Christmas Voice Recital

Katherine's solo: "As Long as He Needs Me" from Oliver

Kristi Foster's past and present voice students sing Carol of the Bells

Grace's 6th Birthday

Maybe some day I'll have the time and energy to write more about the day. So thankful for all the wonderful family and other helpers that made this day so special for Gracie. For now, here's a little video and some pictures.

Makita Moments

J.J. has been taking interest in building projects lately. Of course there's the usual Lego creations and foam block structures in the house, but also some substantial wood fort construction going on outside. Using scrap wood from our deck project a couple summers ago, he has extended the wood playset to connect with a nearby tree. After viewing his little bridge assembly (that he put together with picture-hanging nails he'd found in our kitchen junk drawer), I asked if he'd like to learn to use the Makita drill.
His eyes widened and he forced back a giddy grin, trying to prove responsible and serious enough for this honor.So after a lesson on drilling holes, driving screws, changing gears and key-less chucks, we purposed to fortify the wobbly bridge that just barely supported J.J.'s 50 lb. frame. A few holes and deck screws later, he had a pretty good thing going. Here are some pictures he took of his handy-work.

The tree-fort bridge (view from below).

The tree-fort bridge (view from above).

A seat on top of the monkey bars.

Driving Forth Darkness

This morning we were gazing out at the dark skies and constant downpour that was turning our yard into a pond. It was almost 9am, three hours after sunrise and still it seemed as dark as dawn. We were steeped in darkness.

Then J.J. pipes up, "It's just like the Smith Family motto: 'Tenebras expellit et hostes' which means, 'He drives forth darkness and the foe.' I looked at him as if he were from another planet and thought, "Who is this child? What Sci Fi. book has he been reading that's giving him ideas like this? Does he really understand how profound his words are?"

So I asked, "What ARE you talking about, Son?"

He rattled off the same thing, 'Tenebras expellit et hostes, the Smith Family motto.'

"Do you mean Smith like Grandma and Grandpa Smith?"

"Yes!" he replied as if to say, "Of course! What planet are YOU from?"

He went on to explain that he had a dream last night about Grandpa which caused him to remember a promise he had made about reading the Smith family genealogy (a Christmas gift) every morning. So he was reading Grandpa's genealogy this morning and saw the Smith coat of arms and the family motto.

Sovann said, "We don't have a Pen family motto. Maybe we should make one up."

I really like my family of origin's motto. I love it when my kids teach me cool stuff like "Tenebras expellit et hostes."

Manna from Heaven

dinner conversation:

Sovann: "I wonder what food is going to taste like in heaven."

Gracie: "It'll taste as good as God loves you!"

How is it that my children speak more profound truths than I could ever come up with?

Katherine has been thinking a lot about her future. She's considering education, which I think she'd be very good at. J.J. still wants to be an Army Chaplain or Pastor. He's taking classical guitar lessons now and LOVES it. Grace is still dead set on being a ballet instructor.

Grace quote of the Day

J.J. runs outside, then back inside looking for Grace. (It's one of those rare non-rainy days here in Portland, so outdoor fun has to be grabbed whenever the faintest break in the clouds occurs.)
"Grace, don't you want to come outside with me?" he chirps after finding her.
"I already did! I was experiencing nature," she says while hovering over her play microscope. (Its hard to miss the pride and sophistication in her voice as she replies to her older brother who so often shows off to strangers by sharing his scientific knowledge.)
Off they go into the freezing cold but sunny Oregon afternoon. Upon returning, they share their treasures that they've brought in to study: an unearthed carrot from the garden, a couple dirty rocks from the driveway, and a shell (with "silvery insides") from under my rose bushes.
"Now I'm ready to Science!" Grace announces.
Ahhhhhhhh, the joys of home schooling.