Never Knew

I would Spray n' Wash socks.
But soccer socks gotta stay white.
And bleach doesn't always work on grass stains.

Naturally, these have become her favorite socks.
So they are getting washed at least twice a week.

Can't have my child out on the soccer field
looking like her momma doesn't care.

Next thing you know,
I'll be spraying the boys no-show socks.

But I'm drawing the line at undies.

Fingerprint Friday

This was the view from my kitchen last night
as I was finishing cleaning up from supper.
You can't hear, but there was also laughing.
Especially from Daddy and the two older ones.
I loved listening to them.
Laughter just makes you feel good.
When someone is laughing,
it's hard not to at least smile.
It's contagious.

Often when I think about laughter,
I am reminded of Abraham's Sarah.
Their son Isaac was born when she was 99.
Can you imagine?
His name means "he laughs".
This verse is Sarah's response after Isaac was born.

Genesis 21:6
Sarah said, "God has brought me laughter,
and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me."

Each week pamperingbeki hosts Fingerprint Friday and uses a song by Steven Curtis Chapman as a springboard. Join in. It's a great way to be reminded of God's presence.

Oh, and to see what's so funny, click here.
It's a classic.
And it's one of Ryan's favorites.

A New Day

It's beautifully cool outside today.
I'm throwing the windows open.
And saying to myself:
Today will be a good day.

This is the day that the Lord has made.
I will rejoice and be glad in it.

It's One of Those Days

I'm right there with you, buddy.

It's been a long day so far.
Lots of fights between the little boys.

Ezzie: Mommy, Jobie is ____
(insert just about anything naughty here).

Me: Jobie, do you need a spanking?
Which is the most ridiculously stupid thing to say.
Did I really think he would say yes?

Ezzie: Mommy, apparently he does.
You should spank him right now.

Jobie: Ezza!

And now, I am going to force myself to do laundry.
When what I really want to do is
roll up into that little ball like Ezzie.

Just In Case

You ever wonder.
This is what the boys do while I blog.
They sit quietly and read books.
The whole time.

Okay, maybe not.

But for a little, at least.

And then they make trampolines

of the couch and cushions.

And practice their acrobatics.

I apologize for the poor pictures.

But I was too lazy to move away from the computer

to actually get a good shot.
Even for the sake of the blog.

Another Season Begins

The kids' soccer season began Saturday.
Brookie is playing on two teams.
Jakie on one.
So between the two of them,
we have 24 games.
Plus seven tournaments.
All to be played within the next 2 1/2 months.
Crazy.
But fun.
Even Ezra and Jobe like it.
They get lots of playing outside time,
since we also have practices 3 times a week.

We had three games Saturday.
And three victories.
Here's a shot of Jake's team.
He's the little one in the middle in the yellow.
Brookie's new uniform for her primary team.
(We forgot to take a pic of her other team...oops.)
Her Daddy designed a new logo.
The group of super, fantastic girls.
This is their third year together.
It's hard to see in the pic,
but they each have a pink band around their left leg.
We have a mom on the team that is battling breast cancer.
She will begin chemo soon.
Please pray for Aidee.
Her daughter is 4th from the right.

Fingerprint Friday

In addition to reading a classic every summer,
I also read the book of Esther for my devotions.
It's amazing to me that each summer as I read
I learn something new.
Or was reminded of something
that was lost in the recesses of my mind.
I never tire of reading it.
God's Word never grows old.

Even though the name of God is never mentioned in the book,
it's obvious that the entire life of Esther is being orchestrated by God.
God, in heaven above, is in control.
All the time.
Even when things seem completely out of control.

As I was reading, a verse from Isaiah came to mind.
From one of my most favorite chapters of the Bible.

Isaiah 40:22
He sits enthroned above the circles of the earth,
and its people are like grasshoppers.
He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,
and spreads them out like a tent to live in.

God's fingerprints were evident in the life of Esther.
They are evident in my life.
And they are evident in yours.
Take some time to think about.
You'll see His hand in everything.
Everything.
The good.
The bad.
Even the ugly... for example, pre-teen angst.

Each week pamperingbeki hosts Fingerprint Friday and uses a song by Steven Curtis Chapman as a springboard. Join in. It's a great way to be reminded of God's love.

I Wish...

I could do this.
But somehow I think Ryan would protest.
Every time Daddy mows Jobie wants to ride.
And every time he falls asleep before they are done.
No matter what time of day it is.
Morning, afternoon or evening.
Totally relaxed with Daddy.

Because I Can

Because it's my blog.
Because it's my boys.
Because they are cute pictures.

Because I have nothing else to say.

What Was She Thinking?

That's what they will say.
Twenty years from now.
When they look back at these pics.
Lots of cute plaid.

That's what I was thinking.

What were they thinking?

That's what I will say.

Twenty years from now.

When I look back at these pics.

4th and 5th grade coolness.

That's what they were thinking.

Birthday #...

He's convinced he's taller.
Yesterday his head was NOT above my belly button.
And his feet sure did NOT reach that far in his bed.

He's disappointed he did not learn to read.

Today.
So his older brother began teaching him tonight.

He opened his presents in record time.

And he's still at home with me.

For one more year.

Home Sweet Home

We went to KC this weekend.
I did not take one picture.

And, even though I love to go places,
I love being home more.

I hate the movie.

You'll know which one I'm talking about.

And, I know.

I'm crazy.

But I'm going to use a phrase from it:

"There's no place like home."

Fingerprint Friday

With the older two back in school,
the two little boys are having quality time together.
Mostly they chase each other.
On foot.
On big wheels.
With race cars.

And then, there are sweet moments.
Looking at a book together.
Talking to each other at lunch.
Walking hand-in-hand down our driveway.
I realize the following verse
is referring to believers in Christ,
but it is so true in families as well.
I pray that God's fingerprints are visible in our family.

Ps. 133:1
How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!

Each week pamperingbeki hosts Fingerprint Friday and uses a song by Steven Curtis Chapman as a springboard. Join in. It's a great way to be reminded of God's love.

First Day of School

Ahhhhh.

Ten Minutes on a Sunday

Here's the church.
Here's the steeple.
Open the doors.
(of the steeple)
And see all the people.

Ryan and I thought it would be fun.

Get a couple pics of the kids with the steeple.

It wasn't fun.

Brookelynn was displaying how to be a pre-teen.

Jobe was being two.

Thank goodness for the easy-going middle children.

More Chocolate

Once upon a time.
I wasn't crazy about chocolate.
I liked it okay.
It just wasn't a favorite.
Apparently, things have changed.

But it needs to be dark chocolate.
Expensive dark chocolate.
Don't give me the milk chocolate.
Unless it has nuts in it.
Then I can tolerate it.

These little gems are $4.
For this little tiny box.
And these little tiny pearls.

My friend got me hooked.

She gave me the plain dark chocolate pearls

for Christmas one year.

Then a week or so ago I found

the mandarin orange beauties.

Of course, I had to buy them.

They fit great in a purse or diaper bag.

And then, when you've been shopping.

All day.

With the kids.

Remember these little treasures.

Pop one or two in your mouth.

And let the whining melt away.

For a few seconds anyway.

A Fond Farewell

Before.
During.
After.

.
Can you hear my sigh?
No more baby hair.
And his face cleans up remarkably well, too.
Doesn't it?

Wow

I love this girl.
I really, really love this girl.
But, wow...
Where did this little munchkin go?

We're entering a new phase in parenting.

Dealing with a pre-teen.

And she's not even 11 yet.

Moodiness.

Long discussions on inner beauty.

Tears.

More long discussions.

Repeat.

And then, eventually.

Goofy faces.

Lord, give me wisdom.

And patience.

Lots and lots of patience.