What's going on in our world?

1.  Fred has been training for a half iron man this summer. (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and a 13.1 mile run) He went on a 65 mile bike ride with his buddy this week as part of his training...the day before he ran 13 miles before I took the kids to school.  Mercy.    

 

2.  I started teaching this week.  I have many of the same students from last year.  They are such a blessing.  We are going to have a great time learning American History and Pre Algebra.  Yahoo!    3.  Tuesday night we had an associational meeting at church.  Some people from church brought food and the boys and I, along with several others, helped serve it.  Right as people were bringing food in the bottom fell out.  Unbeknownst to me Clayton went outside, got our umbrella and then proceeded to hold the umbrella over all the ladies (while he was getting wet) while they brought their food in.  Brought tears to my eyes. 
Friday night we surprised the boys and took them to a Jackson Generals game.  We had a blast.  Clayton caught a foul ball.  He was over the moon excited.  He even got it signed after the game. 

4.  While at my parent's house this weekend they presented Jack with one of the tough decision:  McDonald's or honey butter biscuits from a can for breakfast?!?  After much thought...and  I mean much thought...He decided on McDonald's.  In the end we wound up going to Latham's Meat Market.  It was great.  Delicious.  Good choice, Jack. 
5.  Andrew woke up crying the other night because his "face" was hurting.  We rubbed hydrocortisone ointment on it, gave him an ice bag and then let him get in to our bed.  After hours (yes, hours!!) of crying we finally decided to turn the light on to look at his face.  I told him to point to it.  He said, "It hurts RIGHT. HERE!!"  and pointed to his ear.  Duh.  Hydrocortisone ointment does not help an ear people.  After hours (yes, hours!) of crying we finally got some numbing drops and an antibiotic (Walgreens is not opened at 6:00 am when this stuff always happens.).   By that afternoon he was playing the Wii and jumping around.  You never would have known the trauma that had occurred...well except the bags under mine and Fred's eyes. 
Holding a sweet little boy all morning was not how I intended to spend my Friday morning, but I'll take it.  Little boys grow up way to fast to let them sleep on the couch when they are sick.  

Now that the boys are in school Andrew and I have a lot of time together.  It is great.  Here is Andrew during a rousing game of Headbanz.  Classic.  He selects the card to put in his band.  I give a couple of clues.  Then he takes the card off, looks at it and tells me what he is.  This is not how you play the game...but whatever...he sure is cute!

 Andrew wanted to go home with Fred and Renee.  This is the breakfast he picked out before church.  My question is...who wouldn't want to stay at Mawmaw and Pawpaw's?!? 

Beginning of School and Other Things

School started last Thursday.  Here we are not even a week out and summer is a distant memory.  Poor Clayton has to share his birthday every year with the beginning of school.  He had a friend party, but we celebrated on his actual birthday with a donut breakfast and Pi Pizza for lunch.  Pi Pizza is our favorite!  He requested a chocolate chip cookie with ice cream.  It was basically a big ice cream sandwich.  I just kind of made it up, but I think it was a success for sure!

The next day summer was officially over and we all got up super early to head to school.  We headed out and all was well.  The days of going in with my boys to get their picture are long over. Over.  I had to settle for a photo shoot outside.

 These boys look so big to me!  Second and Fifth grade...what?!?  They are growing in their relationship with each other and with our Savior.  It is such a joy to watch.

We pulled out of the driveway and headed for our drop off routine.  The boys go to two separate schools.  So, we pray before we get to the first school.  Let me just say, I'm not an emotional girly, girl.  For pete's sake, I live in a house with four boys.  No one has time for a weepy woman.  All was well until I pulled in to Jack's school to drop him off.  This will be Jack and Clayton's last year at their respective schools.  I turned around to tell Jack goodbye right before he got out of the car and I promise one year old baby Jack grinned at me and said bye.  One year old baby Jack.  Do you know how cute he was?!?  Here's a blast from the past. (Could you not just eat him up?!?)

The tears started flowing and I could not quit.  Clayton even offered from the back seat a hesitant, "are you crying, mom?!?"  I had to give him a yes in between sobs.  Good grief these boys.

Andrew and I have started "school" while the big boys are gone.  We've started with the letter b.  We are using a curriculum called Learn Your Letters, Learn to Serve.  You can get it here.  We are thinking of everyone/everything we know of that starts with the letter b.  We are making brownie bites for the Burtons, Bennett and Mrs. Bettie (Oh, and the big boys at Jack's request. Grin.).  At one point this week Andrew tripped on a backpack.  While he was screaming on the floor I made sure he knew he had tripped on a b...b...backpack.  He did not appreciate my teachable moment.  Ha!  While we were making our brownie bites I asked him to tell me what letter we were working with this week.  His reply..."Six".  Yes, I have a degree in elementary education.  Yes, I do.

Ramblings

-Fred's birthday was yesterday.  I cannot remember his birthday being on a Sunday.  His parents and sisters came to Paris to help celebrate.  It was a special day.  Clayton also got up early to create this card...

 

It's a little fuzzy, but it reads, "We know you love us all, but I know I'm your favorite."  Funny kiddo.

A precious lady from our church knows Fred likes loves her chess squares.  She made him a full pan .  No lie, he was cutting them with his pocket knife before we left the church parking lot. 

-I cannot make this up.  We got new internet service at the house and I had to call the provider for technical support.  The first person I spoke to identified himself as "Brian", but his heavy middle east accent leads me to believe that was not his real name.  Any who...He started his call with, "How is your day going so far?" I said fine. Then I said, "How about your day?".  You know, just being polite.  He proceeded to tell me, "It is okay.  I'm a little hung over though.  Too much tequila and vodka for my anniversary party.  You have to party hard on those occasions though, right."  I was speechless.  That rarely every happens.  Ha!
-Clayton's birthday is this week.  We went to Gatti's pizza in Murray and then to swim in Paris.  We were supposed to eat lunch at Shogun (a hibachi grill), but some ones mother forgot to check the hours of the place.  Apparently, they are not opened for lunch during the week...only on Saturdays and Sundays.  Who knew?!?  We still had a good time, despite the change of venue.  This is a sweet group of boys.

-My nephews came to my parent's house last week.  We went for a few days of togetherness.  I am so grateful my boys have cousins (really on both sides) that are not just family.  They are friends. 

-Something is wrong with our plumbing.  I told the boys not to use the bathrooms unless it was absolutely necessary.  In other words go outside if you can until the plumber gets here.  Jack's eyes lit up.  Guess what??  He immediately needed to go to the bathroom.

-Andrew had food all over his hands the other day.  When the napkin was handed to him he said, "That's okay, I'll just taste them off."  (Instead of lick.) 

-Last night we were discussing what the boys talked about in Sunday School.  They talked about Solomon.  Fred asked them what Solomon asked of God when God told him he could ask for anything.  Andrew thought for a minute and then quickly and enthusiastically said, "Cookies!" 

-And just because it's cute...

 

 



Seattle 2013

Initially we were not going to make the Seattle trip with our church this year, but the big boys begged to go.  After praying about it for several days Fred and I felt like I should take the big boys and he and Andrew should stay home.  So, the big boys and I headed out last Saturday from Nashville.  Can you tell they were excited?!?

We also took our friend D.  He is Clayton's best friend and practically one of mine.  He had never flown before.  Here he is giving me a thumbs up.  All was well.

After a long flight to Seattle we arrived around supper time.  We ate supper and then headed to a beach.  The boys quickly found a playground to burn off some steam.  

We slept hard and then woke up to head to church.  Have I mentioned that the weather was just dreamy?!?  Absolutely beautiful.  We had a fiesta lunch and then rested a little.  Before dinner we stopped at the LEGO store for an emergency visit, because we knew the rest of the week would be jam packed.  

Monday morning we got to church and packed door hangers to be distributed.  In my group were my boys, my friend's kiddos, one young girl, two teenage girls and one other adult.  We hung about 400 (no lie) door hangers advertising activities for the rest of the week.  The other team did about the same.  I had some tired fellas that evening. 

After a full day we went back to the LEGO store for Chima races and then headed to eat.  

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were pretty much the same.  We hosted a rec camp at a local park before lunch and then each night we hosted a BBQ.  A BBQ in Seattle is what we call a weenie roast in the South.  We hosted these in three different areas of the city.  I was so proud of the the boys at these.  Jack worked at the snow cone station almost all night.  He got so good at serving them.  My fella would even walk around and ask people if he could get them a snow cone when no one was at his station.  

I talked with the boys about looking out for others while we were there.  When Clayton was in line for his snow cone he asked for grape.  He noticed that there was only a little left and that a visitor was behind him.  As soon as he saw these two things he asked the boy behind him if he wanted grape.  It was really a sweet moment for me as a mom to watch.  I pray my boys continue to develop a servant heart and eyes to see others around them.  Below is our crew after one of the rec camps...

 We had the privilege of staying with our friends this year, who also have three boys.  Yes, there were 6 boys from 10 to 3 plus 3 adults in an 1100 square foot apartment for a week.  Were they not just saints for hosting us?!?  On the plane I had a little anxiety about this situation, but God really took care of every detail.  It was a blast.  In fact, it's been a week almost, but I still tear up thinking about leaving all of them.

On Friday our flight didn't leave until that afternoon.  Before we flew out we spent a few hours at Pikes Place Market.  The boys and I rode the Great Wheel.  Normally I don't splurge on such shenanigans, but seriously...a ferris wheel over the Sound with my boys!?!  It was amazing and a memory I will not soon forget.

 Here we are before leaving with my three boys for the week.

Before we were leaving I questioned why we were going.  It's not cheap.  I was leaving part of my family.  There's ministry to be done here at home.  Why go across the country??  As always when I go on trips like this though I come back with more that I asked for.  God really worked in my heart and renewed my resolve to make each day count.  Everyday, no matter our location, we are to be on mission. We are to love as Jesus loves.  The task is overwhelming and there are so many distractions.  So many things vie for my attention each day.  These boy with me are building a foundation.  I want it to be built on the solid rock of Jesus Christ.  He never fails.  Never.  We get distracted and lose our focus on the main thing.  He is always constant.  If we don't proclaim it His word tells us that the rocks will cry out.  As long as I'm alive I don't want rocks to cry out in my place.  I am only one imperfect person.  I can't change the world, but through Him I can change this corner. And Lord willing, these three boys living under my roof will one day change their corner and then their children will change their corner and so on and so on.  Who knows, maybe part of that began stirring in their heart while we were in Seattle?!? Love these boys of mine.

Fusion Camp

Fred and Clayton headed out for camp Wednesday afternoon.  The fourth and fifth graders get to go a day early and do things like the low ropes course, paint ball and archery.  Good times.
Fred's bed for the week...on which he "slept like a log." What?!?!?

 Sweet group of 4th and 5th grade boys...

Jack headed out Thursday afternoon while Andrew and I stayed here. All in all 20 kids and about 10 chaperones went to camp. A good time was had by everyone!

The boys are here after playing a riveting game of cupcake kickball.  First base was a kiddie pool of chocolate syrup, second base was flour and third base was sprinkles.  You had to have both feet in the kiddie pool to be on base.  Chocolate syrup+98 degree temperatures=a slippery mess and pure joy for Jack!! 

Please note that Jack only took one shower while he was away.  That shower happened because Fred took him by the hand to the shower and watched him until he used soap and shampoo.  That shower, or any shower, did not occur after this incident of cupcake kickball.  Nice.

While camp is always fun, it's a great time to add to an already started foundation of faith.  My heart's desire is to see my boys follow after Christ with a whole hearted devotion that never turns to the left or the right.  Clayton's best friend accepted Christ as his Savior while at camp and another girl did the same thing.  That makes 6 baptisms this summer of children.  Six.  My heart is just overflowing at all God is doing around us.  What a privilege to see Him at work. 

The big boys and I leave for Seattle this week to serve at/with a church there.  I'm praying for a great trip this week as well.  This has been the best summer for us as a family.  God is at work in all of us.  As a mom, it is just simply amazing to watch it. 

Holiday World

We headed out to Holiday World early Monday morning.  We drove and drove.  Shortly before we got there we passed this...

Andrew piped up from the back seat and said, "Hey, wook it's where the clouds come from."  Too sweet. 
We arrived at Holiday World, had a little picnic and then headed in.  It was amazing.  I cannot brag on Holiday World enough.  It was the cleanest park I've ever been to.  All the workers were top notch.  Simply amazing.  
We actually rode the tram in from the parking lot.  Upon exiting the tram Andrew said, "That was a fun ride, mom."  Ha! Maybe we should have just let him ride the tram all day since it was so much fun instead of buying him a ticket...just kidding. :-)

We rode all kind of rides.  Andrew found the kiddie area and he was set.  He climbed up and slid down with the biggest grin on his face for hours. 

We would take turns riding water slides with the big boys and staying with Andrew.  Then

 

we headed over to the amusement park side.  Andrew wanted to ride the log ride.  I was more nervous than him, but he loved it.  Jack's favorite ride was the swings (The pic below is of swings that went 20 feet in the air and then went round and round.  Jack really preferred the old school swings).  Andrew liked the antique cars.  Clayton liked the log ride. 

One day Clayton and I waited in line for about 45 minutes.  I was worried that Fred might be missing us and that it was taking too long.  Right as we got the front Clayton looked up and me and said, "Mom, I'm glad we waited in this line together.  This is going to be so much fun!"  Worth.every.minute.of.wait. 
When we got home Tuesday night around midnight Fred lifted a sleeping Andrew out of the car.  He looked at Fred and said in a half asleep voice, "Can we ride that again, dad?"
Jack rode the bumper cars.  He grinned from ear to ear and giggled.  He kept getting turned around and then he would get tickled.  It still makes me smile just remembering his face.  I hope I never forget it. 
The hotel we stayed in had a free breakfast:  waffles, eggs, sausage, muffins, etc.  We walked in Tuesday morning and Jack said, "Mom, you know I'll eat ALL of this, right?!?"  Loves a breakfast!  Dream come true for the big boy.

Lessons learned at Holiday World:
1.  Fred is still the only one in our family that likes a roller coaster.  He rode them alone. 

2.  Rides that go round and round make me and Fred sick.  We are too old for a scrambler.  I rode the swings with Jack and was green.  Green. 
3.  The pavement is super hot and rough.  You must wear some kind of shoes.  Even with shoes though you still get blisters, lots of blisters.  (By you, I mean the adults, not the kids.)
4.  Being at an amusement park is exhausting on adults.  Exhausting.  I just wanted to lay around when we got back.  The boys were ready to go.  In fact, Clayton asked if we could go to the pool.  I politely said, "No."  Seriously, my legs are still tired and it's been 3 days since we got back. 
5.  One of our big boys does not like waiting in a line to ride a ride.  He gets extremely irritable.  After waiting for 20 minutes or so he might even punch the other brother in the head that is annoying him.  Then you have to leave that line, go find his dad and explain the situation.  All the while adding more blisters to your feet.  Whew, the feet. 

We are hoping to head back next year.  Mental notes are being made and I'm sure a good time will be had by all!!


 

Five on Friday

1.  Fred is at children's camp this week.  He even got to go a day early with the 4th and 5th grade boys.  I may or may not be a little jealous that he gets to go and I don't.  I sent him a text after the first night to see how he slept.  His response, "Like a log".  Only 6'5' Fred could sleep like a log on a wooden bunk bed that's 6 feet long with a 2 inch plastic covered foam mattress.  Mercy.
2.  This was a big week around here.  I conned convinced the boys to help me mow the yard.  I would mow a big square and then tell them to mow in between it.  They did it.  It looks awesome. With all three of us working we weeded the flower beds, hoed the garden, mowed every bit of grass and used the blower on the patio, driveway and walk...in about 2 hours.  Since the words, "It's a boy!"  I've dreamed of this day.  It's here and it's everything I thought it would be!  Bless my soul, is that not a beautiful sight?!?  My, I love those boys...not just because they can mow though.

3.  We have tried to squeeze every little bit out of summer that we can.  This week we went to Incredible Pizza in Memphis with some friends.  Each week day at lunch they have some kind of special.  For a flat fee you get two hours of unlimited attractions.  Unlimited, for two hours: laser tag, putt putt golf, go carts, bowling!!  (All inside!)  The boys were pumped.  Our friends had not been there.  Upon arriving Clayton pulled out a hand drawn map of Incredible Pizza from his pocket. He wanted to make sure he and his friends made the most of every moment.  Precious.

4.  Jack asked me if they would get paid for mowing the yard.  I replied with a hearty, "Yes...I will feed you!"
5.  Andrew and I dropped off the last camper yesterday.  When we were leaving the parking lot he said pitifully, "Mom, I'm going to miss Dad, Jack and Clayton."  Me too, buddy.
On a side note...Andrew talks a lot.  All three of my boys do.  I become acutely aware of how much they talk when I am alone with one of them.  They don't have a brother/friend to talk to. Andrew and I have covered a lot of conversational ground since the boys left.