Lately it has become all to evident that someone in our house in on the brink of adolesence. Today I think the world had forced children into growing up too fast. I know this is true, I have seen it. I am guilty of being one of those overprotective moms. I still police everything my children watch and listen to and have a hard time giving in to his desires to watch these adolescent soap operas on Disney. Some I allow, in small doses. I can always tell when he has seen too much of these shows. We still do not allow certain words to be spoken in our house that you would commonly hear today on TV and coming out of the mouths of kids everywhere. I am still very strict about who he plays with and who's house he's allowed to go to. Can I really trust their parents? He is starting to question why I am like this. It is becoming harder and harder to be the positive influence to him. He is more and more interested in what other people think about things and about him. It doesn't matter that I think he is cute, and loving and talented and "cool". It matters more what they think. I am worried about how I will handle these years . I remember all too well the adolescent years, most of mine were really happy but I do remember how hard those times are. Trying to figure where you fit in, who your friends are, just all around who you are. And unfortunately in our world being a Christian will make it harder for him.

After I wrote this I was thinking how my last sentence maybe came out wrong. Actually being a christian can make it harder and maybe easier. Harder because he will struggle with worldly things and trying to stay on the correct moral path but maybe easier because he can pull strength from his faith to stay on the right path. My prayer is that being a christian will be his strength to get through these years and something that he is proud of, always.

The boys have always called John's mom Nama. Noah started it. Wyatt for a while called her Nama and then suddenly started calling her Namahouse. We weren't sure what he meant. Poppy made jokes about it but we didn't know why he did it. Then one day it hit me. When we are going to their house we always said "we're going to Poppy and Nama's house". He just assumed that's what we call her. It always made us laugh. Lately he doesn't say it often. Today he did and I smiled. I love toddler talk.

Happy 3rd Birthday to our wonderful son! We love you!

Yes, I have been busy. Too busy to post and even think about what I wanted to say. This past week we moved (something I really don't like to do) and are staying at my in-laws (thanks for putting up with us for a couple weeks!). The new house isn't ready so we couldn't move in. We didn't ask for more time bc in this market you really don't want to turn off your buyer's. We really don't need two houses right now. SO the next few weeks are going to be stressful, I feel displaced and am so with 4 kids. I just want to say thanks for our families for all they have done to help! And while we are talking about families I should take this time to address the Father's in my life.

John- Well how can I say enough thanks to all you have given us. Your love, endless devotion and time and for setting such a fine example to our boys. You work so hard to take care of us and to give us the things we need and desire. You make sure our boys know how important God is and teach them to follow his word and to rely on his strength. I am not good at saying thanks enough but I do Thank you and love you!
Dad-A girl could not have asked for a better father. You have always been there for me and have helped me through so many things. Shoot, if it wasn't for your advice I might not be thanking John right now for it was you who encouraged me to give him a chance. I am forever grateful for everything. I also thank you for everything you do for the boys. I am so grateful they have such a loving and "fun" Papa!
Mr. O-You know we have come a long way in the last 15 years. I have not always been so nice but I want you to know how much I appreciate you. You are always there for us and have helped us many times. Thanks for all you do for us and with the boys. They really are fortunate to have such a great Poppy!
Ed and Chris-You are incredible Dad's to my nieces and nephews, they are so fortunate to have Father's that would go to the ends of the earth for them and are Godly examples for them.

Well for not knowing what to say I managed to say alot. Happy Father's Day to you all!

Little Red Schoolhouse - on the Prairie
Originally uploaded by sirchuckles

no more homework
no more lunch money
no more carpool

we can sleep in (Oh I wish they would!)
we can stay up late
we can go on vacation

Goodbye Elementary school for my first born
Here comes Middle School-I cannot believe it!

Goodbye First Grade for Sellers, Hello Second!

The Mommy bird, watching us from our rooftop.
The babies we love watching.

We have had the privilege of watching a mother bird make a nest, lay her eggs and now they have hatched and are watching her raise her babies. The nest is in a little tree and with our high deck we can see down into the nest. The boys have been so interested in the nest and I often have to remind them that they need to come inside so the mommy bird can feed her babies. Noah loves to take pictures and has been photographing pictures daily to document the progression of the babies. As I was looking at the pictures he showed me the picture of the mommy bird watching from the rooftop. That picture moved me and made me think of something I was talking about with someone at the pool yesterday. It was a long conversation but the gist of it was that mommies are always watching out for their babies. We can assess a situation in seconds and notice every possible threat (and fun stuff too) to our children. As I was thinking about this it reminded me of how God does the same thing. He too is looking down on his children and keeping a watchful eye on them just like me and just like the bird. Which by the way according to Noahs research is a Mockingbird.