First off, Happy Birthday to my little man on Saturday. He's now 8 years old and I told him that he has to stop growing now. He's such a joy and complete replica of my husband. Love you, Isaac!

I had a Valentine's Day surprise delivery. I have no idea who was thoughtful enough to send me joy in the form of a gorgeous bouquet of tulips. Thank you to whoever you are. I absolutely loved them and cannot recall the last time I received flowers...let alone from a secret friend! It did bring me some sunshine my way. Thank you for your thoughts and kind words.

Last week, I was having one of those nights. Tired. Frustrated. Too much to do. No time to do it. And bedtime by myself. Bedtime with four kids. I walked into the living room with a sullen face. Maddie took one look at me and said, "Mom, having a bad day?" I just looked at her with my sad eyes and laid on the floor. (I always do devotions with the kids laying on my belly in the middle of the living room. I still think I'm one of the kids!) Maddie got down off the loveseat and proceed to lay down next to me and rubbed my back. I was on the verge of tears at how my 11 year old ministered to her mom. God was using her to reach me in my time of need.

 

Have you ever found yourself going through the motions of life? That's a very deep question, isn't it? I've felt that way at many times in my life and it's not a good feeling at all. Well, Mark did a hilarious, concrete example of going through the motions of life. A few weeks ago, I received a call from his cell phone. "Stephanie, you will never guess what I just did." That's a scary statement and I was not about to guess! "I just drove a 40-foot yellow school bus home." Sure enough, I noticed a second bus drive by our home right as the kids were getting off their bus. Mark has been driving bus in the afternoons as a fill in. In the midst of daydreaming return trip from his 50 mile bus run, he ended up at our door step. I joked that I would love for him to pick me up in the yellow submarine for our next date night.

Mark and I have become a Great Uncle and Great Aunt once again and again. In November, two of our nieces gave birth to baby girls...and they were big baby girls - both weighing in over 9 lbs. I wanted to introduce you to the newest babies in our family...

 
 

Comments

[Stephanie]

Where'd they get those great announcements? :) All kidding aside, welcome back to blogging, Stephanie! I have missed you. I can't believe Issac is 8!! I think the last time I saw you, he was about 4 months old. Wow. Please know that someone from afar is thinking of you often. Take care!

[Sonny Huisman]

Emry is SO TeSlaa! The first thing I said when I got the birth announcement is: "She looks just like Mark!"