Strawberry Fields Forever

Seeing my kids in nature makes me so very happy.  I imagine that this is the way the world should be.

(Notice the strawberries on Abby's shirt...of course I picked it on purpose because themes make me happy too.)

And dessert makes me happy too.

Especially when it involved fresh-picked berries.

And the next night, ice cream, strawberry sundaes!

Heaven.

Love Languages

Isaac is a snuggle bug.  That's his love language.  He loves a good back-scratch or just some cuddle time in the morning with his mommy.  If he's sad or has just been scolded, he needs a hug to feel better again.

Several years ago, Adel and I read The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman.  While it didn't solve all of our communication problems, it did give us words to describe some of our most profound differences (if you haven't noticed, Adel and I have pretty different personalities).  The five love languages are: 1. Physical Touch, 2. Quality Time, 3. Acts of Service, 4. Words of Affirmation, and 5. Giving Gifts.  It turned out that learning about these five love language not only helped me understand my spouse better, but it also recently helped me communicate with my five year old.

While giving me a good snuggle a few days ago, Isaac asked me why his daddy doesn't like to snuggle.  This seemed a deeper question than meets the eye and I paused a moment to gather my thoughts before answering.  I have often wondered (stressed about) whether Adel's weakness in the love language of physical affection or words of affirmation would affect our kids.  And now here was our five year old questioning why his dad didn't communicate love in the same way he did.  This brought to mind what I knew of the five love languages and I decided to give it a try to explain them to my son.

I explained to Isaac that his own love language was physical touch.  He completely agreed with me that he likes to snuggle with people that he loves.  Then I explained that mommy's love language is words of affirmation and I gave him examples of how I like to tell him I love him or tell him all the things he does so well.  I use words to communicate love.

And then I explained about his daddy.  "Daddy isn't very good at snuggling or using words to say 'I love you' but he has a different love language, actually two different love languages.  Daddy works hard all day at work and then what does he do when he comes home?  He helps mommy cook and do the dishes and get you kids in bed.  One of daddy's love languages is helping (acts of service)."  Then I asked Isaac to think of some examples of when his daddy had helped him with something.  "Daddy likes to help the people he loves.  Daddy's other love language is time (quality time).  Daddy loves hanging out with his family.  Some of his favorite things to do with you are building Legos and playing video games.  When he plays with you like that, he's letting you know how much he loves you."

I saw a visible change flash over Isaac as I was explaining the way his daddy shows love to him.  As the meaning sunk in, and the realization that he was loved so much, even without snuggles, Isaac appeared to have the warm glow of love for just a moment.  It was the same face he makes when he's getting a back-scratch, or snuggling with me in the morning.  He was receiving love by understanding the way his father gives it.  I realized how this understanding can help my kids navigate the two opposite and often confusing personalities of their parents.  There is not one right way to express love, and through continued conversations about it, we can hopefully all grow in understanding each other's love languages.

We finished the conversation with a guessing game of sorts, identifying someone we knew with each of the following love languages:

Time (Quality Time): Daddy, Boppa, Lolo
Helping (Acts of Service): Daddy, Boppa
Giving Gifts: Mimi, Lola
Words (Words of Affirmation): Mommy
Snuggle (Physical Touch): Isaac

I also had to explain that I wasn't sure yet what Abby's love language is.  I told Isaac I would have to study her for another year to be sure.  But it's a fun, worthwhile study.

Lubbock or Bust, Part 2

The second full day of our Lubbock stay, Matt and Robin took us to Palo Duro Canyon for some hiking.

First, a picnic lunch.

7 kids in a tree.  Von Trapp family?

The kids, as usual, started off in a run.

The first half of the hike had a very interesting landscape to explore.

Amelia was very intimidated by the bridges, even though they only raised you about a foot from the ground.

Any slight break in our pace sent the two little ones to the floor to play in the dirt.

I just really appreciate this sign, that's all.

Muscles on our adventurers.

4 girls in a canoe.

Matt and Luke climbed to the top of the cave.

Our last full day there started off cold so we stayed indoors.
The girls had a tea party with Ellie, the birthday girl, presiding.

Practicing eating with their pinkies up.

Very proper.

Once it warmed up, we headed to the park.

We love our Lubbock cousins and are so thankful for some quality time with them!

Lubbock or Bust, Part 1

Lindsay and I loaded the kids into Boppa's car (the only one that will fit us all, and just barely at that) for a fun road trip to visit our cousins in Lubbock.

For the ten-hour drive, we let the kids watch unending movies.

This is pretty much what the whole drive was like.

At least, it looked like this when they weren't throwing a fit (the youngest two girls) or pinching each other (the oldest 2 girls).  Isaac was actually pretty cool in the midst of it all (ah, times have changed!).

Just like our last trip to Lubbock, the entertainment featured our ghetto-rigged dvd player. 

Classy.

Our first full day there, we got to celebrate Ellie's birthday with a garden party.

Each child painted a pot and then planted a flower.

Can't wait to copy the idea for Abby's next birthday!

Garden party girl.

After the party, the kids had their own fun by making a mud pit in the backyard.

We decided to let kids be kids.

Some of them (especially Luke and Lily) took this very seriously. 

Uncle Matt gave them a good hose-off when they were done.

Clean kids winding down together with a movie.

By the way, don't you LOVE what my cousin, Robin, did with her bedroom wall?!?

Part 2 is coming next!

Sidewalk Message

Today we got back from our trip to Lubbock (that will be the next blog post).  The weather is wonderful so we spent some time making chalk creations on the driveway.

Abby made some bright, happy pictures.

Playing kids (traced by me), grass, sun, and sky.

Isaac, on the other hand, got a little deep, as he is prone to.

This is Joseph praying to God.

(Abby said God looked like Larry the Cucumber from Veggie Tales.)

 And Satan

The title is "God vrs Satn."

("God Versus Satan.") 

The story goes: "God won for diing for are snso."

("God won for dying for our sins.")

Proud artist/author. 

Now, is it bad that I'm wishing it rains so we don't have to have such a blatant proclamation of our faith written on the driveway?