HE IS RISEN! He is risen indeed!

Josiah and Micah singing the Easter Song our family has been learning this month.

Farewell DQ! Parting is such sweet sorrow...well maybe just sweet.

Last night was the final meeting of the DQ Club in which we would be discussing the infamous book entitled, Don Quixote. I have to say that all present were VERY happy about that. While Don Quixote, hereafter referred to as DQ, is one of the most amusing books I have read, it is obvious that this book was written for a much "slower" world that had time for and enjoyed reading minute details. It is somewhat telling of our culture and how spoon fed we have become when it comes to entertainment. When Cervantes published this book in 1605 the world was a different place. Language was more beautiful, and those who could read most likely had enough money to hire most of the household work done. Therefore, they had the time and patience to sit back and enjoy page after page of detail concerning our Knight and his faithful Squire, Sancho Panza.

So would I suggest you read DQ? Yes and No. I literally laughed out loud with this book on many occasions. It is without a doubt hilarious. However, the hilarity goes on and on and on and on....well you get the idea. I would definitely suggest an abridged version of Don Quixote, although DQ himself would probably call me a miscreant for uttering such blasphemy.

So how does one condense such a book? Well you can go online and find a number of reviews by really smart people or go buy Sparks Notes if you want a real review of DQ. However, for your enjoyment and because Jenny asked, I will share my own very simplied version of the Knight of the Rueful Countenance.

The country gentleman of La Mancha,Don Quixada, was enamored with books of romance. He spent all his time and fortune on reading and purchasing books of chivalry. He so enamored his brain with these works that he soon became "soft in the head" and was quite convinced that he too was a Knight. And so one day to the great surprise of his niece and housekeeper, DQ was gone. He saddled his skinny, pathetic workhorse and renamed her Rocinante (translated, workhorse no more). He also decorated himself with old, rusted, patched-together armor he abscounded from the walls and old trunks in his home. He renamed himself Don Quixote de la Mancha (Quijote is a piece of armor). He recognized that a true Knight has no purpose without a Lady Fair for which to fight. So he chooses Dulcenea del Tolboso(Or so he named her). Mind you he had never met Dulcenea, but that's just a matter of consequence to DQ. He sallied forth on his first adventure. Whereupon he met the faithful, yet simple Sancho Panza. Sancho readily left wife and children for the promise of the government of an island that he and DQ would one day vanquish. Fear not though fair reader, Sancho has always planned to have his own Teresa join him when he governs the said island.

It only takes a short time and a windmill to reveal to Sancho the softness of his Master's brain. But, the ever insecure Sancho always questions his own sanity, when his very well spoken Master insists that what he sees is reality. The windmills for instance are great giants to DQ and he bravely attacks them with his trusty lance. Sancho begs DQ to forebear, but alas, there is no stopping the valiant knight. A very bruised and broken-lanced knight is the result of the adventure. And so go all the adventures of DQ. And trust me there are pages and pages of such adventures. DQ attacks imagined foes and the result is almost always his own bruising and often the bruising of poor Sancho.

Part 1 ends with DQ back home thanks to the craftiness of some friends. He is ill(due to the fact that he rarely eats or sleeps as a result of his lovesick heart, a la Dulcinea)and is being nursed back to health by his niece and his housekeeper. Sancho is back home with his Juana(Teresa) who was too concerned with the health of their donkey to properly welcome Sancho home.(Cervantes sometimes forgets what he named a character and so sometimes calls them by a different name. He also forgets details. For instance, at one point Sancho lost his donkey,Dapple. Then a few chapters later he is riding Dapple again.)

Part 2 was written because Cevantes was offended. It seemed DQ was a booming success in Spain and even throughout other parts of the world. This was a nice break for Cervantes, since his life had been full of poverty, wrongful imprisonment and even a kidnapping by pirates at one point. And so success was sweet. Then a man named Alonso Fernandez de Avellaneda published in 1614 a sequel to DQ! To see just how indignant Cervantes was at Fernandez's audacity, read the preface to Part 2 of DQ next time you are in a Barnes and Noble. All in all, we can thank Senor Fernandez for the length of DQ.

Part 2 opens with DQ restless at home and scheming his next sally. .He contacts Sancho, who is all too ready to be off again. DQ is actually encouraged to seek adventure by his friend, the Bachelor Carrasco. Carrasco has a secret plan to bring DQ home for good, but we won't discover this until MUCH later in the book. Once again, adventure after adventure befalls our good knight who in this book earns the name, Knight of the Rueful Countenance and Knight of the Lion. (Due to his encounter with a hungry, and fortunately lazy Lion.)

The last half of Part 2 is a record of DQ's stay at the home of a Dutch and Duchess who are playing him for their own folly and entertainment. Sancho is "given" the government of an Island for their entertainment as well. Sancho soon learns that the responsibility of a Governor is not for him. Meanwhile, DQ after weeks of being the butt of every joke in the palace(of which he is totally unaware)sallies forth. Soon thereafter, he is challenged by the "Knight of the White Moon" (remember our Bachelor Friend and his plan to bring DQ home?) The Knight of the White Moon challenges DQ to admit that Dulcinea is not the fairest lady and that his own Lady is the fairest of all. Now these are fighting words with DQ and the terms are set and agreed upon. If the White Moon Knight wins the challenge DQ must lay aside his arms, desist from traveling in quest of adventures,quit the field and retire to his own habitation, where he should continue a whole year without drawing a sword. The Knight of the White Moon was the victor and so came to an end the knight errantcy of the great Don Quixote da la Mancha. DQ of course being a knight of honor would in every way comply with the terms of his defeat and so headed home with plans to buy a herd of sheep and spend the next year in solitude as a shepherd. Upon arriving home, DQ was taken with fever and was attended by his faithful Niece and Housekeeper. Sancho never left his bedside. And DQ was often visited by his good friends the Bachelor, the Barber, and the Curate. In his illness and impending death, DQ's senses return and he confesses he is not a knight, but the good man Alonso Quixano(this is the first time in the text we are given DQ's real name). Quixano's death is grieved greatly by all aforementioned persons, most especially Sancho.

Cervantes ends Part 2 with an admonition to Senor Fernandez. He beseeches Fernandez to "let the wearied and mouldering bones of Don Quixote rest in the grave."

What I learned from DQ
1. It really isn't that difficult to read this "old style" language once you get in the flow of it. In fact, after reading DQ for a few chapters I find myself wanting in everyday life to say things like, "Hark now my fair offspring. I implore you to acquiesce to the desires of mine heart. I beseech you therefore to quit thine base behavior and forgo the acts of treachery in which you are presently employed." (ie "listen to Mommy, stop fussing with each other!)
2. The prejudice against Jews and Moors in the 1600's in Spain was incredible and very evident in the text. (Spanish Inquisition anyone?) I'm thinking the present day Islamic Extremist haven't read DQ or there would be some considerable violence happening at publishing houses around the globe.
3. I learned a lot about Spanish History.
4. I learned about the pervading literature of the time and how much Cervantes deplored it.

And so, Fair Jenny of the Northlands, I hope you have enjoyed this account of our friend Don Quixote. I am anxious to get to some Jane Austen, thanks to your influence. But first, on to John Bunyan and Pilgrim's Progress.

The Late Winter Blahs

I've given my blog a "sunny" look because perhaps the "power of positive thinking" will work. So here I am trying to be the first to pressure Spring into showing up. Actually, as I grow older I realize that even in the blah times our relationship with Jesus doesn't have to be. That while we may feel a force of blah and the "boredom" of just living, life can be real, alive and beautiful living in the peace of trusting Him in spite of everything else. I think that may be what Paul was talking about when he told us to let our moderation be known to all men. My understanding is that moderation is perhaps better understood in English as being "even keeled". So this notion of being on mountains and in valley all the time doesn't seem so necessary. I've had a couple weeks of learning. I'll share with you just a couple of the things I've been learning since my last post.

I've learned that I can let education get boring. In just trying to "get things done" and the desire to mark the next thing off my list, I've let our learning get boring. So this week we started projects again. The crazy thing is, while it is more work for me, crafts make the lessons more interesting for me too. We started the year at Creation and we are now up to 500 - 300 BC and so we are studying the Golden Age of the Greeks. The last two weeks we have worked on our Grecian War Helmets.(I'll be sure to share photos of those when they are done.) We plan to make a Trojan Horse and Archimedes Screw. The boys play with Play-Dough while I read History (which consist of Library books and a fun Magic Tree House book and non-fiction companion) and Aesop's Fables. We are writing our letters in rice and reading Clifford phonics books as a break from Hooked on Phonics. Daddy has been doing Violin practise with Josiah(which is a big treat for Josiah) and we are learning to tell time by playing with our Thomas the Tank Engine Clock book. All in all these little changes make "school" more interesting again and the zeal for learning is back in all of us.

I've also learned afresh that while the old saying "character is what you are when no one is looking" is true, that our true character is also revealed in times of pressure. We are studying the book of Mark in Sunday School and last week we read the account of Peter and the other disciples abandoning Jesus. My whole life I'd always looked at them as real losers for exiting the scene when Jesus needed them most. But last week our teacher said something that really opened my eyes. I won't try to quote him, but the basic point was that never before had the disciples been faced with this particular force. Jesus had always "taken on" his enemies and came out the "victor". His words always seemed to put any critic in their place. He healed the sick, came up with money, food, or a place to stay whenever they needed it and even avoided death a few times. The logical end in an ancient Jewish mind was for Jesus to continue to dominate and take the kingdom by storm. Then what they never saw coming happened and they were faced with a brand new force pushing buttons in their lives that had never been pushed. They reacted and their true character was revealed. That has happened to me many times and most recently about a week ago. I had a yucky spot in my character that I wasn't even aware existed, but the right forces came along and pushed new buttons and to my surprise a big ugly showed up. It had reared it's head before, but I always blew it off as a bad day, lack of sleep, or too much on my plate. But this time I realized that even with those excuses it didn't change the truth. While my plate may be full, the truth is what was revealed was the real me. Anybody can be pleasant or content or whatever in times of ease and low pressure, but it is in the times of pressure that the real me comes to the forefront. While it is painful to see these short comings, I really am thankful. It is in having these thing revealed that I become more like Jesus. I am made aware of my desperate need for Him and my utter dependence on Him. Not to mention, it makes me a better wife, mother, and friend.

And so I am learning everyday. And contrary to the insane idea that at some point we arrive and have it all together spiritually, I plan to continue to learn with God's help until the day that I die.

Happy To You Siah!!

Just so you know "Happy to you" is not a typo. When Josiah was 2 he called all things related to Birthdays, Happy To You. There was the Happy To You cake and Happy To You cards and Happy To You parties. It's hard to believe he's grown up so much in just a few years. It's really hard to believe that our oldest is 5 years old. Wow, where does time go?

We've had a very eventful weekend. On Friday night we had Josiah's Birthday dinner. He asked for chicken, mashed potatoes and green beans, all served on the "Happy Day Plate" of course. Gone are the days of hot dog and mac and cheese birthday suppers. It's funny Josiah acts like Matt, but he is built like my family, very solid. (see birthday meal choice for reference) He also requested cup cakes, as opposed to a fun shaped cake. In this way he is like his Daddy, he likes things very predictable and simple, chocolate cupcake, chocolate icing....no frills thank you. (He was OK with me adding candy tools as a decorative touch though. Now Micah, well he is built like Matt's family, but the rest is all my fault. :)

On Saturday our family and cousin Savannah went to the Magic House in St. Louis. This is such a fun place. It is basically a Children's Museum with tons of hands on stuff to do. We had a blast. Below are several pictures from our day.

To Brighten Your Day

Micah singing Holy, Holy, Holy during his bedtime snack.

Parenting Class

I know I've mentioned a few times that Matt and I host a Parenting Class in our home. Last Saturday night we met together again. We are always so encouraged and challenged by these good friends to continue to pursue excellence in training our little ones. I thought I'd post a couple pictures of our class. I wish you could know all these precious people. Each one brings their own personality and strenth to the table that helps each of us be better parents and better people.


The whole class minus me. (a new couple will be joining us next month.)




The Ladies!

Happy News and other stuff

While speaking with Charity on the phone the other night she made a comment about my b-day blog still being up. I didn't say anything, but thought, "The poor dear hasn't checked my blog in so long she doesn't know I've updated since then." Well today I sat down at my trusty, albeit slightly neglected, computer and found that Charity was right. So sorry to have you coming back to check a blog with no updates in the past month. Pathetic I know.

We just got home last night from an Expo (for Matt' work) in Minnesota. The boys were a big hit there (the only kids in the place) and we hope we sold rocking chairs too. It was cold, no not the, "brr it's 20 degrees cold", I'm talking freeze your nose hairs cold. I really am rethinking the concept of Hell being hot, perhaps.....well; I'll stop there lest I be labeled a heretic. Let's just say 17 degress BELOW zero is absolutely INSANE. In spite of the weather we did have such a nice time. Pictures will be coming soon.

I also have some very Happy News. I got a message from Jani's Mom informing me that a new little man has joined the JB family. Jordon Lawrence was born Feb. 9 @ 3:25am. He was 7lbs 9 oz and 20 inches long. Mommy and Jordon are doing well. I'll try to get a picture to post of the little fella. (check out www.our365.com, his photo is not up yet, but should be soon.)

Speaking of little fellas here are a few funnies (and one not so funny, but just plain embarrassing) I've been overhearing from Micah of late.

While listening to Brooklyn Tab's "Take up Your Cross", I hear Micah singing, "Count the crust take up your cross and follow Him." He then turns to me with a very perplexed look on his face and says, "Why count the crust?"

I hear banging coming from the other end of the house, upon investigation I find Micah banging on Josiah's bedroom door yelling, "Open in the name of the King!"

Micah - "Daddy was that funny?"
Matt - "Oh yes Micah that was hilarious!"
Micah - "Daddy, hilarious means a BIG funny!"

While Micah was speaking to a lady she said, "oh my gosh!" Micah promptly said, "Oh you shouldn't say that because that is taking the Lord's name in vain."


And from Josiah I have been getting my script on a daily basis. I am rarely Mommy. Over the last two weeks I have usually been one of the following, per instruction from a first born. I have been Eliza Jane sister of Almanzo (Micah) and Royal(Josiah) Wilder. I have been Polynesia the Parrot (from Dr. Doolitle) playing with Gup Gup the Pig (Micah) and Jip the dog (Josiah). I've been Bess, Black Beauty's (played by Micah) Mommy and Josiah is Ginger. Today I am Trunky the Elephant, while two Crocodiles are building a "tent" in the dinning room. One is the Enormous Crocodile that eats children (Micah) and the other is the "Not-so-enormous-crocodile-that-just-eats-fish" (Josiah) See Roald Dahl's Enormous Crocodile for details. I'm not sure if we are having an identity crisis or if we are perhaps listening to too many books on CD. Well I just heard, "Help Trunky, I need help Trunky!" So I must fly....er stampede.

Middle Aged?

Well I suppose I'm middle aged, right? I guess if I live to be 70 than 35 makes me middle aged.(then again, if I live to be 100, I've got a ways to go.) Wow, I don't feel middle aged, but feel or no that's what I am. I've used more wrinkle cream lately, and can't help but wish that all those years in Florida I would have worn sunblock and read more books while at the beach as opposed to soaking up all those wrinkle creating rays. I very rarely burned and I so enjoyed the feeling of sun on my skin, I never bothered with sunblock. Ah well, we live and learn. But be forewarned my 20 something friend as you run off to the beach, spend the $10 now on sunblock or deal with the $20 wrinkle cream later. :). I woke my birthday morning early. I met several of my girlfriends for breakfast. So fun. I'm so thankful to have these lovely ladies in my life. We have fun together, yet they always seem to challenge me to love Jesus more. At home when I walked back in the door at 8am I was "surprised" with a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY! And so the day went on as normal. A very nice birthday, Matt took me out for dinner that evening and then we browsed leisurely at Barnes and Noble. (this is one our favorite activities) A very nice day indeed. Even a Krispy Kreme Donut in lieu of a birthday cake. woo hoo!
Saturday we hosted Parenting Class. I so enjoyed the lesson this month. I was reminded once again of what a powerful tool for reaching the world for Christ our families can be. To glorify God is to give God a good reputation, it is by our actions and attitudes that we can do this. It is our lives that make God bigger to the world. We live in a culture that has been inundated with weird images of what it means to be "christian". If you watch TV (which happens to be to driving force of our cultures worldview) for any amount of time, you'll run across some character portraying "Christianity" as whacked out or completely out of touch with reality. Or worse yet turn to a "christian" TV station and find a circus of entertainers singing, dancing, healing, and crying all followed up with a plea for money. It's no wonder the world has no concept of what it really means to be a true follower of Christ. And no wonder they aren't interested in Christianity. In this atmosphere I could tell someone I'm a Christian or hand them Christian literature, but the images and ideas that the term Christian conjures up for them is far from what I want to communicate and will probably influence their willingness to listen to my words. However, my life can speak volumes and the power of the combined lives of a family is a force to be reckoned with. A Father and Mother who truly love and serve each other. Children who respect their parents as well as their siblings, and are thoughtful of the people around them. A family that sees the preciousness in others and treats them as such. This is an image of Christ that people are drawn to. This has been the most powerful tool I've ever experienced and it has opened doors for me to have an influence for Christ to others. Don't get me wrong I think there is a place for missions, homeless shelters, and crisis centers. But for us Mom's whose primary responsibility is to train and mold little lives, remember you are a minister. Not only, to your hubby and children, but in loving them, training them, and by understanding as a family that people are precious, you open doors to minister to your neighbors, the people at the store, the teacher at music lessons. They may never be open to a conversation that starts with "Do you ever think about God or spiritual things?" but they may come to you and say, "how do you get your kids to obey you?" "How do you get your husband to take the trash out?" "Do you and Matt ever fight?" I've been asked these questions and I see these as open doors to sharing the hope that lieth within me. They asked, they're open. What a challenge to be a vigilant wife, mother, and person. For a much higher call than "good kids, nice marriage" but for the high calling of reflecting Jesus to a lost world.

Resolutions and Revolution

Much like SJV, I get a subtle hint from my dear Mother when I don't post for awhile. I knew that phone call would soon be coming, but I've just had a hard time getting back to blogging. Well, the call came and so I will obey. :) It's not that I don't enjoy blogging, it's just hard to find time, but you all know all about that, don't you?

I've had a million thoughts running through my head lately, and will probably never take the time to hash them out in script. However, I do tend to reflect, as I'm sure most of us do, when a fresh new year presents itself. I think of what I'd like to improve and where I have been in the past. I, like Tara, don't bother with lofty resolutions. For 20 years I've been resolving to weigh 115 lbs and at almost 35 am finally realizing that it's just not going to happen. :) I will however post my not so lofty resolutions as accountability. 1. Get more organized. 2. Send Birthday cards on time, to all family members. (perhaps, I'll extend my card sending to close friends next year, but baby steps for this year.) That's it. I suppose I can handle that..... maybe.

While looking to the present and reflecting on the past. I've been thinking about what has really made the difference in my life. What few things can I look back at and say, "That really changed my life for the better." The obvious things like My trust in Jesus, Matt and our boys, my parents love, my friends influence, attending HSBA/C, and moving to Illinois come to my mind. I think I will reflect here on personal choices that have determined how influential I allowed those obvious things to be. I may post throughout the year some of the other life changing choices. Today I will reflect on one.

A very wise friend of mine once said, "You can be surrounded by the right answers, but if you're not asking the right questions, the answers don't do you any good."
One of the most powerful agents of change in my life was learning to question myself. I, like most females, found myself to be a very emotional being. If I felt something, it was real. My moods and emotions tended to dictate my attitude toward others and life. If I wanted to do something, I almost always asked, "why not?" and was pretty good at defending most any position I took by legalism. Then over time and through many influences I started to question my motives. Why am I feeling the way I do? Is the feeling legitimate? Was the comment from someone that hurt my feelings really intended to hurt me? Why would I think that it was? Why do I want to do whatever it is I'm wanting to do? I could go on and on with the questions. The point is I started to question my own motives for almost everything in my life. From why I was eating that 4th cookie to why I was feeling uncomfortable in the presence of someone. This change of perspective, was quite a revolution in my life. It makes me far less legalistic. A simple question of my motive for why I'm wanting to do something, usually makes the right choice pretty clear. It's changed my relationships. A simple question of my motives, usually aids me in trusting others and giving them the benefit of the doubt. It greatly effects how I parent. A simple question of my motives for why I am or am not disciplining a certain behavior and I find the courage or wisdom to do the right thing. The temptation to push my children for my own ego is squelched, when I ask myself why I'm pushing. It is presently helping me work on my impatience with my kiddos. When I ask myself why I'm so frustrated with them, it's usually because I'm being inconvenienced. (ouch!) It's changed my relationship with Jesus. If I question myself and my motives than I understand myself better. If I understand myself better I can begin to see myself as God sees me and it drives me to Him. It's not a quick fix all to be sure, honesty with oneself is not easy. And old habits are not easily broken. Neither do I want to promote a life of paranoia, I'm not constantly checking my pulse spiritually. Actually, it's the opposite. When I know that I am honestly trying to please God in every part of my life. It is a life of clear conscious and no doubt of my relationship with Him.

So in asking myself why I'm writing all this, the answer is that it reminds me to stay vigilant. If I don't I will find myself being carried down stream by opinions, my emotions, and whatever other wind may be blowing at the time. I also hope that it encourages you. Happy 2008!

Well, no post is complete without pictures for Nanny. So here goes.

My niece Karen and her new baby nephew Bradyn(he's my great-nephew too!). At Dad and Moms

My big bro Doug, Mom w/Bradyn, and Dad.

Making Gingerbread Men with Aunt Ginger at Nanny and Papa's house.

The annual "sleeping by the tree" at home. (Thanks for the tent Mrs. V!)

A Christmas Thank you hug!

Christmas Morning!

This last photo is a Siah Funny. I came out after reading Kayla's post about her boys playing with their Nativity set and came upon this scene.

I asked Josiah what Henry was doing at the manger. He told me that Henry wanted to go see Jesus, but a terrible storm blew up and damaged the tracks. Henry yelled, "baby Jesus say, 'peace'." Then baby Jesus said, (in Josiah's most convincing baby voice)"Peace". Then the tracks came back together and the storm stopped and Henry got to go all the way up to the manger to see Jesus.

Christmas Is Coming!

Hello my friends. Just a quick update, and probably the last until the craziness of Christmas is past. This time of year is so special with little ones in the house. Since having children we are motivated to establish family traditions that make the true meaning of Christmas a focus. I have to be careful with traditions, because the danger with me is that the traditions become the focus and then we end up serving the tradition and not the reason for the tradition. (I think the Pharisees had this problem too.) So we have kept it simple around here. Every Sunday morning in December we light one candle on our Advent Wreath as we eat breakfast and we talk about Jesus, the one who brought light to our darkness by coming to earth. We also each get three presents for Christmas. This really keeps Christmas shopping/spending under control and most importantly, it helps us to remember that Jesus received three gifts too and He is our greatest gift.

Speaking of gifts, wow isn't it so fun and frustrating at the same time to buy for everyone on your list? I struggle most with teenagers. Kids are easy, any little toy or book is usually very appreciated. Adults are usually so happy with a homemade gift. But teenagers, they are really tough. $5 or $10 doesn't buy much for them and I wonder if they think homemade is hokey. We have enough teenagers on our list that we HAVE to keep the cost down. I saw an idea that I'm going to try this year, I'll let you know how it goes over. My first attempt is in the photo here. What teenager doesn't love Soda and Candy?

Well our big Christmas Drama is less than a week away. Becca and I are directing it this year and the kids are doing GREAT! One of the young people at our church adapted the play from the book, THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER. It is really cute and funny. We are also looking forward to the annual church Christmas party tonight. This is a fun time of games and Christmas cookies. The kids really love it that the games are adult and kid interactive. It's a time that no matter your age you're a kid again for one night.

Thursday night we are headed to Michigan to spend some time with Dad, Mom, Grandma, and big brother Doug's family. Mom has promised us snow. I'm not that into winter, but it seems in Southern Illinois we get a lot of cold rain and not much snow. Now, if it's going to be cold, I vote for cold and pretty. If not, than just give me 80 degrees and be done with it. :) But I digress. We will be back home in IL. for Christmas Eve which we will spend with Matt's family. Then Christmas day we are home for our family Christmas. So busy busy busy.

Well, I should close. Thank you all for the gift that you are in our lives. You encourage us to stay close to Jesus and we are thankful for your prayers. May your Christmas be blessed with the Joy of abiding in our Savior.