All 8 of them.

Update: We now have some fish. They are dying also.

The girls and I and some friends just got to watch the birth of quintuplets tonight. Before you go ballistic, these were four-footed, furry creatures, not humans! Yes, Lady the cat has 5 lovely kittens … at least, they will be lovely tomorrow. And the girls were left breathless with the experience. There is nothing to prove God’s existence and incredible wisdom of creation as seeing how perfectly confidently a new mother cat performs her duties at birth, with no history of Lamaze classes either!

We just hope past lessons have been learned well. A few days ago, Princess the cat lost her litter when a little girl moved the kittens within reach of Oreo, our energetic and ignorant dog. That little girl will probably listen to her mother’s warning next time. Her beloved kitty, “Prince” has gone to happy hunting grounds. Some lessons in life are hard, but the good they do if we learn from them can last a lifetime.

This was the climax to a challenging day of work for Leeny.

Hey, today is my wife’s birthday, and the whole church got together this morning! I feel that my wife is very important, and it seems there are others who do also. If you are one of those, let her know. I think she would enjoy some comments, even though she becomes all self-conscious when people talk about her too much. Go Leeny!!

Well, we are so glad to have PD at home again!  His trip was very enjoyed, and he stayed well the whole time until he reached his own bed at home.  There he immediately was a sick man, perhaps food poisoning picked up just before boarding the plane for the US.  Others on his team were also sick the next day.  But we were at least glad to be able to see his face, even if he was sipping tea and sleeping all day! 

I have been so fascinated by the girls and their play lately. Why do we even own any toys? Esther has been pounding sticks and boards into the garden for days, and eventually a “roof” was added. She and Jaime have spent hours gathering ‘barley’ and ‘corn’, which happens to be dead weeds from last year, and old woodchips. They have had so much fun. Sticks and stones are surely the toys God intended for kids to have, as much endless joy as they get out of playing with them. Even on cold or rainy days, they can be found inside dressed up like the old men of Bible times, going to the synagogue, or repenting and being baptized, like we found them one night without their knowledge. As we listened to the little dialogue, both of us in stitches, still we were amazed how accurate they are on all the theology. Certainly, they pick up on lots more than we think is even possible. May we never lose the wonder of our children!

As far as we are concerned, there is little excitement in the house when Daddy is gone, but one thing for sure is that we realize more deeply what he really means to all of us.  When the main character in our daily lives is suddenly overseas for a little while, and I am forced to stop revolving around him, I find myself spinning crazily for a little.  But soon I right myself and realize that the true center of our life, Jesus Christ, is still right there where he always is, guiding me and keeping me.  PD is like the insulation around Him that warms me every day, giving tangible reality to our security in God.   When he leaves, it feels scary and cold for a little, until I simply mover closer to Jesus, and rest there until my dear one returns.   I am so glad he can go and be a blessing to the missionaries and people in Honduras.  He took the time before he left to prepare some little gifts for his daughters, and made them each a card.  He placed them on the mantel the night before he left, with orders to wait until the next morning to open them.  He knew they would not see him like they usually do when they wake up, so this was something for them to look forward to.  They were up early of course.  Esther was tickled with her large pieces of drawing paper and four-colored pen.  She immediately had a sign about her baked goods for sale.   Jaime was equally tickled with her extra big crayons.  The cards were precious, and almost made mama cry.  I knew PD was very busy the day before he left, and it touched me that he took the time to do this for his girlies.  Even Megan got a jug of apple juice, her favorite! 

Our first day went pretty well, until suppertime came and then things felt really lonely.  Perhaps God knew we needed a little humor just then.  I asked Jaime to please ask the blessing.  She agreed heartily and we all bowed our heads.  There was a moment of silence, and then I looked up to see a priceless expression on her sweet face.  It was one of surprised amusement with a tinge of embarrassment as she said, “I almost said, ‘Giddyap’!”  We all howled with laughter and immediately felt better.  I am positive God has a wonderful sense of humor as often as He blesses us with opportunities to use ours. 

We are excited about Grandama’s visit coming up in a few days, Lord willing.  It will help to pass the time for us.   We wouldn’t mind the prayers of anyone who reads this and feels led to remember us to God.  We need stamina, creativity, and cheerful spirits in the days ahead.  And remember PD, too, as he helps finish up the clinic and Honduras and does some scouting and praying with the rest of his team.  Pray that he could “shelf us” enough to stay focused and be useful there.  I can’t imagine that he could be anything but a blessing to everyone he meets!  How we miss him.

I’ve chosen this day to finally post something in the beautiful blog my hubby constructed.  I like to write when I am inspired, which is usually late at night.   And then I would much rather be snuggled in bed with my sweetheart.   If you had asked me 6 hours ago if I would post tonight, I would have declared “NO”.  This was a day when I felt tested from every angle … those days are rare because life is very sweet here, so if we do have a day like that, it is a very good time for evaluation of my attitudes and responses.  I’m afraid I didn’t do excellently today, but the Lord caught my tears earlier this evening after the children were in bed.  PD was laboring long and hard over our new water heater installation, and had to leave briefly to look for some pipe fittings.  By that time, I was REALLY wanting to meet with the Lord, and NEEDING it.  As He always is, He heard my cries and came to my rescue, forgiving, cleansing, and filling me once again.  So, of course, I am inspired, because of His love.  I’m so thankful that His grace ALWAYS exceeds my weakness.  Perhaps my little 3yr. old sensed Mama’s need as good as anyone today when she asked me a most unusual question.  We were having some one-on-one time after an offense on her part, and she looked up at me and said, “Is Mama away?”  Well, thank the Lord, He brings us back when we are ‘away’!

On the lighter side, I just want everyone to know how deeply blest I am.  I have the best husband in the world.  I love him more as each year goes by.  We are almost ready to celebrate our 7th anniversary.  I am amazed that I can keep loving him more, but I am more grateful to God as our life together continues and I see just how carefully God planned and blessed our union.  His little girls are just as fond of him as me, as seen by the sparkle in their eyes as they race to him for hugs and kisses when he leaves for work, or on his arrival home; or how they love to be with him every chance they get.  Why, I could hardly find anyone willing to go with me to the chiropractor yesterday, since Daddy was working on the goat shed at home.  Everybody wanted to be with him.  I’m so blessed by the way he takes time to build relationships with them.  May God reward him 10 years from now with teenage girls whose loyalties are with their Daddy, and who love to please him! 

 As for those little girls, I would certainly have to say they bring much sweetness to life.  They are 6, 3, and 1 now, and each stage has its own unique charm.  Esther is so busy learning and being creative, as well as figuring things out about relationships with others, and trying to convince me that I’m going to have another baby soon.  Jaime is at a very fun, and sometimes embarrassing stage where ideas are forming in that little brain and then being expressed most innocently.  We certainly enjoy her.  Megan, our one-year-old is still a baby and full of smiles and affection for everybody around her.  I would like to hang on to her babyhood, but we do enjoy all the new words she keeps trying out.  She has been a joy to train so far.  She understands and respects the word “No” quite well.  Her favorite person outside of sisters, Daddy, and Mama must surely be her “Daudy”. They seem to have a kindred spirit besides looking alike.  

I guess that will be all for this time.  Please pardon the time.  I promise I’m usually in bed by this time.  Perhaps that is why this blog has had little to show for on my part!

We tried to get some family portraits taken at a studio last night, and the results can be seen below.