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It's silent.  Except for a few bumps on the floor above and distant voices upstairs.  The big boys (Roland and Kyle) are off to a Michigan State v Perdue Game (a much needed diversion - more on that in a minute.)  Claire, Simon, Gertie and Ollie are all enjoying eachothers company for the moment and I am savoring the quiet hum of the furnace and the dreary weather outside.  My friend Paula reminded me that she is waiting for a long overdue Bokma Family Update - and by the way, my peace has been invaded. 

We are so blessed.  We were just getting through homestudy paperwork a year ago and we actually held Gert and Ollie in our arms 8 months ago today!  Life is so good, so full. 

 Last night Kyle, our oldest - played his final football game of his senior year.  They lost their second game of Playoffs.  Quite a few tears, quite a bit of drama this week - praying that Kyle's ankle would be well enough to play on.  He had a high sprain and didn't practice all week.  Well, South Christian lost miserably to Holland Christian - but, we had so many teachable moments this week through the preparation and he did get to play.  We're so proud of him and how he used his gifts.  This has been quite the football season for our family and Ollie and Gertie know that every Friday night "Great Helen" (Great Gram) comes and we go to "Kyle foot-ball game." 

This morning Ollie crawled into bed with us and the boy doesn't sit still - but has to touch us, rub our faces, poke our nose, mess our hair, and hug us and roll over us, and he even grabbed Roland's chin and squished it so it looked like a bottom, butt, or has he says:  "boom-bay."  Yes, he is a character.  He said, "Kyle lost, Kyle crying, right Dad - thas what you say."  Yes, Ollie Kyle cried and one day when you are playing varsity football you might feel the same way if you lose... to which Ollie replies "I no lose, I catch the ball and I run fast - I win."  Kyle came and jumped on our bed and beat Ollie up for saying that. 

Gert and Ollie's English is fantastic.  A few funny "mix-ups" though:  I taught Gertie her finger names and later she was telling them to my mom.  This is my thumb, my pointer, my middle finker, my ring finker and my kitty.  Or this one:  we were learning a whole bunch of M words when we learning the M sound in our phonics program.  She learned Mountains and Mittens on the same day.  So at the football game she showed Nana her  "mountains" that keeps her finkers hot.   I going to "Dinkeling"  a hole (dig). 

 Gertie LOVES Highschool Musical.  We own HM II and whenever a song comes on she stands on the couch or the coffee table and does the motions - she knows all the words.  The girl has an attitude and is such a drama queen - and I absolutely love her for it.  So, now we have the soundtrack to HS III and she has been dancing in the driveway with Claire making up dance "routines" this week.  It didn't take long for her to fully embrace American culture.  In fact, I will really have to keep my eye on this girl!  

Gertie will talk to anyone.  At the grocery store she told the check-out lady that "mom and dad are going to cottage up North - Auntie Ber-bertta's cottage and no kids, no Gertie, no Kyle, no Claire, no Simon, no Ollie - all by demselves and I come wid you mom? You say no right mom.  Mom and dad gonna kiss."  At that point I was ready smile and place my hand over her mouth.  The clerk says "isn't she adorable."  Everyone on that side of the store heard about it actually - she's got volume. 

Gert and Ollie hadn't experienced birthdays ( at least like we do here) and they are quite fascinated with the upcoming Christmas.  But, this crazy American Holiday where you dress up and hollar trick or treat and strangers give you candy was pretty exciting.  Ollie handed me his pumkin full of candy and said - "this Christmas?" 

This morning we had a huge Saturday morning breakfast - in part to celebrate the end of football.  My heart just SWELLS with the Joy at the chaos of setting the table.  And I hear that it's "special family time so let's light candles."  And Simon hugs too hard and then Ollie jumps on his back and Gertie screams and then we all recite I John 4: 7 & 8 and then Simon says I'm sorry and then they are running around the table playing football.  And, it's just fun here.  

Last night the South cheerleaders were throwing min- blue and white footballs into the stands and Claire caught one.  We were at the game with our friends, the Meringas.  Their daughter is Gert's age, and their son Drew, is Ollie's age.  They play really well.  Anyway, all the kids wanted to catch a ball so we sent them to see if they could catch one.  Gertie caught one or and then a minute later Ollie did too.  And then Gertie, turned and gave her football to her friend Aubrey "you can have mine."  I thought I would weep.  Unsolicited - she showed kindness, she served her friend.  I am so blessed to get to be the mom to Kyle, to Claire, to Simon, to Gertie, and to Ollie...

Ofcourse, Claire is crying now because Simon whipped a lego piece at her finger because of a reason I am about to find out - signing off.

Sarah