And So it Begins

Today is the first day of school. We closed out the summer with a picnic fellowship and final jump in the pool. And I am sure that there are a million moms and dads journaling about this day. I met it this year with lots of mixed emotions.

I love my boys tremendously. And sometimes I am a horrible mother to them--honestly. Last week I was ever ready to start the school year, even if the boys weren't. Noah seems to find a way to goad the older two at every turn. And Mark thinks he has somehow amassed all the earthly knowledge there is in his short 12 years. And of course Matthew is stuck somewhere in the middle, usually a part of both conflicts.

But this morning, as I sent them off to school, I realized that I really haven't taught them enough. I need to be a better mother. A better teacher. It's not enough to make sure they are doing their devotionals, I need to be a part of them. It's not enough to encourage them to pray for others. I need to lead the prayers. It's not enough to scold them about being kind and turning the other cheek. I need to model it.

They will learn so much in school this year. Noah, how to be a better reader. Matthew, how to be a better writer. Mark, how to be a better tennis player. But each of them will face challenges and disappointments. Each of them will reach goals and find success. And it is my eternal prayer that they will not want to mourn or celebrate any where else but here.

Eighty days left in the semester after today. I pray I don't miss a single magical memory from one of them.

Another Year Another Dream

We have managed to end our summer with a bang. Matthew had an AMAZING reading teacher last year. Mrs. Smith is very creative in her approach to teaching. And with Matthew's low self-esteem and reading difficulties he needed someone who could reach him at his level. Mrs. Smith did that 1000 times over.

And she's had a neat program going for years. She really wants her kids to read; so if you read 25 chapter books and do a small book report on each, then at the end of the year you are eligible for several prizes. One of the prizes is an airplane ride. Her husband owns a small 4 seater plane and will take the kids out at the end of the year if they qualify.

Mark did not qualify. He did not read books that were required for the reports. I did not think Matthew would qualify either. I mean Mark LOVES to read--Matthew did not. So if Mark did not make it I naturally assumed that Matthew wouldn't either. But Mrs. Smith had a couple of other ways to earn this ride. If you were in her homeroom class and kept your folder clean, you were eligible as well. But Matthew never had a clean folder before. So again, I was doubtful.

However, God has blessed Matthew beyond measure!! He went all year without a folder pull and he qualified for that plane ride! Due to Mr. Smith's busy schedule it was hard to peg down a time. Here we are in the final week of the summer break and we thought maybe it just wouldn't happen. Which was okay. I know how busy life gets, and while we were sad we had resigned ourselves to believe that maybe it just wouldn't happen.

But Mrs. Smith is an amazing adult who once again taught the kids a lesson by honoring her word. She promised to give them that ride and she kept that promise. This week was another dream come true for Matthew. AND she let him take two people with him so he chose his brothers. How selfless is that?! Mark is the only one who's flown and he was about a year old when that happened. So none of them have had such an experience before.

I cried as the plane took off. Not out of fear, but complete joy that God has greater plans for my boys than I sometimes give Him credit for. I don't know what I did that God was gracious enough to give me these gifts, but I am grateful. And I can't wait to see all of them grow and fulfill their purpose in this life. Because then they will really know what it is like to fly.

Overflowing

There is now one week before school starts. Most of the time these last two weeks are a sort of quiet chaos as the boys are readjusting to bed times, I am sorting and labeling a million school supplies, and we are generally trying to reintegrate back into the real world of schedules. But, this past week was a blessing. It was certainly a refreshing week. God reminded us (me) in this last stretch before school starts of how much we are loved. That we are not forgotten.

I am blessed to be a part of some amazing women's lives. As "unofficial nursery director" of our church nurseries, I am responsible for hiring and supervising our paid staff. Over the last 6 years we have really had some great girls come through our doors. The sad part about that is, eventually they will walk right back out as life and their degrees take them off to pursue their dreams.

However, this week, I got to see one of my old staff members. Shenel is such a beautiful person inside and out. She left us almost two years ago after she graduated from the nursing program at Tech. We have thought of her often and miss her sweet light hearted spirit and beautiful smile. Noah especially bonded with her and when her Christmas card came in with a picture he immediately took her picture and would not let me put it in the photo album. It is such a blessing to know my children have managed to touch other adults--to become part of their hearts. Seeing Shenel also made me feel as though I have some significance. She took time out of her busy weekend finalizing school plans (she's going back) to come see us. How blessed are we?!

Then, here at home someone who is always available at the drop of a hat is another adult who has influenced my children. Sarah started out simply as a tutor to Matthew. I never knew the depths of which we would come to love her. It's been a busy summer for her as she has fixed up her new house, and counseled at church camp. But this Thursday she managed to find time for us. And man did we take her time! She visited with us, loved on the boys, and spoke of greater things--the things of God--with me, and she renewed me.

HOW LUCKY ARE WE?! My children have since the day they were conceived blessed me. But I never knew they would bless my life this way, by bringing these amazing adults into my life. I get to know them and love them because my children know them and love them. God is so good. He reminds us on a regular basis of how much He loves us. Truly our hearts are overflowing.

It is my prayer that you too would know how much God loves you this week. Maybe it's been a rough go of things lately, maybe you have a case of the blah's. Nothing seems to be going right, another summer has slipped through your fingers and so many things are still left on your family to do list. Maybe you haven't felt like much of a blessing. Well, let me tell you that you are a blessing to me! And I am glad you came by. You are always welcomed here. And if you have already seen His love in your life, through someone/something then share it with me. Tell the whole world how blessed you are!

Landscaping No-No's

We have a modest sand box in the backyard. It could certainly use more sand, but we have tried to make do with what we have this year. Maybe next year we can get more, if there is any left after the flood that washed through here today. There were some casualties that got caught in the rushing waters. Below is the devastation.

These are Ryleigh's W.E.T sandals. She was caught in the torrent.
This is what is left of the flood after the children were rushed to higher/drier ground. It was much greater.

This is what the sink looked like after the clean up.

This is the flood maker. His sentence...time out until the flood dissipates. When asked why he chose to float the sand box he responded "I just wanted to see a river." He should be out of time out by the time school starts.

Moral: If God promised never to destroy the earth with a flood again, then neither should little boys.

Update Monday

I really should be working on the laundry, or making lunch. But neither one of those things are as much fun as recalling memories.

We went on vacation July 22 and were gone through July 27. We had loads of fun. Our trip took us to San Antonio through Austin and Ft. Worth to Grapevine. Every leg of the way we laughed and made "remembrances".

Every time I make memories with my children I feel a kind of connection to Mary, the mother of Jesus. I know it sounds far fetched, but stick with me for a minute here. When Jesus was born and the shepherds were coming to see Him, and telling everyone they saw about the birth, the bible says "Mary treasured these things in her heart." Yes, she birthed the Christ child into the world, but she was still His mother. I wonder how many other things she treasured in her heart as Jesus grew.

So that is why reminiscing always makes me think of Mary. Because this mother treasures a lot as well...join me and view our trip through my memories...

My bunch was RTG! (Ready to go)

Our first stop at Sea World was of course to feed the dolphins. My nephew Jordan was taken aback when these guys came up to get their breakfast. He never waited for them to get too close, and then just to be safe, he would throw the fish out into the tank away from himself. So this was the best shot I got of him "Feeding" the dolphins.

Next, we had to make sure we saw the VIVA! show. It is one of our favorites as the actor/acrobat puts all he has into the show. The boys were soaked by the time the pre-show was over.
I am amazed at how lightning fast these pacific bottle nosed dolphins are. So I was pleasantly surprised that the camera even caught this little speed demon!

We got to meet the main star (in our opinions). And got a picture with him. But I am so sad because in our star struck state we forgot to ask him his name. We really do love to watch him perform. When we watched the show performed by another acrobat we all walked away feeling empty.
We finally made it over to Shamu stadium. Jordan was ready to see Free Willy. In His opinion we took waaay too long to get there.
The boys took prime seats in the splash zone. We smartly sat several rows up.
I never cease to be amazed by the sheer size of these magnificent creatures.
Chris wants to know why he can't swim if something this big can.
Mark convinced Chris to ride the Great White roller coaster. Chris was very proud that he made it without crying like a girl.
The boys laughed uncontrollably at Cannery Row Capers (even though they once again found themselves drenched).
Who wouldn't laugh at a Sea Lion Wearing glasses?
Or one kissing a trainer?

Their nighttime show is completely different, and they do a parody of a Day at Sea World. "Officer" Seymour and his partner are saluting to the National Anthem at the start of the day .

This trainer is "Riding" a killer whale who is really a Manatee. (Wonder if anyone has told the manatee?)
Day two found us rained out of the park by Hurricane Dolly. We need T-Shirts that say "We survived Hurricane Dolly 2008".

Day three was a repeat of all we did on day one plus seeing the aquarium. Noah is looking longingly into the tank at Dory. (See her in the back ground?)

After three days of being on the go at Sea World Jordan finally gave out and slept through his last Free Willy show. The lady in the background kindly caught him when he fell over. Didn't get her name either.
Chris and I managed to love each other even more on this vacation. We came back glad that we went. Most of the time I am mad at him for not asking directions, he's mad at me for nagging him to ask directions.

This is what Noah did as we traveled through Austin. His blankey felt quite at home on top of his head.

In Grapevine, Chris enjoyed a men's weekend with his family while the boys and I enjoyed the hotel pool.

BUT, who can go to Grapevine without enjoying The Rainforest Cafe?
All in all it was a wonderful vacation. Even the sunsets were more beautiful. And, the week of rest prepared us for a week full of activity at our church's VBS. And what better way to signify the end of a very long post, but by saying "THE END"!

If you made it this far you deserve your own little vacation. Hope yours is as adventurous as ours was.