Random

Kids have such random conversations. I'm in the office and the boys are in the living room and I hear this:

Ryan: I'm just sad because Jillian's mom died (this truly was a tragedy that we faced back in May. Jillian is one of Ryan's classmates and her mom had a massive stroke and went home to be with Jesus).

Casey: I'm glad our mom didn't die.

Ryan: Yeah, cuz I'd be really sad.

Then Casey all of a sudden changes the subject to when he had to get stitches back in April!

Casey: I missed you when I had to get stitches.

Ryan: You did? Cuz I was in school?

Casey: It doesn't feel good to get hit in the head with a metal bat [the reason for the stitches]

Ryan: I bet! Casey, can you hand me the red Lego?

Kids are just so matter of fact. I'm in here listening to them talk about poor Jillian, almost in tears as I hear them because of how sad that was and then all of a sudden Casey is on a totally different subject and Ryan is asking for Legos! Sometimes I wish I could be more kid-like. Life's tough issues are so much simpler in their eyes.

Hilarious

Oh the things that make boys laugh!

They were "zerbert-ing" my leg and then would look at me while I made a face of utter disgust. That's why they were laughing so hard! Silly boys.

It's Official!

Emily is a girly-girl! Earlier in the month, Emily had some money left from her birthday so I took her to Toys R Us and decided to get her a dress up kit. She loves dressing up in my shoes and this one dress that is too big for her that her Nan bought in Italy. So I was pretty sure that this kit would be a hit. Boy was I right! Check out my girl parading around in her new stuff!

Don't you just love the shoes? The feathers make it!

Mwah! A big smooch from Emily to you!

My Big 1st Grader

Sorry I haven't been posting lately! I'm trying to adjust to getting a child up, ready and out the door by 7:40 every morning! I really took for granted how nice afternoon kindergarten was. It's a whole new world for me now. The first day was pretty chaotic, but now that we're into the 2nd full week of school, I'm getting into the swing of things.

We are so blessed to be able to send Ryan back to Northwest Christian School this year. God has provided, thus far, in several different ways for us to be able to afford NCS. One of the ways has been the giftcard program. Tripp's dad bought his lumber package for the house they're building up north through Home Depot with our giftcards! That was a huge blessing! Anyway, as long as God continues to provide unique ways for us to afford NCS, we'll keep on trusting that this is where our children should go to school!

Ryan is having a breakfast of champions - Cinnamon Toast Crunch!

Standing outside Mrs. Murray's classroom

Putting on his name tag

Look at that handsome face, so proud to be in 1st grade!

Here is their cousin Luke (who goes to afternoon kindergarten) with Casey and Emily.

Do you notice a trend when it comes to Emily smiling for cameras?

Ryan has been doing well in school so far. Mrs. Murray does not focus a whole lot on academics in the first few weeks. She really wants them to get the routine of the day down first. It's a big adjustment to go from 3 hours of school to 7 hours! Plus it's still so hot out - Ryan actually says he wishes he had less recess because he's so hot outside! I'm sure he'll change his mind once the weather cools down a bit. He had his first spelling test on Friday and got 100%!

Well, that's all for now. I have more pictures to post from the last few weeks of summer. Those will come in the next week - I promise I won't let so much time pass between posts!

Emily's 2 Year Pictures

I sent out an email with a link to Emily's 2 year pictures, but I wanted to "archive" them on my blog as well, since that link will expire in November.

As cute as she can be, she was not destined to be a child model! This girl will not cooperate when it comes to taking her picture! Most of the time she looked like this:

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But none the less, the photographer made the most of my stone faced stinker!

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After lots of hard work with me chasing her around and trying to eek a smile out of her, she started to come around...

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These are some multi-image pictures the photographer put together. They are really cute, but I didn't buy any because I'm cheap ($30 for one picture?!? No thanks!).

And even thoughtshe isn't smiling in this next picture, it is one of my favorites. I love that you can see her sweet feet and her whole dress and the way her arm is bent to hold on my bracelet.

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So lets play a little game called "caption that photo"! In the comments section, tell me some funny ways to caption your favorite photo of Emily! I've put the numbers below them so it's easier to tell me which one is your favorite.

Afraid

It's been more than 2 months since our home was invaded by an unwanted intruder who followed me home one night with the obvious intent of finding me alone.

I shiver to think of what would've happened that night had Tripp not been home; had the man been armed; had God not surrounded us with an army of angels.

As the time has gone by, I've become so much less afraid. But on the nights Tripp is at the station and as the sun sets, my anxiety sets in. Most of the time I'm okay. I have Psalm 4:8 imprinted on my brain: "I will lay down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord make me dwell in safety." I repeat this verse, outloud even, when I go to sleep.

But going to sleep is sometimes hard to do. On the nights Tripp is not home, I find myself staying up much later than I should. Even now, at 12:30am, my eyelids are heavy, but I don't want to lay my head down on that pillow until I know that I'll fall asleep instantly because I don't like laying in the dark silence, feeling vulnerable. At least when I'm awake, I'm on alert. Ready to push my panic button on my alarm system or dial 911.

I don't like pausing and looking everytime I hear a "bump in the night".

Another verse that I really like and have memorized is another Psalm. It's Psalm 91:10-12, "then no harm will befall you. No disaster will come near your tent {home}. For He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways. They will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone."

Anyway, I know that my fear is not of God and I need to tell myself what I tell Ryan whenever he is afraid, "Scram, devil!!" And pray that God would fill me with His peace.

I guess I'll go to bed now.