Fun Family Update
It’s been QUITE a while since my
last post. Summer was hot hot hot and
a wee bit…..distracting. There are so many things that seem to take priority
over writing and rightfully so. I’d rather be known for living life than just
writing about it. But there are
times when you know you need to sit down and document what’s going on around
you before you’re pondering where the years have gone and trying to remember
who did what and when. This post is a family update on what’s what and who’s
who lately.
Bethany
Bethany will be 18 in December
O.o (yes, those are my eyes bugging out!) Where has the time gone??? There were
times when I thought we’d never get through her childhood and times when I
could feel the eminency of it creeping up on me.
Bethany is turning into such a
lovely young lady even though she has had to overcome (and still is overcoming)
many struggles over the years. Isn’t that the way a butterfly forms? I know our
Heavenly father is perfecting her beauty for His great name’s sake! Her passion
for the Word and dedication to purity is unrelenting and a great example to the
rest of the family.
Bethany’s duties, which she
rarely needs reminded of, are: the family laundry, helping with dishes, setting
the table, keeping us all on task (she calls herself our “day planner”), and
mom’s babysitter. She’s always on task and likes to get things done, l o v
e s books of all kinds, writes book
reviews and stories, and ponders much about her future. I don’t know what
Yahweh has in store for her, but whatever it is will be a great
testimony of His faithfulness.
Dylan
Dylan just turned 15 last Friday,
is taller than his dad (yes, little Dilly Willy), hates school is not educationally minded, is bow crazy!,
wears nothing but camo –well mostly-, has mad survival skills, can build a mean
fort, and is THE hardest working 15
year old I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.
Dylan works about 25 hours a week
with his dad, donating most of his earnings toward helping his family out with
bills. He’s managed to buy himself a few things, too, like a new bow for deer
season. He’s planning on filling the freezer this fall. He’s also quite
generous and has bought his brothers new airsoft guns so they can run around
pelting each other with them.
Anyone who knows Dylan knows how
he loves babies. Yaffa is no different. He carries and coddles her daily. He
just can’t turn down her pleas to be picked up and played with.
James
Jordan,
who prefers to be called by his first name James now- which is just so hard since
he’s always been my Jordy (sniff sniff)- is such a wise and responsible young
man (most of the time). He is 12 and takes much responsibility on himself. He’s
chosen to be Zion’s buddy and takes that very seriously. He thoughtfully takes
into consideration other’s needs and feelings, usually before his own. He’s
well-mannered and very friendly. His never-met-a-stranger personality is
heartwarming and inspiring.
Jordan James loves all things outdoorsy, especially
gardening. He aspires to either be a farmer or an herbalist. He does much reading and field work on the
subject. It’s amazing what that boy has picked out of the yard and put into a
smoothie :o) He also enjoys spending tons of time with Dylan and Joel building,
destroying, playing airsoft, or doing some kind of death defying feat. James is
also working on a long list of bar mitzvah requirement for his upcoming 13th
birthday since he’s decided to publicly become a son of the commandments. He’s
studying very hard (as usual). James is passionately teaching himself to play
the mandolin, fiddle, and harmonica. My favorite thing about my Jordy is he
always has a hug for me and can always lift my spirits.
Joel
Joel is my resident aspiring chef
and Bobby Flay wannabe. He’s just turned 11, but he already knows he wants to
own his own kosher restaurant. He’ll be great, too! He’s relentless at learning
his way around a kitchen and is currently taking a Wilton cake decorating
course. He’s internally motivated –which is the best kind of student.
Joel does his school work with
minimal complaining and is a good student. He’d rather be out climbing a tree
or playing airsoft though. He’s teaching himself the guitar in his spare time
along with the harmonica. We have some fantastic friends who have given the
oldest boys some instruments.
Joel struggles at times with
being one of the middle children, not quite fitting in with the older boy’s
maturity at times, but too old to enjoy the younger one’s company for extended
periods. He always tries to make the littles happy by taking them out to play
or swing, getting them drinks or snacks, and chasing them around and being
crazy. He can be quite thoughtful at times. My Joel always wants to please and
is usually very respectful.
Brice
Brice is now 8 and very smart.
Most things come easy to him except knowing when to stop. Sometimes it’s hard
to know when to pick my battles as to not break his spirit. He’s got a lot of
energy and a love for all things electronic. He would sit at a computer all day
long if we let him. Brice also loves playing board games. His most asked
question would be, “Do you wanna play a game?” He’s really into Risk and
Scrabble right now. He’s worn us all out on Chess. lol
Brice has a heart to serve and is
always trying to help. His responsibilities are emptying the trashes, and
rinsing dishes. On our cleaning day, he is also eager to vacuum, sweep, and mop
and is disappointed if he doesn’t get to do at least one of them. Brice is
memorizing the Ten Commandments and usually asks to say the blessings on Friday
night (I think he just likes to wear his daddy’s tallit) .
Asher
Asher means happy and boy is he! If you need a smile or a hug, he’s got about a dozen for
you. Asher and Analise play with their stuffed animals just about all day long.
They have quite the imagination. Asher also likes to play video games with
Brice and climb trees in the yard. Asher turned 5 in February so we began his
K-5 curriculum. He can already read a slew of one vowel words and sentences. He
really enjoys his school and is especially good at math (a first for my kids,
besides maybe Brice who’s just good at it all). We’ll probably be starting 1st
grade work in January at this rate.
Asher has a heart for prayer and
passionately prays at the dinner table, family devotion time, in bed, and
whenever else prayer is needed. On Friday nights when it’s time for husbands to
bless their wives, Asher always comes over with Tom and lays his hand on my
head and prays along with his dad. Blesses.My.Heart.Every time!
Analise
Princess
Analise is…. well… quite the princess. Both her first and middle names mean
grace. And BOY do we need it with her! She’s very sensitive and wants what she
wants exactly when she wants it. She is most times entirely not amused. Came
out of the womb that way. I pray every night that Yahweh will help her to be
content and joyful…..He must still be working on that. She and Asher are the best of buds doing all
things together. She mimics most of what Asher says and does except being
joyful and content (funny how that works).
Analise
likes playing with her stuffed animals and baby dolls dressing and undressing,
diapering, and carrying them around the house. She really likes playing Feeding Frenzy on her brothers Xbox and would
like to play games on the computer if we let her. One of her funny moments was
recently when she meowed her prayers and on another night when she prayed,
“…and help us not to hit or throw people through the window…”. I about choked
trying not to laugh about that one. You can tell she has 6 brothers can’t you?
I
really enjoy having another girl in this house so full of overflowing
testosterone. Tom is convinced that all girls have major drama issues after
raising Bethany and now observing
Analise for almost 4 years, but I think Yaffa will prove him wrong : )
Zion
Zion
is our 2 year old ray of sunshine. He wakes up happy and ready to fill the day
with excitement and adventure. He has a craving for all things soft; blankets,
clothes, diapers, stuffed animals (LOTS of stuffed animals), my robe, the end
of my braid…the list just goes on. He’s cuddly and sweet. Talks eloquently
(for a 2 year old) and is the most photogenic child we have. He amuses me with
his sweet and loving disposition every day. I could just contentedly watch my
Zippy be Zippy for as long as my life will allow.
Yaffa
Yaffa
Loo, as we call her, is an amazing baby! She snuggles and gives sweet hugs.
Mostly, my babies have not been snugglers, so, I’m thoroughly enjoying this
time I have with my snuggly girl. She’s always smiling and is most of the time
content. She loves going outside and being in her swing. Her favorite sibling
would be Dylan (all my babies loved Dylan). Yaffa is just beginning to walk. I
thought she’d be walking way before her 1st birthday on September 25th,
but she’s savoring her cuddle and carry time with everyone. I am very much
enjoying my time with my Yaffa Loo and hope that time can slow down even just a
wee bit so that I can take in all of the beauty and wonder of motherhood.
I
hope you enjoyed the update on all the kiddos. I look forward to the many
adventures, memories, and journeys ahead.
Shalom,
Julie XO
