Another bedtime prayer

Bedtime prayer tonight: "Thank you God for the good day and for the Walsh's as they tell people about God and for us to be safe, and let me, let me, let me be around for a long time because Mommy likes me."

-from my Seth

He has asked about death some lately, and I have assured him that God is in heaven, but that we love him very much and want him to be with us for a long time.

We've been the house of sickness lately...poor Nathan didn't go to school all last week. He had a fever that kept returning and a full cough. It was pleasant playing games, reading, and snuggling with him. Then Robyn came home from school and basically slept from 4 pm Monday until Tuesday at 8:30 am. She had a temp, too. So, she stayed home on Tuesday and Wednesday. I knew she was feeling better on Wednesday when she and Seth had a few spats. If you're able to argue and spat, you must be feeling better! Thankfully, now everything is healthy again.

Just five days of school left until spring break! Teachers and students are READY for a break! We're going to spend some time doing some family things together. Oh, and de-cluttering, organizing, and cleaning, too. Unfortunately, Aaron seems to enjoy following me and undoing whatever I have just done. The kids now know that all bathroom and bedroom doors are to be closed at all times....they're just too interesting for Aaron! I've told people his two favorite places in the house are the kitchen garbage can and any bathroom. He's being redirected often these days. :)

It's 10:14 pm, past my bedtime, and I can't think of much to say, so I will say nothing else.

In the tradition of Paul Harvey,


Good Day!

Fall Tidbits

Thoughts from the Homefront:

• Wow, have the standards changed! Aaron and I were in the kitchen this afternoon and he discovered that exciting kitchen "toy" - the dog's water! Of course it was immediately turned over (thankfully only 1/4 full). My response? I ran for the towel and when I came back, watched him happily patting and slapping the floor and having a grand time with the water. My next response? Let him enjoy himself as I sat and watched him soak himself and listened to him 'chatter' away.


• New fitness workout routine discovered! If you're in need of a varied, active, interesting fitness routine, I suggest . . . volunteering in a kindergarten classroom! I did this for 1.5 hours this morning in Robyn's classroom and it was a happening place. They were doing learning labs, including art, science, math, writing, ABC, and muscle strength labs. They do one lab each time it is learning lab time. Robyn was assigned to art lab today and she cut out a white pumpkin and then tore small parts of green (stem) and orange (pumpkin) paper and glued them on her paper. She enjoyed it and did a nice job. I asked Mrs. Taylor if I could call her if I needed a workout and could come volunteer. :) She had everything so organized and the children knew what they were to do. It was eye-opening what a range of student abilities are present in kindergarten. The best part of the volunteering (I'm scheduled once per month) was Robyn's quiet smiles whenever ours eyes caught each other during my time there. She's been asking when I get to come to her class. It was fun to give her a little hug when I was near her and to sit next to her at lunchtime in the lunch room. She has adjusted to the schedule of kindergarten and often tells us interesting things Mrs. T. taught them. She rather adores Mrs. T., which I think is a special thing for a little girl and her first year in school.


• Bought a bushel of 'seconds' - Courtland & Paula Red varieties. Borrowed a strainer (is that what it's called?) and plan to make & freeze applesauce. My Grandma Richards made a wonderful chunky applesauce, which I made last year. I loved it, but Nathan told me he preferred the 'smooth kind' so we'll try that this year.


• We were able to go on a date Saturday and saw the new movie Fireproof. We knew it featured Kirk Cameron (ooh - a heart-throb of mine during my adolescent years!) and that it was a Christian movie. We weren't sure what to expect as far as the quality of the movie...and we were pleasantly surprised. It had an engaging story line, believable characters, moments of humor in a serious plot, and shared God's love and message clearly. The actors weren't professionals, and that was obvious in spots, but all in all it was impacting - for a marriage in any state, whether strong or suffering - and I highly recommend seeing it. Apparently, even though it is a 'low-budget' film, it has had very high ratings among theatre-goers! Both Ken & I and the couple we went with were touched by the movie's themes. I think anyone who has ever been through troubled times during any relationship can relate to this storyline....I know we all did. Go check it out if you have the chance! It will make you smile, cry (at one poignant spot toward the end of the movie, you could hear sniffling all over our theatre), and think about your relationships with those around you....the real deal.


• Ahh - the weather has been gorgeous here in Kent City/West MI this past week! Love the warm temps and the vibrant fall colors, which seemed to have popped the past few days! Whether driving up our driveway or standing on the deck looking out at the woods, the fall foliage surrounding our home is stunning to me. I can't believe we have so many trees around us - so pretty! We took a family walk on Sunday to our favorite Howard Christiansen Nature Center and wow - the smell of fall was pervasive, the paths crackled with our footsteps, and we were all reminded of what a Master Artist God is.


• Cubbies is Wednesday night - Seth LOVES attending and is proud that he remembers his verse each week. Last week on the 3 mile route to church, he repeated his verse over and over again. Mom: "Seth, do you think you could stop repeating it, please?" "But I don't want to forget it!" Do you know how many times a 3 year old can repeat John 3:33 in 3 miles? Approximately 17. :) And then I thought more about his words - he kept repeating because he didn't want to forget God's Word and Promises. Hmmm - from the mouths of babes.

Ken reminded me that he thinks people enjoy reading short blog entries. Is that true for you? I responded that since my readers weren't my students, they could choose whether to read or not. Being concise is not a skill I possess, but one I should work on...

Enjoy God's artistry today! :)

Note to Self...

When your three year old says, "My throat hurts," remember that to him the throat is in the vicinity of the stomach and you'd better grab a bucket-fast!!!

OR - you may just have to clean yourself, your son, all clothes from both of you, your couch cushion, and your kitchen floor VERY THOROUGHLY.

That was our Thursday morning.

Thankfully, the kitchen floor needed mopping and it had been on my to-do list for a few days. Thank you, Ray, for disinfecting and cleaning that cushion. The kitchen floor has never been so clean. Without going into detail, let's just say that the smell of that stuff almost makes me do it myself.....

Poor Seth. He usually is bouncing with energy, and he was pretty lethargic that day.

Oh - other variations from a three-year-old may include: "My tummy is high," "My tummy is hot," "My tummy is rumbly," and other variations on that theme. Once stomach is settled, introduce other foods very slowly, or you may have a recurrence (we know this from experience, too)

When my kids are sick, it always reminds me of how grateful I must be that they are healthy; that there are children who suffer from illnesses or diseases. A friend just told me about a 16 MONTH old who she saw who has no hair - she talked with the mom and the little guy has cancer and is undergoing treatment. Wow - no complaining. We are blessed - you, too?