Living to Learn

We made a decision as a family to NOT do any spring sports this year. Our crazy reasoning is that, in 10 years, the kids will (hopefully) remember that they had sane parents, but not that they did not play Little League the spring of ‘08 :*) But, that did free us up a bit to try some new things. Johnny has been begging (!!!) to ride BMX like some of his buddies for the past year. He really has been patient. So, we took him down to Cherry Hill BMX yesterday for the kick-off safety clinic. They fixed his bike up to race, gave him a helmet, taught him the rules, gave him jersey (we paid some fees, signed some forms…), and he was in his first “heat” by noon. HE LOVED IT! He did 2 qualifiers and 1 main event. At the end of it all, he walked away exhausted, proud, and holding a 2nd Place Trophy. Great job Johnny! We walked away sunburned, aware of what a day at the track in the future will require, and with a sinking feeling that the next 12 Saturdays are suddenly booked. Isn’t that what it’s all about? It was a great day!

Her name is Jessica Brooke, but she’s my “Lou.” Born the largest of our six children (10.2lbs), she is now my littlest sweetheart. Anyone who knows her will say she is sweet, kind, and compassionate. She has a knack for caring… really recognizing when someone needs help and being there. She has wanted to be a nurse since she was 3 years old, and she still holds onto that dream. She is the kid that teachers list on their sub plans as a kid who can be counted on. She is the leader of my “littles”- not motherly but more like the queen :*) She wants to grow up, but is also very innocent. She hates doing worksheets and timed multiplication facts in school. She loves to bake with me or her Gram. She loves being outside, painting, singing, and being creative. She is my secret weapon during our freezing winter nights because she is a human heater in bed. She is learning some attitude from her teenage sisters, while at the same time swearing she will never be a “bad teenager.” She loves her brothers, and can never sleep alone. Her brothers take turns sleeping in her bed to keep her happy. She wears beautiful dresses to church, and she baits her own hooks. I am blessed to be her mommy.

Johnny has had a tough week. He hasn’t been himself in days. A bit whiny (totally out of character for him), and tired. Just when I was questioning his emotional stability , it hit him… 103 fever for the last 30 hours. He fell asleep on my desk after school at 3:30, and didn’t wake up until 9:30am. I woke him up a few times to give him Motrin, and he was delirious with dreams all night. Scary! Finally, about an hour ago, he sat up and asked for a turkey sandwich from Nicole’s work (Valentino’s). Yeah! I drove down and picked up his very favorite thing to eat in the world… made with love by his Coley-Cakes. I see a light at the end of the tunnel.  Get better little man… I miss this smile!

My baby turned 17 on Friday. Every year, she attends the Generation Unleashed Youth Convention in Portland, Oregon. This year, it fell on her birthday! She was not with us for the first time, and it did not help that I am already grieving about her “last” year at home. I did arrange for her youth pastor to get a great cake, and I sent supplies with her friends to decorate her bed. She had a great time worshiping and being with her favorite friends. Nicole is an amazing girl. She is funny, fun, bolder than I ever was, a great friend, a good big sister to the Littles, and full of big dreams. She is a great servant at church, and she has a real heart for those caught up in big sin. She is creative and passionate about the things she loves. She is the only girl I have ever known to crash into her own mom in a parking lot! :*) Her goals right now are to work hard so she can get into Portland Bible College, stay out of any more car accidents (fender benders actually), have as much fun with her friends as possible, continuing the journey with her best guy- God, marrying a boy from the South who says “ya’ll” and “supper”, reflecting the grace and classic beauty of Audrey Hepburn, and showing off her mad dancing skills as often as possible. She also wants to go on another mission trip this summer… big dreams… amazing girl… We love you Nicole! It has been quite a journey. You have taught us so much. We can only pray that we have taught you all you need to know to have a blessed life. We are proud of the young woman you are becoming. Our work is not finished here… but we are getting close :*)

One of our traditions is the Polar Bear Plunge in Lake CDA at noon on New Year’s Day. This year, Brianna, her friend Janie, and Johnny braved the snow and 22 degree temps to jump ALL THE WAY IN the freezing lake water with about 500 other crazies. Johnny thought knives were stabbing his legs, but the free hot cocoa provided by local churches soothed some of the pain :*) I love my kids! What an awesome way to start the year. We just got home, Bree headed for a hot bath, and Johnny is under my electric blanket on high, where both of them will probably stay for the rest of the day. What crazy thing will you dare to do this year to bring some great memories to your life????

With 3 teenager daughters under our roof, I am reminded of how much I LOVE MY LITTLES! They won’t be Littles for long, but I appreciate every day I have with them. They shoveled our porch today, and then wanted to go help our widow neighbor with her driveway… Kids are amazing.