So Goes My Heart

{Sigh.}

No words.
A thrum-drum rhythm, strides
between us. Breath-sized miles
mark time.

Mother's Day

"You are da running girl," he says. Half smile, squint.

























Just like his father, an ocean of love.


















Tide rolls in.

Clippings

Just wanted to say, thank-you to Momma and Mommy-in-law for making this possible. Look at what sweet grassy feet we've gone on and made. Trouncing through the fresh possibilities of our children I pray we grow them so well. Treasure beyond words. Thanks.

Feeling A Little Stressed

I sleep in. They raid the sugar bowl, crunching down big spoonfuls of sugar. I shower. They head out back wearing only undies to mow the grass with safety scissors. I make dinner. Lulie unloads an entire box of Kleenex on the living room rug after practicing first on the wet wipes. Twice. Things are a little better the next day. They take turns eating crystalized honey out of the dish, open and sample a bag of butterscotch chips, and inform me, "Lulu like it when I cut her hair." Are we feeling a little stressed over here?!

Africa here we come!

(Well, Daddy anyway.)

An AWARD

One of my favorite bloggy friends, nominated me for this award! Thanks Daiquiri. It's a treat to be in such good company.

Okay, the rules are that I list 7 things I love and then pass the award on to 7 other bloggers.

1. Running. Settling into the repetition of feet, elbows, breath, and will marking time.
2. Watching the watery blue of my children's eyes when they tell a story.
3. Stout coffee with whip cream.
4. Planting perennials. Wet dirt, cut grass, children fencing with tomato stakes in the the peripheral.
5. Blowing bubbles.
6. A husband who makes me laugh until I cry.
7. Falling into bed at night dog-tired.

And, 7 blogs I love:
Rock Wood Wire *** R. Feuerstein Photography *** Dan and Cerissa *** Building Our Nest *** Olsons *** Wags *** a time for everything

So, You're Going To AFRICA

1. Daddy where will you go pee and poop in Africa?

2. If you go to Africa do you turn black?

2. What does it look like if Africa people get a bruise?

3. How do Africa people get rosy cheeks?

4. Make sure you watch out for hippies (hippos) in the rivers, Daddy.

5. Why when people go to Africa they don't turn black?

6. [Pause.] God could do a miracle and do that. [Eyebrows raised.]

7. Why won't the lions eat you, Daddy?

9. Will a gorilla come to you, Daddy?

10. [Pause.] Cause I'm scared one will actually come to you, Daddy.

11. Are there elephants in Africa?

12. How won't the elephants get some water in their trunks secretly and spray it out on you, Daddy?

13. Where are the toilets in Africa?
























Just a few essentials.

Anyone think of something we missed?

Up to Heaven

(Click on image for better view.)


"So if Great-Grampa chooses Jesus we could hold his hand on the way up to heaven when we die?" It's the little things that matter when you are four, pouring your own milk on morning cereal, pumping highest on the backyard swing, knowing who will hold your hand on the way to heaven. Janie is helping me pack a card for Great-Grampa. We pray for him a lot, all sorts of wonderful things including heaven. We love Great-Grampa as much as the sky. The influence of a good life reaches right down to the horizon and encircles our whole world. What a gift his disciplined life is to us. Even Jane know it.

Our gift to him is the prayers we offer each night. We submit to Jesus our greatest treasures and pray He will save them, that He walk us on to heaven in the footsteps of our fathers. May he know you, Lord. We bow down to our God who made the sky itself and offer up the ones we love into His care.