Beloved, God has never failed to act but in goodness and love. When all means fail—his love prevails. Hold fast to your faith. Stand fast in his Word.  There is no other hope in this world. 

- David Wilkerson, April 27 2011

Mrs. Robin

Day One  (April 13th) - We noticed that we had two birds trying to build nests right next to the house.  A little sparrow was starting to build a nest in the curve of our rain drain.  They were starting to bring in twigs from the field and I loved the thought of watching them make a nest and then seeing them have their babies there.  They were out of the way and yet we would still be able to watch them.  

And then there was our Robin.  She decided that a perfect spot to build her nest was right on our back deck light.  We were not thrilled about the spot she was choosing and tried to discourage her.  

Day Two (April 14th) Both birds are still slowly working on their nest.  Although, the Sparrow's nest just seems to keep falling down.  

Day Three (April 15th) We sadly knock down Mrs. Robin's nest.   She just has not chosen the best spot.  We are constantly going in and out the back door that is only about 3 feet from her.  We also love to eat dinner out on the back deck... so down it must go.  

Day Six (April 17th) She really liked the idea of her nest on the light and has kept building.  Down the nest goes again.  We are no longer seeing the sparrows.  I think they have given up trying to build a nest there.

Day Seven (April 18th) 6am - down it goes again.  Within hours she rebuilds.  

Day Eight (April 19th) After a nice rain storm she builds the "real" nest inside of the loose dry pieces of straw, weeds and grass.  We decide that the nest can no longer be knocked down.  The kids are thrilled at the idea of having Mrs. Robin lay her eggs right outside our back door. 

We start looking for information on Robin nests and discover that she will lay between 3-4 eggs, one egg a day.  The eggs will then take approximately 12 days to hatch. She will then feed her babies for about 10 days.  And then we read this:

As for the American robin, it is capable of producing three broods in one year. Only about 40 percent of nests, though, are successful in producing young robins. Meanwhile, only 25 percent of the fledged young make it to November and about half of the birds that survive in any year will usually make it to the following year.  Found here.

 Yikes!  It will be an interesting journey to say the least!

Day 12 and 13 (April 23rd and 24th)  We have not seen Mrs. Robin at all and wonder if she has finally decided to build her nest somewhere else.  

Day 14 (April 25th) Mrs. Robin is back but just in the morning for a little bit.  When she is not there, I run out to check her nest.  One egg.

Day 15 (April 26th) Mrs. Robin has been at her nest more today.  We decide that we should just use the garage door as much as possible as we'd hate to have Mrs. Robin abandon her nest at this point.   After lunch we notice that Mrs. Robin is away from her nest and so I run out to look.  She now has two eggs.

before the girls came...

This last week I found myself thinking back to the days of life with just two little boys...  I was thinking back to life before three little girls... I was remembering what our days were like six years ago.

I thought the boys were active and I thought our days were full.  And, yet our days were sweet and precious; they were simple and quiet.

The boys would awake somewhere around 7 and we would have breakfast and they would usually watch a movie as I got ready for the day and had my quiet time.  They would then play and laugh as I started cleaning.  Some mornings would include bath time and then we would play outside, go to the library, visit with friends, or go grocery shopping.

Lunch time would soon be upon us and we'd all be excited that it was time to take Daddy lunch.  Daddy worked about five minutes from home and each day we'd take him a shake for lunch.  He'd come out to the car or we'd take it into him and I'd find myself visiting with my sister or the other gals at work;  we'd then sit and visit with Daddy for five minutes.  We all loved this time so much...

We'd make the drive home and then we would take a walk to our neighborhood park.  We'd swing and sing, go down the slide and run.

    

Nap time would follow.  Sweet nap time.  The boys would sleep and I would enjoy some quiet time myself...  I would usually work on a Bible Study, or make sure the house was nice and clean, or read, or do a little work for Brent, or sit outside, or take a nap myself... those quiet hours filled my tank, they gave me energy, they quieted my soul...

They'd awaken and we'd go back outside, we'd start to get dinner ready, and prepare for Daddy's arrival  home.

Oh, the days of just two little boys.  




Laundry would only need to be done once a week and on two mornings we would go to Daddy's work so I could get some work done.  We'd go to an upstairs room and they'd play and color while I did the paperwork.

I loved how the boys would be so content to just play together.  I loved watching them fully embrace life.   I loved hearing them make noises with their toys, get dirty while playing outside... I loved watching them play hard and then just crash fully exhausted.   Actually, I still love all of these things... 

he turned ten...

  We love this little man.   He works hard, he serves those around him, and boy is he our thinker.

I whisper prayers for this boy that God has placed into our family...  

that God would be at work in their young lives...  That they would fully surrender their lives and let Him take full control...  That even now they would be as grown up plants, having the heart of David and the character of Daniel.

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

Numbers 6:23-25

He is our gift from God and we are so blessed that he is in our family.  

a sunny afternoon

The day was warm and sunny and while they grabbed their journals, I grabbed the camera.   We sat outside for a while, drawing and listening to the birds sing and play around us.

 (he has his shirt inside out on purpose... they like to play Narnia)

 (I love that I was able to capture these pictures.  

He is my thinker and I often find him sitting just like this. )

 (and my sweet freckle-faced girl)

an afternoon project

It was two years ago (or maybe it was three years ago) that during one week I sat down and made library bags for the three oldest kiddos.  We had gone to the fabric store and they all choose the material they wanted.  We have butterflies and space and cars...  the book bags have been well used and loved.  As Olivia has gotten older she would take a small bag or put some of her books in her sisters butterfly bag, and then a couple months ago she quietly started asking for her own book bag.  This last week, on our way to the grocery store, we finally stopped and picked out some special fabric for her.  The next afternoon we cut the fabric out and a couple of days later we pulled out the sewing machine, sat down, and sewed her bag together.  She is just thrilled and can not wait for our next library trip.

I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name forevermore.  For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.  Psalm 86: 12, 13

Every little man needs a younger sister...

Oh John, can you please push me?  You're so strong!

a clean room

Yesterday I sat talking with our sweet three year old girl about life when she is a mommy.

My girl: When I'm a mommy, I'm going to tell my girls to clean their room.


Me: Will you also tell them how very much you love them?


My girl: Oh yes.  And they'll tell me how much they love me.


My girl: I want to have 7 kids and I always want to have a baby.  When I'm a mommy I won't be riding in a car seat anymore.  


Me: (smile) no, you won't be in a car seat anymore.  


My girl: When I'm a mommy, I'm going to tell my girls to clean their room!  


Me: (a laugh escapes from my lips) Does Mommy have to ask you to clean your room a lot?


My girl: yes.

Yesterday found us enjoying the day outside.  We worked in the yard and enjoyed the sunshine; we had a bbq and listened to the birds.    

Today finds us enjoying hot chocolate and books as we sit cuddled under blankets.  Yesterday it reached 81 degrees and today a little snow has arrived...   

We've tasted Spring though, and we're so glad she's here.  

~~~~~~~~~

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings. 

Phippians 2:13,14

Imprisonments, persecutions, late planes, an attack of the flu, an uninvited guest, or an unpleasant confrontation--never mind. Be obedient as always! Such a simple directive. So hard to carry out--unless we also remember that we are not by any means alone in our effort. God also is at work in us, always accomplishing what we could not accomplish if left to ourselves: his own chosen purpose.

Elisabeth Elliot

 

I found myself reading this today and it echos the cry of my heart... God at work in me...  it's just what I need and want.  Lord Jesus, come.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A fun adventure...