Change

I haven't exercised my writing muscle in a long time.
We have seen our family change.
We have three boys now.  Two of them use a potty.  The one who doesn't has six teeth and could be walking next month.
We've gone on hikes. We've gotten into Narnia. And Disney. And Batman.
February 2012, we took a trip to San Francisco and stayed in Mill Valley in the forest.
March 2013, we went to San Diego to see one of our dear friends get married and we stayed in the hills of North San Diego County.
We are still in the same house. We have the same job.  We shopped for minivans before our third was born but we didn't pull the trigger.  We have left our first church. We still don't have life insurance but we are very close!
We are planning a birthday party for three May babies next month.
Elliot is smarter than his dad.  He knows all his letters. He can read sentences. He knows his mom's phone number. 
Clement is a lover.  He tells us all the time "because I love you" and "I love you so much".
Isaac is new enough that he doesn't yet have an official college savings account.  He physically is a lot like Elliot, when Elliot was 11 months.  His smile, his cuddling, his nuzzling, his bonking and kissing are amazing and beautiful.  He smiles on command.  He wants to play with his big brothers all the time.  He eats really well.  He is so proud when he pulls himself up on the couch near his brothers who are playing.
He also dives off couches headfirst. 
He laughs. And he wants you to tickle him.  I think he does.

Mom does an amazing job.  She is in high demand and she has responded to the high calling of motherhood beautifully and faithfully.  She is beautiful and young and exciting.
And she is growing in the Lord.  We four boys are lucky to have her.  She still cooks amazingly.  She is making the home and she is a blessing to us.  And she is an educator too. 

I am tired. And blessed. And still young.  I played flag football last weekend and I was one of the older players but not the slowest!  Elliot was at the finish line of the Disney World Marathon this January and I cried on his shoulder; I was relieved, comforted, thankful.  To have him.  To be with him. And to tell him I wanted to stop running at mile 21 but that Paul encourages us to finish the race and I needed to finish the race.  God gave me strength, Elliot!  God is with us all the time!  And he loves us! He loves us no matter what!  I love sharing my faith with Elliot. 

Jesus is with me.  As a runner.  As a worker.  As a dad.  As a husband.  I haven't always believed Jesus.  I haven't really known Jesus until recently.  I have only recently seen that I don't treasure Jesus.  There has finally been transformation in my life these past 2-3 years.  Jesus' saving me from my sin is real. His saving me from death and darkness and his saving me to himself and to the Father by faith and repentance and acceptance is the greatest news.  I didn't do it.  Jesus lived perfectly because I am not and his love compelled him to die in my place and he then overcame death.  He conquered sin by taking on our sin and our punishment.  Though he knew no sin, he paid the price I couldn't pay and he took on my darkness, my sin, my judgment, my death.  And by grace, God sees me as acceptable, forgiven, righteous. 
He is making me new.
This is good news for my boys.  Their daddy is being transformed. 
Change is good.