Beyond Bringing Up Boys

What a sweet little blessing to have Seth at home with me today! I wish I could articulate how excited he was...I must rank higher than frogs eating other frogs, which was a recent happening at preschool. We did a whole lotta of nothin' but when I told him that maybe he would go back tomorrow so I could grocery shop (in peace), he begged. So I relented. I'll have my grocery "helper" with me tomorrow. I did forget over the last several weeks the exciting things that can happen while you are alone in the shower while a 4 year old is unattended or how "helpful" it is to have the dirty laundry stacked on the back of a trike to be taken to the laundry room...

One of the first things I do, either before the kids are up or after they head out the door for school, is check my email and blog reader. I love getting mail and I LOVE reading your blogs and about your lives too. But today, I received the lyrics from the song I mentioned a few days ago. If you were familiar with Steve and Annie Chapman (probably over a decade ago!)these lyrics may be familiar to you. I think of them ( part s of them until today) often but they have become more and more meaningful as I think back on our journey. Lately, when we are in the van, Seth sings loudly (and mostly on key). David and I will look at each other and remember when it was another blond-headed little boy but we call him, "Zachary." No words are exchanged between David and me--they are not necessary--the memory is golden. I'm sure you can relate from your own lives. WHEN MEMORIES TURN TO GOLD (STEVE CHAPMAN/TIMES & SEASONS MUSIC/BMI) WE MADE ANOTHER MEMORY TODAY AND WE THOUGH...

Last Friday I had the urinary stent removed from my surgery 10 days ago. It was an uncomfortable but not a terrible experience. I was very blessed to have my sister here for both occasions! I had a 2 shots of strong antibitoics before the procedure and am still on an oral antibiotic as well. The doctor has some concern that the issue is two-fold: the stone that was removed (thank you, Jesus) but also some unusual anatomy from scar tissue. I will have more tests ordered to determine the certainty probably next week. I am embarassed to ask for anymore prayer for a "normal" renal scan, but if it comes to your mind, I would appreciate it. David is wonderful at stepping "in" and doing whatever and whenever is needed in our home but I am struggling with a lot of guilt--and want so desperately to just be able to meet the needs of my husband and boys! We are tentatively planning to bring Seth home from preschool for at least 2 days this week. I miss him SO much!

Either the current culture is getting to us or we need some smaller pants! In case, you might be wondering how I feel about this...the culture is NOT getting to us!

St. Simon Island with its quaint streets and great sidewalks make bicycling--as a family--a safe and fun activity. So we chose our last day there to rent bikes. The weather cooperated with perfect skies and temperatures! Even Riley seemed to enjoy the ride (and didn't mind sharing "her" seat with Seth)! We rode for about 4 hours, stopping at Christ Church and Wesley Memorial Gardens for about a half-hour. The church was not only lovely but while walking through the gardens, the church bells began to peal...I cannot describe how wonderful it felt to hear and see at that moment! A sweet moment to take a deep breath and Thank God for His goodness! I would have reflected a little more but the boys always seem to run in gear so we headed on the Fort, which unfortunately I have no pictures of. I have not been on a bike (other than my boys' for VERY short periods of times for years so this pic was taken--maybe at the risk of peril to me--but this is how we rode that day. ...

We got up late (for us) and had breakfast at a neat little place called the Fourth of May, special in name for us because that is David's birthday. Then we hit the beach, boogie boards in hand for the boys and a nice beach chair for me (not that I can relax since I am always on the lookout for our kids). The temperature of the water was too cool for me but the boys didn't seem to mind. When Seth's lips started turning blue, we decided he should sit in the sun a spell. Does he look like a happy camper or what? Seth did find out that he not only loved the water but the sand too! Samuel is probably the biggest beach fan of the family. In fact, I saw a man 60ish with a long gray pony-tail and leathery skin, riding his bike over the sand and I'll admit the thought crossed my mind, what if Samuel really did (never) grow up to be a beach bum? We left in the early afternoon to go clean up for dinner. We ate at a small restaurant named Barbara Jeans recommended by the loca...

After packing like a mad-woman who hadn't planned on an overnight trip for 5, we arrived at St. Simon's just in time to go to the ocean and explore a little of the quaint town. We had intended for just little "toe-touching" at the beach but the boys were quickly in to their necks! So, we took three almost naked, frigid boys to the hotel and brought in a pizza for dinner. Not too exciting but we were greatly anticipating the next day...