11 Years Old!

Guess who has officially graduated from the "blue chair" phase of life...

 

11 years old!

 

For nostalgia's sake...

 

10 years old

 9 years old

8 years old

 7 years old

 6 years old

5 years old

4 years old

3 years old

2 years old

18 months

One year old

11 months

10 months

9 months

 
8 months

7 months

6 months

5 months old

4 months old

3 months old

2 months old

1 month old

2 weeks old

Dear Victor,

Someone asked me yesterday how it was having an 11-year-old. It's great! The Lord has been doing a great work in your life, and I am so thankful for the kind, hard-working, gentle, and thoughtful young man you are growing to be.

You completed your first full trek through the Bible last year, and you continue to share encouraging thoughts from your personal time in the Word. We are working on memorizing Ephesians as a family, and you definitely have the strongest aptitude for capturing those words and rehearsing them by memory. What a treasure trove to be storing up!

You are very independent in most of your schoolwork now, although I still work on language essentials with you (and it is a true joy to diagram sentences and discuss grammar together). I also get to teach your class in writing at our homeschool co-op. May the Lord give you truly wise, articulate, and persuasive communication of truth throughout your life. I love hearing your enthusiastic review of what you've read in history or tidbits you discovered in science.

In the last year, I have observed you growing in maturity, discernment, and sensitivity. You continue to be a very strong extrovert and enjoy all the opportunities to gather with friends and family, but you also have had many opportunities to accept unexpected changes in plan, lost opportunities, and disappointments with patience and humility. Although I would never choose the sickness and sadness, the Lord is manifesting His Spirit in you through these mild sufferings, and I'm so thankful for that.

You are an enthusiastic, creative, and kind friend, and I continue to be so grateful for the host of good friends God has brought to us. May He help you be like iron sharpening iron in those relationships and help you spur one another on toward Christ.

You are an able and even-keeled big brother, and when you have the responsibility of caring for your younger brothers and sister, you often manifest a peacemaker spirit and gentle attitude. Your little sister has a knack for interrupting your play, messing up your things, and generally making her presence forcefully known, but you patiently love her and bear with her nevertheless. It is such a joy to see how attentive, gentle, and thoughtful you are toward our sweet and troublemaking Miss Jem.

I am regularly served by you as you empty the dishwasher, clean the bathroom, and often prepare breakfast without being asked. As Jesus said, whoever wants to be great in God's kingdom should learn to be the servant of all, and I am so thankful for patterns of serving that you are cheerfully demonstrating.

You have so many interests, from playing the piano (you began lessons this year!) to building snowforts, from playing the football (a favorite at homeschool co-op) to reading, from logging vehicles that pass our house (a new hobby) to whittling. The Lord has created an amazing and huge world, and I love to see you explore it more and more.

One of the verses that jumped out to me during my quiet time recently was Matthew 28:18

All authority on heaven and on earth has been given to Me.

What a rock solid truth that is. Are we disappointed in something? Is it hard to wait for God to provide an answer to prayer? Does it seem impossible for hard circumstances to work out for good? 

Don't be fooled. Christ is in absolute control, and He wisely governs all things. One day we will see how His plan was best. May that be your life-long confidence and hope, as you seek to trust and obey Christ in all of life.

I love you so much!

Momma

Victor (1.24.23) 11 years old

What book have you enjoyed reading recently and why?

The Green Ember, because it’s exciting

What is a favorite memory from the last year?

Going to Adventureland with cousins and Grammy and Grandad

What have you been reading in the Bible lately?

Luke, when Jesus is transfigured. In that whole section it made the point that Jesus was going to die on the cross for our sins.

What is something you did for the first time last year?

Started piano lessons.

Is there something you hope to do in the next year?

Go on a road trip.

18 Months Old!

18 months old!

 

1 year old

 

11 months old

10 months old

 

9 months old

8 months old

 

7 months old

 

6 months old

 

5 months old

 

4 months old

 

3 months old

 

2 months old

 

1 month old

1

 

2 weeks old

Dear Jemima, 

Well, it's been a while, but you're 1 1/2 now! These days are a whirlwind of adventure, and you are right in the midst of the happy hubbub. Thus, I bring this update 6 weeks late. :)

What you've been up to these days:

- On the Move:  you started walking at 15 months. Since then, you walk, run, climb, and basically get into the action wherever it may be.

- Heights to Scale: you can pretty much reach any surface in the house, including kitchen counters, table, piano bench, arms of couches, etc. 

- Happy to Help Yourself: if there's something you want/need, you're quite an independent child. 

Examples:

One Saturday morning, I was scurrying around getting ready to haul out of the house en route to visit friends. I glance over to see that you happily had climbed up on the bench by our kitchen table, located the three leftover pancakes from breakfast, carefully spread them out on the tablecloth, and were glug-glug-glugging the maple syrup on top very intently.

Last week, during a visit from Grammy and Grandad, we were all chatting and hanging out in the living room, but you had wandered off to play in the other room. My mom (astutely) asked me, "Do you ever worry when you don't see Jemima for a while?" Right on cue, you sauntered in from the other room, looking very pleased, cookie in hand. (But really, you had a very clear conscience, since you didn't take it away to scarf secretly in a corner...)

- Chatty Lady: you understand so much and give your own commentary on much that is going on. 

Your words:

• Ootie: smoothie
• De-ter: Victor
• Daddee: Daddy
• Detza: pizza (i.e. any food she likes that is not smoothie)
• Teve: Mr. Steve
• Iah: Josiah
• Ni-ni: good night
• Nana: banana
• Dom: down
• I-yu I love you
• De-de: blanket
• Beep: any buttons that make noises
• Baba: water bottle
• De du: thank you
• E-us: Jesus
  

When your brothers were talking about our friend Mr. Steve one morning, you were peering out the window, trying to find Mr. Steve (who often helps out with yardwork). You were extremely disappointed not to see him... https://youtube.com/shorts/Ob9Hgs1Fq1U?feature=share

Favorite food: banana smoothie, pizza, cookies, donuts, grapes, pear, cucumber, peas, and so forth
Favorite activity: reading books
Favorite attire: special shoes (something the boys were never into...)
Favorite animal: puppies (at a safe distance)

- You love to help me empty the dishwasher. You are actually starting to be rather helpful, putting bowls and spoons on the table for breakfast.

Celebrating this Advent season with you has been sweet. Perhaps the most magical thing for you are the colorful twinkle lights decorating our home. And I can think of few other symbols as fitting for the season. 

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. Isaiah 9:2

It is certainly evident that our world is plunged into deep darkness: pain, sorrow, bondage, loss, sin, and brokenness mark every level of life. And we deserve no better. We have embraced rebellion against our Maker and King, and we really should be left to reap what we have sown.

But God. As we have been learning in Ephesians 2, God did not abandon us to our own hopeless condition but in fathomless grace sent His own Son into the darkness to bring the light of life. What a gift. What a hope. What a great love.

I hope that our festivities (however chaotic and unpolished they may be) point to the joy that was born when Christ entered our world as a child, to live a perfect life, to give His life as a payment for our sin, to rise again demonstrating His utter triumph over sin and death. May our joy and hope reflect the greatness of His grace.

Merry Christmas, sweet Jemma! 

We love you so,

Momma

Almost-Back-to-School Things (and Katterson Kitchen)

 The days are drawing near.

Trying to own up to exactly how many snacks will be required for the weeks ahead

 

Squeezing in some Momma dates this week

 

Meal mixes = dinner sanity

 

A couple years back, the Holiday Craft Boutique birthed a new mini-venture here, called Katterson Kitchen.  

 

In honor of back-to-school chaos, I'm putting together some Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala meal mixes. (Family favorite!)

If you're interested in hearing more, let me know with this brief form.

Victor's Challenges 6-8

 

Week 6 (July 17): Learn how to change oil in a car. 

Verse to memorize: For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 1 Thessalonians 2:9

Components:

• Buy the oil and filter(s) that you need.

• Schedule a time to change oil with Dad.

• Gather the needed tools.

• Change the oil

Bonus: Employment opportunity (see next challenge)

  Week 7 (July 24): Work a (small) business. Postponed due to sickness...

(Ideas: Oil changes, yard mowing, dog walking, baked goods sales, weeding, etc)

Verse to memorize: Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Ephesian 4:28

Components:

• Write an email describing your service; set a business goal.

• Choose people to tell about your business. Persevere until you have reached your business goal.

• Buy the needed supplies.

• Provide your service.

Bonus: Make a plan for your income (save, spend, give).

 

Week 8 (July 31): Host a party. 

Verse to memorize: Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Psalm 34:8

Components:

• Choose the time, location (park), and guests to invite.

• Plan activities and food.

• Invite guests and keep track of RSVPs.

• Collect food and other supplies to bring.

• Help clean up.

Bonus: Fun with friends!

My Favorites

A dump of some of my most favorite moments, quotes, and quips from some of my most favorite people...

Josiah: One of the most common ways that I travel is on all fours.

We have 2 paper hole punches. One is new and cuts through the paper smoothly; one is old and tough. Josiah's commentary: …because it’s older and it knows what’s coming and umph (resists)

The boys, eating beef jerky:

I am a tiger eating a cow.

This feeds my loud side.

I feel stronger now, Mom!

Calvin, routinely: Thanks, mom *love*
Chatty: so descriptive, detailed
Water towers: giant marshmallows, rockets
Help making lunch, washing dishes, cleaning bathrooms
Occasional naps
Bible lessons, good insights
Apologies for fussing
Potty success
Dear Father, thank You for this beautiful day and thank You…

Jemima's words: 

ba, ba, ba (drum)
Ha! (Hi)
Mamama
Dadada
Baby!
Bap (= dog)

 
Jemima's hobbies: Rummage in onion and potato bin, chew on potatoes, eat thin onion papers, and puke

Calvin: mom I’m hungry
Mom: Yes I’m making supper
Calvin: Not that kind of hungry.

Elliot: I for surely know…

Calvin: Mom, right here on my lip hurts.
Mom: I’m sorry, why do you think it hurts?
Calvin: Maybe from driving.

Eating ice cream sandwich, Calvin: Mom, my fingers are muddy

Victor: Which season do you like better, summer or winter?
Calvin: Summer, because it’s more not snowy than winter

Shoe sizes:

Calvin: child 10
Elliot: child 13
Josiah: youth 3/4
Victor: men's 8

One day I was having Josiah put sugar snap peas on each plate for lunch. I told him to put 4 on each plate. After doing so, he discovered there were still a few sugar snap peas left in the bag. He (reasonably) presumed I was trying to use up all the peas.
Josiah: Mom, you were wrong. That’s the first time!

New habit: Josiah heading outside before everyone is up to read his Bible outside

Josiah: My outer body is ready for a soak

Calvin: What color do you think the skin will be?
Mom: What skin?
Calvin: The skin under my scab
Mom: Well, it will probably be fresh new skin that’s the same color as your other skin
Calvin: I think it will be black.

Josiah: My favorite flavor of ice cream is strawberry. Smooth, without any fruits or vegetables in it.

Calvin: Another day, when Jemima grows up, she’s going to be a toddler.

7/28/22 Victor finished reading whole Bible

 

 Jemima, after finding a donut Ben had given me (note crumbs on face).
She was a Very Happy Girl.