We Talk to Jesus

After reading stories at bedtime, we read a daily devotion to the boys from Jesus Calling for Kids.  It's probably a little over Spence's head, but he always wants me to read it.  That makes my heart happy.  The other night it was talking about how Jesus is always with us, so I said to Spence, "You know who's there with you all day at school?  Jesus!"  To which he replied, "And my teacher."  Ha!  So true, Spence.

Today Allie and I had our first lunch date since the boys have been in school!  This was of course proceeded by a trip to Hobby Lobby.  That little girl can shop!  I had to hand the cashier a pile of items that "somehow ended up in our cart."  (Like the Betty Boop stickers that she wanted to buy for Spence.  Adorable...)  Driving up to Hobby Lobby, Allie saw a Chili's and wanted to go there sometime.  So what better time than today!  She was all in when I told her they had macaroni and cheese.  I won't tell you how she refused to use her fork and stuffed macaroni in her mouth by the fistfuls.    When our food came I asked Allie if she wanted to pray, but she said no.  So I prayed, then at the end, she added, "And thank you for having lunch with Mommy alone!"  Awwww...  Again, this makes my heart happy.

Speaking of talking to Jesus, I've been getting up before the kids this week and have had a chance to do my quiet time without 5,000 interruptions.  It's been so nice, since this summer I slept in then tried to read my devotional while simultaneously breaking up arguments, pouring juice, and fetching more waffles.  That didn't turn out so well.  It's sad that sometimes I push that time with God aside.  I'm praying that I will keep my focus on Him!  And I'm remembering that He has my children in His hands, which I am especially thankful for since two thirds of them are out from under my watch 7 hours of the days.

Before I close out this post, I have to add something sweet about Coleman.  He's the big brother that loves to pick on his little brother.  But this morning when I told Spence that I wasn't walking in with him and reminded him just to walk all the way down the hall and he'd see the Kindergarteners sitting outside the classroom, he got nervous and was asking me to please walk in with him.  Coleman said, "I'll walk you to your class, Spence."  What a great big brother!  And last week we wrote a letter to some missionaries in Turkey and Coleman wrote, "I am going to pray for you."  And he has, every night.  Which is special because he says the same prayer every night, and occasionally adds something new onto the end.  There's that happy heart thing again.

First Day of School!

Here's a look at our morning for the first day of school:

 The boys' lunches packed and ready!

 Time to wake up, Spence!

 Eating a good breakfast for the first day of school

 The backpacks are ready

 We're off to Kindergarten and 2nd grade!

 Almost there

 Spence wanted to point to his school

 No turning back now!

 Spence telling his teacher that he brought lunch from home

After we dropped Coleman off, Allie said, "Take my picture!"

The morning went pretty smoothly.  Well, except for Spence tripping down the stairs.  He was fine though!  Last night I was looking at the post from Coleman's first day of Kindergarten and he had said, "My teacher better not try to teach me to read because it won't work."  So this morning I asked Spence if he thought his teacher would teach him to read today.  He said, "I already know how to read."

It's so strange being home with just Allie.  I think we'll find some fun things to do though!  And then we'll go pick up the boys and hear all about their exciting day!

Three Faces

I just tucked in the boys on the last night of summer.  Tomorrow morning we'll be sending Coleman off to 2nd grade and Spence to Kindergarten.  I can't believe it!  Here are some faces from today:

Allie wore this adorable dress Grandma bought her

Does he look ready for Kindergarten???

2nd grade, here he comes!

Vacation Pictures

I think I've started the post-vacation transition back into reality and will post some pictures from Montana!  We had an awesome time visiting family, going to the park, lounging around, going to another park, playing in the backyard, going to another park, eating dinner outside, not swatting mosquitoes, going to one of the previously mentioned parks again, sliding on a water slide, and just having fun - mostly outdoors!  Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for making it a wonderful trip.  We love you!

At the airport - I think they'll fit on the plane!

Rock on!

Couldn't look sweeter

What a gang...

It's not all fun and games in Montana.  Grandma had a job for the boys!  But don't feel bad, they earned quite a bit of spending money, which they burned through in no time!

Walking to the Farmer's Market

Treats at The Parrot

Allie didn't have to do much walking.  Grandpa was always willing to give a ride on his shoulders!

Backyard bocce ball

Standing at the top of Grandpa's waterfall

Fairmont - See that water slide behind the kids?  They all went down it by themselves.  The first time Allie came down she was headfirst on her back!  Brian grabbed her and asked what happened.  She just laughed and said, "I tipped over!"  She wanted to ride it over and over and over!

Hiking the nature trails

We are so blessed to have such wonderful family that lives in a beautiful place to visit!  We already miss you Grandma and Grandpa!  Thanks for a wonderful vacation!

Summer Fun

Eight months ago we bought airplane tickets.  Tomorrow we finally get to use them!!!  We are so looking forward to our trip to Montana to see Grandma and Grandpa!  I'm sure I'll have lots of pictures to share when we get back.

Last week a friend and I took our kids roller skating.  I thought they would get the hang of it, but for the most part they didn't!  Allie probably did the best!  Coleman lasted about 10 feet, then was done.  Which surprised me because he had gone to an ice skating party last Spring and Brian said he caught on toward the end of the party.  Oh well, next time we'll try bowling!

Allie's tiny skates were adorable!

Spence gave it a good try

Love the classic roller rink carpeted walls

We rented this support thingy to hold onto.  Allie and Spence used it some, but Spence really just wanted me to hold him up!  Oh my poor back...

See you all after we return from Montana!

Why I Ate Chicken

Let's affirm a business that operates on Christian principles and whose executives are willing to take a stand for the Godly values we espouse by simply showing up and eating at Chick Fil-A on Wednesday, August 1. - Mike Huckabee

So yesterday the kids and I headed to the mall for haircuts and Chick-Fil-A!  (If you don't know what CEO Dan Cathy said, here's a link to an article.) I agree with everything Cathy said.  And I don't see his comments as hateful or judgmental.  In no way would I say that Chick-Fil-A is anti-gay.  Maybe I don't have the same definition as others do, but to me anti-gay conveys hatred, mistreatment, and judgment of homosexuals.  There was none of that in his comments.  In fact, he is praying for God's mercy on our generation!  Isn't this what we are called to do:

...if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

"Wicked ways" is anything that goes against God's Word.  Not just changing the definition of marriage.  I'm sure Dan Cathy and Chick-Fil-A are not in favor of child molesters, rapists, cheaters, liars, or thieves.  I know I don't agree with their ways.  Do I hate them?  No, because the Bible calls me to love.  It is not my place to judge, but I am to stand up for the Truth.  I in no way claim to be perfect, but a sinner saved by God's grace. 

 I ate chicken yesterday to show my support for a company that is built on Biblical principles and was well within their First Amendment rights by making the statement on marriage.  If Cathy would have added,  "...and we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone who disagrees with us" then I wouldn't be standing so boldly behind him. Unfortunately, some who claim to be Christian probably aren't helping here.  Everything we do must be done in a spirit of love.  Attacking someone's beliefs isn't going to win them over.  I pray that everything I do brings glory to Jesus Christ, my Savior.  But I mess up.  As I said previously, I am a sinner.  And sin is sin.  We tend to think of some sins as worse than others, and I think homosexuality is one that some Christians think of as super bad.   But Christ died to offer forgiveness to the mass murderer, the kid who steals from her mom's purse, the businessman who cheats his clients out of millions, the "good" person who occasionally tells a white lie, and well, everyone.  We all need Jesus.

It's actually kind of exciting that many who support same-sex marriage are so upset by Cathy's comments and people flocking to Chick-Fil-A yesterday.  That tells me that I am standing for the Truth! It was pretty easy to eat chicken yesterday, but my prayer is that in my daily life I will not be ashamed to go against the world's view and stand for what I know is right, even if that offends some.