Happy Birthday, Jonathan!

Happy 8th Birthday Jonathan Samuel!Jonathan enjoyed his birthday breakfast in bed. . . as he said "I've waited all year for this!" Unfortunately this year did not meet his (or anyone's) heightened birthday expectations as he struggled with stomach issues all day. Poor little guy. We celebrated his Birthday Breakfast in Bed on Monday morning, because Dad is gone by 5am on Sunday mornings. (And his tummy seemed a bit better.)
Enjoying his maple bar and opening gifts are a highlight for the birthday boy. This one is from Gray-Gray and Papa - anything with dogs is always a hit. All the kids enjoyed watching "Snow Buddies."
After church, his two best friends came over to play and swim (Parker and Seth). Unfortunately, Jonathan was hurting and spent much of the time resting on the couch. Big sister Sarah came to the rescue and kept the boys entertained on the trampoline and in the pool. (Josh and Bekah had gone to the Carters for the afternoon.) Jonathan is prone to stomach issues, but now we're wondering if he caught a bit of the flu bug going around . . . because big sister Sarah has been vomiting all afternoon! She reports "I'm up to 10." The may just be the beginning. . .
Ok, a new addition! When I finished posting, I went to check on the kids and found Sarah asleep with her bowl tucked in under her chin! I had to take a picture and add it to the post. Poor sweet Sarah. . . keep us in your prayers. If the blog is empty for a while you'll know the flu is making it's rounds.

Last week Dave and Sandy enjoyed this flu. We just returned from Staff Retreat, wherein which Linda, Karen, and Mike all came down with it the last day. All the secretaries were out with it on Monday and Tuesday (Paul didn't vomit, but he also didn't eat for two days - so I'd say he had it!!). Paul said George and Tom went down today. . . . I feel doomed. . .

"We Are Here!"

We've come to love hearing the infamous words "we are here." The phone will ring, those precious words will be uttered and the children will then race to the front door to see Lolo and Lola seated in their parked car with the cell phone still pressed to Lola's ear, calling to see if we are home. If we happen to not be home, those words are followed with "are you there?" At which point I explain that we are not there, but will attempt to get there shortly! The children look forward to the plastic grocery sack that accompanies them, bearing freshly picked fruits or vegetables. Lolo is quite the gardener.Lola is the pianist. She spends time with each child teaching piano. We are thankful for this special gift of time and talent.
Lolo enjoys his time with seven of the grandchildren - usually reading or doing crossword puzzles. Baby J is a "Grandpa Girl." She seems to take to her Granddaddies. This Grandpa will be 84 next week!
Wow, Sarah is really shoving it in! Ha. That's a big bowl of fresh grapes on the table. Sometimes Lolo and Lola are able to stay and enjoy a meal with us. We enjoy this time of hearing stories, especially ones about the Philippines. Our favorite is about a young boy called "Juan Sodut" (or Lazy John). Lolo is a master story-teller. We are blessed to have the influence and faith of multi-generations and we're so thankful for Lolo and Lola's desire to be involved in our lives.

Setting the Bar. . .

I love it when truth clicks in my mind. In fact, I love it when anything seems to click in my brain these days! This morning I was mulling over where have we lost our children. . .no my biological children are not misplaced, but the generation of young people who have been raised in our Bible-teaching churches but lack a Biblical worldview. The Bible is held as the authority and taught consistently, yet it is not "sticking". As I went to hang up my bath towel this morning, it clicked. It must be hung on something to stay. A bath towel will not hang from the wall without something securing it there. Not so profound, I know. The simple truth is that the pegs of a Biblical worldview must be hung before the towels of Biblical instruction will remain. I'm using this one to explain to my children why we do what we do. . .

Maybe we'll actually get some towel bars hung in the process as well. . .

Random Shots

The kids waiting for Daddy to arrive home! The little surprises they are holding are water balloons. . . Little did they know that they were part of a larger conspiracy - I had alerted Dad and had him supplied on the other side of the fence. So while they posed for the picture, he was flanking them. Such squeals of excitement. . .
I have no idea what's happening here. . .
Again, they were waiting for Dad to come home but I'm still not sure what the outfits were about. .
I love that smile!
Rub-a-dub-dub, three girlies in the tub. I think the older sisters were "washing" J's hair. . she looks a bit waterlogged.
I often question why we succumbed to the pressure of placing beds in the children's rooms. This picture confirms that the Micu kids can literally sleep anywhere. Again, why Jonathan chose to sleep in this location under that laundry basket? Some thoughts are better left unknown. . .

Ketocton Baptists: Rev. Voddie Bauchum Holding the Line on CNN

Ketocton Baptists: Rev. Voddie Bauchum Holding the Line on CNN

A Mother's Song

This fall I am enjoying A 30-Day Walk With God in the Psalms by Nancy Leigh DeMoss with a group of women at church. We are actually taking the walk for about 10 weeks. . . Anyway, one of the psalms this week is Psalm 73, one of my personal favorites. Studying it again reminded me of something I wrote back in 2005. Since some of you have commented that you enjoy my musings, here you go. . .

A Mother's Song
Based loosely on Psalm 73
June 12, 2005

Surely God is good to those mothers' who remain content in their hearts and homes.

But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied those mothers who worked for that second income and prospered financially. They did not seem to have any struggles. Their bodies were fit from exercise and they were neatly groomed with stylish hair. Their clothes were not wrinkled or spotted but looked like they stepped from the pages of a Macy's advertisement. Their nails were long and manicured. They had cell phones and Starbucks in hand. They rushed their children off to school or day care and then hurried off to their jobs where they were needed, useful, and productive. They engaged in enlightening conversations and strategized on world issues. They picked up their children and rushed them off to ballet, soccer, piano, voice, and other lessons galore. The children appeared happy, with everything they could want. They had DVD's in their vans, Xboxes and TVs in their own separate bedrooms. They had their own cell phones, designer clothes and fancy electronics. They seemed carefree, their homes increased in wealth.

Surely in vain I have stayed home! Surely in vain I had forsaken the path to wealth and accolades. All day I am plagued by these children, husband and home! I have been punished every morning as I watch the others pursue their ideals. I didn't want to get out of bed to another day of laundry, cooking, errands, housework, homework, bills, problems, and isolation. I am haunted by thoughts of depression and feelings of exhaustion. Joy eluded me. When I tried to understand all this, it was too much. Why was I home? Did I need a break? Time for myself? Medications? Until I opened the Word of the Lord, then I understood my purpose and God's plan for my family.

Surely You have granted me great wisdom and discernment to train up my children. You have blessed me with the gift of time to spend enjoying them. You allow me to discern matters of their hearts before they become hardened to the things of God. You strengthen me to be the helpmeet You have set forth in Your Word, placing my husband before myself and my own desires and ambitions. Surely You have allowed me to make this home a happy place of quiet rest from a world which seeks to satisfy themselves with temporal things.

You are always with me. You guide me with Your counsel. Someday You will take me to Heaven! What else should I desire on this earth or above but fellowship with You each moment, Lord? This body and mind will fail, but You are my strength and portion forever. Someday all will stand before You and give an account for their lives and those entrusted to them. You will destroy the unfaithful. But as for me, it is good to be near You, God. Draw me to Yourself daily. Wake me early to take refuge in You and to fill my heart and mind with Your Word. I will tell of your great deeds in my life, O Lord. I will proclaim how You are good to the struggling.

Our first experience with the "year of the lasts". . .

For those of you young enough to remember or having gone through this experience with your own 6th grader already, you can smile as you faintly recall "the year of the lasts". . . What a sweet season of life this has been with all our little ones grade school and below. I feel like the camera has caught us in mid-step, one foot still in those years with the other foot beginning to reach forward as time marches on. Yes, Sarah is in sixth grade. It still seems impossible. Some may wonder if this really matters since we are homeschooling, but the resounding answer is yes! Each day (it seems) brings a reminder that this year holds the unique and wistful landmark of the "last time". Whether it is "my last summer in Sunday school, or my last VBS, my last year in AWANA, or my last year with a Director" Sarah is reminding us that a new season is upon us. A season of anticipation and excitement, but also a time of enjoyment for these present days.

I was tempted to entitle this blog "Our first experience with the "year of the lasts and our last year of the firsts". . . but besides being really long it might also be untrue. However, as you see from the photo we are completing delighting in Jael's year of "Firsts" and in Sarah's year of "Lasts". I think from child four or five on I've wondered if this might be the end of the baby season of our lives. . .thankfully it has not! (No that's not an announcement. . .) Enough ramblings for now, I'm off to enjoy the last September 11th with my 6th grader and the first September 11th with my baby (and all those in between)!!

First Fruits

There is a time of day affectionately referred to as "First Fruits" around our home. It occurs "first" in the day, right after Morning Stuff (see gadget bar). It's a special time, and unfortunately, unique now in the American church. A faithful father diligently, intentionally, consistently gathering his flock to participate in a time of family worship. Running is worship? It certainly can be . . . if it's First Fruits running! Especially when half-way into the run you get to take a breather and listen to some excellent First Fruits preaching from our favorite Bible teacher, Daddy. Tied for second, third, etc, would be Paul Washer (Josh's favorite) www.heartcrymissionary.com, John Piper (Sarah's favorite) www.desiringgod.org, and Mom's favorite - Voddie Baucham, www.voddiebaucham.org. I love any preacher who thinks a woman with 7 children should have a party thrown in her honor!!
Won't be long before Hannah gets the boot! Right now she and Naomi enjoy the ride but Jael is almost ready to take her seat.

Over, but not forgotten . .

Memories of our vacation still linger. The kids enjoy talking about the "good times" and they seem to get more exaggerated as time passes. Here we enjoying a water break at one of the lakes we hiked to. . .Nymph, Dream, Bear, Hiyahah. . .it all runs together. My family began hiking. . .well, before I can remember. It has just always been. I am thankful that our hikes have shortened now that all the grandchildren have arrived. Pre-kid days were full of long hikes that became longer. . . my pop has the gift of making the first hike of the season twice as long as it was supposed to be! My favorite was in Canada when we set off with a jug of water and a snickers bar. . ."we're almost there" for about 11 extra hours! Paul still wonders why we hike. . .sometimes I wonder too. Is it a white thing? I only see white folk hiking. . .thoughts?
Rebekah Claire, Hannah Esther, and Rebekah Ruth became hiking buddies. Hiking is more enjoyable with lots of cousins.
Rocket science. . .always a blast! One of the favorite classes that the cousins enjoyed that week.
Nine-year-olds are awesome "mommy's helpers"! Thanks so much to Emily and Elizabeth for loving on Hannah and Naomi. They were so patient with the little girls and here they pose for a quick shot after putt-putting.
One of the favorites was just climbing all over the big rocks and setting up forts and camps and using their wondering imaginations. Rachel, Elizabeth, Rebekah Ruth, Rebekah Claire and Sarah strike a pose.
Granddaddy with Baby Jael. Grandpa is an expert whistler and always keeps the babies amazed and amused!
Elijah, Joshua, and Jonathan (perhaps Ethan is in the back?) retreat into their fort. With only 4 boy cousins to 10 girl cousins, these guys had to stick together for protection! They had quite the set-up.
The ratios continue in our family, as well. 3 boys versus 6 girls! The men have to stick together and act tough!