Lazy daze of summer

We are off and running in the summer of '09. The last two weeks have been filled mostly with vacation bible schools. Hannah, Sophie, and Isaac all had a blast learning about Jesus and singing great songs to the King of Kings!! The weather has been less than favorable so its a good thing we had VBS to fall back on.

Last week, Isaac started tball. He woke up early, put on his spider man baseball cap and wore his glove around until it was time to leave. I was anxious to see what he would do since he has never stepped foot on a field.

We go to the field and from the moment we arrived until the moment we left, he never stopped grinning. The sweetest, most genuinely happy grin a kid can have. For starters, he proudly took his place at home to swing the bat and he nailed it! Then, ran like the wind to first and proudly looked back at us to get the thumbs up. Precious. He ran around the bases and then raced passed home with his hand high in the air pumping his fists in victory. I am convinced that its in a boys blood to play baseball.

In the field, he ran after the ball, threw it in, and didn't have a clue about tagging the bases. Once told to the tag the base, he tagged it every time the ball was hit, with or without the ball. (mostly without) Afterwards, we walked back to the van and he triumphantly announced "That was awesome!" I think we are enjoying the first of many fun summers of baseball.

Little Buddy's Big Day

It's official. We are a family that no longer uses training wheels.
On his very first attempt, our precious little Isaac went sailing off into the wild blue yonder.

Fight Like a Girl

To my sisters in Christ,

I am trying to wrap my brain around the way God works out all details into conformity to His will and will try to convey to you exactly what this weekend meant to me. The story of Esther is deeply personal to me in that He has reversed my own destiny in a miraculous way. It is a priviledge to be able to savor complete redemption and then be used for His Glory!!

Truly, you girls are amazing. I love you deeply although we have been in each others lives a relatively short period of time. I feel as if our hearts are knit together "for such a time as this". Because I lost my own sister at a very young age and have never shared in that type of relationship as an adult, I am constantly amazed as to the way God fills in that gap for me. If I could hand pick some sisters, I would pick you.

After my mom went home to be with the Lord last fall, everything changed regarding family. Not only am I without a sister, I am without a mom now. There are things moms do that no one else can do. Especially on birthdays. No one loves you like your mom and makes your feel special like your mom. I was dreading my birthday. Two reasons...one, I am almost 40. Yikes. Where has life gone? Two....I didn't want another reminder that my mom is not here. God knew how much my heart could take and in His sovereignty, He placed me on retreat. He took me out of my element and into a place of rest. He placed me with women I dearly love and allowed me to be a mouthpiece to speak of His truth. He allowed me to serve instead of sit around feeling sorry for myself. I thought the day would come and go without any fanfare...that's truly what I wanted. However, God knew differently.

Seriously, I don't know of how it could have been any better. That song we sang...He loves us, oh how He loves us.... its true! He cares for us so deeply. He knows how wounded we are and then gently, He hides us in the cleft of the rock....covering us with His hand and passes by. In His wisdom, He gives us a glimpse of His backside. The tiniest peek at what He is doing. I see how He covered my heart with His tender hand and whispered in my ear all the things I needed to hear.

God used you in my life in a way I can hardly fathom. Thank you for loving me, for being my sisters in Christ, and for making a huge impact in my life. You made me laugh the hardest I have laughed in a very, very long time. You made me cry sweet tears because of your care, love and tenderness. You were Jesus to me this weekend.

I love you,
Michelle

ps. My mom wrote birthday cards out to each of us in the last week before she went home to be with the Lord. I really didn't want to see that card on Saturday. God made a way so that didn't happen. I opened that card today and sat and cried my eyes out all by myself. It compels me to write you and tell you how much you mean to me. The card is beautiful...the last line she wrote is this..." Wish we could have had more time, but God's timing is perfect."

Don't waste any time....K?

Sophia's best day

As Troy likes to say, all days are good. It's just some days are a little better than others. Today was Sophia's best day. She has been spending a great deal of time leaning into the fence in our back yard and reaching her short arm through to the other side to pet the basset hound in the neighbors yard. There is not question that the dog is extremely cute. Being the dog lover in the family, she is enthralled with the pooch. This afternoon, the dog could not take it any longer and nuzzled the concrete block from under the fence and made her way to our yard. "Pearl" ran around the yard, chasing balls, and jumping all over the six children following after her. The photographer, a.k.a. mom, was mauled by the pup as well when attempting to take the photos. It was worth it.

Flood Prep

Living in Fargo has proved to be quite challenging for several reasons. However, at the top of the list has got to be dealing with the weather here. The Olson's always told us living in Fargo was much different than southern Minnesota or anywhere else in the Midwest. I didn't believe them for a second. I have lived in the Dakota's or in MN for most of my life and have experienced my share of snow,wind, and rain. However, I must say....the Olson's were right. There is no other place ON THE EARTH as troubling as they weather pattern in Fargo.

Currently, thousands of people are filling sandbags and then distributing them around the neighborhoods expecting the greatest deal of flooding from the Red River. We are very close to the river, but seem to be on one of the higher spots in the neighborhood. Such an interesting concept when everything in the Red River Valley is flat.

McKenzie has done her part and carried sandbags for three days in a row now. Last night, we made two big pots of chili to feed the hungry sandbaggers. (Sounds like a nasty name doesn't it? or at least something my dad calls Troy!) I keep telling Troy "Don't just sit there! Do something! Our city is going under!!" totally kidding...he has done his part too!!

We all have to pitch in and help,but I can't help but think that Jesus is still the God of this City and the King of these people. He is in control. In that, we rest.

If you have the chance to go to Chuck E Cheese for a birthday party, pass on that!

We celebrated Isaac's fifth birthday with his buddies at Chuck E Cheeses last weekend. WOW. That is a crazy place to be on a Saturday afternoon! Lots going on "where a kid can be a kid"! Isaac would have nothing to do with Chuck himself. Waved from afar and that was good enough for him. Why wouldn't a kid be a little freaked out by that? His little friend in the corner refused to look at the camera when a picture was taken. He was a little overwhelmed by all the commotion too I think! Isaac had a blast and therefore, mission accomplished!

Quotes never to be forgotten

Troy and I left on Friday, the 27th, to head to Fairmont to get our things from the old house. As I was giving out hugs and kisses to the kids, I got to Sophia and said "I love you!" and "See you in three days!" She replied, "That's three whole days that you won't have to yell at me!" I didn't know whether to laugh or to cry. Let me tell ya, it was a moment of deep reflection on my part.

We celebrated Isaac's 5th birthday today and he was so thrilled and excited to have a day all of his own. As we were getting dressed for the day he said "Mom, I feel like I am five today. And it feels goooood!" Priceless. Kids say the darndest things.