Fall Attire

Today the boys have off from school and I decided to dedicate this morning to go through their closets to prepare for fall. This is always bittersweet for me. I can always remember them wearing their favorite shirts from last year and of course they have outgrown them. They are in new sizes and continuing to get bigger and bigger. I still wish I could squeeze them into their cute longalls and smocked outfits. Now, we are on to camo and patches on the knee.

Because I have a tendency to overbuy, Greg asked me to inventory what the boys really need for the fall. Well, because I overbuy, the boys are pretty stocked on long sleeve shirts. I love Gymboree and the shirts Camden wore last year still look great so Landon can wear them this year. However, in the pants department, well EVERY pair from last year have holes in the knee. I bought three rounds of jeans last year and they all got holes. This year we are testing Land's End jeans. They claim to be made out of heavier denim so we shall see. So far, no holes. We are officially ready for fall!

Camden's Birthday Wish List

This afternoon, Greg asked Camden what he would like for his birthday. Here are the highlights:

- chameleon
- lizard
- snake
- swimming pool
- guitar- a real one that you can strum
- Wii, XBox, and a Nintendo DS
- double Slip & Slide (a side for he and Landon)
- picture taken of himself
- Target gift cards
- gun that shoots smoke

I am assuming the swimming pool is for the lizard, snake and chameleon. Of course, they may be used as prey so he can use his smoking gun. I guess I have liberty to venture out on my own for his gift. Perhaps the strumming guitar would be the best pick.

Beaver Jive

Earlier this week, Camden came home from school singing a little ditty. Now, not only does he have his brother and the girls in carpool singing it, but I have found myself bopping around the house singing it as well . . .

beaver one, beaver all
let's all do the beaver call
beaver two, beaver three let's all climb the beaver tree
beaver four, beaver five let's all do the beaver jive
beaver six, beaver seven let's all go to beaver heaven
beaver eight, beaver nine
stop
it's beaver time
go beaver, go beaver, go beaver

Of course complete with hand motions and a little jig!

Our Little Worship Service

This afternoon, the boys were playing worship songs, reading passages from their Bibles, and having a little church service in our den. They played a couple of songs, prayed, and then Camden brought the "message." So sweet. As they were singing, I realized that God is getting hold of them. They don't understand all they read or sing, but my prayer is that God would hide these treasures in the hearts and that He would continue to reveal Himself to them.

Struggles & Grace

Today has been a struggle - not with the kids or with work or with life. A struggle within. Nothing major, just some stuff I have been wrestling with. I am such a perfectionist and sometimes my expectations are so high that they are never reached. Anyway, I have been trying to release some of my expectations and trust God to continue to work through imperfection. After all, that is His specialty. So often I want every circumstance planned and executed in the best way possible. Thankfully, God has whispered over me today, "My grace is sufficient."

Tears & Goodbyes

After a great first two weeks of school, we have all settled into our routine - all expect for Landon. Last week at Open House, his teacher told me that he had been upset that morning. Each morning afterwards, he has had a harder and harder time separating. I have had to leave him crying down the hallway, "I only need to give her one more hug." Every day when I pick him up, he always says he has had a great day. His teacher has assured me that once he settles in, he interacts, answers questions and has a great time. Even though I know that, my heart aches every morning when I leave him.

This week, we have started counting hugs and kisses. He gets three kisses and one big hug before school. So far, he still will cry but has had a little easier time settling in. Hopefully, we will break through this cycle and he will be back to his previous demeanor. Until then, pray for both of us!

Playground Lessons

Today the boys had another great day. After talking awhile with Camden this afternoon, he told us that he was the last person to be picked for the football game at recess. My heart broke. It didn't seem to bother him, it was just another fact.

As I was wrestling through my own emotions, I felt stirred to read the boys You Are Special tonight. I love this book! It is about little wooden people carved by a woodworker named Eli. The people go around and give stars or dots to people for their achievements or lack there of. At the conclusion of the book, one of the wooden people goes to Eli to find out why neither stars nor dots stick to a girl named Lucia. Eli's response: "Because she has decided that what I think is more important than what they think . . . What they think doesn't matter, Punchinello. All that matters is what I think. And I think you are pretty special."

This book portrays God's love for us so beautifully. Tonight, Eli's response is my prayer for the boys. I pray that they would confidently know God's love for them and who they are in Him. Thank you Father for the encouragement I needed.