Nap time

Toby and I were enjoying our post-Sunday-lunch nap (while the big girls were playing outside and the little two were asleep) when we became aware of some clinking and scuffling. Cracked an eyelid to see this:

My first born not only brought me a snack, picked me flowers, and straightened my nightstand, but she did the same for Toby as well. Never mind that she picked my beloved peonies that haven't yet bloomed, or that a pile of books she had neatly stacked crashed to the ground and nearly gave us a heart attack. My sweet girl wanted to bless her mommy and daddy for the sheer joy of doing so. What a blessing she is, too.

Phase 1 - Complete

On Friday, our friends sailed off into the Wild Blue Yonder. Actually, they flew home to Birmingham. But we had a marvellous time with them.

On their last full day with us, we took the children to Port Discovery. The kids had a great time, the adults just kept doing head counts all day. (We got a number of looks that said "One man + two women + 8 kids = Mormon family.)

The most hair-raising part of the day wasn't the city driving or getting a touch lost on the way out, or even when Noah wandered off for a few minutes (though Toby and I apologize afresh to our parents for doing the same!). No, it was when the woman who is afraid of heights decided to climb up this...

...and down this...
...with this view below...

...so that her Anna wouldn't be scared. And not only did it not work, but I had to work very

hard to not completely flip out while in the net-tube. Nearly shamed myself, though...

Having fun - with food

Broom's Bloom (I think that's the right way round) makes just about the best ice cream we've ever had, so we make it a point to take all guests for a visit. I think they all had fun - after all, we're talking 8 kids, ice cream and fields to run through. Not a bad gig, overall.
What a patient dog - kids just seem to love that beard
Easter was lovely. We celebrated our empty tomb and Risen Lord with an Easter egg hunt after church and lunch. Of course.




And finally, the mama bird. Such a diligent mama, protecting her eggs with this strange creature coming so close.

Some goings-on

All is quiet here because it's all happenin' at home! Throw together out-of-town (or in our case, out-of-country) guests, a couple of birthdays, Easter, lots of days out, a couple of projects and a couple of nights away, and you've got one busy household, I can tell you.

For now, I'm working on the February Lady Sweater (for myself, thank you very much), and a little something for Toby for his birthday, but I won't spoil the surprise.

We've got a new mama robin and egg in a new nest under the deck - same as last year. It's rather nice to see them again.

Our time at the Sovereign Grace Pastors' Conference was wonderful - truly. The thing that got me immediately upon arrival was how joyful everyone was, and so happy to serve. Great preaching, marvellous worship, and fabulous fellowship - we loved it.

Rest assured, photos are coming...

He is Risen!

Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.

But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me."

"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.

Isaiah 49:13-16

Happy Easter, everyone!

A new knit

I've been working on this cowl for a little while, and am pleased to report that I finished it this morning while listening to the reading lesson. Unfortunately, I couldn't get a good photo of it, even though we all took turns modelling. Mind you, I did get some good photos of Abigail, so that's a success.

I must remember to explain that awful dress soon...

Noah didn't really get the concept and promptly got tangled up in the thing. Started to freak out, which was kind of funny.

Obviously, a coerced photo isn't a pretty one, but a mama's gotta do what a mama's gotta do

When our photo shoot was finally over, I requested my new piece of wearable bliss back, to which Abi replied, "Mine."

Uh-oh.

More nasty

I don't think I could ever be hungry enough to eat something that looks like this. Truly grim.

Impressionist art

A little bit of backstory:

On Monday, Toby and I are going away for a couple of days and leaving the kids with friends (thanks, all of you!). Eleanor, at this point, is still nursing, though only a couple times a day. Still, to keep things going well while we're away, I need to express.

Abigail asked to watch. To preserve my modesty and a shred of dignity, I declined. So in honor or retribution (I'm not sure which), she drew me a picture that I'd like to share with all of you.

Lactation, by Abigail Ruth Gayner.

Notice the machine, including the cord plugged into the wall. Seated rather stiffly with feet flexed.

I've called this impressionism, as the merry countenance was simply her impression of the moment.

I certainly wasn't smiling or waving.

Lookie!

So I was sitting in front of my (Zoanna's) sewing machine the other day with a stack of little fabric circles, wondering what I could make. Started putting them together to sew, and this is what I got:

I'm rather excited by my little star-thing. What do I do with it, though? Currently, it's a pincushion. The girls want me to make a bunch as decorations. Toby says it's "cute".

I'd like to make more, but a girl only needs so many pincushions, ya know? So, any helpful suggestions as to the purpose of my little bit of creativity? All ideas welcome!

Susanna Wesley

I'd read another book (can't remember now what it was!) by Arnold Dallimore around the time that Eleanor was born and liked it so much that when Toby saw this biography by the same author, he snagged it for me as a Christmas gift. It's very readable, goes quickly and engaging. It was also a real eye-opener after having read the account of the Edwards' marriage.

While Susanna Wesley is known for her diligence and commitment to training her children in godliness, as well as her many children, less is known of her tempestuous marriage to a truly difficult man, the constant debt the family was in, and the fact that it wasn't until she was in her seventies that she finally moved from a works-based salvation to real assurance of Christ's redemption of sin. Interestingly enough, this came about through the preaching of her sons, John and Charles.

This woman did not lead an easy life: there was death, abandonment, poverty and almost endless striving. While there is much to be praised in her character, there is also much to guard against. But as with all of us, God was merciful and gracious, and I am encouraged by the work He can do in any heart, young or old.