Star Wars: The Current Obsession

The kids were introduced to Star Wars at an early age but the boys are just now grasping the depth of coolness that is Star Wars. They are going to have a Star Wars birthday party in October. They are dressing up for Halloween as Darth Vader and Yoda. Anything with Star Wars on it is the ultimate cool. We found Bub this shirt at Old Navy and he was in hog heaven...


Southern Gentleman may be taking things a little too far with his obsession. We made the mistake of buying his Halloween costume early and he tried it on when we got home. Since then, the Yoda hat has become part of his daily apparel.


Since he is my 3rd kid and I've already discovered that I'm not the perfect parent and never will be, I allow him to do things I would never have allowed Lou to do. Like go to Wal-Mart in a Yoda hat...


I got more than a few strange looks but at least he made some people laugh and brightened their day!


Yoda checked out the vitamins (I wondered if he was feeling bad...he did look a little green) and then he checked out the toys.


Then he moved on to the books. He looked and looked but couldn't find exactly what he was looking for until...


He finally hit the jackpot.


So...how many days until Halloween?

How Can You Keep A Straight Face?

First I smile...


then I get that warm fuzzy feeling...


then I giggle...


and laugh...


until my sides hurt.


Seriously.

The Common Neighborhood Occurence

This is a common occurrence at my house. I see this almost daily...my crazy boy standing on the curb, yelling towards the house across the street.


Usually the kids that live there are standing on the curb yelling back and let me tell you, it is a real bummer not to be old enough to cross the street by yourself when your buddy is over there on the other side!


This particular day, I couldn't see who he was yelling to...until I looked a little closer and heard Bub yell...


"HEY, ASK YOUR MOM IF YOU CAN COME OUT AND PLAY!!!!"

Don't Tell Mom

WHAT???? What do you mean I shouldn't be doing what I'm doing????


I mean, all I'm doing is sitting here enjoying a tasty lunch of mac and cheese and a glass of milk.


And practicing my spoon skills.

See...I'm getting better and better...


OHHH...you mean I shouldn't be sitting in the middle of the table to practice my mad eating skills.


Well, if you overlook that little bit of naughtiness, I'll share my mac and cheese with you!


Just don't tell Mom. Got it?!

The Rescuers

Sometimes little Ladybug wanders off. She is the adventurous sort. Sometimes the siblings feel the need to come to her rescue even though, in her mind, she is JUST FINE....thank you very much.


The sibs feel it is their duty to watch out for her!


If one sibling isn't enough to rectify the situation, he will call in a back up...


The two will try their best to fix the situation...


Offering help and consolation...


and if all attempts at a rescue fail...

they call in the Big Sister!

She is the rescuer extraordinaire!

They all know that she will make...

everything right again...

because that is what BIG SISTERS do...they take care of things!

A Message from a Friend in the Faith

My precious "across the street friend", Kim (whom you may remember helped out Lou when she had the tragic scooter accident) blessed me with an email yesterday morning! I asked her if I could share it! I can't tell you how spot on this message is for me. It is a message that is perfectly lined up with what God has been telling me and Doc! I hope it blesses you, too!

I woke up early this morning, and I believe, when you wake up unexpected it is for a reason. I may not always listen to it, but this morning you guys were on my heart.... Doc's first day of work. So, I prayed everything I knew inside of me to pray that this is a new beginning for your family and I am agreeing with you that it will be a brand new decade of extreme blessing after a decade of extreme sacrifice.

Sometimes we don't SEE God's timing, but He graciously moves us in His time. While we live by a different calendar.....I believe God still moves within his. This month is leading up to the Jewish new year. And this time, 8/21-9/18 is the month Elul. The month of divine mercy and forgiveness. But this is also the time of the year when the King used to leave the palace and meet with the people in the field....where they lived. There are no appointments to be made, there is no formal occasion. He is right there....where you live....listening and desiring to meet with you.

Of course, I believe God is always near, but you and I both know there are seasons when He is closer than others. And, this month....heading into a new year (on the Hebrew calendar) I just want to offer up that the King is close and I am believing whole-heartedly that God is moving you in His PERFECT timing. A NEW year on the calendar and a NEW year for your family.

Be blessed today. He does know FULL-WELL the plans he has for you and I am very excited to see them played out.