Hope

All the kiddos have been sick, but Hannah . . . poor Hannah!  She is the  "Queen of High Fevers."  After five days of high fevers (coupled with a nasty cough), we decided it was time to visit our pediatrician.  The highlight of Hannah's check up was having a chest x-ray.  She thought this was very cool.  I was just glad to know that she had a thorough examination.  They ruled out pneumonia and bronchitis.  No definitive diagnosis was proclaimed; but, Daddy and Hannah returned home with antibiotics and Starbuck's treats in hand.  A promising combination! 

It is quite unsettling when your little ones are sick.  But there is a peace in knowing that ultimately they rest in the hands of a sovereign God.  We have a future and a hope, because of Christ.  I cannot imagine experiencing all of the difficulties of this life without the security and hope found at the foot of the cross. 

There are, however, so many little ones around the world who are without hope.  Their daily physical circumstances are far worse; and, for many of them there is no hope.  They have not heard the glorious gospel.  Operation Christmas Child (a Samaritan's Purse ministry) is an opportunity to reach these little ones with a tangible gift of love, as well as the most precious gift--the gospel.  Our family loves this ministry. 

We had the honor of collecting, sorting, and organizing all of the OCC inventory for our church's shoe box packing party this coming Wednesday.  We spent the evening listening to Christmas music (and admittedly, eventually the Presidential debate) and filling boxes.  It is overwhelming to see people's generosity, and a beautiful testimony to my children, for which I am grateful.  We were reminded of how much we have and how blessed we are to know of Christ's love for us.  My girls are SO excited and can't wait to start packing shoe boxes.  Hannah said, "I just hope one day I will have the opportunity to deliver  boxes to children in another country."  That she wants to be a part of taking the gospel to other nations, and her heart breaks for other kids brings me unspeakable joy!

If your church participates in OCC, I encourage you to get involved and offer these kids true hope.  If you would like to participate individually, or get your church involved in the program, visit Samaritain's Purse.  Packing a shoe box is fun and a super easy way to bless a small life somewhere in God's big world.

How To Train Your Parents: A Post By Caleb

1.  Hold toys in both hands.

2.  Prepare to drop toys one at a time.

3. Drop toys from one hand.

4.  Drop toys from second hand.

5.  Wait for your parents to ask (in a silly, saccharin sweet, high voice), "Do you want your rings back you silly boy.  Don't you drop those.  You better stop.  You better stop!"  Then they will stoop down, pick up the toys, hand them back; and, the game starts all over again.  I promise--works every time!

Happy parent training!

Monday

Came home from a wonderful fall morning run to sick kiddos. Daddy and Hannah are headed to see the doctor this afternoon. Hannah has run a fever for five days. Please pray for our family! Wanting my babies to feel better!!!

Daddy loaned Hannah his kindle. So she is curled up under a quilt reading Little Women and drinking hot apple cider.

Soccer, Sickness, & Artistic Endeavors

Coughing, sneezing, fevers, snoring, puffy eyes, runny noses, thermometers, and empty tissue boxes . . . these are a few of my least favorite things. Unfortunately, they have been all too prevalent this week in our home.  All four kiddos have been quite under the weather. And, as if feeling like a sicko weren't enough, poor little Emerson had quite the run-in with our sofa table.  Madeline was such a sweetie--comforting and consoling Little One.

Though our dispositions were dreary, our artwork was cheery! This week I stole a few minutes to doodle and create (I go crazy if I don't get in some "Mama art time" once in a while). We took a brief hiatus from our art curriculum; and, the girls worked on a "fall leaf" line drawing with markers.  We also prepared canvases for a fall yarn art project that I hope to finish this week.

Madeline had a make-up soccer game on Thursday night.  We all gathered on a blanket under the lights to watch her play.  It was the perfect fall evening for a game.  Soccer season officially drew to a close on Saturday.  Both girls played hard (Hannah was pumped full of Ibuprofen,as she refused to miss her last game.) and enjoyed special celebrations with their teams.

 

 We began our soccer season with a family meal at Chick-fil-A.  So, we thought it would be fitting to end things the same way.  After a devastating Gamecock football game, we picked up our heads and drowned our sorrows in some chicken . . . and sweet tea . . . and waffle fries.  Yeah, nope . . . still pretty upset.   Oh well, the chicken was good!

Please pray for a speedy recovery for my kiddos, as we have family arriving on Friday.

Brooks Family Update: Fall 2012

So . . . haven't blogged in a while.  I could go on forever listing all of the reasons it is almost impossible to blog regularly these days; but, that would be incredibly boring.  So let's get down to business with a massive, picture intensive update.  My camera is sick (boo!) and my most favorite lens is out of commission (bigger boo!). This, coupled with the fact that I have four kids and all of their paraphernalia dangling from my body during all of our "memorable experiences," means that most of my pics are captured on the iPhone these days. Love me some iPhone!

Summer--where did that go?  Foolishly thought not getting a pool membership would result in tons of time spent crafting and playing.  Ah hahahaha!  Funny!  We did have a wonderful summer--though fast as a wink.  We traveled to see Jonathan's family in late spring, my Mom's house in June (went to Disney, got ears pierced, etc.-- Disney pics to come), and my sister's house over Labor Day.  Grandma came here for a visit as well. 

We returned from our Labor Day travels with a car stuffed full of IKEA finds--dreaming of an updated and organized classroom/office.  We all worked hard (but MOSTLY Daddy) hanging shelves, rearranging, purging, and preparing for a new school year. Our classroom now includes a pre-school corner for Emerson (and eventually Caleb).  We started school on September 10th.

We are currently in our 6th week of school and loving it!  

Our newest addition to Veritas Academy--Miss Emerson.  She is loving having her own space and school work.  She is a very determined and natural learner.

We continue to enjoy the fruits of our labor.  Our garden is still yielding peppers,  tomatoes, and pumpkins.  Our living classroom (as we like to call it) has been such a fun family experience.  Our favorite gardening memories would have to be growing pumpkins and roasting our very own sunflower seeds.  We are currently researching fall/winter plants, tending our compost, and look forward to next years spring planting. 

Fall . . . love it!!! It rocks.  Enjoyed some "Welcome Fall funtivities."  Continue to make as many pumpkiny treats as I can conjure up and fill my house with scents involving cinnamon, oatmeal cookies, and pumpkin spice. 

We have almost wrapped up our fall soccer season.  We have our last practices this week and one more "soccer game Saturday" to go.  Both girls still love to play soccer and have worked very hard this season-- improving their skills and being good teammates.

I spend my time cheering and wrangling (code for entertaining and feeding) these crazy "littles" on the sidelines each Saturday, as Daddy wound up the assistant coach for Hannah's team.  

Grammy recently came for a visit.  She was able to participate in a Friday science project and art lesson, take Hannah out for a pre-birthday dinner, and see both girls play soccer.

It happened.  I tried to wish it away; but, my first born baby turned 8 years old on the tenth of October.  Though it is hard for me to imagine that the tiny little "Banana" I longed and prayed for, nursed and cuddled, played peek-a-boo with, chased around the house, taught to read and tie her shoes is now eight; I am delighted to watch her grow and blossom into such a delightful, spunky, and down right cool girl.  Hannah is an awesome big sister and a wonderful mother's helper.  She is artistic, creative, friendly, brave, tough, cheerful, giving, loving, encouraging, and kind.  I wish I was more like her.  I pray that she grows in grace, wisdom, and beauty all the days of her life.  I pray that she will fall deeply in love with her Savior and boldly point others to Christ.

For Hannah's eighth birthday we enjoyed a doughnut breakfast, went to the big city (where we enjoyed the Lego store, book store, and shopped for Hannah clothes), ate a yummy lunch at Panera (Hannah's favorite); then, returned home for a Mommy cookie cake and church.

Our family enjoyed our first field trip of the year this past Friday.  We joined our home school group at a local farm.  SO much fun and such a pretty fall day!  We went for a hay ride (well--more of a covered wagon ride) behind a tractor, made butter, learned about dairy cows, played on the many attractions the farm had to offer, and left tired with pumpkins in tow.  

 

This little guy turned 8 months old today.  CanNOT believe it!!!  Seriously, where does the time go???  Caleb is adorable.  I love him bunches!  He is sweet, cuddly, easy, and changing daily. Caleb is a light weight-- strange after my last two ginormous babies/toddlers. But, he is happy, healthy, and growing.  Like his sisters, Caleb is an excellent sleeper. He and Emerson share a room and are becoming fast friends!  She loves to make him laugh and calls him "Buddy."  Caleb's sisters dote on him 24/7.  Start praying for his future wife now; because, this little man is accustomed to being waited on by four adoring ladies! 

  Jonathan is a fabulous girl daddy; but, I must admit, it has been fun to see him with his son.  I look forward to watching a special "guy bond" form between father and son over the years. 

What is on the horizon you ask?  Well, little Miss Thing turns 3 next month.  Emerson is seeming more "almost three" each day, and I am clinging to every ounce of her chubby two year old babiness.  Emerson is quite entertaining these days.  She has an imagination that not only rivals, but puts Hannah's to shame.  Most often she is in the midst of some elaborate make-believe scenario.    She is extremely happy or extremely upset (can't figure out where she gets that--shush!). . .  and she's got some crazy dance moves (I'll take credit for that one).   She adores her "girls" (the term she uses to reference her big sisters) and lovingly cares for her baby brother.  I love this kid!

Now, if you are not sick of the Brooks family . . . please tune in more regularly.  Hoping to update a little more frequently!