Little Helpers

On Sunday evening the boys and I were discussing our plans for the next day. I had told them that after taking care of a couple of things in the morning I was going to mop the floor. It needed it badly and was at the top of my chores list. Monday came and went and the mopping still hadn't been done. Tuesday was going to be a busy day, but I was still planning on getting that kitchen floor done. I got the boys some cereal in the morning then hopped into the shower. When I came out I saw that the boys had decided to do my mopping for me. I hid my discomfort: the floor hadn't been swept yet, which would mean a little more work for me while I finished the floor. And I was afraid that the water would be everywhere (it wasn't that bad, actually). Instead, I responded with a sincere thank you. I told them how thoughtful they were--so thoughtful.

A little later Uncle Mark stopped by and heard the boys saying that they should get some flowers for me. Sure enough, they asked to borrow my scissors and came back with some flowers cut from the garden.

I don't know what I did to deserve their thoughtfulness this week, but as I look at the beautiful flowers in my kitchen window I am reminded that my crazy summer monkeys are really sweet boys.

Growing Boys

I took both of my boys to the grocery store this afternoon. Todd asked if we could look for one of the red-car shopping carts, something we haven't used in a while. I was shocked when I realized how much both my boys have grown. They don't fit in them anymore. Look at Todd's poor knees crammed against the dash! They decided it wasn't comfortable enough to tolerate and opted to walk alongside of me while I pushed a regular cart. Another "last" milestone--the last of using the shopping cars.

I was pleased, however, to discover that my growing boys are not yet too old for a balloon.

Loyal

Copper is Brett's dog - one hundred percent.
He always has been.
Copper loves to play Frisbee with Brett. Brett can throw the Aerobie for Copper from our back yard clear across the golf fairway, and Copper chases after it with top speed. Copper loves that game, and it has proven to be the best and easiest way to exercise him. He will keep on chasing the Aerobie throw after throw. Afterwards, he'll sprawl out on the kitchen floor panting so loudly that I can't hear myself think. However, he only wants to play with Brett. If I try throwing the Aerobie for Copper he might trot out to retrieve it. But his heart isn't in the game, and he usually gives up after one or two throws.

But, I know Copper loves me too. About halfway through the school year I started bringing Copper to the bus stop every morning. Copper starts getting excited as soon as I put Todd's lunch in his backpack and zip it up. Nothing distracts Copper from coming with me--even Brett. There were a number of times in the afternoon when Brett would be home working in the garage when it was time for Todd to come home from school. Brett would try to trick Copper into staying with him rather than coming along with me. I won every time.

It was also evident that Copper loves me a week or so ago when we had a strong thunderstorm in the wee hours of the morning. Copper has become more sensitive to storms with each passing year, and I woke up to find Copper climbing all over me. This is not behavior that I generally tolerate. Though Brett tried to call Copper over to him (and off of me), Copper would not budge. He was determined to find comfort from the nurturer of the family--Mama. Although he woke me up from a good sleep and it took a little while for him to settle back down, I will admit that it warmed my heart that I was the one he looked to to calm his fears.

So, maybe Copper is not 100% Brett's. Maybe he's 15% mine, too.

Family Home Afternoon

I think it is important for parents to make a point to have faith-based discussions with their families, to teach them about Jesus Christ, to teach them values, to share their convictions, and to have a good time together. Unfortunately, my husband is not really strong in his faith, and it's hard for me to organize formal religious activities like weekly Family Evening Evening.

Last month, some time after a conversation we had about family home evenings, a friend from church came to our home with her family and they shared a lesson on prayer with my family (well, with me and the boys). Todd especially loved it. He loves reading and jumped at the chance to read the scriptures my friend had selected. The boys had fun doing activities that went with the short lesson. And, to finish the evening off, the boys were introduced to a game called "Don't Eat Pete." It is a fun little game that gives the boys an excuse to candy. Score!


A couple of days ago, Todd asked if we could have another Family Home Evening. I love it when children remind parents about what we should doing. I responded enthusiastically, and Todd got straight to work planning a lesson on the birth of Jesus Christ. I gave him some pointers about where to find scriptures that went with his lesson. He wrote out an agenda, drew a picture of the nativity and cut it up to make a puzzle, made up his own game, and selected a few songs for us to sing.

We finally got the chance to have our Family Home "Afternoon" today after church and lunch. When Todd was ready to start he told me that he really wanted Daddy to participate. What thrilled me almost as much as all of Todd's efforts in planning and carrying out this activity was the fact that Brett happily joined us. When Todd started reading the first few verses Brett asked me on the side, "Isn't this a Christmas story?" I answered that, yes, it was, but it's never a wrong time to learn about Jesus. And that was that. We continued with everyone having good attitudes, although Ryan was not still for more than 45 seconds at a time. The boys and I even played "Don't Eat Pete" a little later to finish off a great afternoon.

I am so proud of Todd and look forward to our next Family Home Evening.