Dear Mark,

I know this has been a season of transition for you. You were uprooted from all your friends & familiar surroundings in private school & made to start fresh in public school. But you have made us so proud with your good attitude. After a little hesitance, you accepted this change with an adventurous spirit!

After only 4 days in public school, your true character has already shone brightly. And this has also made us so proud! On your first day, you stood up to a kid who was defacing bus property. On your second day, you kindly shared with a girl who was without, even amongst teasing from other kids who don't understand a giving spirit, and assumed you were crushing on the girl. And today, you protected Reese on the bus by telling a loud-mouth kid to quit swearing in front of your little brother!

I love how willing you are to take a stand for what is right. And I love how fearlessly you face each situation. You are not swayed by what others might think of you. You are a leader at heart. And I just can't wait to see how the Lord is going to use your strength and conviction to affect this world! How I love you, buddy! XOXO

When we go out......

Analytical Mark is the first to ask, "Where are we going?"

Social bug Marina is the first to ask, "Who will be there?"

And homebody Reese is the first to ask, "When can we go home?"

First Day of School '09

Little Marina began 4yr old preschool today! She has been so excited all week! She is lucky enough to have her best gal pal, Ava, in her class as well. :)


Reese is starting 1st grade! He is such a big boy! We took him to meet his new teacher earlier this week. Reese enjoyed checking out his new classroom and sitting at his new desk. I think it will be a fun year for him. We are so proud! He was excited to ride the bus with his big brother for the first time. Next year he will riding with his sister. I love the memories these kids are creating w/ each other! :)


Mark is entering 5th grade this year. It's a year of great change for him, because he is making the switch over to public school, after attending christian school for 6 years! He really misses his friends. But he is excited to meet new people, try something new, and not have to wear school uniforms! lol!

He is also very excited to be able to ride the bus with his little brother. :)

A Milestone

This week I have truly hit a milestone!
All 3 of my kids are in school! Mark just entered 5th grade, Reese entered 1st, & Marina just began preschool. Wow! I'm a working woman now, with no kiddies at home!

It's so strange. I didn't think this day would come so soon! It makes me realize that all the long sleepless nights, the potty training, the nursing & cuddling, the midnight feedings, heavy carseat carriers, unattractive maternity clothes, stretch marks, etc....EVERYTHING!!! It all was worth it! And it all was for a short season in life.

Now I enter a new phase in life. It's a super fun one too! School projects, after school sports, youth group lockins, weekend sleepovers, chauffering preteens to the movies, etc, etc....that's the next phase in life. And I'm so excited!

For a time, while the kids were infants and toddlers, I felt like I had completely lost my identity. It was so hard! I became a burp cloth. A pillow. A machine that met needs. At least that's what it felt like at times. I also enjoyed their first smiles, first steps, and every dimple & chubby little finger grasp. But thru it all, I felt like I had lost my own identity. Life was wrapped up in the tasks and responsiblilities of motherhood....with very little reward involved. At least not immediate reward. No paycheck. No "thank you's." No bonuses. LOL. In its early stages, motherhood is an investment of time, sweat, and even tears.......with no visible gain in sight. We do it out of love for our sweet bundle of joy...and for the sheer knowledge that someday we will reap the benefit of the long season of sowing.

Well, sure enough, I'm finally at that stage of reaping! I see my kids entering social situations with confidence and the knowledge of what's right and wrong. I see them enjoying different experiences and accomplishing many things. It's awesome! And little by little it's my turn to gain some more of that identity back....beyond simple motherhood. I'm free to take on an office job, spend time working out, fit into clothes that I like for fashion rather than function, etc.

It's a very surreal time in my life. I don't know why. I guess it takes awhile to readjust the way I think about myself and about life, after living in a certain mindframe for over 10 yrs. But I'm excited for what's to come. And I want to encourage other new moms to hang in there. Motherhood is fun. And rewarding. But it can also be tedious and unforgiving. It's in those times I want to say, hang in there! The fun is on the way! And you'll appreciate every moment invested into those little guys when you see them bloom into the confident, happy, smart little boogers you'd hoped for.

So, here I am...super excited to journal all the coming stories and experiences that come with this next season in life. But first, here's a video I came across in my archives. It's one of my favorites of the kids when they were so little. Poor Marina!


Tough Girl...

Summer has come and gone!

I can't believe I haven't found time to update ALL SUMMER LONG! It's been that jam-packed and amazing! After Kid's Camp, I plan to sit down and do some pic uploading and journaling. :) That's right! I said KID'S CAMP!!! So exciting! Sunday, August 9 we head down to Carlinville to prepare for the 85 campers that will be arriving Monday afternoon for an amazing, powerful camp experience! Check out our Kid's Camp blogsite all week long for updates on our crazy games, messy field competitions, and awesome worship services. http://kidsconnectioncamp.blogspot.com Please pray for our safety and wisdom in reaching these young kids for Christ.