Our Family Circus

Billy had a cumulative final exam in 4th grade! I was nervous for me and concerned that I had not prepared him for it. I left a couple of days for review and then we went for it. I handed him his test and watched his shoulders slump over. He was already defeated, or so he thought. He then told me that if he scored within a certain percentage, he was going to pay me for being such a good teacher. Cute huh! I graded the test and Billy got 98%! I went to the bathroom to clean up an accident and here comes Billy putting a dollar bill in my pocket! He reminded me that I had earned it. I think I might hang that dollar on the wall by my desk! To make the deal even sweeter, we went to the park and invited some friends to join us. We decided to play soccer and Billy and another little boy chose teams. Billy got to choose and he picked me first! It was a good mama day! I made a buck and made the team! You better believe, I was sure to remind My Dear of how we met-he chose my roommate for his wif...

It is important to me that our children get to be with other children. It is especially true for our Billy since he is the only, well, "he" in our school. I was tempted to "pad" a group for Billy at AWANA to make sure he had a guy friend in his group. But God was just setting the stage. One of the young men placed in his group is not likely to be someone that Billy would hang out with. Billy is his father's son and likes sports AND likes to win! This little guy had played on a team with Billy years ago and it was his first time playing. We were all his cheerleaders, we just wanted it for him! Billy remembered this child as well and being human, he was not drawn to love him. He admitted this to me and said that the child tells them every week that he is hungry as Billy gave the eye rolling expression. I responded that he probably is hungry. I know that Billy knows the greatness of our country and the poverty in many parts of the world but I am not so sure he ever...

In doing the laundry today, I pulled out a pair of underwear that belongs to Billy. He will be so thankful that I am talking about his underwear on the web! Honestly, he belly laughs at this story so I think I am in the clear to share...that and....well, he does not read my blog. Several years ago, Billy was in need of new underwear. He was ready for a pair that did not have Grover or Thomas the Train on them. Let's be honest, those little guy undies get yucky fast. It is part of the toddler years. So while we were out and about, I picked up a package of boy's underwear. I was not sure what size to get because every size is not represented and some shrink. BUT they do offer the chart on the back to help you pick the size that would work best for your child. So I read the chart and decided on getting the size 6 underwear for our 4 year old according to his weight and height. I talked hype about the new underwear and how they really were big boy underwear with motorcycles on them...

It is D Now weekend!!!! Teenagers go to live in small herds together in the homes of church members. A Bible study leader is assigned to live with them as well. It is like a mini camp! Our friends come to do the worship music and we get to hang for just a bit! I know I wanted to be a part of the large group sessions and " Mami " our adopted(well, you name it, she is it) agreed to hang with what ever little people would rather stay with her. We were able to hang with our friends for a bit last night and made plans to meet up for lunch today and their daughter to come play. As we talked last night, I shared with my friend Joanna that I knew that more then anything God has called me to minister to our children because the season is just 18 years. I was so looking forward to what God would do over the weekend, then Man Cub got sick. So, today, I am thinking and praying for those kids while we lay around the house and watching far too much television. Wishing I could be ...

Both children had writing assignments a week or so ago that I wanted to share. Dolly's topic was Freedom of Worship and here is what she had to say....although it would be much cuter to see her handwriting with giant and some backwards letters. I will try to type as she wrote. I LiKe my Church. We donot have to go to church But we choose to. I LiKe Kids Church. I am glad we can pray. I Love America!!!!!! Billy made a book called, I LIKE AMERICA. I like America because it is a good place. I like it because we have money to buy food and shelter and DSi (he has been saving his money and just purchased this handheld game system.) We have tools to make and fix "thinks." We have doctors to help us. We have school to learn. And that is why I like America. The End Reminder to me of the wealth of our nation and that God will hold us accountable to what we do with what He has given us.....including these 3 little people wrestling in my home right now!

Last week, I was kneeling at my washer and dryer doing laundry and thinking about the people who wear the clothes I was handling. I would very much like to protect them from ANY hurt in the world. But then God showed me how shallow their faith would be if they never had to rely on Him. I am going through a time where I have to rely on God for healing. Because of the "dirty work", I am falling even more in love with God as He shows more of who He is. His mercy and grace overwhelm me! It is because of the hard times, that I have fallen into this communion with God. Why would I want to keep my children from this type of relationship! I wish they could just have it, but I know it comes from God revealing Himself. So I prayed that He would protect their hearts, bodies, and minds as He grows them in deep faith in Him. Last night, tummy troubles made Billy anxious. He was probably more scared then hurting knowing that 2 things would likely happen to ease the pain in his belly. He di...

I have used The Power of a Praying Parent as a guide to pray over our children. But God has spoken to my heart specific prayer request for each of them. For Billy, I pray that he will have a love and deep understanding of the Word. I recall when I saw it being answered. Billy was reluctant to do his school work. I began reading the next chapter we had been reading in the Bible. Billy begged me to read more even though he had finished his handwriting assignment. By no means, is this prayer fulfilled but I see it playing out in Billy's life. When she was just an infant, God spoke to my heart on Dolly's behalf. My prayer for Dolly is that people would be attracted to her so that she could share salvation found through Jesus. We pray that God will use her pretty face and beautiful heart for His purposes. My prayers for Miss B. are that she will love people with the love that only Christ can give and that she looks upon people with compassion. As you can see, in her atte...

I am still here! Not so much writing, but living. Tis summer ya know! Friday night had us going in 2 different directions (probably because there are just 2 adults to get 'em there!) Billy had a ball game while Dolly and B. and I were in charge of the end of the year program for our school group. My Dear put some time into it as well. It was fun to look over our school year and recognize a mom who is graduating from Homeschooling. A sweet friend had a humorous but love filled tribute for what to do with a homeschooling mom when she is no longer a homeschool mom. B. has not even started school but I had the sore throat and watery eyes through this part of the ceremony. Directly after, we jumped in the vehicle to get to KY to love on My Dear's "brother." He and Jesse met in college and his family became ours....adopted by love! Jesse reported for duty to be a military chaplain . They usually have about 80 in a class but his class will be 188! How cool is ...

Last February, our little man asked Jesus to come into his heart. You can read about it under a Sweatpant Week! I was well aware the anniversary of that day was approaching but not sure that our Billy was aware of its quick approach. Today is as special as the day he was born so we were not going to let it go quietly! First, he woke to find his door decorated. We then gave him cards. Grandparents and teachers from church emailed, mailed, and Facebooked messages to him. There were no gifts because they could not compare with the GIFT he received last year. Dolly made him the sweetest card. It said, "Happy Accepting Christ Day!" B. brought him a Tootsie Roll and said Happy Birthday. Then, off to PE class with a wonderful teacher...My Dear! Home from class and out the door to Chuck E. Cheese-the place for parties! My Dear had taken a group of kids there on Wednesday and already had a cup filled with tokens and a great start to tickets! Three cheers for free fun!!! Next...

One night, I asked our little "Dolly" to get ready for bed. As she did, I began picking up toys off of the floor. She stopped me and asked me not to disturb this wagon parked beside the dollhouse. Yes, the dollhouse with a horse in it and no, she did not use the word disturb. She told me that the children were going to deliver groceries and flowers to people who have cancer. Why didn't I think to do that with my children and their wagon? My Dear will be thrilled to see this picture but I could not resist the story. "Dolly" woke up not feeling well a week ago. "Billy" wanted cinnamon rolls and can pretty much make them himself. He decided to serve "Dolly" breakfast in bed-mom and daddy's bed. They are just kids, but I love how God is molding their hearts and think I might take some lessons from the sweet darlins'!

No matter how tough the day has been, there are so many stages in my life that I want to savor and not forget. I am constantly reminded how quick 18 years can pass and each step of the way, our children will need us less and less. This morning, I walked around my nicely swept kitchen and rounded the bar to where our son had prepared a bowl of Cheerios. When I sat down, my socks had Cheerios clinging to them. Usually, it is my midsection food hangs on to but now it is my socks. One day my house will be tidy and Cheerio free. I took the above picture this summer when the neighborhood boys came inside to play. I don't want to forget the young feet that have felt welcomed and safe in our home. Nor do I want to forget how Lydia's pink shoes fit into the pile. I don't want to forget the piles of bibs that come out of a load of Miss Blake's laundry. I usually have to wash just to keep her in bibs. I treasure the memory of crawling into bed one night and My Dear's feet bein...

Okay, so it is actually a little more than a day but, here goes... Lydia discovered a "beautiful dress" in her closet. This is the dress that my niece Amber wore in our wedding 13 years ago. Lydia felt like royalty . The lace got hung on her shoe and ripped while wearing it on Sunday. She said, "Well, at least I got to wear it once!" She reminds me of that Amber too! (This picture is the exception to the rule, but then again so are those girls!) Ms. B is finally changing sizes along with the weather. I drug out some of her cousin's hand-me-downs. Ryleigh is a week older but a year ahead in size-and we are reaping the benefits! B. put these shoes on all by herself. I grabbed the camera and asked if I could take a picture of her new shoes and this is what I got! They are cute, really, they are! Look at her shirt...more teeth are on the way and they brought a runny nose with them! This Lego creation is one he is most proud of. He took probably 7 pic...

We moved the weekend Clay was born. There was no planning the perfect nursery, just praying for an address because the hospital will not let homeless folks leave with babies. Lydia, baby #2, arrived while God stirred our hearts to move...no nursery here either. When expecting baby #3, we had more kids then bedrooms= no nursery decorating. The big kids were moved in together to allow baby napping time without robbing another child of their space as well. This is Miss Blake's little room. The walls are primed and ready for paint for the permanent boarder. (My girlfriend stripped the world's most trying boarder and primed the walls for me as a baby gift isn't that fabulous!!) Welcome permanent boarder! Clay and dad picked out the colors with recommendations from mom. My Dear calls the colors North vs. the South (navy and grey)....how interesting since Clay's new interest in the presidents...Abe Lincoln, here we come! Although, George Washington is his favorite because he h...

Second Grade Oh, what a gift you have brought! We did survive Kindergarten, who would have thought! Those days were so long, as I danced to entertain Only to hear the letter sounds correctly proclaimed. We shot water guns at vowels and made graphs about bears Oh, that he would just give a care! No desire to learn, "I can't!" He'd proclaim. When all I wanted was to just stay sane! Oh but Second Grade, you were worth the wait! When the boy showed up ready to participate. The work before him, easy as pie! For he had earned the admiration of someone more significant than I. Math, "this is easy" and reading, "I enjoy," for finally the boy learned that he drives the learning convoy. He knows he can do it, he has succeeded! So proud of his accomplishments- Second Grade, I needed! You see, sister's in Kindergarten, Here we go again! But at least this time, I have a friend. Cheering to the finish, lending a hand, Oh thank you God for my second grade m...

A couple of years ago, My Dear took our little man cub to his first Men's Shoot Out. The Men's Ministry at church hosts an all day event of food, ATVs, target shooting...man stuff! We tend to feed our kids what we eat and since his plate was prepared by a CARNIVORE-CARBOHYDRATE KING, I wondered what he ate so I asked him when he got home that night. He said brownies and apparently, a lot of them! I asked if he brought one home for me and he responded with, "tell me something you don't like?" I assured him if they had nuts in them I would eat them. Not good enough for him so I finally responded, "Peas-I don't like peas." "Yep," he said, "they had peas in them!" Peas has since then been a joke between us. Fast forward a few years-the boy loves breads! I cut a piece of fresh baked bread for him that a friend had made. As he went to take a bite, I informed him it had peas in it. You can image his surprise to look in his bread and see...

Television and games systems make children less bored then ever. But, I have heard that boredom is great for a child. It is through boredom that they begin to think, investigate, grow curious and then spring into action. I have a couple of young guys in my life that I can not image ever being bored. One of them is a natural boredom buster. He is curious and gusty! When boredom almost hit shortly after summer break began, this game emerged! NET BALL. The boys were tossing football and decided to retrieve some fishing nets along with a butterfly net to catch the ball with while playing 'Monkey in the Middle.' Monkey in the Middle is what we called 'Keep Away' in my day. The boys played for hours each day. When one kid went home, I was invited to play and because they are such gentlemen, I never had to be in the middle. It was quite fun! Had I not needed to keep up with a toddler or prepare dinner, I could have hung right in there. Two of the three nets have since been re...

Little man baptized in the Jordan along with his cousin by daddy. He said it was worth the wait! Daddy serving his first communion at the garden tomb and getting to keep the Olive Wood cup!