Puppy Dogs

We always check on the boys, give them a kiss, before we go to bed at night.  They are often in amusing positions, holding hands, cradling each other's heads, Eli's foot in Luke's face or Luke's finger in Eli's ear.  This night was no exception.

I remember shortly after Eli was born a mom of two teen boys in our church telling me that her boys were like puppy dogs, always moving and many times rolling around on the floor together.  I can say the same thing.

I love my little puppy dogs.

My New Boots

I hope I look half as cute when I wear them.

Judah's First Day of School

Judah started preschool on Wednesday at the Methodist Church preschool where Luke and Eli went.  He'll go three mornings a week while I'm helping Kris' mom a bit at her office.

Where Eli would happily stay home with me for the rest of his life (and has recently put a request in that Kris quit his job so he can stay home with us too), Judah has been itching to get in the classroom since he was old enough to squirm out of my arms and dart past the teacher to play with the other kids (while I was still outside trying to pry Eli off of me, since it was actually his class).

Judah's first day of school, he wheeled his little backpack behind him right into the classroom, with barely a look back in my direction.  Mr. Social Butterfly.

He was completely uninterested in pictures.  I managed to sneak some at pickup, but as soon as he figured out what I was up to he put a stop to it.

Heeeeeyyyy!

 Mama, no!

 I'na see!  I'na see!  I'na see!

The Choice by Robert Whitlow

The Choice by Robert Whitlow is a story about a young girl who makes a poor choice, only to be faced with an even greater one.  Set in the 70's, a time when teen pregnancy was taboo, The Choice addresses both sides of the abortion/adoption issue, as the main character, Sandy, decides which path she will take for herself and her unborn child.

I have read several books by Robert Whitlow and had high hopes for this book, as I have loved every other book I've read by him.  This book had a different flow than the others of his I've read.  It was much slower paced and much more detailed.  Sometimes I got bogged down in the details a bit and wished it would move a little faster.  There was one moment about a third of the way through the book, when a new character was introduced, that I thought, "Okay, exciting, it's going to pick up."  Instead, it went back to painting the story of Sandy's pregnancy and decision.

The second half of the book was definitely more engaging, but again, got bogged down with less than exciting characters and details.  There was a definite story being told, but it felt as if drama was being fit a little bit here and there, rather than it being an overall engaging story.

I would read another Robert Whitlow book in a heartbeat.  He is a talented author.  I probably wouldn't recommend this book, though.  It just didn't grab my interest.

This is a review for a book I received through Booksneeze.  The opinions are my own.

School Time

I'm sure most moms who blog have already put up pictures of their children's first day of school.  I saw plenty of them on Facebook.  We took pictures of Luke and Eli's first days, but I'm not sure they're post worthy.  Luke's are good, but Eli is turned away from the camera so you won't see where he's been crying.

Can you hear the sound of my little heart breaking?

I know it will work itself out.  I know he'll adjust.  I know it just takes time.  But right now, I'm trying to hide my tears too.  For whatever reason, ones I will probably only be able to put into words a few years down the road, I feel this need to protect and mother Eli far more than I do Luke or Judah.  Maybe because he is less independent, even though he's growing every day.  Maybe it's because he really just wants to be with his mama and daddy, and I love that so much.  Maybe because I remember being the same way.

Whatever the reason, I so needed this devotional this morning from my devotional book, Jesus Calling. (By the way, this is the best five minute devotional I've ever had.  It nails the very thing going on in my life on a daily basis.  It's almost like the author, or maybe God, is stalking me.  I love it!)

"Entrust your loved ones to Me; release them into My protective care.  They are much safer with Me than in your clinging hands. (I told you - STALKING!)  If you let a loved one become an idol in your heart, you endanger that one - as well as yourself.  Remember the extreme measures I used with Abraham and Isaac.  I took Isaac to the very point of death to free Abraham from son-worship.  Both Abraham and Isaac suffered terribly because of the father's undisciplined emotions.  I detest idolatry, even in the form of parental love.
   When you release loved ones to Me, you are free to cling to My hand.  As you entrust others into My care, I am free to shower blessings on them.  My Presence will go with them wherever they go, and I will give them rest.  This same Presence stays with you, as you relax and place your trust in Me.  Watch to see what I will do."
Jesus Calling
August 23rd

UPDATE: When I picked the boys up today, I asked them how the day went.  Eli said, "Good!  It was fun!"  And then he remembered that he wasn't supposed to like school and quickly said, with a little smile, "Oh, I mean, it was boring."

Our Youngest

This child is so ridiculous sometimes, we all just sit around laughing at him.  And he loves it.  Getting people to laugh at him is exactly what he's going for.

While I never want to encourage my children to put their food on their head and smear peanut butter and jelly in their hair, when it's already been done numerous times before I realize it, taking pictures of my children's hidden talents is the only obvious response.

 "Are you watchin'?"

 Once he achieves his goal of full attention, he quickly tires of the fame.

"Mama, no!!"

 Notice the lips.  That's him saying, "No pituuuuuuurrr (picture)!"

My New Favorite Song Ever

This song makes me weep in a good way.