Yes! It’s snowing! Yay!! And yes, I’m one of those weird people who love Winter. Well, to be truthful, I love every season. By the end of one season, I’m ready for the next. But this last summer had been a real hot, uncomfortable one for me, so I’m looking forward to Winter more so then normal. It’s not like I haven’t been pregnant through the summer before. My two eldest have birthday’s in January and February (this one is due late December). I just don’t remember being so hot and uncomfortable.
Anyway, our “weekend getaway” was nice. We didn’t sleep much, due to staying up and talking. But it was nice to relax and see our friends. And it was esp. nice for me knowing that the children were being taken care of and watched without me having to do it. Our friends have 7 children, ages 6.5 – 19.5. It was so wonderful to see the older children interacting with our younger ones. Most “teenagers” wouldn’t take the time (or, more likely, wouldn’t know how) to play/watch/take care of little ones. Like their 15 year old son. He got Isaac completely dressed on Sunday; socks, shoes and hair combed included (he was thusly helped on Saturday, as well). The older girls got my girls dressed, complete with hair done, too. All of them played with Malachi and Isaac. In fact, it was adorable the way that Isaac followed their 15 and 10 year old boys around. And before we left their house Sunday evening, Maacah and Malachi both climbed up on the 19 year olds’ lap and they were giggling and enjoying themselves. All three of them! Not too many 19 year old boys that I know of would do that! I tell you, all of this time that these children spent with our children was refreshing enough for me!
Not that I need conformation or a reminding that how we live is the right way for us to live, but it was very, very nice to see that it does indeed work (meaning teaching your children that every child is a blessing from God, not a burden or curse. That our children don’t need “entertainment” and that they are perfectly capable at playing with and using their imaginations. That living simply ~ however that may be to your family ~ is indeed worth it and gratifying. That making Christ the center of our family is not only important, but necessary….there are many more points to how we live, but you get the idea).
Plus, Adam didn’t cook once this weekend (he did cut up two chickens, but that doesn’t count as cooking). With people knowing he’s a chef, that doesn’t happen often. So, it was a nice change for him, as well.
We love these people dearly! We have known them for about 6 years and their youngest son is 2 weeks older then Maacah. It was cute to see those two pick up where they left off. And their eldest daughter is the same age (and same name!) as my younger sister (18), so I often think of her has my little sister. Our friends are the same age as our parents, yet we are closer to them then to any one our own age. Go figure. They have seen us grown and change ~ in both family size and spiritually!
Yes, this family is close and dear to our hearts! Okay, time for me (and others!) to take a much need nap. We are all a bit crabby today with lack of sleep from the weekend.