Winter Break? Lots of Work!

 We’ve been a little lax in writing as of late about our family, but we are here! This week was winter break from school. I always have mixed feelings about a week off of school in February. The break from school is nice, but it kinda feels like we just got settled back into school routines and serious learning. And then it’s break again! 

We kicked off our winter break with a birthday party for Chandler last Saturday. We had about ten boys running around our backyard playing airsoft and having a great time outside. It’s hard to believe that Chandler is already thirteen years old! It was fun afternoon for all, and we are always thankful for the Lord’s protection. I asked Chandler a few questions for his birthday, and here are his answers. 

1) What is your favorite color? Answer: Blue

2) What is your favorite food? Answer: Tacos 

3) If you had to get a job today to support yourself, what would you choose? Answer: I’d like to work in a bike shop or a store like Maine Sport. (Store that sells all kinds of outdoor/sports equipment)

4) What is your favorite memory from the last year? Answer: Going to Florida as a family

5) What is a sad/bad memory from the last year? Answer: Mr. Kevin’s death

6) Who is your best friend? Answer: Tristan (classmate)

7) Who is your favorite person to spend time with? Answer: Dad and Mom (That was a surprise to me!) :) 

I’m not always very good at doing these surveys on their birthday, but I do enjoy looking back on their answers and how they change.

We spent most of our winter break working on our house! While it was a LOT of work, we are happy with the results in our kitchen and basement. Roger worked on laying down some flooring in the basement so that it will be a more finished space. The kids and I worked long and hard on the kitchen...painting, painting, painting! We removed cabinet doors, took off light switch covers, outlet covers, and door handles to paint the kitchen cabinets, walls, and trim. It was a huge project, and I’m never changing the color of the paint in our kitchen again! Roger was working a lot this week, and we were painting. The boys also spent a lot of time outside working on snow forts, ice rinks, and whatever else they do out there! 

Chandler built a snow fort and so did Wyatt and Travis. Last night they decided that they would like to sleep in their snow forts...yikes...not me! The boys were so excited to sleep in their snow forts, and since Roger grew up winter camping, he had a few pointers for them. They hauled out all their gear around 7:30pm. I didn’t sleep well as I was worried that they might be cold. Roger slept fine! He of course, had given the boys instructions that if they were too cold to come inside. He told the boys that his first attempt at sleeping in a snow fort had been a long night, and he had eventually come inside (of course that was at -40!. Roger left for work around 5:00am, and all the boys were still in their forts. They came in around six am., all excited about their adventure! The three younger boys had slept fine apparently, but Garett had spent most of the night cold. When I asked him why he just didn’t come in, he replied, “Well, I didn’t want to be the first one to come in!” So, he will be tired today. I’m happy they had the opportunity, and it was a good experience for them. It’s another sign that they are growing up, and lately I’m seeing the signs of growing up at every turn! 

Before we left for winter break, we had an awards chapel to wrap up the second quarter of school. Garett made honor roll! This might not seem like a big deal to some, but this child has always struggled with school. He finally made honor roll, and he was excited about it. Chandler and Wyatt also made honor roll both due to their hard work. Good grades do not come easily for any of our children, probably the easiest for Wyatt, but they do work hard to make honor roll. Garett and Chandler both received awards for their character, so of course, we are also thrilled with that. We’ve had some deep and long conversations this year about doing the right thing regardless of what others around you are doing. We’ve been praying for the Holy Spirit to guide and direct each of our children, and we rejoice with them. Of course the ultimate goal is not found in a piece of paper that says you had good character, but rather in their  relationships with Christ and those around them. We pray that all our children will grow up to be people that love God with all of their heart and soul. And we ask for your prayers also on their behalf. It’s a crazy world to be raising children in, but God knows exactly where we are. We are endeavoring to raise our sons to be the David, Daniels, and Pauls of this world. Men who will “stand in the gap” as the prophet Jeremiah speaks about. We have a lot of work to do, so I am ever thankful that our prayers are heard. While ultimately our sons and daughters will have to make their own heart decision to love and follow Christ, as parents we are committed to doing our part to help them. Parenting really is the hardest job ever! 

As a family, we would appreciate your prayers as we look at possibly making some decisions that will affect many things around us. God never promised an easy path, but He did promise to go with us every step of the way. Oh, how I am thankful for the faithfulness of our Heavenly Father!