Happy Birthday, Jedidiah and Jack!

Two years ago I was in a hospital room, freshly wounded yet heavily medicated following the most invasive and most miraculous procedure of my life. You guessed it - Jedidiah and Jack were born. Justin and I have experienced so many emotional extremes since their birth, from complete exhaustion to complete joy. Time has not flown in this house of four sons - we have felt every hour of every moment. But that is a blessing. The dark circles under our eyes is proof of our presence for all the important and not-so-important milestones, like when Jack barked at Rolfe for the first time or when Jed took his first steps.

The twins celebrated their birthday today in an age-appropriate manner. They found a box of Honey Nut Cheerios and opened it up - I discovered both of them sitting like little islands in the midst of a Cheerio ocean in the kitchen. With mouths full of cereal, they thought it was hilarious. Then they whined all through dinner at Pick Up Stix despite the new Blue's Clues DVD playing on the portable DVD player. Then they completed the day tearing apart and smashing their birthday cupcakes.

So 731 days ago I was recovering and unknowingly getting my last chance at rest before our official start as a family of 6. Every now and then, when I see or feel my C-section scar, I remember that feeling of fear for the lives of the twins. But today I also chalk it up as evidence of a life more blessed than it was 732 days ago.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Jedidiah and Jack! We love you!

Go Buccaneers!

Jonah had his first T-ball game today - well, it was really a scrimmage, but considering he got all dressed up in his uniform with his new cleats, it might as well have been a "real" game. He'd been looking forward to this day since the first day of practice. He got a piece of the ball his first time at bat, got a hit the second time, and struck out the third time. Thank God he was having fun and managed to pay attention to the game and to what his coach was saying (how many of you remember the story of him chasing his shadow during his soccer game when he was 4?). I saw pleasure in his Daddy's eyes when Jonah exhibited a fair amount of athleticism, and Mommy was pleased at how cute he looked. As we embark on another extracurricular adventure, I pray that the excitement we all felt today will last as long as Jonah's desire to play - and I pray that he can reuse his uniform next season 'cause it wasn't cheap!

Happy Birthday, Justin!

Today is Justin's birthday. We celebrated a little early last night when I tried to surprise him by having my family over for dinner. Even though the surprise didn't work out, we still had a great time celebrating another year with plenty of lemon cake to go around. Then Justin continued his "celebration" into the wee hours of the morning - he still had to complete the report cards for his students to be handed out today. So he started his actual birthday on 3 hours of sleep, but hopefully enjoyed a nice end to it after watching "The Empire Strikes Back" with all of us together.

I came across a verse today that I assigned to James for his writing practice, but I believe it's an accurate description of Justin, especially for today:

"But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day". Proverbs 4:18

In the words of the Hallmark card I gave him, he is a strong, supportive source of love and encouragement to me and our sons. The path he takes is difficult but devoted to God, and he wears his faith on his sleeve for all to see. Though he and I know that life could be easier, his faithfulness becomes stronger every day and helps to brighten my own way, moment by moment, "unto the perfect day". I am blessed to be with him another year, and having Justin as my husband makes me feel like the perfect day has already arrived.

Happy Birthday, Justin!

Apple Apple

Just the other day I was watching some Asian channel. There were two Japanese chefs cooking something that had to do with apples and one said to the other in a heavy Japanese accent: "Apple. Just like the first word we learned in English school!" Well, today began Jedidiah's "English school" because he said apple. Aaaaa-pple! I guess it sounds more like "ah-poh", but it counts! A smidgen of progress in his language skills, but progress nonetheless. Now I can't wait to hear him utter "pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis".

Spelling Test

Regardless of my mood, school has to get done. No question. But that doesn't mean that my mood doesn't affect the school day, because it does. It really does. Take for example Jonah's spelling test last week. I tell him the word, use it in a sentence so he understands the meaning, then I repeat the word and he writes it down. Here are the words and my sentences for the last test:

1. loudest - Mommy is the loudest when she is yelling.
2. eaten - I wish you had eaten your breakfast in less than one hour.
3. kindly - Kindly write down this word fast so we can get to the next word already.
4. lunches - Mommy makes everyone's lunches and doesn't hear "Thank You" from anybody.
5. faster - Please finish your work faster and don't dilly-dally.
6. helper - It would be nice if I had a helper to help me take care of all you kids.
7. classes - Sometimes Mommy thinks it would be better if you took classes at a public school.
8. dishes - No matter how often I wash, there is always a sink full of dishes.
9. sleepy - Mommy does so much work around here it's no wonder she's sleepy at 8:00.
10. biggest - I have the biggest headache right now.
11. frozen - Sometimes it seems like your brain is frozen because it takes you so long to do your work.
12. slowly - Please do not write slowly but quickly. And get it right.
13. every - Every time I ask you to do something I have to ask you again and that makes me angry.
14. houses - Ours is one of the messiest houses on our street.
15. very - Mommy is very, very. very tired.
16. frosty - Mommy can be frosty but it also means when there's ice on the cars or on the grass.
17. taken - I should have taken two Tylenol this morning.
18. washes - Who washes clothes in this house? You don't. I do.
19. softly - You have a problem walking softly down the hallway when the babies are asleep.
20. winner - The winner is the one who doesn't have four kids.

Jonah got 100%.