Baby Birds

We've been watching a robin's nest and four eggs for the last couple weeks. To the children's great delight, two of the baby birds hatched last night. When we came home from running some errands this afternoon, we were sad to see that one of the baby birds had died. Millie melted my heart when she looked up at me with deep eyes and said, "This is so sad. We lubbed those baby birds with all our hearts." Precious girl. 

Millie (3): When I grow up, how will I find my husband? Maybe I can pray to God and ask Him to give me a husband. I will ask him for a husband with a big tummy. Because Dads with big tummies protect their families. 

Self Control

Family conversation in our van today:

(Undisclosed child yells something unkind.)

Me: (child's name), Remember, Self Control means that you think before you act, and you make the right choice. 

5-year-old: Think BEFORE you act? No, you ACT before you think. That just makes more sense. 

Lucas looks at me and mouths: "We're screwed."

😂😂😂

You say tomaeto, I say tomahto

Maggie: Star Wars is the most popular science fiction movie in the world. 

Max: Maggie, it's not science fiction. It's *space opera.*

Deep Thoughts

January 24, 2014

Maggie (6): "Mom! WHAT IF chickens ate chicken. You know, like a chicken eating a chicken leg? I think that could be a sign of respect... For a chicken. "

Conversations with Xander

Conversations with my favorite 5-yr-old:

Xander: Mom! Are you making popcorn?

Me: Yes, I am. 

Xander: Are you making *Christmas* popcorn?

Me: Yep!

Xander: But are you making "Fa-la-la" Popcorn? That's "Christmas" in Latin. 

One-year-olds and Siri

December 10, 2012

Lucas told me that our 1-year-old, Alexander, talks to Siri on his iPhone. I didn't believe him, so he showed me. 

Alexander took Lucas' phone, immediately pressed the button until it beeped and proceeded to say "ahlcfr emparx bllbbbm" to the phone. Siri politely responded, "I don't know what that means."  

These are strange times we live in.

Conversations with Xander and Millie

Millie: Mom, can I be married when I'm 15?

Mom: Well, legally, yes- but you have to have permission from your mom and dad first. You have to be 18 to get married on your own. 

Millie: Can I do that? Be married when I'm 18?

Mom: Well, yes, but the most important thing is that your marry the right person, not that you get married at a certain age. 

Xander: And I am NOT the right person, Millie. 

Millie: Ok, then I want Jakin. 

You heard it here first, people. 

Hospitals in Heaven

December 6, 2012

Interesting insight into my 5-year-old Maggie's mind today in the car: "Mom,  I used to think there were a lot of hospital beds in heaven. You know, because people's bodies are broken here, then they die, then they go to heaven." Great reminder for her and for myself about the hope of heaven and the truth that there are no broken bodies in heaven! I think she is still processing all she saw and heard when my mom died. Love these sweet moments with my Maggie Mae.

On the Subject of Good Books

October 25, 2011:

This fall we started a nightly family reading time of longer chapter books for the first time. It's been priceless. Our first selection: Charlotte's Web. Max and Maggie have been totally engrossed, and tonight when we were reading the end of the book when Charlotte dies all alone, I was tearing up as I read to them. Amazing how a good writer can even make you care about one kind and selfless little spider.

Conversations with Maggie

(After working all afternoon on Operation Christmas Child with Dana Ray, Maggie marched up to me to ask me a question:)

Maggie (9): Mom, are you proud of me? Are you proud of my hard work?

Me: Maggie, I am SO proud of you. You worked so hard, and you did a great job. 

Maggie (with an enormous, charming smile): Well, how 'bout you turn that pride into CASH. 

 Can't make this stuff up!

Conversations with Millie

Millie (3) and I just walked out our front door and stopped to look at the sunset. 

Me: Look at that. It's so beautiful. Why do you think God gave us sunsets and sunrises?

Millie: Because it's pink. 

Me: Yes, but why? What was the reason? Why do you think God decided to do that?

Millie: Ummm... Because of Adam and Eve. They had to take care of all the animals. And they had no parents. And they needed them.  And Adam and Eve were never kids.  They growed down into kids.  But that's a dipperent story. 

Childrens' minds are so fascinating to me. Sometimes I wonder if I really listened to all the words she's jabbering through, I would find they unlock the key to the universe. Or that they are complete nonsense. One or the other. But it sure is precious.

Later, after I had tucked Millie into bed for the night, I had to pop back in there to put some clothes and shoes away. She was jabbering away and pauses when I came in. "I just talkin' to God, Mom. I just praisin' Him."

No wonder Jesus said "Let the little ones come to me, and do not hinder them. "

Conversations with Max

September 16, 2014

Quote of the night from our dinner table:

"So, Mom... if God is not contained by space, then Hell has to be in another dimension, right?" -Maximus (8)

Help, please? I may not be a deep enough thinker to raise this boy! Good thing he's got Lucas Roebuck as his daddy!

Conversations with Maggie

September 10, 2015

Today while I was loading the dishwasher, Maggie Mae (8) came into the kitchen and asked, "Can God make choices?" 

We talked it out for a few minutes, and I eventually decided that the angle she was exploring had to do with whether a Being outside of time could make choices and/or decisions, concepts we understand within time. I thought it was a great question. Definitely got me thinking and trying to think through scriptures that would help answer her question.

I thought of Ephesians 1:4 "“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight," and Maggie's question really caused be to think about it in a whole new way. Maybe God did ALL His choosing/deciding before time began?  Love it when my kids challenge me to think about something in a new or different way.

Conversations with Max

"Max: I don't listen to my heart. I listen to my mind and strategically choose everything I do. "

Conversations with Amelia

Millie: (Playing with Little People toys) Mo-om!! Where is the mommy ai-el?

Mom: the mommy Ariel?

Millie: No, the mommy Ai-EL!

Mom: the mommy aisle?

Millie: Yes! WHERE IS THE MOMMY AISLE? Get it!

(Max and Mom look at each other in confusion.)

Max: Why don't you just get her a sucker or something?

Conversations with Alexander

Xander (5): I think in heaven, there will be video games. They will be even better than video games here. And the characters you can choose will all be bible story characters. Mom, do you think everyone is a baby in heaven? So everyone is a baby when they first get there?

Birthday Wish

Max: Mom, for my birthday, I would like a $12 gift card and memorable activity with friends and family. 

Well, there you go. Not sure why, but this made me laugh. It's just so Max. Love this little man so much. 

Maggie's Ballet Debut

August 16, 2013

It's here, it's here! After nearly three years of waiting and begging, Maggie will be turning six next week,and she is starting ballet today. Three hours until class starts and she's already been dressed and completely ready to go for an hour. Oh, and she's also had a constant dialogue going all day: "How many minutes until it's time for ballet? I've been imagining and imagining walking up to JBU carrying this bag with my ballet shoes. I think ballet is going to be one of my very special talents. Can a person ever get too old to do ballet, or can they just keep doing it until they're dead? How many minutes now until it's time for ballet?"

Quotes from Maggie

August 9, 2012 

4-year-old Maggie on her way to gymnastics today: "Mom, today I'm going to do that thing where you swing from one bar up to the higher bar and then go up to a hand stand. I'm not sure if I can do it."

A Letter to Alexander on His 5th Birthday

Dear Alexander,

You are five years old today. I've been feeling nostalgic all day, remembering the day you came into this world and into our lives five years ago. The months leading up to your birth were a somewhat tumultuous time for our family; we had to say goodbye to my mom, your grandmama Vicki, when she died of cancer about four months before you were born. I was so sad. But then you were suddenly here, and the sadness was swallowed up in love. Your precious newborn life opened my heart to love and laugh and find joy in ways that I didn't expect. You were God's very present help to me in time of trouble, Alexander James. I will always thank God for you, my precious son. Of all four kids in this family,  you were the very best baby. You brought us more joy that first year of your life than we could have imagined.

And now in a blink, you are five years old. For about the last year, your Dad and I have been working hard to understand what makes you tick, what motivates you, what you love,what you dislike and why. You are beautifully complex, like a 10,000 piece puzzle where all the pieces are frustratingly similar but only fit together one certain way.  God knows the incredible picture that will someday come into view when all these pieces are put together in just the way He has planned. At 5 years old, we are just beginning to get glimpses of the amazing person God has created you to be. Maybe we're just now seeing a 100-piece section of one corner of the 10,000-piece picture. But Alexander, I sure love what I'm seeing in that corner.

I see a boy with a beautiful soul where God is already at work. Last night as I was tucking you into bed, you told me that you do believe in God. You wanted to make sure I knew. I know you do, Alexander. I see God at work in your heart and I see the seeds of faith that He is already planting. I can hardly wait to see how those seeds grow as you become a man who follows God with your whole heart.

I see a boy with a deep curiosity and an expansive intellect. You taught yourself to read before you turned four years old. You absorb information at an incredible rate- your Dad and I are often surprised by things you have heard and processed and understand; you connect dots that we would not expect you to be able to connect.

I see a boy who sometimes struggles hard against life. It makes me sad to see your frustration when things don't line up just the way you think they should. I sometimes hate it that the things that don't bother other people bother you deeply and make life harder for you. It's difficult to watch you struggle with smaller life skills that seem to come easier to other children. But I try to remember that as you struggle between your idea of what life should be like and what it actually is, that the struggle is making you stronger, and that someday you will find your stride in this world. You will find your way. I will be there cheering you on when you do!

I see a boy with an incredibly bright future stretching out in front of him. You told me yesterday that when you grow up, you want to be a "geography doctor." You explained that profession as someone who fixes peoples bodies and body systems and who spends the rest of his time looking at maps. Your description made me grin from ear to ear. You managed to create a perfect profession to meld together your two current obsessions: geography and the human body.

But most of all, when I look at you, Alexander, I see my son. The one I will love forever, no matter what. I'm so very thankful that God chose me to be your mom. He has great things in store for you, and I'm waiting in great anticipation as  piece after piece of that beautifully complex puzzle snaps into place to reveal the big picture that is the life God has created for you. The sky's the limit, Space Commander. I can hardly wait to see your story unfold.

I love you,

Mom

From the mouth of babes

June 28, 2013

I just walked into the living room and saw Maggie leaned over Amelia's swing talking very quietly and seriously to her baby sister. I caught the end of their conversation: ".... It's pretty confusing, but God and Jesus are sort of the same person, and the Holy Spirit is sort of the same person, too. They are all God. You just have to remember, Jesus loves you. If you believe in Him, you will go to heaven with him someday. That's all you really have to remember."  

From the mouth of babes.

Happy Father's Day 2016

Conversations with Max and Xander

Max: Can I put your head under water for just a second? It will feel like you are an ocean explorer!

Xander: No! It will feel like bath-tizing!

Conversations with Alexander

Alexander: Mom, when I get old, I'm going to be a builder. But first I'm going to be a doctor, and then when I'm old and I'm 41 I will be a builder. 

Conversations between Max and Maggie:

June 7, 2012

Maggie: Anybody want to ride my scooter? It only costs one penny!

Max: Maggie, you know, the more pennies you charge, the fewer friends you will have. 

Maggie: Who wants to ride? Only ten pennies!!

Max: (shaking his head in pity) Maggie, that's TEN CENTS. It's a bad idea. How about you make it free? Otherwise, I'll have to start charging you for coming to my Lego World....

Centipede Ballet

Maggie (8): Mom, Can you do a google search for "Centipedes doing ballet"?

My daughter, my sister, my friend

Dear Maggie Mae,

Today you and I shared the most special day together that we have shared in your eight years of life. You have been working hard for several months to earn incentive points for your piano practice and school work that you could then redeem for a special day out with mom. Today was the day!

Our first stop was shopping at the Rhea Lana kids consignment sale. Today was the first time I have taken you shopping to pick out your own clothes. For the past couple years, I've noticed a growing trend: my idea for your clothing style and your idea for your clothing style are not quite aligned. I pick out adorable outfits for you, and you never ever wear them. Right before my eyes, your own personal style is making its debut.

So this fall, I decided to let you come shopping with me to pick out your own clothes. You were pretty into the process.  Like, SUPER into it. I told you how many items you could choose. You went through every. single. clothing. rack in your size– piece by piece. You pulled out dozens of possibilities and then studied each one before making your final selections. I can honestly say that if I had been shopping those racks, I would not have picked out any of the items you chose. You really like BRIGHT things! And SEQUINS– lots of sequins! But you were so happy with your selections, and I was proud to see what you chose, too. Everything was modest, nice and reasonably priced. You are a great shopper!

When we were in the checkout line, you were studying the stack of purchases the lady in front of us was about to buy. You turned to me and said, "Mom, see the stuff that lady is picking out? Ruffles, flowers, browns and pinks? That's the kind of stuff you usually pick out for me. And that's the stuff I don't wear." Good to know.

After shopping, we went out to dinner at– your choice– McAlister's Deli. You leaned toward me across the table and over your kids meal pita mini pizza and suddenly lowered your voice. "Mom, can I tell you a secret? I think that most restaurants focus more on the adult food than the kid food. That's sad." You told me about your plan to open a restaurant that has mostly choices of foods that kids like and only a few choices for adults.

We ate and enjoyed a really great conversation about love languages. I told you about the five love languages, and without hesitation you told me that you thought your top two are Quality Time and Words of Affirmation. Maggie, you have a great sense of self-awareness. I couldn't help but think about how great it is that you are learning about some of these great relational concepts at eight years old. God has great things in store for you, Maggie. He will use all of these things that you are learning for His glory and for the good of the Church. I can hardly wait to see.

We rode home in the dark, with the windows rolled down and cold fall air pushing into the car and Christian music cranked up on the radio. You leaned over toward me and yelled, "Mom, I love Christian rock music."

I smiled and nodded. You leaned over again. "Mom, I said I love Christian ROCK music."

I smiled and nodded again. "I think that's great, Maggie!"

You leaned back to your seat, looking a little surprised that I was ok with that. It's fascinating to see you process the world around you. You are figuring it all out. I'm glad you are thinking and feeling and working through it. I'm even more happy to know that when you get to the end of that process, you'll realize that it's okay to not have it all figured out.

We got cold and rolled up the windows and turned down the music a little bit. And then we had the most amazing conversation we've ever had. I'll never forget our conversation in the van tonight, Margaret Mae.

Over the past six months or so, you've been asking your Dad and I about when you can be baptized. We've been talking it through with you, but we wanted to be sure you understand what you need to understand about faith in Christ before you take that important step. Since you started asking to be baptized, I've been praying about it, asking God to make it really clear to your Dad and me when you're ready.

We started talking about baptism again tonight, and I asked you some questions about what it means to trust in Christ. You told me the Gospel in beautiful, truth-filled simplicity. You said trusting Christ means that you know and believe that Jesus died to pay for your sins, even though you were the one who deserved to die.

You asked me to tell you about when I was baptized. I started to tell you the story I've told you before, about how I became a Christian at home after I asked my mom if she would help me know how to be saved.

And there in our dark van, driving down the winding, tree-lined roads of highway 112 on our way home, you casually said– almost under your breath– "Your story is better than my story. My story is a little boring."

Your story? I've never heard you mention this. I sat up straighter in my seat and looked over at you.

"What's your story?"

"I was trusting Christ last year in second grade. One day I was just sitting at the computer and then– BAM– I was trusting Christ."

"Maggie! Why didn't you say anything about this?! Why didn't you tell me?!"

"I didn't think it was a very good story. I was just sitting there, and– BAM– I was trusting Christ."

Margaret Mae Roebuck, your story is the exact opposite of boring. You were a seven-year-old girl, orphaned by sin, sitting in a second grade public school classroom, and the God of the Universe came for you and adopted you into His family. FOREVER. His Holy Spirit came to live in you as the deposit guaranteeing that you will be His forever. FOREVER. Your story is a glorious story, my dear girl– a story with the most dramatic and happy ending of any story ever written.

I got to hear your story tonight for the very first time, and I'll never forget it. Tonight I knew for the first time that forever you will be my daughter, my sister and my friend. Nothing– NOTHING!– could make me happier or more grateful. Thank you, Jesus.

I love you, my precious Maggie Mae.

Love,

Mom

It's My Time

Found this gem today dated Oct 23, 2012:

I came into the bathroom to see 7-year-old Max brushing his teeth wearing pajama pants and no shirt. He said he didn't like the shirt that went with the pants. I said he could just toss on a t-shirt. He responded very seriously:

"Mom, men wear pants like this with no shirt. It's my time."

Well, okay!

Conversations with Alexander

(While reading a planets book)

A: (long sigh) I wish I could go to space...

Mom: Well, maybe someday you can. 

A: But I haven't even been to India yet!

Cousin Love

Jake and Laura brought their family to Siloam for the showing of Jacob's film Loving Lynda at JBU Homecoming. We had a great visit and took advantage of the opportunity to snap a couple pictures with all the Roebuck cousins!

Supermoon Full Lunar Eclipse and a Decade of Life

Ten years ago tonight a nurse placed this tiny bundle of a baby boy in my arms for the very first time. 6 pounds and 15 ounces of flesh and bone and blood housed a giant of a soul that we are only now beginning to witness in its full unfurling. 

Not too long ago, I walked into a room in our house to find Max sitting there still and quiet, with tears streaming down his face. "What's wrong, Max?" I asked. He looked up. His eyes met mine and I could see the grief in his eyes; he allowed me in with a level of transparency that most of us adults have forgotten is possible. 

"I've been self-righteous," he told me with the tears still streaming down his cheeks.

Tonight, this boy-man and I sat in the dark on the sidewalk in our front yard and watched a supermoon full lunar eclipse together on his tenth birthday. I had one of those moments where I sucked in a deep breath, closed my eyes and tried to freeze time with my ten-year-old. Astronomers say the next time an eclipse like this occurs will be 2033. Maximus will be 28 years old. 

Maximus, tonight I'm praying that if we are still hanging out in this old world in 18 years, that the next supermoon full lunar eclipse will find you as a man who has a heart for God, who walks in the Spirit and who spreads the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ everywhere you go. I love you, Max. Happy 10th birthday!

Conversations with Alexander

After we dropped Max and Maggie off for a kid's bowling outing at church. 

Alexander: I want to go in there, too! I saw kids in there.

Mom: I'm sorry, buddy. This event is only for bigger kids. 

Alexander: But I AM a bigger kid. I'm seven units tall!

Conversations with Alexander

After his piano lesson, Alexander brought me a piece of paper he had drawn on with a pink crayon. He took the paper and set it on the piano, looked at the paper and plunked out a few notes. 

Alexander: This is my song I wrote. It's called "Trouble (treble?) in the bass."

Later I was talking to Lucas about this. I said. "He might be a genius." Lucas didn't hesitate: "A genius who can't put his poop in the toilet?"

Conversations with Alexander

Mom: Xander, you need to put your pee-pee in the potty right now. 

Xander: But I'm just a regular guy!

Conversations with Alexander

Alexander: Mom, text this to Aunt Meagan: "God loves you so much. You are special. Who is the right person? Jesus! God loves you no matter what. Of the great Jesus. " That is all. 

Mom: (continuing to type the message I was already working on to Meagan)

Alexander: (looking at phone screen) Ummm, that's not it. It starts with a 'g': "God loves you so much. You are special..."

Conversations with Maximus

Max: if I have a son someday, I already know what I will name him. 

Mom: oh, yeah? What?

Max: Maximus the Second. And if I get to have a second son, I will name him Zane. 

Mom: what if you have a third son?

Max: William. And if I have a fourth son, Amadeus. It's a good first name. 

Mom: I would love it if you had four sons someday. I would also love it if you had four daughters. And I would especially love it if you had four sons and four daughters. 

Max:Yikes. Hey, mom, have you ever noticed that it's usually men who name their sons down and down and down, but the women don't usually name their kids after themselves?

Mom: yes- why do you think that is?

Max: I guess it's just nature. Just the way people think. 

Conversations with Alexander

Alexander: What is this?

Mom: That's a coupon. 

Alexander: This coupon says: "Go to a hotel-house, go to Silver Dollar City, go to the bouncy house play house, go the fireman's landing. That's what it say. We have to leave right now because it takes a long time to get there. How can we get there fast?"

(Sounds like somebody had a good time on our little spring break getaway!)

Conversations with Alexander

Alexander:Mommy! Don't put that toy away!

Mom: I'm putting it away in your room. 

Alexander: Leave it in the living room!

Mom: No, It's time to pick up. 

Alexander: But I just want to make a mess!!

Conversations with Max

Me: Max, was your lunch yesterday enough food to give you the extra energy you need for the tests you're taking this week?

Max: Yes, it only takes brain energy, and I've got plenty of that. 

Conversations with Max

Me: Max, can you help me think of something Xander can take for "n" day at show and tell?

Max: I can build him a Neptune out of duplos...

Me: Hmmmm... Do you think the preschoolers would understand what that is?

Max: Yes! They would understand planets and Neptune! When I was in kindergarten I was creating my own planets... Back before I understood the physics of gravity. 

The Good Ol' Days

Max (9): "(SIGH) I remember kindergarten... The thrill of going to school..."

Faith and Patience

We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. (Hebrews 6:12 NIV)

I read this verse today and couldn't help but think about my mom, whose faith and patience I would be thrilled to imitate. 

Why I am sold on Rhea Lana's Children's Consignment Sales

Hey, friends! I'm helping get the word out about the upcoming Rhea Lana Children's Consignment Sale in Siloam Springs. If you haven't ever participated in a Rhea Lana sale, you should check it out! I have been selling and buying at these sales for two years now, and it has really changed the way I take care of clothing my four children from season to season each year. 

For the first 6 years of Life With Kids at our home, this was my system for clothing my kids in a frugal way:

1. Scour yard sales for used clothes in decent condition.

2. Use coupons to combine with end-of-season sales at children's clothing stores and buy a year or two ahead (for example, buy next year's swimsuit for Maggie at this year's end-of-summer sale).

3. Keep all clothes from my oldest two kids to pass down to their little brother and sister. 

This system worked for us for those six years, and I am thankful for the way it helped up keep our kids clothed for a minimal amount of money. But there were some less-than-ideal elements of this system, including the storage hassle: all those huge Sterilight plastic bins with every size of infant and toddler clothing in both boys and girls varieties! We moved our entire wardrobe of infant and toddler clothing five or six times from house to house. Uggh. Plus the hassle of buying discounted clothes seasons ahead, guessing what sizes they'll need in which season, and having to get the purchased clothes into the right bin so that all the  3T clothes you bought last year are all in one place when it's time to wear them. It worked, but it was a hassle. 

Another downside to our old system was that with six years' age difference between our two boys and our two girls, by the time my younger son and daughter were ready for their turn with the clothes, most of the styles were looking pretty outdated, especially considering that I had bought many of the clothes used even before my older two kids wore them. So some of the styles were 7-8 years old. Current style is not the most important thing, but outdated clothes was a down-side to the system.

I also found it difficult to keep track of what I had and what I needed for each kid each season, and I sometimes ended up with random shirts or pants that didn't really make a wearable outfit. And I found that as my big kids grew out of toddler size clothes, it got harder and harder to find second-hand clothes in larger sizes in good condition (older kids stay in the same size longer than infants and toddlers and tend to wear through their clothes before they grow out of them.... this means less quality second-hand clothes in bigger sizes.)

Like I said, even with its down sides, our old system worked well for us, and I'm sure I would still be using it if we didn't have access to the Rhea Lana sales nearby. But let me tell you, Rhea Lana has now completely changed how I clothe our children! By buying and selling at Rhea Lana, I am now able to clothe all four of my kids for next to nothing, easily make sure that they each have the clothes and shoes they need,  pick out up-to-date styles for them that I love each season, and not have to store bins and bins of children's clothes that are not currently being worn. Here's how it works for me:

1. Each spring and fall, I go through closets and clean out all the clothes, gear and toys that my kids no longer use or need or have outgrown. At the same time, I evaluate what we have and what we still need for each child for the upcoming season. I make a list: Max needs 4 pair of pants, 5 long sleeve shirts, 4 pajama pants, 1 pair of dress shoes, etc. I work my way through all four kids until I have a complete list of what they all need for the upcoming season.

2. I take our outgrown clothes and toys and gear and spend a few hours at home tagging it all and entering it into the Rhea Lana online system and then take it up to the sale on merchandise drop off days.

3. I take my list of all of our needs for the season to the Rhea Lana sale and shop for all four kids. Within a couple of hours or less, I have done all the shopping to clothe my kids for six months. It costs FAR less than buying retail, and many of the clothes are in "like new" condition. Each time I've gone shopping, I've spent only about $100-150 total to buy everything we needed for the new season.(Granted, we have had some of what we needed already at home).  I go home with complete outfits for each child, not a bunch of hodgepodge shirts and pants like I often ended up with in my old system.

4. At the end of the sale, I pick up the check for our outgrown items I sold... and every time it has been about the same amount of money I spent shopping for the new season. Rhea Lana has allowed our family to clothe four children for two years now for almost no out of pocket expense! By selling AND buying, we are basically trading in what we no longer need for what we do need!

Rhea Lana really has been a huge blessing to our family. If you haven't checked it out before, you should! Check it out on Facebook  or  on the Rhea Lana website.

Enjoy the sale, friends. Rhea Lana is a fun and frugal way to take care of your munchkin's clothing, shoes, toys and gear needs. Hope you all find it as helpful as I have!

 Fall 2014 Rhea Lana of Siloam Springs Event

 October 8-11

700 East Granite ~ Siloam Springs, AR

Private Pre-Sale Event
for Consignors, Volunteers, and Moms-To-Be is

October 7

Conversations with Max and Maggie

(When I got into the van today, Maggie was already sitting in her booster seat, arms crossed and pouting. Before I could even ask what was wrong, Max jumped in to fill me in:)

Max: Maggie's upset because of Obama. She doesn't want to have to pay back all that money to China when she grows up. 

Mom: Maggie, you don't have to worry about that stuff right now. Besides, Maybe Jesus will come back soon. That would be the best anyway. 

Maggie: But mom, what will happen if someone finds out she has a baby growing in her womb and then Jesus comes back right then? 

Mom: Hmmm... I've never thought about that. I'm not sure how that will work. 

Max: Did you know that Jesus hasn't come back yet because there are still more people He wants to become Christians? That's one reason why we need to tell everyone the gospel, because we don't know who He has chosen, and maybe we'll tell them and they will be one step closer. 

Maggie: Woh, Woh, Woh. POINT OF FACT: God wants EVERYONE to be saved. 

(Just your typical minivan conversation on the way to Walmart, right? I seriously never know what these crazy kids are going to bring up... but they seem to specialize in hard theological quandaries.)

Conversations with Max

Max: Mom, you know that verse in the Bible that's says there will be 'wars and rumors of wars' ? I'm getting ready for that. 

Me: oh, yeah? What are you doing to get ready?

Max: Oh, you know. Just getting prepared. Thinking about it. Like if I hear that someone bombed Hawaii or something. 

One Month Later: Thoughts on the Campaign

So. One month ago today was the Republican primary election in Arkansas. Many of you have been so kind to ask me how I am doing in the aftermath of our loss in Lucas' bid for the State Representative seat for Arkansas District 87. It really has taken me this entire month to process the experience and get back to a place internally that feels somewhat normal.

Lucas and I have believed for many years– really, since even before we were married– that someday if God opened the right doors and we believed He wanted us to do it, we would try to seek an elected legislative position for Lucas. Since I first met Lucas, I knew that he would be a great legislator, using his God-given gifts of intellect, analysis and most importantly the moral capacity to stand for what's right. We talked many times throughout our first decade of marriage about how an entry into politics might look or whether the time was right to take a leap.

Just over a year ago, I was pregnant with our fourth child, and some doors opened and circumstances fell into place that caused us to ask if this year was the time to make our bid for the state House of Representatives. We prayed about it, sought out wise counsel, and talked a lot about how the decision would affect our marriage, family, finances, etc. In the end, we really believed God wanted us to run for the district 87 State Representative seat. Even at the time, we were very aware that though we were completely convinced that God wanted us to run, we didn't know whether He wanted us to win. We announced Lucas' candidacy and from day one our constant prayer was that no matter the outcome, that we would honor God in every step of the process. 

We thought then that it would be challenging. I knew that putting our family out there in the public spotlight to run for public office– even in the relatively small arena of state politics– would be WAY outside my comfort zone. I knew Lucas would be gone a lot during the campaign year, and I knew that would be tough on me as I was trying to care for four young children. But we were in it together, believed God wanted us to do it, and so we took the leap. 

I can say from this side of the experience that the campaign and the loss were harder on me that I would have ever anticipated. Lucas and I have never worked so hard for anything. We spent just about every free minute of our life for over a year working on the campaign. We spent every penny to our name to try to make a dent against our opponent's massive campaign budget. We faced ethical quandaries and strained relationships and perhaps hardest of all, we leaned so heavily on our friends and family members to support us and work and give to the campaign as well. And then at the end of all that, we had to show up on election day and see if people would vote for us. With my immature, people-pleasing tendencies, the whole scenario really felt a little like a high school social nightmare. We were about to show up to school and the whole class was going to vote on whether they liked us and then announce it to the world. Ick.

In retrospect, I realize that, even though judging by political connections and campaign funding we were not supposed to win this race, I really believed we would. I prayed for God's will to be done and trusted His control and outcome of the race, but I also really thought that God was going to use the weak things (us) to overcome the strong. I was so aware of our weakness, both on a personal level and on a campaign level. I thought it would be such a great opportunity to give Him glory if we won- because we knew it would only be because of Him.

So when the numbers came in and the dust settled, I had some grieving to do. Everything we believed from the beginning was still true: we knew God had wanted us to run, and we knew that He was in control and His will was accomplished. But I was so disappointed, and I now had an opportunity to see if I really, really believed those spiritual platitudes that I'd been repeating to myself for the last year. I will say that the fact that two of the network news stations wrongly reported that we had won truly felt like the twist of the knife. We had to answer a lot of congratulatory e-mails, texts and conversations with a solemn reply: "Thank you so much.... but actually the news stations mixed up the numbers. We didn't win." I'm not gonna lie- that was tough.

In the aftermath, I've struggled with a pretty intense case of disillusionment. We live in the buckle of the Bible belt. My husband is an extremely intelligent, God-fearing man who truly wanted to serve this state in government and stand up for what's right. We worked as hard as two people can work and gave everything we have just to give him a shot at being able to do a job that it seems to me that he was made to do. And in the end, the people didn't elect him. 

In the end, it felt like none of that mattered compared to an opponent with a $100,000 campaign budget. It felt like it came down to money. And that really left a bad taste in my mouth, so to speak. I feel like the system didn't work, that the dreams and the ideals that we say we value in America didn't play out... and that leaves me pretty disillusioned with our country and its direction. But perhaps every losing candidate feels like the system failed them? I hardly even feel like dressing my whole family up in red, white and blue and busting out all the mini American flags for the Fourth of July this year. And if you know that Roebucks, you know that's really saying something! 

On the other hand, we learned how truly rich in friendship we are, as so many of our personal community and circle of friends and family went WAY above the call of duty to give and give and give of themselves in this campaign endeavor. And I've come to realize that, in the end, we really shouldn't be that surprised when the systems of this world may fail, but that it should make us even more grateful when the heavenly systems, in this case for us, the Body of Christ, do not fail. We were held up in love and in prayer in amazing, never-repayable ways.

Behind all my disillusionment and sadness over the outcome, I'm thankful that what I knew to be true in the beginning is still true. God is in control. The most important place and way I can honor him is within the privacy of my own heart and within the four walls of our home. We can trust Him and the fact that He did not choose this for us. If He didn't want it for us, we don't want it either. It's hard to say, harder to believe, but it's true.

More than a year ago when we were actively seeking wise counsel about whether to run this race, Lucas visited with many politically savvy individuals, many of them Christians, to get their insights and thoughts. They crunched numbers, ran scenarios and all the rest. But of all those conversations, one he had with Jim Bob Duggar stuck with us and really became something of a lifeline to truth for me throughout this whole intense campaign year. When Lucas asked Jim Bob what insights or thoughts he had about the possibility of Lucas running this race, Jim Bob simply replied something to this effect: "Lucas, we can hash out details and discuss possible scenarios, but in the end, all you truly have to do is pray about this. Ask the Lord if He wants you to run this race. If He says "yes," then run it, no matter what anyone else tells you. You never know how God is working or what He'll do, or how He will use this even in unexpected ways." And then he proceeded to tell Lucas about a time when he and Michelle were faced with a similar situation, wondering whether he should run for U.S. Senate. All the pundits and experts said he was a fool for running- that he would get slaughtered in that particular race. But Jim Bob and Michelle had prayed about it and believed God wanted them to run, and so they did. And– not surprisingly– they lost the race. But on election day, a TV producer saw their family coming out of the polling place and had the idea to do a TLC television special on the Duggar family. And so began their connections with TLC and the ensuing world-wide fame and opportunity to spread the gospel that they never would have had from a U.S. Senate seat. 

So I'm choosing to believe that God will use this experience in ways we can't yet see. Perhaps that we won't ever see this side of eternity. I know that our desire has been to seek Him and honor Him and live for Him, and that's what He has asked of us. And at the very least, He has certainly used the challenges of the brief Roebuck family foray into politics to chip away at some parts of my character that needed quite and bit of work. And for that, I'm thankful. 

The morning after the election, Lucas came into the kitchen where I was making breakfast for the kids. He took both my shoulders in both of his hands and looked me square in the eye. He said, "I will NEVER ask you to do that again." And even in that moment, I didn't want him to say that to me. Because I thought maybe the campaign was a little like childbirth–  when you think "Why would anyone willingly go through that again??" But give it a little time and space, and the appeal slowly grows again. Because you see that though there's pain in the process, the outcome is precious and priceless. And if Lucas serving as a legislator is something God has for us someday, I think it will be all the richer for our difficult experience of this past year. 

Lucas and I have some friends who are running for a Pennsylvania state house seat this year. They didn't have a primary opponent but will face an extremely difficult race against their democratic opponent in the November election. After our loss on May 20, the candidate's wife, Michele, sent me this short message on Facebook. It was so meaningful to me that I would share it as my final thought on the subject: 

"You gave people an option. That is the great American way. We are so blessed to live in a country where we can choose our government officials. Luke will up against and established opponent in the fall. Like you said- we, too, leave the outcome to God. But at least the people have a choice."

And so we have closed this chapter of our lives and are already enjoying the next one: investing in our marriage, raising our four children to fear the Lord, working to impact our community and world for Christ and watching for whatever God has next for us.  

Conversations with Max and Maggie

(Overheard while Max and Maggie were cleaning their rooms and calling out across the hall to each other)

Maggie: (overly dramatic). I JUST can't do it. It's going to take a THOUSAND years! It's IMPOSSIBLE to clean my room!

Max: (stoic) Everything is possible with God. 

Conversations with Max

(Today I took max to the pediatrician for his 8-year-old check up. The Dr. mentioned that Lucas and I should not wait too long to have what he called the "Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll" conversation. I thought Max might have some questions about that so I brought it up on the way home.)

Mom: Max, did you have any questions about what the Dr. had to say?

Max:  Yes. What did he mean about the rock music? He said something about that the conversation should only take two minutes?

Mom: He was talking about some of the conversations that your dad and I are going to be having with you as you are growing up from a little boy to a teenager to a man. While you are growing up, you are going to be making more and more choices about what you  will do with your body, your mind and heart. The Dr. was reminding your dad and I to make sure you have all the information you need and also to make sure that you know we are the ones you can come to with absolutely any question or anything you don't understand, and we will always tell you the truth. 

Max: Mom, I do have one more question, but it's about a different subject. I don't know how to ask this. I'm not sure what words to say because I don't want to be disrespectful to God. 

Mom: It's okay. Being respectful to God is mostly about the attitude of your heart, so you don't have to worry as much about which words to say when you are really honoring God in your heart. I can tell you are doing that- you can go ahead and ask."

Max: If God is so powerful, why doesn't He just destroy sin?

< crickets chirping >

Max: Is it one of the mysteries? I've asked you this question before but it just keeps coming back to me...

Mom: That's a really good question. And You're right- there is a lot about that question that is a mystery to us, because God's true Word says in Isaiah that God's thoughts are higher than our thoughts and His ways are higher than our ways. Remember how your Dad told you it's kind of like an ant trying to understand everything about our world- science, art, politics, business, economics, government- an ant could never understand all that! Maybe 99% of your question is a mystery and 1% we can understand from what God has told is in His Word. 

Max: What's the 1%?

Mom: Well... One thing that we know is that God didn't want to create robots- he wanted us to love Him and obey Him because we chose to, not because He programmed us to love Him. Imagine if your mom was a robot... And every time I told you "I love you," you knew it was only because I was programmed to say it. That wouldn't mean as much, would it?

Max: No...

Mom: The other thing I know about the answer to your question is what I learned when I was in India. While I was there, I saw so many terrible, evil things- and I was asking the same question as you: "God, how can you allow this evil to go on and on?!" And you know what God showed me in His Word?

Max: What?

Mom: He showed me that our God is SO patient and SO kind, and He does not want anyone to perish but wants everyone to have the opportunity to believe and have eternal life. So because he is so patient and kind, He is holding back His wrath and His anger at sin so more people have the chance to believe.  In India, I saw many, many people bowing down and worshipping false gods. Many of them don't know about Jesus yet. 

Max: Did you tell them about Jesus?

Mom: No, I was doing other work. 

Max: (incredulous) WHY NOT??!!

Mom: Good question. Maybe I should have tried to find a way. But God is patient, and that's one of the reasons he hasn't destroyed all evil. He's giving us more time. Because He is powerful enough to destroy sin and make everything right again and HE WILL, and once that happens there won't be any more chance for more people to believe in Him. 

Max: The clock's ticking. 

Mom:  Yep. It could even be today that He comes back!

Max: But I think it will be more like a hundred years. He's leaving more time for more missionaries to go. 

Mom: And maybe you will be one of those who goes! Or maybe you will be a scientist like you've been thinking about- and you can tell the people you work with about Jesus. 

Max: Yes, that is my first idea. I really want to be a scientist and find the cure for the not-going-away kind of cancer. 

(.... And then we were on to another lengthy discussion about terminal cancer. :-). )

Maggie and Chocolate

Maggie (6): Mom, I don't know why, but I'm not really liking brown chocolate very much any more. It's too creamy. You know, people's tastebutts DO change sometimes. My tastebutts changed so that now they are like Uncle T's.

Campaign Chatter

Maggie: You know, Max, you can lose votes. 

Max: How can you lose votes?

Maggie: By doing stuff people don't like. 

Max: Like what?

Maggie: Boys dressing up like girls, stuff like that. 

Saturday Morning Pancakes

Maggie (6): Mom, can I have mine the old-fashioned way, with a 

square of butter in the middle and syrup dropping down the sides?

Play Therapy

I understand why therapists use play therapy to work with children- watching them play can be an insightful lookinto their   life experiences and thought processes. Over this Christmas break, Max and Maggie have been playing a game they made up called "City of Today" where they use chocolate gold coins to buy and sell goods and services from each other. I remember playing something very similar with my brothers when we were children. 

In the game, max owns a little shop called "Max's 1 to 5 Sale" and a movie theater and Maggie owns a broadway theater (no surprise) and a vet clinic. I overheard max say this as they were hashing out the pricing at the vet clinic:

"How much it costs depends on how serious the sickness is. Cancer costs 5, a serious seizure costs 4, a not-so-serious seizure costs 3, and other stuff like colds cost 2."

Interesting insight into medical conditions that he has personally encountered that made an impact on him. Also interesting that Xander's terrifying-but-harmless febrile seizure happened exactly one year ago today. 

It all reminds me that raising children is a scary, thrilling, humorous,  intriguing, humbling, joyful experience every day. 

Branson Birthday Bash!

This year we decided to do a little something different to celebrate our family's fall birthdays. In lieu of presents and parties, we took the kids on a 3-day trip to Branson over Labor Day to visit the Grand Country Inn hotel, water park and resort. We squeezed a LOT of fun birthday family fun into three days: swimming, mini-golf, pizza, bumper cars, outlet mall shopping, Branson variety show, arcade, fudge and more! We found the great 3-day vacation resort package deal on groupon that had so many fun options included that we didn't even have time to get it all in! We could have seen another show and played another round of mini-golf... but these old parents were worn out from all the fun. :-) We had a total blast!

Here are my favorite moments from our trip:

On our second night, I put the littles to bed at their regular bedtime and Lucas took Max and Maggie to use their arcade cards and ride the bumper cars. Max had SO much fun that when he returned to the hotel room to get ready for bed, he whispered to me in all seriousness: "Mom, I'm afraid I'm getting a little spoiled." It was precious. 

One of the things we got to do in our package was see the Branson show Amazing Pets. Maggie was completely engrossed and delighted the entire time. I mean, with tiny poodles wearing leotards and tutus and dancing and spinning  on hind legs to the nutcracker, what's not to love?!

Xander is such a little water monkey. He LOVED the indoor and outdoor water park. When we were back in the hotel room, he would go find our water park entrance bracelets, take them to lucas and say, "Wa-wa", "Wa-wa" incessantly! He wanted to get back to that water!

Amelia did well on the trip in spite of her recently cranky ways. :-) we only had a couple times she got really upset, but the rest of the time she did great and put up with a lot of craziness for a 3-month old! My favorite moment was when she *immediately* fell fast asleep in my arms when I dipped her toes in the warm water of the hot tub. She LOVED that warm water!

We made some great family memories this weekend. So glad we came!

Insights from Maggie

Maggie: Mom, did you know that 'Narnia' is a movie that can teach kids stuff? Aslan represents God, The White Witch represents Satan, and Edmund represents that we will never be perfect. 

Practice for the future

Maggie: Max, do I look cute?

Max: Maggie, I don't like these types of questions. 

Instant Roebuck Family Classic!

Happy birthday, America!

Ten Years Later

June 28, 2003: Ten years ago tonight I was taking my father's arm so he could escort me down the aisle to my groom. While we were waiting for our cue, my Dad turned to me and said, "You don't have to, you know. It's not too late to change your mind... if you're not sure."  I was sure. 

Ten years, four kids, three states and eight moves later, I'm still sure. Sure that God orchestrated a lot of details to bring us together. Sure that there is no other person who would be as good a match for me as Lucas Roebuck is. SURE that I got the better end of the deal when I married him, and sure that he is a better man than I even knew when I agreed to be his wife. Sure that I would love nothing more than to add 40 or 50 more anniversaries to our first decade together.

 I love you, Lucas! Happy 10th anniversary!

Amelia's Bathtime

Washing up:

Drying off:

All clean and ready to sleep!

Amelia's first day in church

Feeling very blessed and thankful today- it was so special to introduce our daughter to her church family this morning!

Max's Hero

Celebrating!

We are so blessed with wonderful, generous friends at our church! Several dear friends hosted a beautiful baby shower for the ladies at church this week to help celebrate our new baby girl. I dropped the ball and didn't get many pictures- I really wish I would have gotten one with the wonderful hostesses. Thank you, Laura, Allison, Chris, Meagan, Karen and Nancy for planning such a special evening!

Snowy May

Arkansas had its first snowfall in May in recorded state history this week. 2 inchess of the cold white stuff on the ground when we woke up on May 3!

The kids enjoyed a little time playing in the snow before a nice end-of-the-year May school day!

Maximus was baptized on Easter Sunday morning, March 31, 2013. He was ready, and we couldn't think of a better way to celebrate Easter! Lucas had the privilege of baptizing him. Check out the photos and video below and celebrate with Maximus!

Back in the Saddle

Okay, for all of you who report that you've been missing the blog updates (Hi, Grandma!), I'm back in the saddle in the blog world. I'll try to do better at keeping some updated photos and stories here for those who like to check it!