On Adventure

Have you ever gone “On Adventure”? Our family loves to do this. We clamor aboard the Westphal van on an early Saturday morning and pick two compass directions, one is either E or W, and the other is either N or S, and then we drive. When we reach an intersection, we turn whatever way keeps us on our directions. It’s like getting lost on purpose, but we have seen some interesting things. We try to bring the camera so we have photographic evidence.

Here is one such adventure.
We found these cars racing around a big parking lot at Grand Valley State University. They are students, careening around these cones to achieve the fastest time. And you thought college students studied? Note that the cars have taped-on numbers, and thankfully, drivers have helmets, but I couldn’t help wonder if mom and dad knew what junior was up to with that car they gave him for trips home. Note that one of the wheels is actually OFF the ground.

Summer Slideshow

Make a Smilebox photobook

Who's your Wilson?

We were recently playing cards with friends and someone mentioned you can’t be a Christian in a vacuum. I chimed in, “Everybody needs a Wilson.”
Incredibly, three of us were thinking of different Wilsons! (Of course, the women were of one mind.)

Wilson one –from the movie Castaway. When Tom Hanks was alone on the island, he actually made a friend and almost drowned trying to save a volleyball with a handprint on it.

Wilson two-from the show Home Improvement. When Tim Taylor had a problem he couldn’t solve, he often went to the backyard to talk it over with his neighbor Wilson, whose face always remained hidden.

Wilson three-from the Fox series House. Dr. Gregory House, rude and self-centered, yet a genius at solving illnesses, has an oncologist friend named, you guesses it, Wilson. Wilson often inadvertently gives House the answer to his medical mysteries during conversations in his office.

So, my question remains: Who is your Wilson?
I’d like to say a special thank-you to my Wilson (you know who you are.)

My grandma broke her toe. But this story is not about Grandma. It’s about me, again. (Deep down, we are all such selfish creatures. Hopefully, we are battling to put others first, if we are striving to be true Christ followers).

My grandma broke her toe. So I stopped by to help her out. (The kids all watched T.V. They LOVE to visit Grandma Doris). Grandma took a shower. She didn’t want to do this when she was home alone. I started laundry and swept and mopped the floor. I continued to watch the sky as the afternoon wore on. I began to lament the time change, the darkness, and of course, my impending curfew. (Please note, my deteriorating vision makes night driving far too dangerous for me, my family, other motorists, and pedestrians).

I had to hurriedly pack up the kids and leave with stubborn, damp towels still in the dryer. Arghh…I gave Grandma strict instructions not to attempt the stairs in her condition. Then I prevailed upon the gem of a man I married to stop by after work and finish my grandmother’s laundry. He lovingly complied. (I love this man). But as I drove home in the gloom, I sighed at my doom. (Hey, did you catch that rhyme? Too much Dr. Seuss in my life at this time).

As I grew sad about my vision loss, I tried to cheer myself up by playing the comparison game. You know the game…it could be worse, I could already be blind…my kids could have cancer….my husband could be dead…etc..etc.. This never works as a source of encouragement. It’s just too self-centered. Today I was cheered up by a true source of encouragement, the WORD OF GOD (I say this in my best BIBLEMAN voice).

If you are familiar with pro-life literature, you’ve probably read this verse countless times, “For you formed my inward parts, you wove me in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13. Well, it wasn’t that one. It’s the two verses before it that provided me with peace this morning and reassurance about who is really in charge of our lives. I will close with these verses and pray that they encourage you in your “darkness.”

“If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, and the light around me will be night.’ Even the darkness is not dark to YOU, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to you.” Psalm 139:11, 12.

Things kids say

Who do you think it is? Is it Marc or Luc? How did you know?

I Mom and Luc have a conversation.
“I love my daddy,” Luc says.
“oh, how much?” Mamma inquires.
“Too much.” Luc answers.
“Really?” Mama answers, trying to keep a straight face.
“Yes,” Luc replies seriously, and then he smiles, “But I love my Mama THREE much.” Mama laughs out loud at that one.

Marc had learned “Oh, be careful little eyes what you see…” and now is making up his own verses. Here’s the latest, “Oh, be careful little nose what you blow..”

Things Kids Say

Marc is pointing at his hip. “I hurt here. You pray. It’s my leg-shoulder.”

I jump in the van with the kids, “Hi good kids!” Tim, “Hi, bad mom!” “Hey?”
“Well, somebody’s got to be the bad guy.”

Marc talks to man in Meijers. Man asks, “Well, how old are you?” Marc “I five. I a BIG kid.” (He’s only three.)

I lost Luc at the zoo. He likes to join other family groups. No concept of stranger anxiety. He is not one of those kids who has to know where mom is. By the time I discovered he was missing, (from the enclosed frog room), he was completely gone. As I walked past a zoo employee, I heard her walkie-talkie stating lost child. I stopped her and said, “That’s mine.” She radioed back, and Luc showed up, grinning from ear-to-ear and holding a zoo employee’s hand. “Hi, mom.” Later we saw the same guy. Luc’s enthusiastic response, “Hello helper man!!”

Marc is now a thesaurus. His breakfast cereal does not get soggy. “My O’s are wilty” “What do you mean, “wilty”? “I mean, my o’s, they MELTED. Oh no, they’re melty and wilty..can I have more o’s please?”

Happy Anniversary

October 2, 2008 marked 15 years of marriage for this couple and we’re up for the next 15. Seriously, God led me to marry a gem of a husband, with a sincere, generous heart, positive outlook, and a steady faith in God. (I could gush for hours here so I better stop).
Ryan almost surprised me with a getaway for our anniversary. I say almost because I discovered the surprise through our email. Ah, the conveniences of modern banking. “A new payee has been added”. It was a bed and breakfast in Harbor Springs.

Before I completely freaked out that someone had “hacked” into our account, I reflected that we had honeymooned in Harbor Springs…so I confronted the man “Did you make reservations at a bed and breakfast?” The look on his face was all I needed. So I suppose I ruined my own surprise, but I can’t keep a secret. His second response was, “Oh, good, you can help me pack everything for the kids!”

My wonderful, and incredibly brave parents took all FOUR kids overnight. (If you’d like to send them a fruitbasket, fudge, or flowers, I can provide their address.) and we had a fabulous time. My mom even let us take her new birthday toy along, a GARMIN. (Talking navigational device). Ryan absolutely loved this thing and it came in handy navigating back to the bed and breakfast after a dinner in another town.

Our room at the bed and breakfast was decorated with the exact same pattern of bedding we received as a wedding gift. (Our comforter is now on the twins’ bed and not in perfect condition). They also had matching wallpaper, pillows, bedskirt, curtains, wallpaper and even a bench. I was astounded when we walked in the room. It was like walking back in time. Of course, the husband could not have planned such a meaningful, detailed touch. This had to be God winking at me. All in all, it was wonderful to spend time together (alone) and reflect on our life together thus far.

Five things that taste good

Root beer floats after a hot afternoon
Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting
Cool cherries from the cooler when you are at the beach
Desert my husband brought home for me
Hot food

Good (attitude) morning

Good morning, again. No really. I have been systematically woken up since 12:30 pm last night. You may think this makes for a grumpy mama. This makes for a mama struggling against grumpiness. Did you catch that? I am making a conscious choice to fight against the grumpiness that accompanies my yawns, my tired eyes, my achy limbs. I feel like a parent of a newborn.

How did I come to this revelation? The twins have been sick for three nights. They wake up every couple hours, having to “go potty”, “need water”, “sing to me” “I tired” “I lost my Lukey!!” “I need medsin!” This is usually accompanied by crying of some sort. Now you take that couple hours and divide it by two boys, it’s more like once an hour. Then throw in a crying little girl with wet sheets at 3:00 in the morning and a leaky sippy cup in the twins’ bed at 4:30 requiring removing and replacing bedding. Then Ryan has this new window fan. It is supposed to maintain temperature so you don’t freeze. It shuts off and turns on automatically. Sounds great. Not so great. Imagine a fan going on/off on/off on/off for a minute every hour or so. Between clothing changes, bedding arrangements, songs, trips to the bathroom, and the intermittent noise of the fan, I found myself almost in tears by 5:00am.

Hence, the revelation. Have you noticed that if you love Christ and read the Bible, those verses come back to you? So, it’s 5:OMGIE in the morning and I am sitting on the boys floor, singing a barely recognizable version of “Jesuslovelittlchillen” when this verse pops into my mind.

“Whatever you do, work at it with your whole heart, as though working for God and not man.” Colossians 3:23. WHAT! Now? I use that verse to inspire students to put forth their best effort, but NOW? I’m so weary, so tired, so half-hearted toward these children…Then it hit me (again). I don’t have to do this alone. I have Christ. I have fruit of the Spirit. I do have patience, and kindness, and gentleness, even at 5 OMGIE (OMYGOODNESSITSEARLY) time. My whole God-renewed heart needs to be working hard at WHATEVER I do, including this 24 hour mom thing. So for all you moms out there, keep working with your whole hearts!

And have a GOOD Morning. (I recommend coffee+scripture)

Things Kids Say

“I wish we had gas for blood,” Tim announced today. “Why’s that Tim?” “Then the mosquitoes wouldn’t want our blood.”

“This is only writing that I can read. Would you like to hear it?” Sarah.

“Soccer sucks up all my energy, just like a black hole sucks up everything.” Tim

“I like donuts with sprinklers.” –Mark

“It’s bedtime,” says Mama.
“I don’t want to go to bed,” answers Luke, crossing his arms.
“You need to improve your attitude, young man.” Mama frowns.
Luke smiles a huge smiles, spreads his arms and announces, “I love to go to bed!”

Camping

The Westphal family arrived tired but happy at our campsite (a minimal amount of fidgeting in the car, and a few potty stops) in Orchard Beach State Park, on Lake Michigan, near Manistee. (Check it out, if you like. Back arrow to return to blog. http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/Details.aspx?id=480&type=SPRK ). My parents were already there, setting up. The best part was watching my husband’s stress level decrease as he settled in to life as a camper. We unpacked, set up camp, made a campfire, watched the sun set into the lake (Yes, “into”, we even listened for the sizzle.), watched the stars come out, and just plain relaxed. A few moments to share:

1. Very cold nights. I woke up hearing a child cry. The sound was OUTSIDE the tent, a little ways away. “Ryan, Lucas is OUTSIDE the tent!”. I grab the flashlight and shine it where Lucas is supposed to be. Just an empty pillow. Ryan is now putting on jeans. “Oh, I found him.” He is off the mattress, on the floor, under a sleeping bag and some dirty clothes. He is sound asleep. However his parents are not.

2. Ryan and Tim toured a ship in the harbor that used to ferry rail cars. This Daddy-son time was fun for both.

3. We went letterboxing and successfully found TWO letterboxes in the Manistee area (Check it out sometime. Use back arrow to return to blog http://www.atlasquest.com/). We took my parents on our second trip, and stopped for ice cream on the way back. Discovered an old friend running the ice cream shop, and I went out to breakfast with just her the next morning! No kids.

4. Kids biked like maniacs. (Do maniacs bike? Where does this expression, “like a maniac” come from? Why do I keep using it?). They loved it and we increased their boundaries as time went by. Tim and Sarah both have training wheels so you could hear them coming as they zoomed by. They both made friends with other campers, and we enjoyed playing at the playground.

5. Ryan and I spontaneously joined our neighbors one evening before sunset when we saw that they were playing Bocce. That was fun, even if the guys won.

6. We had a beach day with my parents and I at the big lake. They all loved it. The water started out very calm but within two hours, a breeze was blowing in and we headed back for the campsite. We still had great fun. Ryan hates the beach so he skipped out and went to a coffeeshop with his computer. Very happy man.

7. During my breakfast with my friend (and no kids), a couple came to our table. It was my inlaws! What a surprise! They were traveling through the area and happened to stop for breakfast in the same restaurant. They called Ryan to verify it was me before they said Hi! They stopped by the campsite to say Hi to all before continuing on their way.

8. Told stories by the campfire and sang silly songs. We ate smores and popcorn popped over the fire! Plus licorice, peanuts, Pringles, and cookies.

9. Marc and Luc cried when we told them we were headed home.

10. A good time had by all, and we are planning on going again next year.

Five things I love about camping

1. Telling stories in the round by the campfire.
2. Biking to use the "porcelain potties".
3. Hearing the waves of Lake Michigan at night.
4. No TV, no radio, no washing machine, no telephone....
5. Spending time as a family.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sabinche/424078457/

Three–the age of independence….Are you familiar with John Ball Park Zoo in Grand Rapids? It’s a wonderful zoo with a wonderful aquarium building. They have a window with a sign that says “octopus”, but usually, you never see him. My son recently discovered how to get the octopus to come out. When the zoo is really busy, there’s a line for the restroom in the hallway of the aquarium. There is also a fire alarm in the hallway of the aquarium. You see where this is going…If your son pulls the fire alarm and your daughter (and many other children) begin crying because it is so loud and scary, and the building clears out and you finally exit the restroom with your children, you will actually see the eye of the octopus and all eight arms moving around right next to the glass as if to say, “What is going on out there?”

Five wonderful smells
1. Baby shampoo
2. Freshly made no-bake cookies cooling on wax paper
3. The perfume that came on the honeymoon
4. Candles
5. Fresh summer morning

Thank you, Lord, for the sense of smell. This blog finds me at home once again. My wonderful husband (with outside assistance from a good friend, thank-you!) has provided me with a working computer. (No more blogging at the library). The whole gang is in bed, and I have finished much laundry and many dishes this evening. No idle hands tonight. God Bless you all and good night.

Greetings friends, neighbors, and anonymous blogsurfers (you know who you are.)
If you are unable to reach me via my regular email, I apologize. We are still without a home computer. Yes, I am still blogging at the library. Even now, strange sounds are emanating from the children's corner where a rather unique flying puppet show is being performed by two small unruly twins. (I wonder where their mother is. probably blogging at the computers...)
So, without further ado, five things.
Five children's books I adore. (I am at the library, after all.)
1. Diary of a wombat.
2. The library lion by Michelle knudson
3. A rooster named BOB! by Tracey Pearson
4. Mary had a little lamb -HOberman
5. 10 Fat Frogs --read this one really fast, in a dimly lit child's room while you are have asleep...very funny...

Those are my preschool/picture book favorites. My older kids list is much longer but I must go. The kids are holding two kids and a librarian hostage.

Five things

Five Things to be grateful for:
1. Summertime
2. Thunderstorms
3. Gardens
4. Patience
5. Children's books

The virtue of Patience

I have just realized something I should have known a long time ago.
Patience is a gift. I mean, truly, a gift from God. It's an actual FRUIT of the Spirit. Because, and only because Christ lives in me, I have the fruit of patience growing in my life. (I have recently prayed for some miracle-gro to accomplish this process faster but I have been reassured that God's timing is indeed perfect.)
We are still without our computer, so I ask for your patience. :-) For more on this topic, check out the Word of God, especially Galations 5.

Out of Context 101

My mother discovered she really does have rain sensing wipers!

Hero

Perhaps you have seen the preschool cartoon show "Little Bear"on Noggin tv. If not, you need to watch one episode, just one and you will meet one of my role models. It's Mother Bear. Here's what I love about Mother Bear.
1. She talks in the same, patient, loving manner as Mr. Rogers (always).
2. She always looks on the bright side or has something "positive" to say.
3. She loves to bake and always has muffins or cookies ready for Baby Bear or Father Bear.
4. She never wears make-up.
5. She is not thin.
6. She smiles alot.
7. She wears frumpy clothes, including aprons. If she has to go out, she puts on a hat.
8. She patiently teaches Little Bear a valuable life lesson in every fifteen minute episode.

Poetry in Octanes

When I am surrounded by these four beautiful, wonderful, inquisitive children, it can become hard to find a moment to complete a thought. The mental sentence always ends mid-thought. I have to: wipe a nose, zip a coat, find a shoe, clean a shoe, find a sock, tie a shoe, brush some hair, straighten glasses, help someone go potty, look at a cool rock, put a dandelion behind an ear, give a hug, give a kiss, give a stern look....I recently read that during a typical day, a three year old child will have a need once every three minutes...times that by twins, add an almost-five-year-old and a six-year-old who loves to play monopoly. I realize this paragraph has been interrupted sixteen times, thus far. Henceforth, I usually "think" in those groggy, exhausted moments between nine and ten, when the children are asleep and the husband has important things to remind me about. By 10:30, I am asleep and all thinking is relegated to dreamland. However, I have said all this to say, that the body has accomodated, or acclimated, or adapted by thinking deep thoughts at very strange alone times.
For instance, while pumping gas, I discovered a deep thought. Yes, the prices are outrageous, but for a few precious moments, I am alone. Seperated from the chldren by the frame of the car, watching the numbers roll, glancing around at the weather, smiling at strangers, feeling the wind, wondering why the octane numbers seem so familiar. Yes, the octane numbers. Those yellow squares with the black numbers. 87 89 93. Did you know I can measure my life in octanes?
I mentioned this to a friend. Puzzled, she asked, "Is that poetry?" I realized I had spoken out of context again. I come by this naturally. My mother does it all the time, leaving you to wonder what she's talking about. We recently watched a World War 2 documentary with her and she suddenly says, "I don't have rain sensing wipers and I thought I would!" We all just stared at her. We had no idea.
Ah, the octanes. 87... That's1987 for me. The year my life began. No, I wasn't born then. I was fifteen. I took driver's training. I had my first real haircut. I got my braces off. I traded in the coke-bottom bottle glasses for contact lenses. It was a Cinderella year. I met my best friend ever, I met the man I would marry. All in one life changing octane..I mean, year.
89...I spent most of 1989 grounded. It was my senior year of high school. I crashed and totalled my car. Ryan and I broke up and got back together at least four times in 1989. His younger brother died of leukemia in January of that year and it wa my cancer-ridden grandparents last journey to Michigan for my graduation. (they died in 90 and 91). In 1989, I turned 18 and I started college in a different state. At last I was an adult, I had arrived.
And 1993. The year of the weddings. While Ryan and I dated on again off again for six years, he proposed in 92 (I did say yes), our friends got engaged and married before us Finally, on OCt. 2, 1993, we stated our vows before God, pledged our lives to one another and to God's glory and on we moved into wedded bliss. I mean, we committed to the hard work, diligent communication, mutual frustrations and joys we were certain the journey of marriage would entail. We'll be married 15 years this October. Wow that was fast.
So there's my life in octanes. Perhaps an eight line form of poetry containing reference to one's life journey would be better. I'll have to work on that one.

Our Computer is Down and Out

Yes, I am typing this at the library while my children are hopefully playing. I can't see them good from here so if I leave suddenly, you'll know why. (Hee, hee). According to our local and extraordinarily talented computer guru, our computer is in need of a mother. You know, everybody needs a mother. Someone to love, comfort, guide...wait a minute! I didn't mean mother, I meant motherboard. Sheesh!
Anyway, here are my five things. (thank you God, for...)
1. Library internet access.
2. Children who come when called. (Hallelujah!)
3. A sleeping child.
4. A good friend to cry with. ( she makes great coffee, too.)
5. Puppets at the library

Five Things to be Grateful for

1. The sound of your grandma laughing.
2. The sweet smell of chocolate no-bake cookies Grandma makes.
3. All the old photos you can look through with Grandma and find out who people were.
4. The sight of my children hugging Grandma.
5. The taste of hot coffee while sitting at Grandma's table.
(Guess where I went today).

The Perfect Mother's Day

It all began with breakfast. Yes, breakfast. But not breakfast in bed. I wanted some solitude. So I went to IHOP. (IHOP?) yes, that's right. The International House of Pancakes. I adore pancakes and their chocolate, chocolate chip pancakes with whip cream on top are my favorite.

There was a 45 minute wait. At 9:30 in the morning. I put in my request for a table for one. That stopped the hostess for a moment. The room was filled with mothers and various family members, and I wanted a table for one? She flatly told me "45 minutes". I smiled, "That would be great." She did not smile back.

Not to be daunted, I purchased the actual Sunday paper. I rarely read anything beyond children's books, the Bible, and parenting books, so it was a real treat for me. I read for over an hour before they called my table for one. Mothers with small, hungry, bored children stared on with envy as I settled in to my lone booth. I took my time, I got comfortable. I spread out the paper. My waiter apologized for taking so long to get to me. I smiled, "No problem," and I ordered. He brought coffee back. (my very own pot! I love IHOP!) I read for another 40 minutes or so. He came and apologized. They got my order wrong. "That's fine, " I smiled, "I'm in no hurry." He did not smile back.

Not to be daunted, I kept reading and enjoying myself. He brought my pancakes. I ate them slowly, enjoying each bite. Do you know pancakes are actually served hot? I had more coffee, I read more articles, I relaxed. I headed out a little while later, leaving a nice tip for my waiter. I was shocked when I turned on the car and the clock said 11:55. I had been to breakfast since 9:15. Wow.

I made my way home, driving carefully as the rain came down. We need the rain anyway. It refreshes the grass. It cleanses the land and makes us appreciate the next day's rain-washed brilliance. Some days as a mom can be quite rainy. Some days are quite thunderstormy (if I can turn that into an adjective), but I am not alone in the storm. He who calms the storm calms my beating heart as well. I am a believer in Jesus. Christ in me, the hope of glory. While some days may be wet and dark and cold, that rain-washed brilliance will come. Could we truly appreciate the sunshine without the rain? As a friend pointed out, beautiful windchimes would have no song if not for the blowing wind.

Arriving home, I found a quiet house so I crawled under the covers for about 10 minutes until I heard little voices and little feet coming up the stairs. "We got you something mom! Guess." this from my six-year-old detective. "It's purple!" added my little girl, "That's a HINT," she explained to the detective. "It's POWERS!" declared Mark the moment he entered the room.

"Are they special?" Everyone nodded. "I could use some special powers." "No, they're flowers!" the older two explained as Ryan entered with these beautiful flowers.

I hope all you moms reading this had a WONDERFUL mother's day. (Also, my heart goes out to all those would-be moms. Ryan and I struggled with infertility for 6 years and mother's day was a sad, hard day for me. A day when those who meant well felt sorry for me and those who knew my heart prayed for me. So if you know a would-be mom, keep praying for her heart, especially on Mother's Day.)

NIght sounds

Are you a fan sleeper? I mean, do you HAVE to have a fan to sleep? I am a fan sleeper by marriage only, and occasionally, I miss those night sounds. A train's whistle from far away, the whoosh of cars on wet pavement, crickets, or the "who-cooks-for-you?" of the owl. Instead, I get "hmmmmmmmmmmm...." But my husband's rest is important. Ryan is an early riser and is out of bed before 5:30. That's when the fan goes off. He opens the window a bit and every morning this week, I have heard the joyous cacophony of the birds welcoming the sunrise. It's been so nice...

Five things

Five Things to Be Grateful For:

1. Children who love to play outside.
2. Little boy kisses. (Lucas likes to kiss first one cheek and then the other. He will manually turn my head to do this. It's quite entertaining.)
3. The patience the Holy Spirit provides me.
4. Going to the bank with Tim to look at an actual $100.00 bill to check if Ben Franklin is really on it. ("Mom, why don't we have $100.00 bills?" Hee, hee.)
5. A husband who ministers to others.