Ahhh...

Finally, our home has a piano again. We've all missed it, and have already enjoyed this baby (we've had it for 15 hours :). It was being sold by a lady who inherited it after her mother died, and none of her kids are playing, so the piano, only 10 years old, is in mint condition. Granted, it needs tuning, but we got it for approximately 1/4 of what a local piano store is selling it for, and more importantly, it sounds beautiful! She admitted she didn't have a clue what to sell it for, but after receiving 6 class in the first few hours it was posted, realized she should have charged more. But, she's glad we will be enjoying it, and we're glad she didn't raise the price :) Music/noise is ringing through the house again!

Thunder Rocks

So, Hurricane Irene is starting to hit this area, and with it has come lots of thunder. When I commented on it this morning, Sammi's response, "Don't worry, Mom. That's just Thunder Rocks." "You mean the Thunder Rocks in Allegany State Park?" "Yup. No worries, mom, it's just the rocks." It's funny how their brains work!

(the picture is us sitting atop a huge Thunder Rock. I am thankful for a husband who is braver than I, and willing to push us all to take some risks. The girls loved it!)

Because one day we will laugh...

Oh the dinner time battles we have! Yes, those are Francis strong arms as Jessie looks up at him, trying to smile at him until he gives in. But he does not. And the thunderclouds roll in. And then, once she's eater her required-one bite, Francis recedes, and she's sunshine again, and voluntarily eats another bite. This child is infuriatingly stubborn with a strong aversion to food, especially at dinner time. So our most recent attempt to get her to eat consists of making her eat one bite of everything on her plate, and then she can eat/or not eat (as is her more common choice). So we'll battle on for a little anyways, and see where this goes. In the meantime, she'll exist on peanut butter sandwiches, and carnation breakfast essentials :) And we hope she'll outgrow it.

16

Our old church lost a girl this week. A 16 year old girl. Suddenly, on her way home from the fair. 16 short years. My heart has been heavy for the family this week. Praying for her parents who are planning for a funeral, instead of planning which college she should go to. To her brother who is suddenly an only child for the first time in his life. Her classmates and friends who are suddenly finding things quieter. Her grandmother who normally brings her to dance and singing lessons. So many people who never got to say goodbye. So many dreams for the future that will never be here on this earth. My heart is grieved, and my mind mourned the unrealized dreams and potential.

And then I remembered that in some way, Gabby is already living her potential. She's living the dreams that all parents have for their children - that they believe in Jesus Christ, and one day they will spend eternity with their God. The first question of the Westminster Catechism is "What is the chief end of man? To glorify God and enjoy him forever." Gabby made profession of faith, and readily praised God in any way she could. So in some senses, she is continuing perfectly what she began here. And glorifying God forever, and she is perfectly and completely happy.

So while I pray for Gabby's family, and for my girls, I remember that we don't mourn as those who have no hope. And we don't plan as those who have no eternity. So as parents, we pray and we plan, and we wrestle and we rest.

God is still God, and God is still good. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Helping unload groceries... gypsy Jessie

Wisdom from Emma

Me: Okay... we're looking for the ground cloves and the ginger. Oh look, they are right next to each other. Perfect!

Emma: How sweet! It's like Sammi and Emma, because they love each other!

Emma: Mom, I need some more raisins!

Me: But I just gave you some!

Emma: Oh, Mommy... I just had to give them to Jack! He was just being sooo KIND this morning...

Emma: Anytime a dog isn't feeling well, you just need to give him watermelon. Watermelon always makes them feel better. Jack was looking a little sad, so I gave him some. Okay?

"Opening up a can with tin snips is NEVER a good idea!"

I love this little girl!

Giggles

Oh how I love these little girls, and their daddy who makes us all laugh :)