A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words - three's a charm

June 21, 2013

Graduation Dinner, Medical College of Wisconsin

It is finished.

 

 

Today the doctor's surgical training comes to an end.  In true dramatic fashion, while studying the Word early this morning, his pager went off, piercing staccato filling the quiet.  As I watched him abruptly exit the office, I was overcome with affection for my husband.  After seven years of training, head bent over books, countless hours clocked in the operating room developing his skill set, and riding the inevitable waves of uncertainty, anxiety, and exhaustion, he will wake tomorrow a student no more.  And, with this realization, he will inevitably wake to increased levels of anxiety and doubt as he embraces his new found freedom.  He is ready; however.  In him, I have full confidence.  My heart swells with pride (the good kind), as I consider his accomplishments.  My heart is overcome with gratitude as I reflect on our journey, God's constant and faithful leading,and the memories we have made.  And, it is with great enthusiasm that I (once again) pack up our rental home in preparation for moving day, anticipating the home that awaits us in Fitchburg, WI. 

 



A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words - summa time



Father's Day '13

You wake before the sun,

Pen in hand you write and pray

 

On post-its bright a thoughtful quote,

A reminder for another day

 

 

 

Amazing grace so freely given,

You seek to understand

 

His love radical and unchanging,

Your life held in His hands

 

 

 

To whom much has been given,

In humility, you seek to live

 

Considerate of those in need,

So freely you often give

 

 

 

Providing us a love secure,

To us, you are protection

 

The recipient of our good and bad,

The keeper of our affections

 

 

 

On shoulders strong you bear the weight,

Hard working in all you do

 

Role model, partner, father,

Grateful are we, for you

 

 



Pineapple Princess

 Don't you wanna dance
Say you wanna dance
  Don't you wanna dance...

 

"I Wanna Dance with Somebody" ~ Whitney Houston

 

If there is music, she will dance, her petite frame fluttering about rhythmically. From the time she was little, her body was in motion.  With age, they have become more expressive, refined and dramatic.  In January, she began ballet and tap lessons, courtesy of her Mimi, who faithfully picked her up each Tuesday taking her to class.  It was a highlight of her week, an appointment she anticipated and delighted in.  June 8th, our pineapple princess, had her ballet debut participating in The Dance Academy, Ltd's Enchanted Tiki Room recital.  With hair pulled taut in high bun, sparkly eye shadow and mascara (perhaps her favorite aspect of the recital), our sweet gal took to the stage.  Keeping her eyes firmly planted on her instructor dancing in the wings, she performed the steps of her number, toes pointed, smile wide.  Tears filled my eyes as I watched her graceful moments, overcome with love, pride and sweet affection.  I would gladly sit through the two hour recital again just to watch her take the stage one more time.  How thankful we were for the family who came out Saturday night and Sunday afternoon to watch our girl's performance.  And, we are especially grateful for Mimi, who patiently sat outside studio doors each week, altered costumes, laundered tights, baked cookies, chauffeured, sat through the dress rehearsal, and demonstrated such enthusiasm and support for our little girl, imparting her love of ballet and encouraging Charlotte's love of dance.  

 

 

 



Summer Bucket List 2013



Month Seven

At seven months, the littlest continues to impress family, friends and strangers alike with her rubber band wrist rolls, and plump cheeks.  At a recent doctor's visit, her cheeks were described as "juicy," my new favorite facial adjective.  With each day that passes, her eyes seem to sparkle a bit brighter, a blue-eyed reflection of her delight and interest in the world around her. She enjoys producing a variety of sounds, and can be heard babbling all day long.  Her newest sound is "bah-bah," though her favorite sound continues to be "da-da."  She is generous with her smiles, giggles often, and enjoys the attention of others.  Sitting upright continues to be her favorite position to play; however, she now is able to go from sitting to laying to rolling.  No longer am I able to lay her on my bed assured she won't move as she quickly rolls to her tummy, face beaming with a sense of accomplishment. Her nighttime sleeping habits are sporadic, sleeping through the night some nights and waking others, but I can always count on her to wake between 6 and 6:30 am with a big smile. She responds quickly to music, tapping her foot to familiar songs.  She enjoys the outdoors and is content to play on a blanket while watching the little lady and man as they make their own fun.  With each new milestone, her siblings celebrate and encourage her with words of praise and gentle kisses.  They are her biggest fans.

 

 

 



Camp Zoom

At the last minute, I decided to enroll the little lady and man in a one week summer camp held at Elmbrook Church, the location of their preschool.  Arriving slightly skeptical, they ventured off as a pair, facing their new found freedom together.  Their week was filled with outdoor play, organized activities, gospel-centered lessons, crafts, water play, base-thumping theme songs, and Scripture memory.  The little man especially enjoyed his week at camp reentering the van each day with great enthusiasm as he shared the fun details of his morning.  I'm thankful these two can experience life together, as best buds.

 



A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words - open wide



Park Therapy



find rest, o my soul, in god alone;

my hope comes from him.

 

 

he alone is my rock and my salvation;

he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

my salvation and my honor depend on god;

he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

 

 

trust in him at all times, o people;

pour out your hearts to him,

for god is our refuge.

 

psalm 62: 5-8

She's An American Girl



After all it was a great big world
With lots of places to run to

- "American Girl" by Tom Petty

 

The month of June began on a very special note, as the little lady and I joined friends, Sara and Micah Knoester, for a day of fun on the Magnificent Mile.  It was a day celebrating the beautiful innocence of our little gals, as they entered for the first time and with great anticipation, American Girl Place.  With squeals of delight, eyes wide, and feet hurried, they made their way through the store in search of the perfect American Girl Doll, stopping to admire the MANY faces, outfits, and accessories.  It did not take long before they each found the "perfect" one, only to find another that was equally perfect.  In a rather amusing moment, I observed our little lady prop both dolls up and "Eeny-Meeny" her way to a decision. Once confident in their selections, we made our way to the cashier to purchase the dolls and pay for them (the dolls) to have their ears pierced, a highlight of the trip. "Josephine" later renamed "Jessica" has since become the little lady's favorite side kick, joining us on errands, at the breakfast table, and is tenderly tucked into bed each night.  I am often asked to "watch" Jessica during the day, as if I don't have enough children of my own to manage.  Thankfully, she is the quietest of the bunch and very well behaved. 

 

It was a day I will always treasure, spent with dear friends, and my two little ladies.  

 

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words - "go wash your feet"

Not exactly what I had in mind...

 

 

Mischievously resourceful.



440 Sheffield Drive

 

 



Radaph

from A Holy Experience

 

Even the discipline of the Lord can be a grace of the Lord and all the interruptions of a day can be the intercessions of Christ.

 

to read more

 

 

 

Whatever is chasing you — no matter what it looks like — it’s grace.

 

And grace isn’t what makes us feel good: grace is all that makes us more like Jesus.

 

- Ann Voskamp