Reading....

Noah is doing a great job with his reading. He is almost done with Sing, Spell. He is on book 14 out of 17. :-)
Here's what he is reading today:

Summer cuts....

The boys were really needing haircuts, and Emma needed a trim. Caleb was pretty adamant about keeping his hair as it is, just trimmed up (out of his eyes). I just can't bear to cut Ezra's much. But Noah, well....he had already cut some of his own hair, so his was the most dramatic. Emma didn't want a trim at all, but it was time.

Time machine...

Scott, my brother, as a little guy...

I have frequently said that mothering Judah is like being in a time machine.  I am four years older than my "little" brother, so I have memories of "mothering" him, and he and Judah look amazingly similar.  

Judah Sean

Judah Sean

Legoland....

I can't believe I didn't post about this!!!  We took the kids to Legoland for the first time, on a homeschool day.  It saved us quite a bit of money.... the kids only wished they had had more time to explore. =)

               

Silence...

Emma and her piano teacher, Ms. Sarah Mitchell

I am a writer.  Well, technically, I am a reader and a thinker, and that frequently spills out into writing.  Unfortunately, I don't always get to read or think as often as I would like. Sometimes, there are seasons when you are just living, and learning.  Those seasons tend to find me more quiet than usual.  I've been sick with the flu for a few days....Ben even had to take two days off of work to take care of the kids because I literally couldn't get out of bed. So hopefully, I've been learning... but I have not been doing much in the way of reading or thinking.
So anyhow, there is much to catch up on in the way of recording life, so I'll let life do the talking:

Emma playing for her piano recital

Always in first position.  For her ballet recital. :)

The whole gang after her recital.

Last day of seven....

Dear Caleb,
Tomorrow, you will be eight years old. You have been really excited that you will no longer need a carseat. You also wanted to "ollie" on your skateboard before you turn eight. You are very close to getting it...not quite there yet, but perhaps you will work on it more tomorrow.;-)
You are my oldest boy! You were responsible for my first trip taking a child to the Emergency Room. You have given me a run for my money ever since you were born. I knew, when you were 2 and could sound out words like "cat" and "dog", that you would most likely be an excellent reader. I knew, at four, when I discovered you were actually READING The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe that I had been entrusted with a very special gift....and I was a little terrified. Sometimes, I still am. I want so badly to be faithful as your
Mom-to always point you to Jesus, to challenge you and grow your gifts for God's Kingdom. And then I remember that even though you are the smartest kid I've ever known, you are just like
me....a sinner in need of a Great Rescuer. And so, over and over,
I cast myself at the feet of Jesus, and I cry out to Him on your behalf....Rescue us! Use us for Your glory and Your Kingdom!
And I am reminded and reassured that this is exactly what He delights in doing. I entrust you to the Rescuer, Caleb. I believe that His kindness will continue to lead you to repentance. I believe that He is more faithful than I am, and more wonderful than the greatest treasure or pleasure this world has to offer.
My heart melts, when I walk out at 6:15am to get my coffee and I see you, reading your Bible. I love that you said you could highlight almost all of Genesis because there is so much cool stuff in there.
You are a diligent and hard worker. (most of the time!) I know that God has a grand part for you to play in His Story. And I am so, unbelievably grateful that part of my role in God's great Story is to be your
Mom. I love you so much.
Happy Birthday, Caleb. Your name means faithful, and like the Caleb of the Bible, I pray that neither age nor enemy will dissuade you from fulfilling God's purposes and taking hold of all God has for you. I know I'm your mom...but really and truly, I am honored to know you.
With love,
Mommy

Carpe Diem

Tomorrow, Emma has her first piano recital, followed immediately by her ballet recital. These things are always a learning experience-I have learned that I don't like the whole drama/crazy of ballet recitals. :-)
But today, as Emma and I "ran in real quick" to Target, she held my hand and asked me, "Will you skip with me?"
I saw almost a decade flash before my eyes....she was just a baby. Now she's playing piano and doing all sorts of French ballet things. I realize all at once, that I have about two seconds left of her asking me to skip with her, before I'm not cool enough and she is too old for silly things like that. So I say yes! And I skip, each up and down aching in my mommy-body, I can feel each joint pounding upon another, and everything hurts....but this-this is what pure joy feels like. Hand in hand with my girl, skipping along, seizing the moment before it is gone. This is a gift, and today....I'm not going to miss it. :-)

Catching up, again

We had such a lovely day in Carpinteria a couple of weeks ago. We did a field trip to the Carpinteria Salt Marsh (which turned out to be led by a couple from Reality Carp., so that was super sweet!). Then we had lunch, hit the beach, and finished it up with the Farmer's Market. I loved the Carp. Farmer's Market, it was so lovely! It was a great day!!! :-)

A Day on the Farm

We did a "Spring Day" at the Painted Pony Farm in upper Ojai. It was a lovely day of holding chicks and bunnies, feeding and petting goats, milking a goat, learning about pigs and ponies and the apple orchard, running around with friends, and sunshine. :-)

"Summer Pasta"

I adapted this recipe from the Barefoot Contessa. Mine is Gluten-Free, Vegan. :-)
1-lb. corn spaghetti
Cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
16 large basil leaves chopped
Salt
Pepper
Garlic, about 4 cloves
Olive oil
1/2 lemon (you could omit this, and jut use some of the pasta water)
1 cup "Parmesan" (equal parts almond meal and nutritional yeast, plus salt)

Cut the tomatoes in half, place in the bottom of a large bowl. Add garlic, olive oil and salt. Let marinate while you cook the pasta, about 8 minutes. Drain pasta, and add to the bowl. Toss with basil, "Parmesan", lemon juice (or pasta water), and salt and pepper to taste.

It is a lovely summer meal with melon or smoothies. :-)
Enjoy!

The best laid plans....

We set out this morning on a "quick" errand....which turned into about a 2 and a half hour walk. By about the last 20 minutes or so, Noah was crying, even Caleb was pretty worn out, Ezra was almost sleep-walking, and Judah was asleep. So, I suppose you could say we learned a lesson in perseverance! And, nothing like yummy smoothies to make it enjoyable. I bought this supplement from Trader Joe's (I normally don't do supplements), which contains dairy-free probiotics to keep our tummies stocked with the good bacteria. :-)

On Mother's Day

I find it so *interesting* that this year, I knew Ben would be coming home from Boston on Mother's Day. So I had no expectations-except that I would be a
mother....and I planned on enjoying it!! :-)
How sweet, that my husband found me this tea set in Chinatown in Boston....
I felt so honored and loved. And it is a perfect reminder that when the heat is on, the flavor intensifies....I want to be found tasting sweet, calming, soothing, and warming to the soul. Or, I at least want to set that before me as something to "steep" on. ;-)

Boston....

http://www.realityboston.com/boston-prayer-tour-introduction/

This link is for the intro. video for the Boston Prayer Tour.  Daddy left very early this morning...and since he is on his way to Boston, it goes without saying that we are not only very invested in this particular prayer tour, but we are spending the week learning more about Boston.

As we were praying this morning:
Emma prayed for lots of new relationships, for unity, and that they would know the presence of Jesus.
Caleb prayed that Pastor Al would not be tempted by Satan and that the team would be of one mind.
I was humbled.
And Noah declared, "I am going to call Satan Mr. Stinky!!!"

Happy Birthday Emma

Today, you are nine years old. That basically means that I've been doing this whole "mom" gig for a decade. Which is wild, because I still feel brand new at it sometimes.
But, today was one of those days, where it hits you all at once how quickly time is passing. Grandma and I took you to the American Girl Store for lunch. It was our first time ever at the store....but we figured that we don't have too many years left where this will be what is fun and special for you.
We had such a lovely time. I could see on your face how loved, and honored, and special you felt.
It was a very special trip for Grandma and I-we are both so honored to have shared your birthday with you. And even more than that, we are honored to share our lives with you.
One of the "conversation starters" at the table had you describe your personality in one word. Emma described me as generous, and full of surprises! So I described her-friendly and loving.
Clearly, we didn't follow the instructions....but it was lovely nonetheless.
Oh Emma, I love you so much.
But back to our day....your Kit doll got her ears pierced, and we found you some "feather dangly" earrings. Evidently no one thought I would let you wear earrings like that....but alas, maybe I am cooler than people suspect. Or, maybe I am a sucker for how cute you are. :-)
Anyhow. I am honored to love you, and I am so thankful that God gave you to
me. This year, I have many prayers for you, but I more aware than ever of my prayer that I, as your mom, would be faithful to communicate the gospel, and it's beauty and power to transform life as we know it. May you know the grace of Jesus Christ, which has forever washed you and made you completely loved and accepted in God's sight. May you know how lovely you are in God's sight because you are in Christ.
I love you.