Happy!

 A very happy birthday celebration at our house on Aug. 22nd for the most cheerful, happy-hearted boy.

Tate turned SEVEN and we gave thanks for his life and the seven sweet years we have had with him.

He is a great big brother. He seems to be able to make G laugh the hardest and easiest. He has really started to pal around with M, too, and always has great ideas for things they can play. (He learned that from years of being L's sidekick! They also enjoy drawing together.) His biggest brothers have found, however, that T can also keep up with them pretty well, too, from jumping on the trampoline, to riding bikes, swimming, and playing flag football and having nerf battles. He's a super fast runner. At age six, he was faster than 2 of his older siblings during football evaluations - though he didn't boast about it (he told The Lawyer in confidence, "I could have run faster").

T joined the bigger kids in taking piano lessons this past year and did a great job at his first recital. This summer he had swimming and horseback riding lessons and really enjoyed helping out on the farm.

T has an infectious laugh (all the kids will tell you!), and is quick to look on the bright side. What a delight to have around! He is also chief cheese-shredder and is a good sous chef in the kitchen. This fall he is taking on new responsibilities (like taking out the garbage and cleaning out the fireplace), and is excited to learn a lot in SECOND GRADE. He is becoming an avid reader (like his older siblings) and knows a lot about cars, planes, sharks, and other animals.

This boy amazes and blesses us every day. He is growing into a man of character and kindness. He makes us so happy!

EnJOYing More

Because I want our home to be a joy-filled home, I must be a joy-filled mama. I set the tone for the entire household, and it's no small thing to exude joy. I'll admit that I'm prone to point out the things that need to be improved upon, rather than celebrating things as they are, just because. . . because these are gifts. And I stumble, trip, stumble, trip. And I count blessings here, tonight and plan to count more tomorrow and the next day. When I focus on the blessings, they change my reality to something joyously wonderful. (Ann wrote about it much more eloquently today... a good read!)

M was so happy with his face paint.

1169) A three year old that just cracks me up. And pierces me with his tenderness. Yesterday, we saw some bucks in the woods near our neighborhood. M hoped to see them again, but got confused with "bucks" and "antlers." Instead, he said, "I want to see some butlers."

1170) As I tucked the little guy in bed, M said, "Mama, Let's talk about fruit." He then began an impressive and comprehensive litany of fruits. After naming all the berries he could think of, he moved on to melons. "Watermelons," he added, "and campalope."

1171) "Mama." M still calls me Mama and I love it and I've wanted someone to call me this and it just gets me when he does it.

1172) And then I look out the window today and see one of my lovely, decorative couch pillows. . . in the mud under the window. How does this happen? (Aforementioned cute 3 year old) I'm thankful that I saw it before more torrential rain . . . and, I have a great life with unexpected adventures.

1173) Birthday celebrations and how happy it makes my children. T (6) was so happy with his birthday breakfast pancake with The Lawyer and his gum. How wonderful that he enjoys such simple things so thoroughly.

1174) Gift of a glass water bottle from a friend. A simple thing (a hand me down, even) that made me feel loved and I love it.

1175) New books and sharp pencils and clean pages and that fresh, crisp fall feeling

1176) Space and time to breathe and to enjoy. Now that I've finally realized that it was summer. . . we are trying to squeeze in as many trips to the pool as we can. It's wonderful to read chapters of books aloud and to enjoy the kids' enjoyment at the pool and not to rush home.

1177) Five hours of sleep. So wonderful.

1178) Closed doors. We ask and look and do not see ways to move from this house or these circumstances. I'm so glad we are kept from things that would not be good for our family.

1179) Baby teeth! G (9 mo) just had his first two teeth pop out. Everyone celebrated and wanted to thrust their fingers in his mouth to confirm. Love these zealous kids, always ready to celebrate!

The Lawyer harvests basil and Swiss chard from our Tower Garden.

1180) First cherry tomatoes turning red and first butternut squash growing on our TowerGarden. Still amazing to watch something edible grow from seed to fruit.

Another rainy day leads to some indoor creativity.

 

The Best Birthday Gift

According to T, The Lawyer and I gave him "the best birthday gift EVER" this year.

We were mildly surprised. We did decided to enroll him in flag football with his big brothers as a birthday gift. We even got him a new bicycle unexpectedly this birthday week (just about the same cost as replacing his holey tire and tube!).

No. . . those weren't the best.

"Really?" we asked. "What was that?"

T stated matter-of-factly, 'The gum."

Who knew that a sixteen pack box of Glee Gum would be the BEST birthday gift EVER? (I suspected as much.)

Happy Birthday!

Happy Sixth Birthday, T!

Out for a special birthday dinner with friends. . .

L, Olivia, and Evelyn. Sweet friends!

R, Caleb, and O, with generous and fun Mr J

T (6!) at the Hibachi grill. Boys love fire!

Birthday Cake (Ice Cream Sundae)

My version of the Smitten Kitchen's cake... a homemade ice cream cake. (Since I've noticed T never really ate the birthday cake anyway, but preferred the ice cream!)

We are so proud of this boy. Love him so much!

On Staples and Stitches

I kind of just had a bad feeling this afternoon as I left our house with all the kids. Not really bad like something bad was going to happen... just the feeling that I really wouldn't be surprised if things didn't go as I planned.

And it was a little crazy- me on a mountain bike, towing a trailer with M (3) and a screaming G (7 mo). The other four kids were on bikes, too, and we were headed through our neighborhood to take M for stitches at the pediatric office (where I only go for emergencies because one particular doctor there does not particularly like my particular way of looking at things like nursing and vaccines and nutrition).

M needed stitches because, during a rather rough game of "Runner from Ravenshead," he was pushed into a closet where he fell upon the pointed edge of a doll cradle. Typical for our family, he came crying into the kitchen while The Lawyer and I were making lunch and we said we were sorry for him, that's too bad, etc., and sent him away. Shortly after that, a sibling removed his hat and -gasp!- there was a gaping, bleeding wound.

So, we ate lunch (of course) and put M down to rest (necessary) and planned to meet the dr. at 5 p.m. (And the good Lawyer also cleaned the wound, of course.) I'm merely here for sympathy. It makes me queasy to look at bloody open spaces.

Then we took the bike trip, G crying most all the time, but M content with his blanket in the trailer. The Lawyer finished his law professing (he teaches online) and met us at the office. M took his staple in the head beautifully and was surprised that there are such things as green freeze pops; the good doctor gave him his first.

We loaded up to go home and I asked The Lawyer to give back my cell phone (which he held for me in the office as I had no pockets, no bag, and one fussy baby). "Why?" he asked. "You planning to make some calls while you bike?"

"Well, no." I said. "But just in case we need you or have an accident or get lost or a bike breaks down."

And, lo and behold, that's just what happened.

The Lawyer left with G and the kids and I biked back to the trail home. They were hot and sweaty from playing and biking in the church parking lot while M had his suture. But they were also feeling competitive and wanting to get home as quickly as possible. About two minutes after we left the doctor's office, we were picking up speed on a big downhill beside the Woodlake pool and picnic pavilion. Just then T (5) screamed that his chain came off (i.e. he had no brakes!). I think I shouted "stop!" (which, obviously made no sense) The two big boys, who were in the lead, did stop and turned to see what was the matter. . . just as T careened into O's back bike tire, flipping his own bike as he flew over the handlebars and landed in a sad little heap on the asphalt.

I think the entire picnic at the pavilion watched.

And the Lord is merciful to us and had people at the picnic who were quick to help. I sent O back to the doctor's office immediately to ask her to wait for us to bring T. Before I even saw the damage, I knew we would need her help. The kind party people came running with napkins and water and even brought down a truck to pick up all the rest of us and we left our bikes and went back to the pediatrician. (And the party people even brought our bikes to the office, too!)

And so, our T had his first stitches. Four of them in his chin. And a big bump on his head and scrapes on his arm and belly. Praise the Lord it wasn't worse (we are thankful for helmets again!).

The Lawyer can sum up the afternoon more succinctly: 1 staple in M's head. 4 stitches in T's chin. Separate incidents. Same doctor. About 30 minutes apart.

Life Photos! Giving Thanks in Pictures.

Fresh Strawberries from Windmill Hill Farm

R (9) and G (6 mo)

T (5) and G (6 mo)

Our Tower Garden is growing lush!

G at 6 months

L (8) at piano recital on Friday

Five Year Old Fishing

Our five year old Birthday Boy was very excited to receive the fishing pole he was hoping for. He joined his other fishing-enthused brother (R) and The Lawyer for two fishing trips this weekend. T came back beaming and telling me all about his "big casts!" He is our cheerful, wonderful boy and we are so happy to see him happy fishing.

Life Photos

Happiness Is... All of the boy shoes organized and labeled by size.

Boys here love limes. Yum!

L writes the sweetest birthday cards to "special" people.

The Lawyer's annual birthday dessert- Pistachio Ice Cream Cake

Black Bean Brownie

T turns FIVE!

Birthday boy with remote controlled car.

FIVE and so very happy with walkie talkies.

Biggest Brother and Littlest Brother.

L, M, and O in favorite farm shirts.

Full Time Dr. Mom

What should I do when my 5 year old birthday boy wakes up with a tender and swollen jaw? At The Lawyer's urging, I make this the priority of the day. (It's not that I don't love him, I'm just more of a wait-and-see kind of gal... but it was his birthday and I could hardly stand the thought of him feeling poorly- and looking like a chipmunk.)

I called our Naturopathic friend and left a message. I called the pediatrician, who asked us to come in. We loaded up and drove the 40 minutes there. When we left an hour and a half later, I had a negative strep result, a newly discovered rash (huh. didn't know that was there!), a list of dermatologists (for the other rash that we've been dealing with for three years), a tentative prescription for antibiotics, and orders for four blood draws to confirm their suspicion of MUMPS. We were also supposed to go home and have T suck on lemons to clear up any blocked salivary glands. This sounded like the best news to me, as everyone was cranky and hungry at this point and I did have lemons at home.

I was on the verge of crying as we pulled out of the parking lot. The big boys were asking, "please!" could I stop at the Honda place with all the ATVs, jet skis, and motorcycles. I drove by slowly, trying to explain that if T had mumps that we couldn't really go anywhere for NINE more days because it was contagious and probably they all would have mumps, or at least M since he hadn't been received an MMR. And I knew that it would have been an awesome birthday stop for T. . . as I tried to hold back my tears and the boys practically salivated at the windows.

By the time we got home, made, ate, and cleaned up lunch, and I read books to M, the Naturopath was returning my call. She didn't think this was mumps and she had time for me to come over right then for a quick check of T. So, we loaded up again and drove 20 minutes to her house. I cried and prayed most of the way there- for my boy, for wisdom and answers, for healing.

After an hour there, we left with the good news that this wasn't mumps. I began giving T drops under his tongue to fight off any bad bacteria and help his lymph system clear. He drank lots of water (and managed to still eat birthday tortellini, cake, and ice cream!) and we continued with the other remedies we have been using.

The great thing is that T is the most cheerful child I know. His name means cheerful. He can get second place and cheer "we almost won!" with the same gusto as the child who actually won the game. He says things don't hurt "much" and tells the pediatrician that he isn't "very itchy" even as he obviously scratches at red skin. He's so quick to smile and easy to cheer up. He has taken most everything I've given him with nary a complaint and still seems to delight in telling me, "I'm finished with my drink!"

I feel inept as a mother responsible for the health and well being of these people. Really, after three years of ineffectively dealing with his rash I wonder what else I should be doing. I would say I'm losing hope, except that I always have Hope. We are now one month in to a six month protocol to deal with Lyme's. We have seen multiple pediatricians, nautropaths, herbal practitioners, and chiropractors. I have a cupboard set aside for oils, homeopathic remedies, supplements, and tinctures. I'm learning what I can and yet always feeling that I don't know what to do or how to go about it. And this is just for ONE child. I have four other children (soon to be five!) who have their own sets of issues, from stomach aches to head aches to cuts and bruises. And I'm trying to take care of myself (especially pregnant) and also keep tabs on The Lawyer. Wearing this doctor hat is exhausting.

I think, however, that "doctor" is part of my calling as a mother. I'm responsible to know (to notice!) what is going on with our children, to find solutions and bring relief and comfort. I often find that I don't have answers or that I'm out of something that might be helpful and don't think I can afford to buy anything else this month. And these times, and times like yesterday when I am crying in weariness and desperation, I call upon the Lord.

I'm so thankful for His names. I find comfort in calling on Him:
I call on Elohim (T's Creator).
I call on El Roi (God Who Sees; who can see T's inmost parts and all that mystifies me).
I call on Ezer (LORD our Helper; to help those who are helping me and to help T and I through this).
I call on Jehovah Jireh (The LORD Will Provide; for answers and wisdom and all that we need).
I call on El Elyon (Soverign Over All; who is over every minute bacteria and virus and every cell and system).
And lastly, I call on Jehovah Rapha (The LORD our Healer).

I know He hears and I know He is good and will answer according to His good will.

But I am out of answers and out of energy. After dosing every 15 minutes added to four times daily for the Lyme, added to the oil applications, the reminders to drink water. . . and the schooling and the chores and taking M to the potty, and frosting the birthday cake and, and, and. . .

Perfect Fall Days

If the Screwdriver Fits...

T (4) saw one of our small screwdrivers the other day when I was putting something else away. He begged me to let him have it, for "it's just my size!" he said.

I find it difficult to resist him. Even though I questioned the sensibility of giving a four year old boy a screwdriver to carry around, I also thought I would notice if this started to go badly. Enamored as he was by the green screwdriver, I thought his fascination would wear off quickly and I would find the tool lying around somewhere soon.

When I questioned why he wanted it he insisted that it was his size. "I need it," he told me.

And I gave in.

Things didn't go badly that morning. The screwdriver was most often inside his pocket or he had it out so he could admire it.

That changed by mid-afternoon. I guess things were getting a little dull around our house. Apparently, I didn't notice, as I was making dinner, finishing school, cleaning up and preparing to go to a homeschooling meeting. I also forgot to convey to The Lawyer that T had a screwdriver.

When I arrived home that night, The Lawyer told me about his evening:

When he came home from work, T proudly showed him the little green screwdriver. The Lawyer duly admired it. T kept telling The Lawyer how good he was at using the screwdriver. The Lawyer agreed time and again. Little did he know that T had a pocket full of screws to prove his prowess.

They spent half an hour putting screws back in every door knob and hinge that T could reach. Fortunately, T really was good at using the screwdriver and he did most of the work himself.

Thinking Like the Third Boy

T (4), observing his hands tonight, notices that skin is peeling off some of his fingers.

"Hmm," he says. "I wonder what O (9) did to me."

T is Four!

Brothers trying out the new diggers.

T and his bike cake.

M (15 mo) wants to be a Digger Man, too.

Big brothers made a shed for the new tractor.

Checking the time mid-construction project.

Our cheerful T is FOUR now! This child is our joy and delight. He is sweet (with many "I love yous") and helpful (I can do it!) and cheerful ("that's okay!") with an indomitable spirit that endears him to us. His charming smile and dimpled cheek help, too.

He can rough it up with the big brothers (though it usually ends in tears- and not always T's) and yet he also patiently teaches M to be "a digger man" and make a drum with the brillo can. T and L (6) are best friends when it comes to pretending. They are often making forts or leading each other around with a rope.

T loves the "Billy and Blaze" books as well as Curious George and just about any other book, too. He has hidden much Scripture in his heart this year and can recite nearly all of Colossians chapters 1, 2, and 3. He is concerned about having big muscles and being able to run fast. His biking (very fast and coordinated on 4 wheels) scares me to death but he has a blast. He's even managed 2 wheels around the yard and we predict it won't be long until he can keep up with his older siblings.

Oh! Such JOY to live with this child! What a privilege to live life with this precious soul.

Geese

One morning, in the tender early hours of the day, as we returned from dropping The Lawyer at the bus stop, we witnessed a shocking accident right in front of us.

At that point on Hull St., there are four lanes of traffic speeding out of town. I feel a bit edgy because the lanes begin to suddenly merge down to two lanes. I glance both directions and watch for speeding drivers around me. And then, in front of me, I see tail lights. Instinctively, I slow down and wonder what is ahead. To my left a car zips past, unheeding. A few seconds later that car plows into a flock of geese crossing the road. Even from our distance we hear the thud of the unfortunate goose and our eyes grow wide as feathers poof into the air. The car slows but drives on until the goose is left in the road behind.

I'm horrified and rolling forward with one hand over my mouth. The kids are shocked, too.

(Later I remember that I've hit my share of animals, too. Which always shook me.)

Today we said goodbye to The Lawyer and he boarded the morning bus. Then, we turned toward home. Only a feet down the road there was a small flock of geese crossing from the median to the hill on the right shoulder.

"Oh Mom!" T shouted. (I had already slowed, thankfully.) "There's geese!"

"I see them. Thanks," I said.

"Good," says T. And I think of the feathers blown across the highway last week.

The geese waddle across and I drive on. After that moment of quiet T shouts from the back, "Did you hit one?"

"No," I say (and I can't help but smile).

He gives his usual response: "good."

And it IS good. It's so good that God has protected us (717). And the geese (718). And given us things to smile about even as we sorrow (719). There are good, beautiful "boomerang" clouds swept across the blue sky (720). And musical birthday cards (721) that the baby dances to (722). There is good music playing softly in the background (723) and it is good to break bread with new friends (724). It is good to put these new routines in place and realize how simple house keeping is with a small house (725). And so good to talk to "old" friends who affirm the growth and processes that I cannot see (726).

GOOD. Everything He gives is good. Oh, give me eyes to see it as such!