Madge's Parrots

The other day when I was at work, Madge called me. She told me that she was not able to nap, like she normally does every afternoon. When I asked her why she couldn't sleep, in a sleep yet excited voice she responded:

Some parrots made a home next to my room. They were speaking really high in their language. And so I couldn’t sleep.

True enough, the parrots and parakeets outside can be extremely noisy, especially when there's a whole group of them. I just thought it was so sweet the way she expressed herself. We love you, Madge Pie!

Announcing...

Trumpet trills! We are so thrilled to announce that Little Guy/Gal #4 is on the way!

For the 10k Night Run, Mares sported her new shirt. She is definitely running for two! (Not only has she done this 10k while pregnant, she has run another 10k and a half-marathon to boot. Did I mention that she's incredible?)

The kids are all really excited for our October Baby. We saw the little on in our first ultrasound the day after Easter. I have never seen such an active one in utero. Because he is only 14 weeks old now, he still has some space in there to move. (Note: I am saying he for linguistic simplicity, but it definitely could be a she.) He would bounce around on the computer monitor and then apparently fall asleep. Then, he would begin bouncing again. He's quite the cutie...I can already tell...not that I am a biased dad or anything.

We'll have to write more about the kids' reactions when we told them, but both Madge and Pita probably spent five minutes asking us, incredulously, "Mom and Dad, are you joking?" As Pita said, "Is this for real or pretend?" When they finally figured out we weren't joking they were jumping around with joy.

Poor Mares has had some awful nausea for the past few months. This has been the worst nausea yet. The first trimester will be ending soon, so hopefully the nausea will be out the door, too. Say some prayers for her. In the meanwhile, the kids have been great helpers at home.

Now we'll have to figure out whether we need a new running stroller!

Family Runs

...we just returned from another family run (10k). It was a night-run! A great path, quietness, inclines and declines were super parts of the track leading up to the finish line where we all were excited to say, "Viva a familia!"

As we returned to the car to head home, we could hear our family song playing. What a fun night, together!

(Translation: Here the World Cup begins.)

It was also pretty fun to start and finish the run with the 2014 World Cup (in-the-works) stadium in the background.

Funnies

Peach, Peach, Peachy! We love you. You are full of animation and so much depth. Sometimes you are noticed by others for your cuteness and your spunkiness, and you do have both, but you are so much for than those. You have deep thoughts, a sweet, truly loving and sensitive personality, very similar to your big sister who also has a heart of gold and warmth for Jesus like you, Miss.  

Last night, Momma was kissing you goodnight, and you had the heating pad under your legs. (You have enjoyed many times the luxury of warmth and relaxation that the heating pad gives to your ...
g r O I w I N G legs. As I kissed you goodnight and asked if you wanted your Dora sheet or Ballerina quilt on you, you told Momma "no," because you were too hot. So, you tried to fix being hot by asking me, "Mom, can you make the heating pad cold, not hot, really, really cold?" Mommy had to smile inside and laugh... since the heating pad just isn't quite able to jump to extreme temps like that! I love you, Peach. You make us smile.

Another "funny" from last night. Pita came down the steps after being put in bed. She had her water bottle in her mouth but was trying to converse with me. It was a jumbled, mumbled voice that I heard, with the water straw being half in her mouth. She had a couple of excuses to leave bed:

#1: "I have a "skeeto" bite" (which the girls have been calling "Ba-geeto bites, and cracking up over!)
#2 "I'm filled with potty" (aka: "I have to get to the bathroom!)

Pita, we love YOU and all your little and BIG ways!!

It's All About You, Lord

As I look at the countless ways you serve, ultimately the way you love, I reflect on this song, The Heart of Worship, particularly these lines.

"...You search much deeper within
Through the ways things appear
You're looking into my heart ...And it's all about You
All about You, Jesus "-- song, Heart of Worship, Matt Redman


I know that what we can give to Our Lord is filled within and without with eternity, living out out the everlasting right here, right now.


I love you, and I am so grateful for the countless ways you serve and desire to be God's channel of grace in my life. We are that channel to each other, and instead of waiting to live heaven, thank you for living it now in service to God through your every day actions in our marriage: washing the dishes, grocery shopping, washing the vegetables, folding the laundry, wiping up the sinks (even if it is on another day than the scheduled "Tuesday Bathroom Cleaning Day"!) I love you.


I know I did not do anything to deserve goodness, and that it is all a gift. I gladly accept that gift, you, and I will treasure you and pray for you every step of the way that you may fulfill His plan and purpose for your life.


_______________________________________
When the music fades
And all is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless your heart
I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the ways things appear
You're looking into my heart

[Choras:]
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You
All about You, Jesus
I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You
It's all about You Jesus
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/m/matt_redman/the_heart_of_worship.html ]
[Verse 2:]
King of endless worth
No one could express
How much You deserve
Though I'm weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breath
I'll bring You more than just a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart

[Choras:] I'm coming back to the heart of worship And it's all about You All about You, Jesus I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it When it's all about You It's all about You Jesus Its all about you Jesus

Always New and Exciting Callings...

Tonight as I was putting Madge to bed, she was telling me how her throat was still bothering her. During the day, I had taken our usual steps to help: garlic oil rubbed on her throat, elderberry syrup and cherry bark syrup swallowed, and warm salt water gargled. So, with these ways of "nursing" her back to health, she whispered in my ear tonight, "Mom you do such a good job taking care of me. Whenever I tell you something is wrong you take care of me and say you have it. I think God will call you to be a nurse or a doctor." I love you, Madge. You never know what God has in store for us next. But, I know my favorite duty is just being your mommy-nurse!

Happy Easter from Our Family to Yours!

Alleluia, He is Risen! Let us rejoice and be glad! We hope you are enjoying the fruits of the Season and are dipping into some yummy basket treats... if there are still some chocolates left!