sibling love

My sister just posted some cute pics of the kids on her blog...check them out here. I LOVE having two kids. It's so fun now that they are interacting. Lily can make Luke laugh like no one else can! He gets so tickled at her big smiles and silly voices. I get tickled listening to her talk to him in her "baby voice." She likes to say, "Here you go, little Phillip." You're probably thinking, why would she call him Phillip? Well, that's what she thinks we're saying when we say "little fella." Ha! She keeps me laughing! The other day we were driving down the road and she was trying to convince me of something. After I disagreed with her, she answered, "Just trust me on this, mom." Wow. And to think she's only 3 (next month)!

He's home!!!

Praise Jesus! Josh returned home safely Thursday afternoon. It was a glorious reunion! All of the other wives were there eagerly awaiting their return along with many of our dear friends. Their plane arrived at 2:00, but they didn't get through customs til after 3:00. That's a while to wait with an infant and a toddler! Thankfully, Hannah, Preston and Evan were there to keep Lily entertained. Finally, they came through the doors and our small crowd erupted in cheers! I was holding Luke and grabbed Lily in the other arm, and we ran to see Josh! I was sooooo relieved to squeeze his neck and kiss his face. We both teared up with joy. It took Lily a few seconds to confirm that this guy with a full beard was indeed Daddy, but then she jumped in his arms willingly and hugged away. It's been so great reconnecting as a family and hearing Josh tell stories about the people and places they encountered. And it's sooooo good to have him home!!!

Make sure you get a close look at my t-shirt. No, that's not a hobbit, that's Josh as an adolescent! It says: "One ring to rule them all" (keeping with the hobbit theme). Matt had me scouring for a humiliating picture of Josh and then made these shirts to wear to the airport. Sorry, Josh, we all went through that awkward stage. :)

our little climber

A few weeks ago we went out to REI to get Josh some gear for Africa. As soon as we walked in and saw the climbing wall, Lily was intrigued.
"I want to climb!"
"We'll see," I told her, but I thought it was very unlikely for her to climb at her age.
So we watched some other kids climb, explored the store, tried on the bike helmets, and then made our way back over to the wall.
"Now, can I climb?"
Her persistence up to this point led me to at least ask the guy about the minimum age- which there was none.
"OK, Lily, are you sure you want to do this?"
"YES!!!"
We went and found Josh, who had just spent a small fortune in travel necessities, filled out the waiver, and got in line. Lily, still excited, was watching a four year old girl who had gotten a few feet off the ground. We struck up conversation with her dad who said that she'd climbed several times before- her first one being at Lily's age (almost 3). This gave me a little more hope for Lily, but honestly, I thought for sure she'd get up there, get bashful and shy away. Well, Lily's time came to prove me wrong. She stepped into that harness without the slightest hint of timidity. Luke and I found a rock to sit on, while Josh helped Lily get started. 

I was thinking, "OK, she'll hang there for a few moments, try to grab a few rocks, and come back down." But up she went! Josh coached her as to which rocks to grab, and she followed his instruction making it over half way up the wall! I was shocked! She was a natural! Not the least bit intimidated. Twice she lost her footing and dangled for a moment but was able to swing her self around and continue upward. The guide who was belaying her (is that how you say it?) said he had never seen someone her age so comfortable climbing- especially able to get back on the wall after losing their footing. 

By this point, lots of fellow shoppers were gathering around to see this little half pint in action. Josh and I were so proud! She came down like a champ and would have done it again if we'd let her! Josh's parents have told us that he was quite a climber as a toddler so maybe it's in her genes. Good thing we got the REI membership and can climb free, cause I'm sure she'll be asking to go back again!

Here are some pictures so you can see how far she made it up the wall...

Josh in Africa

I miss my husband. Josh left for Africa last Monday on a mission trip with four other guys from the church. It's been somewhat of a rollercoaster of emotions...excitement for him being able to see firsthand what God is doing in Africa...knowing how invaluable this experience will be to his faith and worldview...thankful he will be able to relay these things to our children. But, if I'm honest, the overwhelming and constant emotion seems to be sadness. I just miss him. I miss my best friend. My confidant. I miss being able to pick up the phone at any instant and call to say, "Guess what?!?" I miss hiding with Lily to surprise Daddy when he arrives home from work. I miss sitting on the couch with him and laughing at Luke's latest growling noises. I miss rolling my eyes as Josh flexes in front of the mirror. I miss hearing him get excited about _______ (Crossfit, guard dog, etc, etc, etc). I miss lying in bed next to him, hearing him say, “I’ll be right here if you need me.” (Sigh)

But it is true that absence makes the heart grow fonder. And my affections for the Lord have grown as well. I kind of think of it as fasting from my husband. (Just hear me out...) So many times Josh is my "go-to" in any situation. My first instinct is to take things to him, and often it stops there without even bringing it before the Lord. So this has been good. My communication with Josh is so limited, that I'm forced to confide in the Lord (which is probably how it should be. :) In a very small way, He is showing me that He is enough. He is all I really need. And that my husband is just an added bonus in this life.

Here is the group of guys Josh went with:

Matt Elkins, Jeremy Pace, Dick McFarland, John Wright, Josh
They will be in Sudan, Ethiopia, and Zambia visiting orphanages, encouraging the Smith family and evaluating long-term mission opportunities. Please pray for them and their families while they're away.

Here's Lily saying good-bye to Josh. I wish I had it on video. Right after she squeezed his neck, she kissed his cheek about 10 times. He loved it. :) 

I think leaving for this trip was so much harder for Josh than times past because Lily is now old enough to know he's gone. She asks about him in Africa and says that she misses him several times a day. I think that tears him up inside. But the call to go is greater than safety or comfort or even family. Josh goes into that a little bit in this email he sent out before leaving...

Family and Friends—
I am going because I believe. I am nervous and sad and excited and hopeful. Trust me, my emotions are pretty raw right now. Despite it all and because of Him, I will board a plane tomorrow afternoon for Africa. I am being stretched and forced to reckon with the chasm between my belief and my practice. All of this and I have not even gotten on the plane. Crazy.

Africa is a mysterious place that exists in the constant tension of joy and pain. It has endured unspeakable sorrow, yet the Spirit of Christ has seen fit to spark a revival throughout. I believe I will be confronted with both realities and that my heart will be changed. I am not, however, doing this alone. My wife and family are sacrificing as well. It is no small thing to be apart for 17 days. I am also travelling with 4 other men from the church: John Wright (elder candidate), Dick McFarland (elder candidate), Jeremy Pace (Director of Missions) and Matt Elkins (Missions Associate). It should be an incredible time for us to bond and experience the Lord together. When it is all said and done…we believe that Christ is better than life. This is a small way to walk out that reality.

I love you all,
jp

Josh also posted from Uganda on the Village blog here. 

first taste of cereal

Luke is 6 months old! I can't believe it. It's flown by. A few weeks ago we started cereal, and here was his reaction. Not too excited about it!

feel good music

I know, it's January 11th, and I haven't even posted Christmas pictures yet. I cannot deny that I have been a delinquent blogger lately, but I'm going to try and remedy that now (not with pictures, cause I'm on my mom's computer)- but with a post about feel good music.

You know the kind...the music that just feels right...feels like you should be listening to it on a roadtrip in a convertible seeing beautiful scenery with good friends...music that you could just listen to a thousand times and never grow tired of...the kind you have to sing along to.

I know there's lots of that music out there, but I've recently rediscovered some thanks to my dad. Now, my dad is funny about his music. He's the type that will hear a song and then obsess over it for months. Seriously, like he'll listen to it over and over and over. I think his longest fixation was on Hootie and the Blowfish's "Only Wanna Be With You" when I was in high school. Man, he killed that song.

Recently, dad has been on a Billy Joel kick. Over Christmas, we borrowed his car one night and heard "The Essential - Billy Joel CD" playing "Piano Man." Josh cranked up the volume and we sang along...or did that thing where you don't know all the words so you sing nonsense until you can throw in a few here and there. It's good music. Something so amazing about a musician with a good voice who can write good music and play an instrument (or several.) They're the real deal. Doing what they were designed to do. Using their gifts. And they don't have to be fabricated by the industry with all the hoop-la to cover up their deficiencies as a sub-par musician. (Wait...I'd better step off my soapbox and get back to Piano Man...) Anyways, it was just one of those feel good moments getting carried away by the melody of the piano and harmonica.

Another one of my favorites (that Dad is also obsessing over right now) is "She's Always a Woman." oh, and "She's Got a Way." Just so good. So that's why Billy Joel is on the playlist right now. Let me know some of your favorite feel good music...

Baby Jude is here!!!

I'm so thrilled to announce that our dear friends the Bleeckers welcomed their second little boy into the world this afternoon. Sweet Jude Michael was born at 3:06 pm weighing 7lbs 9oz and 21in long. Evan (their first born) and Lily are four months apart and the best of friends (and will hopefully get married someday ;). Luke and Jude are 4 1/2 months apart and hopefully will be best buds as well! 

I am always overwhelmed with awe and wonder at the miracle of life. Just to think that this morning Jude was still snug in Faith's womb and then this afternoon he was out for the world to see- breathing air, seeing light, stretching out for the first time. Probably quite a rude awakening! And just to think that his journey on this earth has begun.

I know that Michael and Faith lift up the same prayer that we pray for our kids- that they will grow to know and love Jesus more than anything else. That the Lord would reveal Himself and His will to them throughout their lives. That theirs would be a life of significant purpose and deep joy. That they would be undeniably secure in who they are in Christ.

Moments like this are so refreshing. Reflecting on the goodness of God displayed in this new little life leads me to worship. To think on Him, which has been something that unfortunately I haven't done a lot of lately. I've slowly crept back into my routine of cruising. Just staying on the surface cause that's easier than plunging into the depths and facing the depravity of my heart. But He is sweet to use this little miracle to draw my thoughts, my affection, my heart back to Him. He is good. Well, I started this post intending to announce Jude's birth, but I guess I had a little more on my heart to share!

Here's a few pictures I took on my phone...I know that Bleecker will have some posted here before too long.

pretty mama


proud daddy


little Jude!
(sorry it's blurred, he was moving)




trying to keep the toddlers entertained


kissy kissy (after the parents egged them on-i'm sure we'll regret that someday ;)