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.

Speed math

My dear, sweet Noah....those who know him will frequently comment that he lives in his own world. Doing his math work is like torture-and not for him! He is very easily distracted...so what he could easily do in 10 minutes takes him well over an hour because it is just. so. hard. to. focus.....
Well, we have found a way to cut our math time down to a non-tortuous amount for mom. :-)
He completes one question, then takes one turn at a game. I take my turn, and then we move on to the next math question. Man, this kid gets through his math in about 10 or 15 minutes! And we enjoy a little game on the side! Last time was Connect Four, today was Husker-Do....I wonder what game we will play next!

Vegan (and gluten free!) Spinach Artichoke Dip!

Now, I just have to say that I don't normally like to use tons of "the substitutes"-you know, vegan "cheese", etc. But I made exceptions in this recipe because this is not an "eat every night" thing, this is a "remember how much I don't miss dairy thing" and maybe even an "impress your friends who can't fathom a dairy free life" thing. :-) Enjoy!

About 10 oz frozen spinach, thawed and drained (or approx. 1/2 a Costco size bag of fresh baby spinach wilted)
One can artichoke hearts (in water), drained and finely chopped
3/4 cup Vegenaise
3/4 cup "Parmesan" (I eyeball half nutritional yeast, half almond meal, and sea salt to taste-this mix is also fantastic on top of plain pasta!!)
1/2 cup shredded vegan mozzarella (Daiya brand or "vegan gourmet" brand do not contain the milk protein.)
1/2 tsp. garlic powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix ingredients and put in a pie plate. Bake for 20 minutes.

Lessons from a nature walk

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is in the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-8

As we were walking, we saw this tree that had been blown over by the wind. Sometimes I feel like that too! But, it was a great chance to remember God's Word, and how the man who trusts in the Lord will send his roots out...all the way to the water. He will be strengthened and renewed so that his leaves will remain green and he won't be blown over by the wind. He will be strong, steadfast, unmovable. He knows his need for living water, and sends his roots down deep to find it!

"[The armies of many nations] thunder like breakers on a beach, but God will silence them, and they will run away. They will flee like chaff scattered by the wind, like a TUMBLEWEED whirling before a storm." Isaiah 17:13

I got to thinking about tumbleweeds, and how the kids were so fascinated -but tumbleweeds usually consist of just that-weeds! They are prickly, thorny, and gather and grow as they are tossed by the wind.

But then I got to thinking about my own little tumbleweed. Praying for my dear Ezra. And then I remembered that the wind is also a metaphor for the Holy Spirit:
"The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear it's sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is
going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." John 3:8

Oh Lord! Make my sweet Ezra a "tumbleweed for Jesus", blown about by Your Holy Spirit, causing many to
join him in advancing Your Kingdom!!!
Make us trees that send our roots deep, seeking out that living water that only Jesus offers!!!

Surprise!!

One of my favorite childhood memories is when my parents surprised us with an overnight stay at a hotel. We thought we were meeting up with our dad for dinner, but my mom had packed clothes and bathing suits. It was so exciting!! So, naturally, I wanted to do the same for our kids. But... I'll let them tell you about it. Here are their writing assignments from Thursday.

Emma Hester, age 8:

For Easter, we went to Pismo Beach. We thought we were going home, instead mom and dad surprised us and told us we would go to Pismo Beach!

For breakfast I had three muffins: chocolate, blueberry, and banana nut. I also had half a bagel, a cherry pastry, some cereal, and apple juice. Yum!!

The activities were super fun! There was life-sized chess, ping-pong, and a swimming pool. My favorite was the swimming pool.

I liked Pismo Beach and I hope we go again.

And Caleb Hester, age 7:

On Easter, as a surprise, we went to Pismo Beach. Outside our hotel, there was a swimming pool, ping-pong, golf, and life-sized chess! This is what we did:

The food was good. I had two pastries, one muffin, two bowls of cereal, some waffle, and cranberry juice.

The activities were fun too. We went swimming, played golf, ping-pong, and life-size chess! My favorite was chess.

It was fun at Pismo Beach; you should go too!

It was a sweet time for making memories. The hotel offered an "expanded continental" breakfast, which, as you can tell by what one child ate for breakfast... was where we saved LOTS of money. We let them eat to their heart's content, and it gave them a good start to the day. I knew they had cereal options, so we brought our own rice milk and some other snacks from Trader Joe's. Ben and I tried to remind ourselves, that it was not a time just for "us." We really wanted to invest in the kids and spend time doing the things that they enjoy. It was not a "restful" trip, but it was lovely, nonetheless. But, as we have learned, with five little kids, there is no such thing as "vacation", only "relocation." hahahaha!! And what a grand relocation it was!

Easter 2012

We had the amazing opportunity to celebrate Jesus with friends, the cross cake, and a Good Friday service. It has already been a really sweet time of remembering Jesus. Especially in light of some very difficult things happening recently. It is good to pray together,to declare God's goodness and grace, to worship Him and His power to turn the darkest of nights into the dawn of new morning.
Happy Easter!
HE IS RISEN!!!!!!