You Don't See That Every Day

We've been talking with our kids recently about the different ways we each communicate. Interestingly enough the sermon at church recently dovetailed with our conversations. The way each of us gives and receives love is different. Not so different that there isn't overlap, but sometimes different enough to be misunderstood. Gary Chapman wrote a book called The Five Love Languages. Its premise is that there are basically five ways people express love: through gifts; quality time together; physical touch; acts of service; and words of affirmation. So I thought I'd have the kids take a little test to see what their language was at this time. I kind of thought I knew where they would fall on the scale. Boy was I surprised. The ones who are our 'snugglers' - I thought they would score high on touch, but they didn't.  Now granted it could be the test they took, it was pretty basic and kind of leading. But it could also be just where they are right now. All four girls ...

Some husbands buy jewelry, or flowers, or sweets for their wife on their anniversary. But my husband went even better than that. He bought us 3600 hazelnut trees. We even got to spend a long weekend together ... hours and hours, planting all those starters in pots. When we got married we chose Memorial Day weekend for our wedding. One, because it was a long weekend and two ,because we didn't want to wait for Labor Day. So this Memorial Day weekend we traveled to the farm and played in the dirt and water. We laughed with the kids, talked about the future and competed to see who got the most potted. We picnicked out at the farm, enjoying the quiet. peaceful atmosphere. Better than most restaurants. Being married to a farm boy has its perks. I know I won't starve as long as I like hazelnuts, or anything else we plant.

Shh, don't tell my kids but I got them an educational gift. I'm a little late to figure this out, but I'm so glad I tried it! I ordered my 12 yr old a Tinker Crate, and my 8 year old a Kiwi crate. ((And no, I have not been paid to post this)) For the past few hours, (on a Saturday!) my child has been learning about hydraulics and robotics. Without me making her. Without me reading some dry textbook to her. My younger girl made a periscope. On her own, following the instructions. I remember doing hat with my brothers as an kid,but I wouldn't have thought of it for my kids. Last month Little K learned about the body, and sewed some felt organs. Miss M learned about electrical currents and made a paint spinner. They are so excited when they know the Box is on its way. Of course they love to get mail with their names on it. And they dig in as soon as they can. They enjoy making whatever comes in the kit, and I love that they are learning about 'science' even ...

Funerals can be inspirational. Or rather, the memorial service can be. Today the Mr and I attended a memorial service for a dear man, a great man, a wise man. Over and over again those were the words used to describe this older friend of ours. And it wasn't just platitudes being said about a life well lived. We knew this man, the Mr knew him more than I, but those were also the words my husband used to describe him. As I sat listening to brothers talk of their sibling, grandchildren talk of a grandpa, and friends reminisce on a friendship, I thought How would I want to be remembered? How will I or our children speak of my Mr when that day comes? I hope we will run the good race (figuratively and literally). I hope we will find strength in the hard challenges, and display grace in tough times. And I hope that it is a celebration of Life not just a mourning. Deuteronomy 30:19 " ... choose life that you and your children may live ..."