Laundry Anyone?

Uncle Joel: Grayson tell Mommy what you did while she was out and I was in the shower

Grayson: Welllllll...I got the chair when the buzzer goed off and climbed up to get the clothes and then opened the door and threw Uncle Joels's clothes out on the floor. Then I climbed back up on the chair and pushed the button!!

Grayson was soooo pleased with himself telling this tale. I must admit that I was a little worried when Uncle Joel said he came out the bathroom quickly when he heard a sound coming from down the hallway. Grayson had gotten really dirty outside playing soccer and hide-and-seek while Trevor and I were finishing up at our rental house in Lynchburg. Joel put his clothes in the wash so they wouldn't stain. What a guy, right?!

Apparently the buzzer, indicating the laundry was done, had gone off while Joel was indisposed. Grayson had climbed up on a chair and retrieved his now clean clothes. He proceeded to open the dryer and take out the other clothes and replaced them with his own wet clothes!! In comes Joel, just in time to hear the door slam and see Grayson climbing back up on the chair to push the button to start the dryer. Now that's what I call a self-sufficient little boy. He does love to help out when I do laundry, but this takes the cake! Maybe I can move on to other household tasks!!

Kick in the Pants

We all need one every now and again! Last night it must have been my turn. I met with my sweet acountability partner, Denise. Over soup, salad, and sandwiches at Panera, we chatted about everything. I enjoy getting to know her a little bit more and being able to see how her relationship with God carries over into absolutley every aspect of her life. She's just like a big sister! What an encouragement she was to me last night.

She shared quite a bit with me, but the conversation that struck me and moved me to action this morning was about being a homemaker. It's not like anything she said was a brand new thought, but the just the way she talked about the pride that I should take in my home and the way that I decorate and clean and make meals is a service to my husband and my son, showing love for my family, honoring the Lord, setting an example for Grayson, teaching him lessons that carry over into other things, etc.

I immediately began to think about when I worked outside the home as a teacher. I was punctual, efficient with my time, I dressed immaculately, I was organized, and although I didn't love every minute of every day, there was enough that I absolutely enjoyed that kept me going back day after day and year after year. A light bulb went off and so today I woke up with renewed strength and vision of my role as a wife, mother, homemaker. I showered and dressed, I picked up and vacuumed, I got out the Spring decor, I baked cookies, and lit candles. Everything that I did today changed the climate in my home and effected all 3 of it's inhabitants. Trevor loved seeing all the Spring decor, smelling the candles, and loved to fact that I changed out of "leisure attire"! Grayson loved helping to decorate and bake the cookies with me. And I just loved everything. Yes, it's 8:45 adn I'm ready for bed, but I'm proud of the day that I've had.

So Denise, thanks for the encouragement. I'll pass on her encouragment to you today, afterall, isn't that what learning is for, to pass on your lessons learned to someone else!! I Corinthians 10:31 "...whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." Even if no one else notices, God is watching and is honored by your sometimes menial tasks. Keep doing it for His glory, and He will be able to say "Well done!"

Grayson's Imagination Kickin' into High Gear

Last night, I had to check to make sure that my viseo would play in Kids Thang for Sunday morning's Word segment. I wanted to show a clip from ONe Night With the King as I'm doing the story of Esther this week. janita and I were talking when she quietly gave me the head nod to which I turned around to see Grayson. He had climbed up onto the stool in front of the other computer, had put on the headphones, and was proceeding to be the "airplane pilot" getting ready for takeoff. A full conversation was taking place. He handed me the headphones and asked me to put them on and let the passengers know to get ready for takeoff. He proceeded to punch more buttons and get ready to "fly".

Between this and his imaginary friend we have living with us now (that is another story in and of itself!), I am enjoying very much this stage of increased imagination!!

Thanks Grandpa and Gran

I kow the table gift didn't go over as we had planned, but here is what Grayson has chosen so far with his money: a new GeoTrax piece, a Backyardigans book, and a Minnie PEZ (If you look closely, you can see these smaller ones to the left of Grayson)!! Thank you!!

A Grayson First!!

It may have happened before, but this is the first that I have ever witnessed. We were at Chick-Fil-A on Indian River today to have lunch and play. Daddy is out of town and it is bitter cold for the park playing. Grayson never, and I mean never, goes into the playplace area to play. It's always "too many kids" or "too noisy" for him. Well, today he surprised me by first of all entering the room, but more than was what I heard as he was playing. MY GRAYSON MADE A RANDOM STRANGER FRIEND AT CHICK-FIL-A!!!!!

I have never seen him interact with a complete stranger like this before. Now this little boy, Noah, and his parents sat close by to eat. And if I was not mistaken by their conversations, were Christians too. He and Grayson just struck up a conversation together and proceeded to play together. He was also quieter and seemed to have a gentle spirit. He had a younger sister and interacted with her with kindness. All of these things probably made a HUGE difference.

It made me smile and say a quick prayer of thanks! Maybe my shy little boy will be okay going to school surrounded by a bunch of children. Maybe he won't be bullied, play by himself, and not speak to anyone. It actually will be okay! My sweet Grayson made a new friend today. We talked about it all the way home. So, God, thank you for little Noah, and the small impact he made in Grayson's life today!

My best friend Daddy

On the way home tonight I was discussing with Grayson that we were going to church tomorrow morning for a meeting. I told we had to leave early. He asked about morning cartoons, and I told we would have time for that, a quick bath, adn out the door. I told it was like church mornings. We had to get up and get ready like on Sunday mornings. To which came the following conversation:

Grayson: Mommy, Daddy and I are sometimes late to church on Sundays.

Me: I think that only happened once or twice though, right?

Grayson: Weeellll, somtimes we're late becasue I don't listen too well to Daddy in the morning times.

Me: Well, I don't think that's true because each Sunday morning when I come home I see that you and Daddy have stopped by for your special treats and drinks on the way home from church.

Grayson: You're wrong Mommy. I get the special treats because Daddy loves me sooo much!!

Me: (laughing) That's probably true Grayson!

Grayson: Yup, me and my Daddy are best friends!!

Don't you just love these kinds of conversations with your kids. I need to get better about recording some of these sweet moments! I am so blessed to have a man in my life like Trevor, and doubly blessed to see the relationship between my son and husband growing and being nurtured. I used to be really jealous of their obvious bond, but now I celebrate it. So here's to the 2 men of my life that are the "bestest buddies in the whole world"!

Wild and Wonderful WV!

There was no snow when Grayson was there but he had a great time anyways. A couple weeks ago we took Grayson "over the mountains and through the woods to Papa and Grandma's" we went. We actually met 1/2 way in MD, just outside of DC. It has been a while since Grayson has gone "by himself" to their house. He was so excited as were they to have him for 6 days. As you can see in the pictures they had a great time being together, and even with no reason to need the snowpants, there was still lots of fun to be had! He can't wait to come back again Papa and Grandma!!

Yes, he took a whole tub full of his favorite trains and track with him. He loves those things!!

Making his own pizza for supper! Yummy!! We've never done this at home.

Playing Bibleland with Papa before bedtime (it's a really great spin-off of Candyland!)

Morning cartoons in Papa and Grandma's bed! With blankie and thumb of course!!