Jared has exactly 3 more hours at LearningRx.....that means the week after camp I will be done driving from my house to Hodges Blvd. three days a week....yea?
I am excited to be done. Jared is too. But I am left with a bit of wanting....or wishing...wanting him to be further along on the journey of his to read easily...wishing things weren't so tough some days...wanting him to feel comfortable reading whatever sign, menu, book, etc that comes his way...wishing I were "better" at reaching him, teaching him, understanding him.....
Ug....I read a friend's post earlier that said she had a nice bath in her own personal pity party...I know the feeling! How I long to be more organized, more even tempered, more "with it"....but thankfully I am only called to focus on Christ, not on these other things I impose on myself!
Anyway!! So here are some lessons I have learned over the past seven months- lessons from the car:
Driving 45 minutes away, 3 days a week is draining....it drains your time, your gas, your money....
Driving 45 minutes away, 3 days a week is rewarding...I am rewarded with LOTS of one on one time with the kids, I am rewarded with lots of laughter, smiles, sharing...
It is a necessity to have snacks in the car at all times!
It is important that said snacks not be perishable.....
If the car smells funny.....check for the chicken leg from yesterday's lunch! ;)
If you are a 6 year old little girl, a 45 minute drive does not mean you had time to put your shoes on.
If you are the mother to this girl, the 45 minute drive should have been spent praying for patience!
It is really fun to mess with your kids as you drive....
Laughing together is so very important!!
When you are stuck in the rain, on the Buckman, going 20 mph.....2 of your kids WILL have to go to the bathroom....baaaaaadly
Dancing to the radio is fun....especially when done together!
Letting the kids call to request a song on the radio is interesting.....
If the phone rings and you are able to safely answer it....all three kids will begin talking at once....
If you wave your hand at them like a crazy person to get them to stop talking, they will only begin to whisper.....loudly
Lessons in humility, truth, love, and kindness are taught as you drive.....
I am not usually the teacher of such lessons.
Sneezing in a closed in space(as in the passenger seat right next to me) will indeed make me cringe....
I need to do better and censoring this cringe and any words that may accidentally slip out(like, "Ew gross!)...
I will need to apologize to a few people when the 6 year old repeats such a phrase when someone sneezes near her....joy
I have really funny kids....
I am incredibly thankful for this time.....
Being trapped together like this won't happen again....treasure the moments together as they come.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Friday, July 6, 2012
From my son to all moms.....
Last night as I was going in to tell my oldest goodnight an interesting thing happened. Earlier he had whined about having to help straighten up the next day(being today) before playing a computer game. I didn't get mad or fuss, I simply went on my way. Apparently guilt had been settling on him. He said, "Can we talk about what happened earlier?" Imagine my surprise! So we talked it through and then just talked.
He had been watching home movies that day. He enjoys seeing himself and his siblings as little people...cute, funny, sweet, playing nicely with others, etc. So on the tail end of talking through why he didn't want to help out today he asked me last night why he wasn't like that anymore. My heart sank. He was struggling with feelings of not being worth much, inadequate.
So, I began telling him what he was REALLY like...not the video version of himself. Yes, he was sweet, funny, kind, played with others well...most of the time....but also he was stubborn, opinionated, and a very typical toddler. I told him I loved who he was as a little one and so enjoyed him growing up...AND I sooooo love who he is and watching and helping him figure out this thing called life! I love how crazy he is, how he tries to be sarcastic(not at all the right times, though), how he has a tender heart, and how I love to watch and see how he is growing in to a young man. I told him of his birthday blog- he was pleased with that. :) and listed some of the things that are dear to me about my sweet, sweet boy. Like crazy, funny, sarcastic....
With tears my 12 year old said, "But if I'm crazy, how can I learn to be a responsible young man?!" I giggled. :) I told him I loved that he still danced like no one was watching and in a room full of people(doesn't matter who they are) he still yells, "MOMMY! or MOM!" and runs to give me a hug, no matter who may be staring. That is crazy....in such a great way! It is the type of crazy I want for all my kids...the type of crazy that means they are willing to defy the "norm" and be who God wants them to be!
We talked for another long while about all that I saw in him and that I only desire for him to follow God's path for his life..not my path for him. It was sweet and precious and I will treasure it always.....
At this point for the 1 or 2 reading this you are probably wondering why I am blogging about this. Well, as I was getting up to leave Jordan said to me, "Mom, will you blog our conversation?" Very confused, I asked for clarification...he is a very private boy and most of his funny comments on life I am not allowed to share with the world. Here is his explanation:
Well, I think that other moms of boys should do this. You know, talk about what makes them special and why you love them and stuff, list the stuff that they like about them. Maybe it would help someone else, you know?
So I bid you all a good day and with the wisdom of a 12 year old I say.....Go tell your kids why they are amazing and unique and that God made them specifically how they are, on purpose, and for His glory! :)
He had been watching home movies that day. He enjoys seeing himself and his siblings as little people...cute, funny, sweet, playing nicely with others, etc. So on the tail end of talking through why he didn't want to help out today he asked me last night why he wasn't like that anymore. My heart sank. He was struggling with feelings of not being worth much, inadequate.
So, I began telling him what he was REALLY like...not the video version of himself. Yes, he was sweet, funny, kind, played with others well...most of the time....but also he was stubborn, opinionated, and a very typical toddler. I told him I loved who he was as a little one and so enjoyed him growing up...AND I sooooo love who he is and watching and helping him figure out this thing called life! I love how crazy he is, how he tries to be sarcastic(not at all the right times, though), how he has a tender heart, and how I love to watch and see how he is growing in to a young man. I told him of his birthday blog- he was pleased with that. :) and listed some of the things that are dear to me about my sweet, sweet boy. Like crazy, funny, sarcastic....
With tears my 12 year old said, "But if I'm crazy, how can I learn to be a responsible young man?!" I giggled. :) I told him I loved that he still danced like no one was watching and in a room full of people(doesn't matter who they are) he still yells, "MOMMY! or MOM!" and runs to give me a hug, no matter who may be staring. That is crazy....in such a great way! It is the type of crazy I want for all my kids...the type of crazy that means they are willing to defy the "norm" and be who God wants them to be!
We talked for another long while about all that I saw in him and that I only desire for him to follow God's path for his life..not my path for him. It was sweet and precious and I will treasure it always.....
At this point for the 1 or 2 reading this you are probably wondering why I am blogging about this. Well, as I was getting up to leave Jordan said to me, "Mom, will you blog our conversation?" Very confused, I asked for clarification...he is a very private boy and most of his funny comments on life I am not allowed to share with the world. Here is his explanation:
Well, I think that other moms of boys should do this. You know, talk about what makes them special and why you love them and stuff, list the stuff that they like about them. Maybe it would help someone else, you know?
So I bid you all a good day and with the wisdom of a 12 year old I say.....Go tell your kids why they are amazing and unique and that God made them specifically how they are, on purpose, and for His glory! :)
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
And then came one.....
A few months ago I relived the birth of my middle boy on his birthday. I had all intentions of doing the same for my oldest as well.....his birthday was yesterday. he he he, at least it's only a day, maybe a few more, right?!
My oldest was a surprise. Not one of those, "OH MY WORD, I CAN'T BELIEVE IT" surprises. More like an early Sunday morning test followed by an equally early morning phone call to my sister(who reminded me I needed to tell Eddie and that all would be ok....she was going to be an AUNT!) I will never forget going to class that Sunday morning and during the praise/prayer request time hearing another couple excitedly announce their pregnancy. Oh how they rejoiced, how thrilled everyone was....they(the class) knew that this was not a quick journey to parenthood for them. And then came our turn. I, tearfully, announced we were also expecting. The response was totally opposite, due to my tears and concern. I was overwhelmed by the women AND men in our class surrounding us with support, love, and excitement. Don't get me wrong, I was excited to be carrying a sweet baby. I was, however, a young newly married "girl"...I didn't feel like I was old enough to be considered worthy or ready to grow a baby and then care for said sweet one. But God knows better.
A few months later we welcomed our sweet boy into this world. It was such an amazing experience with my family and friends! We brought a Polaroid type camera and Eddie rushed pictures of Jordan out to the waiting room that was filled with church family wanting to catch a glimpse of this new life. My sister and mom were both in town and got to spend time with him soon after he was born, before I was moved to a regular room. Such sweet memories.
What happened to the other couple? Well, six days after my sweet boy was born....their sweet boy was born! It was so great to go through pregnancy together- having someone to ask questions to, exchange stories with, and just spend time together. I have pictures of our boys "playing" together as babies...such fun! Alas, all good things come to an end and this did as well. They were transferred elsewhere when the boys were still toddlers. His birthday, coincidentally, is today. :)
My Jordan is 12......he is tall, goofy, handsome, funny, sarcastic, witty, lanky, smart, nerdy(his terms), sweet, kind, curious, Lego-enthusiast, creator, thinker, responsible-ish ;) , writer, artist, gamer(also his term), intuitive, quirky, cuddly(well, as cuddly as a kid can be who is almost as tall as I am!). He is a Christ follower, is there anything better?! He is learning to create his own relationship with Christ, separate from what I have taught him so far, what a wonderful thing! We are entering a new time in his life. One with lots of ups and downs....ok, lets be honest...lots of downs and some ups. ;) How I miss that sweet little toddler who trusted everything mommy said and did. How I love this 12 year old who wants to know ME more, not just as a mom but as a person. He is one of my joys, one of my challenges, one of my blessings!
We have begun a sharing journal, he and I. It has been neat to see his heart through this. I have also tried to make sure he and I have time to chat at bedtime, with no set time frame, just to chat about the day and anything going on in his head....BOY, there are some amazing things floating around up there!! I can hardly wait to see what he will accomplish in his life for the Lord. I cherish these times and this journal. It has been so honest, so open, so sweet. He has shared things with me that have surprised me, made me laugh, yes-made me cry as well, and given me new, more insightful ways to pray for and with him.
So on this his birthday time, he he he, I am so very thankful for the perfect surprise. What a treasure he is. What a joy it is! What a time we've had. My heart feels as though it will overflow with love for this young man!
Happy birthday to my boy wonder!!!
My oldest was a surprise. Not one of those, "OH MY WORD, I CAN'T BELIEVE IT" surprises. More like an early Sunday morning test followed by an equally early morning phone call to my sister(who reminded me I needed to tell Eddie and that all would be ok....she was going to be an AUNT!) I will never forget going to class that Sunday morning and during the praise/prayer request time hearing another couple excitedly announce their pregnancy. Oh how they rejoiced, how thrilled everyone was....they(the class) knew that this was not a quick journey to parenthood for them. And then came our turn. I, tearfully, announced we were also expecting. The response was totally opposite, due to my tears and concern. I was overwhelmed by the women AND men in our class surrounding us with support, love, and excitement. Don't get me wrong, I was excited to be carrying a sweet baby. I was, however, a young newly married "girl"...I didn't feel like I was old enough to be considered worthy or ready to grow a baby and then care for said sweet one. But God knows better.
A few months later we welcomed our sweet boy into this world. It was such an amazing experience with my family and friends! We brought a Polaroid type camera and Eddie rushed pictures of Jordan out to the waiting room that was filled with church family wanting to catch a glimpse of this new life. My sister and mom were both in town and got to spend time with him soon after he was born, before I was moved to a regular room. Such sweet memories.
What happened to the other couple? Well, six days after my sweet boy was born....their sweet boy was born! It was so great to go through pregnancy together- having someone to ask questions to, exchange stories with, and just spend time together. I have pictures of our boys "playing" together as babies...such fun! Alas, all good things come to an end and this did as well. They were transferred elsewhere when the boys were still toddlers. His birthday, coincidentally, is today. :)
My Jordan is 12......he is tall, goofy, handsome, funny, sarcastic, witty, lanky, smart, nerdy(his terms), sweet, kind, curious, Lego-enthusiast, creator, thinker, responsible-ish ;) , writer, artist, gamer(also his term), intuitive, quirky, cuddly(well, as cuddly as a kid can be who is almost as tall as I am!). He is a Christ follower, is there anything better?! He is learning to create his own relationship with Christ, separate from what I have taught him so far, what a wonderful thing! We are entering a new time in his life. One with lots of ups and downs....ok, lets be honest...lots of downs and some ups. ;) How I miss that sweet little toddler who trusted everything mommy said and did. How I love this 12 year old who wants to know ME more, not just as a mom but as a person. He is one of my joys, one of my challenges, one of my blessings!
We have begun a sharing journal, he and I. It has been neat to see his heart through this. I have also tried to make sure he and I have time to chat at bedtime, with no set time frame, just to chat about the day and anything going on in his head....BOY, there are some amazing things floating around up there!! I can hardly wait to see what he will accomplish in his life for the Lord. I cherish these times and this journal. It has been so honest, so open, so sweet. He has shared things with me that have surprised me, made me laugh, yes-made me cry as well, and given me new, more insightful ways to pray for and with him.
So on this his birthday time, he he he, I am so very thankful for the perfect surprise. What a treasure he is. What a joy it is! What a time we've had. My heart feels as though it will overflow with love for this young man!
Happy birthday to my boy wonder!!!
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| My sweet boy wonder at a pool party! |
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| Such a handsome one! |
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