The first day of kindergarten for Bryant. "I want to be a boxer when I grow up," is what his sign says...
First day of 2nd grade for Aubrey. "I want to own a cafe' when I grow up," is what her sign says...
The crew, growing up fast!
There is so much I want to say about these kids, but I find my words are coming up short.
Aubrey: is entering into a new season where her heart is wrestling with bigger issues than, "what kind of princess am I going to be today?" She is working through standing up for what is right, even when it is awkward or inconvenient or may even strain a friendship. That is a huge one for my peace-loving first born. She is working through how we walk the path God wants us to walk down. For science we are learning about how God made our bodies and basics of anatomy. Simple statements of science open her heart up to talk about deeper, spiritual issues. How old will we be when we get to Heaven? Why do people not believe in God? As we started talking about people's faith, or un-faith, in God, she thought of family members who have not known God. We had a significant conversation about how when we make bad choices God runs after us and says, "Please, come back to me and walk this path." We have a choice to come back to Him and walk His path or continue down the path we chose. If we continue down the path we choose, disregarding God's pleas and pursuit, at some point the Bible says He will hand us over to our depraved hearts, giving us what we desire, but that it breaks His heart. This prompted her to talk about how when she does the wrong thing and is disciplined, she feels like her heart goes away and is broken. So then we talked about how we hope and pray that the discipline is a good reminder to turn back to what God wants for her. Wow. Deep breath, Anna. What an incredibly rich season of life with my sweet daughter. And what an incredible opportunity for me to constantly be seeking wisdom that can only come from God.
Bryant: this kid has a heart bigger than the moon I am pretty sure. It's stored up in the bubbling ball of energy that is his body and periodically throughout the days (every.single.day) he just cannot contain it anymore and it comes bursting out in the form of a big hug, a tackle, and sometimes an impish pestering of his siblings. I see his little boy body working so hard to be big and responsible, a constant fighting against the outbursts of excitement. There is a sign that reads, "Boys: Noise with Dirt on Them." I think that's a really inaccurate statement. Boys, my boys, my Bryant in particular, is a Heart with Energy, Excitement, Enthusiasm, Great Courage, and Fortitude, Wrapped in too small of a body. Someday, someday soon, he will learn more how to reign in the energy, but I am so thankful for this season where I can see the gifts God has given him in his, "glass half full," view of life. Also, he pulled his first tooth out. By himself. That sort of defines him, too.
Stuart: he is finding his place in the midst of his older siblings. Sometimes he pushes and punches his way into his place, but he is finding it. This is our season of Stuart understanding that when Mommy or Daddy say something, the correct response is, "Yes, Mommy," or, "Yes, Daddy." Learning to be quick to say we are sorry and to ask for forgiveness. Mommy is learning that Stu-bear is very quick to make things right. He is not my child that stands there and says, "I can't," or, "I won't." As long as I don't look like I am mad at him. If I sound or look angry, he shuts down and gets angry. And there have been times when he says, "Mommy, why are you made with me?" and Mommy has to be quick to say I am sorry and to ask for forgiveness. Stuart is showing me all the time the importance of being quick with a smile, quiet in my correction, and constant in reaching out to embrace him.
A cute story and one that demonstrates how thankful I am for my kids who can teach me and who are not too busy to see the signs: We were on a family bike ride. Stuart got bent out of shape and I really don't have a clue why. But he sat on his bike, pouting with a grumpy face. John and I were trying to coerce him to keep moving on his bike to no avail. Bryant circled around to where Stuart was and said, "Stuey, do you need a hug?" Stuart set his bike down, hopped off, Bryant did the same, they met in the middle of the street and hugged. Stuart hopped back onto his bike and off we went.
Emmett: this one makes us laugh all.the.time. Lately he has been joining in on the other boys' shenanigans. Yesterday Bryant and Stuart each had nerf guns they were carrying around the house. One said, "Gasp," and the other said, "Toot." Because of the sounds they make when fired without a 'bullet.' You can guess how they would fill up with, "gasp." Please don't judge me. Emmett went and found the nerf bow and finagled his way into the middle of his big brothers as they went on a hunt through the house. He isn't saying distinct words yet, or at least a lot of them anyway. When we are finished praying he loudly says, "MEN." I like that. He flipped off the couch twice yesterday because the brothers were hanging upside down off the couch so why can't he? Bryant and Stuart like to climb up the banister. So does Emmett. I'm thinking I'm in for it. But I am excited about that, too.
