Catch and Release

(I wrote this for WeGrowMinistries, Parents Encouraging Parents Blog on Family Enrichment on October 10, 2010. 


“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”

I thought I understood this verse……and then I took up fly fishing. There is more depth in Jesus’ words than I ever imagined.

1. A fisherman knows what kind of fish he’s trying to catch. He knows, according to the season, what interests the fish.
2. He understands his equipment. He knows where to cast the line and when to cast the line.
3. He appreciates that there are times to wait, times to pull the line in, and times to re-cast. He must be patient. When one lure doesn’t work, he’ll choose another.

We are all called to be fishers of men, but as parents our kids are our first priority. To understand the privilege of introducing Jesus to our kids, let’s apply these fly fishing principles to our parenting.

First, know your kids. Each child is unique with his own set of God-given interests and abilities that can change over time and with maturity.

Second, understand your limitations and God’s provision. No parent is perfect and no parent has all of the answers. Ask the Lord to give you wisdom and discernment. Seek Him for direction in how and when to reach the heart of your child.

Third, appreciate the process, be patient, and wait upon the Lord. I’m only just beginning to understand this aspect as my oldest son reaches his teen years. There are certainly times to speak into your child’s life. But as they grow and mature, you want them to recognize God’s voice above your own.

Share Jesus with your kids, everyday. Whether it be through His Word, through a story about what God has done in your life, through prayer, by your example or with your love…there are all kinds of ways to share Jesus with your kids. They will catch the vision of what it is to walk with Jesus as they watch you.

In many ways, Godly parenting is like the “catch and release” method of fishing. We are to “catch” our kids and reach their hearts for Jesus. Then, we must “release” them back into the world and continue modeling for them what it is to recognize Jesus-- each time they see Him. This is a daily process. The sooner we appreciate this fact, the more patient we will be with the process….and with ourselves….and with our kids.

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“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 6:4-7

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” Psalm 34:8

The Music Man

This summer has been super busy for my youngest two boys. In May they auditioned for Hendricks Civic Theatre's production of "The Music Man" and were asked to join the cast.

Initially practices were about three times a week for 2 to 3 hours at a time. But with the first performance coming up this Friday night, everyone has had to be there almost every night for the past two weeks. Now we're there for 4 hours at a stretch!! Four hours!!

There was a point about three weeks ago where I'd hear the boys say, "We have to go to practice again." But now that we are in Tech Week, which is the week that everything starts coming together with costumes, set, orchestra, and props, the boys are excited to be there--for four hours at a stretch....without any snacks! Whew!

"The Music Man" will be a two-hour performance, including an intermission. There are around 60 people in the cast. The boys are seeing first hand all of the work that goes into making the show a success.

Last night they came out in their costumes wearing derby hats, knickerbockers, long sleeve, buttoned-down shirts, suspenders, long socks and dark shoes. They were so adorable!!

If you're in the area and would care to enjoy some family entertainment, consider coming to see "The Music Man." Yes, I know, a shameless plug! The cost is $12/adults and $8/seniors and children. You can purchase tickets at the door. The performances are at Plainfield High School, starting at 8:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. The show is this weekend and next weekend.

If not for any other reason, you should come just to see two of the cutest River City Kids you've ever seen!!!

Happy Loving Day!

Last week my six year old stood beside our school room table with his arms behind his back. He asked, "Mommy, when is Happy Loving Day?"

"Happy what?"

"Happy Loving Day?"

It took me a moment to realize he meant Valentine's Day. "Oh, that's coming up very soon."

"Here, Mommy." He handed me a sweet handmade Valentine: a red heart pasted on white paper which said I love my mom, from Brenner. Then he gave me a great big bear hug.

Ah.....I hang onto moments like that, because it wasn't but a few days before, that this same boy was yelling.........

"I DON'T LIKE YOU, MOMMY!!! I WISH I DIDN'T LIVE IN THIS HOUSE!!!"

I've never before had one of my children say those words to me, except this one. And unfortunately, it is a pattern for him.

I was prepared for this, though I was sure it would NEVER happen to me. I mean really, why would a child whom I carried for 38 weeks, cared for with all of my heart, cherished with all of my soul....why would my child ever dream of saying anything like that!

A few years ago, a couple of ladies at church had a class based on the book, "Discovering Your Child's DQ Quotient." It's a personality book that does a good job of describing four personality types (with the understanding that there's always overlap and no one person is exactly like another). The four groups were appropriately labeled by animals: the bear, the porcupine, the monkey, and the lamb.

The monkey was described, among other positive things, as the child who may choose to use his words to hurt others. This was the child that would be more prone to name calling and saying things that could break a mother's heart. Though I knew Brenner was my little monkey, I was sure that this particular behavior would never arise.....until that dreadful day several months ago when the first words, "I HATE YOU!!" came from his lips. Thankfully, we've nipped those hateful words from his vocabulary, but he still has his moments....typically after he doesn't get what he wants, or he's disciplined for bad behavior. That's when the "I don't like you" or "I wish I didn't live in this house" comments arise.

So, though I was prepared that something like this could happen.....I lived in denial that it actually would happen.....and.....it happened. And I was not prepared for the hurt my heart would feel from it.

So, I keep my little Brenner's Valentine next to my homeschool desk to remind myself that it is my job to love this boy no matter what he says, no matter what he does, no matter how I feel in the moment.

I wonder, is that what God does? Does He hold onto the thanksgiving, praise, and adoration that I give him when things are going well in my life.....to remind Him that it is His job to love me no matter what I say and no matter what I do when I fail Him? No, God loves me in spite of what I say and in spite of what I do. But still, each one of my failings has caused Him pain. Pain that He suffered through His son, Jesus Christ.

So instead of a handmade Valentine sitting next to His desk, God has His resurrected Son sitting at the right hand of His throne. And His Son is daily interceding for me.....He is daily interceding for you......He is daily interceding for my son.....He is daily interceding for us.

Now that's love.

Happy Loving Day!

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I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. Eph. 1:17-21

But because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:24,25

The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. Romans 8:26-27.

Reading Advice

The flu-bug has left the building!

So, today we went to the library. The boys love to get books, though a few of them rarely actually R-E-A-D the books they get.

What are their favorites? Spencer loves Hardy Boys, World Record's Books, Comic Books and Superhero books. Trevor prefers books on Dinosaurs, any kind of animal, and Superheros. Parker is partial to dragon books, 'how to draw' books, and Superheros. Brenner picks up whichever books are on the shelf in front of him and enjoys browsing through the superhero books his brothers get.

But today was a break-through on the reading aspect of books. Both Trevor and Parker found a series of books that are interesting enough that they WANT to read the stories. Trevor has found a series on puppies and Parker re-discovered Amelia Bedelia books. Yay!

As a homeschooling mom, the most taxing part of the job for me has been to teach my kids to read. Though my middle two can read, they are not what I would call fluent readers. So, I'm so thankful that they have found books that seem to make the words leap off the pages.

So, I'm curious. If you've had a child who less fluent in his/her reading, what things did you do to help him/her along? I could use some more help on this.

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My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you.
Keep my commands and you will live;
guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
Bind them on your fingers; write them on the table of your heart.
Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and call understanding your kinsman....
Proverbs 7:1-4

Flu Bug--GO AWAY!!!

This is certainly a very resilient flu bug we have captured in our home. After nearly four days of quarantining ourselves, the very elusive critter struck again. I was awakened early Thursday morning by a guttural sound that can make any mom jump straight out of bed from the deepest of sleep.

Poor little Brenner! Besides the flu, he didn't know what hit him.......me! As I jumped out of bed, I landed on him! Scooping him up quickly, I plodded to the bathroom.

Then, this morning, the last of our boys succumbed to the microscopic beast. His has been the most mild case. I am truly thankful for that.

Please say this is the end!

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Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

Proverbs 3:5-8

Flu-Bug, Don't Bother Me

Immediately after my last post....in fact, it happened right after I pushed the 'publish post' icon....I heard strange sounds coming from one of the boys' bedrooms. It was late and they'd all been asleep for awhile.

You know it's not good when a child comes out of his room with one hand on his head and the other on his belly with these words on his lips, "Mommy, I don't feel so good. I think I'm going to......."

Yep. Puke. That and other things.

But every gross story has a silver lining, right? I suppose if your going to get the flu, or intestinal bug, or whatever this was, this is the kind you want to get. After 4 hours of puking, followed by 20 hours of sleeping on and off with a low grade fever, it was over. So, with some extra fluids and clean underwear, all was better!

Well, that is until son #2 came down with it two days later.

So we're in a holding pattern here and we're hoping no one else jumps on this GI ride.

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I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. Psalm 118:13,14

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14

So Long Ronald!

In the last two months our family has only been to McDonald's three times. Three times! That is quite an achievement for us. Do they give out World Records for self-control?!?

Usually, you could find me zipping through the drive-thru after a practice or game, between errands, while Sean was out of town, on the way home from the park....you name it. If there was an excuse to drive by, I jumped at the chance. Now, these stops weren't always for a full meal deal. Sometimes it was just for a "half and half Tea, light on the ice." (If you aren't familiar with the McD's jargon, that's a large half sweet and half unsweet tea, with little ice. Oh, how I miss my sweet tea.....but I digress).

We've made a real effort to eat healthier, and it's showing. Sean and I collectively have lost over 30 pounds. We're feeling better and looking better! (Though, I admit, I have a long way to go!)

And the boys are eating more variety than they ever have. One of our favorite treats is an afternoon smoothie. We blend together vanilla yogurt, strawberries with their green tops still on, blueberries, uncooked spinach (at least a cup full), a touch of orange juice, and chopped ice. It's very tasty!

Tonight, we had stir-fry with broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, red bell pepper, spinach, green onions, and left over ham poured atop brown rice. Though the younger two picked out the peppers and the mushrooms, they ate everything else...with some 'encouragement.'

All that being said, we still indulge from time to time in some tasty treats. So, I'm off to eat tonight's 'encouragement:' a cookie/brownie mixture we made for dessert!

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For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:4-8

Of Mice and Parkers

This year our oldest three boys are playing in our community's basketball leagues. It's been fun to watch them....and reminds me of all the years my family came to watch me.

Of course, when you're in second grade there's plenty to learn about basketball. The other night during Parker's first scrimmage he was confused about the whole 'offense/defense' thing. Sean noticed that Parker would 'stay on his man' during defense and then continued to guard him when he was on offense.

After practice, Sean tried to explain it to him. Frustrated with the details, Parker finally said, "So it's like cat and mouse. Sometimes I'm the cat and sometimes I'm the mouse."

Well.....at least he got the idea! So, if you hear us shouting from the sideline....'Stay on your mouse.....Stay on your the mouse!" just know that we're speaking Parker's language.

The Best Course of All

On the Thursday night of our trip to Idaho, we were treated to a seven-course meal by the ranch's chef. With each course, the chef would step out from the comfort zone of his kitchen and into the candlelit dining room to describe the upcoming portion of the meal. It was a delightful experience.

While scouring the pantry and refrigerator at lunchtime today, the memory of our seven-course meal popped into my mind. (Oh, the memories.......) It was apparent we needed something to 'spice up' our meager pickings. A trip to the store would fix the problem, but a trip at the moment wasn't possible. So, we turned our rather odd lunch into a feast of sorts.

1st Course: The smooth, cool, refreshing taste of......applesauce......served in a coffee cup.
2nd Course: Crunchy and flavorful, yet melt in your mouth, squares of......graham crackers.
3rd Course: The cool, crunchy, and slippery combination of.............sliced dill pickles.
4th Course: The warm, soothing soup of............Ramon Noodles....served in the rinsed out coffee cup.
5th Course: The sweet taste of leftover..............sugar cookies....(served early because the next course was still in the oven).
6th Course: Who can resist straight from the oven crescent rolls?
7th Course: (Dropped off by our neighbor during our 4th course). Mint chocolate candies.

Doesn't that all sound delicious and nutritious?! The boys enjoyed it. As we were cleaning up, Parker ran over and said,

"But mom, you forgot the best course of all......this one." And he gave me a great big bear hug. That boy can melt a heart in an instant.

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Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him....Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. Psalm 34:8,12-14.

"Don't It Make Your Brown Eyes....."

".....Blue" would be the obvious answer. But then, were talking about my life, and obvious is rarely the answer!

Raising four boys has its fair share of misadventures. I can't tell you how many times Sean and I have shaken our heads at the things our boys have said or done.....things that make it quite obvious that God's angels are on high alert around here.

Case in point:

Two days ago, Spencer and Trevor were outside. Spencer had a metal baseball bat and a ball in his hands. Trevor had an imaginary battle of knights and dragons brewing in his mind. They stood a couple of feet apart, back to back. Neither one aware of the other's proximity.

Ball is tossed up, bat is swung, ball is missed. But, wait......as if on cue, Trevor turns his head and receives the full force of the metal bat right across the bridge of his nose.

Yes, folks, it looks like Spencer did knock one out of the park! And this knight was defeated by the dragon!

Poor Trevor! No, he didn't really get knocked out, but he did break his nose.

Considering all of the things that could have been hit.....teeth, eyes, temple, skull.....the nose doesn't seem so bad. In fact, the ENT says that everything is still lined up and no surgery is needed.

On the way home from the doctor, I lovingly placed my hand on Trevor's shoulder. "Oh, sweetie, your still my beautiful brown-eyed boy."

"No, Mommy. Now, I'm your beautiful black-eyed boy."

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The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.

Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.

Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.

Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the Lord, O my soul.

Psalm 103:19-22

What is the Difference?

A Math Lesson with Mommy & Parker:

Mommy: Grama made six cherry pies and three apples pies. What is the difference between the cherry pies and the apples pies?

Parker: The cherry pies are sweeter.

Summer Fun

What an incredibly busy summer it has been at our home!!!

We're certainly making up for our very uneventful summer from last year.......when I was in radiation treatment. That was when sunlight was my nemeses. My arch enemy. My plague. I remember watching the boys swim at my sister's pool while I sat on the deck, wearing my long sleeve sun blocking shirt, holding my umbrella while sitting under the larger deck umbrella. It was good to see the boys enjoying themselves, but I couldn't stand the heat for too long. Most of my days were spent sitting on my shady front porch.

This summer we've had tennis lessons, swimming lessons, VBS, soccer camp, basketball camp, church camp, a couple of camping trips, and plenty of chaos. I'm actually looking forward to the start of school when we have a more structured schedule in place. Of course, if anyone knows me well enough, they know that schedules at my house are not built on solid rock. Though they do give me a good reference point and help me set goals, I'm not bound by them. That can be good.......and that can be bad!

I just want to give God the glory for giving us this summer of fun and for giving me the strength and energy to keep up with my boys. He is good. He is faithful.

Is It?

Tonight, as we were drying off and getting ready to leave the community pool, my seven year old asked me a very good question.

"Mommy, is it okay for mommies to wear things that only cover up their private parts? You know, just a little bit of a swimsuit so that all of their bellies are showing and all of this stuff [as he shyly guestures to the upper to mid chest area) is showing."

Innocent eyes, wide open, asking me about modesty without even knowing it. It was apparent that he was uncomfortable with whatever 'little' it was that he had just seen.

How does a mommy respond?

Is it okay? Is it?

Tickle Our Ears

What a beautiful, refreshing rainy day we've had! I love rainy days.

This afternoon, the boys put on their swim trunks and shirts and played in the steady, gentle rain. Most of their time was spent in the creek moving rocks and building dams for their captured crawdad and minnows.

It's a beautiful picture to me....not the crawdads and minnows :).....but watching the boys playing so contently in the rain. After awhile they were nearly oblivious to the presence of the very thing that drew them outside in the first place....except, of course, when an unexpected drop tickled their ears.

The Holy Spirit is like that. He draws us out into some kind of 'work' or 'play' or 'ministry' and provides a beautiful, refreshing, steady presence in our lives. But, then we can get so busy at 'it', that we forget about His presence after awhile.....until His still small voice tickles our ears.

Tickle our ears today, Holy Spirit. Open our eyes. Let your Presence rain down.

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"I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days." Joel 2:28,29 and Acts 2:17,18

"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you." (Jesus speaking to his disciples at the Last Supper). John 15:13-15.

Half Dead?

I just love the literal mind of younger children. Two days ago, Parker was reading about the Good Samaritan in his Bible reader. When he read that the man was left half dead by the side of the road, he stopped and thought for a moment. He's a day dreamer by nature so I often find myself 'nudging' him back to the present. Just as I was about to 'nudge' him he said this:

What does that mean, Mommy?
What does what mean, Parker?
Half dead?
That's a good question, Parker.
Does it mean he was dead from here [Parker placed his hands on the middle of his torso] down? [He motions to his feet.]

I just shook my head.....again......

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"Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
"What is written in the Law?" he {Jesus} replied. "How do you read it?"
He answered: "'Love the Lord your God with all our heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."
John 10: 25b-28

Parker's Ponderings and a Prayer Request

Recently I had the incredible opportunity to be a team member for a Women's Discipleship Walk through my church. It was a wonderful time watching God work in the lives of so many women, including my own.

Of course, these opportunities are always surrounded with chaos for me. In this case, Sean's return flight home from an out-of-state work trip didn't land until many hours after I was supposed to be at the campground. Thankfully, I had some help from some friends and family and was able to get each boy 'shipped off' for a sleep over at various locations.

One homeschooling friend was brave enough to take Parker. Miriam has three older children between 6th and 9th grade. So for my seven year old Parker, who flourishes in the company of older kids and adults, it was the perfect place for him to be.

Miriam says she could write a book of all the funny-odd-strange sayings that came out of Parker's mouth on his visit to her house. But for now, she's offered this conversation that took place at the Lego table between Parker and her 8th grade son, Sean:

Parker: Sean, do you have a female?
Sean: Uh? A Lego female figure?
Parker: No, you know...a female.
Sean: Aaaa....
Parker: A female that you're going to marry.
Sean: O-o-o-h-h...no I don't have one yet.

Oh, the funny things that kids say. And for the record, we're considering making Parker wear a T-shirt that reads, "My parents take no responsibility for the things that come out of my mouth!"

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A Simple Thank You: I do want to take the opportunity to thank so many who check this site and who continually keep me and my family in prayer. I'm often amazed at the number of people who say that they continue to read this blog, checking in to see what they can pray about for me. Soon, I will try to update more on my current physical, emotional, spiritual state. But for now, I ask for continued prayers for increased strength and stamina, for decreased pain in my right chest wall and right arm, for continued peace when odd symptoms pop up, and for a Christ-like mind and attitude as I walk through this on-going battle to take back my life. I'm having a fine-needle aspiration tomorrow due to a nodule present on the left side of my thyroid. Nodules are common. In fact, I've had this nodule for a couple of years. Many people have them. Over 95-99% of them are benign. But the only way to make sure it's not malignant is to do a biopsy. Given my recent history, the new endocrinologist I'm seeing thinks it's best to be sure. And so I go.......

The Heart of a Child

Yesterday, my third son came to 'big' church, motivated by the fact that the ushers pass out little packets containing coloring pages and crayons to the children. I didn't mind his motive; I was just glad he wanted to be there. I grew up going to 'big' church. It's good for kids to worship with their parents and to hear the message that God has laid on the head pastor's heart.

Half way through worship, Parker noticed that Mimi and Papa were just across the aisle. So when Pastor encouraged everyone to 'shake hands with your neighbor and welcome them into the House of the Lord,' Parker made a bee-line to his grandparents and ended up sitting with them during the service.

Near the end, an offering was taken for the guest worship leader. When the usher came to Parker's row, Parker got up and gave the usher a big hug and then sat down. After services, we asked him why he did that. Here is his reply:

"Well, I didn't have any money to put in the offering and I wanted to give him something."

Doesn't that just melt your heart. The heart of a child.

Imagine if in that moment of giving, the heart of the child had been overlooked or reprimanded........"Sit down, Parker!"

Imagine if in that moment, the usher had not reciprocated.

We can squelch the working of the Holy Spirit in our children's lives without realizing it. I'm so glad that Mimi and Papa let Parker give the usher his hug filled with love, filled with giving, filled with self-sacrifice. It was a precious moment that this mama will never forget.

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As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." Luke 21:1-4

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7

Personal Responsibility

Last week Sean gave my oldest two sons a writing assignment: write down, neatly and without spelling errors, twenty things that you can do to demonstrate personal responsibility. They took the assignment with much enthusiasm.

What a great idea! I was impressed. What I hadn't expected was that our third son, Parker, would be just as excited about it.

"Can I do one, too?" he asked me. Well, I wasn't going to rain on his parade! I also didn't want to interfere with his creative ideas, or overwhelm him with too big of a project.

"Alright, Parker, why don't you write down ten things? You don't have to worry about spelling, just put the words down the way they sound to you."

So here it is.....Ten Things Parker Can Do to Demonstrate Personal Responsibility:

1 U shoold be vere nis to uthrs.
2 Oba yor muthr and Fothr.
3 Oba The bibol
4 God Es Vere nis to us.
5 U shoold be nis to the speret.
6 U shoold not stel Dimens or uthr thes.
7 Brush yor teth.
8 Mak yor BeD.
9 Get Drest.
10 Klen yor room.

Some may look at this list and cringe at the spelling abilities of my 7 year old. That's okay. I was impressed that he got sixteen words right and that he punctuated each sentence. More than that, I was impressed that the first 5 things dealt with relationships. That wasn't really what daddy was referring to when he gave the assignment. Parker always has, and always will be, my 'out of the box' kind of thinker and doer.

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One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"
"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love, your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12:28-31

Friendship

Last night was supposed to be Beth Moore study group with four of my fellow homeschooling moms. But they had other plans.....and I am so glad they did!

You see, yesterday was my birthday. The girls brought an incredibly yummy cheesecake and homemade salsa. We put on some coffee. (I sent my boys upstairs to watch some long awaited TV shows that we'd recorded in the last week...that kept them busy).

There we sat, all 5 of us women. Eating, laughing, sharing, sipping coffee and laughing some more. It was grand.

A memorable moment was when Parker, my seven year old, came down. Parker loves to be a part of the grown-up fellowship whenever he can get a chance. He said something like, "Oh, chocolate and ladies. It doesn't get any better than this."

Friendship. It's priceless.

Popping-Up

My second son, Trevor, celebrated his ninth birthday this week. I can't believe how quickly time has gone by, how quickly he has grown. Of all my boys, he seems to have his growth roots dug into the richest soil.

To celebrate his special day, we started with our tradition of daddy taking the birthday boy out to breakfast. Then a few days later, on Friday night, Trevor had some of his friends come over for a birthday party/sleep over.

We were supposed to be camping this weekend with some friends and their church family, but Spencer had a play-off football game on Saturday afternoon. It's been a tradition for the last few years to go camping in October with these friends. We only see them once or twice a year, but they are like family. I was the most bummed for having to miss the camping trip. "We can do it, Sean. We can still camp and then drive back for the game. " I tried, but I knew he was right. Yes, I'm whining and complaining. It's not an attractive quality. I should stop.

Anyway, we decided to pop up our camper next to the house and let Trevor and his buddies spend the night in it. We stocked the refrigerator with Gatorade and put out some yummy snacks. After pizza, presents, cupcakes, ice cream, and a few hours of playing outside, the boys went right into the camper for a game of Risk while watching Star Wars IV (on the smallest TV/VCR set possible....I think it's a 9 inch screen!!!) Most of them were up by 6:30 this morning, but they just hung out in the camper playing games. Sean and I slept until 8:15!!! It was time for pancakes and sausage, and then a few rounds of 'Capture the Flag.' Those boys had a blast!!! Sean and I decided this was the best way for the boys to celebrate with their friends.

Tomorrow, we'll have our final celebration for Trevor's ninth birthday (and his cousin's thirteenth birthday). My mom is cooking up a mighty fine lunch for everyone at her house. It's not every year that the boys get to celebrate their birthday three times.....but it's not every year that you turn nine, either!

Happy Birthday to My Treasure!