The Birthday Party

For all who have wanted to see the backhoe cake, here it - finally - is! I got the idea from a Family Fun magazine and it was well worth the effort to see how much Joshua and David enjoyed it. Their excitement about the cake really fed their enthusiasm for the party, which surpassed expectations. The boys were overjoyed to be celebrating with their friends and Joshua played the host especially well, cheering on his pals and leading them to the next activity..."C'mon you guys, let's go play hot potato!!"...and lo and behold, they all followed him, amazingly! So, thanks to Family Fun for the great party ideas! Thanks also to all those who came, especially the Davidsons, who came without their son and acted as the official photographers. The photos below are unofficial, meaning if there is anything wrong with them, it is my doing, not Bill's. Now you may dig in and feast your eyes.

Funny Things

Joshua in particular has been saying some pretty funny things lately that I wanted to share before I forget them all.

He saw a car idling and said, "Hey, why is he letting out exhaust? Why is he wasting gas?" (Hmmm...must be the environmentalist in Mommy getting through to him...)

He told his first joke all on his own, a twist on the classic "why did the boy throw the clock out the window?" His version went like this: "Why did the boy throw the house out the window?" "Why?" "He wanted to see a housefly!" I don't know if he caught the double meaning but he thought it was hilarious anyway.

The other night we were going out after the boys were in bed, and as Joshua went to bed he tried to persuade us not to go. We told him we were going to some stores and to get coffee and talk, and he responded tearfully, "No, don't go to any stores. We already have enough stuff!"

Happy Birthday, Joshua and David!

Today, Joshua turned 3 and David turned 2. We love our little ones so and they are changing so fast! Here are a few pictures to show how they've grown.



Joshua, a few days old

David, a few days old

Brothers, Dec 2006

October 2007

November 2008

Chris and I are grateful to God for our children and the privilege of loving them. We have been entrusted with the care and training of their bodies, minds, and souls, and we take our task very seriously. We so often bemoan our sinfulness and weakness that causes us to fall short of being the parents we would like to be. We get angry, we lose patience, we fail in countless ways. Yet, God is faithful, so we persevere by His grace, trusting His promises, praying for our boys. We rejoice in the hope we have because of Jesus, who paid the penalty for our sins on the cross. His victory over sin and death proves his power to do the same for us and our children! God's strength is made perfect in our weakness, and it is our fervent prayer that in their Mom and Dad's weakness, Joshua and David will be drawn to God's strength, so that they trust in Him.

We tried to capture some of who they are right now in these birthday poems, which we read to them at breakfast with their balloons, presents, and birthday pancakes.

Joshua at 3

I know a joyful, loving boy
Who grows by leaps and bounds.
He often serves his folks with joy;
His thoughtfulness astounds.
He asks important questions, like
“Why did Jesus have to die?”
And gaily rides his shiny trike
Under God’s blue, sunny sky.
He loves his books and trains (whoo-whoo!)
And loves his brother dearly too.
Who is this child who makes us glad,
Whom God has given to Mom and Dad
To love and shepherd faithfully?
It’s Joshua! And today you’re three!

David at 2

I know a grinning, singing boy
Who jumps and throws with zest.
He runs about all day with joy,
Then with his blankie takes a rest.
He copies all his brother does
And repeats all that he hears.
He’s ticklish as he ever was
All through his first two years.
The piano keys he gladly thumps
And sings “Amazing Grace,”
And with a hug after he bumps
Tears dry without a trace.
Who is this effervescent lad
Who overflows with love?
Who is this gift to Mom and Dad
From our dear Lord above?
Who is turning two today?
It’s David! Happy Birthday!

China, Part VI cont'd

More sculpture

Another sunrise



And here are the mountains

China, Part VI

First of all, Qingdao is a beautiful city of 8 1/2 million people. We were honestly quite surprised by how clean it was most of the time, on the ground and in the air (and people did swim in the water there but I don't think I would). Along the lengthy waterfront rises a tall skyline, which you can't even fully see at one time because it bends around two sides of a peninsula. Not too far inland a sharply rising, striking mountain range dwarfs the cityscape so that at times one doesn't know whether the mountain or ocean view is more captivating. We enjoyed plenty of walking around in such a pleasant environment, and the weather was absolutely perfect the whole time. Here are some samples of sculpture and architecture that we enjoyed in Qingdao.




I found myself astonished at how much I liked the sculptures. It's not an art form I've been drawn to or easily appreciated before. But in Qingdao, they were almost all pleasing to my eye and seemingly understandable. The large amount and pleasing aspect of the sculpture in Qingdao will stand in my memory as one of the unexpected happy surprises of our visit. The top one is in Music Square, and the bottom one is near the entrance to the Olympic village for the sailing regatta.

This is just a sliver of the skyline, but I especially liked the building on the left. Another favorite is below.

Big Boy

Digressing from China for a moment, the big news since we returned from China is that Joshua is using the potty! We've been putting a diaper on him at night mostly because he wants one, but at least two nights he has stayed dry anyway. He's doing a terrific job! (Especially considering how jetlagged he was when we started...that didn't seem to faze him at all!) I guess he was ready. Yay Joshua! We're so grateful for how God is helping you grow up, little bud!

China, Part V

Some sights of China that caught my eye.