Name Confusion

We went out to dinner tonight.  Ahhhh...no cooking for mom. Yippee!  As we sat at our table talking my big girl started questioning my little diva about who she loved.  The answer was the typical daddy, mommy, sissy, bubba...  Then, oldest said in all seriousness, "I love John Boe."  We looked at her a little puzzled.  Then she said, "I love John Boe and Jane Boe."  That time I got it.  I began laughing so hard that tears were rolling down my cheeks.  My sweet love looked at me questioning.  I had to catch my breath.  He said, "I don't get it.  Who are these people?" 
John Doe and Jane Doe

We had ourselves quite a laugh.

Little League Parenting

Preseason baseball tournament started last night.  I love watching my boy play ball.  I have never enjoyed watching baseball.  But I LOVE watching my boy.  But I must be honest.  I was not looking forward to last nights game.   In fact, I was very tempted to stay home. Have a really turned into one of those little league parents. We've got some very nice boys on our team.  But athletic ability isn't quite there.  I know think I know why this happened.  I really think God is trying to teach me something.  I've already been struggling thinking about what the other boys at school would say when they "kill us" in baseball.  I've already been struggling with my attitude when they talk about how their team has four all star players or how good they are.  I know it's not about winning.  I know it's not about being the best ball player.  In fact, the sermon Sunday was about Passion and Purpose. " Is you purpose to raise your kid to be the best ball player in the league or is it to raise your kid to love and serve the Lord with everything in him?"  Ouch, that hurt.  It hit me right between the eyes.  So, as I struggle with my attitude throughout this season I know my purpose is to teach my child how to show love in every situation.  My purpose is to teach him about attitude.  My purpose is to teach him that when others say unkind things our reaction should be that which would be pleasing to our King.  It's not going to easy.  I must watch my every expression and word.  I know he is watching and will learn by witnessing my every move. 

My tough baseball player is full of love.

Jellybeans and Roses

Somehow the kids and I started talking about jellybeans on Easter after all the festivities (church, lunch, and Easter egg hunt).  I started telling them about how my Grandma Betty liked jellybeans.  So, we decided to pay a visit to her grave.  We took some jellybeans with us and some roses from our yard.  As we got close to the graveyard Laura said, "We have to wear our pants crooked for Grandma Betty."  Grandma always had the middle seam of her pants twisted in some way or another and it has been a great source of laughter for us.

So here stand my silly kiddos with jellybeans, roses, and twisted pants for their Great Grandma Betty.

We love you Grandma Betty and we miss you.  We hope you enjoyed the jellybeans and roses we left for you.

While we were there we decided that their Great Great Grandma Ruby needed some jellybeans, too.

So, we dug a small hole and buried jellybeans just for her.

and we arranged some on her headstone.

It's great to remember and share stories of those that have gone before us, those that are partially responsible for our exsistence and took a part in molding our family into what it is today.