When Worlds Collide

I went to get the mail today, just like any other day.
I walked up the steps, tossed the mail on the ottoman, and continued my online search for the perfect Vera Bradley purse for Emma to carry with her to Middle School next week.

I was getting aggravated because I wasn't finding what I was looking for. And the one I liked was a few dollars more than I preferred to spend. And for goodness sakes, what does an 11 year old need with an expensive pocketbook, anyway?? I found a cute one for only $35 dollars, but it wasn't the perfect color.
Sigh.

Then I opened the mail.

I had a letter, and I just love getting lettters. This one was from a little boy named Sam. He lives all the way across the world, in Uganda. I couldn't wait to read what he has to say.

You see, even though we've never met, he loves me. And my family. He tells us so every time he write to us. He prays for me. And he thanks me for everything I do for him. Every. Single. Time.

What breaks my heart is that I don't think I really do all that much for him. I write a check for $37 each month. I pray for him. And I occasionally send him a letter. Just $37 measly dollars - the amount that I would toss away so Emma can carry a purse she likes better than the multiple purses she already has.

I read Sam's letter today. He told me that he thanks God for me every day. He is joyful. He goes to school Monday through Friday, and on Saturday he goes to "the Centre." He said he loves that, because he always eats a good meal there. He wanted to know if I also live in a grass hut.

Was it even possible that just moments before, I'd been irritable over a purse?

He asked me to pray for him, because he would like wisdom.

Oh my, how I desperately need wisdom myself. So much more than this precious little boy could ever understand.

I long to hold him. To live just one day in his shoes.
To see the world through his eyes. To see my God the way that Sam sees Him.

I can put him out of my mind if I choose, for a time. Sometimes I do that, although I'm not proud to admit it. And then our worlds collide, and his reality unfolds before my very eyes through his letters.

I can never be the same. And I pray that God will continue to stir my heart, so that I never want to be blinded again.

I wonder some days if I am really the blessing to Sam, or if we are a part of each other's lives because God knew that I would need him.

If you don't already, would you consider sponsoring a child who desperately needs your help? It's so easy.... just go to www.Compassion.com

If you already sponsor a child, or if you've just decided to, tell me about it!

This Supermom is Still Recovering

Last week I became a supermom.
Despite all the things I've done for my kids over the past 11 years, nothing I've previously done for them has qualified me for that title. (apparantly...)

My girls have spent the past year gazing at their teen idol Disney Channel stars - Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato - plastered all over their bedroom doors and walls. Dreaming of what it would be like to actually see them in person.

Last week, with the click of a button, I bought tickets to the Demi Lovato concert. (Because my dream has always been to attend a teeny-bopper concert.) Emma was so excited she was almost in tears. They couldn't believe that in one short week, they would actually be in the same room as Demi Lovato!!!

Yesterday, while the girls made posters to cheer Demi on, I popped a few Advil. And packed some earplugs.

Like any good soon-to-be-supermom, we picked up two more friends and their earplug-packin' mamma. The demands for blasting the new Demi Lovato CD started before we were out of the neighborhood.

Two hours later, we were there. The girls lugged their massive posters, positive that Demi would see them.
(Have you ever heard thousands of tween girls screeching and shreiking at the top of their lungs?)

We saw Jordan Pruitt (who IS she??)
Then David Archuleta. Remember him from American Idol? He was actually really good. I was kind of impressed!
Then finally, almost two hours later, Demi came out in all of her glory. Actually she rose up through the stage in clouds of smoke.... anyway.....

My friend and I had to keep most of our giggles to ourselves that night. And we had to try and not keep staring at the girls - they were watching us to make sure that we weren't watching them, and to make sure we didn't embarass them. But we kept waving our glo-sticks in the air.
I'll admit, Demi Lovato gave a really good concert. She's actually very talented, and she has a great voice. It was pretty darn fun.

The hysterics didn't die down during the hour and half car ride home. My girls said "Thank you SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO MUCH!!!!!" a millionty-two times. The kids staggered into bed. I took some Tylenol PMs.

I laid in bed and thought about how much fun it is to make my kids' dreams come true.

And this morning, I took some more Advil. I'm pooped! Might ears might even still be ringing. I want to lay around in my pjs all day.
All in all, mission accomplished. I've had my amazing-mom-moment of the summer. I think it was worth it. :)

Fun N Games

Today is Ryan's birthday.
I won't say exactly how old he is. But the great thing is that no matter how old he is, I'll always be 3 years younger!! Ha Ha!

Ryan loves his birthday, and as a matter of fact, he celebrates birthday week. Yes, a whole week.

He's been outside this morning since 7am with 17 pounds of pork butt on the smoker. YES, we are having people over, and won't be consuming that much bbq ourselves.

I just made what is supposed to be a copycat version of Macaroni Grill's chocolate cake. And we've been playing around outside. We bought him Corn Hole for his birthday. For those of you who aren't rednecks, it's two wooden boards with a hole cut out. You toss corn-filled bags into the holes. I KNOW. We are very fancy around here.

But it's fun. AND, I found out that I can kick some booty playing it. I'm talented like that.

Not bad for an ordinary Tuesday!
What are you doing today?

Summer Nights

I've been thoroughly enjoying the sounds of summer the past few weeks.
Of course I like the smells, and the sights. But I love the sounds.

If I close my eyes and imagine summer, it's filled with so many of my favorite things. To me, it's kids shouting and calling out to each other during a game of flashlight tag. Laughter. The squeak of the hammock swinging. The slam of the back door. The tick-tick-tick of the sprinkler. Giggles at late night sleepovers. The squeals of kids and the jingle of the tags on the dog that's chasing them. The crackle and pop of firecrackers, followed by the ooohs and ahhhs of the kids sitting on the driveway watching them. The thump of the soccer balls being kicked in the street. The screech of bike pedals - eight kids all riding in a row. The croaking of tree frogs, and the chirping of crickets.

Isn't that what summer is all about?

My kids have all been going to bed ridiculously late this summer. But I just can't bring myself to put them to bed at a reasonable time. I mean, half the fun of a summer day happens after dusk, doesn't it? That's when the games of tag start. The firecrackers. The popsicles that get passed out to half the neighborhood. The chatter and laughter of the parents standing around in the street.And it's so much more fun to swing and slide and cuddle in the hammock after the sun goes down!

The sweet sounds of summer - I wouldn't trade it for the world.

What does summer sound like to you?

We Did It!

After months of talking about it, we got the boy a "big boy bed" yesterday.

AND, he wore underwear for the first time, too. I KNOW, what was I thinking, right??

He was so proud of those underwear. They had tractors on them, and his life basically revolves around tractors and other heavy equipment. Last night as we were out in the driveway washing down all the furniture (bought off Craigslist!). There were a bunch of neighborhood kids hanging around, and in the middle of the driveway, he just pulls those britches down and tries to start peeing. I laughed so hard - he had no idea there was anything wrong with it. When I told him he couldn't pee in the driveway in the middle of other people, he just pouted and said "But I wanna pee outside like a man!"

Ryan and I hauled the bed upstairs, and then freaked out when we couldn't find the gate for his bedroom door. Call me crazy, but the thought of a 3 year old running around the house in the middle of the night doesn't sound so good. But there was no turning back, so we told him that if he got out, he would have to go back in the crib. It was 11:00pm by the time he was tucked in. We prepared ourselves for a VERY long night. And prayed.

When we checked on him half an hour later, he was in the exact same place we had tucked him in. He slept ALL night, and even called me to come get him when he woke up at 8am!

This here is one proud (and non-sleep deprived!) mama!
Here's the big boy bed. (covered in tractors, of course...)

Boy Stuff

Boys still confuse me.
Is that normal, since I've been married for 14 years? And I have a son?
It's the little guy. This boy thing thing just baffles me sometimes.

Why does everything in his life have to do with farts? Or butts? Or poo? Or pee?

Why has he created his own super hero named.... brace yourselves...... Butthole Man???? (yes, I so badly wish I was kidding about that one, but alas - I am NOT kidding. How embarassing...)

He tries to chainsaw and drill the dog. When he runs around naked (still potty training) he threatens poor Chester with "I'm gunna PEE on you!!!"

I have to constantly tell him, as he runs around naked, to keep his hands away from his bottom. I guess I've cemented in the fact that his bottom has germs. So now he uses that knowledge as a weapon, of sorts. He's figured out how to swipe his bottom, and chase his sisters with his finger pointing out at them, yelling "Butt Finger!!!"

He had a meltdown at church this weekend, because he wanted to take his gun out of the diaper bag. (WHY was that thing in there in the first place??)

He thinks he's going to live in the Bat Cave when he grows up. He tells me that I can live there with him. But he says I will NOT fit on the motorcycle with him. Aww, MAN!

AND, he melts my heart. He squeezes my neck with all his might, and tells me he loves me so big. I tell him to pucker up, and he gives huge kisses. He wants me to rock him before bed, and he strokes my hair as we snuggle. I asked him the other day how much he loves me. He said "Two." Huh? Then I realized that when I say "I love you, too" he's thought I was saying "Two." But last night, he said he loves me "three." I guess his little heart is loving me even more.

Right now, I just overheard him proclaiming: "I'm goin' commando, baby!" (Oh be still, my heart....)

Any insight into BOYS???

The Perfect Ending

I've got a cup of coffee, and the laptop on the couch.
The dog is snoozing next to me.
And I'm listening to....... ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!!
HaHa! Jealous??
It's cool and overcast this morning, so the a/c isn't even making any noise. All I hear is the tap tap tap of my fingers on the keyboard.

How do I achieve this blissful silence? Let me tell you how.

Send the kids to sleep at Grandma's house!
Yes, normally I like it when they stay over on a weekend night, because then hubby and I get to spend a kid-free morning together. But this...... Ahhh. I didn't realize how much I would enjoy it.

I can't believe the whole holiday weekend is over. We went to the pool, out for breakfast, to a Durham Bulls baseball game, horse riding, blueberry picking, out to the lake, fireworks, church, and grandma's house. I loved every minute of it!

And now... It's all over. Daddy is back to work. The festivites are done. What normally feels like such a let down when the holiday is over has ended in the perfect way.
Some unexpected quiet. What a great weekend!