Thinking like an Engineer

As we were sitting on the couch watching our youngest child STAND ON and HIT her toys with a broom, Matt started pondering aloud. 

Matt: “I wonder what validation testing looked like for that thing... 

Do you think they had a child stand on it?

Did they run over it with a Cozy Coupe?

Did they stab it with a fork?

Did they throw it?

I wonder how much abuse is considered normal and how much is considered excessive.”

 

 

Charlie- Cheese Lover

Charlie loves cheese. He always has. If I ask for his help making food, you can bet that cheese will be the main course, no matter which meal it is.

American cheese for breakfast.

Mozzarella for lunch.

Cheddar on tortillas for dinner.

Parmesan, cheese sticks, cheese puffs, cottage cheese...

One time, he even tried to wrap mozzarella sticks INSIDE American cheese slices for lunch.

The child has a problem.

Last night, for dinner, we had soup and pasta. Charlie didn't want the soup part and insisted on shaking his own Parmesan. Only, he opened the wrong side of the shaker.

 

At first, when Matt grabbed the container from him, I think he was a little embarrassed.

This is one of those moments, as a parent, where you have to think quickly. You have to guesstimate what will happen with whatever reaction you choose to respond with. 

If you overreact and get angry, how will the child react?

 If you laugh, what example will you be showing your other children? 

If you sit there and ask everyone to wait while you get your camera, what precedent are you setting? 

 

Lucky for us, Matt thinks as quick as lightning.
He decided to go with the "I'm disappointed that you weren't paying attention" face.

 

Unfortunately, that morphed rather quickly into stifled snorts of laughter at the hilarity of the situation.

Charlie, still unsure of how to act, is looking around the table at his more experienced siblings.

 
When Chatrles sees that Matt is laughing, he knows he's home free and does what God created him to do:

 EAT THE CHEESE!

Glasses

Sarah, Joseph, Thomas and Esther all had eye exams and filled prescriptions for new glasses.

We were surprised when the optometrist said that Esther needed the strongest prescription of all.

Now, they are all bedecked and fighting over glass cleaner. We’ve reached a new level of parenthood and family life.

 

 

So it only made sense that the youngest three wanted in. 

Nathan says he’s proud to be the only one without glasses. 

Tommy’s 12th

 

The Chosen

Almost a year ago, a friend asked me if I had seen The Chosen, a new series about Jesus and His apostles. I told her that I don't get to watch television very much, unless it's a cartoon, but I would check it out.

I knew I wouldn't actually follow through unless I asked someone else to be accountable for my lack of integrity in situations like this.

So, I called my dad and asked him to watch it with me, from separate states, and talk about it. I knew he'd hold me to it and ask me about it and encourage me to keep on. He started the series before me and said he binge-watched the first few episodes alone. It was Lent and Mom was fasting from television at the time. He said at one time that she walked into the room and sat down while he was watching...and didn't get up. And when that episode was done, she asked to see the next.

It was shortly after that when a package arrived at our house...Dad had sent me the first season of the Chosen on DVD and a small prayer book to accompany it. 

He was going to make sure I watched it.

Matt and I watched the first two episodes. We were intrigued, but confused as to who was who and exactly what story was being told.

The night we watched the third episode, I can remember looking at one another, crying, and knowing our lives would never be the same.

Realizing that the show was not only appropriate, but very much necessary for our children's spiritual growth, we invited them to watch the rest of the season with us. 

We were all hooked.

Then, we started again from the beginning.

Seeing the struggle of the apostles. Seeing Jesus in Man form. Watching the miracles we've read about our entire lives being played out in such a realistic and biblical way. It was exactly what our family needed.

Before Christmas, we delved into the prayer book, expecting to do the 40 days with my mom and dad.

Unfortunately, like most things in my current state of life, I have to multiply all time frames by 3 and adjust. Also, some of the Days took several days to complete because: 8 children.

Most nights start with Matt reading the Bible verse or story, followed by a short reading and summary.

Then there is a suggested guideline for a prayer, which is beautiful because the prayers truly take a personal form when we are forced to think of our own words.

Some children listen attentively.

Some can't manage to hold still.

Some begin to think of their lives in a different way, the gears start turning, and the heart starts leaning heavily towards Jesus.

Many nights are deep and full of thought-provoking conversations and questions.

I can truthfully say that our family has never grown so much in the Lord.

MOST NIGHTS END LIKE THIS.

WITH CHARLIE IN A BEAR HUG/FULL NELSON.

So, here we are. At the beginning of 2021. 

We are listening for His call of "Follow Me."

We are Getting Used to Different.

We are Bingeing Jesus.

We are looking for Trouble.

We are The Chosen.

Let’s Go Buffalo!

 It’s so crazy to think we aren’t in New York anymore and that we cheer for an out of state team. But that’s us now. 

So, from the comfort and safety of our home, we cheered on our Buffalo Bills today!

Matt had three or four heart attacks, but somehow survived. 

AND WE GET TO DO IT AGAIN NEXT WEEKEND!

20+ year drought ended 

Compliments Galore

 Sarah and I had a VERY hard week. We fought. We played. We worked super hard. School did NOT come easily this week. Nothing comes easy the week we come back from Christmas vacation. While we were cleaning and cooking in the kitchen tonight, I thought I would connect and pay her a compliment...letting her know how proud I am of the person she is.

Me: “Sarah, I love how confident you are in the kitchen. And I think you’re the best writer I know.”

Sarah: “I must get it from you. You’re a pretty good writer. I read your blog. Whenever you post something new. And I do it OF MY OWN FREE WILL!!!”

Me: 🙄

Charlie’s 4th Birthday