School House Rock.

The crew....

Rocking the Preamble.

Pick up sticks..

5 to 6!

My baby boy, my heart, is 6....today!

How is that possible?

Sol, you are such a joy. You are always the first one to help out and the first to give someone what you have. You hold no grudges. You are the first to cheer for everyone. And though sometimes few and far between these days, you love to cuddle. 

You are a joy.

Happy birthday Solly.

We love you so much.

**********

Solomon: Age 6.

1. What is your favorite color? Blue
2. What is your favorite toy? Toy snakes
3. What is your favorite fruit? Cutties
4. What is your favorite tv show? 'Wild Krats' 
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Hot dogs
6. What is your favorite shirt? .My angry bird shirt
7. What is your favorite game? Super Smash Bros {Wii}
8. What is your favorite snack? Cookies
9. What is your favorite animal?  Okapi and rhinoceros 
10. What is your favorite song? "Oh come oh come Emanuel"
11. What is your favorite book? "My dinosaur book"
12. Who is your best friend? Jaxon
13. What is your favorite cereal? Honey Bunches of oats
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play with Asia {our dog}
15. What is your favorite drink? Pepsi. for sure. wish I got it more.
16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Bobbies {stuffed animals}
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Bacon {his dad's boy}
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Chicken Nuggets  
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? An archaeologist

Anything else to add?

I love my family. I cannot wait to have a fiesta at Spanish class with my grandma. And I love to help people {yes, you do sweet boy} And I can't wait to go out to eat with my Grandma Diane and Papa Don. 

Date Night.

With this stud. 

We like to take the kids out one at a time for some one-on-one time.

We've been super lax on it.

This week I was able to take this guy out.

And it was such a joy.

Though we tried two different places that were closed.

{gotta love small town hours}

We made the best of it. And it's always fun with this guy.

Shep, I love hearing your heart and your love for video games and superheroes. 

You are a joy. 

In the Cot.

The gifted artist Sara Groves once told a story at a concert; a reflection of her time in Rwanda:

In Rwanda they say, “You better have four good friends,” because the ambulance in Rwanda is a cot carried by four men. So if you get hurt, you better have four friends that are willing to forego a day’s wages and usually help pitch in on your medical costs. I brought back statuettes, which represent that from Rwanda for each of my ‘go-to’ girlfriends. We each have one in our home. Often, one of us will say, “It’s my turn in the cot."

In the cot. Laying flat on the ground. No one to carry.

Me. Right now.

Oh I'm not saying there aren't people that care. There are and I do, I am so thankful. But I'm in the midst of needing to be carried. 

I  look around and see no one there to carry the cot.

Someone in the dirt with me.

The slow decay of grief and struggle has surrounded me. For so many of us.

I have no fight left.

Maybe my isolated life has something to do with it. Maybe I don't know how to be honest. 

Whatever the reason. 

I'm praying and seeking those '4' relationships.

I have no energy, in this season of life, for people who take with out pouring in, small talk, gossip, comparison, easily hurt feelings...

The shred of hope I have is still hope.

And I wont stop seeking.

He is still good.

Pray with me? The same for you too? We need each other. 

2.0.1.3.

In review.

A Merry New Year!

From the crew.

******

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  

-Philippians 3:13-14-

A {late} Merry Christmas!

From, the J Crew.

Joy to the World! He has come!

Roll over Beethoven...

The J boys are bringing the music.

Sam and Shep's first piano recital

Shep

Sam.

One proud family.

Best birthday night for me.

Well done boys!

******
“The effect is captivating as all of the tones mix, like a watercolor with hues swirled together, and lovely carrying notes long after the fingers are lifted from the keys.” ― Thad Carhart, The Piano Shop on the Left Bank: Discovering a Forgotten Passion in a Paris Atelier