Fun in the mud

So, here we were this afternoon, not having all that much to do. Daddy wasn't coming home at the normal relief time, since he's in Minneapolis. We decided to have some fun and though I should have probably changed him into something less cute, or at best removed his shoes, he had an amazing time! I have been fighting him out of the mud for the last week with all the rain, and today we all cut loose! We played, had baths at 5:15, ate dinner, read books and were all in bed by 8. It's an all out record when daddy's not home. Oh well, I thought you would all enjoy-

The zoo or the return of Christ?

Today after church John and I shared a very exciting surprise with Benjamin. Today was a special "boys day." But even more special because it was only for Benjamin and Daddy, not even Samuel or anyone else could go with them. And to make it even more exciting, they were going to go to the zoo. And to make it even better, they were going to the zoo just to ride the train. Now you must know that every time I take the kids to the zoo Benjamin just about has a heart attack walking across the tracks, and waiting for it to come. He thinks it is about the coolest thing in the world and he has never yet ridden it. Well, today in the car he said about the coolest thing. He immediately freaked and began shaking in a strange, happy, seizure kind of way while still staying in the car seat and attempting to spit out some words. By the time we figured it out, he was saying that this was as exciting as when Jesus comes back to the earth. At first glance it seems that statement might be a bit blasphemous, but after thinking about it I am thrilled that the only thing that he could correspond to his excitement of the train was the return of the Christ. Next time we'll talk about how Jesus is probably a little bit better than the train at the zoo, but until then I am grateful that he is excited at all.

Church this morning. . .

We had a great service this morning. Well, at least I am pretty sure we did. Samuel attempted to go to his class for the second time and we just didn't make it more than about 10 minutes. I must say, I love that I go to a church that calls the mommies. There are at least 5-10 mommy numbers that pop up on the screen every week and it makes me feel much better to leave my children in hands that understand the power of the mommy. I call it the mommy factor. We didn't really see this factor come out in Benjamin, more often than not we still see the daddy factor in our eldest. But not in sweet Samuel. Sometimes no one else can ail the saddened heart. No one else can make it better, and for some reason, no one else can understand how sad he is except for mommy. I know, I'm the last to admit it, but I love my boys more than life. I always thought that mommies with crying babies had it the hardest. I am beginning to see that there is something powerful in the connection I have with my son. I have envied after that connection between Benjamin and John. I have loved watching it grow and develop. I can't wait to see how Samuel and I grow in love as he grows into boyhood. But for now, I will take him back into church with me, sit eating peanut butter crackers, and know that for the moment, Mommy was able to make all things in the world right again. Someday this too will pass and hopefully he will cling to the One who will truly make all things in the world right.

The Singing Sensation. . .

Okay, so we all know how much I long to brag on my children and here's another opportunity. I heard, before having children, that the Lord uses these little people to teach us about himself. I sometimes get so caught up in how to teach them about the Lord that I forget it goes the other way too. Last night was a mighty example. We either sing songs OR read a book before we go to bed, and last night Benjamin wanted to sing songs. Well, as with most things in life right now, he wanted to not follow the "rules" but do something out of the ordinary. He wanted to sing Christmas carols. After some persuasive talking, daddy and I decided that Christmas in the spring may not hurt anyone. Especially when one sings with such gusto. I have once again been reminded that sometimes the things that I think are important and necessary don't really matter. Before the Lord, it's the state of our heart that matters, and I think my little boy has it down. Thanks Benjamin for the reminder.