Marie

Sitting still

| Stacy

John has often said that one great thing about having a baby is you get more rest.  People often balk, “More rest!?”  And go on to cite the night time wakings and rockings.  But as John points out – babies like to be held.  They like to eat, like to sleep, and like to be held.  And it is hard to do a lot when you are holding…  so – we rest. 
I think God meant it that way, really.

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But – as the older kids have gotten bigger, he and I seem to have fewer opportunities to hold and rest…  There is always someone else interested in the holding.

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What a lucky Ducky!

That Flashing Thing

| Stacy

“Hmmmm.  It seems every time my eyes are open that Mommy-lady is holding that big black thing in front of her face and making it light up.  She talks about something called, ‘Cheese.’”
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Fully Dressed

| Stacy
When I was six, or eight, or ten, I could not name the elements to the Full Armor of God.  Truth be told, I didn’t know them until about age 33.  Sometimes I am so envious of my kids.  My prayer is that while it is just being absorbed now, that later on it will be valued by them.
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We did this activity once before almost five years ago.As a matter of fact, it was included in my first blog post.
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I suspect I will have the opportunity to supervise the same project at least one more time, in another 5 or so years, with Johanna and Ducky.  Stewart will be 17 then. 
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I am so blessed.
5/19/2008

Father-Daughter Dance for American Heritage Girls

| Stacy
It was one of those weeks where fitting in ONE.MORE.THING. was going to hurt.  But Monday night at club, when the girls suddenly realized it was the week that AHG was having it’s Father-Daughter dance, they each turned and looked at me with hope-filled, beseeching eyes.  I had completely forgotten about it coming up.
Out came my cell phone, quick call to Daddy, “Could you, maybe, possibly, squeeze in a night of dancing… this Thursday.  Like three days away?” 
John’s reply was, “Do my girls want to go dancing?”
I admitted, “Oh.  Yes,” sigh, “yes.”
Somehow we got a dish-to-pass made.  We found dresses. Nan ironed them.  I braided one head.  John found a plaid shirt.  Then picked up a baby with a leaky diaper and got stained.  Found another plaid shirt.  It needed a button.  He sewed on another button while I braided another head.  And they stopped long enough for a picture before running out the door with huge smiles.  And yes, a little lipstick and blush.
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While they didn’t get any pictures of either girl WITH Daddy… they all assured me they got lots of turns dancing with him.
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What will they do?

| Stacy

I had just walked the speech teacher to the door.
The piano teacher had one student left.
Where were the girls to play with Johanna so I could do language with Nigel?
It was so quiet.
Then I heard it.
Giggling.
In the bathroom.

This is okay? Right? Right? Good homeschool fun? I should be glad they are growing up together. Right? They could be stuck in lines waiting to walk to art. But here they can BE art! Right?

She’s “Kitty.” A Danger Ranger.

My most diligent worker

| Stacy

She’s up before me these days as I struggle with sleep.
She has her math, spelling, and reading done before 7:00 AM.
And she’s taken to emptying the dishwasher everyday, not just the days she’s assigned.
I’m praying about a way to recognize her efforts, but my normal way would be to take her out for dinner just the two of us and that’s not an option right now.
Something will come to me.
She’s as helpful as Squanto ever was.