Christmas Recap

We got to go back to Missouri for Christmas again this year. We were there for 10 glorious days, and we all enjoyed every second of it. We arrived the day my brother, Michael, graduated from college. We missed his graduation ceremony, but we made it in time for his party, which was our goal. We actually made really good time, making it in only 17 1/2 hours.

While in MO, we were able to see many of our family and friends that we miss so much. We visited my in laws' new lake house and I got to go wedding dress shopping with my baby sister, mom, sister, and the other bridesmaids. Ayden got to see his best friend in the whole wide world, one Mr. Levi, and their reunion cracked me up. They didn't run and hug like I did when seeing everyone the first time. They simply told each other hi and got busy playing. Their little friendship is so sweet and precious.

I enjoyed seeing the hills and bluffs of SWMO, the school where I taught and my teacher-friends who are so dear to me. It was nice to be able to call my soft drink of choice "pop" and not be teased and to be with people who don't think I have an accent or pronounce words funny. It felt good to be crowded into my grandparents' houses surrounded by aunts, uncles, and cousins. It was nice to know that if I wanted to go to town with my mom, there were still other people to babysit for me. It was wonderful to live life for 10 days at a slower, more relaxed place...even though health scares and worries were on all of our minds. In a nutshell, it was so wonderfully fantastic to be...home.

Jacksonville is a special place to me. It even feels a lot more like home than it did last year. We are blessed to minister to students we love and have been given friends like we've never had before. We are thankful for the relationships we have here. We have no doubt that God called us to this city. We are excited about what the new year holds for the student ministry and our family. And this is our new, second home.

But it was good to go home...

What Am I Going to Do With That Boy?

**Caution: This entry is not for those with weak stomachs.**

We arrived home late last night from a wonderful trip to Missouri for Christmas. We were able to see so many of our friends and family. As we were making the drive there, I commented to Jesse that I thought one of the reasons I was so much more homesick this time was because I was homesick for the slower pace of SW MO. Anyway, as with any long trip, we've had lots of unpacking and organizing to get done today. I was taking a break from that so I could cook dinner, when I saw a sight that still has me grossed out. From the kitchen I saw the bare naked rear end of my youngest cherub.

"Ah!! Where's your diaper?!" I hollered, as I quickly made my way to him. He had taken it off and laid it on the couch. Grinning, he started running towards me. As he did, something fell out of his chubby little hand. Initially, I thought he had broken a piece off of my stuffed snowman that is sitting on the fireplace.

But, no.

As I reached down to pick it (and him) up, I realized that he was holding in his hand...yep, his own feces. I scoured his hands....and mine...a couple of times, before sending him to his daddy in the garage so I could compose myself. I tried to console myself with the fact that it was only a little piece; that it wasn't on the carpet or furniture; that it wasn't (gulp) in his mouth...but I'm afraid that it didn't help much. I am convinced that that child lays in his crib and thinks of new ways to get into trouble and torture his brothers.

At least life isn't dull...

Boys Are Gross!

Why does Camden insist on digging through the trash can like a dog? His two favorite garbage snacks? Licking empty yogurt cups and eating lint from the dryer. Ewww.

Why does Ayden think its cool to imitate every bodily function his daddy does? Sick.

Why does Landon think its cruel and unusual punishment to have his diaper changed? Seriously.

Why do all three of the boys rub things in their hair, dig in the dirt, eat crumbs from the floor, pick their noses, and want to touch me with those same germ infested, totally grody hands?

Why? Because boys are gross.

But, they're all mine. And their hugs, kisses, and I love yous make it all worth it.

As long as they don't touch my mouth with those nasty hands.

I'm kidding. Maybe.

How Camden Spends His Days

When Ayden was a young toddler, I thought he climbed a lot.
But, then Landon came along, and I realized I was wrong. Ayden had climbed some, but Landon was the one who climbed a lot. I had to make sure I kept the chairs pushed in under the table...he could even shimmy up onto his big brother's bed. Really, its almost comical now...well, because now I have Camden.
Camden brings a new definition to the word "monkey." Oh my soul and body, this boys climbs everywhere and on everything!!! As I prepared to write this post, he tried, unsuccessfully to climb up a shelf my brother built me and brought the whole thing toppling down on top of himself. Seriously!! I've climb-proofed all the things that I can, but he still finds a way. He can even pull the chairs out from under the tables already. So, inevitably, if I have to leave the room...you know, to change a load of laundry, or refill a sippy cup, or load the dishwasher, or heaven forbid, use the bathroom, I generally return to Camden on top of something. Please believe me when I say these are just a FEW of the many things he climbs on each and every day.

Crying because he's stuck.

Crying because he's stuck...

but then smiling because he sees the camera.

One of his personal faves.

This one's just easy...

See? He didn't even have to work for it!

This is a millisecond before he let

go, tried to stand up, and

came crashing down.

Camden's Vocabulary

Camden is now 14 1/2 months old. He has a sweet smile with dimples that would melt a heart of stone, and sweet disposition (most of the time). He spends 90% of his day getting into things, making a mess of something I've already cleaned, or climbing. Unlike most children his age, he IS NOT distracted away from a "no-no" by toys. And, he is talking up a storm. Here are (most I think) of the words he can say:

mama
daddy
an attempt at Ayden & Landon
ball
more
milk
bite
bye-bye
hi
night night
no no no (complete with the stern tone and pointed finger)
cup
bath
a version of yes ma'am
out
peek-a-boo
yay
I love you


The last one is my favorite.

Who Do You Want to Be Like?

Last night, we had our first Combustion service with the students, and, well...it totally ROCKED!! I can't wait until the next one! We had about 55 students, which is a high number for us, and, more importantly, we had 5 students make decisions for the Lord!!! Praise His Name!

Jesse asked the questions, "Who do you want to be like?" He even played this old "I Want to Be Like Mike" Gatorade commercial from back in the day. But the point is, who do we want to imitate? In Ephesians 5:1-2, it says:
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved you and gave himself up for us, as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

To recap his sermon, the world has enough Christians. People who claim the title but look exactly like the world. The world needs to see people living a life of love, just like Jesus. They need to see us letting Jesus be our Savior AND our Lord. Our boss.

As I was listening to Jesse preach, I kept thinking of a person in my life who is truly a picture of this. I want to be like my daddy. Because, my daddy is like his Daddy. My dad loves the Lord, and he is who is all the time. With all people. In every circumstance. He's not ashamed to live out loud for Jesus. He's the one you hear hollerin' from the rafters when someone accepts Jesus or follows in baptism. He's the one making the floor shake because he's jumping up and down as he worships. He's the one we (jokingly) avoid asking to pray for the meal, because its going to go on and on. My dad is a picture of Eph. 5:1-2. I'm so thankful for the example he has provided for me, and the one that he now provides to my boys. I'm thankful that he lives a life of love. And I want to be just like that when I grow up. :)

So, who do you want to be like?

First Day of VPK

Well, he's there.
Ayden is at school. His very first day of preschool. And his momma is a mess!! Before anyone else was awake this morning, I checked my facebook and saw that some of my sweet friends had sent us well wishes for the day and let us know they were praying. Needless to say, I broke down right there at the computer. Then, the text messages started rolling in and the tears sprang to my eyes once again. But, there was lots to be done and not enough time for crying. Ayden helped me scramble his eggs for breakfast, which he enjoyed along with a toaster strudel. As he was sitting on the counter stirring eggs, he said, "I fink I was wrong." I asked what he was wrong about. "Well," he said, "I fink I really will like school. I fink it will be lots of fun."
**Choking back sobs.**
That's great for my little man. I want him to have lots of fun and to like school. But it sure was hard to drop him off. As we waited our turn in the line to enter the classroom, his little hand squeezed mine and he asked, "Are you and my daddy going to stay wif me?" "No, buddy," I told him, "Daddy and I have to leave you here, but I'll come back in just a little bit to pick you up. Its going to be so much fun!" Then I kissed his cheek, that, while still sweet, is most definitely not the same little baby cheek I'm sure I was kissing just yesterday.
In a flash, it was Ayden's turn. He'd been such a good boy all morning and let me take pictures of him, but when it came time to take a picture with his teacher, Mrs. Speed, he covered his face. I guess we'll try it again another day.
After we dropped Ayden off, we went to another room for a little breakfast they had set up for parents. I was trying not to break out into the ugly cry, since it seemed I was the only parent even wiping away any tears. Jesse kept telling me that it was okay. "You wouldn't have wanted to leave him crying. He was sad, but he walked into the room like a big boy." True. But, my heart still hearts. And as soon as I made it to the car, I had a good, long cry, all the way home (which, to my credit is only about 5 minutes).
Now, I'm counting down the minutes until noon...