This is the day that the Lord has made

We were singing "This is the day that the Lord has made" this morning in the car. (Something I like to do with the kids on those drives home from dropping off Buster and when I'm thinking of all that's waiting to be done at home.) Afterwords I asked, "why do you think we can be glad in this day girls?" Dora said, "Because Jesus isn't on the cross anymore." :-) Thank you Lord, instant perspective.

enjoying one another

How sweet are these cheeks? Dora is turning into such a reliable helper around here. Today she accidentally got some flour on the kitchen floor while helping me make dinner and she got a rag to clean it up saying, "I'll get this mommy so you don't have to do all the work." I need to remember this story the next time I'm harping about ALL the dress-ups she leaves strewn about or clothes from the multiple wardrobe changes that just must take place.

Super delicious recipe for banana muffins to come. The batter may cause you to make this face it's so good: But, fair warning, the smell may draw you to the oven like a magnet... and cause a possibly embarrassing but irresistible desire to lick the door...or uncontrollable salivating...

she's Pavlov's dog... Hope is completely smitten with her siblings. I also love it when I hold the phone up to her ear to say hi to daddy and she grins from ear to ear.

Don't you just love an apron with pockets?

I'm starting to find more joy in my weaknesses as a mother of four. (I don't tend to take pictures of the laundry pile or the kids closets brimming with clothes from last summer- otherwise I would post those to balance out my pictures of peaceful cooking and playing.) I can't believe the blessings that have come from my Father through my kids. I was blessed in church by "thy strength indeed is small, child of weakness watch and pray, find in me thine all in all." There is so much PEACE to be had in recognizing my inability. It reminds me of being a kid at my grandpa's farm again in some ways. You were supposed to be dirty. He was never looking for us to impress him- his love was completely unconditional, and yet he seemed to always dote over us with unashamed pride. Us having limitations and needs only showed off his kindness because we knew we didn't always deserve it. (Okay, except the time we made my cousin Ryan throw-up in the back of his car. All analogies break down somewhere, right.) I was trying to explain to my kids that the angels actually want to be like humans because being sinners means we get to have a Savior. Yeah- they didn't get it. They assured me it was cooler to be an angel because they get to fly. (Then JP ticked off all the girls by saying only boys could be angels because all the angels in the Bible were boys.)

Speaking of blessings and enjoying one another... 3 of my girlfriends took me to Chicago a few weekends ago to visit another friend and it was great. I kept having these split second panic attacks right before remembering where I was and remembering the kids aren't supposed to be here and this silence won't end in crayon on the walls or water in the basement.... :-)

Ahh... Chai tea, a snugly baby- and having the wisdom of 30 years telling us to head back to the car and spend the rest of the weekend like we started it- in Nicole's warm house laughing and snacking and just enjoying friends.

Here is little Sam in Chicago gnawing on a piece of bread and glaring at anyone who might try to take it from him. Wouldn't you like to eat your bread this way too sometimes? Or is that just me?Ahhh, having a pedicure while being kissed and sung to and generally worshipped must be nice.

Have a wonderful weekend!

I'm tired.

This is a piece of an article written for a website I read.

"...in our house-group, during the prayer time, we have banned the 'I'm tired' prayer request. I can't remember the last time I met someone who isn't tired. It's the equivalent of the minister saying 'I'm busy'. If you live in London I'm assuming you're tired and if you're in ministry I'm assuming you're busy.
The shame of saying 'to be honest I'm pretty relaxed at the minute, sleeping well and working enough but not too hard' is unthinkable. It's as if the person would be horrified if we're not working ourselves to the bone. McCheyne wrote 'The seed of every known sin is planted in our hearts'. My problem is I find the reality of sloth and workaholism in my heart in the same afternoon. I'm not sure I understand why I find it easier to admit I'm too busy than that I am occasionally lazy, (see what I did there? I'm too busy but only occasionally lazy) Both are as bad as each other. I think it has something to do with my profound belief in my own self importance and how I'm perceived by others..."

For the rest go here http://www.reformation21.org/blog/2011/03/rob-bell-my-car-and-tiredness.php

I have so much more to share but it's past my bedtime and I'm tired. haha. :-)