Ever want to go climb a tree?

Every spring our kids, especially Emily, start climbing trees. It's kind of like one of those signs of spring that you look for, right up there with birds chirping and insects buzzing.

Our kids all take after me when it comes to climbing - they are monkeys! I remember as a boy climbing so high into trees that the branches supporting my weight (all 95 lbs.) actually started to bend and sway. And it was there, at the very top of the tree, that I would settle in and enjoy the view. There was something very peaceful and enlightening about being up that high looking down at my surroundings. All of those things that looked so big and intimidating just a few minutes before (the cars, the houses, my big brother) now seemed so small, so manageable...

Well, I don't make a habit of climbing trees these days, but I do try to gain a fresh perspective every now and again. Lately the perspective that I have had on life has been one that's a little more relaxed, a little less demanding. I'm not entirely sure why, but my stress level has come down a bit and I have slowed down - it actually feels like things have slowed down around me, like everything is moving at a decreased pace.

Why the change? Not sure really. The Bible speaks about a Sabbath rest for God's people, and warns us not to miss out on it. Maybe I am experiencing a taste of this of late... Whatever the reason, I am praying that God continues to bless me with a slower pace. I pray that all of the time I have spent over the past month playing catch with the kids, watching ball games, and tinkering around the house (not accomplishing anything in particular) becomes part of who I am.

New Piano

Pictured here are Emily and Grant at our new piano. Here's the story.

A few months ago Sandi started saying that she really wanted the kids to take piano lessons. So, we started looking for used pianos. After a couple of months we hadn't come up with anything. Then Sandi mentioned our piano search to a friend (Kim), and she said, "I have a piano in storage, would you like it?" This was such a generous offer - thank you Kim! We moved it to our house a few days ago and the kids have been banging away at "Twinkle, Twinkle" ever since. Now, if we pay for lessons, they do learn how to play other songs, right?

Our Oldest - Megan

Today is the day I introduce you to our oldest daughter, Megan. Megan turned 11 last December and this fall she is heading off to Middle School (if that thought is not enough to send a parent into a panic they probably lack a pulse...)! It's funny, I spent almost 8 years as a Youth Pastor watching dozens of kids transition from elementary to middle school, and it never seemed like such a big deal. But now that it's our fair-haired, green-eyed "little" girl it's a whole other matter. Yep, things will be changing in some big ways around our house over the next year. In a way, the time we have right now with all 3 kids is sort of "the calm before the storm". And by "storm" I don't mean havoc and destruction, I simply mean change. There will be a storm of change for our family starting this fall that will continue for about the next 10 years when we send our youngest off to college (remember Grant, college is good, you want to go to college, college is good...).

Allow me now to brag on our daughter for just a minutes. Megan is such a great kid! She is very smart (she especially excels in reading, writing - when properly motivated, anything artistic, and has done very well in science of late), she takes after her mother's good looks, and she is nothing if not determined. When Megan sets her mind on accomplishing something she will keep at it until it's done. She will overcome hurdles, recover from set backs, and work through discouragements. She is a tough-minded, strong person. In fact, she is a lot like me in regards to personality (which is why as a toddler she was such a handful - her first 4 words were "my do it myself!)

Megan is also a spiritually engaged person. She is part of an after school VBS type club, and active at church (looking forward to being part of a middle school youth group). Recently she and I have have some good talks about topics such as prayer, baptism, reaching out to other students, and her relationship with God. She is a wonderful person in so many ways, and we love her dearly.