My Faith and Joy… and Boys!

Happy Birthday, Jim!  I know you’re not a fan of my “mushy” blog posts where I go on and on about how wonderful someone is.  You wouldn’t want me to dwell on your incredible parenting skills, your devotion to God, your amazing provision for our family, your unfailing kindness to me, your dedication to our daughters, your great sense of humor, your uncanny ability to cheer the girls (and me) up, your tireless and admirable pursuit of all things motorized…so I won’t dwell on my utter adoration of you, because that would be too “mushy.”  I won’t dwell on the fact that it was nine years ago today that I first set eyes on you, and I’ve loved looking into your eyes ever since.  I’ll just end by saying I’m so thankful that the Lord brought you into this world, and into my life.

That wasn’t too mushy now, was it? :) 

Happy Birthday, love. 

The girls new favorite activity is to collect rocks.  The bigger, the better. 

Today we went for a “hike” in the woods (what I call a hike, others would probably call a leisurely stroll), and the girls proudly showed me each and every rock they came across.  Then they would carry the rock until they stumbled upon (often literally stumbled upon) the next rock that caught their fancy. 

We eventually came to a spot with a picnic table overlooking the lake.  The girls had worked up an appetite hauling all those rocks around, so we happily munched on our PB&J sandwiches.  I had hoped they would appreciate the scenic lake view, and they did, although for a different reason.  While I was admiring the beautiful expanse of water, they were paying rapt attention to the group of middle school-aged kids that were splashing happily around the shore.  It wasn’t quite the peaceful communion with nature I had expected, but it was enjoyable all the same.  The girls were thrilled to be around big kids, I was happy to be outside by the water, our tummies were full, and there was a whole trail full of rocks just waiting to be discovered on our trek back – life doesn’t get much better than that!      

In an effort to convince the girls to play more soccer (and to convince Jim that soccer is a worthwhile sport despite his objections that it is a low-scoring, frequently-tied, feet-only game), Gabe got the girls their very own soccer net for their birthday.

Susie’s not quite sure whether to side with Gabe or her Dad when it comes to soccer.  She likes the net, but so far the only thing she’s put into the goal is herself.

And a purse.  And a rock.  And a rubber ducky.     

I fear Susie may grow up to be one of those girls who will be more focused on whether her ponytail holder matches her jersey than whether it’s her turn to kick the ball.  Her Dad will be so proud!      

Our friends’ visit ended all too soon today.  We loved having a houseful of guests, especially ones as adorable as these.  I mean, look at those cheeks! 

Becky tried to wake Liam up for just one more playtime before they left. 

The girls got in one last Gabe-tackle before their departure.

Jim decided we’d just hold Liam hostage.    

Alas, we had to let them go on their way, baby cheeks and all.  We hope it won’t be long before we can see them again!  

One of these days the girls will be old enough to write their own blog posts.  But until then, as their surrogate typist, I have to make my best guess as to what is going on in their little brains.  The last few days, though, my job as mind-reader hasn’t been very hard.  I can see it in their eyes: “Where, oh where, has my Alli gone?” 

Their cousin Alli left to go home to Arizona a few days ago, and life just hasn’t been the same.  No more late-night full-body tackles, no more early-morning wake-up calls.  No one who lets them play with grown-up sunglasses or who can sit through long stretches of cartoon programming with them. No one who gives in to their repeated requests to be carried up the stairs, no one who can convince them that their veggies are really “bunnies” that need to hop into their mouths.  

Hurry back, Alli.  We all miss you!