it's that important

If I could give every child in the world a treehouse,

I would.

It's that important.

Especially these days, when we as parents must fight for childhood.

We must protect it.

Even promote it.

So, who do we call but the biggest kid I know...

Uncle Garth.

I knew that he would understand what Aaron and I envisioned.

And now that it's finished I realize one more thing...

It's not just for the kids...

They love it of course,

but,

I adore it.

Thank you Uncle Garth.

renovate my heart

We have a new kitchen.

It was a gift from Nana, Grandpa, & Aaron's Uncle Terry...(who loved to cook.)

We are blessed beyond measure. It was finished today. Just in time for more mouths to feed...more hearts to fill.

And in all of this tearing out and making new I've changed too.

For three months I've welcomed strangers into my home.

Every morning.

Our home was invaded.

I thought I would be anxious.

I thought I would get stingy with my space.

But I didn't.

I even looked forward to seeing our contractors...making them coffee and learning about their lives.

Just because I'm quiet or private doesn't mean I don't love others.

I just fear others seeing how much I love them...and them finding it strange, or worse yet...not loving me in return.

But that doesn't  matter so much anymore.

Perfect love casts out fear. 

Let it be said, that there is no fear in this new kitchen...or in me.

He stripped me down to nothing and renovated my heart.

Jesus is still a Carpenter.

fourteen

Life has been very busy...so busy that our anniversary literally jumped up on us, almost unnoticed.

We managed an evening drive down Sunnyview, farms and golden fields rolling by.

We shared a kiss under the bell of the little country church where we made our promises to love and cherish fourteen years ago.

We stopped by an out of the way pub and smiled over burgers and beer.

It was blissfully uneventful.

We must be grown ups now.

Welcoming Home

This week our family grows by four more souls.

We open our home and our hearts to my older brother, Lorn, Dory, Barrett & Audrey.

The playroom has been cleared out and prepared as an apartment of sorts for Uncle Lorn & Auntie Dory.

AbbySue has been over the moon with excitement to share her room with her beloved cousin, Audrey.

And sixteen year old Barrett will make the attic his own teenage getaway. (Ben said, "I won't be the only boy anymore!)

This Old House has space to spare...and I admit that when we first moved in, I was a bit resentful for the extra cleaning it has required. Still, Grace abounds, and we have been given so very much...more than enough. These things are not ours to keep...they are His to share. We are challenged and blessed.

Proverbs 3:27
"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it."

Romans 12:13
"Contribute to the needs of the brethren, be given to hospitality." 

 Audrey's "room"

 Barrett's space

 Uncle Lorn & Auntie Dory's "apartment".

"Now we are six..." A.A. Milne

Elizabeth Jane, 

You came into our lives six years ago today....and your Daddy and I have never met a more determined heart.

Determined to Love. Determined to Serve. And, Determined to Endure.

Your quiet spirit cannot contain the way you feel about your family and about the beauty of God's creation.

You notice details. You hear details.

There is nothing more precious to you than the gift of time shared with those you love. You guard your heart and the depth of your thoughts.

Today was a day to celebrate the gift of you. You were so excited. Daddy bought you a tea cup covered in wild pink roses, because you love tea...you already make it by yourself. Mommy found you a pair of vintage white gloves and an old Nancy Drew Mystery. You smiled wide before pancakes stacked high, topped with a glowing candle. The Birthday Song makes you blush, so you made your own quiet wish.

Remaining true to your character, today ended up becoming more about showing us how much you love.

You gave away your birthday balloons, you carefully arranged a simple after school snack for your brother and sister. You wore your waitress dress.You served and served until the sun set...because that is your gift and that is your truest joy...to help....to serve. 

For you it's in the doing and not the saying that you speak love and thankfulness.

What a treasure you are.

I hear you,

~Mommy