A Tribute to My Nana

On April 20, 2021, my dear Nana left this earth and went to her eternal home with Jesus. She was 96 and left this earth still speaking positive words with a spirit of great love and affection. I still cannot believe she is gone, and I won't be able to pick up the phone to hear her voice say, "Hello, darling. Thank you so much for calling." She would speak words of encouragement to me no matter how I had messed up or was feeling. Her gift of encouragement was priceless, and her ability to see the positive in a situation and lift you up is something I pray I will emulate the rest of my life. 

Our friendship grew as I became an adult, and I'll be forever grateful that she lived close enough for me to see her so often. Our road trips down to Southport, NC were some of my favorite memories. We traveled down in a rental car listening to lectures about C.S. Lewis and his writings, which we both loved and appreciated. And we loved being with Skip and Barb by the water where we could enjoy fresh seafood and the beautiful views. When we were at her place, we loved talking over a glass of wine and enjoying lunch together. She told great stories and had so many to tell from her full, well-lived life. Sharing a friendship with Jesus and faith connected us in such a special way, and I loved our discussions about God working in our lives. 

In this last year as Nana declined, I feel so privileged to have shared moments of combing her hair, putting on her lipstick and freshening her up, so she could feel her best. I loved reading aloud to her from the Wall Street Journal and praying with her when she had those rare moments of feeling unwell or sad. When we knew the end was near, it was a blessing to spend time with the ministers who had come to love and adore her. She was an incredibly special lady, and those who knew her fell in love with her. 

I anticipate the day we will meet in heaven again, and she will be sure to come find me and declare "You look beautiful, darling. Thank you so much for coming. I've missed you."

Rend Your Heart - Easter 2021

We are Easter people. Without the death and resurrection of Jesus, Christianity wouldn’t exist. As a family, we rend our hearts and prepare for the celebration of Easter with the lighting of candles for 40 days and readings from the Old and New Testaments about Jesus and all the prophecies He fulfilled. It’s amazing if you take the time to consider it! We read an incredible book together called Amon’s Adventure to help us consider what it would have been like for a young Jewish boy living during the last few weeks of Jesus’ life. Our annual Messianic Seder and foot washing always brings such reverence and peace to our home. 

Now, may we continue to live like Easter people with the knowledge and belief that the Risen Savior is walking beside us each day. May we live believing that the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in us...because it does!

Happy 11th Birthday, Mary-Michael!!

Our Dear Mary-Michael,

Darling, you are growing into quite the young lady. I remember when you were just a few years into elementary school, and I feared you would always be really shy because you were so quiet unless you really knew someone well, and you would get so nervous to meet new people or speak in front of class. That fear has disappeared as you have become a vibrant, witty, smart and very fun young lady. You have your Daddy’s quick wit and sense of humor, which I never saw in you a few years ago. You have a sense of adventure like him, and you definitely inherited his very generous spirit. You love to give gifts and just give your stuff to others if you think they might enjoy it. You and I share a great affection for books (you are that kid reading in the bathroom at odd hours of the night and early morning) and learning. You also have a great memory for what needs to be done or hasn’t been done (like me!), especially for things that are important to you. We’re still working on you caring as much for your own chore list as you care about me signing a permission slip on the first night it’s received (even if it isn’t due for a week).

You continue to thrive in school, and you take care of your school work without any help from us. I love being with you and your crazy class when I'm in the library. It's clear that they all respect and value you and your thoughts. Adventure awaits as you will head to a new school for middle school this fall. We wanted to give you the choice to make the switch to Grace Christian School (grades 6-12) at 6th grade, so that you could start at the beginning. We toured the school and asked you to pray. You knew that you wanted to go there pretty quickly even though it meant leaving your friends, and we are so excited for your choice. You will get to be with some of your church community and be in a larger school where we believe you will thrive and grow. Speaking of church, your pre-teen class teachers love having you in there and regularly tell me so. They enjoy your humor, knowledge and the fun you bring to the class. One of them recently told me they'd love to just sit and talk with you during class, but they have to pay attention to the other children, too. You are something!

You have developed a great love of dance, and it has been so fun to see you find something you really love. We are praying COVID doesn't take away your recital this year. You also still enjoy fashion and taking pictures. You have a great eye for detail when it comes to photography and are regularly asking for my phone to snap a picture. When it comes to fashion, thankfully, you are quite budget-conscious, but you are good to put together interesting pieces and also have a Nonnie regularly bringing you new-to-you things from the thrift store, so you are never short of options and ideas. 

When it comes to friends, Addison, Emma and Berkley are among your favorites, but you do so well connecting with those older and younger than you. Benaiah is one of your biggest fans and definitely looks at you like his mini-mother. You do a wonderful job helping me with him. 

You are growing in your faith and are full of great questions that we love to help you explore. I believe and pray that when you are an adult we will be very close friends. You are a special young lady with great potential, and we love you forever and for always. 

Momma

Happy 3rd Birthday Benaiah!

Dearest Benaiah,

We celebrated your tractor-loving self with your very favorite people - your brother and sisters - and one of your favorite things to eat - donuts. I never knew such a little boy could be doted on so much by his siblings, and you love every moment of it. Your presence has also developed their character in so many way - more patience, better servant hearts and definitely more playfulness giving them permission to just be kids! 

At 3 years old, you are becoming your own person with your own opinions. As your speech has improved you are communicating better with words but often at a very high and demanding volume. We take deep breaths and ask you to try again. You are learning as we all do. One of your favorite things to tell me several times a day is, “When Daddy get home, I give him big, big, big, big...HUG!” So sweet.

You love to be read to, and your current favorites are “Goodnight Tractor” and “I Am America.” Others we’ve read repeatedly are Knuffle Bunny (all 3) and Dragons Love Tacos. Reading aloud is one of my favorite things to do with you all, so this is a treat. You also love to race anything with wheels around the house and join your big brother in building Legos. I’m happy to report you have never swallowed one or stuffed one in your nose or ear. Whew! If the big kids go outside, you are right behind them trying to find your boots and climb up to get your jacket. They are so good to bring you along to do farm chores or to just play. If they’re carrying wood in for the wood stove, you’re right behind them with your own small log in your arms. If we’re bringing groceries from the car, you’re arms are full with bags, too. You LOVE to help.

You currently really enjoy eating sweets, cottage cheese, other cheeses, berries, cucumbers and peanut butter off the spoon. You are a pretty good eater and especially love spaghetti, pizza or tacos for dinner. As soon as you see I’m cooking in the kitchen, you push the red desk chair over to where I’m standing to “help.” You love to stir and add ingredients, which has made me watch you very carefully because sometimes you start adding without me realizing. Surprise!

Potty training is in your near future, my son, so let’s get ready to say goodbye to diapers for good! You are also enrolled for 3 days in preschool for Fall 2021, and I know you’re going to be such a great addition to Aylett. There are big boy things ahead of you!

We love you, Benaiah, and we consider it a great privilege to have been chosen to be your parents. You have truly completed our family and made it more fun and lively than we knew possible.

Forever and for always,

Momma

Snow Skiing Adventure

We were so grateful to give the children their first opportunity to snow ski this winter. They did amazing and surprised both of us. Our business partners joined us for the grand adventure, as well.  From cramming into a tiny 1 bedroom apartment so we could stay on the mountain to Benaiah putting on some tiny skis to be pulled around by a hula hope in his pre-ski school class, the long weekend was full of new experiences and opportunities to be brave!

We wrapped up the experience with snow tubing, long naps on the way home and days of laundry. It was well worth it!