Blowing Rock ...

I love this place.  We've been coming here for so many years.  I started this post after our last visit there, and just couldn't get to adding in the words.  Our time visiting this place is soon changing as my parents are moving.  Change is never easy, and the emotions involved are many.

We went back to Blowing Rock again for a long week-end - and I'll post more pictures on that soon.  For now though, here are some from our last visit.

My parents live on the side of a mountain.  The view is amazing.  I know you can only get a peek of it here, but you can probably see why hanging out on the deck is a favored spot in good weather.

I have pictures from many years of my children in this spot.  I never tire of them.

As we try to pack up, its the spots all over the house that are familiar that will be missed.  There is no way to take all the the things that are in this house and some things will just be missing.  Even if all of the "things" could go, it still wouldn't be the same.  A collection of family photos.  Eliana loves looking at the bottom one and pointing out who the people are in it.  Not even all of them on that wall either.

Wedding photos.

Gathering at the huge farm table for games, meals and conversation.

I had taken a lot of photos of the house, but perhaps those don't need to be shared.  Its kind of sad seeing pictures where things are removed from the walls and shelves and boxes are cluttering the floors.  We have so many memories here.  Thankfully, we can take those with us wherever we go.

I will miss this place and know that my parents will even more.  I'm not even sure how to put this into words.   My parents built this house and it has so many special, personal touches - from a library with bookshelves on 3 walls, (I would love a room like that) to a playroom with built in bunk beds.  

From a craft room with light coming in from two sides to a wall of memorabilia from my Dad's coaching days.

We've gathered here for holidays and just for fun days to visit.  I will confess, that the change is hard on my heart.  I know its harder for my parents.

We are trusting in God's perfect timing on this.  Trusting Him to provide and care for all of us.  As I was praying about this change this week-end, I was reminded of the words in the Blessings by Laura Story.  (Its beautiful if you have never heard it.  Click on the title of the song to go listen to it.)

"The pain reminds this heart that this is not our home."

We can't always see the bigger picture.  In truth, we have been richly blessed in many ways.  Our memories of time in this house is a blessing.  Given by a God who loves us completely.  Even though changes are ahead, we know God is with us.  He is near.  I'm praying for my parents that they will know God's mercies with them as go through this change.  We love you both!

More later with pictures from our most recent visit and the fun new memories we made.  As a special treat on the way home, Rebecca and I made a detour to visit my sister while picking up something at Ikea (so we didn't have to  pay $60 in shipping).  Rebecca and Keri had fun hanging out - even though the visit was short.

I'm so thankful for my family.  I'm thankful for the good memories I have of my life with them.  I'm thankful for the lessons I've learned and how my values have been shaped by my family.  I'm thankful to live close to my sister and parents.  I'm thankful.  When things overwhelm me or my emotions start mounting, I need to remember all that I've been given.  Thank you God for the rich blessings of family!

In His Love,
Leslie

Happy Birthday Isaiah!

Birthdays.  We have two birthdays in a six day span.  They are just 2 years apart and most years have celebrated with joint activities and/or a party.  This year though, they opted for smaller and individual.  It works that way too.  For many years we had big parties - not necessarily in size - but more in the effort put into them.  I loved having a theme with activities, food and a cake all relating.  It was fun.  A lot of work, but made for great memories.  

I'm learning though that we can also make great memories in doing things more simply.  There isn't a right or best way.  Isn't that true of so many things in life?  

One activity that Isaiah was really interested in doing was something we had done for Christopher.  Now, it was much easier doing this for the person mostly likely to get up LAST.  It was more tricky doing it for the person who usually gets up FIRST.  He also shares a room and I didn't want the surprise to miss him!

I stayed up late and decorated the door with lots of balloons and streamers.  Before doing this though, I made a large sign to hang on the door that told him to STOP and not open the door.  An arrow pointing down indicated my cell  phone with instructions on calling me before he opened the door.  

Shortly after 7am, we heard the phone.  What was funny though was when we asked Isaiah how many times he had called.  He said, "About 20 times".  I laughed.  Then I checked my cell phone.  I scrolled down and down while counting.  I laughed again.  He HAD called 20 times.  (In our defense, the only phone that rings is downstairs and hard to hear.)

Can you see the delight that this surprise brought?  I love being able to give my children things that they want. Especially when it isn't a material good but rather an experience.  Simple.  Fun.  Sweet.

One of our family traditions is that you choose your foods.  My children have started their own traditions of the upholstered chair being the special seat for the birthday person.  (Isn't it a fun thing when they add in their own ideas and start family traditions?!)  Isaiah chose waffles and chocolate milk.  (Other food choices this day were tacos and pizza.)

We headed out to Best Buy in the morning.  Definitely a store for guys!  It was pouring outside and there were very few people inside.

So we made ourselves at home and enjoyed our time there.

The red plate - another family tradition.  I have a red notebook to go with it to record when we use the plate. I haven't been good about using that though.  At least the pictures keep a journal, right?

Two hands full this year!

We also repeated the sign with things we love about him.  When Isaiah looked at it, he wondered why we only listed 10 things we loved about him while Joshua's noted 12 things.  Guess that part of it wasn't so clear. LOL

His special gift from us was a new camera.  He is having fun taking pictures and movies.  I love seeing the world through their eyes too!

The following day, we had a small party.  (This was the day that worked for Christopher to come home and so this is why it was chosen.)  We hosted a nacho contest.  People could choose to work individually or as a team - we had both.  We also had a huge spread to choose from - hamburger (taco meat), sausage, cheese, tomatoes, bacon bits, lettuce, sour cream, hot peppers, olives, refried beans, corn, and salsa.  They went to work creating!

Each team had the opportunity to present their creation to a panel of judges.  They were judged on taste, presentation and creativity.  Isaiah chose to be a judge rather than a contestant.  After sampling these plates, we then went back to create more of our own choosing.  It was a delicious party activity.

Time for the birthday cake!  Can you tell what it is?

Its supposed to be legos.  I used muffins to make the knobs on top.

We then played a game - electronic Monopoly.

It was a fun evening!

Isaiah was also given light sabres and it was fun testing them out with his biggest brother!

We had a great time celebrating!

Isaiah, I love your heart for God and for others.  It blesses me that you enjoy reading your Bible and learning more about God.  I love how you are willing to give things up in order to keep peace.  You have a generous spirit and are willing to give up many things to help or make someone else happy.  

Isaiah is smart, creative and funny.  He has a great sense of humor and is easy to spend time with.  He also gives some of the best hugs ever!  He is hard working and diligent in things large and small.  

Isaiah, I'm so glad you are part of our family!  What a sweet gift you are to us every day!  I pray that God would continue to mold and shape you.  I pray that you will use the gifts He has given you wisely.  I pray that you would always know that you are deeply loved and wonderfully made!

I love you!

Mommy

Lake Johnson and Lessons

I'm having a hard time keeping up with blogging.  Life is going well though.  Busy.  Full.  Good.  I'm thankful for many things.  I'm blessed in many ways.  God is faithful!

It was a beautiful day.  The sun woke up slowly and gently warmed the day.  We gathered with friends for a field trip.  I had anticipated fun.  I had not expected a lesson.  Why am I surprised that God chooses the daily pieces of my life to show me, teach me and mold me.  He is so good!

We first gathered for lessons on boating and fishing safety.  Our entire group was together.  We then split into groups.  (This was something that didn't please some of my boys.  They did not want to be separated!)  For this trip, Eliana and I stayed with the younger group, Daniel and Isaiah were with the middle group and Joshua and Rebecca were with the older group.  As we listened to the safety rules, I watched my newly minted 12yo beam when the instructor said that children 12 and up could go out on the lake in a kayak by themselves.  It was sweet for this mama to see the delight that a new challenge brought to my son and a realization that perhaps we need to tackle new challenges more often!  I think we did a good job of this when we ran a Keepers of the Faith club.  (Roger, I think we need to get back to doing these things!)

For the first activity, the younger group has a bass fishing activity which was perfectly suited to the preschool age!

They learned to cast a fishing line.   (Am I even saying that correctly?)

There wasn't a hook on the end so it was perfectly safe.  They stood on an island (inside a hula hoop) and worked to catch fish.

It was harder than it looks!  

It was great fun though.

Eliana was delighted with the fish she caught.  After catching one, she was done!

 

The middle group went out on the paddle boats.  (We saw them briefly when Eliana and I wandered to the deck in search of water.)

The older group was fishing on the boardwalk/bridge.

When we switched, it was time for the younger group to go out on the paddleboats.  This is also more difficult than it looks!  I remember doing this as a college student when I was travelling with my family and even then it was not so easy to keep going and going.

We saw the middle group up on the bridge fishing.  It was hard to get a good look at them though.  What was really fun - was seeing the older group out on the water with us!  I almost never get to see this group and I loved it!  They were out on kayaks and canoes.  Did I mention how much fun it was for me?  I loved the opportunity to get some good photos.

It was a little tricky getting Eliana to stay seated, but she did pretty well.  What a fun ride with friends!

For the last section of our morning, the little ones were supposed to go fishing.  The guide and moms talked more though and decided that fishing with hooks was maybe not the best idea for all of them - and Eliana and I passed.  The older group went out on the paddleboats.

The middle group was then on the kayaks and canoes.  Isaiah was one of the first ones out.  He chose to go alone.  I wondered if he could do it.  I wondered how long he would last.  And then I watched him succeed.  And have fun.  I saw him with new eyes.

I continued watching the group on the beach loading up one or two at a time.

As the group on the beach dwindled, I watched Daniel standing there with nobody waiting for him.  He was inching back  - small and quiet.  Soon he was the last one.  I have no doubt that he would have been included, but I knew he wouldn't step forward for himself.  I ran down to the beach to see if I could go with him.  Yes!  We boarded a two person kayak and set off.

 

The lake was beautiful.  The sun shone brightly as we cut through the water with our paddles.  It was an easy motion and we soon settled into a rhythm.  As we paddled around the lake, we looked at ducks, called out to friends and just had fun.  (No pictures from me on this one as I left my camera behind.)  My sweet friend Rebecca took some of us though.


As I first watched Isaiah and then observed Daniel in the boat with me, I was struck by the realization that this was something new that they were trying and succeeding in.  They could do this!  Sports and physical challenges have not been a huge part of their childhood for various reasons.  I just wasn't sure what they could do.  I was surprised.  Pleased.  Convicted.  I was struck that I need to do more to challenge them.  Not just in this arena either.  We are working on changing other things at home to give them more responsibility.  I think its good for all of us.

Perhaps this is one of the lessons I'm learning with Christopher being gone.  Seeing my younger boys in a new light.  Seeing that they are capable of more than I thought.  This is a good thing.  Thank you God for opening my eyes.  Thank you for continually teaching me how to parent my children.  Thank you for this lesson in the midst of a joyful time.

We all had so much fun today.  We hope to go back again!  I hope your fall days are sweet and filled with unexpected pleasures.

Blessings
Leslie