Wordless Wednesday

This week's installment of Wordless Wednesday. I call this photo "Efficiency."

Wordless Wednesday

For the first time ever, I present Wordless Wednesday. Shout out to my high school pal, Sue.

First Day of Preschool Eve

I love this time of year. With the advent of Facebook, I'm able to see everyone's "First Day of Preschool/School" pictures. How adorable and what a fun, big milestone. So, today when Jon went to meet one of his teachers, I was determined to get that same kind of photo. Visions of scrapbooking pages danced in my head!

Due to the friendly stomach bug (friendly as in the fact that everyone but Rachel got it) that visited us, Jon missed the chance to meet his teachers last week. I was really looking forward to this and thought it would help ease some of his first day jitters. Preschool is a whole new thing for him/us and since he's not known for embracing change, I was looking for anything to ease the transition.

Thankfully, one of his two teachers made a special trip to the school today to meet us. Miss Laura is her name and I really like her. Anyway, back to the picture...

Here's what I got. Yep. That's right. That's my boy. Not quite the cherub-like expression that seems to be on everyone else's kids' faces. >Sigh<



If he had his druthers, he'd wear his PJs all day, eat his morning snack (preferably Toy Story treats) at 10-zero-zero, watch a few shark shows, have "nap" time of reading from 1:15 - 2:15 and then play more trains. He'd do this every day if we let him. Lather, rinse, repeat... basically. I actually do think he'll like some parts of preschool. He is already planning some of his Show & Tell items. There's a cool playground. Mimi can come watch his Christmas program. But, goodness - there will certainly be opportunities for him to be stretched.
And to be fair to him, who isn't nervous going somewhere new, meeting new people, etc.? I get a little anxious depending upon the situation. He said to me today, "I'm nervous." and with a little less tact, "I wish it were 200 days ago."

I should have known better. Mine is the son who has pictures from his soccer "game" where his face is in the net. Think I'm kidding... I''m not.



Stay tuned... I promise to report back on Day One.

Siah Sam - Happy Birthday!

Siah Sam... oh my sweet boy, you are three! I want to pay tribute to you and these exciting three years of your life. In trying to come up with words to adequately describe you, I fall short. You are completely unique. I think of expressions like, "Si is just a mess!" and I mean that in the sweet way that we in the South use it, a term of endearment. You are intense, physical, determined and funny. You absolutely adore your big brother and try your hardest to do everything that he does (the good AND the bad!). And Ray Ray has stolen your heart and you find her completely irresistible. It's almost like you find it physically uncomfortable to not have your hands on her. Lucky for you, she goes along with it most of the time. You both fascinate and scare her.

You are part baby and part big boy. You remind me of Linus the way you hold your blankee in a certain way to your nose with one hand while the other hand moves about in your hair. You like to cuddle and even like to be like "like a baby, Mama!" Those times are not that common and I'm happy to hold you. You will always be my baby boy.



Yet I see you growing up and becoming a "real" boy. You want action. You want adventure. You want YOUR way. Ah, to be a boy!


I sometimes laugh and say that God must have thought things pretty boring around here and He, in His perfect wisdom, gave us a Siah. We adore you, Birthday Boy!

To Infinity and Beyond!!

It's completely irresistible. I'm weak to it, I really am. To see my children's faces filled with wonder and awe. It's a good thing that I am limited by the need to buy groceries for the family and have the lights turn on. I see so many things that I want to get my children.


Yes, I know that my best gifts to my children are not things at all. I get that - I really do. I also am very aware that our Heavenly father is the giver of ALL good gifts and His gifts do not break, get dusty or go out of style. No gift could ever be greater than the gift of eternal life and a hope and a future! Can I get an amen??

So, ALL that being said... am I the only one who gets REALLY excited about giving special toys to our little ones? Surely I am not based upon the toy rooms that we visit.


Today was one such day. And off we went to Toys R Expensive and found the mac daddy of toys. Yes, they both now have talking Buzz Lightyear toys. "To infinity and beyond" is about the only sound coming from their room this nap time. (Today was a special treat by bringing a toy - a talking one no less - to bed. I will likely regret this decision when dealing with overly tired boys this evening.)

I don't want my boys to be lovers of things. I want their joy to come from the only true source of peace and joy. I think we do a pretty good job of instilling that. And then there are days like today when a plastic toy makes two brothers VERY happy!

Our little lamb

I realize that I've not yet written of my sweet daughter, Rachel. It's because I honestly don't know how to put into words the joy that she is to our family. I could go on and on... and on and on about her. We're THAT crazy about her. Alas, I need to give her some love on this blog. Here goes...

Her name is Rachel Shiloh. Her name was decided upon 8 years ago while my husband was courting me. We both liked the name Rachel and he introduced me to Shiloh. Rachel means "little lamb" and Shiloh means "place of peace." Both are Old Testament names which goes along with our other children's names. I love that they can open God's word and find their names. That is cool to me.

So, I think she quite favors a Kewpie doll. She's got these huge blue eyes with eyelashes that perfectly curl. Am I the only one who sees this resemblance?


Oh - and here is a Kewpie doll from a few years ago..

A brother in need.

(Unrelated picture but I like it.)

Proverbs 17:17 He that is a friend loveth at all times: and a brother is proved in distress.

Here's the scene...

Josiah spots some dirt from shoes outside the kitchen door leading to the garage. He indignantly announced that Jon was the culprit and to make matters worse - Jon did it "on purpose!!!" So said Josiah. Jon was not able to properly respond to the accusation as he was sitting in the car after having buckled himself in while awaiting the rest of us. So, he did all that he could do. He yelled.

No sooner had Josiah heard the wails he determined that something was wrong. "Jooown! I'm coming!" To make sure that I knew what was happening, he quickly came to me. "Mom, Jown is in trouble. My brudder is in trouble! I will help him!" Josiah pleads with me to hurry and get his shoes on.

Jon yells again, probably still annoyed that Josiah tried to frame him.

Yikes, thinks Josiah! This must be serious! Josiah turns to Rachel, "Rachel, my brudder, Jown, is in trouble! I must go to him! Jown - I'm coming!!"

Moral of the story -it's okay to sell out your brother, but you must quickly come to his rescue whenever he needs you. It's what best friends do.