Drawing Near--Psalm 73:28

But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

Parenting on the Proper End of the Spectrum

Douglas Wilson put up an excellent post on Blog and Mablog a couple weeks ago. Dated June 13 and titled "Lungs Full of Mountain Air," it hit on key distinctions in the ways people approach life and had great application for parenting. Here's a quote from toward the end:

"There is a vast difference between a legalistic demand of law and [the] demand of gracious example."

Bathing Beauties and Dare Devils

We've pulled the frog pool from last summer back out. It doesn't hold air like it used to, but with an air compressor handy, that's no big deal. At least it still holds water--we think. It's kinda hard to tell with four or five kids in there splashing it out all the time anyway!

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After the sisters went inside for a shower, the brothers turned the frog belly up off to the side and proceeded to use the foam board Daddy puts underneath it for a slip-n-slide.

They got it to work pretty well!

The smallest bathing beauty deserves special attention because she is also our resident star potty trainer. Can you tell she's proud of herself?

Viewing Through the Appropriate Lens--Psalm 107:43

Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.

It's All About Realistic Priorities . . . Without Comparisons

Jen hit another nail squarely on the head today. Neither of us would claim to implement these principles anywhere near perfectly, but we both agree that this is where pleasant home life starts. Thankfully, God uses both our successes and our failures in His greater plan for our good and His glory.

Conversion Diary: Tips for surviving (and thriving!) in the baby/toddler phase - The diary of a former atheist

McFishes

The eldest two junior Mc's have spent the last two weeks improving their swimming skills at Harding. They've had lots of fun and learned a good bit of important stuff, too. It's always nice when those two features can be found in one activity.

Sacred Union--Hosea 2:19-20

And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in lovingkindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD.

The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen

Daddy was working late tonight, which meant my Tuesday evening Walmart shopping was out. However, it also meant that we wrapped up our daily routine early with no need to wait on Daddy for the simple "shopping night" meal I had ready. So, after tucking the little ones in, I sat down with Ian and Anna intending just to start the title above which we'd brought home long ago from a library trip.

An hour and a half later, we had finished it! The edition we read was an Everyman's Library Children's Classic--a cute little hardback with a ribbon marker and wonderful old illustrations by T. Pym. An amazing little adventure fairy tale told in rich prose and amply sprinkled with wisdom, mystery, and nonsense throughout! I tried to stop halfway through, but no one (including myself) wanted to wait to hear the ending. I'm quite certain that is the longest I have ever read aloud in one sitting.

Which Spirit?--Romans 8:15

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

This Week's News

Anna lost tooth #8--again pulled by her favorite dentist.

(I think Ian has pulled something like five of Anna's loose teeth so far. We're currently researching career opportunities in bug dentistry, combining his two favorite things.)

Lewis had a blast painting his birthday rocket!
(It's red on the bottom "where the fire's coming out.")

Robber of the Cruel Streets: George Muller

The title above was what Netflix kindly provided us with for entertainment last Friday night (before the aforementioned zoo trip). It was excellent. Among other things, Mr. Muller built orphanages for thousands of nineteenth century England's destitute children without a single bit of "fundraising" as we think of it. He simply prayed and trusted God to provide for His will in His time. Imagine that! We all came away inspired with a thorough admiration for Mr. Muller's faith as it was fleshed out in his long, tremendously fruitful, and generous life. And the video was only about an hour long--perfect for zoo trip prep.

Zoo Babies

Zoo animal pictures never seem to turn out very well for me,

but these shots of our Memphis Zoo Crew tell the story pretty well

even without many animals in them.