A fruitful week

The past 7 days has been one of the busiest and most bursting-with-blessings weeks we have experienced since Karsten made his grand entrance. Last week Nick completed his final Saturday officiating elementary football games all day, while I braved the local harvest festival alone with the 4 kids. We enjoyed the carnival activities, face painting, and hay ride, although I did have to climb into the bouncy house to drag Zane out. He had (erroneously) decided he wasn't going anywhere. Gunnar wrapped up his first season of micro soccer, where he scored so many goals a game that we soon lost count. Uncle Rob did a great job coaching and helping Gunnar attempt crazy skills, like passing the ball to someone else for a change. Both of the older kids practiced making beautiful music in Scola Cantorum ("singing school"), and Signe continued with her ballet lessons.

Karsten was blessed with a shower on Tuesday. He obligingly smiled, cooed, and nodded off as he was admired and passed around the room. We received some lovely new clothes in sizes that Gunnar and Zane have worn through pretty well, and a generous cash envelope. I look forward to purchasing a handsome new diaper bag that will no longer be embarrassing! This morning Signe and I attended a baby shower for "Aunt" Cat Sentz, who is expecting her first child at Christmas. We are happy to be adding a new girl to the boy-dominated cousin clan. And last night was another baby shower celebration, as we formally welcomed Thaddeus Schoolland to our community. He was adopted a few weeks ago by good friends of ours who have waited many years to become parents. They underwent a heart-wrenching roller coaster ride last month after the birth mom changed her mind and decided to have her son adopted locally (Indiana), which left Joseph and Sarah numb and preparing for a lonely flight home. But hundreds were praying and God is faithful. The birth mom's heart was turned again, and several days later Thaddeus was in their arms.

On Wednesday, Signe had her first speech meet at Logos. First graders can choose from two categories, Bible or poetry, and Signe learned the poem by Cecil Francis Alexander that begins "All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small...". I had forgotten that those words had been stenciled on the ceiling of her bedroom in our house in Woodburn until my mom reminded me; how appropriate! I hope she also grows up to love the wonderful James Herriot books with those titles.

Anyway, Signe was THRILLED and absolutely giddy with excitement to find out Thursday that she got a blue ribbon. It is only given to the top 2 kids in each category, in her class. She now will attend a multi-school meet in Spokane on Friday, November 4th, and this is apparently a "very big deal". She certainly has a flair for the dramatic, and can hardly wait for another chance to perform. I hope we can video record her practicing her poem soon and post a link on the blog.

Right now Karsten is napping, the kids are riding bikes in the driveway, and Nick is playing soccer with Gunnar. I can barely keep my eyes open, and may take a quick catnap before dinner. Life is full, but full of many great things.