I think at this age Alyssa was reciting bible stories, but they are all different, right? Megan likes to read this book before her nap and she does very well with voices too. Enjoy the video!

Audrey has done great with her cereal this week. It is fun for her to be at this new stage, the only problem is that she was my easiest child to get ready. Wake, quick feed, dressed, and we are out the door. Now that 25 min process has been stretched to an hour to allow for her to have a real breakfast. Luckily, summer is coming and maybe we can all eat breakfast together instead of Alyssa before the bus, Megan at 7:45 and Audrey at 8:30. I vote for everyone to sleep until 8:00, then we can all eat together. Any objections?

I don’t remember the time before Alison was born, seems she was always there. Basically always around. We did elementary, middle, and high school together. All the ups and downs Noz was there. Part confidant, part instigator. Part friend, part combatant. In other words the perfect blend of best friend and kid sister. I can’t imagine doing it any other way.

And to mark her achievement of thirty years I was going to list all of Alison’s various injuries or illnesses but that would take, well thirty years. So instead I will highlight my favorite three.

1. Rolling down the driveway on the skateboard on your chest, hitting the hose, falling off, and finally scraping off your face. Not literally but pretty darn close. Brother in charge: me.

2. Slipping on rocks in a creek bed while on vacation, opening a huge gash requiring stitches, and sidetracking Mom and Dad for hours. Brother in charge: me. (Although Adam did carry you back to the cabin.)

3. Finally, signing up for a coed soccer league, playing every Sunday with me, crashing into some dude who wasn’t looking and breaking your collar bone, which grounded you for months. Brother in charge: me.

Why are these my favorite three? Not because of their horrific, and somewhat bemusing outcomes. Certainly not because they are the worst you’ve been through. No, you have been through worse with all the  grace and dignity you could muster, and steadfast service to your loving God. These are my favorites because we did them together. You were always the friend to hang out with, the playmate I could always count on, the sister when I needed support. And the crazy thing is even with all the injuries and times I messed up, said the wrong thing, or behaved poorly you still came back for more. That’s how I knew you loved me.

I look back on all the fun and stupid stuff we did (remember trying to climb up on the frozen roof, you really would have followed me anywhere) and I hope that it shaped you to become the beautiful woman you are today.

I am amazed at your faith.

I am amazed at your commitment.

I am amazed at your honesty. 😉

I am amazed at your perseverance.

I am amazed at your service.

I am amazed at your really bad luck.

I am amazed at your ability to put up with me all these years.

So thanks Noz for all the fun and the laughter. All the serious talks and life moments. Thanks for the honesty and support. You are the perfect kid sister and I can’t wait for another 30.

Happy Birthday and Merry Chirstmas.

Ethan

I like this picture. I like that they are getting to the age where they can entertain themselves, even if only long enough to take this photo.

And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.  Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds,  I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.  Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”

For us, this also reminds us that Noah is alive and well in heaven. It is like a little sign from him saying “hi”, especially to Alyssa. She looked out the front door yesterday screaming for joy, “come look mom!” I can’t help but to be truly amazed everytime I see a rainbow.

I think it is a blessing that I have few friends. Because those few friends are real, true friends. I can say anything to them, I can ask anything of them. One of them is Melissa. She lives in Oregon with her husband, Jeff. They have been married almost 2 years and are expecting their first baby. Melissa and I met at ACU in Nelson Dorm. I don’t even remember how we met it just seemed we were always friends. We made fun of people together, we had classes together, we ate bkfast, lunch, dinner together, we snuck out to go dancing together. (You were not allowed to go to those places at ACU.) We were roommates for the next 3 years and learned a lot about each other. Now we try to keep up and see each other every year, but this time it had been too long. Mel Mel came to meet Audrey and see our life in Nashville. We had a great weekend which included Blue Bird Cafe, Mellow Mushroom, Carnton House, Maniacs and even some lazy time at home. Thank you Mel Mel for visiting. Thank you for loving my kids like your own and not once grimacing at Megan’s screeching. Thank you for being comfortable enough to stay in PJs all day with me. Thank you for your friendship. I am blessed to call you my friend.