Grateful Edition: June 2012

Organizing and moving quickly. Becky. Camping indoors. An unexpected conversation. 43 students!!! Help from Lisa. Colleen. Organization. Success with students. Watching M climb his 1st tree. Campfires. Sitting in sunshine. Coming home to a sturdy house. Absence of wind. Time away. Special date with the little man. Colleen. Seeing ELL kiddos. Help from Micah. Chatting with Melissa. Book swap. Lisa. Moments of reality. Rain. Colleen and van. Call from Ben. Bart's. Beth. CrowBar food. Micah. Rock collecting. Yard work. A nap. Walking home with M. My son's beautiful heart. Ethiopian friends. My Ms. Gift from Colleen. Strength in numbers. A hug from Lisa. Van's heart to help. 10 years with Micah. Jamille. A walk with Micah. A step ahead. Enjoying the patio. Time to read. Icecream. Online teaching. Sesame Street. What I Am song - so much truth. Sandy. Phone call from Mark. Colleen's help. Micah's wisdom. New beginnings. Colleen -old same. Coffee on the patio. Micah done with grad school for now. Strawberry Rhubarb Pie. Family. Hearing some amazing news!!!!

Giving Hearts

I have been humbled by the heart of my son this week.

As we walked home from vacation bible school he began sharing with me the following...... 

"Mama, did you know that there are mosquitoes that can make people sick? They put their stingers in people and then they start to feel so bad inside. We are suppose to bring our money to help them. If we bring our money then they can get special tents (mosquito nets) to sleep under to stay safe. I am going to give them my money. Malaria sounds so bad and it is hurting people in Mali. Did you know that Mali is a country in Africa? Just like Ethiopia. It is hurting the people and I want to help them. Are there people in Ethiopia that are hurting from malaria?"

The conversation went on and on not just on that walk, or once we arrived home but for days. 

He began to realize that this unfortunate illness could be present in Ethiopia,

 that it could be impacting those he loves....

He began to realize that we don't have to worry about this as much

and they do.

He began to realize that we have homes that shut out insects 

and doctors to help keep us healthy

and they do not always have these things.

He began to realize that this isn't fair

and that some people can die from this.

He began to have concerns, nightmares and tears. 

Then he took it upon himself to share this with his buddy while they were discussing the danger of bees. 

Then his buddy took it upon himself to share in M's burden. 

I have been struggling to find words to describe

The tears shed
The heartache

My fear for his heart

My love for these two boys doing right by the world

My heart swelling with pride...

Kids Say the Darndest Things

Enjoying a snack before bedtime:

"Hey little man. Do you want to do some yoga with me in the morning?"

M:
"Sure! That sounds great. What kind is it? I think strawberry is my favorite."

Cape Buddies

Kids Say the Darndest Things

Looking at goats in West Laramie:
M:
"Let's just go inside the fence to feed them."

"We can't. Do you know the name of the person who owns this land?"

M:
"Yup! Farmer Joe."

10 Years!

Micah and I weren't able to spend much of the day together so I gave him 10 gifts to open every couple of hours that represented something I love about him and feel thankful for in our marriage.

Micah was able to sneak away from grad school work so we could at least enjoy our evening meal together and a walk around town. 

How Micah typically takes a photo.....

How he takes a photo after I beg him to not look like I have drugged him. 

Dream Act

Illegal from John X. Carey on Vimeo.

Our Job

“Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy. That is not our business and, in fact, it is nobody’s business. What we are asked to do is to love, and this love itself will render both ourselves and our neighbors worthy.”

(Thomas Merton)

Happy Father's Day!

One of my favorite pictures of my two favorite guys: Micah bringing M to our hotel room in Ethiopia and M giggling from peeing all over Micah. 

1. What is something Aba always says to you?

Love you buddy.

2. What makes Aba happy?

When I make funny faces.

3. What makes Aba sad?

When someone punches him. 

4. How does Aba make you laugh?

When he makes funny faces.

5. What was Aba like when he was little?

He had a mow-hawk. 

6. How old is Aba?

50-hundred

7. How tall is Aba?

70 tall.

8. What is Aba's favorite thing to do?

Play hide and go seek. 

9. What does Aba do when you are not around?

Probably just has to play by himself.  

10. What is Aba really good at?

Playing Uno and being a good sport. 

11. What is Aba not very good at?

Playing hide and seek because I ALWAYS find him!

12. What does Aba do for his job?

He studies animals and books.

13. What is Aba's favorite food?

Macaroni and lots of vegetables.

14. What makes you proud of Aba?

When he finally finds me when I am hiding and wins at Uno.

15. If Aba was a cartoon character, who would he be?

Cookie monster.

16. Where is Aba's favorite place to go?

Cheyenne.

17. What do you and Aba do together?

We play hide and go seek and fart.

18. How are you and Aba the same?

We both have shorts, poop and fart, and like to ride bikes. 

19. How are you and Aba different?

We are not the same color but that is okay.  

20. How do you know Aba loves you?

Because he is my dad!

Journaling

DIANE RAAB

Whatever it is that you write, putting words on the page is a form of therapy that doesn't cost a dime and it is certainly a productive way to deal with the scars and dark places from our pasts. Self-expression is one way to lay a problem or demon to rest. it's also a way to bring forth suppressed feelings and fears. It's a way to bring a sense of resolution and a sense of satisfaction to our lives.

The journals I have filled from the year of 2000 until present.  

ANNE FRANK

Some­times I very much doubt whether in the future any­one will be inter­ested in all my tosh. “The unbo­som­ings of an ugly duck­ling” will be the title of all this nonsense.

FYODOR DOSTOYEVSKY

This is not a pen, it is a prayer, one must have com­pas­sion for that.

Giving it Another Go

Didn't quite get to enjoy our first camping trip out. Two rain showers later we called it a night and came home to enjoy smores in the warmth and dryness of our home. Ridiculous I know, but that is the benefit of camping 15 minutes from home. 

So here is our second go at summer camping for 2012. M. was loving the opportunity to go "mountain biking" just like Aba does. While we were setting up the tent he also surprised us. When I looked over to check on him he was on top of the rock. When I asked how he got up there he kindly informed me that it was easy and he could show me! (sorry, I don't know how get the video to post.... maybe later)

Kids Say the Darndest Things

Sitting on the couch looking out the window with M.:
The little man: 
"You don't ever want to eat your brains!"

"No, probably not."

"Yeah! That would be disgusting AND you wouldn't have anymore thinks!"

At bedtime:

"Momma, I just can't stop loving you!"

"Well that is good. I don't want you to stop loving me."

"Yeah , cause then I would be like The Hulk 

crushing your heart into little itty bitty pieces.

 .....that probably wouldn't be good."

Our Version of a Sprinkler System

Finally!

We are hoping to enjoy our first weekend of camping, summer weather, dirt, exploring, campfires, and hiking this weekend. So happy to finally be here!

Kids Say the Darndest Things (and some wisdom)

Tonight at dinner:

"Mom, guess what? You are the perfect mom!"

"Well, probably only because you think that sweetie."

"No! It's because God made you perfect for me."