The girls had fun at school camp this week!

 Three days away for just the 7-12th graders at Camp Good News.

 God gave beautiful weather and safety through all the fun activities!

 We are so thankful for all the opportunities the Lord is giving to our children!   They are growing... and learning so much!  A big thank you to all our teachers for the impact they are making in the lives of our young people.

"You are not the boss..."

How many times I have said that to my own children?!  I have said it to myself many times too!  Today...I said it to one of our little emotional friends (side note:  why do parents send children who are clearly not feeling well to school?!  It makes me sad.  A 3 year old not quite turned 3 year old cannot handle being sick very well in a classroom environment.  They are off and they keep everyone else off...all. day. long.  Tears and snot and snot and tears.  Good thing Mrs. K's long black skirt is always handy!  She had all kinds of streaks today!  Anyway...three year olds...they need to be home in their jammies with their mommies so they can sleep off the crabby and yucky feelings AND NOT INFECT EVERYONE ELSE.)  I still don't believe that a job is more important than the children that God places in a parent's care!  And that statement will make enemies.  You didn't see how miserable this little one was...and we don't have time or help to just sit and rock all day long in a school setting.
Back to the story...
Mrs. K had asked the little boys not to bang the support beams, as it was making a fun gonging sound that echoed down the hallway.  Boys...young and old...like to make drums out of anything!  Our class tends to make lots of noise anyways...so we try to be sensitive.  Little L rudely scolds them too, "You are bad boys.  Don't bang that pole."  Mrs. K had walked away to calm down a water situation in the bathroom.  I over-heard this grumpy exchange and stepped in, "Little L, talk nicely to your friends.  You are not the boss.  Mrs. K is."  Immediate tears and wailing with arms folded and pouty lips, "I...ammmmmm....tooooo....the....boooooss.  My daddy told me I am!"  Mrs. K walked back to the cafuffle and sweetly told her who the boss was in K3.

Well...he did...did he?!
You have listened and learned well then.
What does she need us for?
Oh yes...to wipe the tears and snot...and give hugs when there are boo-boos.
"Bless her heart.  It makes it so hard, because she is so stinkin' cute!  I had to turn my head to laugh while I talked to her!"  I feel bad because I know she feels bad.  I would do exactly what she is doing.  Wait...if I cry and wipe my nose on your skirt...will you send me home?

We are seeing God answer prayer...

in our family.   Once again the song, "Pray and Wait for the answer" has become a daily reminder that God is always in control!  He moves as He wills and we must follow!  Our children have learned (and are still learning) that God does answer prayer...but sometimes...there is a wait involved...for our good and His glory!  We are thankful for what He is doing.  We have a closing date for the sale of our IL house.  We are continuing to seek His plan in each and every detail.

What a blessing to hear our church family sing this song this morning!

His Robes for Mine

Text by Chris Anderson; Tune by Greg Habegger

His robes for mine: O wonderful exchange!
Clothed in my sin, Christ suffered ‘neath God’s rage.
Draped in His righteousness, I’m justified.
In Christ I live, for in my place He died.

Chorus:
I cling to Christ, and marvel at the cost:
Jesus forsaken, God estranged from God.
Bought by such love, my life is not my own.
My praise-my all-shall be for Christ alone.

His robes for mine: what cause have I for dread?
God’s daunting Law Christ mastered in my stead.
Faultless I stand with righteous works not mine,
Saved by my Lord’s vicarious death and life.

His robes for mine: God’s justice is appeased.
Jesus is crushed, and thus the Father’s pleased.
Christ drank God’s wrath on sin, then cried “‘Tis done!”
Sin’s wage is paid; propitiation won.
 
His robes for mine: such anguish none can know.
Christ, God’s beloved, condemned as though His foe.
He, as though I, accursed and left alone;
I, as though He, embraced and welcomed home!

Day 3 and 4

 Much less crying today!  After playing and walking first thing, our little friends were ready for a snack and then some fun learning.

 Lots of wiggling...but for the most part they do well sitting and watching Mrs. K's antics.

 We made it to Friday!

 Only one screamer...who fell asleep for an hour and then decided to give K3 a chance...

 she smiled and participated...

 and loved painting...even though she doesn't understand English.  How scary to come to a new place where everyone speaks something other than Japanese!  Every day is getting better for her...and for us.

 For those moments when we begin to waver...there is a stash of chocolate!  And prayer!  I am comforted by the fact that God meets the needs of His children minute by minute.  He knows our weakness and gives strength!

 We ended the week with games!  Ashlynn is getting more comfortable with the game of volleyball.

 I always hold my breath when the girls serve...willing the ball to make it over the net!

 And with that...the first week of school comes to end!  We are all looking forward to Saturday and sleeping in for a bit!  Next week...school camp!  And Monday...which means starting all over with fearful 3 year olds.

Day 2

 I listened to good music on KNVBC.com as I got ready for the day.  The song that started my day, "Each step I take..."

 Thankful for our big kids that remind us not to quit in the battle for the lives of our children!  Their cheery chatter of the  morning filled my heart with thankfulness and courage for the day.

 Which turned out...to be a huge blessing and great need!  Two screaming children who don't understand English and are scared of the new surroundings...they cuddled up on our laps and our English speaking children played keeping watchful eyes on all the commotion.

 We once again threw aside all plans and went to play in the Noah's Ark room...and it was the best decision ever!   We brought happy friends back to the room for snack time.

 We were able to take a walk and play outside.

 And then tried a story...and they could handle it!

 We made it to nap time with no more tears...and shared our favorite drinks.  The southern K likes Coke and the mid-western K likes Pepsi.  And then our super-helper brought us a dark chocolate caramel bar to share!

"We can do this, right?!"  I nodded with tears in my eyes, "I think so, but I need God's help!"

Gearing up for the first day of school...

 with a specialty meal by Ted!  "This is a great way to celebrate school eve, Dad!" said Teddy.  Taco burgers on the grill.  Mmmm! (2 lbs. ground beef, 1 envelope of taco seasoning, 1/2 cup or so crushed corn chips or nacho chips.  Make burgers and grill! Serve with normal taco fixings on a bun.)

 First day of school 2014-2015...Ashlynn 8th grade, Alisa 7th grade, and Teddy 6th grade.

 Kari...you need to drink some more coffee!

Thoughts on the first day of school..."Oh. Wow. I hope we can make it!"

First time for us both ever to be kicked and slapped and hit by little friends!  We knew it was coming...we watched our new little friends with their parents on Thursday night...yet, we were stunned when we were the recipients of such love!  Parents of toddlers, you should never EVER allow your children to hit you!  Many verses in Proverbs and Ephesians 6:1-4 give you your parenting instructions.  If you don't teach your children obedience in the home, they WILL NOT OBEY outside of your home.  So...please...don't be surprised when the teachers have to write notes home the first day!  Shame on you for thinking you know better than your Creator!  We all have to submit to authority in our lives.  When we don't submit to our Heavenly Father and Creator of the world, we will struggle through life.  And so...begins a new school year with 18 struggles.

We had plans for a fun first day!  But there was so much screaming and crying that most of it never happened.  One new aide was wondering if she would make it through this year, and the two Super Ks dissolved into tears in the privacy of car/home.  "I didn't remember it being so hard last year!"  Mrs. K stated.  "It was hard in that we felt we didn't know what we were doing.  Today was hard in that we forgot we were starting over.  We need to lower our expectations back to PREschool.  We are working off what our now K4ers ended up at!" I admitted.  "I want my K4 group back!" she wailed.  "Ummm, we can't have them.  Did you see how excited they were going in to K4?  We did our job and they were ready!  Now...it is time to get messy again.  Do you have any ibuprofen in your desk?"

Celebrating my birthday

The kiddos decorated while Ted and I ran an errand!

The most delicious steak I have ever had!  Ted planned a wonderful meal with the kiddos' help!

Special notes that make me cry!

"Mom, what kind of cake do you want for your birthday?" I was asked.  "I don't want cake!  I want ice cream at the Dairy Twist for my birthday!" I answered.

Awww...perfect!  Mocha Chip was what I wanted!

"This is huge...I asked for a single.  I don't know if I can finish it!"

"Hey, you got more in a cup than I got on my cone!" I noticed.

Happy Birthday treats!  Sorry, honey, the cake would have been cheaper.

My son!  Crazy and bouncing and singing and silly...

Ok, this is as nice as we could get!

MMMMM!

We stopped by Brad and Mari's to pick up a special gift for me...and it turned into a nice long visit around coffee.  Thanks for the time, you all!  "I can't eat another bite now!  I'm saving these for tomorrow! Yum!"