Family

September was my very favorite month of this entire year so far. We spent SO MUCH TIME together as a family. We prayed hard, worked hard, and played hard. I wish the kids had slept hard, but I’ll take what I can get. The bonding time has been such an incredible gift. God has blessed us with one another and I thank Him everyday for these moments. 

 

Joseph Matthew

Joseph turned 13 on the 7th. It was an extremely happy day for all of us. 

He insisted that we hide all of his presents in the most challenging places we could think of. Matt also wrapped some completely in duct tape. The most challenging ones for him to find were the ones hidden zipped inside the couch cushion, inside the upright piano and between his mattress and box spring. It was awesome. 

Most of the day was spent playing video games, legos and chilling outside. We went for a walk and ate homemade ice cream cake outside. 

We finished off the day with sparklers on the patio. After all the little kids went to bed, Joseph was able to stay up and watch the beginning of The Fellowship of the Ring, a movie he’s been begging to watch for over a year now. 

Joseph is really coming into his own now. He is discovering who he is and what he wants in life. He seeks God’s Will and tries hard to do the right thing. We are so proud of our young man. It is a blessing to be able to witness him becoming a man. 

 

Esther Katherine

Esther turned 8 on September 3. Her day was peaceful and slow. She asked for a cookie cake and to spend most of the day reading. 

She’s a delightful, hilarious, and brilliant child. She has a voracious appetites for books. She stays up late reading and wakes up early to read. Esther loves birds. All birds. And she knows most of the native birds of America by sight...and some by call. She makes us laugh with her silly faces and amazes us with her mind. She learned how to ride a bike just one day before her birthday, stating that it just wasn’t on her list of priorities to do so before then. 

God bless our Es the Hot Mess. 

 

Nathan Samuel

Nate turned 10 this August. He is a sensitive, loving, physically affectionate young man with a generous heart and quick sense of humor. 

 He had an amazing day, full of playing and NO SCHOOL. I can’t believe our Natey is getting so old. It feels like just yesterday he was our little dude with the Michelin Man rolls up and down his arms and legs. Now he’s tall and thin. He is organized and thoughtful. He despises school and tomato sauce. He loves dancing and tumbling. He rides his bike faster than most and can be found folding any and all paper in the house into dinosaurs, flowers, boxes...really, anything. Origami is his newest hobby and we all benefit from the beauty Nathan brings to our family. We love you, Natey-Joe, our chameleon, Treble, Koala, and HuggyLovey.