"quiet streams of refreshing grace . . ."

I was looking today for interesting gifts to use as Thank You's when Babe comes home. I want to thank the people that have helped and been such a blessing to us. I found a card with the following quote:

"God has a place of rest for us, even in the midst of our busy and challenging days. It isn't an escape from the stress-it's an oasis of calm despite the demands. His very presence is our ultimate peace. He brings quiet streams of refreshing grace to restore us in our times of need."

Those "quiet streams of refreshing grace to restore us in our times of need" where sometimes sisters in Christ (especially my Mom) praying and helping me whether by cooking meals, taking the kids to or from school, etc. I also like how it says that the stress' don't go away but the presence of Christ and that He is in control brings "ultimate peace."

Women's Lib, who wants that?!!

Tonight as we were leaving the bowling ally Annalina said "I would not like it without you Mommy" and I said "I wouldn't like it at all without you" and she said "That is why you don't have a job like Daddy's". WOW, she's exactly right!!!! Women's Lib can stick their heads in the toilet! I can't imagine not counting the raising of a child as "fulfillment"!! That is all I need. She has commented to me on previous occasions that I miss them [the kids] when their gone and she is exactly right. I love these kids immensely.

On the way into the grocery store today there were colorful pieces of paper plastered all over the front doors and Gabriel asked me what they were for and I said they were advertisements telling what was on sale. He said I know what is on sale in my brain for you! I asked what that was and he said "Love".  How can you not love being a Mommy!

On a different note:

Last night Ross came and sat next to me and got a sad look on his face and said "Is Daddy on the airplane? I just want to see him a little bit. I miss him." He wants his Daddy so bad.

 A few days ago Ross said "I don't want to miss him", "I miss him alot". Another words I don't want to feel the pain of missing him anymore! 

Last Sunday afternoon I just started feeling lonely for Babe and missed him and had that homesick feeling. I was walking down the hallway and Gabriel called to me and I went and he kept pausing and finially said "I love you, I miss Daddy." I said "I love you guys too, Gabriel I was just thinking the same thing [about missing "Daddy"] . He thought that was neat. Then I said "It makes my heart hurt." Gabriel started moving around and putting his head down some (like he was fighting against emotion) and said "It does me too."

Somebody told me that young kids are resilient when it comes to one parent being gone. I guess my kids missed that memo!!

Songs I remembered . . .

I was singing to Ross tonight and song came to my mind I hadn't thought of in a long time and I really like it.

"Sometimes when life seems gentle and blessing flood my way I turn my gaze away from you and soon forget to pray but when the sky grows darker and blessings turn to fear I turn my gaze away from you and soon forget to pray. Lord, I need you when the sea of life grows cold Oh Lord, I need you when the wind is blowing strong whether trials come of cease keep me always on my knees Lord I need you, Lord I need you."

And when I was singing to Gabriel I remembered the hymn "How Great Thou Art". That starts "Oh Lord my God when I in awesome wonder consider all the worlds thy hands have made I see the stars I hear the roaling thunder thy power throughout thy universe display then sings my soul my Savious God to thee how great thou art how great thou art. Then sings my soul my Saviour God to thee how great though are how great thou art."

A Sweet Goodnight

Last night when I was putting the kids in bed Gabriel said "It wouldn't be home without you Mommy." I really appreciated that.

I Emailed this picture out for a Happy Valentine's to Family and Friends!

Annalina's Invention Convention at School

Every year the Kindergarteners study inventors and inventions and then one day they bring home the Invention Convention Suitcase and they can use only what is in the suitcase to make something. She and I worked on this. We used a door hinge and cut out hands and Annalina called it the "Hand Holder". It will hold things if a fan is on or the wind is blowing!

Night, Night, Sleep Tight . . .

Ross has had problems at night and so I have been letting he Gabriel sleep in the guest rooms queen sized bed at night. I took this picture last night. Ahh, brotherly love. So Sweet!