Michelle Wegner

Not About Us

Just today Isabelle and I were driving down the road and the road workers were tearing up the road.  “What a mess!”  I said to her.  Without skipping a beat Belle said to me, “I think God told them to do that so they can make our world more beautiful.”

Dumbfounded by her wisdom, I replied, “You are right Belle.  We are so fortunate to live in a place that has clean streets.  Some of the streets in India weren’t so clean, were they?

B:  Nope.  But some were.  What if we had cows here like they do in India?

Me: That would sure be funny, wouldn’t it?  Remember how the cows walked around in the roads in India?

B: That was very funny.  Why did the people let the cows do that?

Me: Because they respect the cows very much, and some people even think they are God.

B: Does Prema think cows are God?

Me: Nope.  She and Raj tell all the people that Jesus is God, and the cows aren’t.  That’s why we went to India, because so many people don’t know about Jesus yet.

B: Yep.  When we went to India it wasn’t our vacation.  We were doing an important job.  It wasn’t a vacation, was it Mom?

Me:  Nope

B:  It wasn’t peace and quiet.  We go to Florida when our family needs peace and quiet.  We went to India to help the people.  It wasn’t for us.

Me:  Yep.

I love that Belle caught on to this perspective at age 5.  I hope she remembers that “It’s not about us” for a long time to come

.

Fearless-Rob&Michelle’s Love Story

I wrote about my baby growing up yesterday. In some ways it makes me sad; But then, Maddie will do something so creative and funny, I realize there is no way I would want her to stay little forever. She has so much in that little brain of hers. This little video she put together for us tonight while we were tucking in the other two cherubs left me and Rob a blubbering mess. Enjoy.

 

1+1=22

Our baby turned 11 a few weeks ago.  11.  E-l-e-v-e-n.  Half way to 22.  11 years ago she was born.  11 years from now she will be t-w-e-n-t-y-t-w-0.  Rob and I have both had a few “oh my word” moments lately, one of them the other night while trick-or-treating.

How many more trick-or-treats do we have with Maddie?  It’s always been all of us.  All of our friends and their kids are like a little pack and we all go together.  But, it will not always be.  Someday she’ll want to get married or something and I doubt her husband will want to trick-or-treat with us. 

Tucking Whitney in bed tonight, snuggling her up under her covers, brushing her hair out of her face, it hit me again.  How many more tucks do I have?  How much longer will she long for me to talk and talk to her while she is laying there with her sleepy smile?

And then yesterday watching Isabelle brush her own hair,and then proceed to put her own barrette in.  Same thing.  I got all teary.  I asked her to promise me she would always stay 5.  She rolled her eyes at me and said, “But Mom, I am almost to 10!”  I think she thought I had officially lost it when I got all teared up watching her brush her hair.

How many moments do we have left? 

I’m counting mine more carefully lately.

Fun Friends

Will we remember 5 years from now that it was 45 degrees and very windy Halloween 09?  I doubt it.  But, we will remember our fun friends and these fabulous alien cupcakes, eating monster toes, and chili to warm us up.

Halloween's Past

   

             

Maddie's Fabulous Fashionista Party

   

         

Can you tell Maddie had an amazing party?  Her friends are great.  They have lots of energy, but they really are great kids.  Maddie wanted a fashion party, so who else could we call to help other than Kathy Friend?  She is a fashion/wardrobe consultant, and my girls idolize her (in a good way) for her expertise in fashion, but most of all because of her kindness to them. 

Kathy talked to the girls about the importance of looking and smelling nice.  She talked about the fact that whether you like it or not, people will treat you differently based on the way you look or don't look.  She challenged them to think about fashion in a way that is modest, yet snappy.  She had the girls go through piles of fashion magazines and cut out pictures that captured true beauty.  They cut out pictures that showed friendship, happiness, work ethics, and lots of other good stuff. 

The party was a huge success.  I am not sure who will do Belle's parties for her when she is 11, because by the end of the party Rob and I were completely wiped out.

This was really one of the most fun parties we have ever done for the girls.  Everyone felt included, learned something, and had lots of fun. 

What's the best party you've ever had or given for someone?

Madeline Dawn

11 years ago today our Madeline Dawn was born.  I'll never forget when they handed her to me, all scrubbed up and polished, a head of dark hair with a pink ribbon in it.  She was all wrapped up like a present from God to me, bow and all.  From that second on, I was struck with her beauty, as were every person that laid eyes on her sweet little chubby face. Almost daily I would be taking Maddie for a walk, or in a grocery store when complete strangers would stop me just to get a look at her beautiful face. 

I love these photos our friend Brittani took of Maddie this spring.  She captured Maddie's spirit so well.  She is energetic and kind.  She's compassionate and dignified. I like to refer to Maddie as an "old soul". She is wise beyond her years, comprehending truth that most adults will never understand.  While being wise, she has a very silly sense of humor.  She keeps us on her toes with her funny insights and jokes.

Maddie has a beautiful spirit, and is such a joy to have around.  I thank God every day for letting me be her Mamma.  Happy Birthday Maddie. I am so proud of you, and I love you!

Wordless Wednesday

Whitney’s Big Day

 

 photo by elle white

Whitney has taken huge leaps of faith in her walk with Jesus this year.  Her decision to be baptized was just one of the many steps she has taken. We are seeing her passion for life focus on the poor, the needy, and the outcast.  Her heart breaks when she sees anyone abused, neglected, sick, or poor.  Our trip to India was almost too much for her, because she felt so passionately about those we were serving.  Whitney has loved Jesus as long as she has known Him.  She is funny, smart, kind, and full of passion and life.  I am so glad to be her Mom.  It’s one of the things on this Earth I am most grateful for.  It is so amazing to me to see the light of Jesus dawning in her heart and spread to her smile, and deeply affect those around her. 

Jesus has big plans for Whit, big plans.  I am just hoping and praying she always says “yes'” to Him, and always keeps on taking her next right step in her walk with Him.

Someone said to me yesterday, “I like your girls.  They are confident, but they are very kind”.  That was one of the biggest compliments I could ever receive as a parent, because that is what I always pray for them.  I pray for them to know that they are loved enough to walk confidently, but reach others with that same love.  I am proud to say I see my kids living that out to the best of their 10, 9, and 5yr. old abilities.

Let The Photos Tell The Story

   

Story later.  Thanks to Kristin Baker, Maddie Wegner, and Dale Shafer for the amazing photos!

The Joy With The Trouble, The Trouble With The Joy

When we were in India this summer, I had no time for emotion.  It is truly one of the times in my life when I knew I had to shove my emotions aside in order to get myself and the girls through another day.  We faced more challenges as a family in India than we collectively ever have.  There wasn’t a lot of food, the girls got sick, we were far, far from home, everything and everyone was strange and unfamiliar.  I went in to “Mom mode”, trying to mother my girls through their days, helping them cope, giving them strength to be sustained for another day.   They did better than I could have imagined they would, but it was hard.

But now, as i reflect back at our time there, watch videos and see photos, I weep.  I see joy on my girls’ faces that I missed because I was taking care of some need.  I see the smiles in the faces’ of the children we visited, smiles of abundant, eternal joy that made our scarifies seem small in light of the eternal impact of the work God is doing in Tamil Nadu.  Did we come with some great, wonderful message?  No.  We came with our family and we brought our smiles.  Watching my girls on video dance and sing with children from southern India fills me with a measure of joy I never knew imaginable. 

When we give, God gives so much back.  The joy we know as a family from having served this summer in India together is something we will treasure forever…and then some.

Although great trouble accompanied the Word, you were able to take great joy from the Holy Spirit!—taking the trouble with the joy, the joy with the trouble. 1 Thessalonians 1:6

Jane

Meet Jane.  When moved in, she was 6, now she is 12.  She’s been a best friend to my girls and sort of like an older sister.  Jane is the kind of friend you pray your kids will have someday.  From the moment Jane stepped into our lives, I knew she was golden.  She would give the girls her toys, fix their hair, break up their fights, and generally keep the peace.  The plays and songs Jane and the girls have made up have kept us, as well as the entire neighborhood, in stitches.  Jane has an amazing singing voice, and no doubt will be somewhere in the music industry somewhere someday.

Jane goes lots of places with us.  She’s the kind of kid that I actually call to go with us when we’re going to the store because I know she’ll be helpful, kind, and  Jane is just a joy to have around.  I am so grateful that my girls have such a good friend.

   

A Turtle's Life?

There is this song on Christian radio that goes, "Life is Good, Eternal Life is Better..." Isabelle caught on quickly except her version goes, "Life is Good, A Turtle's Life is Better..."  Enjoy your own private concert.

Tough Break(s)

Maddie fractured three growth plates in her toes yesterday in P.E.  Points for you if you guess the broken ones!

And They're Off!

It's the first day of school for my two big girls.  This is the first year that they have had their back to school outfits planned for over a week, including hairstyle, matching shoes and nail polish.

With the new focus on fashion, I have a whole new set of things to worry about.  Shopping with the girls used to be me picking out matching Granimals sweatshirts and stretcy pants with giraffe prints.  Those days are long gone.  No more Granimals at my house.

I admit that it is sort of fun to see the girls develop their own sense of fashion, it's a good thing, because I pretty much have none.

Both of my big girls are exactly the same height and weight and in the same grade.  Are they twins?  Nope.  They are 18 months apart.  Maddie is in high ability 5th grade, and Whitney is in high ability 4th grade.  Their school only goes up to 5th grade, so they lump the high ability 4th grade kids w/the 5th.  Thankfully, Maddie and Whit won't be in any classes together, but I am so worried about Whitney being with Maddie's friends who think she's pesty.  I will be biting my nails all day long waiting to see if it's a happy or sad face that comes off the bus today.

Maddie is glowing, floating actually, because she got her favorite teacher from last year as her main teacher this year.  I am thanking God about that about every other minute.

I'm worried about my kids getting older.  With each year they begin school, I lose a little more control of them.  I know it's for their best, and I know I'm not supposed to worry, because God has them in the palm of His hand, but I still sit here biting my nails and pining away the hours until they get home.

Say a prayer for me and my girls if you think about it today!

Teaching My Kids NOT to Share

With the swine flu virus floating around, schools are being more cautious than ever in protecting kids from germs.  Whitney’s teacher faithfully scrubbed each table with Clorox wipes last year, especially during cold/flu season.  There was hand sanitizer available to the girls at all times, and the bathroom sinks are in the hallways to make sure kids wash their hands after they go potty.

But…my girls were more sick last year than they have ever been.  They each missed 14 days of school, which is really a crazy amount for them.  I think we took one or two family days, so the rest of those days, they were just too sick to send to school.

I remember the first week of school last year, Whitney came down with bronchitis  I got a call from the school nurse, and had to pick her up from school.  The school nurse said that it was the first week of school and already half the school was sick.  I told that to our family doctor later that day, and he asked me one question: Do they sit in their own desks, or are they at shared tables?  I told him they sat at shared tables, and shared all their supplies from a basket in the middle of the table.  His answer:  Germ Fest.

He went on to say that he was on the health advisory board way back when our school was being built, and he strongly advised that the school not purchase shared tables, but individual desks for children.  They ignored his advice, and went with the tables.

On top of taxes that we pay into our community, we pay between $100-$200 per child for supplies and textbooks.  Our teachers now do all the school supply shopping for our children.  At first I thought this was a wonderful idea.  It saved me a ton of time, and my kids would have the same stuff as all the other kids.  What I did not factor in, was that all those supplies would be placed in bins in the center of each table for all the kids to share.  I’m all about sharing, but quickly realized that they were sharing every sneeze, germ, and booger that went from their classmates little hand, to their marker, to my kids’ hand when they shared that same marker.

I’m opting out of sharing this year.  I still have to pay the supply fee, but I am purchasing all my kids’ supplies for them.  I am telling them for the first time in their lives NOT to share.  The true measure of this experiment will be in days of school they miss this year.  I’ll get back with you about that sometime next May.

Spunk

Whitney has always been full of passion and spunk. I thank God every day for the way God made her. Although she may not always carry a water gun, wear one flipper with her blue goggles on, this picture captures her spirit in a very fun way.

A Letter To My Girl

 

The girls were slightly out of sorts today.  I blame it on long summer days, too many sleep-overs, and not enough sleep.  After a few rough exchanges, I decided to write this letter to one of my girls to reassure her of my love for her.  I encourage you to do the same for your kids…even if they are all grown up.

 

A Blueberry-ish Kind of Day

My girls are at such a fun age right now-They are old enough to take places and do fun things with, but not old enough to be jaded by their cool friends.  They still think I am pretty cool and fun to be around.  I’m not sure how much longer that sentiment will last, so I am doing all I can to enjoy it now. 

We went blueberry picking together yesterday on one of the most beautiful days of the summer.  Cousin Brooke was staying with us too, which made it extra special.    You may note the photo of Belle eating blueberries.  Yep, that’s pretty much what she did the whole time--that, and sit under the blueberry bushes and play with games I have loaded for her on my iPhone, and throw an occasional blueberry at her sisters while they fervently picked away.

I’m trying to take advantage of as many special moments as I can before this summer is over and we’re back to the grind of waking up early, quick breakfasts, homework, and generally losing our minds trying to keep up with it all.  For now we’re breathing deep, hanging out together, and eating lots of blueberries! 

What are you doing to make these last days of summer special?

Birds, Bees, and Alligators

We visited an alligator park today. There aren't any fences or cages for the alligators, they just swim through the swamps and people can come and watch them in their native habitat. This video is from about a year and a half ago, and is well worth the watch. You will get more of an education about the mating practices of alligators than you bargained for. Watch Whitney's face while Maddie explains what she learned on Animal Planet. Priceless.