Journey to the Center of the Earth

Last night we took the boys to the movies. I really was not keen on this movie as it looked like a total boy flick. I was pleasantly surprised.

"The Journey to the Center of the Earth" was great. It isn't just a kid movie. It was a bit scary (for me) in places but not for the boys... so I may just be a big chicken.

Anyways a definite one to watch!

Brotherly Love

I have watched my mother's relationship with her siblings over the years. Despite the fact that they are in their 70s, they still act the same... sibling rivalry. They love each other, fight with each other and then it starts over again.

Spending the week with my brother, Kumar, made me wonder will our relationship ever change? We never really fight. Maybe we are too alike. Maybe we respect our differences. We have never lived in the same town since I left for university. We are also 5 years apart. Maybe all this plays a role.

I love my brother. I enjoy spending time with him. Seeing him as an adult in his different role...husband, father, pastor, is weird at times.

Yet he has turned into a good man despite the odds. I am thankful for his presence in my life.

As I watch my sons interact with each other as brothers, it makes me pray that they will all know that pleasure of friendship with each other.

I pray that they learn to accept the differences in each as well as embrace their similarities. I hope that they will cherish the specialness that can be between brothers.

I do not know a lot of brother to brother relationships that are close and call each other friends. I am sure they are out there and it can happen.

Siblings can be such a special gift. They are the people that can say they have known you all your life... the good, bad and ugly. It isn't a obligation to like your sibling... sometimes loving them can be even harder.

I am forever encouraging the boys to "love each other" "be kind to each other" "treat your brothers as you would your friend..."
Yet I realize that some people and personalities click while others just can't pretend to like each other.

I am blessed with a brother, that despite his crazy eccentric self is family that I LIKE and LOVE.

W.W.J.D?

I have been thinking of how my children learn to love God. For the most part, it seems that as little ones they learn the story of Christ and simply believe and love Him without questions. As they grow older, I look for different ways to foster their relationship.

I am with my children pretty much most of the time. Especially over the summer months, we spend 24/7 together with the exception of when they are on the golf course etc. I found myself wondering if my children see Jesus in me? I am the one person that is a constant. Do they see Jesus through my actions, how I love them, how I treat others?

I am sure that 75% of the time it is a safe yes. But what about the other 25% of the time?

I left Zach and Josh literally banging on pots and pans in the kitchen. They are playing drums (despite the fact that there are real drums in the house)! Now they have followed me ... BANGING THE LIDS!!! Hum... WWJD? (What Would Jesus DO?")

I need to work on that. I need to really show the love of Jesus to my children consistently through my actions.

Sun Tanning

I know I will get reported if I put the picture up... so I won't. But Zachary and Josh had just taken a bath. I was helping Josh dry off.

I looked up to see Zach spread out his towel on the carpet and was laying down, naked, on his belly. "What are you doing???" I asked him. "I am getting a tan!" was his reply.

More Pictures...

Water Fun

I am not a water person. I wish I could just dive into a body of water and enjoy the experience.

Nope. I have always had issues with wearing a swimsuit. (Can we not come up with better swimming wear?) I hate cold water... tip toeing into the water... to cool down. I really hate the feel of chlorine in my hair and need a shower right away. I hate the whole bit of changing after... with the little ones needing help too.

Issues... my biggest issue is not seeing the bottom of a body of water. Shallow swimming pool water I can handle... that is about it.

While in Maryland, it was 100 degrees plus with humidity. YUCK... also I was there with the 6 boys... so I got in the water. Yes I do LOVE my boys! The boys were shocked... "Mommy, you are coming in???"

For our anniversary, Sanj gave me a underwater camera. The boys have had a great time learning to capture that perfect underwater picture. Something that is not that easy to do!

Are We There YET?

A half a dozen duffle bags, a few sleeping bags and pillows, iPODS, gameboys, movies to last many hours, 6 kids and a mom slamming the doors to the 12 passenger van full of very expensive gas all equals a ROAD TRIP! The boys and I headed to Maryland to visit the cousins in our neighbouring nation.

With only packing head of us for the next weeks, I figured that boys and I would take a mini trip before the madness began. Two new cousins to meet, many more to play with and lots of uncles and aunts to kiss, and Grandma's food awaiting... Maryland seemed to be the obvious destination.

We left early Saturday morning...counted the hours down and finally reached with most of our sanity. The boys were exceptional great. They were actually quiet most of the trip. I kept looking back to make sure they were all there!

We left Sanj home to keeping bringing in the cash so we could spend it! :) We also left him to enjoy some quiet time and reflect on bachelorhood a bit.

We met and thoroughly enjoyed Baby Wilo (my brother's 3 child). The boys enjoyed holding her and remembering the days of babyhood ruling our household. We celebrated Jaelin's 5th birthday... many times. Eli had a house full of boys to romp around with. I think all the kids had fun hanging out though I think the cousins were worried about the boys eating them out of house and home!

The days were full of different activities... and seeking ways to survive the crazy 100+ degrees weather! YUK! The boys enjoyed the pool times a lot. We had lots of good food, Grandma's truck load of food, Aunt Reg's famous lasagna and yummy French toast. We had Crispy Creme donuts... and lots of cake.... birthday cake!

We ended the trip abit short after being totally tucked out! The last day was spent with Sanj's cousins, their husbands and all their little ones at the pool. We had a great time.

Then before we knew it... the 12 hours back to HOME!