I found a journal...

I found a journal.  It was buried deep in the corner of the storage room.  It wasn't really a journal- and it didn't say "PRIVATE" on it, nor did it say "DIARY", nor did it have a lock.  Just a simple notebook, green in color- new-ish.  So I opened it to see if there was any spare paper.  Because that is what I was really looking for.  When you have 5 kids, paper, pens, pencils, scissors, etc...can disappear quickly.  And I needed a piece of paper to write down a few notes.

Inside I found some wonderful reminders, all handwritten by my daughter.  She must have written these things down between the ages of 7-9 because of the progression in her handwriting.  She's always reading- and always writing.  I don't know what the future holds for her, but she is such a bright girl.  She writes lots of poems, which are beautiful, but that is not what struck me most.  What struck me was all of the bible verses she had written in this journal.  I didn't make her write these, they weren't from her church 'quiet time' papers, and they weren't her school verses either.  Just verses that she found important enough to write down and consider.  I'll share a few.

"I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone Oh LORD make me dwell in safety."

(We used to say this verse a lot when she had trouble sleeping)

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  (col 3:13)

(we all have trouble with that one, don't we?)

" Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe"   (Philippians 2:14-15)

(we are Christs representatives, are we doing a good job at that?)

"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment, the second is like it;  You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  On these two commandments hang the Law and the Prophets."  (mat.22:37-40)

(how are we doing on that one?)

"Let us not become weary in doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
(gal 6:9)

There are many more.  I am so thankful that Abigail is thinking about these things- no she is not perfect.  But she knows what is right and what is wrong.  She does not always choose right, none of us do.  But if we can meditate on what is good, what is pure, what is right- then just maybe we'll be better people for it.  I love my Abigail, and I am so blessed to call her my daughter.

A very busy week!

Wow- last week was busy.  Monday morning we got up very early to head to Holiday World.  We had a lot of fun!  The kids were super excited about going.

Josh took Christian and Jeremiah to ride some of the smaller rides in the morning, while I took the older 3 to ride some roller coasters.  Then we met in the water park, (FUN! it was over 100 degrees Monday) 

Tuesday we recovered.  Tuesday was also Abigail's 9th birthday! 

Having your birthday near the 4th allows for lots of celebration.  Friday she had a friend sleep over, and I took them to the movies and Steak n Shake.  Tuesday we had ice cream and she opened some of her gifts.  Wednesday we had a small family party (for Christian and Abigail) Christians birthday is on July 5th! 

I made a fresh strawberry cake with Abigail's help.  I found a great recipe that didn't call for strawberry jello.  I have made strawberry cake in the past, but the strawberries tend to sink to the bottom.  This one was perfect!  The cake is for Abigail and Christian.  Don't mind the feminine color and decoration.  It's difficult to make strawberry frosting that isn't pink,  and decorating with pureed strawberries is no easy task.  This was the best I could do!

Happy 5th birthday Christian!  He had to 'celebrate' his 5th birthday with a 12 hour van ride to New York.  That is okay though, because he opened his gifts on the 4th- and when we got to grandma and grandpa Pattingtons they had a birthday party set up for Christian and Abigail!

At around hour 7 in the vehicle, I decided to sit in the middle of the two younger boys in the very back seat to read to them.  I was tired of the fighting.  They did pretty well...but there is only so much a person can take when squished in the back seat like a sardine.  After reading we started playing with the phone.  I drew a little picture of myself in the back seat.  I think I was beginning to go a little insane.  I'm better now.

We arrived! Elijah and Isaac with Great grandpa & grandma Pattington.  It's always nice to visit with them.

Jeremiah and Christian with Andrea, Josh's cousin. 

Time for Uno.  Better keep Jeremiah away!

Josh's grandparents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary, so their church had a party for them.

Hillsboro Baptist Church. Josh's grandpa has been the pastor here for 30+ years.  A little country church. 

We went to visit Uncle Earl and Aunt Linda.  They have a small farm.  The boys are about to chase some chickens.

Poor chickens...










Jeremiah liked the dog the best.

We fed some horses.  They had mesh masks over their eyes to keep the flies out.  Good idea.

Afterwards, we went boating and on a picnic.  I didn't dare take any pictures on the boat in fear that one of the children would fly off while I was snapping my picture.  They had lots of fun!  Earl parked the boat in the middle of the lake and the kids jumped off the boat- a lot!  I don't think they would have gotten tired of  doing that!

There are a few ice cream places within walking distance of Josh's grandparents.  The kids really like the idea of having an ice cream shop they can walk to! 

Now it's time for the long drive home.  Jeremiah and big doggy were all tired out!