Wacky Wednesday

About a year ago I shared Connor’s no underwear adventure. Since there isn’t much in between that one and this one, I have hesitated to post another of his wardrobe malfunctions. Partly in case you think it is a pretty often occurrence…well, maybe it is. And partly because it could embarrass Connor one day… well, maybe that isn’t so bad either. :) So here I go…

Yes, it is true that Connor often has trouble getting dressed in the morning. Obviously forgetting underwear, but he has also met me at the stairs ready to go down to breakfast still in his pajamas but with socks and shoes on, or his socks, shoes, underwear and shirt on but NO PANTS. And yes, that boy is oblivious to his errors until I point it out. Then you see the realization wash over his sleepy face. Luckily, since last year, all of these incidents have happened inside our home until Wednesday last week.

It wasn’t just any Wednesday, mind you. It was Wacky Wednesday. For Summer at least. She dressed up in wacky tights, shorts, backwards shirts and a crazy side pony tail. All of it just gave her license to dress how she would every day if she could. Connor's class didn’t have wacky day but went to school in regular jeans and a regular shirt without complaint.

We were crossing the street on the way home from school that afternoon when I noticed Connor was pulling at his pants. “What’s wrong?”

“My underwear is messed up”, he said.

“Wait until we get across the street and I will help you.”

Once safely across the street, the crossing guards (who have become dear friends) begin going on and on about Summer’s crazy outfit when one of them asked where Connor had went. In immediate panic I turned around and found Connor hiding behind me…with his pants down. Since I had forgotten, he had taken it upon himself to fix his underwear right there as cars drove by.

Quickly, I yanked his pants up and glanced at the sweet crossing guards who seemed to be waiting for my reaction before responding. “Well, I can add that to my list of embarrassing things he has done”, I said.

They laughed. Summer wasted no time before breaking into the story of his no underwear day. I smiled and wondered to myself why I take them out in public sometimes.

One crossing guard then noticed Connor’s normal clothes and said, “Oh, you didn’t have Wacky Wednesday today, Connor?”

Connor, quick as ever, replied, “Nope. I had wacky underwear day!”

Do I Dare Try This Again?

I have started this post a few times over the last month, but how in the world do you come back after almost a year of silence? It is not easy that is for sure. I want to make all these promises to do better, but I honestly don’t have enough faith in me to do such a thing. What calls me back is knowing all the sweet moments I shared with my family…moments I was sure I would remember but now have been forgotten. The timely moments where God has changed my course of direction…the little ones, I barely recognized, but now wish I had a better account. Then there are the big moments I have scribbled on a post-it note and still hope to record on here eventually…maybe…hopefully…

Here is a quick update on some of what has been going on the last year…
In June, I was forced to trust God in new ways as Shawn headed out on his first mission trip. God’s presence was tangible in my home and I learned so much… so did he. In October, Shawn headed out for a two week business trip and I expected the same peace that had accompanied me the last time he was gone, but instead this time I felt so alone. God began a work on me while Shawn was gone and still isn’t finished yet. It has been one of the most painful experiences in my walk with Him this far, but I am holding on…knowing it will be worth it.

God has reignited my passion for missions and it was a frustrating few months before I begin to see a reason why. He took me all the way to Houston over a weekend before I finally surrendered and received clear direction of what He wants next. Maybe I will share more of that someday. I am still busy with the women’s ministry at church and organizing the Bible studies. It is passion I don’t think I will ever get out of my system.

Shawn and I will celebrate our 10th anniversary this year and I have been amazed at him more lately than ever. He worked so hard this past year to support our family and he did so very well. These last few months, he “supporting me” has taken a different direction. I can hardly talk about it without tears. I am so thankful he is mine.

Summer is quite the little lady. She is definitely her own person and very Ok with her uniqueness. She rarely picks up a toy to play, but will spend her time on crafts, electronics or reading. She loves helping me in the kitchen. She takes social to a whole new level. Never wanting to be alone, she follows me around doing her own thing but carrying on an almost grown up conversation in the process. Her wisdom and maturity amaze me. Love that girl!

Connor, as active as ever, always keeps me on my toes. He doesn’t sit still for a minute and never has enough time in the day to play. Superheroes or cars occupies most of his time. His toys are his prized possessions, yet he has a huge heart. He will do almost anything for his sisters or me and do it cheerfully. The most amazing prayers come out of his little mouth. God has big plans for that little man, I just know it.

Chloe is near perfect sweetness. That little girl loves anything alive and has the most nurturing spirit I have ever witnessed in a little one. She is my constant companion throughout the day and I enjoy her so much it scares me sometimes. We clean together, run errands together, play together. Don’t even talk about her going to school…EVER!

So maybe I will be back to share more tomorrow…or maybe next week…or next month…but hopefully before next year.

Soccer Game!

Summer played soccer this fall. She loved it! She did really well and both her and Connor want to play this spring. Here are some pics...
This was our first time playing with "Upward". I so impressed! They had memory verses and devotions during half time...rules for the parents and the plan of salvation laid out every single game though a reward system for the kids. It was very well done!

We would bring along a ball for Connor and Chloe

She loves these glasses...I am not sure why

Looks like they had to be separated... :)

Warming up before the game

Next year, buddy!

Something must have been really interesting on the other side of the fence

Devotions and prayer during half-time

Look at her go!!

Birthday at the Rain Forest

Summer's pick for a "birthday party" this year was the Rain Forest Cafe. We met family there on her 4th birthday and she had this yummy chocolate dessert that has had her talking about it ever since. So we arranged to meet family there again to celebrate...

The moving animals inside left my brave kids wide eyed...

Two of Summer's favorite people...The beloved cake...

After our very long lunch, we had some fun around Downtown Disney...After Downtown Disney, we made an evening trip to Sea World. I was way too exhausted to get any good pics, but it was a great end to a big day.

Birthday Lunch at Grandma's

FYI: Grandpa really wasn't sleeping...

Birthday ride in the golf cart...

As they were pulling away I hear Summer say, "Grandpa, do you know golf carts are sometimes used for golfing? If you listen carefully you can hear 'golf' in the word 'GOLF cart'." :)

We made birthday cupcakes...

I love Connor's face in this one... :)

Our big 6 year old!

Off to Josh's house...

We left Grandma and Grandpa's house in time for a birthday dinner at Moe's (Summer's pick). Then we headed to Target to buy school supplies for TWO kids! It was a big day! But the celebrating wasn't over yet...

Some Pics from our Midnight Celebration

She is going to love me for this... :)

That is one tired but happy girl!

Happy Birthday, Sweet Summer!

Can you believe she is 6?! I sure can't!

The celebrating started at 12:03 am. Shawn had the brilliant idea of waking her up as soon as it was her birthday for some cake...chocolate cake! The candles were lit and we woke her up singing. Once she got over looking at us like we were crazy, she was a very happy girl. "This is the best birthday ever!", she exclaimed only a few minutes after midnight.

Summer, I cannot imagine our family without you! You keep us laughing at your silliness, loving your spunkiness, living through all your drama and cherishing every minute of it. You are a crazy girl! We love you dearly!

Question of the Day

"How come mommies get headaches and kids get hiccups?"
- Summer

New Hair - The Long and Short of It

Chloe's new hair... (it's getting longer!)

Piggy Tails!! I have been waiting for this day since I found out I was having another girl! I loved fixing Summer's hair when she was a baby...just took a little longer for Chloe...to umm...get hair.

Summer's new hair...(it's shorter - A LOT shorter!)

Five minutes (literally five minutes) before we needed to leave for church last Sunday evening, I walk into the bathroom to find Summer cutting her hair. She had cut both sides about ear level and now had a very dramatic mullet. In effort to help her look a bit better for church, I quickly cut the looong back hair. So sad, but there was no other way to fix it. I, rather she cried and cried. She didn't want it short, or at least ALL of it short.

"It's only hair," I assured myself...I mean her, "it will grow back." Between sobs, she asked, "Are you sure, Mommy? Are you sure it will grow back?"

When we returned home later that night, I did my best to fix it for school the next morning. For the first time my little girl was terrified to go to school. She was afraid people were going to call her a boy or laugh at her. (None of which happened.) The whole experience was quite traumatic for me, I mean her...I don't think (hope...pray) she doesn't attempt this ever again. At least not until completing "cutter girl" school.

Three Little Reasons...

Daddy can't lay on the floor...(in peace anyway)

Weekend Fun

Playing in the water while riding scooters and tricycles...so fun.

She Did It!

A couple weeks ago, my biggest girl (who is not very big) had a dream come true. For years, (at least two) she has talked about her desire to win a trophy. She has asked questions on what she needs to do to get one. Tears have streamed down her checks because she was convinced she would never accomplish any of it. Well, my friends, she did...

On her last cheerleading game for the season, we brought home one happy girl and a trophy as big as her! I can not tell you how much this meant to her. After she was presented with it and came back to us, she held it to her sweet, little heart and said, "I have waited my whole life for this." As hilarious as that is from the mouth of a five-year old...it is nearly true. She is so happy.

Yet, as I placed the trophy on her bedroom shelf, it pulled at some "mommy heart-strings". It is surrounded by baby girl things...precious treasures given to us at her birth, baby pictures, stuffed animals that hold sentiment...and a trophy. So big girl.

Here she is in her pride and glory...

Sisters

According to Summer...

White birds don't poop on Friday.

Good to know...

Same Chair...

Four years ago...

Heaven, Clouds and Throwing Up (don't ask...just read)

Our house has held lots of conversations on Heaven lately. Largely due to the Heaven book I read recently (to which I can now respond to questions much more excitedly and with assurance of what Heaven will be like) and also, just because life (and death) happens on this Earth. I have tried to turn things that have made my heart ache into positive ways to teach my children about the place where Jesus lives...and the place He doesn't.

I want to share our most recent conversation on Heaven that happened this morning, but first some background information...

Starting with Summer and then Shawn, then Chloe and Summer again and now still Chloe and Summer again...we have had a nice cycle of sick in our house since Christmas Day. I am hoping this week was the grand finale...if so, it went out with a bang! Normally, on Saturday morning, we would be up and out of the house by 8:30 to go to Summer's game. This morning, due to her being under the weather, and the rainy weather...we stayed home and slept. All of us except Daddy who, was up and out to work before anyone else was awake. When the kids and I got up we lounged around on the couch together. Pretty soon, Summer started this conversation...

Summer: "Mommy, have you ever thrown up?"

Me: "Yes, many times"

Summer: (disappointed) "Oh, I never want to do that again!"

Me: "I know. In Heaven you won't have to worry about that...you won't even get sick"

Summer: "Right! Jesus won't want us to throw up on the clouds!"

Possibly one of the reasons there will be no more sickness (however small it may seem) is that it really does make a mess! :)

And yes, I know and she knows too, that Heaven isn't in the clouds. It is interesting to me that I never taught her this, she just assumed it. When I tried to correct her, she was so disappointed to not be able to hold Jesus' hand and walk in the clouds, that I quickly said, "I am sure you will be able to walk in the clouds with Jesus if you want to." This brought big smiles and claps as she exclaimed, "Oh! I can't wait!!"

Smile. "Me either, my sweet girl, me either!"

"A Cutter Girl!"

Two weeks ago, I met Tara for coffee at the Starbucks up the street. When I left, Connor and Chloe were already in bed, but Summer (who had been running a fever and slept most of the day, was now wide awake) was left to have Daddy time. It is good for them...they are two peas in a pod, after all.

Anyway, I arrive home a little later and Summer meets me at the door - so exited about something. She rattles excitedly, "Mommy, you know how my hair was sticky right here? (She got a tad bit of medicine in it earlier that day). Well, I cut it off!"

My mouth drops open at the realization that she indeed had just told me she cut her hair!

"Honey," I say to my husband busy ("busy" is relative) on the computer, "Did you know Summer cut her hair?"

He hardly looks up, "Oh, no, I noticed she disappeared for awhile and just when I was going to go check on her, she came back." Nice...

I follow Summer to the bathroom, where in the trash lies a pretty good chunk (not just the sticky parts) of hair.

However, my shock had no effect on Summer's excitement. She is nearly bursting to continue on, "And you know what else, Mommy?!" Uh oh...

"I know what I want to be when I grow up!"

"Really?"

"Yes!!! A cutter girl!"

Though I would appreciate her complying with our new rules about hair cutting and scissors, I must admit, I am quite impressed with her technique. She took off a good amount of hair, but pretty much equal on both sides...looks more tapered than it was before, but workable for now. Who knows, maybe cutting hair is in her future? She used to want to be a squirrel when she grew up (so she could climb trees really good)...we are progressing.