Happy 5th Birthday Claire !!!

She's the quiet one. She's slow to warm, quick to observe, and only invokes the deep belly laughs when called for. She's not one to complain or whine over every injustice and is just starting to recognize and speak her own mind. Change and new situations are not things that make her comfortable ... but comfy jammies, books, her family, and "not soft blue bear" do.

She's five years old today ... and sporting a brand new haircut (because she saw fit to start the hair modification process herself). We think it makes her look at least six ... or six and a half.

So, how did she celebrate today? With a bunch of adoring ladies at the salon oohing and ahhing over the new do, followed by the entire beta fish swim team (and coaches) singing to her after swim practice... finished up with presents, chocolate cake with all the princess-y trimmings and an assortment of bedtime stories.

What makes this five year old girl smile? New nightgowns (no pajamas "with legs") for her anymore, Littlest Pet Shop accessories, and anything Barbie. And... of course.... the whipped icing off of her cake. Not necessarily the cake itself.

Happy Birthday Claire. We love your blossoming personality, willingness to try new things, and developing dry sense of humor. Love you.

Big Boy Haircut

Apparently, at Claire's soccer game Saturday morning, Monte got equal compliments on our "cute little boy" and "darling little girl." I thought that was really nice ... until he told me everyone was talking about Cooper. Wearing blue. All over.

OK - as much as I love the curls, it was time to cut the hair. I didn't even bother to take the camera. I predicted he would be a fart in a skillet... and he was. I knew what his reaction would be. I just wasn't prepared for mine. Tears. Quite a few. It' s a really good thing I went to our family hair place. All the girls know me (and all the kids) and they treated us like family. Of course, they've known Cooper as long as I have. Kleenex, Diet Coke, knowing glances, and a few tears later, it was all done. He looks like a boy. And about three years old.

I still can't get him to slow down long enough to get a good shot of the curl-less wonder. This is the best I can do. Wish I could slow time down just a little bit.

Authenticity....

I read a few blogs. Not as many as I'd like to... but a few just really give me perspective and make me chuckle. I've noticed a theme in them lately. They are authentic. Not too dreary... not too syrupy. Just right. There is real life in them. Not just the parts they want everyone to see.

I've also realized that's how I want my kids to remember their lives when they read this years down the road. So, in the spirit of full disclosure, this is what my Tuesday morning sounded like.

(I'm putting Claire's hair in a bun for ballet lessons... already at my friend's house... already late for work...)

I'm noticing Claire now has some sort of "bang" thing going on with her hair. Certainly not something there the day before. Certainly NOT anything I had paid for...

Me: "Claire... who cut your hair?"

Claire: (avoiding eye contact) "I don't know."

Me: (recalling my years of psychology) "OK... where is the hair that someone mysteriously cut?"

Claire: (looking relieved) "Oh... it's under the bed... in the basement."

Me: (torn between cracking up and choking her) "Do you know where the scissors are that cut the hair that someone put under the bed?"

Claire: (proud of herself for knowing yet another answer) "Yep... it's under the pillow."

Sigh. It took five years to grow out that curly hair to make it long enough to wear in a bun. As my friends have pointed out, it could have been alot worse. It's not too bad really. And... because she's going to be wearing a headband until she's 10, you probably won't even notice it.

Prayers for Kate

There is a young family with a daughter facing a malignant brain tumor. Kate's parents are devout Christians (he's a pastor) and they blog from the heart about the journey they are facing. Her blog is authentic, heart-wrenching and inspiring. Today they have an MRI to determine if their daughter's tumor is growing, shrinking, or something in between. What they must be going through. Please take a moment to include this family in your prayers.... caringbridge.org/visit/mcraekate

Beach Babes (and babies).... Part Two

It's been a week since we got back home from our trip to the beach ... and I just found SAND (again) when doing laundry. Does sand reproduce?

I don't think I can explain how cathartic the water is for all of us. I have always loved the water... river, lake, pool, or ocean ... it's calming effects, rhythmic sounds, smells. It was just incredible to see how the kids reacted to it. We could have stayed several more hours and they wouldn't have tired of it. It was hypnotic.

Did I mention the sand? Cooper tasted one bite and decided that it was better between the toes than in the mouth. "The bigs" chased, dug, ran, buried, rolled, climbed and tumbled down sand hills until I wondered how they'd ever have the strength to stand up again.

It was a totally impromptu trip... but one DEFINITELY orchestrated by God. More of that later. I just love that they are still talking about that day. No TV, friends, playdates, or video games. Just water, wind.... and SAND.

Beach Babes (and babies).... Part One

As luck would have it, Weko Beach was only about 10 miles from Lemon Creek Winery/Orchard. We visited once before, on an impromptu get-away right before the start of school. We love the Lake Michigan beaches this time of year... still warm enough for sand and water exploration... but not throngs of people. That's important when you are trying to supervise four very independent little people.

Keep in mind, we had NO plans to visit a beach when we took off in the morning .. so we had no suits, no toys, no towels. I don't think they minded. The waves were big, the sand was plenty, and the soft pretzels came with cheese (and a fantastic view).

Lemon Creek Winery/Orchard

Anyone who knows us is well aware of our affection for all things wine-related in Michigan. Lemon Creek Winery has expanded in recent years to include u-pick fruits of all varieties. They also have a tasting room, some chilled bottles and an asundry of cheeses and crackers. Alas, we were not able to convince the children to "sit quietly while we went to the tasting room." Another day perhaps. In about 10 years.

We were able to ride the hayride to the fields and pick peaches, nectarines, plums, apples, and raspberries to our heart's content. Or, in our case, when the kids became convinced they were too "smokin' hot" to continue.

Everyone had a great time but Cooper was truly in his element... all the sticks, farm dogs, and fruit he could eat. I'm quite sure we would have never let Emma just walk around eating fruit off the ground, but somehow... we just let him be. And he couldn't have been happier.

Spontaneous? Who Us?

I don't know if spontaneous would be the first adjective to roll off my lips when describing our family. I'ts not that we don't love the IDEA of spontaneity, it just isn't always practical.

So imagine our surprise when we woke up Sunday morning with no plans. We were loving it... made a big breakfast, finished a pot of coffee, laying around in our jammies.... when it hit us. A memory... followed by an idea.

Remember last year when we drove to Michigan to that orchard to pick peaches? How far was that? Where was it? Hmmm...

I'll post more about how much fun we had, but for now, here are some orchard pictures that I think are just "delicious."

Prayers for Papa Update....

Thank you to everyone (near and far) who have called, emailed, and prayed. Proof positive that I know some of the best prayer warriors out there!

Our prayers were answered and he has come through surgery and recovery better than expected. As of last night, he is off the ventilator, moved to a regular room, and has been up and walking with PT. Those of us who have worked in ICU know what a miracle that is.

We'll be able to visit with him soon at home. I'm sure he'll appreciate a (short) visit by the grandkids to help pass the time. Thanks again friends. God Bless!

Prayers for Papa

Calling all prayer warriors!

Tomorrow my father will go in for surgery to address an aneursym and also bilateral leg bypass. While we do not expect anything outside of routine, we'd all appreciate some prayers on his behalf for a successful surgery and a speedy and complete recovery.

Get well soon Papa ... the fish are waiting (and so are the grandkids!)

Thanks guys... we'll keep you "posted."

Snippets From Summer ... Pfeifer-fest!!!

We were so happy to be able to spend time this summer with our favorite "honorary cousins" - the Pfeifer family. I consider their mother to be as near a sister as I can imagine ... and our children (all seven now) are pretty similiarly tempered. Hmmm.... that sounded diplomatic didn't it?

Anyway, while at their house ... we were so busy attending Vacation Bible School that I didn't get many pictures. They stopped by our house for a few days on the way back from a visit out east and we were able to show them a few Fort Wayne sites ... including a Tin-Caps game and our children's zoo. We also squeezed in time for fishing, smore-making, and a movie night.

Our visits always go too quickly ... but it's so nice to have a relationship that so easily picks up where it left off the last time.

Snippets From Summer ... Part 2

My girls. I got a new appreciation for them this summer as they rallied to every occasion... from training a wild rescue labrador puppy to watching a wiggly toddler to tolerating looooong drives in the car.

They are as different as they can be. Different builds, skin tone, temprament, tastes, preferences. Common ground includes a love for animals, playdates, their bunkbeds and bedtime stories.

I'm so glad you have each other and I can't wait to see where God leads each of you.

Backblogging ... Snippets of Summer Part I

I admit ... I haven't done a great job of documenting our summer. I'd like to blame it all on the little toddler wreaking havoc around the house ... but it's not all him. It's most likely a combination of the dog, the toddler, the other three hoodlums, working ... and just being TIRED at the end of the day. Anyway, last week the kids got to visit BOTH sets of grandparents. That's kid-talk for paradise ....

They got to spend four days at Camp Nana-Papa where the got to ride the horse, go the county fair, watch their first demolition derby, and go swimming during an overnight hotel stay.

At the end of the week, we drove them the seven hours (yep...) to Grandma and Grandpa so they could meet Cooper. The kids loved climbing the tree in their front yard and racing around the golf course across the street. Cooper got to spend a solo night there while we took the "big three" to Holiday World in Santa Claus, IN. Great park... very clean and super family friendly ... in case you are ever down in southern Indiana looking for something to do.

It was a great way to spend some quality time with the big kids and create some great memories before the start of school. Thank you to both sets of grandparents for spending some time with us!

Introducing ... our 3rd and 1st graders.....

We all thought this day would NEVER come. Emma was convinced the bus would be late. Grayson was positive he'd remain a kindergartner forever. Claire was just mad everyone else was starting school and she would remain here with me (and Cooper) with NOTHING to do.

But alas ... at 8:50... the yellow bus to freedom arrived and took the entire gaggle of neighborhood kids to Covington. First in line were my 3rd and 1st graders.

They were all about the first day of school picture. But there were some changes this year that mark the onset of "I care about what my friends think."

Note Grayson's spiky hair cut. His "I'm no longer low man on the totem pole" stance. His cool outfit. That matches. With nary a stain.

Emma's hair. It has to be down. An accessory is a must. It must have taken 10 minutes to get the scarf "just right." The shirt is new. So the pants have to be old. I guess there is some sort of rule about that these days.

Claire and Cooper have been a bit beside themselves today. They miss them. I admit... I have too. Aside from the grocery store run with (only) two kids, it just hasn't been the same around here. Good thing the bus comes in 45 minutes.

Congratulations Hannah

My cousin's daughter is heading off to college tomorrow. I'd like to say a few things to her and her family before she goes.

Hannah - you are a beautiful and talented young woman. It has been an honor and a privilege to watch you grow into the adult you are. My children look up to you as a cousin and a mentor. No pressure...

You are more ready than most to take on this college thing. That being said, it won't be easy. So much adjustment... so many challenges. Trust your instincts, your core values, and "what your mama taught ya." Everyone that knows you believes you can .. and knows you will.

Kim, Jim, Daniel and Olivia (and Alex too) ... you have done an amazing job as a family. I'll be thinking of all of you tomorrow. And Olivia ... it is considered polite to wait 24 hours before pilfering any of Hannah's stuff from her room. Just so you know.

Wow. This is all so exciting. And terrifying. Makes me glad all I'm tackling this week is getting the right school shoes.

Happy 1st Birthday Cooper!

On August 15th, our little guy turned the corner to toddlerhood. We spent the day in Rock Falls (my class reunion) so Cooper was able to continue the "cake tradition." His birthday cakes were made by the same lady who made our wedding cake and all the kids' first cakes.

He caught to the self-feeding pretty quickly and essentially devoured his little cake. I kept waiting for smiles so I could catch the frosting covered grin ... but he was way too serious about eating. His siblings were all too happy to help with eating the other cake ... and helping him open the gifts.

We can't believe how fast the year has gone. He's a walking, jabbering, baby-signing, straw-drinking, two-napping, kiss-giving, truck-loving, curl-wearing, book-chewing bundle of boy. We couldn't be more blessed. Happy birthday buddy.

A Night With the African Children's Choir...

I have always wanted to see the African Children's Choir perform. As God would have it, they performed last night at a church here in town. I called a friend of mine and off we went.

If you ever get a chance... GO. What a combination of talent, energy, despair, and hope. We laughed, we cried, we prayed and we sang.

The kids (we had six between us) got glimpses of real life for children in rural tribes in Africa. Their eyes widened when the speaker indicated that most members of the choir had lost either one or both parents. Mouths dropped when the screen showed pictures of their homes and country.

We opted to get T-shirts. They wanted them because they were cool. I wanted them because I wanted them to remember this night. For so many reasons.

Trophy Day

Claire barely slept Monday night in anticipation of Tuesday... aka "Soccer Trophy Day."

It was the day she'd been waiting for .... after 8 long weeks of playing soccer ...for 45 minutes once a week... against other 4-5 year olds.... with frequent water breaks.... filled with "drills" like "red light/green light and "animal charades" ...always followed up by Dairy Queen.... you can see how it was grueling for her.

She reveled in the drills, hustled in the scrimmage, and positively BEAMED when the coach handed out the trophy.

Atta girl Claire. We are proud of you for trying something new, prouder of you for sticking with it when you weren't sure you would like it, and proudest of you for wanting to do it again in the fall.

Zoo Shots From the Master...

Our friend Sarah and her lovely family accompanied us to the zoo yesterday and she captured some great shots of my kids. She's got quite the eye for that sort of thing. Click on the link to her site and take a quick look. You may want to bookmark it ...photos of her daughter often make my heart skip a beat....www.mylittlelantern.com/2009/07/for-amy.html