Princess Peepers

I do believe it may be time to pass on the title of "PP".  But as I  was called  "Precious Princess", Emma will hence be "Princess Peepers".  I promise this was not staged...this is what I saw when I was about to wake her up.  Notice how storybook even the hair looks.

Mia Hamm?

Am I seeing some similarities betwee Mia and Emma?...

the form, the grace, the raw power...

the crazy aggressive ball skills...oh wait...that's our guy...

the ability to intimidate the opponent...we're not here to make friends people...

 the concern for her teammates...

and of course her absolute concentration at all times...

Did something just scurry?

I think I have a rodent problem...a big hungry mouse...who prefers peanut butter...and can unscrew jars despite the lack of thumbs...and knows where I keep my spoons...and has never been taught to CLEAN UP YOUR MESS! (uhem, excuse the outburst of emotion.  I don't quite know where that came from).   Or MAYBE Tennison decided to help himself to a morning snack....

NAH!  That's just silly.

Who's the boss

I can't say how many times the subject of "who's in charge" has come up with my children. They want to be very clear as to who exactly is the boss around here. On a regular day you might hear this being said...."because I'm the boss"..."you are not the boss, I am"...stop trying to be the boss"..."you are not the boss of your brother"..."Yes, Daddy is the boss of Mommy and Gd is the boss of Daddy"...but this was a new one. Today in the car after I had told everyone to get out of the car and Tatum to turn off his Leapster, he quickly responded with..."WHEN are you going to stop BOSSING ME?!". It was really pretty funny to hear from my 8 year old who used to be so compliant but as of late has begun to be rather combative. I deserve the gold star today or at least a "no talking" breakfast tomorrow, because I calmly replied (after I closed my jaw) "NEVER, that is the job Gd gave me, and I'm really good at it..."

A divine kiss

You gotta wonder if this was really chance or if Gd left this for my kids to find. He's funny like that. The things that most people see as chance or luck, I see as a divine tap on the shoulder or whisper...or a kiss... "Hello love, I just wanted you to know that I was thinking of you..." As a parent, I now understand that the things that used to go unoticed by me are now seen through the eyes of my children..and they delight me. I hear Him and I smile. And I say it outloud, "look at what Gd did!"...so that my children can also hear Him..."Hello love..."and smile.

What Daddy does

Jason is his model, his hero, his standard...he leaves his flip-flops by the front door because that's what Daddy does. He stands a certain way in the bathroom because that's what Daddy does. He has a certain pair of work shoes he wears outside because that's what Daddy does. And now...he walks around his room while brushing his teeth...because that's what Daddy does. I am so thankful and blessed that Jason is a good man who loves Gd and loves his family because if TC grows up to be like him I will be proud to say, "That's what his Daddy does."

Charis Hills

For the first time in his little 8 year old life, Tatum attended summer camp.  It was designed to be Christ-centered to serve children who otherwise, would not have a chance to be in an environment where they are understood.  He loved it! and it loved him back...okay, I know that I get all sappy when it comes to Tatum...but seriously...this made me cry...let me count the ways...
  #1 His cabin counselor was there because his life goal is to work with children with special needs.  His sister worked the summer before.  In fact all the counselors were there for that same reason.

#2  The directors and founders of the camp are retired educators whose passion is affording opportunities to kids with special needs...to show Gd's love...and they fell in love with Tatum (she cried when she had to say goodbye to him)

#3  The camp cultivated such a spirit of partnership that the other campers willingly and without being asked went out of their way to help each other...

#4  Tatum was expected to take care of all his own hygiene needs for a week (we had many frustrating tutoring sessions at home) and so became more independent...

#5 "...where everyboooody knows your naaaame....and they're always glad you caaaame...we wanna go where people know, your troubles are all the same...we wanna go where everybody knoooowwwws  your name..."

#6 ownership in something that is cool and an experience that is yours alone (it doesn't hurt that brother and sister REALLY want to come to camp here but aren't allowed)...all centered around the One who had this all planned out from the beginning.  I can imagine Gd rubbing his hands together, almost giddy with excitement to give us the next blessing he has in store.  I've always said, I know Gd loves me but he is CRAZY about Tatum.