Some quick pictures

Since we have cut back to four days a week, I frequently have longer days. Monday night I got home early, so we wanted to do some family things. Sharon suggested games, but most games are a form of mental torture by boredom for me, so I defaulted to something I thought we could all enjoy, which was baking cookies. I know baking isn't conceived of as a manly activity, but I enjoy it because it is like construction--making things. Besides, there is the added benefit of childhood enjoyment, reading practice for Lydia (recipes), math practice for Lydia (recipes), messy hands and fingers (Jacob & Sarah Beth stirring), and basic lessons on self-dependence and serving others by not being a stranger to the kitchen. Here are the kids enjoying hot, fresh, chewy, oatmeal cookies with chocolate milk.

Sometimes God gives moments of cease-fire during sibling warfare. These two are the most "competitive" in the family, and we need to spend hours looking at pictures like this to remember that there are . . .hold that thought--the ceasefire just ended-- anyway, as I was saying, there are times of peace and children are a delight.

This may be the first foursome picture we have. Some of our baby dolls are still bigger than Philip.

Early signs of a future American?

Our son, the future rapper? Or rock star?

Or couch potato?

While these pictures make us smile, they also remind me that every rock star, rapper, or couch potato began life with such "innocence." Sight says babies are so innocent. Faith says, "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me," Psalm 51:5. Pray with us as we seek to live by that faith and do the hard things that love requires to train up this child. And pray that God's grace will seek out and save each of these our children.