Off to Western Kentucky University and other places!

For the amount of time I spend posting about my two oldest children, you would think they are all that live in my nest! It is just that these “firsts” are so hard for me to part with! I am proud of them – both have eyes filled with stars and state that they “want to make a difference for Jesus on the campus of Western Kentucky University”. That will be my prayer for them each day as well…oh it will be a hard adjustment for each of us. But I am filled with such anticipation for how the Lord is going to shape them and use them!

The other four sparrows are all stretching in the nest as well. Last night Josh and Isaac were “extras” for City on A Hill’s current project in the new Not A Fan series they are filiming. Josh got to be a “wrangler” (I guess that is what you are called when you walk around barefoot, pantlegs pulled up and quietly keep track of the many cords and wires of the cameras). He informed me he likes “doing tech and serving by helping, he doesn’t mind being an extra but the speaking parts – not at all”. This fits his personality. He is a wonderful support guy. He really has eyes that see how to HELP people and can even delegate well.

Isaac – well, he thinks that the in-front-of-the-camera part is cool and is looking forward to taking drama at CEC this year. In fact, he is looking forward to several classes at CEC because he will be out with people. He is becoming a mini-Zach in that he is a people-PERSON! He really does live up to his name meaning “laughter” and I am enjoying his emerging personality so much!

Gabe wants to do cooking lessons…so I’ve ordered some Usborne book recipe cards. He led Olivia in the sinners prayer two weeks ago and then hugged her and told her she is “now his sister two times…once in our regular family and once in God’s family”. Both of those activities really sum up Gabriel completely. He just loves everyone and everyone loves him. I don’t know if I’ve had a kid with a sweeter spirit. I laughingly say he will be a gynecologist…he listens so intently and always wants to be kind. He makes Abbey “Love Cards” and he is constantly a chick-magnet because he listens so well that the little girls flock to him! sigh, I think that means trouble in a few years!

Olivia is my little princess. She cries over “boo boos”…the crying part is so hard for Abbey and I to get used to. Not that she shouldn’t cry, it’s just that she can cry so easily! And yet she gives the biggest smiles, giggles her head off, finds farts funny (much to her older brother’s delight) and is just so precious to have underfoot. We will be learning to read this year…I say we because teaching a child to read is really a “we” project! I can’t believe this is my last sparrow to teach! I am so blessed that five years ago God gave us one more child! WOW!

Ben and I are really enjoying our business…we’re about to put some windows into a church and then have a cookout…I think I’m going to get some aprons that say, “Now we’re Koch-N” (for those of you that don’t know…Koch is actually pronounced “Cook”.

I am working in my school planner today and getting all my last minute stuff done as we start school TOMORROW! Thursday is the first send-off when we bring Abbey to her dorm. And Saturday will be our second send-off when we bring Zachery to Western Kentucky as well. Even though our year will be vastly different than any we have ever had, I still say, “Life doesn’t get any better than this!”