From time to time it is nice to just sit and ponder the ways, habits and conversations of my children. They change so fast, physically, spiritually and interest-wise -- it is nice to take notice of what is going on at any given moment and record it.
Maybe one day I'll look back and it'll encourage me or cause me to tear up or make me laugh ......
So for the sake of taking time to embrace the moment I will recall some things I've observed or overheard from my children recently:
We recently ate at a local BBQ restaurant for dinner. The children were given small boxes of crayons to color their menu. On the way out of the restaurant my youngest 3 children carried their now empty crayon boxes to the car.
The boxes were about the same size as a cell phone so it came as no surprise when they began to talk to one another in the car with their the boxes held up to their ears!
The funny part was when Lander, my 5 year old, said, "Yeh, Summer, look -- this is a 'Hellophone.' "
Think about it .... "Hello" and "phone." Pretty good name ..... except that it sounds like a curse word, huh? Ha. Ha. Ha.
On another note .... let me mention my basement. The children are so creative and lose track of time very easily that the basement can get into a very chaotic and hazardous state very quickly.
Let's just say that you probably wouldn't be able to find a 'pathway' to get to the bathroom down there or to Kevin's photography office without a few falls, bruises or atleast stumbles.
In the dark .... you wouldn't have a chance! That being said, this week was a time for a new discovery/creation that could also prove to be dangerous to our well being!
As I walked quickly around the corner into the basement I was almost choked by a long string going from the window blinds to the floor. As I gasped I realized that there were 5 or six or these strings running in several directions and criss-crossing the area. The children had used the window blind cords to create a mass of strings criss-crossing one another across the front of the basement along the windows.
Upon further observation and questioning I was informed that I had entered the ski resort where the pet shop animals where traveling up and down the mountain on the ski lifts!
Creative, huh? Messy, yes...... but the Lord has been gentle with me and seems to constantly remind me that they will be gone one day and I will wish that I had little ones to create 'messes' and 'chaos' in my home.
Thank you, Jesus, for the blessing of the children and the creative 'messes' that come along with them. I wouldn't have it any other way!
I think I will try and describe each child and what he/she is interested in at the moment. Warning: This is subject to change at any given minute if they find some other pursuit worth their time, effort, and energy. (Oh, to be in their brains for just a moment ....... they could teach me a thing or two about learning and the joy that is meant to come along with the process!!!!)
Sierra: Beethoven CDs, creating her own piano pieces, singing like nobody is listening, fashion shows, Baby Story on TV, memorizing multiplication facts, doing Science via SOS (her choice and request - not mine!), reading blogs here at HSBlogger, painting, playing with my cell phone, helping Dad with lighting when he does a photo shoot, unloading dishwasher for Mom daily, reading at night in bed, listening to praise music, experimenting with her hair, experimenting with make-up at home (we only allow clear mascara and powder for going out), caring for her hamster and feeding her dog, helping cook, making desserts, ....... I could probably think of lots more but I'll stop here. Sierra is my creative and artistic child. She is 12 and is a precious leader as she was chosen by God to be the Big Sis to 5 siblings!
Levi: Interested in building stuff, whether it be Lego, wood, boxes, tape, glue, string or cardboard paper, used miniature men, action figure or pet shop animals and creates elaborate houses, ships and playgrounds. If a sibling has a need for a 'house' or something to be built -- they seek out Levi's help. He has magazines on wood carving, wants an electric guitar, has a 'band' hair cut/style, likes to tease others to make them laugh, cries easily (very sensitive feelings), loves to spend hours in water, creek, or pool activities, builds bridges, unique experiements and observations, very quiet child, helps Dad with lighting at photo shoots, cleans the pool baskets for Dad, vacuums kitchen daily for Mom, natural understanding of numbers, loves Lord of the Rings and Pirates of the Carribean, classical music, Christian contemporary and rock music, adventure movies, etc. Levi is scientifically minded and thinks differently than most people. He is highly visual and recalls past events and details very clearly. I look forward to watching how God uses him to bring Himself Glory.
Saige: This is my sensitive child with a keen depth into other's feelings. She feels the pain of others and cries very easily when hurt or embarassed. She loves polly dolls, creating homes, weddings, cities, and using dolls to act our specific role playing. She loves to leave love notes to surprise us all and giggles and grins all the time. She enjoys princess books and movies, being read to, sleeps with her bible often, sings with Sierra, does fashion shows and dance shows with Sierra, likes to practice cooking, plays well with anyone, serves easily, yields to others often, swimming, playing in the creek and outside, riding her bike, etc. Saige is a quiet and happy child. She reminds me of myself when I was little. To please her Dad is all she wants. His smile or words of approval will make her week!!!! She craves his love and attention -- just like I did when I was her age. She is a middle child and is sure to be used by God in incredible ways as He holds her heart and spirit near to His.
Lander: Lander is loud and happy and boisterous. He loves food, going out to eat, desserts, 'sweet' drinks, playing with Saige, serving Summer, taking a bath, swimming, hiking, traveling, camping, stuffed animals, playing starfall.com, copying the words "Jesus, God, and Lander", being read to, drawing and painting, pet shop animals, loving and kissing on Mom and Dad, smiling, silly movies, popcorn, creating homes for his small character toys, etc. Lander cannot sit still to eat. Even as an infant he would twist his wrists and ankles when about to be nursed - he'd be so excited anticipating the food to come! Adorable. Funny. Silly. Six and loving it - it is his favorite # along with the favorite color of red. The night of his 6th Birthday he asked Jesus into his heart - of his own choosing and I had the blessing of praying with him. God is using Him to bring Laughter, Life and Light into others lives.
Summer: For a few more days or so she will still be my 'baby.' Sweet. High-maintenance, my husband says. (Tis true.) Strong-willed yet wants to please. Loves to be loved. Gives kisses freely but out of the blue! Enjoys little toys that she stuffs into bags, baskets, boxes or whatever she can find to tote them around. Enjoys music, dancing and singing. Sings to herself as is in conversation -- really cute to listen to when she doesn't know you are! Twirls, giggles, smiles often, likes being read to, sucks two fingers as she twists her hair under her nose to go to sleep or calm herself or when she is tired, doesn't like 'naps' but enjoys 'playtime' in bed by herself (where she falls asleep easily), painting, coloring, markers, glue, tape, etc. Summer, basically, likes anything she sees her older siblings doing. So she tries alot of stuff.... moves on very quickly to something else if bored ..... she sees Jesus in her siblings and loves Him dearly. I will enjoy seeing Him use her in mighty ways for His Glory.
Lawson: To be born any day now. Not in a hurry, obviously. Wiggly. Squirmy. Moving almost all the time. Seems to enjoy frozen coffee drinks and Dr. Pepper which I sometimes break down and enjoy myself! Sure to look like Levi or Lander or a combo of both. Will be adored and loved and catered to by 7 loving family members. Sure to be spoiled. We can hardly wait to meet Lawson face to face!!! We are ready when you are Lawson!
God, thank you so much for these precious children. They are growing up too fast. Slow down time for us..... help us to savor each moment. To use each day for relationship building and heart to heart connections. May we all be Yours and bask in Your Love and share that with one another and others You place in our path. I praise You for the gift of Kevin and my children. May we, as a family and as idividuals always bring You pleasure and glory and honor and praise. May Your Will be done in each of our lives .... today ..... now.... forever. Thank you for allowing me the gifts of these loved ones. ~Belinda~ |
