Category Archives: Isabelle

Setting Up and Stepping Back

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What happens when we set up a moment and step back and watch…

We took the girls on a walk around Notre Dame last Friday night. It was not a game weekend, so it was eerily quiet on campus, the moon was shining, the breeze was cool and everything just seemed right in the air.

I don’t think any of the girls have ever been in the Sacred Heart Basilica before. The doors were open, so we walked in. A bride and groom were just gathering in the back for a wedding rehearsal  –the wedding coordinator gave us a stern look over her glasses, but no one stopped us so we went in and grabbed a pew.

As parents, we have learned that we can’t always control what our kids retain when we try to teach them, but we have also learned that part of our responsibility as parents is setting up moments as best we can in order to help our kids receive a “moment.” After the “set up” we know our job is also to “step back” and watch as they learn something on their own.

We hope and pray that our girls will get a glimpse of holiness, of Jesus, of their Heavenly Father…and sometimes everything just snaps into place and there He is in all his glory, revealing himself to our children in a way only He could.

Friday night was one of those nights. Our girls were enraptured by the sense of wonder and holiness that comes by standing in front of a place like the Grotto at Notre Dame, seeing all those candles lit, representing prayers lifted to Heaven.

Isabelle is just eight years old, but she had a very special moment with Jesus I thought I’d share with you.

At her school, one of the rewards for especially good behavior is a purple “Live Strong” bracelet.  She was able to get two of these in the first few weeks of school, which is a pretty big deal when you’re in second grade.  She was devistated when she lost one on Thursday. She came home crying and crying, so very sad that it was gone.  She is a very tender hearted kid, and it’s hard to console her when something is just “gone” and can’t be replaced.

On Friday when we walked past the “Touchdown Jesus” muriel on the Notre Dame campus, Belle said that she “felt God move around in her heart in a special way”. Then, when we walked in the Sacred Heart Basicilla, she wanted to go over by herself on a pew to pray. She came back over to us with teary eyes, just pouring her heart out to Jesus, in awe of the beauty of that place.

When we walked over to the Grotto, she said that she wanted  a few minutes to pray. She knelt down, closed her eyes, and when she opened her eyes,  A PURPLE BRACELET WAS ON THE FENCE POST RIGHT IN FRONT OF HER!  She could not believe it. The bracelet was almost identical to the one she had lost. She wasn’t ecstatic or anything, just happy. “Look at what God gave to me”, she said with such simple child-like faith.

There was no doubt in her mind God put that bracelet there, just for her.

Moms and Dads can set up moments to teach their kids about the holiness of God, but when we step back, we stand amazed at what God does to teach our children about Himself.

I am in awe. And more in love with my Heavenly Father than ever.

Joy

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Joy comes in all shapes and sizes. I am constantly reminded of this as each girl in our family contributes joy and happiness in their own unique way.  I am so very grateful for their specialness and the way they shine the love and light of God by just being who they are.  I’m so blessed.  So very thankful.

 

Three Words

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Three words.  Thank You God.  I found this in Belle’s diary today. I can not tell you what it did for my heart as a mom to see those words.  It made me think something we are saying or doing is the right thing…causing my daughter to understand we have so much to be thankful for.

Never give up parents.  Never give up. The words you say to your kids, (or those you influence if you don’t have any) matter.

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. ~Galatians 6:9

Cuteness Overflow

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So, where’ve I been? Why haven’t I been blogging a few times a week lately?  Well, I’ve been just a little bit busy.  Miss Isabelle had her tonsils and aednoids taken out last week and has been recovering at home.  She’s doing a bit better every day, but it has been a long healing process for her.

On top of caring for Belle and our regular family routines, I have had the awesome opportunity to babysit for sweet little Ava. She’s an adorable little friend that I get to babysit 3 days a week.  Belle adores her, and so does Ellie, our dog.  Ava enjoys all the attention and she has been so much fun for all of us.

Needless to say, I’ve been busy. It’s been great fun having a little baby around. I think Belle will most likely get to go back to school the beginning of next week and I’ll lose my little helper. She makes baby Ava smile, giggle and do the funniest belly laughs.

As for Ellie, she loves to snuggle up next to Ava and bring her all kinds of toys. She wants to be right next to her every second, and growls at me if Ava cries.

So yep, it’s been busy, but great. Our house is overflowing with cuteness.  Every day is a blessing and I’m loving life more than ever.

State of the Student Report

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 Parent teacher conferences were this week.  Maddie and Whit were so impressive with their Yale and Harvard sweatshirts. They have high aspirations…can’t blame them! Whitney is in advanced honors math, which is so far beyond me that I really can’t help her all that much.  They practice logic on levels that I am afraid would take me hours to unravel. . With her outgoing, bubbly personality, strong wit, sense of humor, etc, one would never guess that she is such a math and logic whiz. Grades are super important to her. She is doing phenomenally well her 1st semester of middle school.

Maddie is an extremely strong student across the board. She is getting all A’s at this point, and secretly loves learning. She is a very strong leader according to her teachers. One after the other talked about how she helps others and they depend on her to help interpret into tween language what the teacher just said.

The general consensus on both Maddie and Whit was: They are strong leaders, have strong opinions, are helpful and kind, and hard workers.  I am so proud of them.

We had Belle’s conference this week too.  Her teacher said that she is the most helpful student in class.  She always helps the kids who have special needs. She LOVES them, protects them, and loves to look out for them.  She is doing an amazing job at reading, and her strong suit is math.  She loves numbers. Belle is also quite an artist. I joke with her all the time that I will write books and she can illustrate them. I honestly can see that happening some day in the future.

One common theme between all three girls is their strong verbal skills.  Apparently they have the gift of gab, which they are learning to use in moderation.

I am so thankful for the school district we live in, the schools our girls attend, and the teachers that they have. We are so blessed, and it is so neat for us as parents to sit back and watch them thrive in these environments.  Rob and I are saving our pennies for those ivy league schools…and praying for scholarships.

Catching Up With The Wegner Kids

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We are wrapping up our summer, the girls really are ready to head back to school.  I feel as if this summer was about three weeks too long, as the girls are “bored” with the regular summer fun stuff. They miss their friends, the routine of school, and their minds are sharp and eager to learn all the new stuff their teachers have for them this year.  Well, their little minds may be a little dulled by hours of meaningless television and iPod games, but I am sure they will be whipped back into shape in no time.

Miss Maddie will be a teenager in a few weeks, although it is no surprise since we always joke that she was born a teenager.  She has a keen fashion sense, an eye for beauty, but most importantly, she has a very tender heart and loves Jesus and the world around her.  Maddie went to middle school camp this summer and the Chicago mission trip with GSM, the youth ministry of our church. She was marked by both–each experience really making a difference in her life. I am excited for her as she starts her 7th grade year.

Whitney is starting middle school in two days.  She’s excited and nervous as most middle schoolers are when they are not quite sure what to expect.  Whitney is a fiery, passionate, full-of-life kid that brings laughter and happiness wherever she goes.  She is a true friend to whomever crosses her path, no matter their social standing.  Whit told us yesterday that she either wants to be a judge or a marine biologist.  Funny thing is that I can completely see her going in either direction.  She loves the outdoors and any kind of adventure, but has a strong sense of justice that influences the way she thinks and acts.  I know she will be an amazing young woman whatever she chooses to do.

Miss Isabelle is starting first grade this year.  She made leaps and bounds her Kindergarten year, and got amazing results on her test scores at the end of the school year.  She is fiercely determined to keep up with her big sisters, is witty, intelligent, full of joy and laughter all of the time.  Her sense of humor and spirit of joy and creativity keep our house buzzing with life and activity at all hours of the day (and night).  She has more energy than anyone in our household.  If we could somehow bottle that energy for sale, we’d be millionaires.  :)  She is also excited and nervous about the school year.  One of her best friends, Miah is in the same class as her this year, and she can hardly contain her excitement.  She already said she knows they will talk a lot and get in trouble.  I am sure their teacher will have her hands full!

Thanks for checking in on us.  I hope you had a great summer and are looking forward to a glorious fall.  I already see the leaves changing at the tops of the trees and can hardly believe summer is almost over.

Video Funnies

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We are home from our week of vacation in Branson, Missouri. I am so grateful to God for the time we had as a family there.  It takes a lot of moments together as a family together to get a few memories that will be golden for all of us in the future.

Our girls are to the age now where they are really funny.  They love creating stuff and making up little videos and songs that keep us laughing. My family is truly made up of the best and most fun people around.

Here are two of the fabulous videos they made on vacation.  Enjoy!


Through Their Eyes

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One of the biggest lessons I have learned as a parent is to try to see the world through their eyes.  Perspective is everything.  It’s all about looking around when you’re down on the ground, looking up when there’s a storm, and finding the gold at the end of the rainbow.

Sometimes I think my kids teach me more than I try to teach them.

While They’re Gone At Camp…

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We dropped Maddie and Whit off at Springhill camp in Evart, Michigan yesterday. They are both so excited.  They both literally grew up at Camp Adventure, as Rob and I lead camp with the GCC team in various ways over the years.  Last year was Maddie’s first year of camp, and this year is Whitney’s first year.  I’m super happy for them, and praying for them every time I think about them.

While they are gone, Belle and I have lots and lots of time together alone. I told her to make a list of all the things she’d like to do.  Here’s her list:

1. Go to Chmeig Chles (go to Charming Charlies)

2.  Go to Diseland (Go to Disneyland)

3.  Go to the mol (go to the mall)

4.  Go to a wadr prc (go to a water park)

5.  Go Boleg (go bowling)

6.  Go to the prc (go to the park)

7.  Have a prte (have a party)

8.  Have fun

9. Play in my fout (play in my fort)

As you can see, it’s going to be a busy week!  I’m looking forward to hanging out with Belle. She knows how to have fun.