DOLLHOUSE

 

Our girls play "family" constantly.

They dress up, build forts, choose rooms, outfit and feed dolls, build their nests.

 

I pray they always will!

 

"A wise woman builds her home."

Proverbs 14:1

 

With Nova's  birthday coming up, and considering she plays with her dollhouse figurines daily, though her well-loved and sadly retired previous dollhouse officially broke one too many times to repair again, we figured a new dollhouse was just the gift for our nurturing little almost-6-year-old (and her eager siblings too.)

 

Looking around online it was obvious that we could build something to meet our desires for significantly less than buying one, and plus,

I always prefer homemade! We knew we wanted a wooden house, open on both sides so siblings could play together, facing one another (and it's always a joy for us parents to watch the children play from the front vs. just seeing them from the back).

 

Mostly, we wanted it to be...simple.

 

Some of the most creative play brews in the simplest of beginnings. And so, with sort of makeshift plans in mind,

we set to work yesterday building a home for our little mommies (and daddies) to-be to play house in...now.

 

First, the boys bought the wood, taking into account the size of the new wooden

furniture the girls had gotten for Christmas. Thanks, Oma and Funny Grandpa!

 

 

Next, measurements and plans were crafted and cut by our resident hero.

 

 

Thanks for your constant willing heart, Brodie!

 

 

Next, we assembled the sides and floors with simple screws and glue.

 

 

After dividing the rooms, we decided on a roof that allowed for play from both sides in the upper attic floor.

 

 

And there you have it!

 

We were so excited to present the finished dollhouse to our elated and earnest little ones,

we couldn't possibly wait until Nova's real b-day!

 

 

Nova, in particular, didn't leave the dollhouse play until dinner.

 

 

Busy, busy, busy...

 

 

I have a feeling this dollhouse will be in the family for a while,

simple as can be, but full of love and heart.

 

"For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God."

Hebrews 3:4

OLIA LILY

 

Olia is one of those sunshiny people that makes me feel...calm.

She's gentle and quiet, polite and sweet, feminine, lovely, and kind.

 

 

She's always reminded me of an old fashioned Danish doll, coiffed and ladylike in posture.

She flutters about in skirts and dresses, twirling through life with a whistle (literally) and song.

Olia sees the world as a happy place...If only more people could see through Olia's rose-colored lenses.

 

 

I wouldn't mind being more like Olia, carefree, whimsical, dancing wherever the wind takes her.

Her flowery, butterfly personality is contagious and she softens a room when she enters.

 

 

We had fun playing with hair before bedtime last night, my sweet daughter Ols and I. 

No matter how many children the Lord blesses me with, I'll always savor the simple alone time with each ONE.

 

It's not often elaborate and doesn't have to be planned, but I find that my most cherished, beloved, quality time mommy moments are found rather surprisingly tucked into the Quantity Time of each day...usually when I'm least expecting. Though, I'm perpetually on the lookout for such nostalgia, always intentionally seeking the moment worth seizing. The tiniest, most easily missed opportunities woven into the simplicity of "merely" a day-in-the-life collect like pools of love in my heart. I hope and pray the same for my children.

 

 

We're hoping to plant some flowers today...just us...Olsie and Mom.

She's our beautiful bouquet, and the Lord knew, when way back when we named her Olia Lily.

 

"Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you,
even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."
Luke 12:27

NOVA & BEA

 

We always hoped these two would turn out to be extra special sister-friends.

And so they are...two mini peas in a pod...sweetest Nova & Bea.

 

 "Love one another."

John 13:34

DOUBLE DIGITS

 

It's true...our Elka has hit double digits, though we all agree she seems SO much older in heart and spirit than 10.

It's practically hard to believe that she is. But she is...10...our colorful, vibrant, rainbow daughter/sister/best friend.

 

Elka, you bring much joy, nurturance, generosity, creativity, affection, and depth to our family.

We all love you immensely and are extremely grateful to have wonderful you in our lives.

 

Happy 10th Birthday to our double digit girl!!

 

"Trust in the Lord will all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Proverbs 3:5-6

DEVOTIONS

"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."
Psalm 119:11

 

I walked upstairs this morning to find Brodie reading a picture Bible to the boys all snuggled up on his top bunk. {melt} 

 

 

It's been sweet to see the older kids take on our commitment to early morning devotions with the Lord,

but how much sweeter even still it is to see them nurture their younger siblings in the same way.

 

This was one of those tuck-away moments where we get a peek into what the Lord is doing in the hearts of our children. Though sinners we are, with daily reason to repent, the beautiful reality is that in spite of our flaws and fails, God is at work in each life. He is creating masterpieces in each soul for His glory and it's a gift to see that cultivated in the simplicity and practice of morning time devotions.

 

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.

Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul."

Psalm 143:8