Eli Update

Just some specifics on Eli. Abnormal blood results in several areas including Thyroid, IgE, cbc, protein, vitamin D and a couple more. Not sure what that all means. He's had virus after virus over the last couple of weeks, so not seeing much progress in the skin getting better. The skin takes a back seat to what ever is more pressing, like a virus. Supplementing and contemplating other things. Lots of things to consider. The general assessment from all the DR.'s "Let's hurry so we can wait and see." But really, the rashes are an outward problem of something going on inward. Above all, we know who is in control and we put our hope in Him. We believe for bigger.

Eli knows who to call when he's having a bad day, don't you buddy.

Week One

Our first week is past, and though I have no pictures (I know, boring, right?) I just thought I would update that we have started our schooling and we had a good week, for the most part, and I am excited for the year!
We started Monday morning with lots of expectations! The first day was great. The kids were wonderful and loved the routine and activities. We realized quickly that timers don't work well for us. Things quickly became a race, and Aaron, as competitive as he is, could not handle the pressure. So, we put the timers in the cabinet. Lexi uses hers for her piano practice, but that is it for the timers. Who knows, maybe I will actually use them for Eli's timeouts, seeing as though he is in them alot right now. I think the adjustment has been hardest on him. I keep him with us all morning and give him puzzles, playdoh, books, colors, etc., but it seems as though he would rather steal pencils and the kids spelling books, creating chaos as best he can. But, he IS adjusting and my time with him, inbetween, is great.
We keep busy from 8:30 am till lunchtime, and then we eat and play, practice piano, do some fun projects read and rest a little. Thursday was tough. I think I might have become that mean teacher who threatened to never let us go home (yes, my 1st grade teacher threatened that a time or two, okay everyday, and made me cry). Not really, but I didn't feel like I was holding it all together very well. But we made it through and after a great day at the library (great except for Eli's horrendous 2 fits) we are all excited for the weekend.
Perserverance was the word for the week. I realized this week how easy it is to just give up when things don't go as planned. I think I probably give up on things rather easy in life. When things get hard, it is easiest to either change course, or just give up. We think, in this culture we live in, that if it doesn't work right off the bat, we just should quit and do something else. I learned this week, with the encouragement of great friends, that we are going to be tempted to do just that, especially when God is wanting it for us, and we believe it is, at this point in our life, what He wants. So, I kept to our schedule and to my lesson plans, no matter the resistance and I prayed alot, and cried a little, just a little. Eventually, they will understand that this is what life looks like, and it won't be so hard. The Lord brought about complete joy today. I know that this is not going to be easy, but I am thankful for this time of engaging my kids and I am enjoying it (even when they are not ;-)). But they did. I know because I heard them tell their Daddy all about it.
The kids made candles, canvases of rainbows, took spelling quizzes, learned Philippians 2:9-11 (earning a jewel in their crowns) and learned all about light and authority this week. And so did I. Like, for instance, I found out that our sun is getting bigger and bigger as time goes on, and in another 5 billion years it will swallow everything surrounding it. (So, why are we so surprised the earth is getting warmer?) I know you all probably knew all about that, but I did not. Exciting, I think. I have this strange feeling I won't be around to see that happen.

Sealed

“God is not a belief to which you give your assent. God becomes a reality whom you know intimately, meet everyday, one whose strength becomes your strength, whose love, your love. Live this life of the presence of God long enough and when someone asks you, “Do you believe there is a God?” you may find yourself answering, “No, I do not believe there is a God.

I know there is a God.”
~Ernest Boyer, Jr.

I read this quote today and wanted to post it here. It is appropriate for me at this time, because of a recent communication I have had. One in which I was challenged to prove what I believe to be true about God and His Holy Son. It was indeed a challenge, mainly because what I believe is not based on the historical facts of His existence, but about the very thing this comment states. I know because of the Fruit He gives. I can't prove it with facts, or eloquent words. I can only prove Him by my life. I believe because when you have felt His presence and tasted in the fruit, it is impossible not to believe.

"because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction." I Thess. 1:5

July 29, 2000

5 months of dating, 4 month engagement, 9 years of marriage, 7 moves, 3 beautiful children...

we don't do anything on a "normal" time frame...but we are still here...more in love than ever before...ready and excited for the years ahead of us...

"Scarcely had I passed them when I found the one my heart loves. I held him and would not let him go.." Song of Solomon 3:4

Stepping Aside

The kids and I went with one of my sweetest friends and her kids to Silver Dollar City yesterday on the most beautiful day of the summer. I didn't bring my camera, so no pictures. Sometimes cameras come with a burden, and I wanted to go down to just enjoy and keep up with only the kids. The first 20 minutes of our time was filled with a bit of complaining, arguing, and irritability. So, my friend and I sat the kids down on a rock wall and we all prayed for God to rescue the day. And He did. It was smooth sailing from that point on, except for one incident. Alexis, clothed in a bathing suit after playing in the water park area, was sopping wet and we were about to get on a ride that she wouldn't get on last time. I was so excited that she made up her mind to ride this ride. But when we got to the front the man at the gate told her she had to put on her shorts. Alexis' impulsive-caught-off-guard nature kicked in. She didn't want to get her shorts all wet. I started to get a little frustrated with her, even a little out of sorts with her. She was holding up the line, and making a scene. I wanted to swat her and snap her out of it, but that would have only made the situation worse. It was then that my friend gently said "Jenni, it's okay, this is part of who Alexis is and she will grow, but you can't force it on her." I conceded and led her to a bench, where we sat quietly. I was still a little angry over the whole incident. Until Alexis, who was surrounded by herds of people, pointed out a tiny hummingbird having a snack on a hanging flower basket about 8 or 9 yards away. We watched this tiny little hummingbird for 5 or 10 minutes, in awe of how marvelous this little creature was. I got to tell her a little about hummingbirds and how miraculous they are. Amidst all the chaos, God gently reminded me who is in control and how much He loves us. That even in the midst of chaos and frustration, He can make things beautiful. If I had stayed and forced her to get her shorts on, making us all miserable, we would have missed something beautiful, and the teaching moments that would come next.

I don't often know what to do as a mom. In fact, most of the time I feel clueless and ill- equipped. I question myself as a mother all the time, especially when it seems impossible. And then I am reminded by this little hummingbird, who by all accounts should not be able to do what it does, that through Jesus all things really are possible. And when I surrender to God my need to control and fix them, He teaches and loves them through me. It isn't me, it is HIM who equips and works through me. My kids are far from perfect, and so am I--not even close. Which makes me ever more so grateful for His grace that WILL make all things possible and even beautiful.

Charmed

Finally, a child who doesn't mind my singing..and, in fact, begs me to sing over and over. Lexi just got irritable when I would sing to her. In fact, I would put in a Celine Dion CD, and lip sync to it, thinking it was my voice that irritated her. No, she just doesn't like singing that much (sorry dad). Aaron was and is still too shy and gets embarrased when I sing to him. but Eli...when I rock him a little before nap or bedtime, he says, "sing!" and when I stop, he prompts me to "sing" some more. In fact, it puts him to sleep, and he will even whisper "sing" with his eyes closed, and smile. YES! Of course I am a sucker for it and will sit there and sing for way longer than I should! I guess they are right (whoever they are) the third one's a charm!

one of my favorites (the picture, I mean ;) )

The Measure of a Man

This has been one of Kevin's suicide weeks at work. Not only was he out of town most of the week, but when he came back into town, around 5 pm Thursday night, he headed straight to an office for a seminar that lasted to 7:30. On his way home from that, while we all ANXIOUSLY waited by the window, his car let him know it had "had it" and gave out on him in the middle of a construction zone, on the highway, with no where to go. We finally saw him around 9:00. After a late Friday work day, and an early morning seminar this morning, we are ALL anxious to be together. I just want to honor him, one week after father's day for a couple minutes. Last night when we all sat down for a late night dinner, and shared about each other's day for a few minutes, Iwas reminded of how much I miss him when he is gone. He got up from the table, just to change out of his work clothes, and this feeling came over me of wanting to grab him and never let him go. I hated the thought of him leaving for 2 minutes. We all did. We followed him. He didn't get frustrated at us, he didn't beg us for 5 minutes to himself, he just let us follow him. I am so thankful for that--such selflessness. And then he let us all climb on him and talk his ear off. These weeks are hard on him, but he still had much to give. I am so thankful for Kevin. I cry when I talk about him to people. He loves the Lord so very much. I love waking up in the morning to him quietly singing to the Lord and playing his guitar. I love the moments we get to spend with him in the morning, no body rushing around. I love that the things of this world don't satisfy him, and that he is drawn to the One who does. I love that when we have had a week like this week, and I haven't even had a moment to shave my legs or wash my hair and I just feel "bedraggled", he still looks at me like I am the most beautiful thing he has ever seen. I love that when he is home he is devoted to us. That is not easy for a man who has so many demands on him, and so I am very grateful. Kevin, thank you. My Uncle Mike was right, you remind me, too, of David, a man after God's own heart. I could not ask for more. I love you and I miss you.

and As the Psalmist says, "But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble." Psalm 59:16