Reaching New Heights

On Wednesday, May 18th, I woke up with a sore throat.  I didn't have much of a voice either.  Josh got Samuel up and mentioned that Samuel had been coughing a bit.  I thought to myself, 'here we go again'.  I swear we haven't been able to catch a break from sickness or injury this year. While I was getting ready for the day, Samuel walked into my bathroom.  He started coughing a bunch and then choking.  I didn't know that he had shared a doughnut with Daddy right before he walked in to see me.  The doughnut had walnuts sprinkled on top.  I thought he was about to throw up (I didn't realize he was choking on a walnut).  So I immediately held him over the sink.  After not breathing for a short second or two, he coughed out a small bit of food (aka. the walnut).  The moment was tense, but I was relieved when he was breathing and acting normal again.  Our morning routine continued and I quickly forgot about the intense choking mo...

Life has become a little more busy lately, but in a good way.  I have found that I can focus on my home and children, while serving and teaching others.  I run a preschool in my basement, tutor and also babysit at home.  Between these responsibilities, I have 15 children (other than my own) coming to my house on a weekly basis.  I absolutely love it!  I love having these adorable kiddos and I learn so much from them every day.  I feel so blessed to be able to open up my home to others and utilize my teaching skills. As things have become more busy, I have pondered a lot on the word 'refuge'.  I hope to be a good influence to my own children as their characters develop and grow, but I also hope that our home can be a place of refuge for anyone who enters.  A place of belonging, love and understanding.  I think it requires a lot of work, most of which happens behind the scenes.  We have filled our home with good literature, art, music an...