100 Words on Volunteering

Every Wednesday, I volunteer in Noah’s class at Smyth Road Elementary School.  1st graders are fun. They smile at me.  They give me their popcorn money.  They show me the book they are reading.  They call me Mrs. Cassetto.  They make me feel hopeful.  Other teachers and volunteers say hi to me in the hall.  I wave at Mrs. Cowette, the librarian, on my trips to the office.  I have learned how to use the copier and make the school secretary smile.  Volunteering isn’t always easy.  It is often rewarding.  It’s always a happy 6-year-old, which means a happy mom.

A Perfect Night for Mini-Golf…

Tonight was a GREAT night.  Perfect, actually.  We spent a couple of hours at Mel’s Funway Park in Litchfield, NH. Totally fun!!!  The boys seriously love going there.  They are enthusiastic in their putt-putting, for sure.  We got to hang out with some very special friends.  I found myself more than once reflecting on how good God has been to us…giving us such generous and thriving friendships.

We laughed as the boys hit the golf balls into the water, off the course, and even got a couple of “hole-in-two’s”.  Their wide smiles and ferocious waving as they sped by on the go kart track will not be forgotten for a long time.  I’m pretty sure they thought they were going 100 miles per hour. Noah swung the bat over and over again in the batting cages (216 times to be exact).  He LOVES the batting cages.  He’s a good little hitter!

Thanks Leah and Jim for providing the mini-golf competition (and for making time for us during such a busy time)…Thank you Cheri for being Hayden’s favorite go-kart partner…Thank you Rick for being such a great batting coach…We love you guys!

back to school

As of today, both boys are back in school.  Noah’s in 1st grade and Hayden is in 4 year old preschool.  After a wonderful summer with a lot of travel and special memories made together, we are fully entered into the new school year.  We have a new resolve to keep you updated with the goings on of our family this year. See you soon!

bake a cake…bake a cake…

So…the boys have had a chant for the past week that they have been taunting me with.  Anytime there was extended silence in the car, (which, like, never happens) they would begin to chant “BAKE A CAKE! BAKE A CAKE!”  And being that we come from a long line of cake and frosting lovers…John would smile and enthusiastically join them in the fun.

Well, last night I gave in and we spent the evening baking cupcakes together.  We put on our aprons and got to work.  John and Noah worked on the frosting, deciding on a sunny yellow for color.   And Hayden and I made the cake batter.  He was taste testing every chance he got.  There was confectioner’s sugar and flour and smiles everywhere you looked.  The boys stayed up past their bedtimes to put the sprinkles on.  Fun was had by all.

The chanting has ended.  For now.

Noah’s Violin Recital

Here’s our resident rock star rockin it out Suzuki style!

i know…it’s been a while…

Seeing how I haven’t written anything on this blog for a really long time…I figured it was time I took the plunge back into the  blogging world.

May was a GREAT month!  And before we get too far into June I thought it would be a good idea to spend a couple minutes reflecting on a month where we celebrate…a lot!

Hayden turned 4 at the beginning of the month which we can hardly believe.  I know, all parents say it…but boy, time has really gone fast.  He just got a haircut, too, which makes him look even older.  He is getting taller by the week and we are continually in awe of his clever remarks, questions, keen memory for things that we have long since forgotten, his love for singing, his emerging artistic abilities, and his knack for keeping all of us laughing out loud on a daily basis.  We can barely remember what life was like before May 4, 2005 when our wild and sweet Hayden came into this world. Thank you, thank you, thank you, God.

I celebrated my 35th birthday…which is somehow also hard to believe!  I am officially all the way into my 30’s and life is very good.  I am still marveling at those ahead of me on the path of life…friends who have navigated the elementary and teen years with their kids and survived.  And I am blessed with friends who are still in their 20’s…challenging me and granting me fresh perspective on life and God and friendship.

We celebrated Mother’s Day, of course.  I was reminded once again how blessed I am by my family and what a precious gift it is to be a mom.  I hear the words “I love you” from three different voices every day.  I wouldn’t trade that for anything!

And then, just last weekend, John and I celebrated our 10-year wedding anniversary!  We had an awesome weekend with some time for just the two of us to celebrate as well as a family breakfast celebration on Saturday.  I was telling someone that 10 years doesn’t really feel like a long time…and then I think of all that has happened in those 10 years…vacations, two children,  the growth in the church, loss of loved ones, entering the 30’s, and buying a house to name a few.  I am so grateful to have walked each of those 10 years with such a loving, giving, fun, and inspiring husband…my best friend.  I can’t wait for the next 10…Thank you, thank you, thank you, God.

Now…bring on the summer!  We’re ready!

first recital

Here’s a video clip from Noah’s first violin recital.  He did a GREAT job!  Thanks Christine for the video and to all the great people who supported Noah in his recital!

happy birthday noah

Tomorrow morning Noah turns 6 years old.

It was a Sunday morning six years ago, there was snow like cotton balls floating from the sky.  I remember many things from that day.  A great night’s sleep the night before.  Calling our parents as we crossed the Granite Street Bridge.  Pulling into the Elliot Hospital carrying too many bags.  Trying to videotape us walking into the hospital.  A gentle nurse.  A kind doctor.  A short wait.  And best of all, our introduction to our sweet Noah.

Our Sweet Noah,

Tomorrow you will be six and I can still remember holding you for the first time.  I still see your tiny feet in the palm of my hand.  I remember rocking you in the Varney Street house and singing you songs throughout the night.  I can smell your freshly bathed skin against a terry cloth, footed sleeper.  I can hear your screams of frustration before you had words to express your thoughts and desires.

And look at you today.  5 years, 364 days old.  Completely confident in God’s love for you.  Great with letter and numbers.  Star-gazing and dreaming about the planets and celestial wonders.  A generous and compassionate big brother.  An attentive and discerning son.  Articulating your thoughts with remarkable syntax.  Slugging home runs out of our backyard Fenway Park.  Choosey with your food choices, but knowing exactly what you prefer.  Dancing up a storm and singing from the depths of your long frame.  And what thrills our souls is that you are kind and gentle, yet brave and courageous.

We believe, Mookie, that planet earth is a bit brighter because of your smile and your song.  Slightly sharper because of your mind.  And somewhat richer by your capacity to love God and love people.  Your faith inspires us.  And we love being your Daddy and Mommy.

So bring on the cupcakes and Red Sox opening day.  We can’t wait for year 6.

We love you with our whole hearts,

Daddy and Mommy

additional resources

Here are some books that I recommend for further study regarding this morning’s message:

Delivering Us From Evil by Ravi Zacharias

The Beautiful Fight by Gary Thomas

The Dangerous Act Of Worship:  Living God’s Call to Justice by Mark Labberton

Fight:  Are you Willing To Pick A Fight With Evil? by Kenny Luck

Good New About Injustice by Gary Haugen

skiing on a sunny day

Noah started skiing this winter.  I have to say that Stef and I weren’t really anticipating that he would love it as much as he does.  Noah is our cautious processor.  He looks before he leaps.  He thinks before he speaks.  And he is often suspicious of unfamiliar experiences.  So when he told us that he wanted to try skiing, we said sure, but had a certain sense of uncertainty.  After 5 weeks of lessons, he is hooked!  His lessons ended about a month ago.  But for the past several weeks, Jim Curran has been taking Noah skiing once a week to continue his development.  This has been time that Noah looks forward to each week.  He loves to ski, but he also has developed a sweet friendship with Jim.  So, thanks Jim.  You’re the best.

By the way, the ski mountain is right across the street from us so it is very convenient and has allowed the ski time to be very accessible.  So, look out New Hampshire.  We may have discovered your next Bode Miller (without all the crazy behavior issues)!