Thirteen years ago today, when Jake was 5 and Derek was 3, they dressed up as an astronaut and his spaceship.
Yet another arrow pointing to the future.
Monthly Archives: October 2016
The End of a Season
It was a heartbreaking loss last night as WA lost in the first round of playoffs. They played well, but they could have played so much better, and they knew it.
It was a touching moment after the game when players hugged and somberly said goodbye to the season.
In the stands during halftime, we celebrated Mom’s milestone birthday.
Everyone gathered around to keep the flame burning on the candle while we sang.
A look back on a fun season…
Derek had a faithful fan base every game.
Jim managed to snap some shots of D, snap after snap, block after block.
He was often the first one to celebrate a big play.
And after the season was said and done, he was the one who received much-needed encouragement.
Foreshadowing
Sometimes it’s hard to believe that Jake ended up at the Air Force Academy. As we look back on the past 18 years there were so many building blocks which were put together; and all the while, we had no idea what the final structure would be…visits to USAFA, jerseys bought and worn often, attending air shows and studying of military planes…
As the kids and I cleaned the basement last week, we rediscovered a game we bought many years ago, which has been collecting dust at the bottom of the board game shelf: Monopoly, U.S. Air Force Edition.
We all sensed the irony, that all these years we’ve owned a game which depicts the life their oldest brother is now living.
It hit especially close to home when Ruthie drew this card. Jake takes a knowledge test every week, and if he fails, he is restricted and must stay on campus the following weekend. Probably feels a little like jail.
Recalling all the blocks which were put in place throughout the years has led me to praise God, who is sovereign and knows all our days before even one of them comes to pass.
In Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them. (Psalm 139:16)
Opportunity
We washed the windows in the basement last week, which required pulling the screens out. This led to a wide open window at ground level.
Turns out, the canine in the house is not only curious…
but an opportunist!
Once she had two paws in, we escorted her back outside. Sorry doggie.
The Best
The youngest in the family wrote what we all feel…
A Tale of Two Body Types
The kids and I went through every article of kids’ clothing in the house in order to bring some organization to this corner of the household. With five children, the clothing scene can become a chaotic insurmountable heap of fabric awfully fast.
I’m happy to report that we are back to having a fully organized, well-running clothing system once again. But before all was said and done, I had a good chuckle over this:
At one stage in the boys’ lives, one wore a 32 waist, 36 inseam; while the other wore a 36 waist and 32 inseam.
Since then, Derek’s shape has changed dramatically, however, it does go to show that even from the same gene pool, we all come in different shapes and sizes!
Be Different
As I was in the driveway yesterday, something caught my eye. Most of the leaves on the trees are still green, being early in the fall season. Such is the case with the sugar maple in our front yard. What caught my eye was the lone bright red leaf amid the green.
It was different.
What an object lesson from nature, showing how God desires those who trust in Him to be different:
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. (Philippians 2:14-16)
and
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)
These are verses I pray for our kids, that they would not be afraid to be different from this warped generation!
Seize the Day
After a day filled with gloomy skies and rain, the sun broke through yesterday and brought with it blue skies and crisp autumn air. I declared to the kids after lunch that we were going to drive to the arboretum. The boys grabbed a football, we picked up Jim along the way, and enjoyed hiking the grounds.
This has always been a family favorite–a respite from the hubbub of the Chicago suburbs.
The boys ran around, making up games along the way,
while this little one (pausing here to pose by a tree) went on a squirrel hunt.
She was quite successful, as squirrels were running and snacking and climbing at every turn.
A great way to seize the day!
I Spy With My Little Eye
It’s homecoming week at school for Derek, and every day has its unique theme. Yesterday was Color Day, when each class dressed in an assigned color. Sophomores wore green.
Everyone competes for best costume, and the winner earns points for their class. Given Derek’s love for competition, he decided he would go all out for this one and chose to dress as a life-size plastic army guy.
Making the costume was a family affair. The younger kids helped with brushing the green semigloss layer onto the coat and boots.
Meanwhile, Derek and Jim spray painted costume parts into the night.
The painting continued after church on Sunday…
with curious onlookers.
One quart of kelly green semigloss and six cans of spray paint later, we coated the entire outfit.
As I shot pictures of this life-size plastic army guy in the front yard before he left for school,
I kept thinking of our old Eye-Spy books. “I spy with my little eye…a green army guy”
His brothers had some fun with him.
Then after a few minor adjustments,
he was loaded into the car and brought to school.
We were happy to learn that our hard work paid off: the army guy won best costume in the school!
Play (Fall) Ball!
We have embarked on a new experience this fall. As mentioned previously, Jeremy spent much time thinking and talking through which activity he should choose this season: football (his usual fall sport), or baseball.
After weighing the pros and cons, he chose baseball.
And to make the experience even more special, Jim is his coach.
Youth sports can get pretty intense; however, we have found that fall ball is delightfully laid back and fun.
His brothers have been engaged by keeping the scorebook and cheering their little brother on.
Sometimes change is a good thing!
Support
Whether or not it’s voluntary (most of the time it’s not), the little sister in this family supports her brothers almost daily by attending their sporting games and practices.
I sweeten the deal by agreeing to let her play at a nearby park, if there is one.
Or we walk around the sports fields, practicing ballet moves.
This offsets the countless hours she spends sitting in bleachers–cheering her brothers (as well as counting down the game clock).
I do pray that she grows up learning to support others and hold them up, like a pillar is to a palace.
Our daughters will be like pillars
carved to adorn a palace (Psalm 144:12)
Meaningful
It means a little more when your brother has pledged to defend it.
