A Good Week

Last week held a few nice surprises for us.

Clay lost his Nintendo DS a few weeks ago (That's not the good part. You have to be patient. I'll get there). But I didn't know it was lost when I told my in-laws that he'd enjoy the Lego Star Wars DS game, which they then bought for him for his birthday.

So early in the week, I looked all over the house and our vehicles for that DS. Inside underwear drawers, under car seats, inside kitchen cabinets (thinking that a fit had been thrown during play time and I had confiscated it), under beds, inside toy boxes, behind bookshelves, all around the van and truck floor boards, inside the fridge (Not really. Just checking your pulse.).

I told my mother-in-law it was going to kill Clay to get the gift and not be able to play it. And worse... Bruce didn't want to replace the DS if it wasn't found. He's all about the Wii now (which I seriously hate. Really. It causes more fights in the house than sharing candy does.).

The night before Clay's actual birthday, Bruce finally found it. In the storage pocket on the back side of the passenger seat in the van. In front of the seat that Clay typically sits in.

Woo-hoo!

Last week, we also replaced our lost/damaged point-and-shoot digital camera. The one that I use. The new one shipped to us on Wednesday.

And the absolute best part is that it is so similar to the one we previously had that I won't need a three-week lesson to learn how to use it.

Normally, any time we upgrade any piece of technology in our home, it takes me a long time to learn how to operate the new item. That learning curve time drives me nuts. And, in turn, I drive Bruce nuts complaining with such common sense statements as: Why do we always need new stuff? Why can't we just keep the old stuff? I like the old stuff. I can work the old stuff. I don't care that only one button on the remote of the old item still works while all the others died long ago. I'm comfortable with my understanding of that one button.

I am very happy with the new camera.

Of course, I haven't actually used it yet. So that may change.

Spencer's t-ball team is playing tournaments. I don't even really get the significance of that, if there is one. I thought his last game fell during VBS week and that he'd missed it. But then I got a call from his coach's wife saying there was a game on Saturday.

Whew Doggies, it was hot Saturday! I even broke down and bought my very first item from the concession stand. I forgot to bring a bottle of water, so I went back to the van and scrounged for change to buy an iced tea. Best stinkin' iced tea I've ever had in my entire life. I'm sure that's no exaggeration.

And there is absolutely no shade near the field Spencer was playing on. But there was the strategically placed score board for the field next to us. Saturday, I was very glad that I'm not a larger person than I am... because I just barely fit in the slim little bit of shade provided by that sign. I was grateful for that sign.

And my little guy scored a home run!

He is so funny. Spencer can run like lightning, but you'd never have known it watching him during that game. He might have come close to a slight jog, but that was it. It could have been the heat, though.

Still, he did it. And he was super pleased with himself, because at one point someone from the other team tried to tag him out, but they missed. That made the whole home run "way cooler" in Spencer' mind.

Clay chose to miss his very last game on Saturday, in favor of attending his buddy Nathan's birthday party, which was at the same time as his game. He had a good time, and that's all that matters to me.

Do you ever buy a gift for someone you love because you know you like the gift? So if they hate it, guess who gets it? I do it all the time.

I got this CD for Clay of a group I don't typically listen to. But it was recommended to me by a blogging buddy (Thanks Flip Flop Mom).

The group is called Stellar Kart, and it has more of a punk band sound to it than I normally go for. But when I went online to hear snippets of it, Clay was hovering around, listening, and liked it. I loved the lyrics. I bought the CD the next day and had it waiting for his birthday.

Both my boys love it! They are air guitar rockin' fiends when I play it.

And I love it, too! I haven't exercised in two weeks. But on Clay's birthday, I popped that CD in and hopped on the treadmill. The time went by so much faster.

Here's one of my favorite songs off the album. This video cracks me up. A little 80s flashback.



Innocent by Stellar Kart
I'm overdressed for success
In a world that has no shame
I've had enough of seeing love
Being played like some game

I know why the good old days are gone
Cause everyone just tolerates what's wrong
I'm not some empty space for rent

I wanna be innocent
Yours wholeheartedly
Innocent
Every part of me
Take me back so I can see
The way that love was meant to be

Boys and girls
The real world
Is one that's filled with consequence
And all the lies that glamorize
It's a life that's broken

I see why the good old days are gone
Every time I turn my tv on
What's wrong with being different

Buried underneath this avalanche
You are my hope and second chance
Don't let my heart get away

Saturday Singing - Cry Out

I think Third Day is one of the best bands out there. I've been singing along to their music on the radio for years.

But I never bought an album of theirs until this song came out.



I tear up by the second chorus every time and can't even sing along.

And for the record, I've already pre-ordered their next album, "Revelation" that isn't due to be released until the end of July. Again, just because of that new song that's out right now... "Call My Name". They're so good!

For more, Then Sings My Soul Saturday, go here.

Eight Years Old

Today is our oldest child's birthday. Clay was born eight years ago today.

I don't have a scanner yet (but I'm hoping to get one soon), so I can't post any baby pictures of him. They're all in a baby book, taken with an actual camera into which I loaded real film.

We bought our first digital camera when he was two, so that's how old he is in the picture below.



The video below was taken at his fourth birthday party. Clay was trying to help his blindfolded Uncle Brandon to find the donkey to pin his tail on. I think he was more comic relief than actual help.



This next picture was taken when Clay was six and we were on vacation in Helen, Georgia (which is also where Bruce and I honeymooned. I love that place!). We took the kids fishing one day, but since we have no skills ourselves in the fishing arena, we went to a Trout Farm where you paid per pound. I figured we'd let each kid catch a one or two pounder. But when Clay pulled out one this size...



... we knew we were going to be shelling out some big bucks that day. Because you can't let one kid catch a fish and not let the siblings catch fish as well. I'm pretty sure the pond was stocked with fish no smaller than five pounds. I think we paid close to $100 for three very large rainbow trout, which we also had gutted and vacuum packed.

On a side note, because this just begs to be included here, I have no idea how to cook fish unless I purchase it frozen in a box, already breaded. I looked for recipes online, and then we had my in-laws over for supper. Because there was A LOT of fish. We needed to share. However, my labor yielded less than tasty results.

The next day, I put several pounds of leftover fish down the garbage disposal. Well, that was the idea anyway. Within minutes I had clogged that disposal in a bad way. I did everything I knew to do to unclog it. Finally, I called Bruce and he came home from work to fix it... by unhooking the pipes in the garage to get all the fish gunk out of there. And then he had to hose out the whole place.

Whenever the kids ask to go fishing now, Bruce and I can't help but think of "The Trout".

Today, as I look at Clay's baby pictures next to who he is now, I can't even remember how the time shifted from one scene to the next. That's why I combed through the pictures, from year to year, to see if I could track where it happened. Where my baby turned into this boy child.

There are some bits of his face that still look like that precious baby we brought home from the hospital, but very little remains unchanged.

His eyes are still blue. That might be the sole similarity.

His blonde baby hair is now more of a dirty blonde, almost light-brown color. And there is no trace of all the newborn baby pudge than surrounded his 8 pound, 15 ounce frame at birth. He's a tall and lean boy now.

But I know what's still the same. What will never change. It's that sweet love that enfolded me the second they put into my arms that squalling infant.

Here Clay is now. In all his eight-year-old glory.



Happy Birthday, Big Boy!

Thankful Thursday - VBS, Part 2

As promoted in last week's Thankful Thursday, this week I am grateful that Vacation Bible School is nearly over. Tonight is the last evening of teaching for the kids; tomorrow is our celebration night, when all the parents are invited to come hear the kids perform the music they've learned.

It has been a great week. One not without a few bumps though.

On the first night of VBS, another little boy hit Spencer and told him he wasn't going to be his friend anymore. A third little fella spoke up and told the boy who hit Spencer to stop, which was sweet. Still, my boy came home and cried for about a half hour before I could sidetrack him with talk of a pizza business that he and I could go into (we made up some really interesting pizza flavors. I can't reveal them though. Just in case Spencer decides to go through with the ideas and become a bajillionairre one day.)



I'm thankful that Spencer did not hit back, which he has never done with anyone except his siblings. But the possibility is there, and I was proud of him for showing some self control.

I'm also thankful that, after speaking with the boy's mom (who is a friend), no huge deal was made out of it. Spencer wrote him a note (with some assistance from big brother, who can actually read and write) and the young boys worked it out. No more problems for the rest of VBS.

And then there was the fact that this year I was teaching in Clay's class, which I've always said I would never do.

You know how if you have a pimple, the size of it always looks way HUGER on your face than it would if you saw it on someone else's face? My children are not blemishes (perhaps this is not the best example, but it's all I'm coming up with at the moment.). However, Clay was a little bit boisterous the first two nights of VBS. Maybe I noticed it more because he's my boy (see, that's where the point is made). In any case, the night before I was to teach the evangelistic message, I had a talk with Clay.

It went something like this: "Tomorrow is my day to teach. It's an important message. There are probably kids in there who don't know Jesus. I need your best behavior so I can keep my focus on the Lord and His word and not your behavior."

He was so great. I looked up at one point and he had his face all screwed up into a scowl. He was mad at me for not picking him to answer a question, but he didn't say anything or draw attention to himself.

At the end of the night, on the way to the van, he asked me if he had done better. I could have just kissed him I was so proud of him. Well, I did kiss him. But not right there in the parking lot. (Because he is going to be in third grade soon. PDA from mom ceased being acceptable for him around first grade. He's promised me that kisses and hugs at home are always going to be good. I'm going to hold him to it!)

Now, off of the personal for a minute. This year's group of second graders was wonderful. All great kids. Well-behaved. Smart as all get out. And just fun to be around.

And despite the fact that our church gym had no air conditioning all week, there were no cases of heat exhaustion. The kids were in there for snacks and for craft time. And the workers were in there the whole night. It was uncomfortable, to be sure, but everything still pointed to God's glory. And that's the best we can ask for, with or without AC.


And I have to add this bit, which is totally unrelated to VBS. But I am still so thankful. My husband received a patent on something he invented through work. You can go here and see it.

I don't understand all that stuff written on the patent. I just know it made Bruce feel good. And I'm thankful the Lord gave him that.

Serious and Silly Quizzes and a Challenge

I saw this Mommy Quiz on KC's blog.

It's actually a pretty serious little quiz. I'd say this is mostly true of me, but not entirely.


Your type is: ISTP —The “Give 'Em Their Space” Mother
“My feelings are my own business. Not theirs. So I honor their privacy too.”
Non-intrusive and respectful of differences, the ISTP mother gives her children the personal space they need to develop as separate, self-sufficient individuals. As children grow and mature, she enjoys observing how each one becomes his or her own person. She seeks to accept and honor each child’s interests, opinions, and choices.

The ISTP mother does not believe in authority or control for its own sake. Instead, she favors a non-directive approach. Yet she has high expectations for each child’s self-discipline as a key to self sufficiency.

To these ends, the ISTP mother wants to “be there” for her children—to meet their basic needs and keep them safe. Her goal is to help her children think for themselves and take responsibility for their own actions.

Kind of interesting.

Another silly little tidbit I found over at KC's site is this.

You Are 31% Fake

The real you is something you embrace and don't mind enhancing.
You know that a few beauty secrets aren't a big deal, as long as you look good.

How fake are you? Go here to take the quiz and find out.

Now, for the kicker. KC did it; you can, too. This site is asking you to Blog Your Face. In BM mode and AM mode... that would be Before Make-up and After Make-up. And you're supposed to list your beauty care products, and link to their site, too, for a chance to win some good stuff by Burt's Bees.

Now, I would do this, but it would be boring. I'm not sure that listing petroleum jelly for dry skin or Carmex for chapped lips is really going to clue anyone in on some really kickin' new beauty product.

I just don't wear make-up often enough for a "before" and "after" to be noteworthy. In fact, thanks to pregnancy-induced skin allergies, I probably have worn make-up fewer than 30 times in the last eight years. I'm willing to put up with an itching face for only a couple of things... family pictures and date nights with Bruce. Although, I think I remember wearing make-up to church a time or two since Clay was born.

Anyway, I dare you.

Don't you just skip off here like you didn't hear me (see me?). I double dare you.

Fine, I can see you are the kind who resists peer pressure. I'll skip right to the big guns... I triple dog dare you.

What are you... chicken? (Where are the clucking sound effects when you need them?!)

Comment if you accept my challenge (taunt!).

Ten on Tuesday - World Changes

Today's topic for Ten on Tuesday is: 10 Ways the World Has Changed Since You've Been in School.

This really shows a person's age. Here goes:

10. Having an Atari used to be the BIG thing in the world of video games. I can't even keep up with all the different gaming systems now.

9. Kids in school these days have cell phones. If we needed to make phone calls when I was in school we did it from the school's front office.

8. There was far less cussing on television. It wasn't non-existent, but it certainly wasn't as pervasive as it is today.

7. Ditto for homosexuality on TV.

6. Educational shows for kids are actually better today. All I can remember watching as a young child was Sesame Street, Zoom and Electric Company. My kids are treated to great stuff like "WordWorld," "Between the Lions," "Cyberchase," and "Super Why!"

5. E-mail, internet and blogging. None then; got it now. Enough said there!

4. VCRs used to be the thing and now they're becoming obsolete, thanks to DVD players and TiVo.

3. Microwaves are cheaper now than then because they aren't new technology anymore.

2. Body piercings were limited to ears mainly. And usually not more than two holes per ear.

1. Gasoline was a lot cheaper.

To see more 10 on Tuesday lists, go here.

Niger Mission Trip

Please say a prayer for five people from our church who leave today for Niger to do mission work with the Songhai people.

The five people are:
-- Matt B.
-- Gabe S.
-- Gomer W.
-- Chad S.
-- Aubrey W.

Gabe is the youngest person going. He's in the 9th grade, and he's felt God's calling on his life for a couple years now.

Bruce and I taught Gabe's Sunday school class when he was our Clay's age... second grade. I have a special place in my heart for that boy. Right now Gabe's younger sister, Kendrick, is in the 7th-8th grade girls' class that I co-teach. They come from a sweet family. I can't imagine what faith it must take for Gabe's momma to let him go on this trip.

Matt and Chad are college students. Gomer is an adult. And I don't know Aubrey.

They'll be gone for two weeks, I think. I can't wait to hear what stories they'll have to tell when they return!

Thanks for your prayers.

Clay's Party

Clay's party was a mixture of good and bad.

You'll see from the following pictures that our church gym, where we held the party, is in the process of a bit of a face lift. I had stressed all week long about whether it would be safe to have the kids there for the party. Friday I went up and talked to the construction workers and they told me what areas to have the kids avoid, and they promised their tools would be out of the way.

True to their word, their tools were stashed. But gypsum dust was all over the floor from the drywall installation work. Thankfully, in all the playing that the kids did indoors, nobody slipped on the stuff.

Along with the tools being out of the way, the trash cans were nowhere to be found. We searched for 10 minutes before finding one.

When I walked into the gym, Bruce's first statement to me was: "You don't have any air conditioning."

Say what?

The heat pumps weren't even hooked up. Because there wasn't a hole in the wall yet for the wiring. We all sweated a little more than normal, but we jacked open all the doors and there was a nice wind blowing through. It could have been way worse.

Clay's actual birthday doesn't fall until next Friday, but I am forever having his party right after our church's VBS. This year I wanted Clay to come first. Even so, having a birthday in the summer comes with some inherent pitfalls... people are on vacation and can't come. Same thing happened last year, too.

Four boys came yesterday. They had a great time playing on their bikes, scooters and skateboards in the big church parking lot, and shooting hoops inside the gym.

Even though Clay seemed okay with the fact that only a third of who he invited made it to the party, I was disappointed for him. I think when he sees the difference between his party and his siblings' party in the fall after school is back in session... he's going to realize it stinks to have a summer birthday some times.

I am seriously considering having his party next year the weekend before school lets out... even if it's three weeks earlier than his actual birthday.

One great part about the day is that the weather cooperated nicely. No rain. And the wind was actually much appreciated, considering the AC situation.

Another great thing was having my friend Carolyn there. She and my in-laws helped set up and clean up. But mostly, they kept me from exploding.

I stress about parties. Even kids' parties. That's part of the reason we chose the church gym for the location this year. (Back when we thought there could be 12 boys there.)

Here's a few pictures.

Clay and Nathan going one-on-one while playing a little basketball.

My mother-in-law Sharon and me getting the food ready. I think Clay was pretty hungry by then.



Not surprisingly, the kids went more for the ice cream, chips, cookies, brownies and Rice Krispie treats than the fruit, veggies, and deviled eggs.



Joaquin, our neighbor, and Clay. They have played together every day since school let out. Joaquin received his invite late Friday evening. An explanation follows the picture.

Clay wanted to invite Joaquin back when he gave out invitations, but I discouraged him. I had good reason: he was younger than the other boys. I was concerned he'd feel misplaced with a bunch of boys who were in the same grade.

I explained my reasons to Clay, and I thought he understood. I should have saved my breath and just gone with Clay's wishes. Because at supper time Friday, he said, "I told Joaquin you didn't want him at my party."

After I choked, I incredulously said, "You told him WHAT?"

He repeated himself. I nearly died, thinking I'd hurt some kid's feelings. I got onto Clay a bit and told him that I had explained myself well and he either didn't listen or seriously misunderstood.

I hand-delivered that boy's invite 30 minutes later. And I explained it all to his mom, too, in case Joaquin told her what a witch his friend Clay has for a mother.

Mortified. Me. Completely.

Okay, next picture.

Clay, Tyler and Ben chatting and snacking.

Clay opening gifts. Can you see his sweaty little head?



This next picture leads to another funny story. One in which I am not exactly the butt. (Oh, and I don't mean a "butt" as in "butthead" although that does apply sometimes, as is apparent in the first little story above. I just mean I wasn't completely the butt of this next story. I was just a little bit of a butt in this one. I'll stop now. Because if Clay reads this over my shoulder, I'll be in trouble for writing a bad word. We don't say butt in our house. It's a bottom. I'm done already!)

When Clay's friend Ben arrived, his mom Bicki came up to me and asked, "How do you feel about guns in your home? Do you have any?"

I thought she was asking me about guns... hunting stuff... protect-your-family-from-a-prowler type thing. I said we didn't have any, impressed she was so diligent about checking our house for safety since her son comes over occasionally.

Then she asked, "Well, should I take back the Nerf one we got him as a gift?"

I cracked up then and told her what I had been thinking.

No, we tried that whole No Toy Guns thing. Our boys made guns from sticks in the yard, Legos, Tinker Toys and their fingers, if hard pressed. We gave up and stocked up on water guns, Nerf guns and disk guns.

It keeps the kids from breaking branches off our trees. Our Dogwoods thanked us.

Clay loves the new Nerf gun.

If I've told that kid "Don't point even pretend guns at a real person" once, I've told him a million times!

My sanity posse, with the exception of Bruce, the camera man. I don't have a single picture of him at the party.



I'll take the pictures on Clay's actual birthday on Friday, which we'll be working around the final night of VBS at church. We didn't give Clay our gifts today. I asked him if he wanted to open them on his actual birthday, so it would be celebrated, too. And he agreed.