September 12: an extraordinary day

On 9-12-09 the Chief and I planted our feet upon the GREAT Wall of China...
I still get butterflies when I think of that day...
What an AMAZING site to behold...
Positively breathtaking...
A dream became a reality...
it was FINALLY our turn...
Really, truly, magnificently, extraordinarily one of the most memorable days of my life...


One year later on 9-12-10 we stood beside this little guy...
our firstborn...our Wild Man...the one who made us Mommy and Daddy...
Once again...butterflies...but for an entirely different reason...
Once again...an AMAZING site to behold...Once again...POSITIVELY BREATHTAKING...
Once again...a dream became reality...
Really, truly, magnificently, extraordinarily one of the most memorable days of my life...
(and for the record, the Great Wall of China is nothing in comparison to 9-12-2010!)

I have prayed for this day since I knew of his existence. The day our son would freely choose to love and serve the God who created him. That day came on July 27, 2010. Today was his day to tell the world. For most of his life, Jeremiah 29:11 has been etched upon my Mommy heart specifically for this child. It says, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Today that verse became alive and active before our eyes. Thank you Lord for the blessing of September 12th...our extraordinary day.

Dear Wild Man,

We are rejoicing with you tonight on one of the most significant days of your life. Without a doubt, no life decision will be ever be more important than the one you shared with the world today. We are so proud of the young man you are becoming. We can not wait to see the plans God has in store for your life.

All our love,
Mommy and Daddy

Back "2" School...

Wild Man went back "TWO" school today as an official SECOND grader. Wait! A second grader? Are we old enough to have a 2nd grader? Apparently we are. {Sigh} I vow not to be nostalgic. I will not blahblahblah about how he SHOULD NOT be in 2nd grade. I will not admit to being a little teary while walking behind him down the second grade hall. Nope. I will not. I will also not admit I was relieved to hear the bickering and sighs of boredom fade into the distance with each passing minute. Goodbye dog days of summer. Hello routine and structure for all. He has been SO READY to go back to school and see his friends. He really missed them. This year he is in a class of 17 but with only one classmate from Kindergarten. He was a little unsure about that lineup. Before school we talked a lot about how to have a friend you have to be a friend. He was a little nervous but by the end of the day he was telling me all about his new 2nd grade pals. He's going to be just fine. Like it or not, he's growing up (whether I put a brick on his head or not). I can't wait to see what 2nd grade has in store for our Wild Man.

First Day of Kindergarten
Wild Man and Mrs. Polka Dots
August 2008

First Day of 1st Grade
Wild Man and Mrs. Patience
August 2009
First Day of 2nd Grade
(Registration Day)
Wild Man and Mommy
August 2010
Unfortunately, Wild Man's new teacher is recovering from surgery and wasn't at school this week. We are hoping and praying she will return soon so he can get in a good routine from the beginning. In the meantime, we'll take it one second grade day at a time.

Kupcakes for Kids...

On Sunday, January 24, our Pastor taught from Matthew 25:14-30 about the Parable of the Talents, and then introduced a "Modern Day Tale of the Talents". During each service that day, he gave one of our young ministers a $50 bill, and charged them with investing that money... God's money... in a way that advances the cause of Christ.

Mr. Eddie was Wild Man's Assistant Children's Minister not too long ago. Wild Man thinks he's about the best thing since chicken nuggets (and if you know him you know how much that is). Mr. Eddie chose to use his $50 to purchase the ingredients for cupcakes. Cupcakes? Yep, cupcakes. He sold them for a minimum donation of $10 each. His goal? To raise $500 to buy shoes and socks for the children of a local public housing preschool.
When I told Wild Man we were going to buy special cupcakes after school today and WHY we were going to buy them, the first words from his mouth were "Can I help too?". He said he wanted to use his money to help buy shoes and socks for the kids just like everyone else. After school he dug out the money he'd been saving for Chuck*e*Cheese and bought 2 "Kupcakes for Kids" instead. One cupcake for each of his sisters. He didn't even buy one for himself having no idea I was going to buy one for him either way.

I was SO PROUD of him I could have burst. As a parent, some days we all wonder if we are getting through to them. If they can even grasp the blessings they have been given in this "me-me-me" society in which we live. Today I am thankful for a tiny peek into the window of his heart. There's some good stuff in there, even at 7 years old, and I can't wait to see what God has in store for him.

Happy 7th Birthday Wild Man...

Today you are turning (5+2) or (15-8) or (25-18). Everything is a math problem these days but today the answers are all the same. 7. SEVEN. YEARS. OLD. How in the world did that HAPPEN? In honor of your 7th Birthday, here are seven things that make me gigantically (his word) proud to be your Mommy.

1. I love your smile. From annoyed grin to Cheshire cat smile, they all make me melt like chocolate on a hot summer day. What a handsome boy you are becoming...beautiful both inside and out. Someday I hope you find "a stinky girl" who loves that sweet smile as much as I do. In about 20 years from now. Deal?

2. I love the way you say, "Ohhhhh Moooooooom". It ranges from snarky to sincere but it makes me want to laugh every time I hear it. Sometimes I'm laughing on the inside... but I'm still laughing.
3. I love your silliness. Yes, sometimes it drives me bananas but when you break out that jokelopedia and start reading joke after silly joke (without any inflection in your voice and then a good hardy knee slap at the end) I always get a good chuckle.

4. I love the way your mind works. I am constantly in awe of the gifts God has blessed you. I am certain He has HUGE plans for your life and it is my privilege to sit in the front row cheering you on every step of the way. It is quite possible I will still be reminding you to put on socks before shoes or brush your teeth or put the tag in the back or...well, you get the picture...but I'll still be your biggest fan.
5. I love to hear you pray. You have no problem praying aloud in such a sincere and adult-like way. You always pray for a laundry list of family, friends, teachers, your little friend Uzias in Nicaragua and your friend Susannah. Always. I get a little teary the moment your words start to flow. Before MeiMei came home you prayed every day right along with the rest of us that she would be "safe and healthy until we can bring her home." He answered your prayer and ours as well.

6. I love when you become the little negotiator. Whether it's more Wii time or just one more cookie, you always have a request for more. Always. I know the strong will you have in that little mind of yours is going to lead you straight to the Supreme Court because you can argue with the best of them. I have NO IDEA where you get that from. It must be your Daddy. :-)
7. I love your heart. I love that you have no problem sharing hugs and kisses and pats with your Mom. I know those days will come to an abrupt end so I'm snatching as many as possible right now. I love that you love your sisters (even though they are "stinky girls" and mess up your stuff). I love that you think your Daddy is the best thing since peanut butter. Shhhh...don't tell him but I think he is too.

Now that I'm the Mom of a SEVEN YEAR OLD, I understand why people would say to me as a child, "I'm going to put a brick on your head". That's exactly what I want to do to you. You are growing up. You like Batman, Transformers and Wii games instead of "baby stuff". You'll negotiate your dinner for a little dessert in return. You can tie your own shoes (insert angelic chorus here) and read like a third grader. You have the memory of an elephant. You can fully illustrate the final scenes from Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark after seeing it only once. You still hug your Kindergarten teacher every day on your way to first grade--because you miss her--and then you hug your First Grade teacher as well. You are nothing short of amazing to me in every sense of the word. I am incredibly thankful for each day of the past seven years. There is no other title I would rather carry than Mommy and you are the one who started it all.
Happy 7th Birthday Wild Man! You are strong and sweet and smart and brave and Mommy loves you...today, tomorrow and always.

A little Wild-man-ism...

WM: Dad, what year were you born?
Chief: 1978
WM: 1978! Hmmm...did you ever know Thomas Jefferson?

VBS Family Night...

All aboard the Boomerang Express--it all comes back to Jesus!

Play Ball...

Like mother like daughter...Little Miss practicing her "googly eyes".

Strawberry Pickin' Time...

Last spring we took Wild Man and Little Miss strawberry picking. We had so much fun we decided to make it a yearly tradition. Unfortunately we could not find a weekend to go as a family so we went as a trio today sans Daddy. This years adventure was basically a repeat of last. I picked strawberries and played paparazzi. Wild Man hid from honey bees while inspecting berries from afar. He waited for me to pick them and then proclaimed "Look, Mommy! Look! It's a strawberry!" about 100 times. :-)
They played with the borrowed farm umbrella just in case it rained...Little Miss stole all the strawberries from my basket and claimed them for her own (but isn't she the cutest strawberry thief you've ever seen?)...
How about a group shot for Mommy? Show me your berries please...
Hey, Mom? Do you see the sky? You should probably stop taking pictures and look over your shoulder...
It's looking a little stormy... YIKES!
It was at this point I hear the ladies from the strawberry patch screaming from the main house..."Get out of the field!!!! A storm is coming!!!!" I grabbed all of our garb and we started running along with the other six people in the patch. I watched the two women jump in their SUV's and drive like crazy people from the main house to the strawberry patch. By the time they got to us it was lightning all around with strong winds. One of the women took Little Miss from me while Wild Man and I jumped over the rows of strawberries to get in the car. Little Miss FREAKED OUT! It all happened so quickly I think she thought they were taking her away. She didn't see us go around to the other side of the Explorer so when the woman tried to put her in she SCREAMED BLOODY MURDER until she realized it was me on the other side. The bottom fell out about the time we closed the door. While I'm trying to calm my screaming two year old the woman driving is going ON and ON about how the radar looked terrible--how they were afraid we were going to get struck by lightning--how storms are SOOO SCARY on their farm. Ugh! HELLOOOOO---terrified children in the back seat--one of which is screaming in your ear because she doesn't like storms (and she thought you were a kidnapper). Be quiet lady! Anyway...we looked like drowned rats by the time we made it from the car to the main house but at least we didn't have to run the entire way to the house. In honor of their bravery, they treated both of them to a popsicle...
Of course, Wild Man declined because he doesn't like strawberry popsicles--though he LOVES strawberries --CRAZY KID! Clearly Little Miss had no issues with her special treat...
Once at home we made strawberry-banana smoothies together... and 24 jars of strawberry freezer jam...
This is what Little Miss thinks about strawberry jam...