Almost

In a couple of weeks Paul Thomas will break into his teenage years. 

Let's let that sink in for a bit.

In no way do Philip and I feel mature enough to be parents of a teenage, and yet we will be. Last night he came to me sheepishly after I bid him goodnight, with a hint of excitement and hesitation of possible disappointment. He asked if he and his brother could listen to an audio book.

When asked by his father where he would drive to first when he got his licences, with out hesitation, "The Library."

I was struck last night by how very different I was as an almost 13 year old and how he is. It is a beautiful difference. I was so very aware of others and what they had and what I didn't. I was so very aware of body shape and sizes and thought I must be interested in the opposite sex. Maybe all of these things do go on inside of him, but last night there was innocence in a story told and companion on the journey. Keeping this innocence, letting them be children and gentle raising them into men and women centered and grounded in Christ is one of the reasons we chose homeschooling for our family. 

As of late my prayer has been to have a grateful heart, to enjoy my time educating my children. It has helped to calm the ever present, "You're not enough...you're not doing enough...you can't possible give enough because there are too many" monster that ravages the unlit parts of my soul. And at the same time there is still the ever present reality that I will nor could not be their fill. We may not be doing this parenting gig right, however last night seemed to be a glimmer of maybe we are not doing too bad.

Favorite People

Do you have favorite people? Sure you do...cousins, friends, favorite Aunt or Uncle.

These two are some:

Bennett loves Nana so very much. He adores her because she adores him. When I watch them interact I think how very good it is for both. He talks about Nana daily and cheers when we see her. He can be asleep in his carseat and the moment we pull into her driveway he pops up and says, "Yay Nana!" and then marches into her house to inform her of the past happenings. 

How very blest we are to have Nana close and that my children know her so well. What a treasure family is.

Nana is also one of  George's favorite people and when he was 5 he would ask all the time if Nana could have a sleep over with us. 

Friday Photo Favorites

Not many post, for a while now. It's because of these two...one doesn't sleep much and demands very active holding while the other one is steaming through childhood and requires more focused attention in schooling and upbringing. 

Paul Thomas has been more withdrawn this new baby round. He has not asked for cuddles nor seeks out Avila first thing in the morning. He is growing more and more into a young man and less and less out of a child. There is that awkwardness of where do I fit? I want to play at times and yet I feel silly being the oldest. As his parents, we too are trying to find the right balance of this time, and unfortunately it's just as awkward for us.

This picture reminds me of Paul Thomas' sincere empathy he exhibits for me. Avila has been a very fussy baby and this morning with the combination of baby, toddler and three-year old, I was losing it. Paul Thomas came into the kitchen and outstretched his arms wordlessly, as he usually operates and walked Avila. Within five minutes this was the scene. She needed a quiet body to rest with. 

Friday Photo Favorites

Snuggle Bugs

Where Would I Be?

Where would I be without you, Mary Colette?

Gia jokes that you are our Resident Baby Hog, and it is true that you want to hold and care for Avila and Bennett more than anyone else. And it is true that every Momma needs a Baby Hog. You can calm Avila down when no one else can. Our entire family now turns to you to find solutions for Avila taming and we all sing your sweet song to her. Just last night it was your song and your voice that calmed her in her stroller as we walked.  Watching you transition into baby pro and baby lover is heart warming! Thank you my sweet Big Girl for taking such good care of our Baby Girl.

Friday Photo Favorites

Well Said

Tuesday I was lecturing the children before dinner about obedience and the need to improve ours in the house. The lecture was too long and too much at the end of a very frazzled day. When it was over Eleanor in her most serious, disappointed voice while shaking her little fist exclaimed, "Guys, we did not save the day!"