Remodel & Super Heros

Lots of happenings around here lately. John & Dad Petersen finished our master bathroom makeover and they did an unbelievable job. Stuart helped as often as he could.

His favorite part was hammering the wall. "No kid tools, please, I need the real thing."

Then we had a bunch, and by bunch I mean a lot, of little superheros over to celebrate Aubrey's 5th and Bryant's 3rd birthdays.

This blurry picture is, unfortunately the very best I have of the crew. And it's not even everyone. I guess you could say the party went by in a blur. :)

We had such a great time celebrating with our friends and family, and the kids' closest friends. We feel blessed to have so many in our lives who love our kids.

Long Way Home

Bryant Nathanael

You officially turn "fwee" today. We've been talking about this for weeks now, as you have to wait in line for your birthday. First Sissy, then Daddy, then Bubs. You've been very patient, though, and you've enjoyed celebrating with everyone else on their special days.

That is the biggest thing I've begun to notice about you, Bryant. You have a very generous soul. You are not phased by people being in your space; in fact, I think you rather enjoy it. You share your space with anyone, at any time, and you love it. Aubrey & Stuart are your best friends. With Aubrey you can act out the part of a knight in shining armour, down to lying on the "ground" (floor) while Sissy escapes out the window of the "tower" (couch) and falls straight on you. You get up proudly and declare that you saved her. She thanks you, in her dramatic fashion, and you do it again. Stuart and you have a really special bond that warms my heart to see. One way you show one another affection is by sitting on each other. I will find you sitting on Stuart while he is giggling uncontrollably; and I will find him sitting on you, giggling, while you say, "Silly Tewey Bear," and laugh.

You love being a big boy, bringing in the firewood with Daddy, helping with chores when there are big boy jobs to do, and looking out for your little brother.

Bryant Nathanael, our "Strong Gift from God," you are a courageous soul and we pray that you will grasp how infinitely deep God's love is for you, that you will kneel at His feet, and follow Him with all the passion your spirit holds. You are one cool dude and we are so thankful that God is letting us hold onto you for a season.

Happy 3rd birthday, Bubs. We are crazy about you.

Happy Birthday, John

Well, husband, we have done it. We've reached the land of the big 3-0. Technically only you are in that range, as I still have 18 days to enjoy my crazy 20's. :)

You are ambitious, generous, and daring. All qualities that I know our children will not be able to help but learn because of how consistently you live all of them out. And you love Jesus more than anything or anyone. You really are my hero. I love you. Happy birthday.

Those Kinds of Days

So, the other day I was quite proud of myself as I had managed to get a shower in before the clock struck 3 in the afternoon. We're talking big accomplishment here, folks. I decided that I would try my darndest to look decent when John came home from work so I was in the bathroom, with the door open, running back and forth between the kids to make sure all was well, as I fixed my hair.

I heard Bryant go into my bedroom and shut the door hard. That's really unusual so I dropped what I was doing and went to my door to open it. Bryant shut it on me and I heard him say, "Yep, just like Papa." I panicked because it hit me then what he was doing. He was admiring himself in the mirror behind my bedroom door. He has mentioned before that he wanted a haircut like Papa and that's why I was panicked. No offense, Dad, but I don't think a 3 year old can rock your look quite like you can. :)

Sure enough, I bolted in to find clumps of hair falling out of the very top of his head. No where else.

Do you ever feel like there are hidden cameras in your house and somewhere a group of people are chuckling with each other saying, "Okay, now watch this," as they push a button and make perfectly smooth days turn into train wrecks? No? Okay, it's just me then.

My sweet almost-three year old boy wonder has a very short haircut for now and his sister has a cute little bob, because she listened to him.

Aubrey Grace

Aubrey Grace. You turn 5 today. That somehow launches you into the land of "officially a big girl now." To commemorate this wonderful occasion I thought I'd jot down some thoughts about you.

Before you were born, before I knew you would be Aubrey Grace, I prayed for you. My specific prayer was that God would shape you to be a person that did not discriminate between people you would love. I prayed that He would give us a child who had a knack for welcoming people into their life. And that is you, beautiful daughter.

I have on multiple occasions been nervous at how you would react to a certain person; and each time I have been marvelously stunned at your reaction. An example was when we were in front of an elderly woman in the checkout at the store. She was confined to a wheelchair and she shook badly. I held my breath as you looked at her. Her gaze came to you and you opened your mouth. "Those are beautiful earrings! I really love them. Because I like flowers and those are flowers. They match your shirt too." You did not recognize her fragility, her shaking, but rather her earrings. And she smiled.

You literally open your arms wide to friends who are coming over. And when you meet a stranger you immediately introduce yourself by saying, "Hello, friend. My name is Aubrey!" That is a wonder, sweet girl. It is a gift from God. It's one of my most favorite things to do, to watch you love other people. It's gloriously beautiful.

You are growing more and more in the grace of Jesus Christ and my heart swells to see that. You show tenderness and mercy to your brothers, and you are showing more maturity in your responses to Mommy & Daddy. Eager to serve, eager to love. That is our Aubrey girl. We love you so much, you are such a sweet and wonderful gift to us. Happy birthday, sweet Aubrey Grace. You are becoming quite a lady.