Sierra at the Regional Science Fair Competition

Sierra competed in the USC Regional Science and Engineering Fair today. It covers the area of the midlands surrounding Columbia, and the kids were invited to participate were only those who placed 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in their division in their school competition.

Sierra placed 1st in engineering in her school for her pastuerization project, earning her the right to sit for 5 hours at the colesium and present her project to the judges of the fair. We understood that the more judges to see your project the better, and she was visited by 29 judges! That means that she had to present her project 29 times, one at the time, over the course of the afternoon. She did so with incredible posie and self assurance. It was beautiful to watch!

We found out last week that she needed to come to the ceremony today, meaning that she was to take home an award of some kind, but we did not know what she had won. In a sea of mostly middle schoolers, she placed Honorable Mention in Engineering (note the height difference in the picture!) and also Outstanding Achievement for Fifth Grade Projects. The whole event was made even sweeter by being to share the joy with best friends: congrats Kaitlyn and Elizabeth!

Of course, we are so proud of her hard work. The project was a great interaction for her and her Daddy, and they shared the moment today that they earned together. She told us that she felt very loved by Brian throughout the project, so we are thankful that the Lord used it to strengthen their relationship. What a gift!

We are most pleased that she was able to do her work with great integrity and excellence while still maintaining a heart longing to serve the world. She began her project right before the quake in Haiti, and she wanted very much to be able to send it to those in need so that they could make their own safe drinking supply. Perhaps she will do that one day. We are so pleased at her heart for the world!

We can't wait to see all the Lord wants to do with this smart, sweet, gifted, loving child. I am more proud of her heart than anything else: GO SIERRA!!!!!!!

Sierra's Wonderful Birthday Weekend at Hilton Head

Sierra and I went to Hilton Head Island to celebrate her 11th birthday. It was the beginning of a new tradition where we will go away with the kids for their birthdays each year, just one of us and them, every year, starting at 11.

The weekend was incredible. She and I just talked, about everything. All the way down, we went over a little book I bought at a yard sale called, "Middle School Survival Manual." The 1st half was all about academics and lockers and that kind of school stuff. She realy appreciated the quotes by other kids and suggestions for very practical ways to manage everything related to becoming a teen. That was great.

Then we went out on the beach for a walk, but the wind was strong and cold! And we got hungry, so we walked over to the little marina and found an oyster roast! It was the big re-opening for the season, so there were people all around and live music. That was fun. We ordered our food and froze as we waited. We made it through a few slices of pizza before she was asking to go back to the room to dethaw! But even that was fun.

After dinner, we sat on the couch for like an hour and a half and went over the rest of that little book. In addition to talking about some hard stuff, like abortion and teen pregnancy, we talked a lot about her, just her. Who she is and what she wants. We made a list of things that make her feel good about herself and her skills and talents. We also made a list of her goals for middle school. But before we did all that, I think that was my favorite.

In that great parenting book I have been reading, there was a little diagram of a circle to represent identity for a teen. On the inside was "identity in Christ" and on the outside were a handful of different things people use to define themselves, good or bad. I knew I wanted to show that to her, but I had no idea where God was going to take it. I started with the basic circle and asked her what people use to define themselves. She must have named more than a dozen things. We wrote those around the circle and labeled them "things you do." Then, on the inside, I asked her to tell me who she is. I told her what activities she does or what she wears or any of the other things she'd listed don't define her. She was quiet. She wasn't sure about who she is when I took those things away. Then I wrote "Identity in Christ," and she was with me and began to name off things like: saved, forgiven, accepted, loved, safe, enthralling, and we labeled the inside of the circle "Who I Am." Then I drew outside the circle the word "pain" over and over with arrows pointing at the circle and I told her that people will try to exact pain onto her through those things that are on the outside of the circle. Like not wearing the right clothes or doing the right activities or grades or friends or ... I also wrote insecurity around the pain because people hurt out of their own insecurity. She had an ah-ha moment and said, "Ok, so if someoe doesn't like my shirt, it doesn't change who I am because my identity in Christ is TRUTH." I felt like doing a dance!!!! Oh, if I had only known that at 11 -- oh, if I had only known it now sometimes! It was a moment.

After that, she was tired. I felt like jumping out of my skin! After I painted her nails, she crashed on me at 9:30! I was awake until 3:30, I was so wired. But I just kept looking at her sleep and felt incredibly grateful. I wanted her heart, and she gave it to me! Is there anything more precious in the world?

There's more, but even just that conversation makes the fear I had been feeling about her teen years just vanish. God loves me enough to have shown me the right books at the right time and given us the right time at the right time. I just know that He is going to lead me while I am trying to lead her.

Makes me think of Isaiah 40:11: "He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young." He is going to show me what she needs and then equip me to help meet those needs. By none of this do I mean to exclude her daddy. It's just that I am always hearing her questions about how to be a woman, and I know that our relationship right now is critical in the woman she becomes. Just so encouraging to not feel alone and know that the God who made her will show me how to love her. Beautiful.

So, the next morning, which for me came rediculously early for me, had us talking again over breakfast. I asked her about some of the biggest things from that parenting book. I said things like: "'I have been learning about you, and here's what I think may be true. Tell me what you think." She perked right up. And I proceeded to tell her things like: "You want me to hear your heart, where you are struggling, even when your behavior is obnoxious. You want me to understand the why behind the no. You really want to talk to me when you are convinced that I want to hear you. You want me to help you discover who you are, but you want to be the one leading that charge. You value your freedom." She affirmed every one of those and a handful more, and on the freedom one, she said, "Yeah, and I understand that you need to trust me in order to give me freedom." WOW!!! That conversation ended with her giving me some very deep places in her heart.

Then, we went and rented a bike built for 2. It was another moment when I felt like I could have gone home right then! It was already so good. But we got the tandem bike and set out. Went to the forest preserve and rode around where the gators live (none out in the cold, though). Then we went to the stables and played with the horses for a while. She loved that -- totally romanced her heart! Then we went to Harbor Town and walked around. That was so great. She had such a sweet moment: we were both hungry and were trying to decide whether or not to get something there or go get a snack at the condo. We looked at a few menus, and my sweet girl said, "I could get a kids' meal, but then you'd have to eat seafood that you don't really like. And it's expensive. I can wait." I was so delighted to see her so considerate and kind to me! Those kind of things make me love this growing up thing.

I think that most people reach this spot and go to the "my baby is growing" sadness. I am not having it right now! Maybe it'll hit later from other places, but right now, maybe because I did the baby thing for such a long time, I am loving this next stage. With Si, it's incredible, and even with Ranger, it is nice to have new freedoms and abilities to do things we never could. So I am finding myself surprised to just be looking forward with excitement and joy.

So the last thing we did was to go ride on the beach. It was great -- she kept saying that she loved it, that she couldn't wait until next year when we'd come back, that she was so glad we rented the bike. We even talked about how the bike was like our relationship. I am in front, leading us into the teen years. But she's right there with me, and even though I am shakey sometimes, we haven't fallen yet! It was just such a neat picture of what it's like to be in relationship. She got that.

We packed up and put the top down and took the long way off the island. Even that was great, as we cranked up the cd player and really worshipped together, dancing and singing. It was such a joy to knit our hearts to together in worship, with the sky above us. Ahhhh -- wonderful. And then, on the ride home, my girl was worn out! She slept some, and when we tried to talk, she was too tired! The Lord had worn her out in every way. I was delighted!

And so last night, she kept touching me, like a light brush on my back as she walked by. Brian asked if she'd been doing that all weekend -- yeah, especially on the bike. She'd lean into my back and just stay there. It was so sweet to see outward signs of her feelings of affection. I'll take all of those I can get!

I left hoping for something great, a new tradition to start to build communication and connection. And now, I am already looking forward to next year! I cannot wait until Remy is old enough. And I am hungry for Brian's turn with the boys, too. It was just so luxurious to have such a long period of time alone with one of my children. It was such a long protracted time of margin, with no demands, only the need to bond. I think the Lord has given us something of incredible value. I pray that it will become so important to her that even she's grown with her own kids, she will still expect to get away with just me on her birthday. Lifelong tradition. I love it. And I am incredibly thankful.

Big Kids Enkoyed the Snow, Too!

Just had to post a few more pics because the kids weren't the only ones who were having a blast in the snow! This was the best snow I've ever played in!

When we got that beautiful snowfall 11 years ago, I was a little busy, too busy to enjoy it. It came the night that Sierra was born, so I saw a little but didn't get to play at all. So this was a blast!

Let It Snow!

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

I think we got the best snow we have ever gotten in my lifetime. It was so pretty and soft, just powder! It started to fall in evening, and we were able to get out an enjoy it that night, long after the sun went down. And in a strange and uncommon gift, it stuck long into the next day so that we were able to get out and enjoy it.

The neighborhood was out in full force, kids sledding down the big hills, even golf cars pulling sleds. What a ball!

Ok, I don't wanna live there, but I am so glad to have been able to visit for just a little while. Now, though, I think I'm ready for spring!

A Heartfelt Science Project

I am so proud of Sierra. She is almost finished with her big 5th grade science project. She has done a great job.

We went with an idea that we hoped would promote some kind of humanitarian effort. Sun cookers are used all over sub-Saharan Africa. They are advantageous because they require no fuel, can be done outside and without the danger of smoke inhalation, and they keep nutrients in the food being prepared. I think that we simplified because of time, and possibly our position globally, but we went with just water purification.

She took several days to conduct a series of tests to see which configuration worked the best. The wheelbarrow seemed to hold in the most heat, and within about 4 hours, she was able to obtain and sustain a temperature that would sanitize water to safe levels. Pretty cool.

I wish that we could take this simple project and find a way to get it where it's needed. There are certainly better ways, more complex ways, to provide clean water. But the fact that we made it in our driveway is just inspiring.

Please google sun cookers if you interested in this topic, and while you do, pray for the millions of people around the world who do not have access to safe drinking water. We are all thinking about Haiti right now, as we should. But before the quake, and in so many more places around the world, there is incredible need. Let your heart be moved to act, to give, to pray.

Happy New Year

We always go to the beach for New Year's. It's cheaper, less crowded, less pressure with not all activities available. It's also quiet and peaceful, even while we are busy moving. Our vacation bliss is not a lack of activity, but rather doing those activities that we really want to do. So we move a lot, but it still feels peaceful to us.

This year was different. The kids are older, they are more capable, they sleep on their own. It's just so much easier. And we've been doing and doing for a long time, while it's been hard, but this was so much better. We even got our own room this time! Now that's a big change!

I think our favorite things are simple. We love the heated pool. Summit and Venture were delighted to be able to touch the bottom of the 3'. We played with a toy torpedo, and my Serenity could dive for it. She has become such a little fish since last summer. Since we are there only once a year, the changes are so obvious.

They also love the lazy river. It's also nice and toasty, and it feels like a real river with a current. Ranger was delighted that he could touch the bottom and bop along in there on his own. He kept telling me that he was riding his invisible bike. We even let Sierra and Serenity go in the lazy river alone. Amazing how they are growing.

We also love to go on the beach. It was cold, colder than any other year, but there were times when it seemed to clear and warm up just for us. We fed the seagulls, which the kids renamed flying pigs because they are so pushy and piggy with each other. Everyone but Ranger fed them from their hands, and it was great to be surrounded by I don't know how many, maybe 100, maybe more, birds! Such sweet little squeals of joy in that activity!

The kids love to challenge the waves, running up to the edge of the surf and waiting to see if they can outrun it. With the tide coming in, they got caught a few times. It's more squealing, more laughing, more fun.

We play soccer on the beach, build sculptures in the sand, including a bunny this year. During down time in the room, we played Life and Bible Outburst and Jr. Monopoly and Twister. We ate simple food, almost all that we brought, and just enjoyed living there for a few days. And the Disney Store on the way home to spend Christmas money is always our caboose to the trip, and they love that too.

I always come home feeling very connected to each of the kids. They are happy and full, and I am too. I remember how easy it is to have fun with them when the pressure of homework and housework and lifework are removed. It's just easier when it is right in front of me what is important enough to warrant my time and effort. Work has to get done, but the fun has to be prioritized as well. It's a good reminder.

I think I knew we had achieved what we wanted when Venture gave me a sweet gift on the last night. We often play a game where I motion for him to come to me without saying anything and then I give him a kiss. He always rubs his cheek, and I tell him that he better be rubbing that kiss in and not off! But he usually tells me he's rubbing it off. Well, this time, I gave him a kiss goodnight, and he rubbed his little cheek and said that he was rubbing it in. Ah. That was a moment. Then Summit motioned for me to come to him the way I call him to me, gave me a kiss, reached up with his hand, rubbed my cheek, and said, "I'm rubbing it in Mommy." Ahhhhh. A great moment.

So many sweet moments. Playing and twirling and running with Serenity. Watching her create beautiful things out of sand and even styrofoam bowls, which she decorated for every family member to have a shell holder. And staying up 'til midnight on New Year's Eve with Sierra is always a delight. She always makes it, always does, and we just had so much fun. So great to ring in the new year together with her.

So I guess serving this new year's was all about the kids -- the holidays usually are. It was just great.

And then the next day, we received from the Lord as we celebrated 17 years of marriage. We are so blessed, and I am so grateful for all the time we have been given. It's just still a miracle to me.

So Happy New Year. Happy, happy, happy new year.