jumps and downs

took the girls to an indoor jumping park over the weekend

and they had a ball...literally!

I was pleasantly surprised with the place.

I was thinking it would be crawling with people and germs...

but I was wrong.

It was super-clean...

(I actually watched the workers meticulously cleaning every nook and cranny of one of the inflatables...and they tell me that each one gets cleaned with shop vacs and Norwex products on a daily basis!)

...and quiet.

Only two other families were there with us.

And although Tulip couldn't participate much, it was just right for Peach.

It was located in a mall, so the area was small and we could sit in comfy chairs and watch Peach run, climb, jump and slide.

It didn't matter where she went.  We could see her at all times.

And, of course, we joined her a time or two.

All the bouncing and harsh flourescent lights made it difficult to take good pics, but you get the idea.

Snack break - all that bouncin' makes a girl hungry!

It was the perfect recipe for a 3-year-old who needed to expend some "I've been trapped inside our house for too long" energy.

We let her run wild and get some much-needed exercise here.  Needless to say, she went to bed early and slept like a rock!

Next time we need to run off a little energy or beat the winter blues, we'll be headed back to 

Jumps and Downs!

Wacek Family Rules

I've never really been a fan of the term "rules".

It always seemed a little strict.  Harsh.

In fact, in my classroom, we call them "expectations" because I don't want the students to think of me as some cruel taskmaster with a bunch of "rules" that they need to follow.

"Rules" has always seemed far from fun and loving and warm.

Until I met a family who redefined the word.

About two weeks ago, J and I were invited to one of his students' homes for supper.

This is quite out of the ordinary.

Not often do teachers get invited to students' homes.  At least not in my experience.

So, I knew this family was going to be one of those families that was okay with breaking out of the mold...

doing things their own way.

And I knew it was going to be awesome...the supper part anyway.

Because when I was  about 8 months pregnant with Tulip, this family made us a DIVINE meal...and I do mean DIVINE.  They sent it home with J just to bless me....give me a night off from cooking.

It was sooooo good.

When J came home with news of an invitation to thier house for supper, I jumped at the opportunity!

I should tell you that this is a family of 7 - yes, 5 children ranging from 4th grade to 8 months old.

And the minute I walked into their home, I felt this overwhelming peace.

Yes, I just said "peace" when talking about a home with 5 children.

It was not chaotic.

It was not too much to handle.

It was peaceful.

And joyful.

And respectful.

And kind.

And cozy.

And just plain....lovely.

The kids are probably the most well-manered, kind-hearted bunch I've been around in a long time.

They answer their parents with "Yes, Mom" and "Yes, Dad" when asked to do something.

They are kind to each other....really.

They look their parents in the eyes.

They looked me in the eyes.

They were friendly, talkative, inquisitive.

And they are happy.

Not obeying out of fear, but out of genuine love.

I saw it when they spontaneously came up to hug their parents, looking at them with sincere respect.

Now, I know that there are probably moments when things can get chaotic.

And  I know that no child is perfect.

Nor is any parent.

These people are no exception.

But, they're doing this parenting thing right.

And the demeanor of their kids and atmosphere of their home is the proof.

I was so impressed with this family, thinking to myself, "Wow, how in the world did they accomplish this?"

We ate great food and had delicious conversation while the kids happliy entertained each other.

Then they gave us a tour of their house right before we headed home.

And upstairs, in each child's bedroom hung a list of their family rules.

They were simple yet profound.

Each kid can recite the list to you and tell you why each rule is important.

The older ones can also tell you why each rule is Biblical...now that's impressive!

And in that moment, I decided that "rules" are not all that bad.

And, evidentally, they are key in parenting.

Not just having rules and enforcing rules, but sharing them, living them out, practicing them and learning why they matter.

It truly inspires me to watch other parents.

I know I have a lot to learn.

I take some things and leave others, trying to navigate my way and pave a path for my little family.

The Lord was so kind to bring us to this family and teach us about His vision for what ours might someday look like.

On the way home, Peach chattered about how much fun she had and J and I let out little sighs that said, "Ooooh, that was good."

A few nights later, we came up with our own list.

We changed a few of the wordings and added some things of our own.

Here's what we came up with:

1.    Others First

2.   Tell the Truth

3.   Choose Kind Words

4.   Obey Your Mom and Dad

5.   Be Happy With What You Have

6.   Choose a Good Attitude

7.   Show Respect To Older People

8.   Stand Up For What is Good

9.   Responsibility Before Privilege

10.  Apologize and Forgive

We know that this won't be easy.
That it will require time and effort and patience.

And the results are not guaranteed.

But it seems like a step in the right direction.

The first step is holding ourselves accountable to these rules, showing Peach and Tuilp how.

The next is lovingly integrating the rules into their lives.

I like that the first 5 or 6 are simple enough for Peach to understand.

The others will come later.

My favorite is #9...

I'm so grateful that God put this family in our lives.

To teach us and to share with us.

It has helped to get J and I on the same page about some things.

And I can already feel some things going a little smoother as a result.

Rules...now that I know what good rules look like and the fruit that they can produce,

I'm beginning to like the word a little more.

sick day

Tulip was running a little fever this week.

Ugh...this was NOT the week for fevers.

It's the week of conferences.

And every time conferences roll around, I hold my breath, cross my fingers and say a few little prayers that everyone stays healthy.

Because these are days that J and I just can't miss.

So far, we've been fortunate.

This time, I had to rely on an understanding administrator and flexible parents.

Thank goodness for both!

I was able to get most of my conferences in last night and schedule the rest for next week.

So, today, I stayed home with my sick girl...

She slept the morning away while Peach and I were busy in the kitchen making one of our favorites:  zucchini bread

I had frozen a bunch of pureed zucchini from the farmers market this fall and this delicious loaf required the last of our stash.  We'll have to enjoy this one and wait until summer for more.

poor girl

After our treat, Peach and I decided to check out the snow.

She's been wanting to make a snowman and I thought that it might just work.

So, we geared up and headed out.

Ahh, yes, this is what we've been waiting for!  Only a few inches, but enough to satisfy our hunger for snow angels.

Then the snowman began...

Soon it was taking shape and I ran in to get the supplies.

We got this kit as a gift last Christmas and this is the first time we've had it out.  Peach's favorite part was the bona fide corn cob pipe!  You don't see one of these every day.

After referring to "him" as a "snowman", Peach quickly informed me that this snow person was, indeed, a girl.

Meet Gabriella....

We were supposed to use the apples for eyes, but Peach wanted Gabriella to have ears.  So, we had to adjust a bit and use the buttons for eyes and wood chips for buttons.

After Gabriella was properly dressed and enjoying her pipe, we made a little runway down the slope of our yard.

And Peach squealed as I pushed her down, sending her twirling and giggling all the way.

A few more adjustments on Gabriella...wanted to make sure her scarf was cozy and her pipe secured before heading inside.

Upon entering the house and stripping off our wet clothes, we found this...

...fever free and ready to rock!

We spent the rest of the day playing, taking a bath, napping and watching Tom and Jerry.

It was all kinds of wonderful.

Not bad for a sick day.

a hallelujah day

Yesterday was a hallelujah day.  I found myself proclaiming with the psalmist,

Praise the Lord!  Praise God in his heavenly dwelling; praise him in his mighty heaven!  Praise him for his mighty works; praise his unequaled greatness!  Praise him with a blast of the trumpet; praise him with the lyre and harp!  Praise him with the tambourine and dancing; praise him with stringed instruments and flutes!  Praise him with a clash of cymbals; praise him with loud, clanging cymbals.  Let everything that lives sing praises to the Lord! - Psalm 150


It was just one of those days that was too good.

It started with snuggles under piles of blankets.  Hallelujah!  God, you are peace.

Which were followed by sweet potato and cinnamon pancakes and scrambled eggs made by J.  Hallelujah!  God, you are good.

And was topped off by snuggling a baby fresh from heaven.  Hallelujah!  God, you are beautiful...no, make that...stunning.

Here is the girl that made me an auntie:  Baby A

She made her debut in the wee hours of the morning on Jan. 21 and instantly wiggled her way into my heart.

Everything about her is lovely.

There is something about holding a baby born only hours ago that puts all kinds of things into perspective.  I can't look at something this tiny and this fresh and have anything but jaw-dropping, breath-taking, overflowing praise.

Wow, God.  She's a masterpiece.  Really.

I held this little miracle and whispered "hallelujah" over her.  And as we made the long drive home, I whispered it again.  When I rocked my baby to sleep, I whispered it again.  When I tucked my little lady under her covers, I whispered it again.  I know I will never be able to say it enough.  Because when God amazes you, the praises just keep flowing.

Hallelujah, Lord.  You outdid yourself again.