Meet a Miracle.

I want you to meet a little person friend of mine. His name is Landon, and Landon needs your prayer today in a very big way. Landon was born with seven major heart defects, and his family has been told from the very beginning that they should enjoy him and take his life day-by-day, because his prognosis is unknown. In many ways, Landon has far surpassed doctors' expectancies for his life; and his family lives with that reality every day.

Today, Landon is undergoing a major heart surgery at the University of Michigan Medical Center. A surgery where surgeons will actually remove his heart entirely from his little three-year-old body and use medical technology to sustain him as they attempt to fix his heart. Obviously, there are grave risks here. Risks of serious complication, risks that Landon's body will not receive his heart back. Too many to count. But, we know that we serve a God who is far bigger than that, and I am asking you to call on that God today throughout the day. Right now, Landon has been in surgery for over one-and-one-half hours; the doctors estimated that it would take at least 3 hours to get through Landon's chest into his heart. Pray for the wisdom and sure-handedness of the surgeons; pray that Landon will be protected from harm; pray for Landon's parents--Amber and Steve--as they wait. Pray for Landon's two older siblings as they are staying with family, that their confusion and concern would be calmed. Pray for an overwhelming and all-encompassing sense of peace for everyone who loves Landon. This little boy is a true miracle, and we are EXPECTING a miracle to happen in that operating room today.

Many of you reading have faced serious illness or the death of one of your children, so you can place yourselves in Amber's shoes today in a way that I cannot. I am especially asking you to pray. Pray out of your mother's heart especially for Amber, as she places her trust--literally places her child's life--in the hands of God and the surgeons. I can't imagine what she must be experiencing at this very moment, but I do know that she has tremendous faith and is looking to God for His peace and strength in every moment of today. Thanks for lifting Landon and his family up to our awesome God today.....in doing this, you are part of the miracle.

Church, Firetrucks, and a Good Life Lesson.

If you are or ever have been the parent of a small child, you may be able to relate all too well to this posting. My son has a particular interest in the workings of fire alarms such as the one posted here (although this one has safety glass, while the ones he has explored only had a highly accessible lever). He just wants to know how they work....it's that whole Piagetian concept of learning the relationship between his actions and the consequences of his actions, but that's enough psychologizing for now. Two times over the past year, my son has pulled fire alarms. The first time happened when we were at the middle school working out after school hours; we were walking laps and he just ran over, reached out, and pulled it before we even knew what he was doing. Of course, the lights started flashing, the sirens sounded....and then, here come the firetrucks. Needless to say, that was a bit embarrassing (though at least it wasn't during school hours, when they would have had to evacuate the whole building). Then, just a couple of months ago, I had my son with me at the university. As I was making some copies, he slipped out of the workroom and, though trying to turn the lights off, pulled the alarm there, too. My office is in the same building as the athletic complex, mind you, so down come the safety firewalls on all the courts and racquetball courts, off go the lights, on come the safety lights and alarms. A wicked sense of deja vu.

This was the scene yesterday at our church:

We were just finishing up an after-church family meal, when the all-too-familiar happened--flashing lights and the alarm. My immediate thought, given that Hayden was not within my sight at the time, was "Oh, Lord, PLEASE let it NOT BE HAYDEN!" As it turns out, it wasn't Hayden; another little girl in our church family was trying to climb up on the wall and decided that that red lever looked like a nice place to grab onto. I hurried to find her mother--who was, of course, just as mortified as I was when it was my kid-- to say "I can SO relate!" And then, of course, I had to go out and snap a photo. They may not be able to laugh about it now, but down the road, this photo will hopefully be the source of much fond laughter in the future.

While Hayden and this little girl may seem like the guilty ones--letting their three-year-old curiosity lead where it will--aren't we all like that? Don't we all kind of like to see how far we can get to the edge, how intimately we can flirt with danger before the consequences set in? Don't we all like to be a little curious at times, thinking that if it's just this once, no one will know and we can get away with it? Doesn't that bright red color sometime just beckon us to try it, just this once. I know I have figurately pulled the fire alarm many times, just wondering what would happen and not thinking about the consequences. This reminds me of two truths from the Bible. First, God is a God of Justice; the Bible tells us that there will always be consequences to our actions, that we will always sow what we reap. But, God is also a great God of love and mercy and grace and forgiveness. While we deserve far more than any punishing consequence we will ever experience, Jesus gave His perfect life that we might be forgiven fully and completely, of every dangerous, mischievious and sinful act. How I cling to that truth each and every day.

So, we aren't that different from these three-year-old little ones who really don't conceive or understand the consequences of their actions. And praise God, when we pull that bright red alarm, he is in many ways like these faithful firefighters who come to the rescue, to make sure we are safe and secure, to give stern words where necessary, but who are always out for our best interest. Funny what we can learn from the innocent, sometimes mischievious, always loud and blaring actions of three-year-old kiddos.

Opening Day.

Back "in the day," I was a fairly decent softball player by most standards.

In high school, I earned all-conference first-team honors for four years, regional honors, and team MVP. I threw with decent heat, had a pretty decent strike-out average, and usually batted at or around fourth position due to a fairly hot bat.

I was able to go on and pitch in college, where I also earned conference honors for hitting and pitching. I pitched nearly every game for the Golden Eagles for two years, before pretty much running my poor rotater cuff into the ground.

I am not recapping all of these honors to toot my own horn. The reason is this: Tonight, all of those softball honors paled miserably in comparison to the pride and privilege I felt in coaching my 5-year-old daughter's first t-softball game. My husband and I are coaching the team together and.....What a blast! Several of these little girls barely know where first base is and have to be reminded to go after the ball when it is hit to them. Some of them are "tiptoeing through the daisies" rather than paying attention to the game. But what better thrill is there in life than to share and pass down your loves to your children. To see my daughter beginning to develop a love for softball, to see her hit that ball into the outfield, and to see her excitement as she said "I like softball lots better than soccer, Mommy!".....there aren't many things better than that.

BTW, these photos are not as close-up as I like to take; the simple reason for this is that I was trying to coach first base, remind my runner on first to run when the ball is hit, and take photos of my daughter at her first in-game at-bat ever. I'm sure there were a few folks who deemed me a crazy woman, but that doesn't really ruffle my feathers. Whatever it takes.

And hey, for you draft-watchers out there, today was a special day for us in that one of my husband's former football players, Daniel Bazuin, was drafted to the Chicago Bears in the second round. We come to regard Matt's players as our own kids in some regard, so we are thrilled for Daniel, proud of his hard work, and anxious to see all of the wonderful things that the future has in store for him. And Chicago is fairly close, so I'm sure we'll be making the trek for several of his games come football season. Now, my husband is quite a large man, but look at how big-and-bulky Daniel dwarfs him in this photo from today's celebration party. We wish you God's best in these awesome opportunities, Daniel.....you had worked hard and you deserve all that is coming to you,

Finding the Silver Lining.

This photo of my son--who just had to stop and roll around in the rain-wetted grass before getting in the car to go to preschool--was a good reminder to me today. That even in the midst of the third gloomy day in a row, and the seemingly endless stacks of grading.......there is always, always, ALWAYS a silver lining to be found. And today, this little smile was my reminder of that very, very important truth.

I love surprises.

There I was sitting in my office....everyone else had gone home and were likely eating dinner with their families, and I was still writing final exams and grading papers. And then....what a surprise! My wonderful husband and kids came and whisked me away on a little adventure. We ended up here: http://www.rosiesdiner.com/. Now, for those who are around my age and even probably a bit older, you may remember the Rosie commercials for Bounty papertowel. Well, this is the same diner, which has since been relocated to Rockford, Michigan. This diner has also received lots of West Michigan dining awards and has been featured on Food Network. My kids had never been to a classic diner before, so we thought it would be a fun weeknight adventure. To tell you the truth, the food wasn't all that great. But it was a fun and affordable "adventure" that we won't soon forget. I love surprises, especially the kind that whisk me away from piles of grading. Here's a challenge: Plan at least one surprise for your family or a friend this weekend. Whether big or small, surprises are always fun and it is one of those things where it's usually more fun to plan the surprise for someone else than to receive one yourself. If you do plan a surprise, let me know what you did by leaving a comment.....and.......I may just mail out a fun little Surprise! to whoever comes up with the most creative idea.

Energizer Grader....

....she keeps grading and grading and grading and grading and.........

From Behind the Piles.....

It's hard to see past the piles of papers to grade that grace every corner of my desk, so this will be short and sweet today. My highlight was grading 20-some developmental scrapbooks from my child psychology students. Every time I look at these completed assignments, I am again reminded of the power of sharing one's story in scrapbook form, and of the life-changing process of reflecting upon and compiling one's story into a tangible piece of art. Through this assignment, I get a glimpse into the soul of each of my students, and it brings the learning process into an even more meaningful light. But not all of these projects are so stimulating to grade, i.e., statistics homework. Until tomorrow, may your evening involve something more enlightening than grading lots of statistics papers.......

Adding a Bit of Bounce to Our Lives.

Christmas was over four months ago, but this weekend was just like Christmas again for our kids (OK, and us adults, too!). My parents got the kids a new trampoline for Christmas, and it is one of those gifts that really didn't seem real until the kids could get it out of the box and experience it. So, yesterday afternoon, we set up the trampoline, and the kids had a blast breaking it in. We have heard so many mixed reviews about trampolines.....whether they are safe....whether the benefits of the exercise outweight the potential for injury. We decided that we will just make sure to have safety policies and supervision in place to try to minimize the risk.....after all, what in life doesn't involve some type of risk? Hopefully, we won't be eating those words with stitches, trips to the ER, and bumped noggins. For now, the kids are just enjoying the fun and exercise out in the fresh air. And what is life without a little bounce? Thanks, Granpa and Grandma S., for such a fun and entertaining gift.....it will certainly see lots and lots of use!

Even Mommy got in on the jumping action. The blurriness of these photos really gets you in on the action.....my 3-year-old son took the photo of me and my daughter while we were jumping and while he was jumping and taking the photo at the same time, so it's amazing they are as clear as they are!

Monday involved lots of dishes, laundry, paying bills, searching high and low for a lost memory card (found it just a few minutes ago!), and planning out my last week of courses. This next week and a-half will involve piles and piles and PILES of grading, so I will be happy when that is all done, recorded, and another semester closed out. Hope you had a brilliant Monday.

Feels Like Summer 'Round Here.

Loooking back a few posts on my blog, just 10 days ago we got over 6 inches of snow and had very cold and blustery conditions. Today we just like a late June day......high 70's, bright sun, and warm! Today really felt like summer in so many ways. We had our first t-softball practice. Matt and I are coaching the team together, and it should be lots of fun....let's just say that if we get the kids running to the right base and get them to understand that when the ball comes their way, they need to field the ball, that will be a highly successful season. They are so sweet and.....distractible......at this age. It should be a really fun season, and giving the kids a fun and positive team experience is our main priority.
















And then we got home from practice and the hose and bathing suits came out. It never fails that the first hint of 70 degrees bring with it the begging to run in the sprinkler and get wet. Our kids and the neighbor kids had lots of fun chasing each other around the yard and getting splashed.


But.....I hear that we are not done with cold weather yet, so we are not getting over confident that summer weather is here to stay. We will just savor it while it is here.....and keep the boots and winter coats in the front closet for just a few more weeks.......just in case.

Reconnecting with Romance.

My husband took me out on a romantic date tonight. It's funny how just getting away from home and focusing on each other can really rekindle the romance. In our small group Bible study, we are doing a marriage-focused study, and our "homework" was to go out on a date. So, we hired a babysitter for our kiddos and just starting driving. We have found that often the best dates arise from allow for spontaneity to rule. We got a pizza for the kids and the sitter, and basically just started driving west toward Lake Michigan.

We first drove through downtown Zeeland....while I have been on the outskirts, I don't think that I have really ever been in the heart of Zeeland. Quaint, but not really anything that looked like we wanted to pursue it. So, we kept driving west into Holland. After driving a bit, we decided to have dinner at a Mexican Grill called Tres Lobos. We had this very interesting and delectable dish for two called pasadillidas.......which was basically meat and vegetables prepared and served in a large stone bowl, complete with all the typical Mexican accompaniments. In addition to very delicious food, the atmosphere of the place was just neat.....a live Spanish-singing musician, colorful decor, and just a really fun crowd.

After dinner, we drove to the shore for what we called the "Six Dollar Sunset." What I mean is......we arrived just as the sun was setting, had to pay $6.00 to get into the park (State Park), and were so cold that we only stayed a few minutes to see the sun set before rushing back to the warmth of a truck. So, we enjoyed our first $6.00 sunset of the year, which, as you can see, was gorgeous. Have I said how much I adore living in West Michigan?

So, the moral of the story is that even when life seems busy with kids and work and taxes and all the other stuff, romance is really just a babysitter, a short drive, and a few dollars away. Thanks for a great date, Honey. You still got it! And you get an "A+" for this homework!!

I am a Story Teller.

150 posts. Yesterday's posting was #150 on this blog. I must admit that when I started this blogging journey back last October, I thought that it would probably quickly go the way of almost every journal I have ever started; once the novelty wore off and the fabric of life got too demanding, I expected my interest and discipline to gradually fade off. But, somehow, this has been different. This blog has become very, very important to me and an anticipated part of nearly every day. It is how I recap and reflect on the day; how I process and integrate and make sense. It is how I look to see and find the kernel of blessing that is in each and every day, even those that seem unredeemable.

The human soul, I firmly believe to the depths of me, was created to tell its unique story. We are created with the need and drive to be intimately known. To connect with Our Savior and to connect with people around us. Telling our stories is how we connect. It is how we offer ourselves to another and make ourselves vulnerable. It is how we work through our circumstances and how we re-focus on what really matters. It is how we are able to find Jesus in the everyday (see yesterday's post).

I am a storyteller. I tell stories in many different ways. This blog is one of the ways that I tell mine and my family's story; it is how I connect with family, friends, and even people who I have not yet met. Creating tangible scrapbooks is another major way that I tell our story; I tell our story to give my children knowledge and insight into their lives, what has come before them, and how they fit into our broader family history. I create lifestory art so that my children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and beyond will understand their heritage of faith and education and living life for God. I tell stories in my teaching, whether I am teaching my children, the kids at church, the families whom I counsel, or my psychology students at the university. People learn through the telling of stories. Stories explicate and highlight the feeling elements of the human experience, speaking to the soul. Stories connect us, bind us together, give us hope, bring us perspective, validate the joys and trials that we call our own.

I can't help but think of the recent happenings at Virginia Tech where more than 30 students and professors were tragically murdered. Many, many stories are unfolding there. Stories of loss and tragedy and pain. Many questions: How could a human being cause such devastation? What really happened? Why were things handled the way they were? Questions are asked in an attempt to explain and identify and fix, so that nothing this tragic ever happens again. But what I am drawn most powerfully to are the stories. The young woman who was so popular on campus. The professor who tried to protect his students from the gunman. The young student who jumped from the window but stopped to help his fellow students before he ran to his own safety. The professor who heard gunshots on the floor below his office so barricaded himself in his office until the police found him. The nationally known researcher who was killed, leaving behind a grieving wife and three young children. The English professor who had warned administrators that something about this student--something in his behavior and his written essay--just didn't seem right. The story of the gunman himself, who was a student and obviously struggling with some significant deep-seated and long-lived mental health issues. The story of a university community who is trying to make sense of something that just doesn't. The story of universities around the country who mourn with their colleagues in learning. The story of how God will unfold His story, hope and will gradually, even through such a horrific situation as this one.

The Virginia Tech story, which seems so far away, is part of my story. I am a professor and spend a good part of my time on a university campus, working with students just like those who were killed and the one who did the killing. I, too, have had students under my teaching about whom I was very concerned; student who were angry and carried that persona around with them. Essays that contained themes that were "just not quite right." Like the faculty and students on Monday, I walk into my classroom every day that I teach assuming that I am safe and secure and able to focus with my students on the process of learning and development and inquiry. But on Tuesday, as I walked into my 10:00 class and looked around the room and at my students, I did so with the Virginia Tech story on my mind and heart. And I was forever changed by the happenings on Monday, because their story intersects with mine. Changes my perception of my own reality. And so it is that storytelling heightens our connectedness to others, pronounces the common aspects of the human experience, changes our view of the world, and ultimately brings a sense of community that breeds hope and perseverance.

You have a story, as I do, and it is begging to be told. Don't be afraid to tell your story. And don't wait to start. Do not validate that deceiving voice of the enemy that says your story is insignificant or boring or that you have no story; you have a story to tell, and there is someone--or many someones--out there who needs to hear and connect with your story. Choose your medium.....blogging, scrapbook storytelling, writing and playing music......tell your story in a way about which you are passionate. Tell your story so that others may connect to you and with you. And, maybe most importantly, so that others can see and know firsthand what awesome things God is going through you. Because that's His promise......He is doing a good work in us and will see it through to perfect completion. And never be afraid to say........

I am a story teller. And so are you.

Would you {Have Time to} Recognize Jesus?

There is a thought-provoking piece of writing from the Washington Post that I read today. Thanks to my friend, Jody, for linking it from her blog and drawing my attention to it. It is entitled "Pearls Before Breakfast" and can be accessed here:http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR2007040401721.html. Please take the time to read it; it is an engaging, convicting, and inspiring piece on many different levels. It is also, to me, more than anything a wake-up call and a call to action. In short, it recounts a "social experiment" of types, wherein acclaimed violinst Joshua Bell dressed in street clothes and performed in a very busy locale, the Metro in Washington D.C., during rush-hour when people were scurrying on their way to work, many to government jobs. The piece recounts how most of the people--over 1,000--passed him by without acknowledging his world-class music or recognizing that he wasn't just some street performer trying to make a buck. Some threw in pennies, a few threw in dollars. Maybe two took time to slow down, stop, and listen. Many of these same people would pay hundreds of dollars to hear Bell perform in a formal concert hall, but here, on the streets of their everyday lives, they passed he and his free concert right by unknowingly. Here is a world-reknowned violinist playing the most difficult classical pieces ever written, and next to nobody stopped to take notice. They just hurried on. Rushed passed. DIDN'T HEAR OR SEE HIM, really. They were too busy, too absorbed, too uni-directed, too--dare I say it--too numb.

Interesting social research, YES. The academic/professor/researcher in me is intrigued by the very idea and by what we can learn about human behavior patterns by such an experiment. But, even more vital, this story struck me on a spiritual level and aroused within me the poignant question: If Jesus was in our midst, would we see Him? Would we hear Him? Or would we rush pass, maybe toss a few pennies or moments of our time His way, and rush on to what we considered more urgent or pressing at the time?

My friends, this is the truth: Jesus IS in our midst. We have the opportunity to see and hear Jesus every day. How? The Bible tells us very clearly in the words of Jesus himself: "What you have done for the least of these, you have done to me." Not "if you have time" or "when it is convenient" or "when you feel like it." Jesus calls us to action now. Those little children who are so impressionable and desperate to be loved and genuinely cared for; when we look past their needs or fail to nurture them, we fail to see Jesus. Those people who have a different skin color than us or are impoverished by the worlds' standards; when we don't take action to help change their world, we reject Jesus and fail to hear His calling.

We also miss Jesus when we don't look at every element of the natural world as the amazing and creative work of His hands. Have you taken time to look--REALLY LOOK--at how intricately flowers are pieced together, so delicate and lacy yet so strong to withstand the harsh winds. Or the human body--every time I teach on child development I develop a stronger awe of God's design for the human body and psyche. Simple astounding. Or how the weather patterns work together with the tides and the seasons. How everything from the smallest organism to the largest galaxy is fashioned with order and purpose and amazing intention. That is seeing, REALLY SEEING, Jesus in the everyday.

I myself am frequently guilty of failing to see Jesus in the everyday. I often look past needs, thinking that someone else can attend to them or I'm too busy or my family needs me more or........I'm guilty. I am sometimes numb to the incredible needs around me. That's one of the main reasons why I scrapbook and take photography.....because taking and creating with photos helps me to focus on and see--really SEE--Jesus in the seemingly everyday around me. But, I need to be more intentional about moving past the SEEING into the action part of getting into the lives of the neglected kids and the impoverished families and the widowed and the mourning and the dying around me.

Don't miss Jesus in the hustle and bustle. He is much more worthy than any world-class musician, and the rewards of recognizing Him and giving Him our all will last far beyond the temporal limits of this time and place. Look and listen for Jesus today and every day. Throw more than a few pennies His way, and you will never, ever regret the investment.

Weekend Highlights.

Here we are....another Monday morning. Oh, oops, it is already afternoon. Is anybody else a little frightened with how quickly these early spring days are flying by? It seems as if March just started and here we are at April 16........whew. We had a fairly relaxing weekends, with some of the highlights being:

Matt and Kennedy had the school Daddy-Daughter Dance on Friday. So sweet. The theme was a western barn-dance, so Kennedy was so excited to get dolled up in her pink horsie shirt, pink skirt, and pink cowboy boots. And Daddy came completely prepared (OK, with a little of Mommy's help) with his little girl's very first corsage. It's only right that a little girl's first corsage should be from her Daddy, isn't it? My heart was warm as I watched my love and my little girl interact in such a precious way. I feel very strongly that a Daddy should "date" his little girl to show her how Godly men should treat girls, and to show her that her Daddy not only loves her but also CHERISHES her and in interested in helping her maintain her integrity and purity. And I see this as a first in a long line of dates that they will have before that day when Kennedy has a date with a --GULP -- boy. Remind me to add "Kennedy's first date" to my prayer list....her future husband has already been on my prayer list since the day she was born.

On Saturday, I did some long-awaited scrapping....I didn't get many pages finished, but totally enjoyed and got lost in the process--what many in my field would call "creative flow." I am totally loving the new products that are starting to show up on the store shelves after CHA, especially the Heidi Swapp acrylic paints........they allow you to use so much more texture and sheen than the Making Memories scrapbook paint.....as Heidi Swapp might say, "very yummy" indeed.

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.........and these awesome new ledger-type stamps from Autumn leaves...... I have really been into the office-look lately and got some new office-type stamps from Stampin- Up last week too. I also love the new Phoebe papers from Basic Grey. Personally, I was a bit disappointed with the new KI acrylic stamps; they were a bit too small for my tastes. I am afraid they might get lost on a scrapbook page. However, I am eager to see what the new "love*elsie" line will be like. It is always fun to try to stay on the edge of what the embellishment producers are going to launch next.

Sunday brought church and an awesome kids' lesson about the significance of the tomb and the cross. We designed the activities so that the kids actually got to sit inside a "tomb" and learn about things like how Jesus' followers cared for his body after He died, and how carefully the Pharisees sealed and guarded the tomb. Each child took home a strip of cloth to remind then that while Jesus was in the tomb for a short time, He left the cloth behind and rose to life. When talking about the cross, each child finger-painted their name in red, to signify that Jesus didn't just die for "the world"generally--He died for each of them--and us--personally and individually, and He knows our name. So powerful, and these kids really seemed to "get it" through these experiences. Designing activities that really bring the Bible and Jesus' love alive to kids through direct experiences, now that is a rewarding way to spend time! After church, we enjoyed an omelette brunch before a rest. Then, we took a walk and spent some time on the playground in the early evening.....lots of fresh air made for a good night's sleep.

For all you parents out there, have you ever had those stretches of time when one (or all!) of your children just seems to be going through "one of those phases" that just seems to test you to no end. Well, my son seems to be going through one of those phases. Defiance, yes. Testing limits, yes. Whining and rebelling and crying.....yes, yes, yes. Moments of frustration and near-tears for us, YES. So, today, I am trying to take a moment and gain perspective. He is three and one-half. He is learning about what it means to become increasingly independent. He desperately wants to be able to do things on his own, desperately wants to shine his own little spirit to the world. And sometimes, it seems that in his little eyes, we cramp his style, thwart his best-laid plans, and rain on his little parade. We are trying to weather this phase with patience, consistency, and insistence that he obey and respect and listen, while also giving him room to exert himself and grow his independence and express his spirit. A difficult balance to strike in parenting sometimes. This is where prayer really comes in. I shot this photo of him just a few minutes ago......we had quite a busy and trying morning, and after lunch and some more time riding his bike outside, he came in and fell asleep on the floor. This photo reminds me that in the midst of these trials, he is a precious, precious child. A child of God. A child who I adore and love and cherish. A child whose smile and personality could warm the coldest heart. A child who has more determination than all the rest of us combined. A child whose energy, love for people and enthusiasm for life inspire me daily. A child who is a true miracle, whether he is going through a trying "three-and-a-half" stage or not. I love you with all of me, my Sweet Boy. We'll get through this together.

Happy Birthday, Uncle Mitch!

Dear Uncle Mitch:

We hope you have a great birthday today. We love you, especially because you play with us and wrestle with us. We are so excited that you and Aunt Meegan are expecting a little baby girl cousin. We can't wait to meet her in early June. We have lots of very important stuff to teach her like how to play in the mud, how to push Mommy and Daddy's buttons, and how to give that innocent "I didn't do it" look that will melt hearts. Since you aren't feeling well today, we hope you get in a good nap......and don't forget the cake with frosting!

Love,
Kennedy and Hayden.

Happy Sunny Friday!

It's Friday, the sun is shining brightly, the snow is melting (again!), and God has given you this new day. What will you do to make today count?

Snowblowers in April?

My boy has been sick with a cough and high fever earlier this week, so we have spent a lot of our free time nursing him back to health. I find it interesting how we always seem to fall back on the little tactics that our parents used to comfort and nurse us when we were sick as kids. For me, it was always some clear pop to drink, a cool washcloth on the forehead, and a specially made bed on the couch coupled with my favorite cartoons. Hayden especially likes the "wet towel" on his head and extra Mommy cuddles as he falls asleep. Today, he is feeling much better and seems to be making up for his four days "under the weather" with an extra dose of spice....and did I mention defiance? Thankfully, he decided after getting up at 5 am needing a PB&J sandwich and chocolate milk, he needed a little snooze this afternoon. I am praying that he will wake with a bit more cooperative spirit. But, I am thankful (mostly!) for the return of his energy and pep.

So, yesterday, I thought that I would be optimistic and put out the cute new colorful spring rugs that I got for the front and back porch entrances. That was before I knew that we were expecting another BLIZZARD for today. So, at last check, my cute rug has about an inch of snow on it. Seriously, I'm condfident that our snow accumulation in April has probably easily outweighed that of December. Last week, I was hearing chirping birds and playing kids outside my window; today, it's snow blowers and snow plows. We had to cancel our first t-softball practice due to SNOW. We can only hope that the snow will be gone before Memorial Day. We can hope, can't we?

Under the Covers.

I love cuddling with my kids under the covers. There is just something cozy and safe and right about that precious time of tucking them in, talking about their day, feeling how they cuddle into me for security and nurturing, and reading some of their favorite books. Pulling the cool quilt over us and nestling into the comfortable bed. In this case, under the covers is a wonderful and safe place to be.

But, being "under the covers" is not always the preferred place to be. Let me expound. Pastor Rob Bell, in his popular video series, tells the story of his young son who, being caught having stolen a little white ball from a friend and lying about it to his parents, ran upstairs in shame and burrowed under the covers of his parents' bed. He stayed there for over two hours with his body and head entirely covered, resulting in profuse sweating and obvious discomfort. He was captured in his own shame. Rob goes on to describe how he reached over to peel back the covers, revealing the fresh air and light to his precious son. The boy's natural inclination was to run and hide and wallow in his own shame, but Rob, as his loving father, desired reconciliation and freedom and fresh air.

Isn't that what we all do? We take the darkest side of ourselves and hide it, suffocating in our own sin and suffering. We do something wrong and then hide in shame. I know that is my first natural inclination when I do wrong....to stuff it down, hide it, and pretend that nobody knows. But God knows. He knows the depth and breadth of our sin and our shame. And the amazing thing is......He still chooses to reach out, peel back the covers, and give us His light and fresh air. To nurture us back to Himself. To reconcile the relationship damaged by our own sin and selfishness. Bell drives home the following point: There is nothing, nothing, NOTHING that we can do that will cause God to love us any less than the very love that sent Him to the cross. Nothing.

I often need to be reminded to come into the light. Give it all to Jesus. ALL OF IT. Hold nothing back, no matter the cost. To live is Christ, but to die is gain. Let him pull me from my shame and work His full glory in my life. I need this reminder daily, and I am thankful that this message hit home once more today. What about you........don't forget to allow God to peel back the covers and give you His air and light and freedom. Tye following quote and verse drive this idea home for me today:

Be Real. When we stop hiding, when we take off our masks and expose ourselves, when we show what is truly inside of us with all of the 'ugly' details, when we show our blemishes and imperfections along with our good-----that is when we truly show the BEAUTY that God has brought us to. It is the dark places on our canvas that enhances and beautifies the whole picture, making a most glorious masterpiece.

"But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light." Ephesians 5:13

Thank you for being a {REAL} friend.

Every now and then, in the everyday of life, a person comes along who you just know is a good, pure, authentic person. A person who has that special something, that ability to remain {REAL} in a world that is always telling us that we should be a certain way, look a certain way, earn a certain amount of money, drive, dress, etc. a certain way. This type of person accepts you for who you are from day one. And that is the type of person who is a friend for life. A person who not only encourages you, but also challenges you. Does so many things to uplift you but to also keep you accountable to the life to which Christ has called you. A person who can tell it like it is, but does so in love. A person who is not ashamed to lay all that she is on the table, including her insecurities, confusions, faults, and places where she doesn't feel that she measures up. A person willing to use her own trials and valleys to help others through theirs.

Many people go through life never knowing such a friend. I have had the chance to have a few such friends in my lifetime, and I am privileged to have acquired such a friend over the past year. And today is the day for celebrating that friend and all the ways she has made my life and ministry richer, deeper, and more focused. I thank God for His plan which brought us into each others' lives, working together as partners to develop a program that God is using to grow up precious kids in Him. I feel privileged to work alongside her, to learn from her, and to partner with her in God's work.

What do I appreciate about this friend? First, her passion for kids shines so intensely. She just loves kids and really GETS them. Kids are drawn to her and just love her. Second, she loves Christ intensely and with all of her being. She desires to fulfill His plan in her life, and to sacrifice whatever it takes to surrender all to him. Is she perfect? No. But she is a picture to me of the passion and love to which Christ calls us. Third, she is a person who constantly seeks to build others up....to love and encourage and challenge and nurture and build. That is so unusual in today's world, and I love that about her. Finally, SHE IS JUST PLAIN FUN! She laughs and plays and giggles and isn't afraid to get "dirty." She reminds us all to have fun, laugh, and not take ourselves too seriously. I love that about her!

So, today I am honoring my good friend and sister in Christ, Tonya, for all that she brings into the lives of so many people. Happy Birthday, Sister.....you are loved and appreciated this day and every day. Know that God is using you in deep, lasting, and unexpected ways. Happy Day!

It's all about being Empty.

Easter is truly........ more surprising than the contents of a hidden-and-found Easter egg......

More delicious than the ears of a chocolate bunny..............
Cooler than the April snow that graced our Easter day here in Michigan......

More than any Easter basket could ever hold.......
More beautiful and amazingly designed than the spring flowers..........
Not just a story conjured in the mind of a human author..........but a TRUE STORY fashioned by the Creator of the galaxy.................

More colorful than the splashes of paint and dye on my children's Easter eggs...................
More unique and inspiring than any artistic creation............


More miraculous than the birth of baby lambs (my children got the chance to witness this awesome event yesterday.....truly amazing)...........but this is better still......................
The tomb is empty!! Just like this egg, from a children's story about the true meaning of Easter, the empty tomb is the true miracle of Easter! If Jesus had stayed in the tomb, then we would have no reason to praise Him and no reason to treat Him differently than any other brave and honorable man in history. But this man, this Jesus, arose from the dead. AROSE FROM THE DEAD. And even more amazing, He loves you and He loves me. He wants to make the true meaning of Easter alive in each man, woman and child's heart. The tomb was empty so that our lives and hearts and souls can be full of His love, mercy, grace and HOPE. Thank you, Lord, for your amazing plan that started with a humble birth, required a grisly and humiliatingly painful death, amazed the world with a resurrection from the grave, and provided a way for each and every person to live in Paradise forever and ever with you. And that is far and away better than any jellybean, chocolate bunny, Easter egg hunt, Easter basket, Easter bunny, or anything else that this world tells us is the center of Easter. Praise God, He is risen! And that, my friends, is the true reason we celebrate.

"So Brave."

We have been talking about the significance of the cross a lot lately. As we have read the story of Jesus' death over the past weeks, Kennedy has been full of questions. She is thinking about it on a much deeper level than she did last year, which is awesome for a parent to see. As we were reading about the thorns that were pressed into Jesus' head, and the nails that were pounded mercilessly through His hands and feet, Kennedy looked very distressed and said six simple words...."He must have been very brave."

How true is that statement? Jesus knew what He was facing, even before He was arrested and walked the long road up Calvary's hill. He knew from His earliest days that He would ultimately die a very ugly, lonely, painful death. Was He scared? For sure.....He asked His Father that if is was possible, that this destiny pass from Him. But, His actions and His humility and His passion to the finish are the ultimate brave act. He not only endured the rejection and pain inflicted by the people, but He had to face His Father turning His face from Him.

Yes, sweet girl, Jesus was very brave. All because He loved you and me and the whole world so very much, that He would do anything to redeem us for His own. It was about a year ago now that you asked Jesus into your heart, and I am so, so thrilled that you have given your life to Him and that you love Him with all your heart.

Thank you, Jesus. You are Risen! You are Risen, indeed!!

Reflections on Camouflage.

Parenthood is filled with what I call "pivotal parenting moments"--moments where you have to make a decision that has significant impact beyond that one decision. Example: Whether you choose to support your spouse's decision--whether you agree or not--communicates to your child whether you are united or whether you are divided, which, in turn, has important impact for how your child will or will not view you as a united parenting unit. This week, I had such a "moment" when out shopping with my daughter. A moment that I immediately knew could influence in a significant way our mother-daughter relationship and her self-concept development for years to come.

And it involved, of all things, camouflage. To say the least, camouflage (am I spelling that correctly?) is not my most favorite pattern....to me, it conjures up images of rednecks out hunting in the backwoods of northern Michigan. It certainly would not be my first choice for my beautiful 5-year-old daughter to wear. And such is the "pivotal moment".

My daughter and I were out on a "Mommy-daughter" date on Monday night, as we try to do monthly. That particular night, we were shopping for a new spring coat for her. As we looked through the racks at Kohl's, I soon spotted what I felt would be the perfectly adorable jacket for her.......bright pink with a large white and yellow daisy on it.....so sweet and cute. But, as I turned it around to show it to her, she already had another jacket off the rack, tried on, and she was smiling ear to ear...."This is the one I want, Mommy." And it was.....camo. Pink and grey camouflage with bright green sequins and pink trim. I showed her my bright pink daisy coat, but her mind was made up. Enter the mind of a Mommy of a little girl anxious to grow up and express herself more and more every day. "This is a key moment," I thought. Do I force my choice on her, or do I let her choose the coat that is her style and her preference?



















How many times had I spoke and taught of the importance of giving children their voice. Of letting them express themselves. Of letting them be who they are. Some things--like living for God and doing right and kindness and respect--are non-negotiables. But, to me, fashion--as long as it is appropriately modest and non-offensive--is one of those personal preference issues.....one should be allowed to dress to reflect their personal style and tastes. So, in the end, I took my own advice. We purchased the camoflauge jacket, with some adorable camo. Skecher flip-flops to boot. And, I must admit, she looks pretty darn adorable in her pink camo. clothes. When I see her in these items, I can't help but smile at the little lady she is becoming....a little lady with clear preferences and her own blossoming sense of style.....that definitely is more "camo" than it is bright pink daisies. You go, Girl....be who you are and don't let me stop you.

A Visit with Chuck.

Chuck E. Cheese, that is. Yes, we swallowed our parental preference tonight and went with the kids' choice for an evening activity. We had planned to have a day at the zoo, but given that we in Michigan are in the middle of a virtual April blizzard--yes, BLIZZARD--we figured it would not be the most pleasant day to walk around at the zoo.

Is there any kid who doesn't love a trip to Chuck E. Cheese? The combination of pizza, games, tokens, and cheap annoying prizes just gets them every time! But I must say that I really got into it tonight.....my daughter and I found this game called "Wheel of Fortune" and we won many, many tickets.....we actually hit the jackpot of 200 tickets 2 times in a row....I have to admit that I WAS PUMPED! We actually won over 1,000 tickets--a McDonald family record--so Kennedy got to select 6 cheap dollar-store quality prizes rather than one! Oh, the joy! The kids were full of smiles and laughter, so it was worth the annoyance that I think every parent feels at Chuck E. Cheese....not to mention the headache that you inevitably walk away with.

Look at all those tickets! Wow, I had better stay away from Las Vegas.....this could get a bit addictive! Just kidding.....I'll stick to the tickets at Chuck E. Cheese.

Back to Work.

It felt like I had been off work for much longer than a week. Today was really, really tiring. Maybe it was the fact that it was raining and thunderstorming when I left (and still dark out to boot), and rainy days make me want to crawl back under the covers with a good book or movie. Nevertheless, I was back in the classroom today and panicking a bit that we only have 4 weeks until the end of the semester. Which means LOTS of grading to do between now and then! When I got home, all I wanted to do was eat a quick dinner and veg. out with my kids and husband....BUT they had other plans. Plans involving a long walk and a playground. So, I did the good mom thing--though I really didn't want to at first--and got my workout clothes and new tennies on. Off we went.

It's funny how a night at a playground can give you new energy and attitude. We had lots of fun climbing the rock wall, sliding, taking photos, and climbing after each other on the slide. Leave it to my kids to give me a fun-filled play time, even when I think I'm way too tired to play! We walked home, enjoying the blooming tulips and daffodils on the way home......a true spring evening with my family.

Just a Typical Monday at Home.

I am slowly but surely getting settled back in to home.....what a great time away, but I was SO happy to get home and see my family. And sleep in my own bed. The kids loved all of their {cheap} souvenirs and gave me lots of big, big hugs upon my return. I love it. Today was spent just enjoying the first day of their spring break....sleeping in until almost 10:00 {heavenly} and then spending some time volunteering at our local outreach center, helping them organize and hang clothing donations. It was neat to see the kids--even at their young ages--jump in and help serve. Afterward, we went out to Moe's for lunch--fajitas and fish tacos--and then spent the afternoon paying bills and trying to start all of the laundry....OK, that I didn't miss! Tonight, my daughter and I went out for a Mommy-Daughter night out, like we try to do at least once per month. Tonight, we went for a haircut for her (looks adorable) then some shopping at Kohl's, dinner and dessert and Chili's, and now trying to get ready for classes tomorrow. Ah, the typical things of my life seem so good and right tonight. It's good to be warmly welcomed home, and, like this simple sign above the entrance to our family room states, there is NO PLACE LIKE HOME.