Monday, June 9, 2014

Easter

EASTER 2014
It was a crazy day! It was Ethan's 6th birthday on top of Easter. And even though that does not sound like a lot, well, it was! I thought we were all going to go mad!! We survived and oh, the memories we made! It was the a beautiful and sunny day and having everyone all together made it "perfect".

Ethan

Easter 2014
Nora
Ana

Being 6!

Six?! No, that can't be right! What! Where did the time go? Maybe I have miscounted and have the wrong year? Nope! None of which are true. Our Ethan is now six years old. And even as a spirited, smart, intelligent, I may add; Ethan has no true desire to sit and learn. We are prayerfully praying for his Kindergarden teacher. Bless her soul.

However, Ethan is ALL about learning how to get to the next level of Skylander and even acquiring additional Disney Infinity character. So learning how to spell his last name…well, I guess beating the latest "bad guy" is just more important. Besides, someone has to defend the Skylander's and their kingdom.

Its all going by too quickly. He says words like "confident" and asks if I have "good instincts". I replied; "If you don't know the meaning of a word you shouldn't be saying it. And his comeback was; "it means if you just know what the right thing is to do".  I guess he told me- literally.

When I began this incredibly non-productive blogging thing I was not confident. Perhaps because I read amazing novels, know brilliant writers that can turn common words and sentences into a work of art. All to say this. I was not confident in myself enough to begin being consistent because of my lack in confidence. But its just a blog, right? Yes and no. It just isn't' "any" blog its my blog to one day give my children and family. I want it to be "perfect" and well written. I want them to be proud of the writing I put on paper. So, as I have put off writing about Ethan on his sixth birthday something occurred to me. I tell the children to be "confident" in themselves because as you take that first hard step God will be right there to provide everything you need. It may be hard in the very beginning because beginnings are the hardest but the steps will become easier. I guess I should take my own advice. And perfectionism. I say to them; "it doesn't have to be perfect". Yet I expect it. Who am I kidding, they see that. My lack of confidence can be filled by a mighty and powerful God, who perhaps, has put on my heart to show them how He does work. God is working on me to step out of the boat and trust Him to guide me.

Back to Ethan. He can make anyone laugh, his wit is unmeasurable and if you want to the truth he will be the one to tell it. So be careful. I'm the "greatest mom in the world or the best mama he's ever had" when he is pleased with me but tell me to turn off the video games or go play in his room and I am told; "you don't love me, you hate me". We have manipulation down.

He loves BIG! Genuinely cares for people to a point where I see concern on his face and in his heart. He tells Nana that when she turns 80 she will no longer be able to drive. And that she needs to find a boyfriend because he doesn't want her to be alone. His heart is the biggest thing I love most about him. He senses disorder and wants to bring his humor and smile to restore laughter. He is there to aid his sister and big cousin when they are hurt. And when I am tired or frustrated those sweet arms wrap around my neck followed my a wet kiss on the cheek. He is my special boy. I was scared when I found out I was having a boy but what a blessing he is. I am learning and always will be learning with Ethan and I welcome it. Another prime example of how God provided me with everything I needed as I took the first steps with my son.

We were walking to the mailbox awhile ago and he asked me if I had dreams. I said yes I have dreams. And he looked at me and said; "don't even give up on your dreams, mama". What an old soul. I chuckled to myself because the similarities to him and Nora and sometimes uncanny. She too, has an old soul and is wise beyond her years. I love to have the two of them together because its more like brother and sister. I look at Ethan at times and see Nora at that age. And it reminds me how fast time is passing and how each moment I want to embrace and never forget.

If you mess with his sister or his big cousin be ready for the attack. He will take you out. I grin as I write this, but oh how true it is. There is nothing he wouldn't do for those girls. But on the same hand he can become so angry with them he could (and does at times) scream. When Ana is at school he plays in his room or in the room where I am at. He doesn't like to go outside by himself or get too involved in something that requires being alone. The moment Ana gets home, the first thing he asks is if she wants to go outside and play. The next thing I see is the two of them running off.

He is powerful and mighty and yet loving and a protector to those he loves and treasures. I will always pray that his might is used to serve God and be God's mighty tool.
We love you, Big E!


Simply Living

Have you ever come to a crossroad and think; "wow, what to do now?" Its been like that for us lately. I wonder so many times if I'm doing things correctly with our little ones. Am I giving them the right tools  to use in life and how much of the "good stuff" are they retaining. I have Ethan that is his own comedy act all in one, Nora that is older beyond her years and Ana that delights in pleasing the people she loves most. All three are so different yet the common denominator is that they love God and have a passion for doing right for Him. People might say that the kids learned how to love by faith because of us, but no, that's hardly the case. We laid the foundation of God truths by telling stories of the bible to them and showing how God is apart of our real life because He is a living God. But the most important ingredient has been prayer. Without prayer for our children, prayer for each other and ourself we will be depleted. It is prayer that has gotten us to where it is we need to go. The tough questions we are asked by our children have been answered through the guidance of the holy spirit through prayer. Sometimes "my crossroad" seems scary and even impossible- as it does now. But the truth in all this is that I am not alone. I know what it is that I need to do and that is pray. A simple task yet when having to quietly sit seems impossible; like trying to move a mountain alone. As Ethan told me this yesterday morning; "Mama, you know  what I love about you the most? "Your heart because you pray to God a lot." Talk about conviction. That boy convicted me on the spot and thank goodness for it because as I teach him in the end they are really teaching me.