Just a Boy and His Book

Kids

*Warning! This is a rare preachy post.

What's up with people not wanting kids anymore? I get it, kids can be really difficult. They also change your life. You can't do everything you want anymore. In a way, they hold you back (example: Jacob and I can't go on dates whenever we want, but there are so many things like that). 

However, God does want people to have kids, and it is kind of amazing to be able to raise your own offspring. Making new people and then loving them and eventually sending them off into the world is a pretty cool thing. 

But, for some reason, I keep seeing over and over again that young couples are just choosing to not have kids. I don't know exactly what that means (are they making permanent changes to their bodies?), but it doesn't seem right. Not only do I think they will eventually regret that discission, but I also think they're missing out. I also wonder what couples who can't have children think about those who choose to not have children. 

Obviously, in the end, it's none of my business, but I guess it's kind of weird to see the most intellectual of God's creatures not following the commandment to "be fruitful and multiply." 

Anyway, I've had a difficult year with two kids, so, on the one hand, I can sympathize with people who don't want kids. On the other hand, I also realize I am so blessed, and some day I hope we can have some more. I guess I'm sort of preaching to myself and reminding myself to not give up in the calling God has for me. 

Josiah took this picture when we were in NC. 

Enjoying Every Last Bit of It

I hate when summer ends. Summer is definitely my favorite season. I know a lot of people get so excited about fall, but I get a little sad because summer is just so joyful. Anyway, since I know it's going to end whether I like it or not, I really try to enjoy it. So, we go to the creek whenever we can. Last week it got quite warm again after a colder spell, so we made sure to get a dip in the creek one evening. 

I love the light shining yellow through the green leaves. I also love the reflections in the water. It's all such a peaceful place, so full of life and beauty. 

I love watching Jacob play with his kids. He's a really great dad. 

It's funny how you can miss something when you're taking a picture and then later you realize it was there. I didn't notice the bug on Micah's chest until later when I looked at the picture. 

He was in heaven in that water. So was I. I just sat there and felt the water and the sun and all the beauty, knowing that some day we won't have such a lovely park to spend summer days playing in. 

These are such intresting flowers, and they looked so pretty in the evening light. 

The relections are just perfect. 

Jacob found a flower for my hair. : )

What happy days we have in that park. I am so thankful for that place. It's a real childhood dream come true. 

V

Random Things

Lately, Jacob is trying to get me to go out by myself some while he watches the kids. It's very nice to get a little break. I usually just use that time to go on a lone walk, which is so nice. One afternoon, I climbed this hill to the front "porch" of this old junior high school in our neighborhood. I had never actually done that because I usually have a stoller, and it has stairs. Its such a majestic and beautiful school. Even though it was built during the Great Depression, it still has so much more beauty than most buildings these days. 

On that same walk I also saw these pretty roses. 

I love collecting bottles, but I'm specific so that I don't clutter. I have been wanting to add a green glass to my stash, and I was very happy when I came across this little "natural remedies" bottle.

I love filling my bottles with flowers. 

I love the vibrant red of my cayenne peppers.

Jacob got me this little shirt for Christmas along with fabric paint. I finally did something with it.

First, I naturally dyed it with walnut.

Then I painted a sunflower on it. Now I'm going to give it to a friend who's having a baby very soon. 

Jacob and I just being our silly selves. 

Micah has been so cute lately. 

I had fun getting very close up to this moth to take pictures. 

It was so fun to see his little tongue sip nectar out of the flowers. 

I love how Taliya adores Jacob and likes to do whatever he's doing. 

I'm growing a Kentucky Coffee tree. I love growing stuff from seed and watching it grow. 

I guess that's it. 

Grace and Faith

Two of Jacob's sisters came for a visit a couple weekends ago. We tried to cram a lot into the few days they were here. 

One thing we did was walk up to the Catholic children's home and walk around this big shindig they were having. 

All that trash was lottery tickets. It was a little weird. 

On Sunday we went to the creek, of course. 

It was cloudier and cooler that time, and I froze to bits. 

I love this picture so much. It's so refreshing. 

I love Taliya's curls. 

Jacob and Faith love playing games, and they are both so good at winning. 

The last thing we did was show the girls our city. It was a good day for it. Jacob and I have really taken Louisville as our "own," and we've grown to have a lot of city pride. We like living here and showing off the city to guests. 

Don't be deceived by the pretty reflection on the water, the Ohio River is actually the dirtiest river in the country. 

This was such an amusing mirror thing at the science center.

That's all for today, folks!

V