Celebrating 235 Years of Freedom

 

We had a wonderful, low-key, family celebration today. This is a view from our roof.
We are so blessed to live in this country and we are so incredibly grateful to all those who have and continue to serve.

Bear Creek Nature Center

Yesterday the kids and I headed out to Bear Creek Nature Center for a little education at the center, a picnic lunch, and then a hike to follow. The kids loved the nature center with all the hands-on learning. I think we all most enjoyed the honey bee exhibit. They were fascinated with the process and I loved reading that female bees are the only worker bees...I guess that goes for most species...

We had a great time and we were so proud of Elyse for walking approximately 2.5 miles only "half whining," as she told Daddy. She really is not our hiker - YET, but we've been very encouraging and she did wonderfully yesterday! Ace kept telling her how proud he was of her. It was very sweet. Here are a few photos of my outdoor adventurists.

I think maybe we've FINALLY hit a new milestone - a photo of all three of them with natural smiles, and only one "take!"

Watermelon

Nothing says summer better than huge slices of watermelon and the Ronald McDonald red smile to follow.

Car frenzy

Recently the boys have started sounding like what I would expect 14-year-old boys to sound like. They seemingly became quite obsessed with cars overnight.

Ace constantly points out every single sports car he sees. However, he thinks anything with a LARGE muffler, or better yet, two large mufflers, is a sports car, so his definition can be quite amusing at times. He's even bent down low, while walking through the grocery store parking lot to check out each car in the row to decipher whether or not they are indeed "true" sports car.

Isaac's excitement, on the other hand, comes from Jeeps.

Elyse, having to follow her brothers' lead, has shown some new-found excitement for cars, as well. While all 5 of us were driving in the car together the other day, Isaac saw a Jeep that caught his eye. There were lots of "cooool's," "awwww's," and "that's what I'm gonna drive's" coming from the far back seat when he was abruptly interrupted by his little sister with a very passionate and serious injection.

"I'm going to drive a MINI VAN!!!!"

There is no hope in attempting to imitate or replicate the excitement, idolatry and inflection in her voice that came from the back seat for this super cool and wished for car, but just know that had I been drinking something at the time, I am certain there would have been beverage bubbles bubbling out my nose!

So glad to know she thinks we're driving "in style!"

A new smile

Last night Ace came up to me while I was getting the last of the dinner on the table and said, very excitedly (no surprise there) and seriously "Mom, mom! How do you like my new smile?...Chubby cheeks!"

In the short pause between his initial question and the "chubby cheeks," he showed me this "new smile." The pride and seriousness of this crafted and practiced new smile that (in his mind) showed off his cheeks, was oozing from his face. So I knew, however difficult it was, I had to contain my laughter!

A Good Day

A Good day on all counts...
An early morning walk up to the zoo with a new fun friend.
Volunteering in Isaac's classroom.
Christian Mom's Fellowship.
Confirming a "mother's helper" for my summer work days.
A visit from Megs and Mahlia.
Fun reading to and from Elyse.
A great in-person chat with Ali, with time to just "be," and not worry about all that needed to be done.
A REAL nap for Elyse.
A new yummy, healthy dinner made with leftovers and quinoa.

All clearly part of a great day, but the best part was giggles and kisses with Elyse. Happy times, enjoying one another, no whining, no "consequences," no exasperating (from either one of us) - just fun, mama/daughter time. Several moments. Intentional moments, throughout the day!

I think she enjoyed it as much as I did.

After uncontrollable giggling from my kissing her on the neck repeatedly, and after debating who loves who more, (think little Nutbrown Hare) she looked up and said, "when I grow up I want to marry you, mommy!"

Coming from a three-year-old that see's marriage as a "fairytale princess story," and "happily ever after," I would say that was a pretty loving comment from my often not-so complimentary, not-so easy little girl! Intentional one-on-one time. That's what she needs from her mommy!

The greatest ending to a very good day!

Jesus' Grand Entrance and our Grand Entrance...according to Elyse

When talking to Elyse about what she learned in Sunday School this week, I learned some new theology.

We were talking about Jesus dying on the cross for us and what that meant and that Jesus didn't stay dead. Three days later he "arose to living again!" (quote from E)Now He lives in Heaven with our Heavenly Father, but He left His Spirit so He can live in our hearts when we ask Him to. I then asked E how we get to Heaven. She very matter-of-factly said, "on a donkey, just like Jesus."

The theology of a three year old - morphing Palm Sunday and The Day of Ascension!

The Sisterhood of Motherhood

There's nothing quite like sisters. But, sisters in motherhood together is that much better!! What a joy it is to be a mom with my sisters and an aunt to their kiddos!! We have entered a new era and oh, it is so GOOD!!

Blessed Beyond Belief

This morning was a gift! A rare treat, for sure. Monday's are my childcare mornings, so I can get some scheduled work time in.

But, because last week was a forty plus hour work week, I didn't have anything I absolutely had to get done this morning. So, rather than a date with my computer, my child-free morning consisted of an hour of volunteering in Isaac's classroom, and then...wait for it...an hour and a half walk with the dog! Yes, an hour and a half, in the beauty of God's creation at the base of Cheyenne Mountain around what Spencer Penrose envisioned years ago for the Broadmoor Hotel and surrounding community, a brisk walk at my pace, rather than the kid's or anyone else's, Pandora on the iphone, and me!

Some days I forget how much I need, love, and miss my alone time.

I wasn't really alone, though. I had great dialogue with God, and it truly was a dialogue, rather than a one-way conversation, as it is too often.

He reminded me of how much I have - my husband and partner - the perfect match for me, our three great kids, our extended family, great community, a beautiful home and neighborhood, good schools for our kids, a business that supports our family and allows for flexibility within our schedules, and so much more. Then I was reminded of our basic needs that are so easily taken for granted here in my family: clean water, food - healthy food on the table three times a day, a roof over our heads, shoes on our feet, clothing, vitamins to keep us healthy, our health, and again the list goes on and on. We are so fortunate to live in this country where water, food, and shelter are almost a given.

I was struck by how great our wealth is, compared to 95% of the world. We have so much and we give so much, yet there is SO much more to give. Just yesterday, prior to my walk, I compared our business financials of 2009 to those of 2010. Thanks be to God that we increased our income by nearly 18% in a year that we took a risk and dropped a fairly big revenue builder for us, The David Tilney seminar marketing and planning. It truly was amazing. God provided! It hit me that, our business may continue to grow, but what a gift it would be to maintain our current lifestyle, not increase our spending, and just grow our giving!! WOW!

I was also struck by the phenomenal gift that my grandparents, my parents, and Kurt's parents have given us. A gift that will be passed onto our kids, grandkids, and God's greater Kingdom here on Earth. The gift of debt-free living. Our parents and grandparents paid for our college education. At the time, I was grateful for my education, but never have I been so aware of the enormous gift they've given us in not being enslaved to loans. We are free to live within our means and give all that we have above our mortgage and living expenses. I've heard the argument that kids will appreciate their education that much more and take it more seriously if they pay for all or part of their education. That may be true, but on the other side of that argument is how empowered we are, at a young age, to truly make strives for God's Kingdom, here on earth...not when all this passes away and we're in Heaven, but now. NOW we can dig wells, NOW we can support orphanages, NOW we can fund research for disease eradication, NOW we can support education, NOW we can do what we can to lower the world-wide poverty rate, NOW we can partner with friends overseas sharing God's heart by living in community with unbelievers, NOW we can be the Hands and Feet of Jesus.

I'm so thankful, that at a young age we are able to give, so that from birth, our children truly know what living a life for Christ is and that it isn't solely a personal thing, but a way we live, as the Eilmes family looking out for others and thinking of others before ourselves. Stewardship was once part of a job title for me. I certainly hope that I can pass on the gift and understanding of stewardship in our living and giving to our kids. I pray they learn at a young age (and God has already shown me glimpses that they have) that we truly are blessed to be a blessing!!

Brother Snuggle Time

This is how we found the boys this morning. They had woken up early and turned on their American Tall Tales CD and then snuggled together in the top bunk listening. How cute is that?! We are so blessed that they truly are best friends. Sure they get loud and roudy at times, but they really don't have nearly as much fun with anyone else.

I Am Becoming

I am becoming a volunteer…again.

I am becoming more like Jesus (or trying to and seeing what a road I have in front of me.)

I am becoming more and more aware that life is actually simple, but we tend to make it complex.

I am becoming more aware of the differences and similarities in my husband and me.

I am becoming even more grateful for the “traditional” upraising I was given and the incredible extended family I have. From two amazing, strong, and loving sisters – the most phenomenal women I know, that know me better than I like to admit…two supportive parents who somehow have mastered , supporting us kids by working themselves out of a job, loving, encouraging, and being our biggest cheer leaders, while guiding us without pushing their thoughts or opinions on us… grandparents that have labored (in work and love) to leave amazing legacies of family, values, traditions, and memories… aunts and uncles who love, challenge, and grow me and who love my kids as their very own…and cousins with whom I share memories, laughter, dreams and tears.

I am becoming much more grateful for the extended family I have “in-law!” I am becoming less hardened by past hurts, more accepting of the differences we have, and I am becoming more aggressive in my attempts to develop REAL relationships with of them and not waiting for them to take those steps to relationship.

I am becoming saddened by broken relationships around me.

I am becoming more intentional. In relationships, in prayer, in scheduling, in “not scheduling,” in teaching my kids, in trying to love the way others want to be loved, and in knowing and discovering my purpose.

I am becoming an expert at cleaning up spills, making pb&j’s, building Lego creations, cleaning up the floor around the boys’ toilet, building puzzles, finding “secret” hiding places for hide and seek, reading phonetically spelled notes from my kindergartner, my “2hugs, 2kisses, butterfly kisses and Eskimo kisses” bedtime routine with Elyse, turning basic recipes into clean, whole food -healthy meals, hosting dance parties, refereeing, and pronouncing unusual Star Wars names.

I am becoming, once again, the “Memory Game” champ!

I am becoming realistic in accepting the fact that the noise level in my house may not go down until 2024 or 2026 and now that I just did that math, I’m becoming a bit nostalgic realizing that’s really not that far away…

I am becoming an expert on Star Wars, whether or not I want to, thanks to the 6 Star Wars encyclopedias we’ve checked out from the library.

I am becoming an “adult…” I often catch myself looking at my family and thinking, “wow, this is my husband, my children, my house, and these are my bills to pay, too!”

I am becoming so thankful for the little girl God gave me as my daughter, even though I thought three sons would have been just fine. Not being a “girlie girl,” I’m learning what fun a home-done mani and pedi can be for this mama and her daughter, why I never wear high heels and that my 2 year old can manage them FAR better than me, and that princesses are real, no matter what the boys may say.

I am becoming convinced that there was indeed some reason to the madness my sisters and I refer to as the “butchered haircuts” my mother had for us when we were young, thanks to the daily morning screeches I hear as the hairbrush inches its way towards my daughter’s scalp.

I am becoming a Broadway Musicals Pandora Junkie.

I am becoming quite the promoter. If I believe in a product, mission, person, or idea, you’ll hear about it.

I am becoming a reader…for fun!

I am becoming a mother of BEYOND preschoolers.

I am becoming a mother-in-law…someday, so I am taking notes and praying...daily…now!

I am becoming more and more fond of the idea of a hot tub.

I am becoming convinced that my weight will always go up (and occasionally down) and I will forever be working on it.

I am becoming increasingly aware of the fact that my community will be changing drastically next year, as I graduate from MOPS, and how my emotions are scattered in response.

I am becoming overly critical and realizing I need to live into God’s grace in a way that I REALLY grasp and accept His grace so I can share that same grace with others.

I am becoming, once again, those things I earlier put on hold for this season of life – a Stephen Minister, a musician, an athlete, a community leader and volunteer.

I am becoming impatient and disgusted by my short fuse.

I am becoming broken hearted for those things that break God’s heart and at the same time realizing that although financial sacrifices are made, writing a check is just too easy.

I am becoming tired of politics focusing on our disagreements, rather than our union and agreements.

I am becoming comfortable with the roles God has given me and excited to discover more of who I am becoming beyond my designated “roles” and really discovering the me within.

Yes, that was my child...

While at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo with the entire DWT extended family on PopPop's birthday, my sweet little girl proved she knew her anatomy and that this family doesn't have "special names" for our body parts.

The whole crowd was having fun watching, imitating, and hoping to get the orangutans to imitate our actions, when all of a sudden my very enthusiastic, loud daughter shouted in a high pitched, excited voice, "Mom, he has a 'bagina' just like me!!!" I chose to somewhat ignore it...bad move. Elyse likes to know she's been heard and understood. So, after a few seconds pause, we heard it again, with possibly more enthusiasm this time, "Mooommmm!! He has a 'bagina' just like me!"

"Yep, she does." Lots of poorly hidden giggles by the surrounding crowd followed and another funny memory tucked away!

Licking the giant candy cane

Having a special "date" with PopPop on the Carousel!

There were some wild tigers!

I love these photos with the elephants, promoting the new financial campaign for a great elephant exhibit.

Nora and Lisa enjoying the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo