Maia 6.2--Cuter than Ever

Maia got her glasses today. She is so excited and looks adorable. Ironically, she didn't want her picture taken so she doesn't look quite as happy. But trust me, she was very eager to get her glasses. It should come as no surprise that she picked out the purple frames with flowers on them. Her biggest concern was if they would come with a case and especially a cloth to clean the lenses. This morning she received a pink case with purple hearts on it AND a snazzy pink and purple cloth. All met with much satisfaction. :) She is slightly far-sighted and will use them for reading, the computer, TV and seat work at school.

Hooray for Horses

A family in our church owns a little farm not far from our house. Their daughter, Suzanne, is taking my level 1 Spanish class this year. Her mom, Tonya, also is one of the Home School Enrichment teachers. One day early in the year, I mentioned to Tonya that Maia was starting up the inevitable requests, "I want a pony." And in chatting I said that I should bring the girls out to their farm to see the horses some time. Suzanne and her older sister, Katy, are riders and compete in equestrian events. So Tonya offered that we could have Suzanne give the girls riding lessons if we were interested. The truth is, this is something I've never considered before. I've always thought of horse lessons as out of our league. The more I thought about it though, the more it appealed to me. Especially because I am not sure an opportunity like this will present itself for our family. Also, soccer was feeling very overwhelming to me just prior to that season getting started. The horse riding lessons we've set up to be just once/month. That I can do. When we told the girls they started screaming and jumping up and down. It was so sweet. I don't think they ever thought this would be a reality either.
Yesterday (Saturday) was our first time out to the Lamb's farm. I barely got the van stopped before they had jumped out. Suzanne first showed them about brushing Angel and why it's important. Then she gave each of them a riding lesson. They all walked and trotted some. The girls were bursting with excitement. They did wonderfully. I am so happy that we have such a special chance to do this. Even more, the Lambs are a marvelous family and just spending time on the farm is a blessing.
So without further ado...here are the pictures.



#1-4 Brushing Angel with different types of brushes to get her ready to ride. #5-7 Avril gets the first turn to ride. #8 & 9 Maia's turn. #10 Maia in 2 point position (up on your toes out of the saddle~used for running, jumping, trotting, etc.) #11-13 Eowyn (definitely the most outspoken in her excitement) finally getting her turn. She even had a chance to trot, which did make my heart skip a little to see that tiny thing bouncing on a horse so much larger than herself. But she did great.

Future Grammy Winners?

The other night Maia asked me to type a song that she had created. I was doing well keeping my composure and acutally was impressed until we got to the end. Then it was effortful to keep typing with a straight face. But I truly appreciate and am so thankful for Maia's heart desire that was driving her song. In some ways it is so beautiful to me.
So of course Eowyn had to have her song that she'd written (how coincidental) typed up too. That one was MUCH harder to keep a straight face. Honestly, the first line I thought was funny but amazingly profound and wondered all the way through line 2 if we had a prodigy on our hands. But then it came back to reality. I was crying when she had Adrian sing it (since of course she can't read her song that's just been typed up.) I've been laughing all weekend thinking about it.

These are just too classic not to share. So here you go.

I Will Worship You, God
by Maia 8/29/08

I will lift up your heart
You will be my home
You will be my home
I will be in your heart
You will be in my heart
I will never turn back
I will never turn back
I can worship your name
I will love you forever and ever
I will never turn back from the only One
I will lift up your heart
I will lift up your heart
I can worship from the heart
I’ll never be able to turn back from you
I’ll stay with you; I will not stay with Satan
In the only Word, I will be in your heart
In your heart I will do anything for you
God is better than Satan
I can never ever believe that you’re my father

Untitled Song
by Eowyn 8/29/08

I’m not your house
You can never turn back
You are my best friend
I will never come back
And I can come back another day
Soon I can come back
I can be best friend if you want
Or I can be your church singer
Or I can be your best friend in the whole wide world
And you can be the singer
Or my teacher
Or my dancer
Or my video putter-in
You and I have to go
Bye
And then I can come back another day
And but you can be my game player when I come back

Now We Are Six

"I wasn't afraid," said Pooh, said he, "I'm never afraid with you."..."What would I do?" I said to Pooh, "If it wasn't for you," and Pooh said: "True, It isn't much fun for One, but Two can stick together," says Pooh, says he. "That's how it is," says Pooh. Excerpt from Now We Are Six by A.A. Milne

My sweet Maia turned six years old this past Sunday. She had been so excited leading up to her birthday. I was so glad that we were able to have a special weekend for her. My nieces spent Saturday night with us. The five girls played all day and had a glorious time. After church on Sunday we got ready for people to come over for the party. Most of our family was able to join us as well as one of Maia's dear friends, Lily. Maia was blessed with such wonderful, thoughtful gifts. She has enjoyed them immensly. Maia had asked for a pinata. It turned out to be such a fun time. There were punching balloons inside so the girls blew them all up and ran around the backyard punching away. Shortly after that we had cake and ice cream.

Maia has grown so much over this past year. Having just begun school a week ago, the changes are particularly obvious. She is excited to be at school the whole day and is reaching out to others she doesn't know and introducing herself. This summer I witnessed her do this very thing with a little girl at the pool. I was stunned and so proud of her.

Maia is so tender-hearted and we are abundantly blessed to have her in our family.

Waiting to open presents SuperSoaker!

Finally celebrating a long awaited day. Eowyn's assault on the pinata.

Lily took the first damage. Avril's turn was the beginning of the end.

Maia actually had the first turn blindfolded, Sweet success.

but on the second time through the eyes were

open. That finished it off.

I love how happy the girls are in this one.

Dogpile! I love how Casey (in the orange) is

going full-force.

Maia and Lily
Confetti poppers--honestly, really fun.

Maia's request of a doll cake.

I tried, but she was really happy with it. So I'm satisfied.

***

This past weekend also marked the 10th anniversary (the 23rd) of Cheryl Miller's death. That same day the son of dear friends (mine and the Millers) was married out in Los Angeles. Overall, it was a very emotional weekend, but joy was the hallmark.

***

On a final note, I do not have any pictures from Eowyn's fourth birhtday on July 16. We had just moved into the house 3 days prior and my camera wasn't working. But we did celebrate and had a very nice birthday.

Big Dreams

"When I grow up I'm going to be an angel, a doctor, a fairy, a unicorn and a mermaid!" --Eowyn

Thresholds

The girls started school today (Thursday). It's early this year due to scheduling needs at the school. The start of this year has seen a few changes. For one, Maia was very excited and couldn't wait to get to Kindergarten. She was ever so slightly reserved when she walked into the class, but didn't have any trouble. Avril, for the first time, was not ready to get back to school. She wanted to stay home to play her video game. However, I knew she'd be thrilled to see her friends and get back into the year. So needless to say I was surprised when I got to her class this morning and she was crying. This was the first time in her school career (all 4 years) that she has cried on the first day. So I held her for a bit. "I don't want to go in 2nd grade was all I could get out of her." But soon her teacher came out with a tissue and hugged her. I told her I would come by and say hi after I picked up Maia at 10:30. When I got there Avril was at recess with a huge smile on her face. All better. Maia also loved her first day and particularly pleased that she is bringing Magic Treehouse books with her to read on the bus and throughout the day--just like her big sister did in Kindergarten.

The true threshold that was crossed didn't come until today (Friday). Eowyn started school. She is deliriously happy to be finally starting school. "No fair! I have to wait longer." was her response when Avril and Maia started the day before her. I can't believe my baby is in school. Eowyn attends NCS three mornings/week. I did get permission for her to stay the whole day on Fridays and ride the bus home with Maia and Avril since I will be teaching that whole day. That is a major blessing. She was so excited this morning and it took my breath away to see her in her uniform. Adrian was a little thrown too. Eowyn did seem a little hesitant right as it was time to sit in the room. But a dear woman, Mrs. M, is the teacher's aide this year and got out the playdough that Mrs. Rose (the teacher) had made for the kids and gave Eowyn her special bag. That was all it took. Huge smiles from there on out. And to cap off a banner first day, Mrs. Rose had ginger bread cookies for snack time, HOWEVER, there were also cupcakes because one of the kids already celebrated a birthday. Let me just say, "Wow" That is impressive to get the birthday party in on the first day of class. So the highlight of Eowyn's day was to get the cookie and cupcake and giftbag from Mrs. Rose. (I think she's already hit the peak of school. Kindof a bummer to be on the first day of Pre-K, but what are you gonna do?)

I am so excited to see what this year brings. I have entered a new season of life with one quick drop-off at the classroom door. I guess I'm ready for it. Selfishly, I love the idea of several hours a week to work (or whatever) uninterrupted. But it is hard to know that my babies are gone and now I have girls. They need me that much less. But this is just the beginning to many new experiences and memories of life with "big" girls. For that I am profoundly grateful.

Reflections

Through the Precious Blood
By Mark Altrogge
As recorded on Come Weary Saints Lyrics

You have ordained every breath we take
In pleasure or pain, there is no mistake
Gladness and grief, both are in Your hand
And sufferings brief carry out Your plan
And our fleeting sorrows
Will yield an endless prize
When some bright tomorrow
We’ll see You with our eyes, and

Chorus
Grace upon grace flows down, flows down
Grace upon grace flows down, flows down
Through the precious blood of Christ

Father of lights, Giver of all grace
Your mercies crown our lives all our days
River of Life, quench our thirsty souls
For no true delight does Your love withhold
And in every season
We are satisfied
For just one reason
Christ was crucified, and

All good gifts, every good thing
Comes to us freely, so freely
All good gifts, every good thing
Comes to us freely, so freely
Through the precious blood
Through the precious blood

© 2008 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI)

We have sung this song at church several weeks in a row now. I love it. But it's not usual (at least I've never noticed before now) for us to sing the same song week after week. So when this time rolled around I began to wonder what the Lord might be saying to us. As a church I think the message is clear. There have been many, MANY families to move lately, several prominent in the church. It's always so hard to say goodbye to people you love. But the biggest, most far-reaching was the announcement in late June that one of the pastors, Eric Hughes, would be leaving in August with his family to attend the Pastor's College and then begin a church plant somewhere in our mid-south region as early as next summer. Eric has the magnetic personality that draws people in. Everyone loves him and he and his family will be greatly missed.
But I have been going over the lyrics trying to glean what the Lord is saying specifically to me. Saying goodbye to my best friend on the same day as we closed on our house (July 11) was really more emotion than I can handle on a given day. Since then it has been a flurry of activity trying to get as much done in the house as possible before the school year begins. For me, the second half of each verse has filled me with such joy that I can hardly contain myself as we sing the song. "And our fleeting sorrows/Will yield an endless prize/When some bright tomorrow/ We’ll see You with our eyes," "And in every season/We are satisfied/For just one reason/ Christ was crucified" The truth and hope in here is exhilarating. This last line especially, "for just one reason/Christ was crucified," that is the pinnacle of our existence, is it not? He died for us that we can live for Him, in Him. In light of His sacrafice can there be anything we are unwilling to surrender? We love Him--I love Him--there is nothing that I will hold with a closed hand, even the most precious people in my life. Because we know that any separation now is temporary. Eternity lies ahead...