Pictures Telling the Story of the Past Few Weeks

Happy Birthday Darien

On May 12th 34 years ago in Wooster, Ohio Darien was born and every year since has been a celebration of his life sustained and maintained by God's grace and mercy. As his wife, I am so thankful for the day of Darien's birth that afforded us the last eleven years as husband and wife.

On Darien's birthday we enjoyed some time together in the evening; dining with the Boeck's and enjoying dessert with the Boeck's, Christianson's and DeBurgh's. As Darien's birthday came and went I found myself often reflecting on the gift from God that he is to me, our family, and Racine Bible Church where he is privileged to work. Darien is a true man of God; he rises early each day of the week to spend time reading and studying the Bible and praying. His love for the Lord is not contained in his early morning hour with the Lord but spills over into every facet of life. Darien has incredible integrity, wisdom, knowledge (I call him the "King of Useless Facts"), patience, perserverence, and humility....this sounds like a eulogy, but it is not...he is very much alive!

I am particularly thankful that in our home Darien is the spiritual leader. He places significance on his role given by God and before God to lead our family well. He leads me and our family in decisions always consulting the best resources available-the Bible and the Lord. He loves our children and is an incredible father. Darien has a unique ability to balance being a very fun dad with the God-given responsibility to train and discipline the kids honorably.

I thank God too for the gifts that He has given Darien that he is in turn able to share with our local church, Racine Bible Church. Darien has an insatiable passion for teaching the truth of God's Word and seeing the Bible accompanied by the Holy Spirit's transforming lives.

Happy Birthday Darien!

River Bend Nature Center

Yesterday the kids and I enjoyed the beautiful spring weather in Wisconsin at River Bend Nature Center. We enjoyed hiking many different trails and saw a few different animals in their element....wild turkeys, deer, turtles, woodpecker to name a few.

We sure enjoyed the fresh air, quiet of the woods and time together. I brought the camera along but somehow failed to use it...so the pictures below are borrowed from their website.

Yesterday afternoon Darien and I took Taryn up to Children's Hospital in Milwaukee to see a hematologist. Taryn has anemia that appears to be related to an iron deficiency. We have been treating her under the care of our pediatrician in town but Taryn has been slow in responding to traditional therapy therefore our pediatrician referred her to a hematologist. We were impressed with the care Taryn received. We will know more this week as her diagnostic tests are in process.

Taryn's little health issue has been a reminder to our family to thank God for the gift of health we generally experience and to praise Him for how excellently He has woven our bodies together. Beyond this, it has been great to realize that even if Taryn did have a significant health issue (which we really don't believe is the case) that God is good and He is still to be praised. Each day we, as parents, are given the privilege of raising the next generation to love and reverence God it is an awesome gift and responsibility!

....It Has Been Too Long

Often my mind turns to desiring to post on this blog but the activities of life with young children and the busyness of our lives over the past few months have prevented my good intentions from becoming realities.

I feel the magnitude of writing a Christmas letter as I want to summarize all that has gone on in our lives over the past few months but I will suffice it to say that God has been good (isn't He always)...He has cared for our family perfectly in sickness and health, we enjoyed three separate weeks of visits from three grandparents, Darien was blessed with the opportunity to attend two very rich conferences, and I have been privileged to be surrounded by three young children who are so full of life. I will allow the pictures below to speak about our daily lives over the past three months....

Taryn is at that age and stage where there are many training opportunities (she is in to everything). I snapped a quick picture of her squandering her father's toothbrush and giving it a try before I reminded her that she has her own.

This is Luke following a playdate full of laughter and "all boy" play with Glendon Schulz. Luke ceased napping about a year ago so this was a rare moment- thanks Glendon for wearing Luke out!

Noelle and Luke are quite the helping hands in the kitchen. Luke is the "dish cleaner offer" and Noelle claims the title of the "dishwasher loader"

We enjoyed two nights and three days up at Wisconsin Dells. The Groeber Family was up there part of the time we were there and our families enjoyed time together. Taryn has NO fear!

Another Wisconsin Dells picture

Luke loves to be outside and spends hours re-arranging the snow. He is King of the Snow Mountain in this picture.

The spring time weather wet our appetites for being outdoors working on the yard and in the garden. The kids planted lots of veggies and flowers seeds when my mother was here.

The kids are enjoying time with Grandpa Bowers

Luke joined daddy and Grandpa Bowers in helping to paint the basement.

So much more has taken place over the past few months; these pictures are an incomplete representation but are better than nothing! Darien and I enjoyed our first overnight away without any children since before Taryn's birth; we went overnight to Chicago. Luke is in swim lessons and recently started t-ball too. Noelle has officially claimed the title of "lil' mama"- when I awakened her from her nap the other day she had a baby doll concealed under her shirt and informed me that a baby was going to pop out of her belly. Taryn is walking, running, and starting to really communicate; she if very fun loving and does amazingly well keeping up with her siblings.

Our latest stats:

What I am reading- studying the book of Colossians, reading for pleasure Future Grace by John Piper, my work out times have been saturated by Jack Hughes preaching from the Book of Luke, and Darien and I have enjoyed an online marriage seminar by Voddie Baucham.

What Darien is up to- he is doing a topical study on grumbling and complaining (he is in Numbers 11 at present), He is reading The Peacemaker by Ken Sande, Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, and Contending for Our All by John Piper. He mingles among John Piper, Jack Hughes and Voddie Baucham podcasts during his exercise time.

Family Devotional- The Building of the Rock Series, How God Sent a Dog to Save a Family