Our Lenten Challenge

Oh the time I waste shuffling clutter back and forth, to the garage or basement and back again, etc. One basement flood a year and a half ago consumed several weeks in time and lots of money because the clutter took over down there and wasn't put away as it should have been. Then a minor plumbing accident several months later dumped water on my scrapbooking room and table... another round of clean up and loss.

While purging the house is probably not, in itself, a very spiritual Lenten activity, I've spent a long time thinking about simplifying in many ways to make more "room" for the Lord in our home. Then just before Lent, I read a blog that had the "40 Bags in 40 Days" challenge. It was just what I needed! So we got started this week...

Christmas supplies, keepsake boxes, luggage, etc. are all waiting to see if they make the "cut." :)
(Want to buy a rocking chair? It *won't* survive the cut!)

Books, movies, games, school bins for each kid, and.... JUNK.

After an hour or two of work this afternoon, I already have boxes and boxes of books and curriculum to sell or give away (this is less than half of what I came up with)...


... and this looks to me like it should count as about 4 bags of trash, plus two more of donations we already removed. Ooh, it feels SO good! Just 34 bags to go.

Here's what we are aiming for- more peaceful areas like our prayer area. (Currently, it is purple for Lent- Parker is usually the one in charge of changing the cover to match the liturgical calendar. She does it so lovingly!)

Our kneeler, handmade for me by John's dad. <3I'll post more progress later on during these 40 days. I am excited to see the end result and to enjoy the process of emotionally and physically parting with the "stuff" that clutters my space and steals my time and peace.

God bless,
Kelli

A new year- new paint, new friends and a "new" heart!

Aaaaaahhh, finally! After many years of kid-fingerprinted, dingy white walls, we finally painted the house! We are absolutely thrilled with how much this feels like a HOME now! The kitchen, while pretty, is not really blog-worthy with its new beige tone, but here's part of the living room...

...and the kids' loft. This orange is my favorite <3.

We were so blessed to receive a visit last week from Won Kun and his family!! It was a wonderful evening, but I wish I paid more attention in French class 25 years ago! Won Kun's whole family speaks French as well as Korean. Me, I'm stuck with English only. Bo Yun did lots of translating for her mom though, so it was a really neat visit. We shared Korean soju, Michigan beer, and lots of stories about our shared "son". The visit went so well on Thursday that we got up early Saturday morning for one last hug and to see them off from their hotel. We certainly hope to see them all again in the future!

We found these Korean Michigan shirts in Ann Arbor for Kyung He and Youn Duk!

All of the Park and Sparrow kids together...

Friday night, I took Luke, Mo, and Parker to an ice skating exhibition and brought Morgan's friend, Colette, along for the fun. It was a really neat show... and free! (Dave Ramsey would approve!)

And the best news is that Parker made her first confession! She wrote a little bit about her thoughts on it when it was over: "...I was nervous but Jesus helped me get through it... my heart felt soooo white and clean!..."

Now, we have started a really crazy time and I am trying to enjoy (almost) every minute of it. Jalen started driver's ed, Morgan and Parker both started violin and basketball, Jalen and Luke have much going on with school, play practices, parties, and Life Teen and tonight the boys are attending a pro-life rally for teens- what a great way for them to spend the evening!!

John and I are thankful (even if a little tired from all the driving) for the ways they are each growing in their friendships, faith, education, and as a family. My greatest joy of the week happened last night when I had a raging headache. I was nursing my head downstairs, while listening to all of the kids and their dad in the loft. They were playing board games together and it was such a joy to hear ALL of them enjoying their time together, even if the screaming did hurt my head even a little more!

I have internet friends who were recently discussing their "word" for the year... some I remember are "simplicity", "choosing joy", and "faith". I can't pick one. I'm stealing all three of those to work on and the first two weeks of 2010 have been a pretty great start. :)

God bless,

Kelli

Praise God from whom all blessings flow

Too much was happening before Christmas to spend any time blogging! Now that the frenzy is over, here are a few highlights...

Parker (peeking at me instead of paying attention to Mrs. Fifelski!) and Morgan both sang for Jesus at the Christmas Eve mass. We were thankful to have John's mom join us in the celebration.

Twenty-three Christmases together and so much to be thankful for...

... including these four young blessings, who all cleaned up pretty well! :) (if we could just get them to all smile nicely at the SAME time now!)

After mass, my mom and her hubby, JOHN, and my sister and her boyfriend, JOHN, joined me and JOHN and the kids for a wonderful evening. Seriously, Cait, did ya have to pick a JOHN?????

Christmas morning came way too early after only 4 hours of sleep. Parker's joy over these requested "dangly" earrings was so sweet and Morgan surprised her daddy by hugging several pieces of clothing and even a hair dryer! Daddy just didn't think Mo would really like the gifts I wanted to buy because they seemed too *practical* to him. He didn't realize that doing all of her shopping at Justice (the girly store) was *exactly* what she wanted!

We spent the afternoon at John's sister's home. I had so much fun playing with the kiddos and the camera, just enjoying goofing off with them. Natalie's son, Noah, is in the process of biting Jalen's leg in this photo, making me laugh (mean mom) while he yelps, "Hey!"

More silliness with the kids :-)

Morgan loving on her sis at my aunt's house <3

... the hands-down absolute highlight of Christmas day was a phone call from Brazil! We each got a turn to talk to Lena and to share some laughs and some love... and for me as usual, a few tears. She was accepted to several colleges and will start in February, pursuing her dream of being a lawyer. We are so proud of her!

Over Christmas Eve and Day, Immo and Dae Sick each called and I chatted with Won Kun via facebook (he will visit with his family in 2 weeks- is that enough time to learn Korean?!). I can't get over how much joy these students brought to us last year, and how much they continue to do so with their messages, phone calls, and visits. Why do they have to live on three different continents?????

Now for a fun week of home projects before the start of a new decade and oodles of schoolwork!

Merry CHRISTmas!!

Kelli

Explorers and the 2009 Christmas Extravaganza

Miss Polk's "Intro to Worship Dance" class- Parker wowed us with her performance after years of being afraid to get on stage. Yay, Parker!! Here is a video of her awesome dance... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-_893s_Sww


This is Morgan's 2nd year in worship dance. It is always a joy to watch her and her friends! This particular dance was a little more upbeat and fun and drew lots of applause :-) Check it out!....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cURfE2b2ly4&feature=channel



Year three of theatrical combat training (a useful life skill, right?!)... Luke added some humor to his performance, fighting with Rachel over a candy cane. :-) (video link is below after Jalen's photo)

Also in his third year with Maestro Barbeau, Jalen has gotten very quick! I don't fight him anymore... I have video of him injuring me last summer and he is way too strong and too fast for me now! Here are both boys (in the 2nd and 3rd fights)...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDRdcwpQFws&feature=channel

Just this morning, I was asked where my kids went to school and upon hearing they are homeschooled the lady worried aloud that they may be too shy when they grow up.... Wait, I can't stop laughing!

It always seems to make it all better when people hear the kids are in a co-op (to get their apparently much-needed "socialization"). Explorers only meets 24 days per YEAR :-). The videos above represent the work done in just 12 one-hour classes. OK, except the advance stage combat... they met for two extra sessions since you better get it *right* when wielding swords!!

While the bulk of our schooling and "socialization" still happen in the home and out in real life, Explorers does serve several wonderful purposes for us... classes I can't or don't desire to teach, quality friendships for our kids and our family, and a day out once in a while so we don't stay in our jammies all day for school. :-) Just for fun, here's what the kiddos are signed up for next semester...

Jalen, grade 11:

Graphic Novel Academy (comic book story creation and illustration)

World Literature (just for FUN... he doesn't need more lit. credits but loves the class!)

Chemistry and Chem. lab

Drama- the Sound of Music, performing at U of M's Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre in May

Advanced Theatrical Combat

Luke, grade 8:

Graphic Novel Academy

Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens

Photography

Drama- Sound of Music

Advanced Theatrical Combat

Yearbook (his mom's class!)

Morgan, grade 5:

Fiber Arts

Mapping the World by Heart

Physics for Fun

Cool Crafts

Parker, grade 2:

Intro to Worship Dance

Around the World (geography)

Wonderfully Made (human body)

Gym

Fun and Games

Cooking

Explorers has been a part of our lives for over 13 years and what a blessing it has been. For the first time, I am co-teaching middle and high schoolers in a yearbook class- teens are such a joy to work with! With Parker in 2nd grade now, I am looking forward to another 10 years or so of Explorers fun!

What?! It's been *months* already?

I really do have great intentions when it comes to writing this blog. It's just that life keeps getting in the way and I've never really been able to make it a habit. And then too much time goes by, and I can't figure out how to blog about *dozens* of fun and blog-worthy events! So this time, I'm going to get started again by just including a favorite recent photo of each of my kiddos with a little of what's up in their lives.

Jalen turned 16 in October. Unbelievable. Then he got his first job and *they* taught him how to drive. Unbelievable. Then I find myself turning to my young man for advice occasionally because in some ways he is way beyond me in matters of faith and maturity (in SOME ways!). Unbelievable. WHERE has my little baby gone???
Jalen is enjoying his teen years in ways I vaguely prayed for, but never realized just how much God would honor those prayers! He has an amazing group of fun, faith-filled friends with really neat interests and personalities. His own interests in art, writing (books and poetry), and swords are NOT what I expected when I imagined him growing older, but how fun it is to learn from him!



Luke... is about to turn 14 next week!! I chose the photo above because we had just left a Tim Hawkins concert, where Luke had Tim sign his hat. Tim Hawkins is an awesome comedian and Luke reminds me of him often.... he keeps me laughing! I also chose it because of the HAT... it is almost as famous as Tim!! Luke wears it all the time, except in Mass and around my grandmother. :-)
Luke's love for art is a beautiful thing, but often gets him in trouble when his teacher (yes, me!) finds art on his schoolwork, his arms, and the shower walls!! His style is unique and often humorous. This semester he took four hours of art classes each week and will most likely complete his last few years of high school at a charter school that will allow him to pursue college art classes free (my favorite kind of classes!).
Like Jalen, Luke is also blessed with a solid faith and set of great friends. We are so happy to drive the guys around extensively to prayer meetings and parties, knowing these busy social lives build them up into incredible men of God. The accountability they provide for each other is *vastly* different from how I grew up with my friends!



Morgan is 10 years old and wants to live inside "Justice" (the girly clothing store). She is probably "typical" in the sense that she loves to sing and dance, do her hair and mother those around her. But of course, she is super-special and unique to her parents! She is sensitive and loving, dramatic and helpful. She took a leap forward in maturity recently when she realized on her own that a class that was difficult for her was worth continuing and that she was ready to put forth more effort to achieve her goals. Yay! I was so proud of her for seeing value in pushing through difficult tasks! (Again, *I* need to learn from my kids... definitely great teachers.)

Oh, my! When did the baby of the family grow to be this beautiful little girl?! Parker is seven and was just in her first worship dance performance this weekend. This was a HUGE step for her as she used to be SO afraid of people watching her. She did great and made her mommy cry!

Parker is Daddy's little girl... Daddy's little pirate, Daddy's little football buddy, and Daddy's little princess. When we went to Disney last year, it didn't occur to us that she didn't really know anything about the parks (Jalen had been there at least 4 times by that age!). She was that perfect age to be in complete awe of everything. She wore a princess costume every day and melted our hearts with her wonder.

So, there's a start. I do hope to keep up the blogging on a regular basis. Not because I think anyone else is terribly interested in the minute details of our lives, but it's good for *me* to focus on what's going right instead of how behind I am on getting the basement cleaned and laundry done. It's definitely a good exercise for me. :-)

God's peace and blessings to you during this season of Advent!

Kelli

Goodbyes :-(

The start of a week of goodbyes... Dae Sick was the first to go home, 6-7 days before the other five. We had him over for his final dinner in America and he chose tacos. He was so funny the first time he had tacos here. He put so many ingredients in that it didn't come close to rolling up!

After dinner, we all went in the backyard to play ball, take photos, and just hang out one last time. You are missed, Dae Sick! I am so thankful that you have been active on Facebook and calling us. <3

Won Kun's and Lena's last day here, Lena went to Mass with us as always. She never missed and it was a blessing to be able to share a common faith and learn about Catholic traditions in Brazil.


Lena had to work so hard to get her belongings home! Three big suitcases with 70 lbs. each (the generous Brazilian limit, thank God!)- one was even a little over but they let her get away with it. All the guys just left a lot of things behind, but Lena was determined to take most everything.




Won Kun and Parker say goodbye. Parker handled it the best of all of us. She kept reminding us, "Don't be sad that it's over, be happy that it happened." She did shed a few tears in the airport and she loves the kids dearly, but she doesn't seem to have the same gift of tears that most of the family does! (Good for her!)

I took Won Kun and Immo to the airport and friends tagged along for another round of goodbyes. Such wonderful friendships were formed over the year. We are thankful that we got to know so many great kids!

Wow, 10 whole months have flown by! It was such a pleasure to learn new things and grow together. WLHS football sure won't be the same without you, Won Kun. Neither is our house- we miss hearing the video games, the sports, and the alarm clock (NOT!).

Jalen decided to say goodbye to Won Kun and Lena the night before so he could sleep in and not participate in the cry-fest at the airport. I took one trip to the airport at 5am, then a second trip around 11am...

Lena was only with us for 5 months, but she became one of the family very quickly. It was a difficult time at the airport, but I wouldn't change a thing. That much emotion only goes to show how much love she brought to our home.

To the six "rock stars" of Whitmore Lake... Thanks for all that you brought to our lives this year. We will miss you, but are so thankful that we got to know you so well and that you've *all* made the effort of emailing, calling, chatting on facebook, etc. We can't wait to see where life takes you.

Now, YFU has 5 students left in our area who still need homes. Trying hard to "Just say no!" and take a break this year. Anyone want to try hosting? ... boys from Finland, Japan, and China, and girls from Brazil and Germany are waiting for you!!!

God bless,
Kelli, for the whole family

A Brief Family Vacation

We went camping two weekends ago near the Silver Lake sand dunes. This was the last chance to get the whole family together before our exchange kids go home. We banned electronics, which was hysterical because, while Won Kun and Lena are always texting, it was ME who discovered that I could take Won Kun's ipod to the camp store to check my email!! I had to allow a little texting to bribe him to let me use it. :-)

Kids goofing off with Mom's camera...

Pool time for two bathing beauties...

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that newly-toothless smile!!

Lena's never played putt-putt golf before! Here they are, getting psyched up for the intense competition...

The Dunes- a favorite destination for the Sparrow family.

My boys crossed the dunes with a water bottle and a pirate flag. The received much attention for doing this! It's a long trip across the dunes and then down the shore of Lake Michigan to the lighthouse. Lots of people stopped to take photos and video... wonder what they'd think if they knew our last name is SPARROW!?! My guys definately have a little "Captain Jack" in them!

Family photo at our favorite lighthouse...

Won Kun and Lena, just after she smacked him upside the head like a true big sister!

Stiff competition for the "Exchange Student Cup"... John wins it, but only because Won Kun had technical difficulties with his go-kart and Lena DIDN'T KNOW SHE WAS ALLOWED TO PASS!!!

Won Kun, Lena... we will miss you and will forever cherish the memories and the photos of our year together! Love, Mom