Pool Time!!!

Today Todd and I made our first trip to the pool for this season. He was afraid of the "big pool" last year. He loved it today. We stayed for 2 hours and he was TIRED. He loved it. The funny thing is, a man took our photo without me knowing. Shortly after, he asked could he use it for the paper. Great! Out of all of the people at the pool, he wanted us to be in the paper. I agreed, only because we were in the 5' section so you could not see my body. Anyway, I anticipate many trips to the pool. We had a blast!

Favorite Verse

I have many favorite Bible verses. They often change depending on what guidance or encouragement I need at that time. However, there has been one verse that I have liked for some time. It is Micah 6:6-8.
"With what shall I come before the Lord and bow myself before the exhalted God?
Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

I sang a chorus song that was based on this verse in high school. I loved the song and enjoyed singing it, but it followed a very dramatic song about the crusifiction in our song line-up. The two paired together got my attention each week. Just thought I would share it with you.

What is your favorite verse, story, or parable in the Bible?

Recess

I read an article this morning that stated that some schools are taking away recess from kids. Obviously, the kids are really upset and so are many parents. I would have to agree. That is a time that kids can relax and have interactions with their friends. I would think that inappropriate behaviors would take over if they did not have that outlet. Plus, you hear everyday about the rise in childhood obeseity. Why would you take away one time to help target that? I hope that Todd gets recess. Something tells me he will need it or we will get LOTS of phone calls!

Wow!!!

The other day, Todd and I went to Lowe's. I loaded up a flat cart with 3 bags of soil (each 40 lbs), 3 bags of mulch (3o lbs each), and 1 bag of rocks (50 or more lbs). I was stopped looking at a flower and looked up and Todd had pulled the cart down the isle. I could not believe it. He was able to push it, pull it, and turn it, un-assisted. Now that is a strong child. He only weighs 42 lbs. He pulled over 250lbs by himself!!! That is over 6 times his weight!! Think about that. Think about how much you would have to pull to be 6 times your weight. There is NO way I could do that!

It happened!!

Well, something happened today that I knew would happen eventually... Todd got in trouble in Sunday class!! For those of you who do not know, Todd is VERY active and determined. Both can be great qualities, but not when it goes against what you are wanting him to do. We have rehearsed how he is to act in class many times and he failed to do it today. His teacher said, "He was a little wild today. We had to give him a choice and he made the wise choice". UGHHH. I hate those akward moments. He and I talked and then I had him apologize to her. He also missed out on some play time with his friends because he had already played with them instead of listening to his teacher. I was so frustrated that he acted up. I found myself saying, "You know better!!" Then, it was as if God cattle-prodded me. Isn't that what we do when we go against God's will? I could hear God saying, "Carrie, you know better!!" I learned early on in my parenting trials 2 important things about raising Todd... 1). He got his traits from me and Brad, and though we might not like the traits he has inherited from us, that is who he is. God made him special and it is up to us to help raise him to use those traits for God's glory. Both energy and determination are vital to serving the Lord!! 2). Through Todd, the Lord is teaching me numerous lessons! Praise God that he is patient with us just as we must be patient with our children!!!

Boys will be boys!

Today was a nice day to work in the yard. The high was 72 and there was a slight wind. I went to help my mom load and unload soil and mulch to put in her new yard. I stayed and helped her for awhile. Todd was playing when I found lots of worms. He loved to hold them and then put them back in the soil. Then, he asked to bring his trains outside and play. I agreed. I knew he was having a really good time. We could hear him having the trains talk back and forth and laughing. After close to 2 hours, I decided to go home. I went to help him load up his trains and they were covered in mud. He had found a pile of mud and the trains made "train tracks" in the mud. I had to go and hose them (and him) off. Well, I guess you can say he is creative!! He would live outside if I let him.

Remember those days?

This weekend has been so busy. Brad and I agreed to help with an after-the-prom lock-in at church. Boy, did that bring back memories!! The pressures to have a certain dress, to look a certain way, and pretend to be someone most girls aren't. It was really funny to hear them talk about their night. As usual, the ones that went as friends had more fun. However, what made this so much fun is we played volleyball and basketball for hours. I was so sore the next morning it was rediculous!! We enjoyed being a part of that special night for the kids. I would not trade with them for anything. I am glad to be done with those teen years!!!