Pictures of Dylan

Personal Best

I just finished folding some laundry - not put up, just folded.  (Yep, Dad, on the kitchen table again, but this is a new load.)  I would rather take the time to brag about Dylan instead of marching upstairs to put away laundry.  Priorities, people, priorities.  :)

We had a proud moment as parents yesterday.  Dylan received an award at the school's 2nd trimester awards ceremony.  He was presented the "Personal Best" award and a gift certificate to eat at Claim Jumper.  The following is the little blip that was said about him for receiving the award:

Dylan is very deserving of Room 17's Personal Best award.  His outstanding effort in all academic areas is an example to his classmates.  He approaches every challenge with a smile and a can-do attitude.  Dylan takes his time on each assignment and, as a result, consistently produces beautiful work.  We have enjoyed watching Dylan blossom in first grade.  Congratulations, Dylan!

I spoke to Dylan's teacher after school and she said he wrote, "Today is the best day of my life" in his journal.  I think he was pretty excited.  He is looking forward to Garth's return so we can go eat at Claim Jumper.

We are so proud of Dylan's accomplishment.  He has come a long way from the first day of school.  We are so glad that he is respectful and hard working at school.  (We don't always get that from him here at home, but I think that is kind of normal.)  It is so much fun watching him learn and grow in so many different areas.  Keep up the great work Dylan.  We are so proud to call you our son.

 

Morning Conversation

This is a side note - Dylan can tie his shoes!!!  This is a huge milestone.  He is so proud he can do it by himself and no longer needs to be helped.  Way to go Dylan.

This morning as we are trying to get ready for school Dylan struck up one of those conversations that leaves you stuttering at a parent.  He had many questions about God and heaven.  I was so happy he was so inquisitive about it all, but there are just some questions that are tough to answer in a 7 year old's language.

D:  If my body goes in the ground when I die, how will I go see Jesus?

M:  Your body and bones stay in the ground, but your spirit goes to be with Jesus.  

D:  Huh?

M:  You are made up of more than just bones and skin, you have a spirit too.  Kinda like a ghost, but not a ghost.  (Jesus help me.)

D:  Will I have skin in heaven?  What about hair?

M:  We will be perfect.

D:  Will God have lots of balls in heaven?  I want to run and play football all the time.  Do you think God will play football with me?

M:  I'm sure God would love to play football with you.  You will be the best football player in all of heaven I am sure.

D:  I wish we could have running shoes, but I think we will have to wear sandals.

M:  Who knows?

D:  The devil is bad and he has bad angels.  Why is he bad?

M:   (The explanation of the fall of Satan as simplistic as possible.)

D:  So the devil won't be in heaven?

M:  No, he won't.

D:  I think I will just kill the devil.

M:  We can't kill the devil.  Only God can defeat the devil.

D:  God is the toughest of all.  Why doesn't God go ahead and kill him already???

M:  Good question.  God has a perfect plan and will take care of the devil when the time is right.

D:  I'm glad I will get to see my friends and teachers and family in heaven.

M:  If they love Jesus and ask Him into their heart then you will.  That is why we pray for those who don't know God.  So they can.

D:  There won't be any bad guys in heaven.

M:  No, no bad guys.

D:  THERE WILL BE FREEDOM IN HEAVEN.

Jesus, please continue to teach me so that I can teach my children.  And help us all to remember that there is FREEDOM in YOU.  Amen.

Things I'll MIss????

I stepped into the shower the other night only to realize I had been joined by the Hulk and a G.I. Joe guy.  Dylan had played with them while in the shower and failed to get them out when he was done.  Go figure!!!  So, this got me thinking about things the boys do now that I wish they wouldn't, but as they grow older I will probably miss it or be able to laugh about it.  The following is my list in no particular order:

1.  Taking a shower with multiple action heros.  (I should feel honored to be graced with their presence, I know.)

2.  Running a quick errand, but having to get out two children, a cup of milk, a large filthy blanket, and a bucket of many, many Star Wars guys.  (How do I do that with one good arm?)

3.  Our living room looking like a Toys r Us continually.  (Come on over - we'll sell you something.)

4.  Children knocking on our door many times through the day.  (My boys are stars in their own little world.)

5.  A seven year old sleeping in our room.  (One of those things you say will never happen, and it has now for many years.)

6.  Playing at the park and taking off shoes on freshly vacuumed carpet only to discover there is enough sand for a sand box in the back yard.  (Often times there is just as much in the diaper.)

7.  My little helpers in the kitchen.  (Patience, patience, patience.)

8.  Finding all my clothes on the floor in my closet because the closet is a great place to hide in an exciting hide and seek game.  

9.  Hearing the word MOM, Mommy, mamma, or any other variation of the word about a bazillion times a day.

Thank you God that you blessed me with such wonderful little creations so I am able to experience only those things people called moms are able to experience.  (I figured I had better give some thanks to help outweigh all the complaining I do about them.)  :)  Hey, gotta be real here.

Just tired.......

I love this picture - one minute Jaydon was playing his little heart out and the next, I found him propped over on the chair asleep.

We do the same thing.  We go, go, go and the next thing we know we are surprised with exhaustion.  Just accomplishing the every day tasks of life will wear you out.  BUT, in today's world we are worn by so much more - the economy, wars and rumors of wars, death, disease, heartache, broken marriages, ect.  The list could go on and on and if you don't deal with all the issues, I am sure you are affected by a handful.

I was at my Bible study yesterday and Beth Moore spoke on Isaiah 40:31.  It says -

"but those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

I love this verse.  I claim it as my own.  However, I think I got a fresh revelation about it and want to share.  Beth went on to say that too often we are waiting for circumstances to change, an event to take place, a "thing" to happen, a person to do "such-and-such."    We get tired in the waiting game and end up feeling more exhausted in this life.  That is because we care called to WAIT ON THE LORD not the before mentioned list.  If we can wrap our head and hearts around that then we will no longer feel exhausted by life and its circumstances, but energized because we are waiting on the Lord.  If we wait in His presence then He will give us wings to fly, the ability to run, and the grace to walk in HIM. 

 I just wanted to share.  I hope this blesses you and you have a fresh revelation of God's Word.  If not, thanks for listening to my ramblings.  

"For the revelation awaits an appointed time, it speaks of the end and will not prove false.  Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay."  Habakkuk 2:3

A Long Weekend with Granddad and Grammy

My parents came into town last weekend.  It was great having them here.  Every morning since they lest Jaydon wakes up and inquires about Grammy, her house, and something about an airplane.  Last night he saw a puppy on tv and said something to the effect of "Grammy, Granddad, Puppy - hold me."  We all know if they were here holding would not be Jaydon's desires.  He is a big ham.

Anyways, we didn't do too much the first couple of days.  Dylan had school on Friday and informed us that we could have no fun while he was gone - only drink hot chocolate, coffee and poop on the toilet like old people.  (Seriously - that is what he told us.)  Where does he come up with this stuff?  So we had no fun on Friday.  At least until he got home.  My parents watched the boys for us so Garth and I could go out - ALONE!!  We almost forgot what that was like.  We didn't even do anything that fun and exciting, except get out of the car in 2 seconds and back in about that quickly.  What a freeing feeling!!!  I know, it doesn't take that much for Garth and I.  We did go to dinner and got to sit at a table for 2.  How nice.

It rained the entire time they were here so we headed up to Big Bear to find some snow.  California is big on snow chains around here - GOT CHAINS???  No, but I have a 4x4 Expedition.  That is another story.  Big Bear was beautiful.  We stopped and had some yummy pizza and then found the boys a sled hill.  It is a place I was glad to see, but hope to have the chance to go back and explore some more.  On the way home, we make a stop at Bass Pro Shop.  I think the boys enjoyed that as much as Big Bear and the snow.

The rain hampered our activity, but we did make it down to La Jolla to see the seals.  It was cold and very windy, but the landscape was lovely and the seals were abundant.  It was well worth the drive for the crab cake sandwiches we had down in Point Loma.

It was fun having my parents here.  The boys had a great time playing with Puppy and Jaydon hi-yahed Granddad a few million times.  

We are looking forward to their visit again in March, hopefully accompanied by my sis and bro-in-law.

Death and Life

The end of January is a blur.  

January 29th we received a phone call letting us know Garth's grandmother had passed away.  We got him on a plane to Albuquerque to be with his mom and family during the tough time.  He stayed the weekend helping in the ways he could, and he also got to see his Dad for a bit.  We got him back Sunday, February 1st.  He was then right back into some intense, long training days at Camp Pendleton.

January 30th was a milestone in our lives - our big 10 year anniversary.  We did it!!!  I don't know why it feels like such an accomplishment, but it does.  Anyone who knows us at all, knows that it hasn't been the most wonderful wedded bliss. We have certainly had our fair share of trials, but it has also been so much fun.  Best of all I got to share some of the neatest experiences with my best friend.  I am so thankful we have each other and have been blessed with our two wonderful boys.  I am looking forward to where the Lord's path carries us the next 10 years.  Buckle your seat belts.