One of my Favorite Quotes

From Mark Buchanan's book "Hidden in Plain Sight" :


           "Real love loves us, not just as we are, but so that we can become what we are meant to be."


This is a very helpful book, an easy read, though, if you're like me, you'll stop and chew a lot, and will take your time going through it, to let it sink in.  I've written lists of "thinks".... thoughts that this book has provoked, things that need changing, especially in me.

Remarkably, the changes are actually being effected!

2 Peter 1:1-11 has never come alive so robustly for me.  I hope you will take the time to read this book.  As one of modernity's better contributions, it is well worth it.

Wordful Wednesday!

A conversation with my youngest:

Benaiah : (while running his trucks and tractors across the floor) I'm going to own a yellow Mustang one day....

Mommy : Those are very expensive.

B: Well, maybe I'll be a millionaire, then.

M: If you work hard, maybe.

B: Well, I'll make good investments and build developments....
               (his voice trailed off as he thought about his future, smiling confidently to himself.)

 I'm glad my 7 year old is thinking about his future!   And gratified to see he knows he needs to work hard and smart for those things he wants.  Let's hope he aspires to higher things than yellow Mustangs!  ;-)

Benaiah's "Toothless" imitation

It's cute when children lose their first two bottom teeth, but this....

Benaiah with Zadok and "Quail"

And who can deny that when that second upper tooth loosens, cuteness overflows!

Love this boy!

Congratulations, Benaiah.  You're growing up!

Family skate

Elliot is a young man of few wants.  His preferred birthday gift this year was for the family to go skating together.... so that is exactly what we did.

Elliot and Christianna

Oliver had always been the one to bring each of us skating, one-on-one, so most of us have had a bit of practice, but he's had the most practice!

Oliver helps Benaiah

Tobias skates toward Arianne

Christianna finds new friends when she skates

Every.single.Hellwig in the family made it there that day!  Even Timothy!

Gabrielle decided not to skate just yet, so she took pictures:

Timothy and I

Timothy, Arianne, Elliot, Christianna, Tobias, Benaiah, me,Jedidiah, and Oliver

Now, what is an ice-skating party without an ice-cream afterwards?  (Answer: a lovely one, but made even sweeter with a treat!)

Benaiah-bear

Ga-bear

While waiting for a treat,  my eldest and youngest posed with "bears."












Aaaaah... the treats are here!

Arianne and Christianna

Arianne and Benaiah

And Arianne with the birthday boy!

Not everyone there got a picture.... maybe next time!
                           Happy Birthday Elliot!