Monday, April 6, 2009

Baths, Buggies, Llamas & Worship

I bet that title got your attention! For those who have been asking, this is not post #100, but it's coming!

We have been so busy around here. But it's the fun kind of busy. We had an absolutely gorgeous weekend and were able to plant some fruit trees and my weeping willow! Remember this post ?

My little Caleb is a sweet baby. I think he may be my most social child yet. He loves to smile and giggle and is very much the charmer. In the evenings, however, not much of a charmer. He gets pretty cranky and there isn't much that will soothe him. I tried to explain to him that this is because he is overly tired from not napping enough during the day, but he disagrees. Anyway, I decided to institute a night bathtime routine. After dinner, I take him up for a long, warm bath while daddy reads books to Eveley. He LOVES to take baths. He kicks and splashes and locks his gaze on me trying desperately to tell me how much fun he's having. Afterwards, I cover him in lotion (the kind that says it "promotes sleeping"!) and get him warm and snuggly in his pjs. This has really made a big difference. He's still a little high maintenance but the discontentment has seemed to let up.

Can you guess who these are?? My boys are much more smiley than my serious little princess.






Miss Eveley is a bundle of energy. She just doesn't slow down. I feel like I need to make lesson plans each day to keep her interested and occupied. She loves to learn and is talking up a storm. She's singing now too! (more to come later...) She loves her brother. I think he loves her too - especially after this:



Yes, this was meant to be a doll stroller. But, for now, Caleb fits rather nicely. (Of course, we do not let her do this without one of us standing right beside her. I think we should probably still make Caleb wear a helmet.)

Now for the llamas. To take advantage of our beautiful weather, we went to the neighbor's llama farm this past weekend.



I went through Robbie's things so Eveley could wear his "milking boots." I think he is proud that she likes milking boots and not princess shoes. (Not sure I can promise it will stay that way.)





As some of you know, we do not have any family here. The closest ones live about 7 hours away. But there are several families at our church who have truly become party of our family. They love our children as much as we do. And our children love them! This is Eveley's Sunday school teacher, Mr. Rocky, and his family. They introduced us to some baby llamas, and Eveley (and Caleb) loved them.




Fun times...until they brought out apples. She had a major meltdown when she realized the apples were for the llamas and not for her. Oh well. (We are working hard on this "sharing" business.)

And, finally, the worship. I just love this song. Through these hard days, I have found so much inspiration and encouragment from music. Here are the words:

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I'm caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won't turn back
I know you are near

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We'll live to know You here on the earth

Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You

7 comments:

Allie Carpenter said...

I love that song! We sing it a lot at our church! Peyton made me cry the other day and get chill bumps. We were in the car singing Mighty to Save and I looked in the rear view mirror and he had his hands raised in the air and was singing away! It was a precious and priceless moment!

Clare said...

Wow! You guys have been busy, and I love the bath photos!! so sweet, caleb has such a little personality already!

Godfreyhouse said...

I can guess your bath pictures, Evely, Robbie, and Caleb. I wish you well with the night time routine. I thank the Lord for giving the gift of music to comfort, encourage, and inspire us.

3 Peanuts said...

I am so glad for an update. Glad Caleb is on a little routine. that always helps.

Deb said...

Just came across your blog (thanks to a link in Donna's :)) and wanted to let you know I enjoyed reading your posts and think about - and pray - for you all often.

I've been blogging for 3 years (though a lot of it is based on my photos, it's personal 'thought' as well):

http://justdesigns.debmemories.com

Wondered if you know you can get your blog printed into a book? ... this site will pull the information (text and photos) from your blogging site and make it into a book ... pretty cool :) Something you might want to consider when you have a year or two postedand would like to see it 'in print'!

http://www.blurb.com/create/book/blogbook/book/blogbook

Ruthie Zylstra said...

I love that picture of Robbie in his milking boots. So cute.

April said...

Your kids are SO CUTE!!!! I just can't get enough of their pictures :)