A Little Art and a Little Fun

Our CC community took a field trip to the Tampa Art Museum today. After voicing all the expectations for being at an art museum in the car, I never would have thought that they would begin by lying on the floor!

This is what they were observing...

Silas really did enjoy seeing pieces related to the ancient history we have been studying. 

We also walked through a couple areas of modern art. 

I loved this. It was phrases from poems hanging like metal-lettered wind chimes. I loved the idea of walking among and touching the words. I really have many deep thoughts about it. The wonder and beauty of words...

We see this piece from outside every time we come down to this area. These four were excited to see it up close...

The children did great although all of us moms had a few moments of near-hyperventilating when a child got too close to something or touched what wasn't meant to be touched or generally acted their age. But all in all, I was really proud of all the kids and especially my 4. 

We had lunch at the park after and are still playing and enjoying the perfect weather outside. I am sitting here thankful for a school community and friends and the sun. 

Sometimes God Sends a Friend

It was a cold day in January when I walked into Easter Seals of Louisville for my first day of work. Shane and I had not even been in the city one whole week and I was in the early days of my pregnancy with Silas. Little did I know that on that particular day, God would send me a friend. 

Julie and I ended up with therapy rooms right next to each other, which was a gift neither of us knew we needed. When I first started, none of us had our own computers so we spent countless hours in the computer room writing reports, discussing our pediatric clients, sharing joys and sorrows, praying for each other, and generally solving the problems of the world. Julie was soon pregnant too and we began those early days of motherhood alongside each other. 

Our friend Michelle joined the therapy team and the three of us balanced home, work, babies, ministry, and husbands in seminary together. We babysat for each other. We encouraged each other. And on days when it seemed like all the parts of the balancing act were about to fall, we reminded each other of grace and mercy and a God who never fails us. Looking back, it was a simple time in many ways. 

All three of us have since seen our families grow...three boys and one sweet girl exactly. We live spread out but keep connected, still praying and encouraging and reminding each other of Truth. And smiling at how our lives parallel at times. 

A while back Julie asked if she could bring her two older boys to visit. I was thrilled! We hadn't seen each other since I was just barely pregnant with Blaise. Too long!

They flew in last week and we spent 3 glorious days doing some of the Tampa things we love: Legoland, the manatee watch, the park downtown, the beach, and of course just letting our kids get to know each other. It was so fun to see them become friends right away (I suppose a mutual love of Legos will do that). 

I could not be more thankful that God sent me a friend all those years ago. And thankful that friend came to visit. 

When It's Cold at the Beach

On A Rainy Saturday Afternoon

This was a rainy Saturday afternoon. So when we arrived home following our morning activities which this week included martial arts conditioning, ballet, football and a birthday party which we all attended, a movie was in order for all. We relaxed watching The Lorax. Our kids have been very much into Dr. Seuss lately. 

Then we decorated Valenties boxes, which, as always, turned out cute and hilarious (Blaise!). 

We have friends coming to visit this week so it was a great day to get these done early!

We Love Starbucks

Sim built a coffee stand today. I wonder where in the world he ever would have gotten that idea?

Twins Recently

Our middle two are finding themselves in their own little ways these days. 

Lieren is excelling in dance already. She was made for this. I can't get over our tiny ballerina each week. 

Simeon recently started playing football. Upward sports are so great at this age...

Sim plays with exuberance and passion. He scored a couple touchdowns this week, which was thrilling to his little heart...

I took them to their first classmate birthday party in Florida yesterday...

...where they played hard with friends...

...and where Sim hilariously knocked the head off the piñata!

Being a middle probably isn't always easy. And it might be harder when there are two of you. But we love these two and how God is working in them individuality and gracing them with their own place.