Athena in a Minivan

Kindergarten Thoughts

I just really don't know what to do about Kindergarten next year. I have 8 months to decide about it. I really don't think all day, public kindergarten is the best choice for Butch and Sundance. Our local school has  5 kindergarten classes with 22 students in the class for 7 hour a day. I just feel this is too long on a 5 year old and not fair to my boys to make them sit and work for this long a day. Part of me would like to just keep them home, part of me would like to send them to private Kindergarten and part would just go ahead and send them on. I need to keep praying about it and seek other's advice, wisdom and council. I'll keep thinking about what is best for their education not what is easiest on me.

Christmas

What a wonderful first Christmas we had for Baby!!!! It was so wonderful to view the holiday through the eyes of my children. I hope this isn't the last magical holiday when they truly believe. When they start school there is always that kid who likes to ruin it for everyone. Tomorrow will begin the cleanup but for now I am enjoying the paper and ribbons on the floor and the light in my children's eyes.

Finding Neverland

Honey and I had the fun of getting to go to a movie and dinner tonight with a big thanks to Aunt e. and Granddad. We saw Finding Neverland a fabulous movie about J.M. Barrie's inspiration for his play Peter Pan. Honey and I both cried as we saw four wonderful boys play and use their imaginations to make life magical. This is what we desire for our sons. My prayer for them is that they always know how to play and never get to old to pretend. Anyone with sons would love this movie but beware. It will change your life. It is inspiring and reminded me that I need to get my boys outside and let them explore the world. We need to turn off the TV and head outdoors. I plan to do this more and more as the weather gets warmer but we can wrap up and do the same thing in the cold too. There are many places we can have indoor adventures. This movie just confirmed for me that the way I desire to raise my sons is the best way to do it so pack the lunch basket and off we go......"first star to the right and straight on till morning".

Christmas Picture

Today we paid a visit to Santa. The boys told him that they had sent him an email.  They got so shy when they finally got to see him. I really begin to miss Mom when I do stuff like this because she loved going with me to take the twins to do stuff. Baby looked so cute and so did Butch and Sundance. This year I just got sick to my stomach when I looked all around and saw all the STUFF the stores are trying to get people to buy. It was just obscene. There were sweaters and shoes and perfume and hats and toys and toys and toys. There were toys in every aisle and sticking out of stores and in kiosks. It was so hard on the boys to walk through the mall. I think next week we will just stay in McKinney and look at decorations, and talk about Jesus and how much He loves us.

As We Speak

As we speak, Butch and Sundance are refusing to go to sleep. They are playing and laughing and jumping and just not sleeping. They are so sweet until it gets to bedtime. I guess I could:

1. ignore it
2. go up there and yell
3. hope they drop to sleep
4. sit in the room until they go to sleep
5. do what my mom use to do (Elisabeth will know)
6. just be frustrated

If all else fails, I can just hope they drop. Please go to sleep. Oh it is getting quieter. Either they are up to no good or are asleep. Oh well, tomorrow is another day.

Waiting for Christmas

How hard it is for 4 year olds to wait for Christmas. Every day they tell me they will die if they don't get to open their gifts. I would love to have that inpatience about waiting for Christ to come. They get up in the morning thinking about it and go to bed thinking about it. I want that kind of excitment about waiting for Christ's return. Lord, give the the joy and anticipation of a little child. Don't let the business of the season make me not expect your return.

Moppet's School

Friday was Butch and Sundance's last day of Moppets Preschool for this semester. They have discovered bugs, frogs, dinosaurs, and many other of God's creatures. They learned what nocturnal animals are, what a bog is, where the wetlands are and many other things I think I learned in the 6th grade. Next year they begin kindergarten and will learn so many things that my head may spin. I can't believe how fast this time has flown. I know people say enjoy it now. I have and do love every moment of their lives. They are so precious. God has truly blessed our lives!!

Girls in Action aka GAs

Every Wednesday night, these 5th grade girls and I get together for GAs. No it is not gas but Girls in Action. GAs is a missions organization of the WMU. We attempt to study about what missionaries are doing in other places. I have some girls who come to church only for GAs and I feel quite a burden on my heart for them. They love to learn about God and missions. They love to talk and talk. They love to be together. I am grateful He has allowed me this time with these ladies.

Choir Concert

Last night Butch and Sundance had their choir concert at church. They sang "Jesus Loves Me" with the sign language, Jingle Bells (while ringing bells), Bubbling Up (about God's love) and a song about creation. They were so precious. I love to hear them sing songs of worship and praise to God. I had such a hard time getting Butch to wear his church clothes. I compromised and let him wear jeans with his shirt and sweater. What precious angelic voices 4 year olds have who are singing praise to God. My prayer for them is that they never tire of praising God with song. They are such precious gifts from God. He has truly blessed us with darling boys.

Mondays

This is what my laundry looks like on Laundry Day. It is amazing how much laundry three little boys can make. I wish it would just do itself. Many days I find myself moving unfolded clothes from the couch to the bed and back again. I know it frustrates my husband. The Bible says in all things give thanks, I think that means laundry too.

How laundry makes me thankful:

• God gave me three beautiful boys and a husband who can get dirty.
• God has blessed me with a washer and dryer.
• We have clothes in abundance. (maybe too many)
• I have my health to wash clothes.
• Disposable diapers.
• Indoor plumbing.
• A beautiful world to get up in and life abundantly.

Hmm, maybe giving thanks does make the load (no pun intended) easier.

Thank you Lord for this laundry and the family who made it. Thank you for your blessings of each day. Thank you for who you are and your loving-kindness and grace for today. Thank you for your Son and this wonderful holy time of the year. Amen