Boy things...

Another Caeden story to remember...!

Yesterday I was at the school volunteering.  I had lunch with Sylvia and Caeden in the cafeteria, and they had been dismissed.  As I was gathering my things, the principal came towards me with a larger grin than usual.  He said he had to tell me about something that happened with Caeden today.   He said I could talk to Caeden about it, but that I shouldn't get mad at him.  (I'm thinking, "Oh boy, now what?!")

Mr. Jones said he was walking past the bathroom and heard a fountain, well, water noise.  He walked into the bathroom to check on what it could be, since no classes were having a bathroom break.  There he saw Caeden, the only kid in the bathroom...

(Now, I'm pretty sure that when Mr. Jones told me this story he made a mistake in measurement terms when he used the term "feet," and must have meant 'inches' instead...)

But anyway, he said Caeden was standing about fifteen "feet" (It had to have been inches!!) back from the urinal, arching his stream into the urinal!   He did say that it was all going into the urinal, and he was not making a mess, thankfully!

(I could feel my face getting red as he told me this story.)

He told me he then said to Caeden, "Uh, Caeden, I don't think that's such a good idea." and that Caeden then slowly inched forward toward the urinal, stream going the whole time...

I did laugh as Mr. Jones told me this story, and he was definitely laughing and grinning too.  He said it was one of those great "Principal Moments" he has now, and that he walked out laughing.

So then...

Last night, when I finally had a moment alone with Caeden, I asked him if he had been in the bathroom at the same time as Mr. Jones that day.  He said he had.  And I asked him what he had been doing...

Caeden told me, "Oh mom, I had to pee so bad I was afraid it was going to spray back at me when it hit the urinal!!!"    He was com-plete-ly serious.

Well, that took me by surprise!  It was hard not to laugh as I was talking with him about it!  I had just figured it was one of those male games women can't understand, and he was trying to see how far he could make the stream reach!

So, I tried to remain mostly serious (and light...I didn't want him to feel like he was in trouble.) and I calmly told him with a smile, "Caeden, you can AIM that thing!  Point it at the drain!"  (Oh my goodness, where is a boy's daddy when you need him?!?!"  Jeremy wasn't home from work yet.)

Oh, the boy, still maintained that he was really afraid it would splash back and get on him.  Sweet little mostly-innocent soul.   Hahahahahahah!

I laughed so hard (out loud this time) when I was telling Jeremy the story.  He laughed too.  And, he said, I should follow up with Mr. Jones to tell him Caeden's reasoning.

While I was in Caeden's classroom today,  Mrs. Tompkins make photocopies, it was time for Miss Waterson, the guidance counselor to visit.  Today she was talking with the kids about the difference between strangers and friends, and what they should do if they see a stranger at school.  She chose Caeden to be disguised as a stranger, complete with paper mustache and hat.  He loved that, of course.  

Christmas to Valentines = Love

Caeden took a little bit of leftover Christmas and made it into Valentines art on the counter this evening.

*LOVE*

Sherwoods' Last Shindig

Today was a very emotionally difficult day for our church, and for our family.  Our dear senior pastor and his family leave tomorrow for Texas, where God has called Scott to a new senior pastor position.

Pastor Scott has been the senior pastor at our church for almost 13 years, so we have known him and his family the entire 9+ years we've been part of the church here.  It is nearly impossible to describe how they have touched our lives and helped us grow in our Christian walks.

Scott and Jeremy spent a lot of time cycling and running together, hanging out with the guys, and are close friends.  Sherry was one of my first friends when we moved here and I became a stay-at-home mommy.  She was the leader of the wonderful playgroup that helped me learn how to be a mommy, and has always been a wonderful example and friend to me.  We have enjoyed many girls' nights out, and ministry meetings of various types.  She has led the children's ministries for several years, and both Jeremy and I have enjoyed ministering with her in that.  Our families have shared many meals together, many with other families we were welcoming into the church.

Annah has been particularly close with their youngest daughter, Brooke, and has really struggled to have another friend move away.  (She has had 3 friends move away now!)  She has great memories of times with Brooke at church activities, birthday parties, and church camp.

All this is just the tip of the effects this family has had on our family's lives.  We love them.  We are so sad to see them go.  But at the same time, we are proud of them for obeying God's call--especially when it wasn't necessarily what they would have chosen.  And we are excited to hear about all the amazing things God will work through them and for them.   Miles cannot separate hearts; we have come to know this well.

Over the past 4 weeks since he announced his departure, Pastor Scott shared 4 words with our congregation that he wanted us to remember:

*Submission

*Commission

*Remission

*Transmission

As he brought God's word to us today, he reminded us that just because he is leaving it doesn't mean that God's mission for us changes.  We are to make disciples for Jesus.  We are called to live holy lives for God's purposes, and to pass this on.  And, if we are faithful to God, He will be faithful to us.  We have seen this in our lives and the lives of others.

Tonight, the church threw a Chicago-style Texas BBQ going away party.  (Interesting combo, huh?!)  I couldn't eat for trying to keep the tears at bay.  I didn't even take a camera.  But, many friends did.     Below are photos that are mostly from other friends ...only a glimpse of how our lives are blessed by these people.  (Check out www.loriviethphotography.com and www.michaelzphoto.com)  

We are forever grateful to them for their friendship and example.

"And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others."

 - 2 Timothy 2:2

"For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory."

 - 2 Timothy 2:10

Waiting at Violin Lessons

Every week, Annah and Sylvia take violin lessons with Mrs. Skinner at The Music Shoppe.  Annah has been doing this for 5 1/2 years and Sylvia 2 1/2 now.  Their lessons are 1/2 hour each, so we are there an hour each week.  

Keeping Caeden relatively quiet and entertained during this time is quite a challenge.  We try to take something along for him to do.  We have taken LEGOS, Gameboy, puzzles, books, and various other toys.  Some last longer than others for keeping his attention.  

The girls have less time to be kept occupied, and sometimes do some of these same things or just work on homework.

Sometimes we play around and take silly pictures with Mommy's phone.

It is just one of those daily pieces of our lives.

Mini Toasted Tunas

I admit, too many times I do not take the time to stop what I am doing and enjoy watching my children play.  It is a shame when I don't.  They are terribly creative and funny little beings.  They do have a beautiful innocence about them.  They allow simple things to give them joy.  And when I am conscious enough to stop what I am doing and pay attention, they bring me great joy through their play.

Today is MLK day, and they are home from school with me all day.  Thank you, Lord, for this!  As they grow, these days become rarer and rarer, and I am aware of that.

They weren't doing anything "special" or "momentous" or "important."  They were just playing with little stuffed animals they received a few years ago from Lydia, a special teenager friend from church, who loves them and has spent a lot of time playing with and caring for them.

They stood in the kitchen in their pajamas, with their crazy adorable bed-heads, and danced their little penguins up and down, singing "mini-toasted tunas."  (I think this was a song they made up about what their penguins liked to eat.)  And it was special, and momentous, and important.

"Whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me..." 

(The words of Jesus in Matthew 18:1a)

High Honors

Today was an important day in Annah's eyes.  She has always received good grades in school, but today was the first time she was honored in a school assembly for it.  Starting in 4th grade, the school announces the students who receive high honors and honor roll.

Annah received high honors 1st semester too, and they were in the newspaper and posted in the hall at school.  But, she was so excited about the assembly.  She brought home a special invitation for Mom & Dad last week with her report card, and asked us repeatedly if we would be able to come.

I had told her I would definitely be there, because Tuesdays are my day to volunteer at the school all day anyway.  Jeremy said he would do everything he could to be there, but it turned out that he had a conference call and just could not get away from work.  Annah understands this.

So, backing up a little...last week all 3 kids were under the weather some, and today I was feeling the same yuck.  So, I had emailed the teachers I help in the morning to let them know I wouldn't be there.  I tried to get a little extra rest, then headed for the school about 11:10, in plenty of time to get there to help with the choirs....

It was snowing this morning, and, for some reason, they were not clearing the roads as usual.  There was snow on the road this morning when the bus came, and it was coming down quickly.  I didn't even like seeing the kids get on the bus in it, and felt school really should have been canceled.  Anyway, by the time I got on the road, the snow still hadn't been cleared...

I was hopeful there would be some traction from the snow on the road, but it was very slippery.  Less than a mile from our house, I was slipping and sliding.  I started to lose control of my car as a car was coming towards me, but once they got past I really started fishtailing, and was back and forth across both sides of the road.  I nearly ended up in the ditch, and was really freaked out.  I decided to go back home.

There, I sat and cried for more than an hour, trying to call Jeremy for moral support.  I hate to drive, period.  But driving in snow, or driving in/to unfamiliar places, driving at night, driving in the rain...all of these are a real source of anxiety for me.  I was really upset about having lost control of the car, but more so about the thought of having to miss Annah's assembly.  She was counting on me to be there!

Finally, Jeremy was able to call me back, and he told me I had to try again.  He said I should just go even slower and get over there.  I heard a snow plow go through, so I decided to try again.

It was torturous for me, but I made it there.  Annah saw me when she came into the gym and looked happy that I was there.

Mr. Jones, the principal, explained that the Honor Roll students had received at least 4 A's out of 8 on their report cards, and that the other 4 grades had to be above a certain percent as well.  High Honors students had received 6 A's out of 8 grades and at least an 84% or higher in the other classes too.  (I knew that Annah had gotten all A's all year.)

It was neat to see Annah come forward when her name was called.  Mr. Jones called her name, Mrs. Meyer (her homeroom teacher) gave her the certificate, Mrs. Armstrong (her social studies teacher) shook her hand and congratulated her, and Miss Waterson (the guidance counselor) helped Annah choose a prize from the prize box.  Then all the 4th grade High Honors students stood for a photo for the newspaper.  (It was on the front page! :)

After all the honors and attendance awards were presented, Mr. Jones talked about the school theme for the year--Plant a Seed, and how they were to continue pressing on and doing good work for the rest of the year.

Annah is so incredibly shy at school.  Her teachers have all told us they would like to get to know her better, wonder if she likes them, and sometimes overlook her.  We know she is just trying her hardest to be on her best behavior and learn as much as she can.  And she really does love learning!  It is nice to be rewarded sometimes.  We are proud of our shy, studious girl.

"...for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young—

5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.."

Proverbs 1: 4&5

Two Front Teeth

Caeden pulled both of his top front teeth this week.  He is the one who, as soon as he notices a tooth is loose, he messes with it until it comes out that same day!  

He looks cute without those two teeth, but the sappy mommy part of me knows he will look so different when those big adult teeth come in...no more baby face.

"For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be."
~ Psalm 139:13-16

Gingerbread Village

Another thing the kids wanted to do over their break was to make a gingerbread house.  They received this gingerbread village kit for Christmas, and we put it together today.  It was much more difficult than they expected!  (Especially because their mommy has absolutely NO talent with these kinds of things and decorating with icing!)  But, we did have fun putting this little village together.

New Year's Eve 2010

We rang in the new year fairly quietly, at home.

One of the things we had said we wanted to do over break was to get back into reading the Chronicles of Narnia books.  Last week we read The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.  Today, we started and finished Prince Caspian.  We had read these two a few years ago, but now the kids listen better and get into the story more.  We're really enjoying them!

We're going to watch the movies too, and hope to finish The Voyage of the Dawn Treader while the movie is still in the theater, and go see it there.  

The kids came up with the idea of having fondue, and we all enjoyed that!  And, we are having lots of fun with our new Wii Fit Plus too.

We kept our tradition of blowing up balloons to pop at midnight, and the kids did most of the blowing.  The balloons we had bought were HUGE, and quickly filled the room.  Though Annah and Caeden thought they wanted to stay up until midnight, Sylvia did not want to, and they were all three starting to get a bit cranky and crazy.  So, after we played some Monopoly and watched a movie, we decided to have "fake midnight" again, and celebrate at 10:00pm.

"Happy New Year!"

After the balloon popping, we prayed together, and committed 2011 to the Lord.  We know it will be a year of changes, and we trust in Him, come what may!

 "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."
 -Phillipians 4:11