Weekend Storms....

This past weekend, the midwest was hit with quite a few severe thunderstorms -- which also involved a few tornadoes in the area. Our little town was hit with a thunderstorm or two, but nothing was too severe. BUT, last night (Sunday), a storm moved into our town. It was a bit windy, but I was in the kitchen doing something (obviously, I don't remember what). All of a sudden, I heard a little thud, and Marc loudly said, "Oh." I looked at our sliding door, and I noticed a few branches near the door. I thought to myself, "O.K., we'll pick them up." Then, Marc said, "No, look at that." Yep, a MAJOR branch had broken off of a large tree next to our house and fallen on the main electric line running into our house. Oopppsss.....We both looked at each other -- kind of wondering what to do next. I called Westar Energy (our electric company). I enjoy electricity, and I'm grateful for Westar. But, admittedly, I'm not a fan of their automated reporting system. But, after some brief discussions with Marc, I left a message where I thought was best appropriate. Marc also reported it online. Then, we decided to call our neighbor across the street for some advice. Fortunately, he was home and was able to quickly come over and look. He made a few suggestions and then headed home. As he was doing so, we suddenly noticed the electricity guys on our street -- ALREADY QUICKLY responding to our call. Oh my -- I was an excited woman! The two guys came back and looked....In this pic, they are behind the branches on our deck. The extremely NICE guys safely removed the branches off of the electric wire and double-checked the wire. Amazingly, we never lost power in the ordeal. They then told us we'd need to call professional tree trimmers to safely take care of the rest of the branches. The FUNNY thing is that just this weekend, Marc was seriously thinking he needed to call a professional tree trimmer to work on this tree. We don't want it taken down, but it needs some trimming. Marc has been concerned that a few branches were dangerously close to Kate's window. He was concerned about a storm causing a branch to go through her window. The branches that ultimately fell this weekend were NOT the branches he was concerned about -- Ha! Tonight, I took this pic of our deck -- another view of the lovely branches. We're thankful that nothing was seriously damaged, and we're certainly thankful nobody was hurt. Wichita, about 25 miles to the south of us, definitely had more storm damage than us. A tornado was on the south side of Wichita. Several sections of the city had significant hail damage -- YUCK! In fact, an apartment complex I lived in for a couple of years in my single days had around 150 windows damaged from hail. Fortunately, I'm not living there anymore :) Today, the weather here was BEAUTIFUL. The humidity was down. The temperature was just right. This morning, we spent time at a park with friends for a play date. This evening, Marc mowed the lawn (with Luke outside). It had grown quite a bit over the weekend thanks to the wonderful rain. Apparently, Luke's mower needed fixed tonight. Kate spent time in her beloved swing as Luke explained every part of his lawnmower to me -- Ha! Then, I decided I'd get the wagon out to see how Kate did. Kate did FABULOUS! She sat in it without tumbling over. She seemed to like it. Luke wore his "e-phones" in case somebody was out mowing (this is according to Luke).... So, I walked them around the neighborhood for a bit....Kate did great! Luke did great too until the very end when I stopped to talk to a neighbor. He repeatedly interrupted me as I was talking (something we've really been working on)....SO now, he has to pay a consequence -- Sigh.... I texted a friend this evening saying I kind of felt guilty about so very much enjoying our weather this evening. You see, Moore, OK, is only about 2 1/2 to 3 hours south of us. You've probably seen in the news by now (if you haven't, turn on the news) that this city was hit by a LARGE tornado this afternoon. As of right now, 51 have already been reported dead. The tornado hit two elementary schools. I grew up in a town which was devastated by a tornado in 1991 -- the end of my freshman year in high school. My family did not lose our home, but we knew quite a few families who did. I remember that evening vividly. I completely empathize with those in the area of Moore, OK. Tornadoes really are devastating and definitely shouldn't be used for entertainment purposes (which I see all too often each and every time storms come). BUT, tornadoes remind me of one thing -- God's power and sovereignty. Recently, a friend of mine's father commented on a post of mine (on Facebook). I don't really remember exactly how he worded it (and I'm not going to try and find it). Basically, he said, "Griping about the weather is griping about God's sovereignty." (Again -- something to that extent). For some reason, that hit me hard. I realize how much I do gripe and have griped about the weather. I realized how many complaints I read from others' posts on Facebook about the weather. Marc & I really talked about that comment and have realized just how much that is true. So, though we haven't perfected it yet, we've really tried to stop complaining too much about the weather. This past weekend, when it was SO humid and obviously going to storm (knew it by how it felt), I strived to simply be grateful for the moisture which we so badly needed. I don't know what God's purpose was in allowing the tornado to hit such a populated area in the middle of the day (referring back to today's Moore, OK, tornado). It truly is a sad event. But, it also clearly states in the Bible, that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28). So, I know, without a doubt, God will make something good out of this tragedy. In the meantime, I will pray for those in Moore, OK. I will cry a compassionate cry when I see the devastation on the TV (Romans 12:15). Hopefully, I will find a reputable charity to give money to for Moore, OK. In the process, I will still praise God -- simply for who He is and His sovereignty. And, I will continue to do my best to NOT complain about the weather!

Nothing More Than a Simple Bribe....

This morning, Kate had a doctor's appointment in Wichita. It was with a specialist we have routinely seen since she was around 3 months old. I won't go into detail on this blog about what the specialist is for, BUT if you ask me in person or e-mail me, I will answer the question. But, don't worry. It's nothing serious or life-threatening -- just something she will live with all of her life. The appointment was actually 2 days ago. Kate was to have a sonogram first thing, and then, we were to go to her doctor's appointment. Marc was able to work it out so that he could work from home and stay with Luke in the morning while I took Kate to the sonogram and subsequent appointment. Without boring you with the details, there was a little glitch in the scheduling....the sonogram was done. Then, we had to go back to today for the appointment. SO, Luke was with Kate and me. I knew he'd probably get a bit bored; therefore, his behavior would probably go downhill rather quickly. SO, I bribed him with a visit to a park close to the hospital (and specialist's office)....he's been to this park before, both with Marc as well as my mom. He thinks it's the greatest. I really believe he likes it because it's not his "normal" parks here in town. Well, Luke did awesome with Kate and me, and he earned his trip to the park. So, despite Kate being REALLY exhausted after her appointment, we walked to the park. (And, before I go any further, I'll offer up a warning...I have a really awesome talent of getting my finger in the pics....AND, for some reason, I really exuded that talent today)....First, this park has a Merry-Go-Round -- you know, something that's hard to come by anymore. Despite Luke's non-risky personality, he likes the Merry-Go-Round, as long as it doesn't go too fast. Then, there are some fun things to climb on and pretend...Luke pretends he's driving a boat. (And, there's my finger)....Yay! And, despite Luke's non-risky personality, he does like slides of ALL kinds....You might notice Luke doesn't have shoes on. Unfortunately, it was a "sand" park (not a favorite of mine). Usually, Luke whines and complains about the "feeling" of sand in his shoes or on his bare feet. But today, he actually took his shoes off and ran around in the sand bare-footed -- a HUGE and monumental occasion for our boy! Luke was having a great time, but poor Kate was SO tired. She was WELL past her morning nap time. PLUS, she had been poked and prodded, weighed and measured, and even had her blood pressure taken. I put her in a baby swing (which the park did have -- YAY)! She, of course, was happy there. I soon looked over, and she had fallen fast asleep in the swing....I sent this pic to my friend, Robin, and she noticed that Kate didn't even have the energy to put her fingers into her mouth. Nope....Kate didn't....SO very sad. I gently pushed her, and she kept sleeping. At this point, Luke was swinging as well, obviously awake! It was soon time to go. I gently pulled Kate out of the swing, and I put her gently into her stroller and fastened her seat belt. She IMMEDIATELY went right back to sleep. Luke and I, with Kate in the stroller, walked the several blocks back to the hospital parking garage where our car was parked. Then, Luke hit the JACKPOT! In the garage was a SKID STEER -- Luke's dream. So, of course, we stood there and looked at it for awhile, and Kate kept sleeping in the stroller. Many cars drove by during this time. I'm certain if any of the drivers were parents of boys, they completely understood why we were seemingly just standing there. We got to the car, and Kate woke up -- happy as can be for the drive home. This afternoon, she took a semi-decent nap. This evening, I went out walking with just Kate. She was asleep before completing the first mile (it usually takes her a bit more than a mile to fall asleep)....I know -- it's SO very lady-like to have your belly showing. She did wake up half way through my walk -- happy! SO, I was privileged enough to once again catch a pic of her with her fingers in her mouth -- held on by her opposite hand! (Sorry if you are tired of me posting pics of this -- I, as her mother, find it quite cute....again, I want to remember it as long as I'm on this earth).... And now -- I'm tired! Thanks for reading!

Golly -- I Can't Help Myself/Park Picnic and Playdate....

This past Tuesday, it was HOT outside. It wasn't "July in Kansas" hot yet (thankfully), but it was hot, nonetheless. Our friend, Lily, was over as she is every other Tuesday before preschool. Luke & Lily have known each other virtually all of their little lives. Luke & Lily are in the same preschool class. So, on Tuesdays, they get to play together before preschool (switching homes every other week). I offered to take them (along with Kate, of course) to the park to play and have a picnic lunch. Neither of them turned me down. Here's where the "Golly" part comes in on this post....Upon arriving at the park, Luke & Lily were out of the car FAST and immediately playing on the equipment. I put Kate in the stroller and leisurely walked over to the baby swings. She made the BEST faces/expressions in the swing, despite it being very bright outside. I LOVE this girl to pieces! (I LOVE Luke as well, but you know what I mean).... Sometimes, Luke & Lily fight like siblings. Sometimes, they get into trouble together -- like during their mothers' Bible Study -- while they're in childcare at church. Other times, as in more recently, the play quite well together. This day, at the park, they did VERY WELL together. This day, I was so very grateful for friends of my kids. Fast forward that same day to after preschool (at this point, Lily was home with her family) -- I needed to stop at the lovely county courthouse and renew our cars' license plates. Kate was wind blown -- despite having been inside after the park for a nap. She did VERY WELL while I was paying money (Blah)....Luke entertained her -- which is the very nice thing about siblings. I just must post this pic -- you know, to leave you with yet another cute pic of one of our kiddos.

Parenting Isn't Easy....But Mowing and Swinging Make It All Better For Now....

Our favorite little guy, Luke, and I did not have a good day. We just didn't see eye to eye -- on several occasions today. It all started with some obedience (on something that seems to be recurring). Then, it moved on to some hurtful rudeness. It went back to disobedience. Then, it went to a lie. Then, it went to another lie. The day ended with Luke having to eat supper alone in his room. He was sad having to do that. Marc & I both admitted we actually felt sorry for him at that point. But, we stuck with it. Fortunately, we ended the day with him on a very good note. Luke apologized. Luke prayed for forgiveness. He then told us that "Jesus loves him and forgives him." I had tears at that point. I told Luke that I loved him and that I forgave him. I also said we WILL be having a much better day tomorrow. Then, I sit down at the computer and find the pics from early last week -- the first big "mow" of the season here at the Friesen House. AND, if you've "known" Luke for any length of time, you know that mowing is a favorite for him. As Marc's wife and Luke's mother, I LOVE to watch them mow together. I seriously CHERISH watching them because I know it won't last forever (though I do hope Luke's love of mowing keeps going -- it could get him a job as a teenager).... Through parenting, I am personally learning more and more about what God wants from us. He wants obedience. He wants our trust. He wants us to turn away from our sin. AND ultimately, he wants us back to Him. The only way to do that is a relationship through His Son, Jesus Christ. I want complete obedience from our children. I want our children to trust us. I want them to turn away from their wrongs (sins). I want a relationship with them. When I think all of this through, I realize our children are absolutely no different than Marc & myself as adults. We don't always obey God. We don't always trust God. We don't always turn away from our sin. Marc & I both have trusted Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior. We know where we're going when we are not longer physically alive on this earth. Our BIGGEST prayer is that our children make that same decision -- for Christ. It is sometimes easy to look at little baby girl Kate and think, "She's perfect...she doesn't do anything wrong." Ha! We all have the sin nature (see Romans 3:23). Her sin nature will come out, and as she's approaching the one year mark, we're starting to see a few things of that sin nature. In the meantime, here are a few pics....FIRST, Kate LOVES to swing -- both here at home and at the park. She gets herself SO relaxed....I'm afraid she's going to fall asleep. While that wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing to fall asleep in the swing, I ultimately want her to nap in her bed. SO, I snap a pic and then get her to bed for a nap.... I *think* I've said this before on this blog (if not, it's been on Facebook and Instagram), but Kate sucks two of her fingers on her right hand -- held in her mouth by her left hand. It's CUTE in this Mama's opinion....here's the demonstration. AND, because Luke was confined to his room, we weren't able to take a "family walk" after Marc got home from work. SO, Kate & I just went out. She was super cute, and it was super quiet on my walk (Luke wasn't there to talk)....Even though the quietness was nice for one night, I wouldn't want to do that too often. I actually missed him on our walk today....AND, I told him that this evening.

The Friesen Family Garden, Part 2....

Yesterday, after Kate's afternoon nap, I took a walk with the kids in the double jogging stroller -- one of my most favorite things! Kate was cute, of course.... Luke was as equally cute, but lately, he's been using our walks as an opportunity to catch up on sleep, despite Kate's jabbering throughout the entire walks. It's a great thing he slept because last night, Marc & Luke planted the garden. I was actually gone for the evening. So, I didn't get pics! But, Marc took one. While all of this was going on, Kate nicely watched from the Exersaucer (or so I'm told)....Today, I snuck out to look....here's the progress (I know you really can't see anything yet, but I wanted to document it). Now, we need both sun and rain to grow the tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, corn....

Eleven Months....

Kate is a whopping 11 months old today! I know I certainly haven't done the greatest at posting each month's pic of Kate (like I did of Luke 4 years ago). BUT, here's an 11-month shot! We LOVE her a whole bunch! And, Kate's Big Brother had to join in on the fun -- complete with a cheesy grin! AND, some outtakes, of course.... And, just for a flashback...here's Luke's 11-month pic....

The Friesen Family Garden, Part 1....

It's Sunday morning, and I'm composing a blog post. We should (and would prefer to) be at church. However, our little guy, Luke, had a fever Friday evening and for a good portion of the day on Saturday. It was low grade. It came out of nowhere. And, for the most part, he didn't act too bad. But, we know the rules -- fever within the last 24 hours, keep them at home. Marc did run a 1/2 marathon this morning....he accomplished his goal by about 4 seconds. Go Marc! I'm home with the kids. Now, Kate is taking her morning nap. Luke is looking at pics on my phone (as he likes to do). AND, I'm typing away at the computer. BUT, this post is not about sickness or church. It's the first part of hopefully a bunch of posts about our newest endeavor -- the Friesen Family Garden. I know, I know -- many of you reading this post have had many gardens and have done quite well. But, for us, it's a first. I'm going to guess that gardening is quite a bit like many other tasks in life -- many people will have all sorts of advice. It will be our job to sort through the advice and through quite a bit of trial and error, figure out what ultimately works for us in the long run. We decided we're first going to try a garden right beside our shed...based on where sunshine hits our backyard. SO, the other evening, Marc did some tilling. Luke used a "pick" to help. Of course, in true Luke fashion, the "e-phones" and safety glasses were on. We've actually been composting (sporadically) for the almost 9 years we've been married. Finally, we're putting it to use. (I LOVE this pic...it appears as if Luke is doing all of the work, and Marc is delivering "marching orders." In all seriousness, Luke did help (for a 4 year-old), but Marc definitely has done most of the work. I've been on "Kate duty.") We do welcome advice; however, please be gentle. Don't give us any environmental advice. We'll roll our eyes -- Ha! Remember -- we haven't done a garden like many of you, but Marc's run A LOT of miles. So, this is as big of a deal to us as running is to some of you -- like running a race for the first time (of any distance). And now, as I've now finished this post, Luke has gone outside. Yep, he's fine....BUT, we stay home :(