These days have been marked by…

…a nine-year old who loves cooking.  Who am I to stop him if he wants to make the eggs, or pancakes, or oatmeal for breakfast?  It’s one of those scenarios that has given me a new realization of the very practical nature that “children are a blessing” can have.

…a seven-year old who, when trying to come up with something fun to do yesterday, decided that she would gather her brothers together to do a Bible study.  They each read a chapter of their choosing and commented on some part of it.  Conceived, organized, and carried out all on their own.  This is particularly encouraging to me because this same seven-year old is often my greatest challenge, and I worry that my failings are standing in the way of God working in her life.  I’m thankful that He is bigger than my failings.

…a six-year old who has a new-found love of climbing trees.  He is proving to be more fearless than his siblings (in this and other potentially fear-inducing endeavors).  A part of me wishes he was just a little bit more scared than he is, but another part of me is glad for this character trait that I know can work to his benefit in years to come.

…a three-year old determinedly trying to learn how to whistle.  Every day, he demonstrates how he can almost do it…and he is actually improving quite significantly.  There is such a depth to this little boy, and I am regularly startled by how much thought he puts into things.

…a one-year old who seems unable to eat without making “mmm-mmm” noises all the while.  She clearly enjoys food a whole lot, and for now at least, it is incredibly cute.