Bwave

Eric and I have been teaching the K/1st graders at church for the month of October.  This past Sunday our scripture verse was one of my favorites, Philipians 4:6-7.  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus."

We have been studying and talking about it all week with our boys, which has been quite timely, since we had some crazy weather at the first of the week.  Sunday evening, the boys were out and about when some scary storms started.  I am not sure if we were ever under a tornado warning, but a tornado watch was in effect.  Eric explained that to the boys, so Caleb instantly assumed that he was, indeed, in the midst of a tornado.  I know this because on Monday, he was telling me all about the tornado that came to town.  It really didn't get that bad here, but through the eyes of a six-year-old, being out in a big storm after dark can be pretty consuming.

On Monday and Tuesday, the boys and I talked a lot about Philipians 4:6-7.  And I answered a lot of tough questions from Caleb, like "God is big enough to stop the tornados, so why does he let them happen?" When faced with these questions, I just pray that the Holy Spirit will give me the words to help my boys have some inkling of an understanding of who God is and how we are always in His protection no matter what, because that is what His Word says.  These are things that I am still trying to understand myself.  I always have to go back to scripture when answering the tough questions, because my explanations will never be sufficient unless they are coupled with the Truth.

The Word of God is Truth as much today as it was when it was inspirely written all those years ago.  I don't understand how one can not be anxious in certain situations, but I do know that the Word of God is truth and if God tells us not to be then I have to trust that it is because He does have everything under control, even when it doesn't look like it through my eyes.  Oh, to truly trust Him is freedom and I know that freedom, because before Christ became Lord of my life, I was anxious A LOT.  I didn't know true peace.  I have learned that apart from Christ, there is no peace and there is a whole lot of worry.  Once you have tasted the peace that comes from Christ alone, you know it is real and that a relationship with him is sweeter than anything this world can offer.  Nowadays when I fret (and I still do at times), it isn't because God has left me or that His Word isn't true, it is because I am not fully trusting my Saviour.

Trust.

Peace.

How I desire and pray for my boys to truly understand this trust and the peace of God early.

The weather was yucky again on Tuesday. At breakfast, Seth looked up at me and said, "I will be bwave, Momma, and know that God will protect me from any tor-mados." 

Those were some of the sweetest words I have ever heard and gave me hope that my boys are starting to understand Philipians 4:6-7.  It also made me think of my definition of bravery.  Being brave is not about how big and strong you may be or hard you can fight and trust in yourself; True bravery is fully trusting in a powerful God who always does what He says and fulfills His purposes, even though we may not understand it all.  And trusting in Him for His strength and wisdom and for Him to fight the battles of this world for you.  "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."  Ephesians 6:12

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."  Romans 8:28


 May God be glorified!

Kindergarten Highlights

Caleb is eight weeks into kindergarten now (not counting his fall break) and, so far, he is really enjoying it!  The long day has taken some getting used to, but he has adjusted well.  He really likes his teacher and his school buddies.  He gets to have PE AND recess every day, so that is definitely a plus for our active boy. He loves getting to check out library books now and had his four digit student number memorized by the second day of school.  His math skills continue to amaze us, and his handwriting has improved by about 150,000% .  He is reading like a champ, and he has become quite creative lately. One of his new favorite things to do is make his own magazines.  Oh, how that makes my heart smile, since I spent a great deal of time in elementary school making my own newspapers. 

We have definitely observed him maturing more and more over the past couple of months.  He even told me yesterday that he really likes homework.  Yay!  I did, too.  I always loved school, which I guess is pretty evident since I spent nearly 21 years in academia.  His approach to school reminds me a lot of me at that age.

However, his two favorite things about kindergarten are actually two things that I did not care a great deal for:

1.  School lunch.  Caleb thinks that school lunch is one of the greatest things ever.  He gets to buy his lunch on Tuesdays and he gets so excited to walk through the lunch line and punch his number in the key pad.  He never wants me to pay his account ahead, because he wants to be able to pull his lunch money out of his pocket and give it to the lunch lady.  Since he has always loved to eat, it doesn't surprise me that he always tells me lunch is his favorite part of the day.   And how much sweeter it is on Tuesdays!

And here is number 2.

Riding the school bus.  Now I would have done anything to avoid riding the bus.  I remember when we used to ride the bus in the mornings, we had to cross the street and catch it in front of the First Baptist Church.  I would try to walk really slow and hope the bus would not see me and keep right on driving by.  It never worked.  I always made it in time or if I was a few steps behind, the bus driver always waited on me. Ugh! 

From day one, Caleb started asking to ride the bus. Actually, it was more like begging.  I have always been against having my kids ride the bus, especially my kindergartener.  But then Seth started preschool and Tuesdays and Thursdays became a day when I was constantly on the road...taking Caleb to school, then Seth, then pick Seth up, and then pick Caleb up.  It got exhausting quick, especially since there was an hour and a half lag between each delivery and pick up, so the day was really chopped up.  I talked to the school and they assured me that kindergarteners sit in the front of the bus and Caleb's stop is one of the first ones, so Eric and I started praying about it.  Once we had peace about it, Caleb's bus riding dream became a reality.  I really thought that after the first day he would get it out of his system, but after four weeks of being Tuesday/ Thursday afternoon bus rider, the thrill is still there.  He cannot wait to ride the bus home and reminds me before school that it is his day to ride.  He would ride every day if I would let him, but for now, this works for us.

It's great to be a kindergartener!!

An Advantage to being the Baby

Let me preface this post by saying that thanks to the grace of our almighty God, neither one of my children have ever been in need of anything.  Although they may have wanted a few things they couldn't have, they do not know what it means to truly be in need.  We have always been provided for and blessed with shelter, food, love, and time with each other. 

But I have found myself many times looking at my sweet Sethie and saying, "poor second born."  It is mostly when he is wearing a stretched out hand me down, knowing that he rarely will get to do anything in this family first or when I am dragging him all over creation to pick big brother up from school, take big brother to this or that, or while I see him patiently watching big brother play soccer and knowing he can't wait to get out there himself in a year or so. 

But really these are minor infractions in the whole scheme of things, because as a second born myself, I know that he probably has neither noticed nor really cared about "missing out" on certain things or waiting on things.  After all, you really can't miss what you have never had. And what a great skill to learn...patience. Plus, his little laid back personality could care less that  he learned his ABCs at the age of three rather than at 18 months like his big brother, since I had a whole lot more time to work at Caleb on those sorts of things.  (We were probably still in survival mode when Seth was 18 months old or maybe we just realized that you don't really have to know your ABCs that early.)

I know there are many advantages to being the baby, too.  Just ask my older sister. Like being born with an instant playmate and never really knowing the feeling of being lonely.  And of course, there is that extra dose of grace you get, because you are younger, smaller, still learning, etc., etc., etc. 

And I found a new advantage, too.  

Field trips

I had to miss some of Caleb's preschool field trips whenever siblings were not permitted.  His first kindergarten field trip to the pumpkin patch had the same stipulation.  On trips that I did get to participate, Sethie was also in tow, so Caleb was not able to have my undivided attention on such outings.

But with Seth, it is a different story.  When his class went to the pumpkin patch last month, not only was I able to attend, Seth had me all to himself.  Well, me and his class, but with the other mommies in attendance, I was only responsible for one little person, so I was able to focus solely on my baby.  Ahhh...it was nice. It was so much fun to watch Seth play with his school buddies and follow big kid rules with his class.  What a great day we had!

Here's to some second born perks!

Sending Love to Kenya!

These three boys miss Tante and Uncle Tim, but are glad they are having such a great time in Kenya!

And Josiah is doing just fine!!
He sends his love. 
And so do the Workmans.

Four Little Pumpkins

Guess Who Had a Great First Trip to the Dentist?

This guy!

Yes, I was that mom who took her camera to the dentist for her son's first appointment. Shocking, I know.

I was really surprised when Sethie jumped right up into the dental chair when it was his turn, without even one hint of protest. Mainly because he told me all day that he was NOT going to the dentist. He felt it necessary to remind me multiple times throughout the day, even when big brother would excitedly cheer, " I am so excited to go to the dentist!"

Seth remained quite still while watching Caleb take his turn and as Rae Lynn explained all of the "fun" things she was doing to keep Caleb's teeth clean. I didn't really think she was selling Seth on the whole idea. But when Mrs. Rae Lynn called him for his ride in the "magic" chair, he jumped right in.

If I have not mentioned it before, I will say it now, we love our dental hygienist, Rae Lynn! She is so good with our boys. She actually makes going to the dentist fun and Caleb absolutely loves it! Rae Lynn had him from the moment he first sat in the dental chair, with her sweet silliness, nearly two years ago. He is always ready to go back to see her. After this trip, I think Seth's sentiments are the same.

"Mister Thirsty" was definitely Sethie's favorite part.

Dr. Dublin (who we also love) gave the boys the all clear for no cavities!  And the visit ended with Mrs. Rae Lynn giving her buddies their dental goody bags (which is Caleb's favorite part), but this time, she included an extra special treat, a gift card to Gigis cupcakes, which happens to be right next to the dentist.  YUM!  How is that for job security?

What a fun trip to the dentist!  And yes, we did brush our teeth again when we got home!

Most Dedicated Fan

More Soccer Pictures

                                                                                             

Now This is How You Drink a Glass of Milk

We Tried...

And tried...

And after about twenty more pictures like this, we gave up...

And surrendered to the fact that THIS was the only way we were going to get a good shot of all three boys looking in the same direction (even though they weren't looking in the right direction).

We had a great day at the zoo with the Davis'!

I love My Husband

Happy Day after your Birthday, Honey!!  What a fun birthday weekend!!

God chose well for me.

"Two are better than one,

because they have a good return for their work:

If one falls down,

his friend can help him up.

But pity the man who falls

and has no one to help him up!

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.

But how can one keep warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered,

two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

Eccl. 4:9-12 (NIV)