.

Ellie is our 3 year old going on 13. She has such an independent spirit and is capable of so much! It amazes me how different all five of our kiddos are! God truly created each one with such different strengths and sweetness---how blessed we are to know these five people! Back to Ellie, she keeps us on our toes and fills our hearts with joy! She loves to be the one praying at dinner and never forgets anyone. She is quite the conversationalist and has been known at times to embellish her stories (for example, telling a friend that she broke her leg---now where did that come from?).

This month we'll be finishing up on school for the year, working on some projects around the house (including hopefully finishing a lot of the barn painting), and just enjoying the beauty of creation. Just this morning Bill and I were enjoying coffee on the deck. It was wonderful to soak in the sunshine and listen to all the birds sing! Spring is so refreshing!