Baby girl...

Gracie turned four this week. I cannot believe how time is flying. It seemed like yesterday I held a tiny (very tiny) baby wrapped in pink in my arms. Not much has changed...she still likes pink and still loves to be held like a baby. Now we are REALLY into Princess things...the Barbie Princesses, the movies, the books, the songs...it goes on and on (quite a market for little girls :) ) We have been to one Disney Princess Show on ice and she loved it so much we are going again in September. Of course her birthday party this year was all about pink and princesses.

Never knew how much I would LOVE having a girl. Not sure I was ready for the drama that comes with it but she makes us all laugh, she makes us want to sing and dance. She makes us want to dress like a princess (or a prince!) And yes some days she makes me want to pull my hair out.

She is a wonderful blessing to this family and truly completes us. She has a tender spirit and does not like for anyone to be hurt or sad. She loves her blankie (and yes still occasionally loves her naa-naa) She loves pigs (only ones that are pink)! She wants to take ballet this fall and I think I can honestly say that seems right up her alley right now. Can't wait to see how she does.

She loves for you to tell her stories and sing her lullabies at night and she loves to fall asleep with her head on my chest.

There are so many more reasons why I love my Gracie girl...Lately I have been calling her Grace more often. I truly know she was given to me by God and so much more than I deserve. Thank you Lord for my baby girl...I am so glad she is mine.

Gracie was determined I needed to wear a princess gown. Thankfully I had a bridesmaid dress that fit! :)The Cake!The girls painted and decorated jewelry boxes and then played princess games to earn the jewelry for the boxes!Family birthday time is always special too...even more princesses! :)

Well beyond his years...

My Samuel amazes me. I don't really know how else to describe what I am about to write. He has an amazing love for his big brother. I don't think you really can understand it unless you see it in action. He has more patience, compassion, and endurance for the relentless than I could ever have. When I see the two boys together I see a glimpse into part of God's plan for us!

The boys have always been close. When they were little EVERYONE thought they were twins even though Samuel is two years younger. I dressed them the same and took them everywhere together. Samuel used to look up to Bubs. He copied EVERYTHING he did and followed him like a puppy dog. I have memories of them dressing up in hats to put on shows for us. They watched the same shows, listened to the same music and liked the same books.

Years have passed now. Samuel is now the one that Bubs looks up to. He follows Samuel around. They don't really like the same shows (except for the BRAVES), or the same music. Samuel is a much better reader than Bubs...although Samuel has been known to read to Bubs...but there is a bond there that you couldn't recreate if you tried. Samuel is Bubs protector. He looks out for him in most any situation. He lets him win (sometimes), he lets him watch his own shows (even if it means Samuel has to watch BLUES CLUES for the fiftieth time)! He lets him pick first when they play the WII together. What seven year old kid does that???

Those who have had them in class at church say you don't really have to do anything to help Bubs...Samuel helps him. When the are at a friend's house or with a babysitter...they say Samuel helps to take care of him.

Recently we had an interesting conversation about Bubs starting at Samuel's school next year. This has been an answered prayer for us. I can't tell you how it will make our life easier with both boy's at their home school. Being the skeptic...I have mostly been concerned for Samuel. I know Bubs will transition fine but I was worried Samuel would be overprotective and worried for Bubs during the day since they will be in the same grade. Here's what I found out about it...

Mom... Well Samuel you know the good thing about you both being in school together is I can go on all the field trips with you guys.
Samuel...Why would you go on the field trips??
Mom...Well you know they like me to go with Bubs.
Samuel...Why is that??? Is it because he walks so slow??

Why was I worried?? These boys share something that I can't always understand....I thank God every day for my Samuel and what a wonderfully amazing son, brother and friend he is. I love you Samuel.

Thunderstorms

Many of you know about Bubs fear of thunderstorms. If you have never heard me talk about it...let me explain. Bubs is TERRIFIED of thunderstorms. He can generally sense a good storm coming. He can tell when it gets cloudy and then begins his repetitive questions. "Mom,cloudy?" "Mom,rain?" "Mom,thunder?" We generally respond as honestly as possible...he would get it if we tried to trick him. Then once we answer...he waits about a good minute and starts the questions again. Once the rain/thunder starts he becomes incredibly anxious...we have to hit the bathroom a few times (poor kid...got my nervous stomach!), we have to find Paul the Elephant, he has to find me (usually) and then we have to sit and hold Paul over his face. I try to console him but it never seems to work. If I try to get up and move away from him he cries. If I have to move away he follows me. It really is a pitiful scene. Unless you watch him you wouldn't believe it. And sometimes you just want him to relax and understand it's okay...he is safe here with me.

But here's the thing. I don't think I am much different when there is something that really makes me anxious. When something scares me I ask God a million questions. I want to have answers! Even when God answers I need another response. When my life takes a turn down a somewhat scary path I immediately become sick to my stomach with worry. I try to cover my life with other things in my life that will console me. When those things move away from my life I try to follow. But the truth is...God just wants us to relax and understand it's going to be okay...He has it in control and I am safe with Him here with me.

Matthew 6:25-34

34 "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow,for tomorrow will be anxious for itself."

Baseball

Well with one more game left, baseball season is almost over. It's been a great season for lots of reasons.

Samuel has REALLY improved this year. His catching is by far the most improved and had several impressive plays this year. His batting has almost improved from last year. He is begging to move to a more competitive league next year. (Mainly because he can wear a uniform with his OWN name on it!) I think he's ready...but I don't know if we are ready!

Bubs DID SO WELL! He played every game and didn't give up! He didn't have to use the tee every time either. He could hit the balls that Brian threw to him. I think we might do MIRACLE LEAGUE next year so he can continue to practice his skills.

Brian was the coach. He loves to coach the boys and I am glad he loves to do it. It makes for a really crazy season with games and practices and all that jazz but all in all I wouldn't want it any other way. He is a really involved Dad and I love that about him.

Gracie survived. I think this last game she finally said "baseball game" instead of "soccer game." We do play that too in the fall so that will be a fun transition! She was a trooper. I don't think she liked having to sit and watch her brothers but occasionally was a great cheerleader.

We were able to play with some wonderful friends from church which makes everything much more fun!

Here are our pictures..

Hiking trip

A couple of weeks ago the Kamans ventured out to celebrate Father's Day on our first family hike. We tried this same hike earlier in the year but it was really too windy to make it very far. It's right outside of Charlottesville...a place called Humpback Rocks. It's about a mile both ways. If you make it all the way you have done the most work! It's a VERY steep climb. If you get to the top it's really worth it. The view is FANTASTIC, although very high (for Samuel and I both afraid of heights!) I was so proud of my little family. Bubs made it the whole way without being carried. Gracie made it about 1/3 of the way up and the entire way down. Samuel of course led the pack the whole way. And...except for a short experience with some sort of animal "poop" ( and we will not talk about whether or not it was truly from an animal)....it was a fun time!

Here's some pictures...

The boys love to explore and climb the rocks. Gracie needed a little bit of help!
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!
WE MADE IT!

A three year old Gospel

Gracie is by far my most emotional child. I guess that would be because she is a girl. Well lately she has been wanting to talk to me about God and Heaven. She knew she could ask God into her heart when she got a little bigger. Well a couple of days ago she felt bigger.

It started with an interesting conversation(in the car...all of life's biggest conversations seem to happen in the car) of how we "got" Benjamin and Samuel. I told her that God gave them to me just like he did with her. She wanted to know some specifics about how God gets them into mommy's tummy. I was quick to tell her that she wasn't quite big enough to understand. WHEW... :)

Then she started asking how God could come into her heart. She wanted to know what it felt like when He did that. We talked about how He changes your heart, how you won't physically feel different but you will want to talk to Him, please Him, and learn more about Him. She told me she WAS bigger and ready to ask God into her heart because she needed Him to help her not do bad things and to love her brothers more. So...we prayed together. It was a sweet time for me right there in my van. She said that now God could help her not to be scared or naughty. That she knew He could! Later we talked about Heaven. She wanted to go but really didn't want to go right now because she loved her room to much but maybe living in a castle with God could be fun later! She started crying that she wanted to be with her family and really didn't want to have to leave. I told her that now we all could Heaven because now all FIVE of us were ready for that day! That made her pretty happy. She said maybe when she got bigger she could learn a little more about God. That night when she said her prayers she and I BOTH prayed a prayer of Thanksgiving that she had asked Jesus to save her.

I know it's a three year old Gospel but my God can call any of us to himself...the little and the big. And I also know she can understands that she really needs Him. Now, that's the Gospel...and it took my kid to remind me of that!

GOT TO GET THIS

Okay...if you don't know about this and want a great way for your kids to learn scripture...here it is...
This CD Is put out by Seeds Family Worship (http://www.seedsfamilyworship.net/) It is a GREAT way for kids to learn scripture. On my CD there are verses like Ephesians 2:8. It is sweet music to hear all three of my kids singing "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— it is the gift of God..." I just love it and the kids ask to hear it...you know I will be ordering some more.

Check it out!