Boom!

Mack is a funny kid.  He has been known to say something witty or get the right answer to a school question, then follow it up with, “BOOM!”  As if he is saying, “Oh yeah, beat that!!!!!!”

Well, the other day I found this verse written in his little notebook.  I wasn’t really sure what to think about it….but it made me laugh.

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Ruby’s Spend the Night Party

Ruby doesn’t officially turn 12 until Thursday, but we had a few girls over Friday night to celebrate.  It was so fun for Ruby.  She planned it all.  She made the list of foods she wanted and types of ice cream and cake.  She also had a couple of crafts for them to do while they were here.  They watched a movie together and spent the night in the living room.  Each of them were so very kind and polite and fun.  I am thankful for the friends my kids have here!

Ruby had gifts for each of them.  A bible study for middle school girls, a notebook and a pillow case they would all decorate with stencils during the party.

They all read the first chapter together on Saturday morning and did the first quiet time day together.  I loved that.

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Ruby, you planned a fun party!  I loved watching you with your friends.  I hope you love being 12!!  You are such a sweet daughter, and we love you very much!

I need a “time out”

A few days ago we stole a couple of hours away and let the kids swim in the neighborhood pool.  They played every pool game they could think of, and then they started a game I hadn’t seen them play before.

Ruby and Mack were pretending to fall off the stairs while Molly, their “mommy,” tried to get to them and pull them to safety.  As soon as one kid was safe, the mommy had to go help the other kid who fell in the pool.  Neither of the “kids” in this game could swim.

This little game went on and on.  No one else was at the pool, so I just let them keep playing like they were drowning. One would be saved from drowning and then other would need saving.  As soon as that one got to safety, the mommy had to go re-rescue the other one.  Molly the “mommy” decided that she had had enough.

“I need a time-out.  Someone else is gonna have to be the mommy.  I am exhausted!”

That little statement stood out to me.  Boy, how I can relate.

I haven’t blogged lately about stuff going on around here because some/most of the stuff going on around here is hard stuff.  Personal matters.  Little difficulties back-to-back that can make this mommy exhausted.  I, too, want to scream out,

“I need a time-out.  Someone else is gonna have to be the mommy.  I am exhausted!”

But that doesn’t happen.  There really is no time-out from being mommy.  But there is grace for each new day.

I was in the shower the other morning and the thoughts began bombarding me.  Almost oppressive, all the thoughts about “what if” this or “why didn’t I do that?” or “what will happen if this happens?” or “should we go this direction with this child?” or “that direction with the other one?”

I just kept thinking….“I have got to get to my Bible.”  And I did get there.  And the Lord met me there in my crazy thoughts and brought peace to my heart.

Ends up, I don’t need a time out from being the mommy.  I need some time in the Word and in my Heavenly Father’s presence.  He restores my exhausted soul.

 

Baseball!

Mack had his last game on Saturday, and he had a great time!  His first season of baseball has been a great experience for him.  If we can continue to find leagues that don’t play on Sunday, nor take over the family calendar, then we will keep playing.  I’m afraid that will be more of a challenge than we imagine.

Mack and the girls and I are still schooling some around here.  We have five more history lessons and twelve or so more math lessons.  Just plugging along….and looking forward to wrapping the books up for a nice summer break.  We all are in desperate need of it.

But I was encouraged today to see Mack come up with his own little spelling lesson.  I thought it was so cute to find these action figures spread out across the table labeled and spelled accurately!  Great job, Mack!

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And this was on his door the other night.  I walked up the stairs and was a little startled to see these minion eyes staring at me!

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Never a dull moment with these kiddos.

Here’s what I found on my phone the other day from Molly-Moo.

Oh, that girl.  She is crazy.  It may be time for another “why we shouldn’t take so many selfie photos” talk.

And not to leave Ruby out…she is doing well. She doesn’t take selfies on my phone, and we haven’t captured her on camera this week for any reason, but she is doing well.  Still loving the piano and reading, reading, reading.  Her birthday is coming up soon, so we will take lots of pictures of her big day!

 

Sick Mack!

Poor Mack!  He woke up early Saturday morning and told me he didn’t feel quite right. I told him he should lay back down, and we would wait and see how he felt after a bit more time.  Well….just a few minutes later he made a run for the toilet.  The stomach bug got the best of him.  It was a long morning of several visits to the bathroom, but finally he stopped throwing up.  He  was pitiful!  PawPaw had come to watch him play baseball, but he wasn’t able to play.  After the first throw up incident, he went and got on his uniform and told me he felt ok and could play.  Fifteen minutes later, he was back in the bathroom and told me that maybe he was wrong about being able to play.  It was so sad.  His coaches family brought a get well basket to our house and sent a video of the certificates being handed out.  It made him feel so much better.  What great friends we have!  The last game is next Saturday, and we are praying he is healthy and ready to play ball!  Here is what his day looked like:

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Poor guy!  Everywhere he went, he fell asleep.

Today,  Mother’s Day, he felt much better, though he was very particular with what he ate.  Understandably so.  But while I was in Sunday School taking care of some responsibilities, I left him and Molly home to keep resting.  When I got home, here is what was waiting on my chair and at my place at the table for me.

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He’s a sweety-pie.  I am so glad he feels better.

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And just a side note…the main way to know that Mack feels better is that HE TALKS WHEN HE FEELS GOOD.  He doesn’t say much at all when he feels bad, but once he gets to feeling better, hold on to your hat.  Here come the words……so funny!

Trip to Augusta

We took a few days to go see my mom and dad and sisters and their families this past week.  I wanted to celebrate my mom for Mother’s Day and her birthday!  It was a fun time. I took my mom to breakfast one morning.  I heard my talented nieces and nephews play piano and guitar and drums and sing!  I was able to sit and talk with my sisters for several hours. And I was able to see a childhood friend that I hadn’t seen in quite a while.  Lots of fun packed in a short time.

One reason we went on a Wednesday was so I could see Jud and Kaybeth perform in their church kid’s production, Kingdom Connection.  It was awesome!  I could have cried through the whole thing…great message with very moving songs.

Aunt Cacy let them all spend the night at her house Wednesday night, which is always so fun for them.  She is the “fun Aunt.”  Marcy and I gladly give her that title.

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Here is a picture of Kelly and me.  We met at Davidson Fine Arts School.  She invited my family to her church when I was in 5th grade, and we ended up going there for many years.  We rode the bus home together many a day!  We sat by each other every day in violin class, sharing a music stand. We went to the same high school and have stayed in touch through the years.  Very grateful for friendships that last despite miles  and miles between us and busy lives!

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Thankful for the time we got to be with family this past week.  The kids LOVE playing with their cousins.  They always say they wish we lived there, on the same street as everyone else.  My favorite part was probably going to breakfast with my mom because I just don’t get one-on-one time with her very often.  A rare treat!  And a great way to kick of Mother’s Day weekend.

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Thanks for having us!  It was fun!