Soccer..so fun!

Michael and Caleb had their first soccer game today--so fun! Okay, so they are definately not olympians-yet. This was evident when they were completely confused by having another team on the field. And by Michael running down the field with his hands in his pocket. Or a hand, since Caleb was holding his other hand. By the fourth period (is that the right terminology for soccer? I'm new.) Michael had figured out that he CAN take charge and kick the ball to his goal. Which is also the point when Evan decided he was on the team too and took off chasing Michael and the soccer ball. Lets just say there were some tears. But over all--so fun!

Kids really do say the darndest things!

So last night we were enjoying a delicious meal with some of our friends, Fred and Mary. The boys were having a great time playing outside with their daughter Melissa and her good friend Monique. Suddenly Michael came running into the house, laughing and wanting to tell me what was happening.

Apparently, Melissa did something that made them all laugh and she snorted when she was laughing, which sent them all into hysterics. What Michael told me though, was that Melissa was so funny, she was making him "crap out". I must admit, this confused me so I asked him to repeat him self.

"I was crapping out, mom" he says again.

Okay, so now I'm confused, so I asked him if he accidently pooped in his pants. Nope, not the case. So I take him into the bathroom and ask him to repeat the whole story again. Which he does, including how Melissa had him "crapping out". Suddenly, it dawns on me.

"Michael," I ask, "Do you mean you were cracking up?" Yep, that's what he meant. Sheesh.

And here is Caleb's spotlight moment last night. As we adults were sitting around the table enjoying eachother's company, Caleb suddenly ran into the house, wanting to sit on Jeff's lap. The next thing we know, he starts laughing and announces, "I farted on you dad!" After which he got off of Jeff's lap and returned to his playtime.

I am so glad Fed and Mary are not the type of people we have to be prim and proper with!

The Camp Out

Smoke fills the air. There are shouts of "I farted!" followed by other declarations and shrieks of laughter. Everywhere I turn I am surrounded by testosterone. Testosterone of little boys ages 5 and under.

It was so simple. I was just giving a mom a break, and hopefully a night out with her husband. Her two boys and my three boys, no problem. Just for fun we'll pitch a pup tent and pretend to camp. 10 boys and a multi-dome tent later in the front yard....

Actually, it was great fun. We all had a blast. We roasted hot dogs. We made s'mores. Andrew and Jesse came to help me out, and all the little boys loved it. The boys went home smelling of smoke and sweat. They were dirty and sticky. And it only went from 6pm -9pm. It was great!



The little "campers" with Andrew and Jesse, the "Camp Counselers"












Caleb loves Andrew!

August Mom of the Month

My pick for August's Mom of the Month is Esther Bautista. She is incredible! She has 3 children: Dana, Seth, and Bethany. Bethany is her special needs childe. I love to watch Esther with Bethany. She is so patient, loving and giving. I recently came across something Erma Bombeck had written about the mother of a special needs child, which I believe is a reflection of Esther.

The Special Mother
by Erma Bombeck

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social
pressures and a couple by habit.

This year nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children.Did you ever wonder how mothers of handicapped children are chosen?

Somehow I visualize God hovering over earth selecting his instruments for
propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs
His angels to make notes in a giant ledger.

"Armstrong, Beth; son. Patron saint...give her Gerard. He's used to
profanity."

"Forrest, Marjorie; daughter. Patron saint, Cecelia."

"Rutledge, Carrie; twins. Patron saint, Matthew."

Finally He passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a handicapped
child."

The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy."

"Exactly," smiles God, "Could I give a handicapped child to a mother who
does not know laughter? That would be cruel."

"But has she patience?" asks the angel.

"I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of
self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she'll
handle it."

"I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that
is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to
give her has her own world. She has to make her live in her world and
that's not going to be easy."

"But, Lord, I don't think she even believes in you."

God smiles, "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect - she has just enough selfishness."

The angel gasps - "selfishness? is that a virtue?"

God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally,
she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child
less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied.
She will never take for granted a 'spoken word'". She will consider a
step" ordinary. When her child says 'Momma' for the first time, she will
be present at a miracle, and will know it!"

"I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty,
prejudice....and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone.
I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she
is doing My work as surely as if she is here by My side".

"And what about her Patron saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in
mid-air.

God smiles, "A mirror will suffice."