My Men

 I have been surrounded by males all my life.  Growing up I had 2 brothers, no sisters.  We played lots of boy things and our home was pretty noisy.  Now with 4 boys that hasn't changed.  They like things like super heroes and guns.  They have contests regularly because winning IS that important.  They value strength and speed. 

 They do things like this--note the projectile flying through the air.  The other day Ben was trying to work on his AP Government on the computer when Chris came up behind him and shot him in the head with a Nerf dart.  It's a common occurrence. 

 There tends to be wrestling--often.  And usually it's in the dining room/kitchen area.  Everyone is out to bring Dad down.  I don't get it.  I remember when I would wrestle with them when they were little.  Once Sam, who was about 18 months or so, sat on my head while I was wrestling Ben and Fred.  That was the end of my wrestling 3 at once. 

 I love these men!  I remember when we found out that we were having another boy.  I mourned for the loss of reading Anne of Green Gables and Little House on the Prairie together and the various other things you think of when you think you are going to be the mom of a daughter.  That lasted about 20 minutes, and I've not looked back since. 

I am blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful young (and not so young) men.  I have come to respect and value those qualities of manliness that exude from our home.  I love that they don't carry grudges--they are over it in about 3 minutes.  I love that they are strong and brave in the face of real and imagined dangers.  I love that they can lift things and open things.  And I also love that they will listen to Anne of Green Gables  even though they are stunned at the amount of words she uses, and that one of their very favorite movies is The Princess Bride.

YACTS

 YACTS is a drama troupe in our community for students in 6th to 12th grade.  Sam has participated for 2 years, and this was Peter's first.  This shot was taken after their successful Saturday night performance of the musical "Flat Stanley, Jr." 

 They practiced, sang and danced their way to a successful play.  Sam played Dr. Dan, a confused physician, and the Sneak Thief, stealing paintings from the Lourve.  Peter was the French guard at the museum who caught that thief.  Their good friend Benjamin played Stanley's brother Aurthur and did an amazing job singing his solo.

Sam loves to act and to make people laugh.  He did that very well last weekend.  Peter donned his best Cleuseau accent and chased Sam down.  It was such fun to see them get to use their talents to entertain.  I'm so proud of both of them!

Birthday

Yesterday I was going to post that I was thankful that my husband was taking me out to dinner for my birthday, but I didn't have time.  And then he didn't anyway! 
My dear friend Donna gave me a surprise party for my birthday.  I've never had a surpise party.  It was a lot of fun.  The cake, made by Barbara, was gluten free and amazing.  Raspberry and chocolate are one of my favorite combinations. 

I'm thankful for the love shown to me by my friends, and for good food!

Friends part 2

 I'm thankful for the friends my boys have made over the years.  I've prayed for good friends for them since they were young.

 I'm thankful that they have people to talk to, to play with, to call, to hang out with.

 They and their friends bring joy and spice to my life.

                                                          Friendship:  What a great gift! 

Friends

Friends are such a gift.  I don't know what I would have done without these ladies and so many more.

 I'm so thankful for the friends I've had over the years. 

 Whenever we moved, or when one of them moved, God brought another friend into my life.

 Each of them taught me so much--how to love, how to parent, how to be a wife, how to laugh....the list is too long to write.

I treasure these dear women.  We have shared much laughter and many tears, along with babies, frantic calls about teenagers, dinners with our husbands, and God's Word.  I'm so thankful for good friends! 

Love

I am the thorn in Your crown
But You love me anyway
I am the sweat from Your brow
But You love me anyway
I am the nail in Your wrist
But You love me anyway
I am Judas’ kiss
But You love me anyway
See now, I am the man who yelled out from the crowd
For Your blood to be spilled on this earth shaking
ground
Yes then, I turned away with a smile on my face
With this sin in my heart tried to bury Your grace
And then alone in the night, I still called out for You
So ashamed of my life, my life, my life
But You love me anyway
It’s like nothing in life that I’ve ever known
Yes,You love me anyway
Oh Lord, how You love me
You love me, yes You love me
How You love me
How You love me
How You love me

This is one of my current favorite songs.   It replays in my mind again and again.  You see, when God looks at me He doesn't compare me to Joe Paterno or Lindsay Lohan.  He compares me to Himself.  And I don't ever measure up.  When pride rears it's ugly head, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble," (James 4:6), and He says I'm to "be completely humble and gentle." (Eph. 4:2).  I spend way too much time worrying, and I seem to wear it in my body, but God says, "Do not worry about anything but pray about everything."  (Phil. 4:6).  My mouth runs ahead of my self-control, and I say things I shouldn't.  I complain, gossip, lash out.  But God says, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their need that it may benefit those who listen." (Eph. 4:29)   I can't measure up.  I don't deserve this love.  I never will.  There's nothing I can do to be good enough, to earn this love that would give everything for me.  God didn't just love the world so much that He sent His only Son, He loved me and you and each and every person in the world so much.  Words can't describe how utterly grateful I am for this love.

Manhunt

 We had the privilege of hosting a passel of kids this summer to play kickball, ghost in the graveyard, and manhunt.  Manhunt, as described by one of the young ladies, is "hide and seek on steroids in the dark."  Sounds fun, doesn't it? 

 You'll note the proliferation of black.  These are the seasoned man-hunters.  They understand the goal--to disappear into the dark. 

 Since my children were young, I have prayed that our home would be a place where their friends come and play and feel welcomed and loved.  God has answered at least part of that prayer.  This summer we had a lot of friends here regularly.  I hope that they felt welcomed and loved! 

 Each time there was a different group, different dynamics.  From 6th graders to college freshman played together into the night (sometimes long into the night).   They would sit with us around the fire and share their lives with us and with each other. 

 There were many laughs and lots of running.  Only a couple went into the pond.  Only a few got hurt, but not badly enough to keep them from playing again. 

 What a blessing and what fun to be a part of the excitement of manhunt!  I'm blessed by knowing these guys!