More Observant

Easton is certainly discovering the differences in people. Their color, size, etc. We had an incident today. That as a mother mortified me. I am so thankful the person did not hear. But I honestly did not know what to say. Besides saying, God made us all different. We should not point out differences. Sometimes I laugh at what he says because it is cute. But not today because it was about a friend. I do not like this stage of mothering when it comes to this. I need wisdom and handling this. He is not being mean. He is just noticing not everyone looks the same.

Prayers for this church

I copied this post off my friend, Christina's blog. I would have basically said what she said so I thought I'd just repeat her post on here.

My prayers go out to the members of the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. This fellowship, was touched by violence when when a gunman opened fire during their 10:15 a.m. service today. Unfortunately, at least eight of their members were wounded--two of which has already died. Five remain in critical condition, while one is in serious condition, and another was treated & released (PRAISE GOD!!) It is a tragic and heartbreaking story.

Regardless of what you or I may believe of their theology, this church has endured a horribly traumatic event. We must band together in prayer for those members still in critical condition, as well as, all the children and members who witnessed this. I can't imagine the impact this could have on all the children, as this occurred during a play that 25 kids were performing at the front of the sanctuary.Please remember the members of this congregation in your prayers today.

For more updates, please visit:http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=61322&catid=2

Out of the mouths

DISCLAIMER I AM NOT MAKING FUN OF THIS PERSON

This afternoon someone came to the door and rung the doorbell. I always look at the side window by the front door to see who it is 1st. Easton is always right there with me looking out. I don't just open my front door without knowing who is there. Anyway it was a teenage kid trying to do some fundraising. I honestly could not hear his cause through the door and 2 jabbering kids. I just politely said, " No thanks." Well, the teenage boy had a metal prosthesis (he was wearing shorts so I saw it) and upper arms but no forearms and 2 little disfigured fingers. It looked like an obvious deformity. So after I said, "No thanks." I sat back down w/ Makenlee on the couch and Easton says, " Mommy there was a puppet at our door." I am not making fun of this individual. I just thought what E said was funny. To him it looked like a puppet b/c of this kids lack of arms. I guess the brutal honesty is beginning. Earlier in the week I had said that someone was mean. I guess he overheard it and he said to me today, " ___ is mean." I do not want to say the person's name. I just hope and pray he never says it to that person. I would be so mortified. Easton is certainly my Holy Spirit. He keeps me in check.

Fun at the splash pad

We went to the splash pad today. It took the kids a little to get used to it. Easton kept saying, "I don't like the water in my eyes."

Easton and his crab googles.

M making friends

Silly Easton

Jon was playing outside with the kids and he yelled get the camera. Which is a standard occurrence since our kids are always doing something funny. Easton had put the pool ring around his waist. It was so tight.

Night Swimming

The kids went to a b-day party for 2 friends and went night swimming last week. They enjoyed it a lot.

Makenlee got into the ice cream. She took the whole thing and shoved it in her mouth. Note the ice cream all over her mouth and nose. She did not have a spoon at first.

7 Advantages of Mother's Milk

Students in an advanced Biology class were taking their mid-term exam.The last question was, 'Name seven advantages of Mother's Milk,' worth 70 points or none at all.

One student, in particular, was hard put to think of seven advantages. He wrote:
1.) It is perfect formula for the child.
2.) It provides immunity against several diseases.
3.) It is always the right temperature.
4.) It is inexpensive.
5.) It bonds the child to mother, and vice versa.
6.) It is always available as needed.

And then, the student was stuck. Finally, in desperation, just before the bell indicating the end of the test rang, he wrote:
7.) It comes in cute containers

He got an A

No meaning

This is a new meaning to don't leave your bed unless you have to go potty. Well, I guess bring the potty to your room and you don't have to leave at all. Easton was in his rest time during this time.

Miss America

Makenlee was sitting in the cart while we were leaving wal-mart. I do not normally let her sit in the big part. But I did this time. She sat on top of the water and she started waving as we left wal-mart. Like she was in a parade or something. It was so funny!!

4 generations

Jon, E, Jon's Mom, Makenlee and Jon's grandma

MN Visit

Playing pirates with Great-Grandma (funny thing before we visited E started calling Jon's Mom Great Grandma, well now I don't know what to say since he met his real great grandmas..HMM)
"Can I play too?"
Makenlee has a bigger sword. ARR!!
Makenlee meeting Becca. She points to babies eyes whenever she sees a baby.
Makenlee looks so big compared to another baby. Becca was born in January this year.

Playing outside

Hugs
Chillin on Great Grandma and Grandpa's porch
Easton took all the tops off the crochet things and acted like they were pirate swords.

At the Viewing

Jon's grandma. She has Alzheimer's. She does not speak anymore. But she mouthed Jon's name a couple times. Which was awesome. She also would just stare at Jon and smile. It was so sweet. We think she remembered him. It was nice seeing her.

Some of the younger kids played in the side room. Easton loved playing with Emma and Steve. They played pirates a lot.

The farm

Jon's grandfather lived on one street his whole life. He was born on a farm and lived there with all 10 of their kids. Then moved down the street to a different house once he got older. Now Unlce Rog lives there and he takes care of the farm.

His cows
Ryan herded the cows to the fence so we could see them. I thought that was cool Ryan got to ride a 3 wheeler. How cool is that for a boy.

The farm

Their road

Corn field

WI

Easton and Jon walking to Uncle Roger's farm.

Playing outside. The weather was beautiful there.

Easton was in his element out there. We let him run ahead of us. The town they live in is so small and Jon's grandparents and Aunt and Uncle are the only ones that live on the road so we did not worry about cars zooming by him.

His grandpa mowed this lawn still in his late 80's. That is a 1/4 of the yard. So nice and green. Easton of course loved running around. The little speck is E.

E in front of one of the old barns. He did not want to see the cows up close because they were too noisy he said.

The funny things we heard from Easton

Here are some of the funny things we heard from Easton on our trip.

I had to do a party before we left Friday night so Jon had the car packed and the kids in their jammies. When I got home I just needed to grab a few things. Jon wanted to get on the road and I was taking a little too long and I got a bit defensive and we raised our voices a little. I talk loud anyway. So Easton says, "Guys guys be calm." That is what we tell him when he and Makenlee throw fits. "Be calm"

We were only maybe an hour into the drive Friday and he says, "Oh, no my pee pee is coming out. We need to stop." We made a HUGE mistake in letting him drink water the first couple hours of the drive. The kid downed 12 oz. in the like an hour. So he had an accident in his car seat. I felt bad for him, I can't blame him. But he was thirsty too. Oh, well. We learned. He just kept saying, "Mama I am thirsty."

Then we are driving and it starts lightening. He says, " It is stormin." Then he said," Look Dad a light show."

Then we were eating breakfast on the way up and he says" Dad, stop talking and let me eat."

As we were driving out of WI. Easton says." Look at all those farms." Then later he says,"Those nasty cows." As we drive by a field where they were spreading fertilizer.

We are home....

We got back yesterday early afternoon from WI and MN. The service for Jon's Grandpa was very nice. Jon's uncle read what Jon had written in memory of his Grandpa and it was a beautiful tribute. The kids and I met a lot of family these last few days and the kids loved all the attention and new playmates. Glad we got to go and see family and also enjoy time as our "little" family. I will post pictures later. The weather in WI was nice and cool. Then we went to MN for the day and it was so HOT!! We are happy to be home and not on the road. The kids did awesome both ways. Which we prayed for. I also enjoyed the time to read on the drive. I got through 2 1/2 books so I was thrilled. I rarely read anymore but have decided I need to make time as I miss it. It was great as I would read and then sleep and so on. What else can you really do for 14+ hours driving in the middle of the night. HA!!!

Anyone want some ice cream?

(Elizabeth, Stace, me and Emily)
My friend Elizabeth moved to Memphis in January and she was back in K-town in June for a visit. So I decided to have a surprise going away party for Stacey that same weekend so Elizabeth could say goodbye and we could all say Hi to Elizabeth and Bye to Stace. After dinner we went over to Elizabeth's inlaws for ice cream. Well, ice cream we had. This was a 1/2 of what Elizabeth's Mother in law got us. It was awesome. Their basement did have a ice cream parlor. We had so much fun.

Sponges

I always knew kids were sponges and listened when we did not think they were listening. But this story goes to prove it. So for the last few weeks I have been babysitting my friend's 6 month old once a week while she works on call as a PT. So today I am feeding him his bottle and Easton says to me,"What is Micah drinking?" I said, "His milk." Easton says, "Is it Mommy's milk?" I said, "Yes, it is his Mommy's milk." (I wanted to clarify it was his Mommy and not my milk)Easton says," Yeah, that is healthy." It blows me away that he would say that. I have been looking into becoming a lactation consultant. So Easton has heard me talking to Jon and other people about it.

Wobbly Steps

This was my devotional yesterday. It really spoke to me and I hope it speaks to you.

Wobbly Steps
By Melanie Chitwood

“I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.” Philippians 3:12-14 (MSG)

After several months of continuous stress and challenges, I felt like giving up and saying, “This is just too hard, God. Find someone else for this assignment!”Then, through an adorable little girl, God gave me encouragement to press on.

One-year-old Catherine is learning to walk. She takes a few wobbly steps and then falls down. She sits for a minute, as if to gather her determination, and then she pushes herself back up on her little legs. With each step Catherine attempts, we cheer her on like it’s the greatest thing we’ve ever seen, as if we’ve never seen anyone walk before.

Then, when Catherine is getting tired or frustrated, her mom reaches down and holds her little hand. Catherine looks up at her mom, where she finds just the extra encouragement she needs to push herself back up and keep going. One wobbly step after another.

I think that’s how God looks at us. Even our wobbly, uncertain steps please Him. He will never give up on us, and He will never be disdainful of our imperfect attempts to obey Him. He sees our hearts, which want to please Him, and He cares much more about our surrendered hearts than our perfect performance.

When we feel discouraged, frustrated or tired, we need to fix our eyes on Jesus where we’ll find just what we need to press on.