Punkin's Prayers

It is amazing to listen to children pray.

Last spring/summer we started praying as a family for our extended family, friends and some missionaries. We have not always kept up with it, so it has been quite a few weeks since last doing this. But, we are starting this routine again.

Well, last night Punkin' wanted to pray for our friend Mrs. H's daughter who moved away in December. Mrs. H is the mother of four wonderful children and they are not planning on having any more. This was Punkin's prayer: "I pray that Mrs. H's daughter would love her three brothers and their next baby and their next baby and their next baby...". I finally had to stop him, so we could continue praying for other people. Mrs. H...Punkin' might know something we don't know!

Then, tonight he asked to pray for Uncle Wonderful. Thanksgiving day we celebrated at Uncle Wonderful's house. His daughter (wife and mother to two little boys about Punkin's age) was there and Punkin would not leave her side. This was his comment when getting ready to pray: "Uncle Wonderful is my girlfriend's daddy." At first I didn't understand what he was talking about, but then remembered his reaction to her at that time. Watch out Mr. W, somebody has his an eye on your girl. J/K

Pinewood Derby

Dude took part in his very first Pinewood Derby for Cub Scouts this year. He and Daddy had a wonderful time designing, building and decorating his car.

Dude with is car/ship.

Getting ready to race.

Waiting at the finish line with Mr. E. (Dude's den leader.)

New mom, again!

I can not imagine life without these amazing children God has allowed me to raise. With four children we have not gotten a lot of "looks" or comments while out and about. (That might be because we rarely are out and about.) Now that we are counting down the months to adding our fifth child to our family I have thought a lot about what my response would be to those comments or stares. I pray I will be gracious and loving every time. I pray I will not take it personally every time. We will just have to see how it goes. I guess I should not borrow trouble!

Am I the mother I always wanted to be? I don't think I ever thought that far ahead. I know that these children belong to the Lord. My biggest prayer is that I would never do or say anything that would get in the way of them knowing Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and following him with all of their hearts. I know I make a lot of mistakes, but I pray that I am real enough, transparent enough to admit my mistakes and ask for forgiveness. I pray that my kids will see Christ in me. I pray that they will understand God's heart for the world.

Well, these are my deep thoughts. I get pretty emotional while in the last trimester.

Take a look at this blog entry: http://booksandbairns.blogspot.com/2009/05/i-am-not-mother-i-wanted-to-be.html

Three big brothers and one big sister loving on the new baby.
(Yes, I am just waking up in this picture.)

John Deere Pavilion

On the way home from Christmas in Iowa, we stopped in the Quad Cities at the John Deere Pavilion. Our two youngest boys can't get enough of John Deere! We enjoyed greatly all that the Pavilion had to offer.

Monkey and Punkin'

Dude, Punkin', Monkey, and Girlfriend

Girlfriend and Punkin'

Dude and Monkey

The Whole Family