Bedtime Buddies

The bedtime routine is: bath/teeth, jammies, stories and prayers. Most nights the first part is a group effort and then Daddy reads stories and prays with the kids. On this night, Dan was working and Graham and Hannnah Reece had a serious (but not rare) case of overly-sleepy slaphappiness!
Graham chose a book for me to read. I'd start to read a few words only to be interrupted by someones giggles, an insatiable urge to jump on his/her bed, or some person's bodily noises, which of course led to UNCONTROLLABLE laughter...and more antics! Finally, I said (trying just way too hard to be serious) "Now, I guess I'll just put this book away if y'all aren't going to listen"...to which my son replied in HIS most serious tone, "Mom, it's ok! We just like each other."

What's wrong with this picture?

Hannah Reece left me this little surprise a few days ago! Her latest trick is to strip down at lightening speed, and announce to all present "I go poopoo teetee!" Then she runs for the potty chair and sits down with a good book. This has been going on for a few weeks now, and I roll with it- not fighting it, but not really encouraging it, either. I just cannot believe that she's showing signs of wanting to potty train already? She's just over a year-and-a-half old! Maybe it's that she's my baby so I don't want her to grow up or that her brother didn't potty train till he was 3 1/2...or maybe I'm just one lazy momma. Don't get me wrong, I know that the end result is good, no more diapers, more independence...but it's a lot of work! Anyway, I think it's time to get down to business with the whole potty-training thing, because I don't want to find another surprise like this again anytime soon!

Oh, where was Graham as this event unfolded? Hiding under the covers of his bed. When I went to look for him, he just poked his head out and asked in his most matter-of-fact tone..."mom, did you clean up that poop yet? It stinks!"

Big Brother & Baby Sister

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 (NIV)

Hannah Reece wants to do what she can to keep up with Graham. She's his little shadow, partner in crime, and can illicit his laughter (even when he's grumpy) with her sweet, silly antics. Sometimes, Graham gets a little irritated about this and wants to be "all by myself", but mostly he loves it and enjoys her company. On this morning, I was behind the camera and the kids didn't know I was watching. Graham had already dressed himself and Reece was a little frustrated that she wasn't dressed, too!

How we plan to stay COOL in the blazing summer heat...

play in the pool...

...and go for a spin in Papa's boat!

A day of "lasts"...for all of us!

Today is Dan's last day of Ethics after a week in Charlotte. He preached last Sunday at morning worship, and flew to school at 3:00 that afternoon. When Dan travels for school-especially for the longer classes, it is a mixed blessing. Of course we miss him BIG time while he's away, but feel very thankful every now and then he gets to spend a week focusing on "just" school. It's also good because I get to be more in-tune with Graham and Hannah Reece's needs since it's just me (and sometimes grandparents) meeting them! Also, I get to stretch myself and be a little more "independent"-I rely on Dan SO much when he's home. I try to have something for us to look forward to each day-either visiting with buddies we haven't seen in a while or hanging out with family. This was a busy week all on it's own!

It was Graham's last day of the three's class at our church Preschool. Ms. "Cole" Nicole, Graham's teacher has been taking care of Graham since he was an infant in our church nursery. She has been such a nurturing and loving teacher-she makes learning fun and natural for all of the children in her class.

Ms. Elli is Graham's assistant teacher and is a woman of gentle, quiet faith. She also led the church congregation as they vowed to help us train Graham up in faith at his baptism when he was 9 months old. Elli is a sincere model of Christ's love for the little people entrusted to her care.

The day ended with a magic show and picnic (aka controlled chaos with lots of food laying around on the floor). Graham had a blast running around like a wild maniac with his buddies Noah and Kaden. Throughout the year during the daily my best friend" roll-call, these two were consistently at the top of Graham's list. Graham says his favorite thing to do with these buddies is "tell each other jokes" which have evolved from Raffi rhymes "have you ever seen a fly, wearing a tie?" to the more recent 4-year-old potty humor (which include anything involving stinky excretions). When I ask Graham what makes Noah and Kaden his best friends he said (after a few moments of pondering) "they give me the fast bike on the playground".

And as for Hannah Reece, it's her last day to mourn Bubba's absence (or celebrate her freedom?) when we return from drop-off at Preschool...by making a B-Line to Graham's bed and snuggin' up under his covers.

And the last of the lasts for today was my "graduation" from the Apples of Gold Program at church. Our mentors hosted a lovely dinner for us and our spouses to culminate this 6 week mentoring program which is founded on the passage Titus 2:3-5 (RSV) "...Train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be sensible, chaste, domestic, kind, and submissive to their husband, that the word of God may not be discredited."

I told the ladies that I didn't feel ready to graduate, and maybe we could hold a "remedial" Apples of Gold? Oh, I will so miss those Monday evenings spent sharing a meal and God's word together!

Our precious teaching mentors who have humbly served and loved us...and encouraged my heart!

Top: Jackie, Jeanne, Judy, Ann, JoAnn

Bottom: Carol, Robin

My fellow "apples" and sisters in Christ...

Tracy, me, Jill, Jen, Lana, Sheila

Just as they are...

Graham's enjoying his favorite breakfast: gluten-free mini-waffles with chocolate chips on top.

Hannah Reece showing off her "boo boo knees". She's the fearless one in our family, so they tend to stay bruised or scabbed!

Deep thoughts with Graham....(otherwise known as stump your mama)

So cool to be a part of conversations lately with the little man in our house....lots of thoughts about God and Jesus, and things we're learning in the Bible ...interesting, funny, precious and sometimes I'm really just...speechless. Here's an example of a conversation we had at bedtime recently...


Me: Good night, Graham. Remember that I love you, Daddy loves you, Hannah Reece loves you, and God loves you the most...


Graham: (quietly giggling) Mom, does God have toys....does God like to play with toys?


Me: Uhhhhhh......I'm not sure (smiling). But I bet God likes to watch you enjoy the toys he's given you to play with...especially when you share with...


Graham: (cuts me off as I step up on my little soapbox) Mama, is God a boy or a girl? (big smile, and before I can answer)I think God's a girl-yeah, he's a girl. (giggling again)


Me: Well...the Bible tells us that God is our Heavenly Father....I'm just not sure how...


Graham: Mama, God has kids. God DOES have some kids. He's got three of them!


Me: Mmmmmhmmm...well...


Graham: Their names are...............Mary.....Joseph.....and Jesus!


Me: Wow.


Graham: Jesus is not a baby forever, mom....he's bigger like Daddy now.


Me: Yes, he's bigger...like Daddy. I love you, babe.


Graham: Goodnight! Mama, please don't forget to say 'sweet dreams'!


Me: Sweet dreams, Graham.




Photo: June, 2006