A visit to the past

My husband had business in Raleigh this weekend, and at the spur of the moment my children and I decided to join him. Truthfully, he sounded kinda bummed on the phone that he was spending another few days away from us and I just missed him, so, off we went. Several years ago, BC (before children), we lived in Raleigh for about a year shortly after we got married. It was neat to go back and see where we worked and lived and hung out. It was fun to see how much had changed in 15 years - and what hadn't. The next day we headed to Chapel Hill. My husband spent the first 3 years of his college career there before transferring to Charlotte. It's a long story why he did it, but suffice to say, he was much happier in Charlotte. As we showed the boys the campus and Daddy's dorm room, where he hung out and did things, it saddened my husband that he didn't enjoy his college times like he should have. He did have some good times there, but it was hard on both of us being away from each other and that added to both of our sadness during that time. We came away from this trip with good memories, and also a conviction of what we want for our boys. We want to instill confidence in them to do what they want, and to follow their dreams - not what they think we want for them. I pray they always follow the path that God leads them. Daddy's dorm that was being renovated - at least now it has air conditioning! Didn't have that when he was there! This is the only time I stood with him outside his dorm without bawling my eyes out! This trip was a lot of fun for all of us. There's a song I love by Trace Adkins called "You're Gonna Miss This". It's about life, and how we're always looking ahead instead of enjoying the moment. Going back to revisit old places makes you realize that time goes by so fast, and you should enjoy the good times before they are gone. We should all enjoy the life God gives us - in the good times and the bad. Our "official" Tarheel fans!

A Family Experience

We had vacation bible school at our church this past week, and this year was a little different. Instead of the moms working their tales off (and the church staff) to prepare and teach lots of lessons, this year our church did all the work and our whole family got to experience it together. Even the grandparents came one night. Our family was asked to do a charade....which I eluded to in an earlier post. Here are some pictures of the skit: Daddy playing the priest (very handsome priest I might add!). The Good Samaritan and his wounded, bloody brother (a big thanks to my friend Nancy and her daughter Caroline for letting us borrow the horse!)

Mommy trying to coax the wounded one to lie on the floor by himself - didn't work until I told him his big brother couldn't help him if he didn't lay down. That did it!

My sweet little boy helping his younger brother.

I was so proud of my kids. To go out in front of an audience and do everything they had rehearsed was amazing! I was more nervous than they were!

One proud Mama!

There are days my children make me so proud to be their Mom. Most days actually. But today was a very "proud Mama day".

My oldest son got a ridiculous amount of money for his 8th birthday, and he's done a great job and spending it, or not spending it as the case may be. Sure there's been a few silly purchases - like the rubber bracelet bought at the gas station on the way home from the beach, and an enormous amount of baseball cards. Overall though he has spent his money very wisely. Today we went to the bookstore and he immediately fell in love with this small stuffed dog. It was very cute and he wanted it, so I told him he could buy it with his money if he wanted to. He must have really wanted it because he didn't even flinch when I said this. Of course, then the younger one wanted one. "I'm not buying it, your brother is spending his own money" I told him. He pitched a small fit on the way to the restroom but quickly got over it. When we came out of the bathroom, my oldest was standing there waiting on us and said "Mom, I want to by him the dog." I made sure he knew he didn't have to do it, how much money it was going to cost him, but he wanted to do it. I told him it was o.k. with me if he wanted to do it. He then proceeded to take his younger brother over to where the animals were and showed them all to him - making sure he got the one he wanted. After changing his mind several times, he settled on a dog.

My youngest was so happy, and as we left the store he thanked his older brother as he squeezed his little dog. My oldest turned to me and said "it felt good to do that." I gave him a big hug and told him how proud I was of him that he gave of his money to do something nice for his brother. I guess somewhere along the way those bible lessons really do sink in!

How to make a mountain out of a mole hill....

So tomorrow night is the beginning of the preschool part of vacation bible school at church. Our preschool director asked several families to participate in bible charades - our family is one of them. We had to pick a bible story and act it out, on stage, in under two minutes this Thursday. Our family debated what stories to tell - my oldest picked a good one - the 10 plagues, but trying to wrap my head around how we could act all that out in under 2 minutes had me stumped. We settled on the Good Samaritan. Here's where I get ridiculous. I called the preschool office and asked if we were to dress the part. She said some were using what they had at home, some weren't. Well, that wasn't good enough for my family. My husband wanted me to look for a Darth Vader outfit at Party City as he is playing the priest. "Does a priest in biblical times look like Darth Vader?" I asked him. "I don't know and neither will anyone else. I just want a Darth Vader outfit" he replied. I informed him it wasn't Halloween and there was no way I was going to find a Darth Vader outfit this time of year. I settled on a black sheet with a gold satin pillow case (thanks to my oldest for finding that little nugget) to use as a collar. I've secretly been wanting new green sheets for our bedroom so you can guess what I'm using as my robe/costume...... They are going to look great on my bed when we're done! I managed yesterday to stop by Michaels and get face paint for the youngest as he's going to the wounded one on the side of the road (assuming we can get him to go out on stage to begin with). "The bloodier the better" my oldest says. His costume is ready as the boys went out with Daddy on Sunday and dirtied up an old t-shirt in the dirt pile beside our apartment. We found a couple of scarves at Target to use as belts and I am painting a styrofoam ring that my husband can use on his head to hold the head covering. My husband will be cutting a wooden dowel tonight so I can make a scroll for him to use as a prop. (People in the audience won't know what a priest looked like back then, but somehow they are going to know that Bible's were on scrolls.....whatever. I'm doing this to appease him.) We have read the story and practiced our part over and over again. This, my friends, is how you make a small little task into a ginormous one! I am still looking for one of those horses that are on a stick - you know the ones that kids ride. If I can't find one we'll just fake it!

My husband, My hero

Last week the kids and I were at the beach. I came home to a spotless apartment and my husband even went and brought back dinner for us Saturday night when we got home. We all were soooo happy to see him. Sunday we skipped church and slept in. We had a great day just hanging out as a family. Early Monday morning, however, I started to feel sick. I mean really sick. I was sick most of Monday so when my husband got home he took the kids out. The kids, by the way, were perfect angels while Mommy laid in bed all day. I only got up to get them food or drinks. I started feeling better Tuesday and ran errands for a little while with the boys. Got back home and it was time to fix dinner before vacation bible school at church. After dinner I felt really sick again. I took the kids to VBS, met my husband who took one look at me and said "go home, you look terrible". Now, normally I would be offended, but I actually thought it was sweet. He had told me on the phone to take the kids to VBS, give him instructions and go home to bed. I kept telling him I was ok. I wasn't. This year at VBS the parents are to stay with the kids. I was really looking forward to sharing this time as a family, but my stomach just would not cooperate. He blew me a kiss so as not to catch my germs and off to bed I went. I think I am up to going tonight. I hope so, because this is the last night for just my oldest and us as his little brother will join us Thursday and Friday. No doubt if I'm not up for it, my sweet man will take over. Thank God for him!

Everything is better at the beach

My kids and I are at the beach this week with my girlfriends and their children and it's been a lot of fun. We were just talking today how everything is better at the beach - food, drinks, conversation, just about everything. Except hearing our name: Mom. I loved being called Mom. I prayed for many years to hear that name. But when there are 6 kids in the house that call that name out...it gets a little old. Every child tends to sound like yours when they are calling "Mommmmmyyyyyy!" and we all respond to it. Thankfully the kids have all gotten a long and it's been fun. But I will say this, it's better at the beach without the kids too!

A Father's Legacy

"...parents are the pride of their children." Proverbs 17:6 Today is Father's Day. For many, this is a day of celebration; reflecting on our husbands as fathers, paying tribute to our own dads for what they are to us. But for many this is a solemn day. For those that have lost a father, it's a day of mourning. For those who are estranged from their father, it's just another reminder that their dad isn't who they want them to be. For those that were never able to become a father, it's a day of sadness. The role of a father is important. The role of a father is important to a son. He is the one his son imitates - both the good and bad qualities - and lives them out in his adult life. He is the one his son looks up to for guidance, love, and acceptance, even when he acts like he doesn't care about it. He is the one who will teach his son, without even trying, how to be a man, a husband, a father. His son will learn this just by watching. The role of a father is important to a daughter. He is the one his daughter looks for in a mate. It isn't until you are married that you realize this. Images and feelings, ingrained in you before you were even aware of them, play out in your adult life based on what you grew up with. How she should be treated, what is expected of her, how she is cherished (or not) are all things she will learn from her father and expect from the next important male in her life. The role of a father is important to a wife. A woman was not built to handle both the father and mother roles, and sadly, many have to do this. There are abilities only a father has that can fill a child's needs. The house is to be led by the man. A woman looks to her husband for leadership, but also compassion and understanding. She looks to him to respect her opinion, gain from her insight, and acknowledge what she means to the family, and him. This Fathers Day I am remembering my own Dad. What a wonderful example I had in what a father should be, what a husband should be, what a friend should be. I am missing him a lot today. I miss his voice, his hugs, and his belief in me that I could do anything. I also am thankful today that my husband and brother are now fathers. They, in part because of our father's example, are wonderful fathers themselves. I am so proud of both of them. Today I am also thankful for the best Father of them all - my Lord. He showed the greatest love by sending his son to pay for my sins. He always is the voice of reason. He constantly supports and guides his children. He always forgives, never condemns, disciplines when necessary and always, always loves. His embrace can ease the greatest sadness, his hand can calm the worst fear. His love can mend the brokenness of what an earthly father has done, or cannot do. This Fathers Day I am remembering all the wonderful fathers in my life, and putting them on the pedestal they deserve to be on. There is nothing like a father. No, nothing quite like a Father.