blessed beyond measure

I'm terrible at teaching. This whole Mom thing where you're supposed to be a model of commitment and patience, not worrying about whether something is done right if you can shape a little mind while it's happening, give a boy a fish kind of sentiment absolutely does not come naturally to me. But I want them to know their way around a kitchen. Maybe even to cook well. Eventually. Feeding people is one of my passions and spiritual gifts, and what a waste it would be to not involve my kiddos. We made this . Out of an abundance of garden zucchini, the recipe's stellar ratings and milk-free-ness, and because I supplied yesterday's breakfast cafe fare at church. Side note that we did 2/3 c vegetable oil and 1/3 c unsweetened applesauce in place of the 1 c oil, 1 c brown sugar and 1 1/4 c white sugar in place of the 2 1/4 c white sugar, and omitted the walnuts. It took probably three times longer than it would have otherwise, and made at least three times the mes...

One photo of each boy, every week, doing their thing. This week: antics at Nana and Granddad's house.

It's growing. Our garden is looking good-ish for the year. Or, well, half of it is. In the words of my husband, half of it could be in a magazine. The rest, well, oh well. We learned many lessons last year. Some we are following through on, others not so much. It didn't get plowed in late winter. And it's showing. I didn't even want to plant this year because of that and the fact that my canning cabinet and freezer still runneth over from last summer. But it seems Brandon needs a garden like his next breath, so we compromised and cut the planting area by a third. Nothing ever grew in that other third anyway. Oh the weeds, the sticky plants, the crab, crab, crabby grass. Lord have mercy. May we never not plow again. And we haven't had as much time for weeding and soil primping as last year, so it's a bit scraggly. Corn looks great. We could probably grow corn out of rocks. Tomatoes showing promise. Thinking a few of them may be too shaded by...

Aden had two parties this year. A friend bash last Saturday, then a family dinner last Sunday. It was his weekend. Noah, Gage, Wyatt, and their families joined us for cake and ice cream at home. Then we took off for putt putt. I knew to expect crazy. After all, we threw together five boys who are just slightly nuts on their own. The first fifteen seconds of hole number one lived up to my expectations. And then. The first ball went into the water. Aden fished it out with a net. Which was awe-inspiring enough that all the other kids had to try it. Before I could blink, we had five boys all on different holes, some tossing the golf balls around, some playing blitz putt putt, and then the birthday boy deciding he would just go for a swim in one of the water hazards. Which was awe-inspiring enough that all the other kids had to try it. Honestly, honestly , I never expected this. Probably should have. And honestly, honestly , I am beyond shocked that we didn't get ...

It's VBS week. Translation: The only thing we have time for is crazy. So if there was going to be a one-a-week, it had to be together and it really had to be here. At church, amid the craziest of crazy. The boys are energetic anyway, but the hecticness and other screaming children and probably even sleep deprivation have turned them into complete maniacs. In a good way, of course. They are learning about Jesus, after all. Yes, VBS is very good. Not only for the spiritual growth of children, but for the way it reveals to the volunteers the true value of rest. For one solid week, we are more thankful than ever for sleep. Tuesday night I almost cried when I got in the bed, just because it felt so. dern. good. Gotta love the summer burn. One picture of each boy, every week, doing their thing.

He's six today, my sweet Aden Levi. Sometimes I just stare at him. From behind, because whenever he catches anyone gazing his way, he throws his arms in the air, furrows his brow, tilts and shakes his head and asks, "Why are you looking at me?" But I just can't believe how grown up he seems. My littlest baby didn't stay little for long. In celebration of this remarkable boy's day, here are some random facts about our newest six-year-old. Aden: Is obsessed, obsessed with cheese Thoroughly enjoys giving winkies (wedgies) to his Daddy and brother Can read well for his grade level, but doesn't read for fun Wants to be outside all the time Plays mechanic with his new bike Has broken most everything he owns Pouts, I mean lip to the floor , when he doesn't get his way Hasn't eaten a vegetable in almost four years Has terrible, horrible eczema on his arms No longer cries when I clip his toenails Goes shirtless as much as possible Lov...