My boy

It has been quite a week with my boy.  

Monday, when he got home from school, he was awful to me--talking back, refusing to do anything asked of him, just being rude.  I yelled at him.  Too often the only way I can get him to stop and listen  to me is to be louder and scarier than he is being. I hate that.  

I had to take the girls to rehearsal before Jeremy got home to take Caeden to wrestling, so he was home by himself for a little bit.  When I had dropped the girls off, I tried a FaceTime call to the computer at home to see if he would answer.  He did.  And right away he apologized for how he had acted earlier.  And so did I.  And we had a good talk about being respectful, and listening, and getting rid of self-pity and having a servant's heart.  And he understood how awful he had been.

And then we made silly faces at each other and I took screenshots.

Wednesday evening, Caeden was upset because a flyer was passed out at school about football sign-ups coming soon.  He knows we won't allow him to play (for reasons I won't write about here, but are not his fault at all).  He has asked to play the last couple years, and was pretty bummed that we won't let him.  We had a long talk with Daddy this evening about why we don't let him play, how to let that teasing roll off him, and what's really important in life.  It's so much bigger than football or 4th grade or kids teasing him, and I think he's starting to get that sometimes.  

We were able to talk tonight about how being a Christian should look different than "the norm" in our society, and how if he continues to be kind even when others are not, eventually he will become known for who he really is.  Sylvia was able to share with him how that played out for her just today.  These days of growing up are so hard emotionally and spiritually, but when we can have these tough talks and pray together as a family it feels good to end up with God's peace that passes understanding holding us up.

Thursday our afternoon/evening schedule was a bit different than usual.  Sylvia didn't have a cello lesson.  The guys didn't have wrestling practice.  So, we had a few minutes to take Caeden's guitar to get new strings.  While we waited for it, I took him to get a haircut--wayyyyy overdue.  He looks so much better, and is happy about it too!

Tonight, the guys did have wrestling practice.  I dropped Caed off and tried to get a picture of his funny pants.  All his sweatpants were in the dryer, and he grabbed a pair of size 8 jeans (He is growing out of 9's right now.) to put over his shorts to get to practice.  He could barely get them up past his knees.  Silly boy.  

It is a wonderfully difficult privilege to be a mom.

This kid

This kid.  I love him to bits, and at the same time he drives me crazy with his constant whining and complaining, arguing, selfishness, and self-pity.

He didn't realize his Dad was going to have to go back to work after lunch today, and that he was going to have to go back to church with me and the girls while I worked during their youth group time.  He didn't bring anything to entertain himself, and would not stop whining about having nothing to do.  He did the same thing last Sunday, and I made him make a list of 10 things he has to be thankful for.  It was a good list, but it sure didn't stop the whining and complaining for one second.

Today, he put in a Tom and Jerry DVD while I worked in Pastor's office, but it stopped working after a while.  More whining ensued.  I had him go out to the car to get the 6 missionary books that were there, and he whined about them being boring--at the same time as he talked excitedly about what was going on in them.  

His attitude stinks, and I'm not sure how we're fostering this.  We talk with him about it all the time, and he realizes it when it's brought to his attention.  Yet, he argues with every thing we ask of him, and talks back constantly.  He is strong willed, selfish, and stubborn like his momma.

I told him this week there will be absolutely no screens.  No Kindle.  No iPad (which has already been taken away for the entire quarter of school).  No TV.  No computer.  No Wii.  No movies.  

None at all.

I want him to know that life is not about being constantly entertained.  That leads to constant distraction.  I want to help him develop a servant's heart.  I pray it is not too late, and that he will change his ways.  Lord, help us!!

It's no coincidence that our devotional as the kids were going out the door this morning was about self-pity.  

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne." 

- Hebrews 12:1-2

"Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship,

for they will walk in the light of your presence, Lord.

They rejoice all day long in your wonderful reputation.

They exult in your righteousness."

Psalm 89:15-16

Kevin's 43rd

After church today, we met these great friends at Biaggi's to celebrate Kevin's birthday!  We're so glad to have them around, and so enjoy spending time with them!

Best birthday gift a daddy can get...snuggles from his little girl.

Eryn and Meagen taking fun selfies with momma.

The kids all loved coloring on the paper covering the tables. 

Meagan drew a beautiful creation, and when she was done, she said, "There; it's all done.  Perfect!"

In progress...Sylvia's drawing of "Joe the Butterfly"  It had a frame and more detail by the time she was done.

 Regina had baked Kevin's favorite--an amazing rum cake and brought it to share.  

Such a sweet time we had. 

Sick girl

My poor baby Sylvia is sick.  Thursday, I got a call from the school nurse, that Sylvia was in her office.  (I found out later, that Annah physically pushed her there after seeing her feeling awful while they were brushing their teeth at their after-lunch meet-up in the bathroom.) At that time, she said her throat, head, and ears hurt, but she didn't have any fever, so we struggled through the rest of the day.  When she woke up Friday, she felt worse and had a fever.

I took her to the doctor.  She did not feel good.  It is strep throat.

The doctor gave her antibiotics.  That is helping, but it gives her bad stomach cramps about an hour after she takes it.  She is taking it easy this weekend.  

Hits the spot

It's been such a cold, cold week this week...furnace running constantly, dry and itchy skin, shocking each other with static electricity, and tonight...ham (still more left from Christmas) and beans in the crockpot with cornbread muffins.  Good for warming us up!   

"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing." -Psalm 34:8-10

Math award

My buddy has been doing better at remembering to show me his school papers most evenings.  Tonight, he had this in his bag...

He was the first in his class to master all his math facts.  He must have his daddy's mathematical mind, thank goodness!  Proud of our boy!

Thinking warm

It is soooooo cold here right now.  So many of our friends are on or have recently returned from vacations to warmer climes.  Jeremy has been researching tropical travel of various types.  

In May, we will celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary, and 6 days later Jeremy will celebrate the anniversary of a "certain decade" since his birth.  Tonight, we booked an all-inclusive celebration trip to a resort in Cozumel, and we are SO EXCITED!!!!!

This is the beach we will be lounging on.  The average temperature varies from 90.3 to 90.7 degrees during the time we'll be there.  It is so nice to imagine and look forward to this while the windchill is below zero right now in central Illinois.

Keeping Annah warm

Annah asked me to make her a hat and cowl, so these were my projects last week.  This is more of the Bernat Blanket yarn, which is so thick and soft and quick to work up.  

Just in time for another really cold week!  

Birthday hug

Dustin doesn't much care for attention, even on his birthday, which is today.  Jeremy decided to give him a nice big birthday hug while he was trying to run sound during the service this morning at church.  I don't think Dustin was thrilled.  But the picture is fun.

Valentine's Day

The kids were all about Valentines Day and spreading the love this weekend.  At school, the girls sent carnations to their friends and received some as well.  Caeden built a Lego valentine to share with all of us at home.  

I put together a basket of goodies for the kids and Jeremy, including cards, lots of sweets, flashing artificial roses, DVD's, and Wii games.  

The kids made a video Valentine and sent it to Krampa and Gram.

Annah made these adorable duct tape hearts and cards for each of us.

Right now, Jeremy is in a season which requires a lot of extra work hours.  He is working 12-14  hours a day, including weekends.  So, he worked all day today.  I did see him leave the bedroom this morning, and we both said, "I love you."  I talked to him on the phone for a few minutes this evening while he was in the car.  I know he would like to be home more, but the kids and I are grateful he has a good job and that the extra time at work is only for a short season.

The kids and I chilled at home today.  We hung out in the living room a lot, and watched Epic, which was one of the movies they got in their Valentine basket.

We also tried Wii Party, which is pretty fun!  I like that 4 of us can play together.

I am grateful love is in our home on Valentines Day and every day.  Thanks be to God.