I remember

Today, I went to church with my sweet family.  I remembered.  

Today, I talked to my mom on the phone.  I remembered.  

Today, I ran errands.  I remembered.  

Today, I went out to eat.  I remembered.  

Today, I played outside with my boys.  I remembered.  

Today, I baked pumpkin-chocolate chip muffins.  I remembered.

So many others spent today remembering, too.  They remember those they lost in the terror attacks.  They remember those they lost as they fought to protect our country.   They remember surviving.

All that remembering could bring on fear, grief, even despair.  But, as a friend reminded me, even as we spend time remembering, we have this promise:

"My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me.  But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:  The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."  Lamentations 3:20-23

Today, I remember.  Today, I have hope!

Thank you, Lord, for your love, mercy, and faithfulness!  My hope is firmly planted in you!

School Days-preschool edition

This past week, we embarked upon a new journey--homeschool preschool. Before my homemaking days, I taught preschool students on the autism spectrum.  Can I just say that I love the early years!?!  Toddler and preschool aged children are so excited about learning and discovering.  Their little minds are like sponges and their questions never cease.  I know the benefits of early education, so I really want to provide that for my children.  At this point, homeschool preschool is the best fit.

I am schooling in a very flexible manner.  Each weekday afternoon, we do a circle time with a story, the calendar activities, and a Bible memory verse.  Then, Eli does four workboxes at the table.  While Eli is working, Abel is playing with learning toys at the table, and I can be involved with both of them.  One of my favorite aspects of this setup is knowing that if we want to visit PaPa and Mema, or have a "field trip" to the park or Farmer's Market, then we just don't have school that day.  No big deal!

School got off to a great start this week.  Here are a few pictures from our first week of "school"!

Tropical Storm Eli

BREAKING NEWS:  Tropical Storm Eli made landfall in the front yard after naptime.  The storm came in just east of the natural area with strong winds that battered anything not secured down.  These are the images captured as Tropical Storm Eli toppled the play tent.

Fortunately, as you can see from the picture, there were no injuries.  After surveying the damage, cleanup began.  With everyone pitching in, it wasn't long until a sense of normalcy was returned to the front yard, where playing resumed and everyone was all smiles!  

Around here, you just never know what the weather will be...

My 3 Sons...

...are such an amazing blessing!

Little Brothers

It's fall baseball time again and Jacob is back out on the field.  On game days, the little brothers anxiously await game-time.  Jacob gets geared up, we pack up the "little boy baseball stuff," load up in the van, and head on over to the baseball complex, where we meet up with Jacob's mom, stepdad, and his other siblings.  While we try to enjoy watching Jacob and his team play, the little brothers (all of them) attempt to distract us with their "games" and shenanigans--not to mention the little sister who tries to distract us with her unbelievable cuteness.  It is a bat-swinging, running and chasing, ball-throwing, lollipop-licking, rolling in the grass and dirt good time!!  Here are a few pictures that Jacob's mom captured on a recent game-night and shared with me!    Baseball and little brothers...a match made in heaven!

Reunited and it feels so good

Everyday, the little boys anxiously await Jacob's return from school.  Since we are usually outside in the afternoon anyway, we often head up the street to meet him as he walks home from the bus stop.  Once they spot him coming over the top of the hill on our street, they take off to meet him.  Eli stays so obediently in the grass...Abel, well, lets just say we still have some work to do on street safety!  Nonetheless, my heart just overflows watching this happen.  Parenting these boys and watching their relationships change and grow truly is a blessing!

"A brother is a friend given by nature."  ~Jean Baptiste Legouve

As a homemaker, I have so many opportunities to make the decision to answer "yes" or "no" to the questions posed by my little ones (and the big ones, too).   Just a few examples...

• "Can I have a moon pie?"  
• "Can we play in the water table?"
• "soos" (translation:  "Mama, will you put my shoes on my feet and take me outside, please?"  
• "Will you take us to see the horses?"  
• "Will you put the tent up?"  
• "Can you play catch?"
• "Wanna play men with me?"
• "soos"...again
• "Can I wear my Cubbies vest?"
• "buh" (translation:  "Will you read this book to me, please?"
• "Can we build with the couch cushions?"
• "Can I serve myself?"
• "soos"...yet, again

I really could go on and on, but I'll spare you.  

Disclaimer:  I feel that before I go, I must clarify that I don't believe  in being a "yes-man".  Of course, children need to learn to deal with the word "no".  And, certainly there are times when "no" is the right and only response to a child--"Can I play with the lighter?" or "Can I play tackle football with my baby brother?" are obviously answered with a firm "no."  

But, what about the "inconvenient questions"--the questions that would take more time, make a bigger mess, require MUCH more patience on my part, and/or simply would have me stop whatever grown-up activity I'm involved with to make it happen?  It's those questions that I'm addressing today.  Do I take the easy road?  Am I hesitant to say "yes" due to a selfish reason?  Ummm...do I have to answer that?

I want my kiddos to have a mom that says, "yes!"  I want them to remember a childhood filled with happiness, messiness, fun, and adventure all involving their mom.   So, starting today, I'm going to say "yes!" and it's going to be fun.  Won't you join me and say, "yes," too?