Glimpses of joy

Thank you for your encouragement as I vented a bit Monday.  I realize how supremely blessed we are to be able to build our own home, and to have so many wonderful cheerleaders.  I decided to write a little essay on the reason why we're working so hard and sacrificing so much to build a home.

Our children are the most important reason why we're building a new home.  A home where they not only can grow up in, but also bring their own families back to visit.

We moved back to this wonderful small town, because this is where our children are happiest.  We tried a bigger city, and the difference in our children in one year is striking.

Little Boy has gained so much confidence, and rocketed from reading a few words to reading whole books. A gentleman in our community noticed Little Boy's spunk, and invited him to participate in a slam dunk contest during half time at a high school basketball game.

Big Brother is having his best school year ever.  He's excelled in his course work, and recently completed his Webelos Badge and received his Arrow of Light award.

He has been a HUGE help with the house.  Whether it's helping to lift a wall, or bring a tool to his dad, and especially the not so fun part of cleaning up every day, he doesn't complain.

Dolly just enjoys every minute.  A couple months ago she discovered this tiny ladybug in the house.

Here she is at the end of a long day.  One of the few times the kitten tolerates Dolly...most of the time her affection is just a tad too exuberant.

Then there is Big Sister.  She has grown into such a capable, talented young lady.  She is in the thick of everything at school, whether it's playing Max in her class's version of the Grinch,

or working on her own embroidery projects for the class market.  She even made this little felt mouse.  It's the award for whichever child is most quiet in church.

I am infinitely blessed by these little people in my life.  They are true sources of joy.  We want to make the best home and world we can for them.  That is why we're working so hard to build a new home.  And it is worth every sacrifice.