Valentine's from Daddy

I should have posted these notes to the kids from Daddy sooner but I am finially getting around to it. The kids LOVED their notes from their Daddy and they thought the one to Sonja was VERY, VERY FUNNY!

The notes went as follows:

January 30, 2009

Dear Gabriel,

I'm very glad that everything went well with removing the bump behind your ear, and that you were a good boy and obeyed the doctor and didn't complain.

I have a computer game that I think you would like to play with me when I get home. It has Americans and British and Russians fighting against Germans and Japanese, just like in World War Two.

I would really like to talk to you about science and history. That's very fun stuff.

I Love You, 

Daddy

January 30, 2009

Dear Annalina,

I'm very glad that you got the chance to go to school this year and learn lots of fun and interesting things.

Today, I ate a great big hamburger and I thought of you because you like to eat meat, just like I do. I think it would be fun to go eat meat at a restaurant with you again when I come home.

I Love You,

Daddy

January 30, 2009

Dear Ross,

I'm very glad that you are learning to talk so well and that you love Mommy and Gabriel and Annalina.

I think you would have lots and lots of fun if you came to Afghanistan and played with the Bad Guys stuff. That way it would get destroyed. The Bad Guys would be very angry, but the Good Guys would all say, "Good Boy, Rosser-boss!" and all of America would say, "Yah, Rossers!"

I think you could do a much better job than something that the Good Guys have that's called a "2000 pound bomb."

I Love You,

Daddy

January 30, 2009

(Gabriel should read this to Sonja, because Sonja can't read)

Dear Sonja,

WOOF WOOF, BARK BARK.

BARK WOOF, BARK WOOF?

WOOF BARK, WOOF BARK!

BARK-BARK; WOOF-WOOF.

WOOF-BARK,

DADDY

Yes, Babe did write a letter to me too for Valentine's Day! But I sure am NOT going to post it! ;-)

Being with Jesus

Ross got sick today with a fever of over 101 as we were sitting together he said. "Is Jesus invisible?" I said "Yes". His reply was "Ahhhh" with a disappointed down in his voice. Then he said "Jesus lives in my heart" [I have NEVER said that to him]. Then in a sad voice he said "I want to go be with Jesus." He is a most unusual 2 year old. As I have journaled before it is that tenderness for Christ I want them to maintain. I am thrilled that the thought of being with Jesus is comforting.

Earlier today I took Annalina for her speech therapy evaluation [they also did language evaluation to be thorough although that was not a concern to me].  She did a great job and the lady was so impressed. She said it was fun testing Annalina because usually kids don't know the answers and Annalina was blowing through them. One question Annalina answered without any problems the lady said she had NEVER seen a child answer correctly!! Yikes! Anyway, she did say Annalina has a tongue thrust and a few troubles on a few sounds BUT that she was fine for her age she showed me a chart showing where certain sounds are expected and most aren't expected until 2nd grade and she worked with Annalina a few minutes at the end on S and L and she did awesome in that short time it was the first time I had heard Annalina say "Annalina Lysne" so clearly instead of "Annaweena Wisne".  I am going to work with her at home a few months and then get her retested and if she is still struggling with some of the sounds this lady would take her in the summer. She REALLY liked Annalina and I couldn't tell she wanted to help her!!

"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!