The Fans

One of our favorite things about soccer season are the fans who turn up to cheer Caleb on.

Ingenuity + Birthday Money =

A New Fun Lego Creation for Caleb

Future Soccer Player

The highlight of Seth's day yesterday was discovering that he is now big enough to wear one of Caleb's old soccer jerseys! 

Oh, the joy for him! 

He wore it to Caleb's soccer practice last night.  He wore it to school today.  And he would wear it to school tomorrow, if I would let him. 

But I won't.

He told me that it he gets to be Biz in that jersey.  I was quick to correct him.  No, Seth, you get to be SETH in that jersey. As cool and wonderful as Biz is, we do not need two Bizs.  We need a Seth and a Biz.  That is what God has for our family.  God has a plan and purpose for Biz's life AND He has a plan and purpose for your life.  If you are trying to be Biz (or anyone else), you will miss what God has for YOU.

I am not sure if he got it.  But I will keep reminding him of that.  

He just ran off proudly in his jersey.

Look out in the Spring...it will be Seth's turn to play soccer!!

And boy, is he ready!

Early Bird

I have always found it quite humourous that God would give me a first born who is a TRUE morning person.  Not just someone who awakens early and eases into his day, but someone who bursts out of bed ready to TAKE ON the day.  Yes, that is Caleb.  And that has been him from day one, and for those of you who have been in his life from the beginning, know how true this is.  He actually just ran right out of my womb and has not stopped since.  It is something that Eric and I love so much about him.  His energy. His natural excitement.  His zest for life.  It is all very endearing...just NOT at 6am. 

In great contrast to my Caleb, most of you know that I am NOT a morning person.  Not at all.  I savor my sleep and when God gave me Caleb, who has unnatural amounts of energy at 6am, it was a real awakening for me! I can remember when Caleb was a toddler,  Eric and I would rejoice, complete with tears of joy,  when he would sleep until 6:30am.  It would be a rare victory for us.  As he has gotten older, he does sleep a bit later.  But even on the weekends, he is usually up and at 'em by 7am.  At least now, he can fend for himself until we get going.

I have done much better with the mornings, since Caleb has started school and actually has to be there on time.  But I am definitely classified as one of those early risers who eases (very slowly) into my day.  I am now usually the first one in the house awake on school mornings. (Shocking, I know, especially to my hubby.)  I really enjoy that time and usually spend it doing my bible study or just having some quiet time before the house becomes alive with activity. Yeah, who ever thought that would happen? 

However, this morning was a different story. 

I remember looking at the clock at 6:30 (my usual wake up time) and telling myself I would just rest for a couple more minutes and then get up.  Eric had to leave early, so I wanted to make sure I did not fall back to sleep after he left.  Oops...

I was awakened by a fully dressed for school Caleb hovering over me.  The room was already
 bright, so I was pretty sure that I had not simply closed my eyes for five minutes.  No, I had overslept. 

"Mom, I already have my breakfast ready.  What can I get for you?"  I sat up unable to see the clock and said, "Oh, sweet boy, thank you.  What time is it?"   Caleb responded, "Oh, it's 7:11.  I am almost ready to go."  I sat up, got my brain together.  I was still a little foggy.  "Okay, buddy, I will be out in a minute." 

"Okay, Mom, but what can I get you to eat?"  Sweet boy.  I put in my cereal request and hopped up and mentally tried to calculate how I would make up for the lost time.  I had to account for the possible mess that might be awaiting me in the kitchen and a little extra time for getting Seth awake, since I assumed he was still fast asleep.

When I emerged from the bedroom, there was Seth on the couch and Caleb had our breakfast on the table.  "Look Mom, I cooked breakfast for everyone."  (Remember, we all had cereal.) He even had my water in a fancy cup secured by a coozie.  Yes, a coozie.  Wow!  There was no mess in the kichen and everything appeared to be running smoothly.  "Thank you, Caleb.  I don't know what Mommy would have done if you hadn't sprang into action this morning."  He just smiled.

Maybe I should oversleep more often.

Let me just say that the boys are pretty good with our morning routine.  Let me also say that on the first day of school they were not.  But after some well worth it training, they are both pretty awesome about getting everything done and out the door on time.  When they wake up, the first thing they do is get dressed and then they come downstairs for breakfast, which I make for them.  (And by make, I mean I put the cereal in the bowls with milk.)  Lately, Caleb has been asking to assume this responsibility for himself, which makes me nervous, especially when we have a full jug of milk.  But I wanted to give him a chance, and he has done really well with it, with only a few minor spills.  The boys also know that in order to have the priviledge of watching a TV show, short movie, or having some Lego time before going to school, they must have clothes on, breakfast eaten, teeth brushed, sink cleaned, and shoes on, before they can proceed to the fun stuff.  Most mornings they are ready long before I am.

This routine has pretty much eliminated any morning drama.  And morning drama is never good, especially for a non-morning person Momma.  The boys know what the expectation is and know it is their responsibility to meet it.  It has fostered confidence and some morning independence, which is another plus for the non-morning person Momma.

When he finished eating this morning, Caleb even went into my closet and pulled out an outfit for me to wear.  I am not sure if he had completely lost confidence in my ability to get us going or if he was just really enjoying his opportunity to serve this morning.  I think it was the latter.  The blouse was a bit fancier than I would have chosen for a day to get things done around the house, but when he said that he really thought I looked pretty in it, I could not resist.  Plus, I had a lunch date with him at his school, so it was well-suited for that occasion.

What could have been a chaotic morning, turned out to run very smoothly.  Thanks to my early bird, first born!  His energy often wears me out, especially in the morning, but I love it and wouldn't trade how God designed him for ANYTHING!  Even though I have not gotten as much sleep as I would have desired over the last seven years, it has been well worth it.  What a precious heart God has entrusted us with!

Guess Who has a New Pair of Wheels?

This guy!!!

Seth finally decided he was ready for a new bike.  He outgrew his little green bike before summer, but was not ready to give it up. (Imagine that.) 

There are so many things that I love about Seth. One of them is how grateful he is for what he is given.  The little green bike was given to us by our friends, the Prentices.  The ones who have one girl.  So, yes, Seth has been sporting a girls' bike for a year and a half.  When we first received it, I offered to paint it.  The green color could be unisex, but the pink accents definitely tell you that it once belonged to a little girl.  Seth didn't care. He was just so happy to have a "new" bike that color (even pink) didn't matter to him.  So, it remained light green with pink accents.

When I suggested at the beginning of the summer that we look for a new bike, he was NOT ready to give his up.  So, he spent the summer riding a bike that was a bit small for him.  Again, Seth didn't care.  However, about a month ago, while shopping, the bike section caught Seth's eye.  He was finally ready to give another one a try.  He got really excited!  We pulled out a couple of bikes and he wheeled around the aisle with a big ole smile. I asked him if he thought it was time to say goodbye to the little green bike, and he told me that he was ready.  He actually jumped and down and said, "YES!"

Of course, we decided to check out the yard sales first.  It's us, after all. We put the word out to Granny, Tante and Memaw and Pepaw to be on the look out, too.  Last weekend, Meem and Peep struck gold and now Seth has his own big boy bike!

Go Sethie!!

Thanks Memaw and Pepaw!!

Woo Hoo! It's Soccer Time Again!

Soccer time is upon us...And we are ready for another great season!

Caleb's first game of the season was on Saturday morning.   It was great to have him back on the field.  He jumped right in and was ready to go.  This season the teams play four on four on two separate fields.  The quarters are longer and there are actual referees. Caleb really thought that was a big deal.  It is all so official now.

Caleb's team did really well, and he had a great first game back. At the end of last season, Caleb emerged as a strong defender.  He had always been a solid offensive player, but his defense skills sharpened a lot last season.  He proved again to be powerful on defense and had a strong offensive game, too, and scored three goals.  

We really like Caleb's coach this season.  He has already taught them a lot in just two practices.  He has a passion for the game and a heart for the Lord and incorporates Christ into lessons on sportmanship and soccer fundamentals. The boys are learning to play different positions this season, which really helps them work together as a team.  At this level, that is still a hard concept to grasp, but I think they will get it down pretty well by season's end. 

At the end of the game, in the group huddle, Coach Keith told them that they had to come up with a team name before their next game.  Immediately the suggestions came flying.  Why wait, right? One of the teammates threw out the perfect name....The Fireballs!

It was the unanimous winner.

Yep, I think it is a perfect fit.  And not only because of their flourescent orange uniforms, but because they are a group of ten energetic, full of life little boys.

Little Fireballs!

First Day of Pre-K!! God's Got It!

Seth was very adament that he was NOT going to school today.   He was pretty anxious last night at bed time about starting a new school year.  He began crying about how he missed many things...he missed Caleb being six and a half, he missed his lost uh-oh (aka pacifier from two years ago), he missed the tiny duck that he used to have when he was a baby, and the list went on.  I knew the trip down memory lane through the gallery of things missed was more of a cry about how anxious he was about things changing.  Not even about going to school...just the change that the new school year signaled. Seth is definitely a creature of habit and change is something that he has never been a fan.   

Momma, Dada, and Biz all crawled into Seth's bed with him and listened to him lament on the things that he missed and to wipe away the tears.  Then we talked about the good things the changes in life can bring and that God has a plan for him and for him to fulfill it, things have to keep moving.  We all prayed over Seth, especially for God's comfort as he approaches another change and for him to have joy in it.  We allowed Biz to sleep with him and put his bible beside of him, and Seth was instantly at ease and fast asleep within minutes.

I know Seth will be fine. He just has a big fear of the unknown. I can relate. Seth still never wants to go to his class at church, although when we come to pick him up afterward, we have to drag him away from the good time he is having. Last school year, he always said he didn't want to go, but once there, he was totally fine and jumped right in with the other kiddos.

When I got to bed, I thought about how my own anxieties can be so similar to Seth's.  I usually approach change kicking and screaming.  I tend to hold too tightly to my life and the way I think things should be, and completely forget to TRUST Christ with the life He has given me.  I often find myself overwhelmed by the anticipation of change, only to enter into it and discover it is either not a big deal or it leads to something much better than I could imagine. Much better than my contentment. Yes, I can get so content in life that I forget that life is not about being me being content.  Life is about moving forward to the place God has for me to best glorify Him. And yes, that brings on lots of changes.

Our small group leader, Terri, has a motto, "God's got it," which she applies to all situations. Very simple and very true. She is a good example of someone who truly lives by this.  Eric has adopted this, as well, and I hear him saying more and more.  I am thankful, because it is the truth and my wandering mind needs to hear this truth daily. (hourly, even)  If I truly believe that "God's got it," then in what situation can I be fearful?  One of my favorite scriptures is Philippians 4:6-7, which says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  God's word is alive and active and in order for me to have His peace then according to His word, I can NOT be anxious about ANYTHING and in ALL situations, I must be laying my needs before Christ and communicating with Him through prayer.  Often I allow my emotions, distractions, and/or my desire to do things my way, to get in the way of the rest and joy that comes from walking in God's peace and truly living the life that God has for me. 

As I laid in bed, I continued to pray for Seth and for him to remember to pray to Jesus while he was in school, especially if he felt lonely or anxious.  I prayed that he would always feel Christ's presence with him and that he would have a Godly confidence and peace about him no matter where he was...even preschool.  I prayed that God would better equip both Seth and I for the changes of life and that ultimately we would both do a better job of trusting our Savior in ALL things.  Seth is learning and growing and it is my hope that Seth will do a better job with this when he is thirty-three, than his momma does at times.  I trust that he will and I trust that as I continue to learn and grow in Christ, this will be an area that I struggle with less.  After all, "God's got it." Simple truth. 

Seth woke up still not wanting to go to school, but he did not put up a fight.  Granny and I saw him off for his first day.  He told me in the van ride over that he didn't want to go, but once we got to school, he began to smile.  Once we entered his ole familiar school, his confidence grew.  He gave me a big hug at the door and went right in with his teacher...all smiles.  I picked up a smiling little boy, too.  He had a wonderful first day of pre-K.

Of course, when I asked him if he had fun at school.  He shook his head, "no."  I wasn't surprised.  But then he proceeded to tell me about all of the great things he did during the day and how nice Mrs. Jennifer was.

I am confident that he is going to have a wonderful year!!

Happy Birthday to my Biz!!

I never knew so much life could exist in one little person...until seven years ago, when I met Caleb.  From the day he was born, he has been bursting with energy and excitement.  He has always been a dynamo.  He is full of creativity, passion, adventure, and spunk.  And energy.  (I know, I said that already, didn't I?)   It hasn't always been easy to keep up with Biz, but it has been a lot of fun and has given me a whole new perspective on the world!  He is a such a joy and holds a big ole piece of my heart.

We were joking today about his birth and how he was not in any hurry to come into the world once my labor started seven years ago, which is in complete contrast to his personality. "I must have really liked your belly," he told me.  He was asking me about labor and what it was and why it hurt and this and that.  I did my best to answer in kid-friendly terms and not jump into a biology lesson.  Ummm..I sometimes have a difficult time with that and have to be careful to not give out too much information.  But I think I pulled it off without traumatizing my first born.

Let me just say, I am not one of those moms who totally forgot the pain and discomfort of labor.  Yeah, that has stayed with me.  Don't get me wrong, though, I am also one of those crazy people who remembers it all, and still absolutey loved experiencing it all!

After talking with Biz about his birth, it hit me that twenty-two hours was a really, really long time to get a human being out of your body.  But I would do it again in a heartbeat.  Multiplied by four.  And yes, unmedicated, at home, in our bed, all over again. Caleb got a real kick out of me saying that I would go through a hundred hours of labor if that is what it took to have him as my son.

 "One HUNDRED hours?  Really, mom?"

Yes, it would be a small price to pay.

Happy  Birthday, Bizzy Boy!!!

My Little Rock Climber

At Pump it Up, Caleb always makes a bee line for the rock wall, but Seth usually heads in a different direction.  I always ask him if he wants to give it a try, but Seth says, "No, thank you," and runs for the big slide. 

The last time we went in to play, I didn't even bother to ask Seth if he wanted to give the rock wall a try.  However, I was in for a big surprise! I kept noticing Seth's eyes wandering over to the wall.  Then his body moved closer and then closer until finally, I said, "Do you want to give it a go, Buddy?"  He looked at me, then at the wall, and then gave me a big smile and walked right over to the assistant and asked to be suited up.

And up, up, up he went.

Just like a pro.

Now that's an accomplishment!!

Dog Resistance

"Momma, I miss JC.  When can he come back to visit?"--Seth

Seeing how sweet the boys are with dogs now inches me (very slowly...like at turtle speed) closer to wanting a dog of our own. JC came to visit for the day a month ago and Seth has talked about him a lot since. Out of the blue, he will mention that he misses JC and wants him to visit.  He wrote Tante a letter today and in it told her that he wants to go to her house to see Josiah.  And watching the boys chase Izzy and Maggie around at Memaw and Pepaws house is so much fun.  Caleb spends a lot of time trying to get Izzy to let him pick her up and hold her.  Poor Izzy.  But it is really cute.  Especially when he finally catches and cuddles her.

Okay, I have been strong for a long time and able to resist the pressure (mostly from my hubby) of bringing a four legged friend back into our family.  Yes, I know that sounds mean, but I have a good list of reasons why we do not need a pet right now.

First, I said that once Seth was potty trained, we would discuss getting a dog.

That was two years ago.  Still no dog.

Then it became, once we get a yard, we will discuss getting a dog. 

Of course, now we are on the cusp of having a yard. 

So, does that mean a dog is on the horizon? 

I am still not sure I am sold on bringing another member into the family.  It sure is a whole lot easier to "borrow" our friends dogs.  I am not sure what my next argument will be.  Or if there will be an argument at all.

I guess we will just have to wait and see.