An Overnight Trip....

...to home! Yes, Loren and I are at our house for one overnight stay. We have some business in a nearby city and thought it would be best to come down the day before.

What a joy to see the children, again :-)

A few milestones since we were gone:

-Nolan, (5) has his first loose tooth

-Trevor called me "Mama," for the first time. My life is complete *sigh*

-Sharon baited a mousetrap and caught her first pint-sized rodent, by its foot. I finished him off, cause I'm old, hardened, and merciless. Besides, my PETA membership ran out last year.

-I attended my first "Kids' Church Service," up in the nook. Apparently these are occurring quite regularly. There is a chorus book, written out in pencil by Carolyn, chairs and benches set up, and a nice pulpit area. It was at this "service" that I heard my five year old son pray aloud, for the first time.
-------Ethan was the preacher. He spoke on "Hypocrites." The following is his short, but pointed sermon : "Today we will talk about hypocrites. *pause* A hypocrite is someone who tells you to do something, but doesn't do it themselves. *long pause* Being a hypocrite is BAD!!!"

I asked him later where he got the idea for his message. Ethan explained he had been talking with Carolyn (10) earlier in the day.

I asked the younger kids if they minded my mentioning this in the blog. Carolyn's reply, "We don't care. We want people to hear so they'll come to it." My little missionary.
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It was pure pleasure to sit in on the nightly devotions. A little verse work, a few songs, a couple of prayers. Ethan sat beside me and was reading most of the words to the hymns. Nolan volunteered to pray, again. The second time in one day :-) Maybe it's true what they say, "Revival begins at home."

Then Sharon did the nightly reading of The Last Books. Approximately a chapter each, from "Hank the Cowdog," and "Jack and Jill," by Louisa May Alcott.

At last, the daily goodnight ritual that I have missed out on for 2 1/2 months. Tucking kids in, more prayers, and a song or two with the youngest ones. Bliss is when you sit on the floor with your (almost) 3 year old, and hear all the occupants of the triple bunkbed chiming in, complete with hand motions. Trevor asked for "Ducks," which means "Five Little Ducks." It one of the longest bedtime songs we have, but now he can do some of the motions and rather authentic "quacks." Just too cute!

It has been a long day and this mama duck must waddle off to bed.

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