Housework = the flu (kind of)

"Hey mom?"

What.

"You know that kind of feeling you get in your mouth right before you get sick?"

What??

"Well, I'm not going to get sick, but you know what I'm talking about? The kind of gross feeling you get in your mouth right before you get sick?"

Yeah, I guess. Why?

"Cause that's how dusting make me feel. Taking everything off the dresser, dusting it, and then having to put everything back on again. Ugh. My mouth just feels sick."

Burnin' a hole in his pocket

Over the past few weeks, I've come to understand the meaning of this

Seriously, every time I turn around, Lucas has been making a bee line for the computer to look on-line for bows and arrows and playmobil stuff. "I'm just lookin, Mom." Well, I finally put a kabash to that by locking down the computer when it wasn't in use so he couldn't constantly try to "look."

This past Sunday, as I was heading out the door for church, he came into the kitchen carrying a wad of cash.

"Lucas, what in the world are you doing" - as the slightly agitated words flew out of my mouth, Andrew shot me a 'cool it' look and I put down my purse.

Then, in a matter of fact voice that got less matter of fact and more emotional as he spoke, he looked at the money and replied, "It's my spending money. I need to take it to church, mom. I realize I've been spending too much time thinking about toys and stuff. I've been thinking about them more than I've been thinking about God. In fact, sometimes when I've been praying I've really been thinking about toys and not really meaning it, I've just been saying 'blah, blah, blah' like it doesn't really matter."

His moist eyes look at me to make sure I'm really listening - I am.

"So, I figure if I give it to God, that will take care of the problem."

Jesus - thank you for a son who has a tender heart toward you.
And Lord - help his mommy to learn from him.


Matthew 6:33 - But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Only Lucas...

Today looks like a typical kind of day. Actually I got up a little early, because I knew I had a lot to do. I helped kids get breakfast, did Timothy's spelling test, got Alyssa going on a chore and the rest of the kids settled in school work.

Then I head for the shower. Ahhh, hot steamy water and silence. Within moments, the door opens. Kayla wants help with sentence structure. The door shuts...and opens again. Lucas needs math help. Kayla reenters, more sentence problems. The door shuts again. Finally. I'm alone.

Or not...I hear the scratch of a pencil.

"Is somebody still in here?"
"I am," says Lucas.
"Do you need more help?"
"Nope"
"Then you can leave now."
"Why can't I stay?"
"I'm almost done with my shower and I'm going to get out."
Silence
Apparently, I needed to be blunt.
"And I'm not wearing anything."
"That's ok mom, I've seen people bare before. I won't laugh."

The end of Grandpa's journey

Andrew's Grandpa has been battling cancer for more than 10 years. It looks like his battle is nearing its end. Why does death have to be so hard??

Today, like a number of other days, we spent some time visiting Grandpa. But this time, I knew I had to prepare my kids a little bit for what they might see. That Grandpa might not look a lot like himself, or act like himself, but he's still Grandpa and needs to know we love him. The visit has been on our minds and hearts all day. Especially tonight, when we prayed. Tears came to my eyes as I listened to my children pray for Grandpa and Grandma, especially when Lucas slowly and thoughtfully prayed -

"Jesus, Thanks for making a special place in Heaven for Grandpa, and we hope he is happy there. And Jesus please help the doctors to help Grandpa get all better so he can be with Grandma again. And Jesus, it’s Your choice."

Kid Quotes

A couple days ago, I cut all my boys' hair (that includes Andrew). Lucas got to go first. I sat him on the stool, wrapped the cape around his neck and reached for my razor. He then put his little hand in the air and with large, serious eyes said (you need to read this to yourself in little 5 yr old munchkin speak),"Mom, befoe you stawt, I want you to pwetend you awe going to cut the fuzz off an egg, ok?" And for emphasis he added, with his little finger wagging in the air, "Be that cawefuw."

I promise I have never cut him before!! What a goon! :P