The Land of Mouse

We are fresh from a world of make believe and fairytales. A place where no matter your usual temperament, your set of troubles, your lack, you feel for a brief moment that maybe sometimes dreams really do come true. Aside from the usual crankiness over missed naps or long car rides or quick meals, we had an excellent time. Natalie explored and questioned to her heart's content, sharing interesting family anecdotes with just about every person we chanced to meet. Adam adored the shuttle bus rides to and from the parks. As soon as we were settled in our seat he would wrap his arm around mine and lean against me with such a look of contentment on his face.

Natalie scribbled special messages to Mickey and Minnie and Tim had the important job of escorting her into each of their "homes" and helping her to find a special place to leave the message. They both were in awe of Cinderella and the prince as they danced in front of the castle and couldn't believe the wonder of the fireworks and light parades. Adam developed a serious crush on Minnie Mouse and was reluctant to leave her side whenever pictures were finished.

Tim and I even found ourselves getting a little choked up as we watched our little ones scamper about, open mouthed with awe to the appropriate background music, A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes.

We stayed at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge which was amazing. How often do you get to watch a giraffe nibbling at trees outside your window or wake up to zebras grazing at a waterhole right before your eyes? I think Natalie and Adam loved the animals more than any ride or experience at the Magic Kingdom.

It was a perfect send off trip before Tim heads out. We were definitely mindful of that reality in the midst of all the fun. I think it helped us to treasure the time even more.

Now we are home and trying to settle in and gear up for the next big thing...

Oh Happy Day!

EASTER 2009

Meaning

This morning while looking over our Resurrection Eggs together we talked of Jesus being nailed to the cross. Tim began explaining about the nails..

Natalie interrupted him, "Wait Daddy, it wasn't the nails that held Jesus there, it was love."

Our Boy

"A boy's story is the best that is ever told.-- Charles Dickens


I am entering uncharted territory. The terrain is steep, mountainous, with many deep canyons and lots and lots of water. The native here lives off the land, surviving happily without washing, eating off floors and dirt alike, relishing a good tackle or an impromptu sword fight with sticks. The usually jolly, jelly smeared little face becomes grumpy and scowly more readily. The same little body that squeezes into my arms for a hug, fights me the next minute to stop kissing him.

And so it goes. I have entered the land of the little boy. Much different than the CandyLand I've been in with Natalie, but no less exciting or enjoyable. More Chutes and Ladders or Don't Break the Ice.

I am surprised to find I am not as sad as I thought I would be to watch his babyness disappear. The hands are less chubby, more nimble, the cheeks less full, more lean. And the need for me is dissipating. Now it's Daddy he wants. Funny to see him stomp around after Tim. When he talks to Daddy it's in a gruff voice, his best effort at sounding manly. Most of his day is spent crashing cars or pretend chopping down trees or sword fighting.

But there are many moments when he will stop to run and check on his crying sister, "You okay Nanee?", he will ask tenderly, stroking her hair and kissing her face. He will sit in my lap and smooth the strands of hair off my face, "Ooh, pretty Mama, pretty." And he will laugh heartily, holding his stomach, rocking from side to side at a silly face or a goofy noise. Most of the day he goes about his important business singing, his favorite songs are Christmas ones. 'Frosty the Snowman, 'Santa Claus is Comin to Town', but now they are sung in his deep voice...

He desperately wants us to be involved in what he is doing. He will often hold out a small hand to Tim or I saying, "C'mon Daddy, wanna show you sumpin" and take us to his latest treasure or found toy.

At night he still asks to be snuggled, loves to have Tim and I sing to him and closes his eyes and smiles as we pray the blessing over him before sleep.

He is jolly, he is mischievous, to me he is the most wonderful boy that ever was...I am new to this whole thing but so glad to be along for the ride.

LEGENDARY

We have been lost in legend here in the Behnke home. After reading Tall Tales and stumbling upon the Disney collection Natalie and Adam have adopted Paul Bunyan and Babe the big blue ox as cherished friends.

Adam walks around with a plastic golf club (his ax), chopping down trees and singing. He especially loves to chop in the dark hallway with a flashlight to show his reflection and Mom and Dad in the background singing their version of a "Paul Bunyan" song.

Natalie wants to be called Babe, has fashioned a yoke which she begs each one of us to take a turn wearing. "We must pull our loads" she says earnestly.

We have been able to use the examples of these heroes and legends like Johnny Appleseed, John Henry, Casey Jones, and of course Paul Bunyan to speak of strength of character and honesty.

At times I would rather not crawl down the hall with a styrofoam yoke around my neck and Adam riding my back chopping with his ax. Sometimes I have sung a Paul Bunyanesque song so long that I cannot think of anymore verses and my brain is mush. And I would love to have a conversation that didn't include an imaginary blue ox as the subject.

But they are entranced, delighted, wholly excited about the idea of something, someone larger than life, bigger than what they know. And this makes me excited to keep pointing them to the biggest and best story of all, the greatest Hero and the truest friend...

Three Little Hearts

We're adding another little heart to our home. Cannot wait to find out all the details this week.
Another precocious, curly haired little Behnke baby...

Sappers Lead the Way

“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.”

-Dr. Seuss

Hooray!!! Tim graduated Sapper school with honors (top 5 % of his class). I will brag for him because he's more reticent about his awesomeness. And in a random blessing he was granted a few days pass before heading out to CA.

How strange it has been not to share the details of the day with him, have him encourage me when I feel I'm failing, laugh with me over some hilarious new thing Natalie or Adam are doing or saying, or just sit in that comfortable warm silence, glad that the other one is there, listening.

Each day that has gone by I have marveled at his strength and fortitude to push through such a demanding school.

Considered the most elite combat engineer soldiers in the United States Army[ a sapper/combat engineer may perform any of a variety of combat engineering duties.To wear the Sapper Tab, a Soldier must complete the Sapper Leader Course which is operated by the U.S. Army Engineer School at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. The Sapper Leader Course is a 28-day course designed to train joint-service leaders in small unit tactics, leadership skills, and tactics required to perform as part of a combined arms team.

Phase I lasts 14 days and covers general subjects including medical, navigation, demolitions, air and water operations, mountaineering, and landmines and weapons used by enemy forces.

Phase II is the remaining 14 days. It covers basic patrolling techniques and battle drills that emphasize leadership. The subjects include urban operations, breaching, patrol organization and movement, and reconnaissance, raid and ambush tactics. It concludes with a three-day situation training exercise, and five-day field training exercise. These missions are a 60/40 mix of engineer and infantry missions.
Leadership is emphasized throughout the SLC. During the course leader roles are rotated regularly and each student is evaluated at least twice on leadership. The results of the Sapper Leader Course are soldiers who are better-trained combat engineers.

In plain terms this was a school that totally kicked your butt all the way through. Straining to every fibre of your muscles, your mind and every last inch of your stamina. Only the strong survive. And even greater than the satisfaction of watching himself be tried and succeed has been the opportunity to share Christ with all the men laboring around him. It's one thing to stand outside and preach and another to get right in the middle of things and preach with your life. Tim has blown me away with the way his life speaks of God. How grateful I am to be married to a man who can be both strong and gentle. What a blessing I've been given.

Tim, we are so proud of you! Hooah!