Do You Hear What I Hear? Do You See What I See?

And so it seems that Christmas is upon us...just a few shopping days away, actually.  We often seem to get lost in the hustle and bustle that has become as much tradition for this holiday as other symbolic representations.  I am more behind than usual or so it seems, so I decided I'd take the time to reflect on what I hear and what I see.  I was blessed by both.


Do you hear what I hear?  
I hear the sounds of my children animatedly talking about those brand new toys and other such items they hope to receive...a Lalaloopsy doll, Legos, an iPod touch, a dsi, a wii game or 2 or 3...the list is never ending and it is no help at all that they each have a birthday in January! I hear their voices sharing the news about the latest place Shock, our Elf on the Shelf, has landed or about how many days are left before the big visit from the 'Man in Red' (yes, Santa Claus).  I hear their tiny little voices singing with big hearts the classic Christmas songs and carols.  Today, I heard the two 5 year olds singing "O' Come All Ye Faithful" and my own heart smiled.  I hear them talking about the baby Jesus and how he was born in a manger so very long ago.  Just today, I heard them talking about "the baby Jesus star" and how it was different from a normal star.  Most of all, I hear excitement and wonder.  They are excited as their imaginations run rampant with the possibilities of their belief in Santa and all that he is to them.  They are filled with wonder as their young minds interpret their faith and gain greater knowledge of Christ and all that He is to them.   I have no issues with them believing in both as they are all well aware that one brings them gifts (an idea that was started when the wise men brought gifts to the Christ child) while the other is the Greatest Gift ever given.  These things I hear are God's gift to me as they remind me that  "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above..." ~James 1:17  

Do you see what I see?
I look around and I see that we have been blessed with so much more than we could ever possibly need and so much more than we could ever possibly deserve.  I see also those who struggle financially, those who'd love to be able to purchase a single toy for their child...let alone the multitudes that some buy.  I see those who struggle physically, who'd give anything for their child to be healthy...or simply to be at all.  I see those who struggle emotionally, those who clearly have issues but have yet to find a way to deal with them.  I see those who have all that money can buy, all that society has to offer and yet they lack true happiness.  I see those who've been blessed with the tiniest of gifts and suddenly they seem to have it all.  Again, I see my own children and know that I must teach them now to pay forward their blessings and to realize that it isn't always about what you want...sometimes it is simply being content with what you have.  I see all of this and know that this, too, is God's gift to me for "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." ~ Philippians 4:11 

And so I wonder...Do You Hear What I Hear?  Do You See What I See?  Take the time this Christmas to determine what those things are...I hope that like me, you will find that the many blessings of Christmas truly do bring us goodness and light!

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Beyond Thankful...for I Have Been Blessed

With the holiday season upon us and Thanksgiving less than 48 hours away, it is easy to get caught up in the hurried-ness that has become our way of life.  And yet, there are times when God, in His own way, will create a pause in our rushed and crazy-busy lives - a pause in which we can reflect on our blessings - a pause in which we can truly be thankful...  For me, that pause came today - the Tuesday before Thanksgiving...a day on which my to-do list was long: errands to run, laundry to be done, bills to be paid, gifts to be made, an opportunity to sub again in 1st grade, bags to be packed, etc, etc, etc......and then God intervened and Alli got sick last night...my to-do list changed and in addition to all of the above, I added:  take her to the doctor, pick up her prescription, and last but not least, take care of her and do all that I could to nurse her back to health.  After all, the holidays are upon us and we don't have time to be sick or have sick children.

And yet, it was in my attempt to take care of her, that I stopped and for once, did nothing...absolutely nothing but sit in the rocker recliner with her on my lap...just holding her, hugging her, and loving her...quickly realizing that God wanted me to take this time not just to care for Alli but to truly sit and count my blessings.  And so for today, I tossed that to-do list aside, even if only temporarily, and instead I made a new list - a list of all that I have for which to be thankful...yes, a list of blessings.

I am thankful for Leland - for being my wonderful and loving husband - for going above and beyond to take care of our family - for often sacrificing his own wants and desires to provide for mine or the kids' - for always putting in a full day's work (oftentimes even on a day off) - for giving of his time and talents to others - for living out the faith he so truly believes in - for being a man of character, but more importantly, a man of God - for the little things that are often unseen by others...like tonight when he told Alli if she didn't know the magic password, then she'd have to give him 100 hugs and kisses...or the way he will take Lane to run an errand with him making Lane feel like the most important person around...or the early morning conversations he and Alex often share when they are the only ones awake - for these reasons and more, I am blessed.

I am thankful for Alex - for the fine young man he is growing up to be - for his contrite and loving heart - for his caring ways - for his intellect and quick wit - for his stubbornness (one day, it will prevail in a way that is of utmost importance) - for his conscience and how at a young age, he does know right from wrong - for his growing faith in Christ and his willingness to stand up for his beliefs - for the great big brother that he is to Lane and Alli - for the little boy that I will always see him as...the one that first stole my heart the moment I laid eyes on him - for these reasons and more, I am blessed.

I am thankful for Lane - for his laughter and big smile - for his mischievousness - for his attention to detail when one least expects it - for his desire to be so much older than his 5 1/2 years - for the many ways he makes me crazy because it is thru those same ways that I find myself loving him more and more - for his precious little freckles that spot his nose - for his politeness - for all the things he 'needs' because they mean I will never lack for his attention - for his long bedtime prayers because no matter what they might include,  they are sincere and show the innocent  faith of a young child who simply loves Jesus - for these reasons and more, I am blessed.

I am thankful for Alli - for her strong will but sweet spirit - for her cautiousness and anxiety because they define her in a way that will never be confused with anyone else - for the way she adores both of her brothers - for the girly girl that she is and her love for all things 'bling' - for her love of dance and her gracefulness on the dance floor - for her precious laugh because it is music to my ears - for her long and curly hair and her beauty that is both inside and out - for her stubbornness because it means she will always fight the good fight and never give up easily - for her own unique way of simply being who she is - for her picky-ness because it means she has standards and preferences for which she will hold tight - for her love of Jesus and willingness to share it - for these reasons and more, I am blessed.

I am thankful for my parents, in-laws, grandparents, siblings, teachers, friends and so many others - for the many opportunities you have made available to me - for the examples you set - for all that you do - for all that you are - for all that you represent - for these reasons and more, I am blessed.

I am thankful for the trying and difficult times as well as the good and wonderful times for both can be learned from.  I am thankful for my past as it shaped me into who I am now.  I am thankful for the possibilities that lie ahead. 

I am thankful for a loving and forgiving God - the very one who created, shaped and molded my life to be what it is today - the very one who continues to bless me when I don't deserve it - the very one whose plans for me and my life are far greater than any I could ever have of my own.

So, today, as my plans were altered so that they'd be in accordance with His - as I sat there gently rocking one of my greatest blessings, I thanked God for all I've been given.  At the end of the day, my to-do list awaits but I am beyond thankful...for I, as undeserving as I am, have been greatly blessed.


 

Those Sweet Angels of Mine (...and a million other thoughts)

Not quite six years ago, we brought two precious angels home from the hospital to their then not quite 7 year old brother who was proudly halfway finished with first grade.  A little over six weeks ago, we sent those two angels off to kindergarten and their brother to 7th grade.  What a remarkable journey it has been thus far! 

Welcome home, little angels!

Kindergarten (x2) and 7th grade - two very different stages and yet here we are experiencing them all at once.  I had worried and fretted all summer long as to how all 3 would adjust to this new chapter of their lives. My oldest angel mumbled "love you, too" under his breath as he got out of the car to go into the school. (At least he wasn't too cool to say it, right?)  My sweet little angels merely walked in and sat down in their separate class lines as though they'd been doing this for years.  I didn't make it out of the elementary cafeteria before the tears started gushing.  Suddenly, they seemed so grown up.  When did this happen?  Wasn't it bothering them to be separated?  Would they be sure to find each other on the playground?  Would their big brother survive football practice?  I spent the first day of school sobbing...crying...sobbing...crying...I could hardly wait for 3:00pm to arrive so that I could pick up the little ones and 5:30pm so we could pick up Alex.  I wanted to know all about their days...Did they make friends? Did they like their teachers? What did they learn? Was 7th grade going to be as good as 6th grade? Wasn't it really too hot to be practicing football? etc, etc, etc! (Yes, secretly, I wanted to know if they missed me as much as I missed them...but no, I couldn't and didn't ask!)  Come to find out - they all had had a great day!  I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when Alli gave me one of her biggest hugs and quietly whispered in my ear "Mommy, did you cry a lot today or just a little?"  I am not one to lie, but in this one instance, I had to...so I told her "just a little bit, baby...just a little bit."

Kindergarten, here I come!

Ready for Kindergarten!

Watch out 7th grade!

While I miss them terribly during the day, it makes my heart happy that all 3 of them absolutely love school.  There has hardly been an afternoon go by that Lane and Alli haven't played "real school" upon returning home from school.  I happily listen and observe as they imitate their teachers and classmates.  Without asking, I can almost always tell what they have learned about that day, which students had to pull their cards and why, the mood of the teachers, etc.  It is entertaining, yes...but it is also another sign...yet again, that they are growing up.  


That older brother of theirs has hardly had a moment to breathe.  In addition to football and refereeing soccer games, he quickly added running cross country to his list of activities.  This requires 6:00a.m. practices 3 days a week.  Our stipulations for allowing him to do this were that he had to keep his grades up and not be grouchy.  The former is much easier for him than the latter, but all things considered - especially with an almost 12 hour day at school, he has done rather well.  He seems to thrive on staying busy...(I am pretty sure he comes by this naturally.)

Add to the above all of their other activities (dance, soccer, church, etc)  and the daily grind of school and homework and we could easily say that these first six weeks or so have been a whirlwind at best.  And yet, they've been a whirlwind of learning experiences for all of us, illnesses for most of us, challenges for some of us,  and blessings abundant. 


Alli, my shy and stubborn, quiet but controlling little angel remains a hard read but has grown and changed so much just in a short span of time.  She has, at her own pace, come out of her shell a little bit.  She was quick to make friends both in her class and on the playground.  Her favorite thing is to swing and swing and swing.  According to her, her friends love to push her on the swing.  (I question this, but she sticks to her story.)  She seems to have a cute little kindergarten crush on a little boy named Ace.  Her stories are full of excitement and she seems very happy.

My little man Lane - he's still his outgoing little self.  His teacher tells me he is "perfect" at school.  He must work really hard at being that way because come 3:10pm, he is pretty much done with it all - done being "perfect," done wanting to learn, done wanting to put forth any sort of effort on homework or anything else for that matter.  He's just tuckered out by the end of the day.  The only thing he still has a desire for in the afternoons is food!  He wants a snack and another snack and another snack and then after supper, yes, a dessert.  For the first few weeks of school when I'd pick them up in the afternoons and ask about their day, his only comment would be "I'm hungry."  He, too, has made his own little friends and speaks of them often.  He seems to be a little sponge just soaking it all up...thankfully, he retains most every little detail.

Oddly enough, Lane and Alli seldom play together on the playground.  I just thought that they would...at least at first, but they really don't.  However, they must miss each other and miss getting to talk to each other during the day.  From the minute they get in the car in the afternoon to the minute they go to bed, it is constant chitter-chatter.  I could (and often do) spend hours just listening to them, their stories and conversations.


Last but not least, there is my Alex.  He has taken on the challenges of being both student and athlete very well.  For the little guy (and his mom) who worried all summer about getting hurt out there on the football field because of his small stature, he has come a long ways.  What he lacks in size, he makes up for in heart and a simple but honest love of the game.  He seems to be having the time of his life.  Then, there was his first pay check for refereeing soccer games - he was so proud to have earned money on his own.  (Plus, I think he truly enjoys remaining a part of the game.)  Those early morning cross country runs don't seem to phase him - he has yet to complain about having to be up and at 'em so early.  His school work remains top-notch.  His attitude is testy at times, but what 12 year old's isn't?  

The other day it occurred to me that this is really only the beginning of the journey.  We have many more milestones yet to reach.  I know there will be ups and downs, challenges and triumphs along the way.  None of the 3 of them are perfect...they often hide their wings, but in my eyes, they will forever be, those sweet angels of mine.

I'm Gonna Miss This...

Well, here we are...Summer 2011 has more or less come to an end.  It came and went far too quickly in my opinion.  I intended to blog more often than I did over the summer, but each time I sat down to write there was only one topic weighing on my mind...and that was the start of the 2011-2012 school year.  I just couldn't bring myself to go there yet...so, I decided to wait till it was closer to time for school to start.  Suddenly, that time has come and I write this with an excited yet heavy heart.  

I am excited that my 3 most precious blessings are each about to embark on new and fun adventures.  For Alex, it will be 7th grade and all that it brings with it...most significant would be him playing football (and other middle school sports).  He has lived and breathed football since he was just a little guy about the age of 4.  He can rattle off stats for most any NFL team and/or player - he has been doing this for as long as I can remember.  He's watched games on tv, attended one in person and even gotten upset when his favorite team (the New England Patriots) lost in a Superbowl or two.  For years, he has asked when he could play.  My reply was always the same: "When you get to 7th grade..." I had no idea that time would arrive so quickly.  While I am nervous (as most every mom is), I am thrilled to see him live out his dream of finally playing football.  He is excited but anxious as well.  We had to search for pants that were small enough to fit him - he isn't fond of the whole locker room and shower idea (but what teenager is, really?) - he is worried about getting hit and being so little in stature - just a little bit of this and a little bit of that... But I truly believe that once they get started with practices and games, he will be happy to be there...worries and fears set aside...playing with a heart and love of the game so much bigger than his physical presence....enjoying each moment of it.  At least, I pray that is the case.  School - wise, he is ready to be back.  He loves to learn and is happy with his new schedule and teachers.  I am proud of the good student that he is.  I know 7th grade will be a great year!

Then there are my two babies and their adventure into kindergarten.  I am positive that their first 5 years of life passed twice as fast as Alex's seemed to have!  Kindergarten...wow...it seems it was just yesterday that we got the news that we were pregnant with twins.  A package deal...that's how they came...that's how I will forever look at them...but come Monday morning, they are Lane and Alli...each their own individual person - the very ones God made them to be...each in their own classroom...separated not just from me, but from each other.  My heart tells me it will be hard for them, but my mind tells me this is the best thing for them...to allow them to be their own little selves.  Lane is super excited and has been for the longest time.  He is 5 going on 12 and looks up greatly to Alex.  Simply put, he just wants to be big and now is his chance!  He is just a big fun ball of personality all wrapped up in a little boy's body.  He is most excited about having a locker and getting to play on that playground!  He has told me that he already knows how to read so no need to learn that (I am not convinced of this but that is what he has said).  I do know that he is one smart cookie!  He can be doing something and I can think he is sooo not paying attention, but then come to find out he was.  He has an attention to detail that seldom fails him...it is amazing.  We sometimes worry that he will be a little more social than he needs to, but I really think he will be a completely different kid than he is when he is with us.  I think he will be just fine.  Now, Alli, on the other hand...well, who knows.  She is a sweet little girl, but so very shy and reserved in unfamiliar settings (and sometimes, even in familiar ones).  That said, however, she has done well on her own at dance for the past 2 years and did from the very first dance class.  She is very meticulous in coloring and drawing, etc. and likes to organize things so school-wise I am not worried.  Like her brothers, she is very smart and remembers things that most would forget.  She is excited that Lane's classroom and locker are both right across the hall from hers...almost as if this is a security blanket of sorts.  Socially, she is quite the opposite of Lane but I do think she will come around...eventually.  She tends to beat to her own drum at her own pace.  After a summer full of telling me she wasn't going to school, just this week she has decided it just might be ok and seems excited about it, in her own little way.  I know they will be just fine once the initial adjustment is made.  When I ask them what I will do while they are at school, they tell me: "You are going to have lots and lots of quiet time, Mommy!"  As great as that sounds, I am going to miss the chitter-chatter of my two little monkeys!  It will definitely be a fun and different kind of year for all of us!

My heart is heavy because...well...all of the above simply means that all 3 of my babies are growing up.  I once heard someone say that with kids the days are long and the years are short.  I realize now the abundant truth in that statement.  In my attempt to avoid the unavoidable, we stayed rather busy this summer - going and doing this and going and doing that.  We spent a lot of time just doing stuff together - going bowling, seeing movies, going on a super fun vacation, swimming, playing the wii, reading books, etc, etc.  In the midst of all of that though, we had our share of long days...days in which Alex's mouth ran overboard...days in which Lane whined a bit too much...days in which Alli didn't want to cooperate...days in which all 3 picked at each other and fought and argued...and days full of many other examples that simply made them long days.  But even with those long days, the summer was still too short.  I am reminded of the lyrics to the Trace Adkins song "You're Gonna Miss This" whose chorus is:

You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this

So, I am excited about this new chapter in the lives of each of our children...this new chapter in our lives as a family...but I am saddened that time has flown far too quickly.  As I look ahead to the future and the fun times it holds, I already miss the past...even those long days on which my 3 precious blessings drove me cRaZy with their antics... Yep, I am definitely going to miss this...

Keepin' It Real

Ever had one of those experiences where you are out somewhere and you witness another mom whose child is having one of "those" fits?  You know...the kind at which you simply stare for a few, smile or nod and walk away - the entire time thinking "Oh wow! Thank goodness that isn't my child!"

Well, this afternoon at Target I was that mom with that kid.  If there had been a sudden hole in the floor that could have sucked me down into it, I would have gladly let it do so...If I could have twitched my nose and either disappeared myself or simply stopped the fit, I would have done so...If I could have shrunk myself to the size of an ant, no one would have seen me.  But no, there we were...it started in the back of the store...and slowly, but continuously got a little louder as we moved toward the check out.  It was there at the register that this horrible experience blew up in my face.

You see, I had told all 3 of my precious children before we even went in Target that I was not buying anything for them unless it was something that I decided to purchase.  I specifically said "if you ask me for something, the answer is no.  You will not get it."  Period.  That was it - we were merely going in there to look and kill some time that we had before heading to swim lessons.  I saved the toy section for last on purpose.  Alex headed to the books while Lane, Alli and I were still in the toys.  It was nearing time to leave so we went over to find him.  I made the first mistake in showing Lane some new Cars 2 books that were out.  My second mistake was in letting him look at one.  And thus began this saga of our afternoon.  He proceeded to ask me for the book.  I told him no.  He continued.  I kept saying no.  He went on.   My third and biggest mistake was letting him hold it till we got to the register (I was purchasing a few things but true to my word, nothing for which anyone had asked).  "Why did you let him even take it to the register?" Leland later asked me.  My answer was simple - I know Lane well...I knew a fit was coming so I was trying to prevent it as long as possible.  I had no idea, however, just how big of a fit was coming!  I have never seen such a thing...well, at least not from my kids!  So, we get to the register and Lane hands me the book.  I give it to the lady checking us out and quietly say "I do not want this book.  I am not buying it."  She says ok and puts it down under the register.  Lane happens to turn around right at this moment and "THE FIT" ensued!  He tried to get out of the basket (so I lifted him out to avoid him falling out - my mistake #4!) - he bangs on the conveyor belt, bangs on the part at the other end and then I picked him up and he bangs on the card reader - each of these actions is bad enough in and of themselves, but all the while he is doing all of this, he is also screaming/crying at the top of his lungs "buy me the book! I want the book!  I will stop if you buy me the book" etc, etc, etc, - I honestly can't remember what all he was saying.  What I do remember is the feeling that every eye in the entire store was on me and every ear was hearing whatever all it was that he was so very loudly screaming.  I am not sure what I felt more of - anger (I was extremely angry), humiliation or embarrassment.  Here he was acting as though I had beat him or worse and yet the simple truth of the matter was that I had not laid a hand on him.  I simply had refused to buy him a $3.99 book. Yep, that is all it would have taken on my part to have avoided this whole mess...but it wasn't about the money.  It was about setting boundaries and sticking to them.  It was about teaching him that we don't always get everything we want.  It was about accepting "no" as an answer.  All hard lessons for anyone, but especially a 5 year old.  I hope and pray that somehow, someway, someday, he will understand all of these.

And then there was me, his mom, who also learned a valuable lesson or two from all of this.  Like I said, I was mad.  I was humiliated.  I was embarrassed.  I am quite sure my blood pressure was sky rocketing and my pulse was racing.  Most of my family think I am short-tempered and have little to no patience.  Most of the time, I, myself, am quite sure that they are correct.  But today, in Target, when all of this took place, God granted me patience of great proportions.  Yes, I lost it once we got to the car but for those few minutes (which seemed like an eternity) at the check out, I was amazingly calm. So I learned that yes, I do have patience...or at least I have a God who truly does provide for my every need in my times of need.  I also was humbled.  Never again will I be the mom who quickly judges another based on the behavior of her children.

My own mom's reply to this was that Lane wasn't perfect...that none of my kids are.  And yes, I admit that I would soooo love for them to be.  Oh how I wish they were!  But no, they are not.  Nor am I the perfect mom that I daily strive to be.  (For in my perfect world, this would have never happened nor been real.)  With age, I am learning that perfection is a lofty goal  - one I likely will never reach but one I can't yet let go of either. And so herein lies another lesson I learned today...my goal as a mom should be more about being the kind of mom God wants me to be and less about what I think others might think about my parenting skills.   "He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect..."~1 Timothy 3:4

Lane's respect was all I really wanted from the happenings of the afternoon.  Did I earn it?  Time will tell.  Meanwhile, as I watched him floating on his back doing his thing for the end of swim lessons test this afternoon grinning from ear to ear looking so angelic, I realized that I love him no less for his actions at Target prior to swim lessons.  In fact, it's very likely that I love him even more.  After all, at the end of the day, I can look back at this whole experience and know that he was simply "keepin' it real."

Nothing Better than Homemade Birthday Cards!

So my kids were more excited than I was that yesterday was my birthday.  Talk ensued throughout the day about birthdays and how old one is, etc.  Lane and Alli played "birthday party" with their stuffed animals and dolls.  Apparently, this mom shares her special day with Lane's beloved "Monkey" as it was his birthday yesterday as well.  Later, when we picked Alex up from school, he asked what time I had been born and was curious as to if I was really old already or not quite.  I happened to be on the phone with my mom so I asked...I believe she said I was born at 7:05a.m. so yes, to Alex's thrilled little self, I had been old(er) all day!  Then my 3 precious children somehow got on the subject of gray hairs...and Alex asked: "So, how long have you been paying for your blond hair?...You know, Mom, to cover up all the gray?"  Lane & Alli laughed as though that was the most hysterical thing they'd ever heard and then proceeded to ask me the same question over and over again - in between their sweet little giggles, of course.  I am afraid that they were all a bit disappointed to know that this blond hair is all mine, free of charge, courtesy of God and the genetic makeup of my parents. (Now, as for the the gray...well, if I have any they are courtesy of my 3 children themselves!  And if there are any, either gray blends well with blond or in my aging years, I am losing my eyesight and simply can't see them.  Either way works for me!)

Later last night, the kids were beside themselves with excitement to give me the cards that they had made just for me.  I cherish all things the kids make but these cards each had their own particular little story.  

Let me begin with Alex's card.  He had gotten really upset the night before and came out of his room almost in tears.  When I asked what was wrong, he commented that he had been working on making me a card and had just "messed up the whole thing because he had put a 38 instead of a 39 on it."  I am not quite sure if he was upset because he had to start over or because he had made a mistake.  However, what mom wouldn't mind if her child inadvertently noted a younger age on her birthday card that he had made?  The humor of it was lost on Alex but not on me!

Card made by Alex

Then there is Mr Lane.  He's such a simple guy...not too big on details if he is the one having to provide them and he always beats to his own drum!  One of his cards exemplified just that.  He got a piece of paper, folded it in half lengthwise, scribbled something on the outside, wrote his name on the inside and then had Alex, Alli and Leland sign their names as well.  Then he got a used piece of tape (I have no idea from where but it was clear that it was used) and taped it shut...card complete and finished.  He later made another one with a little bit of Alex's assistance, I believe.  It took him two days to complete.  After he gave it to me, he informed me that the picture on the inside (which was so much marker that I am surprised there wasn't a hole or two...or three) was an Easter egg!  Now, only Lane would know what an Easter egg has to do with a June birthday...but I am sure there is an explanation there somewhere! 

Cards made by Lane

And last but not least is Alli...the card she made is very detailed and representative of many things (though I am not completely sure what all those many things are...).  I asked her to tell me about all the little pictures - the face is me, 2 are hearts, one is my phone, one is lipstick, one is my wallet, one is a toothbrush & one is a river (interesting to say the least)...oh & that # in the bottom left corner...'that's how many you are, Mommy!'...That would be sooo awesome if that number were reversed and similar to Alex's mishap and just a couple of years younger at 37, but oh no, it's a 73!  Nice!  

Card made by Alli

And so on that note, I must say, that for "73" I feel incredibly youthful!  They always say that whatever doesn't kill you, will keep you younger...I am hoping my kids and the many treasures that they add to my life will do just that - keep me young.  The first thing I learned at age 39 is that there is truly nothing better than homemade birthday cards from my kids!

A Blink of an Eye & the Ring of a School Bell

And so it was...as simple as that...a blink of an eye and the ring of a school bell...and suddenly, the oldest of my babies is now a 7th grader!  Wow!  It seems it was just yesterday that I was suffering my first bouts of morning sickness (that would end up lasting 4 months) when I was pregnant with him...and then, several months later, came the labor - a 36 hour, all in my back, labor...the kind of pain no one bothers to warn you about - the kind that makes you wonder why anyone would ever even consider having a second child after suffering through that...

But here he is...a little over 12 years later extremely proud that he is now officially a 7th grader!  And here I am still humbly amazed at the amount of love I feel for him...so much that I would endure all of that sickness and pain (and then some) all over again if it meant always having him in my life, protecting him from harm's way, sheltering him from all the bad that the world offers up...Yet, today is one of those point's in life in which God is preparing me in the tiniest of ways for future times...times in which, I, as a mom, must let go.  You see, with each passing year (and oh my, how quickly they pass), I have to let go just a little more...not because I want to - because if I could, I would keep Alex, Lane and Alli little forever...but God's design on life was that He gives us these gifts - (we call them children) - but they are not truly ours to keep - they are ours to raise in the manner in which God has planned and then we must let them go so that they might become the person(s) God intended them to be.

My prayer as a mom has always been to raise my 3 little blessings to be the best they can possibly be in every way, that they will know the difference between right and wrong, that they will show respect, that they will know and love God and oh so much more!  "Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it."~Proverbs 22:6  I hope and pray daily that we are doing just that.  I like to think that we are but also realize that sometimes, we fall short.  However, I must brag a bit on Alex...the awards he received at the 6th grade Awards Ceremony last week are indicative that maybe, just maybe, we are doing something right.  He received the Perfect Attendance Award - this child loves school and loves to go to school! He also received awards for Reading and Band - two activities at which he not only excels but also enjoys greatly.  He was the recipient of the All "A" Academic Honor Roll Award - not only does he like school, he takes an active role in learning.  While I am not a proponent of standardized tests, I am beyond proud to share that Alex earned "Commended Performance" on both his reading and math TAKS tests.  He also placed 2nd in UIL spelling.  Lastly and the award for which I, as his mom, am most proud is the Citizenship Award that he received.  It wasn't an award awarded by the teachers, but rather an award that was voted on by the students in regard to one's character and how they treat others, etc.  I am proud that he chooses to be this kind of person.

Don't get me wrong, he isn't perfect...not by a long shot...and that boy who received that Citizenship Award is the same one who is quick tempered and smart mouthed here at home - he seems to always think that he needs to get the last word in...(I have no clue where he got that from because we all know that I must have the last word!)  So, while we often have a meeting of the minds, I know that he knows right from wrong, has a contrite and compassionate heart, that he knows and loves Christ and is growing into the young man God intends for him to be.  Today though, when I ever so slowly blinked my eyes and the final school bell of the year rang, he proudly proclaimed that he is now officially a 7th grader!  Little does he know that no matter what grade he is in or is promoted to, he is and will forever be, my baby! 

May the Days of Summer Be Long & Pass Slowly

I decided long ago that I wanted to start a blog...but I was waiting for that perfect day to do so - a day that celebrated something special.  While there have been plenty of "special" days, there hasn't been one in particular that stood out.  I finally realized that each day is special enough in it's own way and none should be overlooked as anything less.  The past few weeks have been full of reminders of how very blessed we are and how very fleeting time is.

Both of the boys recently finished their Spring soccer seasons.  For Lane, it was all about securing yet another trophy to add to his now-growing collection.  Did he have fun in the process? You bet, but at the end of the day, he wanted his reward.  That's how I often feel as a parent...wanting a reward at the end of a very long day or week.  And yet, I know my rewards are not quite as tangible as a trophy.  Instead, they come in hugs and kisses from my little people...smiles on their faces...giggling and laughter...hearing their prayers and praying with them...watching them grow and change into the person God intends for them to be...and oh so much more.

For Alex, the end of this soccer season very likely marked the end of his soccer playing career (short of Troy getting a soccer team or Alex transferring to another school).  While he anxiously awaits the beginning of school sports as a soon to be 7th grader, he will certainly miss the game that he has come to know and love.  As his mom, I have enjoyed watching him grow with the sport - he went from the little boy who always ran back to the center of the circle in the center of the field each and every time the whistle was blown to one of the more aggressive players and a true leader on the field.  This season marks a sense of closure for life as we have known it for the past 8 years (he started playing when he was 4).  Closure on certain ages and stages is probably my least favorite part of being a mom.  I don't like to let go as doing so means that I am acknowledging that my babies are growing up.  Alex has lived and breathed football for as long as I could remember...and for years, I have gotten by with saying that he could play once he got to 7th grade.  Now 7th grade is nearer than ever...but it seems it was only yesterday that he was my baby boy who merely dreamed of playing.  If only I could keep them little...

Alli finishes yet another year of dance with her 2nd recital tomorrow.  My quiet little ballet princess who seldom shows her true colors in front of others will shine on the stage.  She has asked me daily how many more days till her recital.   She knows both of her dances and is so excited about the big show! She will wow those that know her with her confidence and a courage to perform that can only be God-given.  For on that stage, she will not be the same little girl who doesn't talk to family or friends or who ducks her head when others attempt to get her to talk to them.  As her mom, my heart will swell with pride and...

I will pray for that same confidence and courage to be hers (and mine) when August rolls around and she and Lane start Kindergarten...and the oldest of my babies, embarks on 7th grade.    Yes, time is fleeting...very fleeting, but God has blessed us with the same 24 hours each and every day.  My prayer is that we use them wisely, look upon them fondly, and not let even a mere second of them go to waste.  May the days of Summer 2011 be long and pass ever so slowly!