Boys Letters

I sometimes post letters here that I write to the boys. I pray that one day, the letters will be some of their deeply cherished items. I try to do 1-2 letters a year and always after a birthday.

I wanted to encourage other mom's and dad's to do the same thing. Sometimes, I go ahead and read them to each boy and they just light up. I know it makes them feel special to have an entire "story" about them.

I'm pretty certain that most people won't find this post very interesting, but I like to have some of these recorded here and it also is a chance to read some of our funny and intimate times together.

                                June 10, 2014

My sweet Dane,

You are 6 years old. You counted down to your birthday for months it seemed and eagerly awaited officially being 6. I loved your excitement. I love you.

You are such a joy to me; such a gift. About a week before you turned 6, on May 25, you asked Jesus in your heart. If you ever read over these letters I’ve written to you through the years or read my prayer journals, you will soon find out that was my heart’s desire and my earnest prayer for you since you were conceived. I longed to see you accept Jesus as your personal Savior and what an honor it was to pray with you as you asked Him to be Lord of your life. That is a day, a moment, I will never forget. My prayer is that as you grow through the years, your love for Him deepens. I pray that you have a true relationship with Him, worship only Him, fear Him, and serve Him. He is all that matters in this life. He loves you so very much, Dane and He has a very special plan for your life.

You continue to be a bike-riding-maniac. You are always out in the driveway cruising around. You have dirt hills in the backyard now that you “jump”. We went over to the dump and there is a walking track around it. While I walked next to Webb, you rode around the entire thing by yourself and lapped us probably 4x. So many little boys your age and older can’t ride without training wheels and you are just a pro.

We are officially starting Kindergarten this year and you are so excited to begin the Classical Conversations class. I am excited about that too and all that you will be learning through this program. You seem to just learn so rapidly and we have started reading lessons. I waited until you seemed interested and ready to begin and that was clearly a key. You love to learn and it is so exciting as your mom to see you “get it” and love it at the same time. I hope you always enjoy reading.

Some funny things about you: your phrase is, “I got this” and you generally do! You are so independent and so helpful. You started taking your own showers when you turned 6 and last night you washed Webb for us too while we cooked. You sweep the floors, vacuum, fold clothes, put yours away, and so much more! I am so thankful for all your help. Always remember that helping out is important and be willing to give a helping hand to everyone you meet.

You have been asking for twin sisters. I’m telling you, if that really happens your daddy is likely to kill you. LOL. You remain adamant though that that is what you want and I find it so cute! I just love that you want 2 sisters so badly. Secretly, I’m with you on this one!

We went fishing with Daddy and Papa and daddy taught you how to bait your own hook. Next thing we know, we look over and you are fishing on your own and baiting your own hook. Yes, clearly, “you have this”.

I’m pretty sure your love language is physical touch which is also strange because at the same time, you hate it. LOL. You always want love and snuggles (on your terms), but you stick a pillow between you and Webb at bedtime! One day you told me I never tell you, “I love you” and I said, “Dane, I say that all day!” and you said, “But you don’t hug me all day.” That day crushed me because I felt I must not hug and physically touch you enough and you must not be feeling loved. It could be a close tie between quality time too because you also LOVE that. I look forward to seeing more and more of your personality as you grow and learning you better. Just know, I do love you. SOOOOO much!

One funny story too: you got mad at me recently and said, “I wish you were a worm so I could smash you and you’d be dead”. Yes, it was ugly and yes I had to go in another room to laugh. Where you came up with that is beyond me, but it cracked me up!

I love you so much sweet, Dane! It is truly an honor and privilege to raise you and be your mom. I do not take the responsibility lightly and just know I’m always trying my best. You are a handful and sometimes you leave me at my whits end. At the same time, you teach me daily and force me to constantly better myself, stay at the foot of the cross, and practice virtues I haven’t yet learned myself. You were so good for me when I had you 6 years ago. God truly used you to change my life and He continues to do that to make me into the woman I am supposed to be.

Never think you are an accident. God planned you and He knew you would be before the foundations of this world. You are fearfully and wonderfully made in God’s image and for a purpose. I look forward to seeing what all that entails as you grow. I shore do love you, Dane (you whispered that in my ear one morning long ago while you thought I was still sleeping).

Love always!

Mommy

September 20, 2014

My precious Webb,

You are four years old now. FOUR!! My baby isn’t a baby anymore and that makes me feel sad inside. You are so much fun. We spend most of our time being humored by you and I just love the laughter and joy you bring to our family Webb. You are super loving and tenderhearted and I adore seeing those character traits come out in you. Never forget that real men show their emotions. It is ok to be moved with compassion.

Your curly hair turns so many heads. Random people walk by and refer to you as “Curly”. You scrunch up your face and snarl your nose in their direction. Oh, sweet boy! How I long to see you appreciate those curls the Lord blessed you with. You get upset that Dane has an angel kiss on his shoulder and you don’t. I tried telling you that your curls were where the angels all took turns kissing you before you came to earth. I just knew you would love them then. NOPE! You told me, “Well dem should hab tissed my sho-dair wike dey did Dane.” You told me that when you turned four, “I not hab dees turls anymoe.” Thankfully, you were wrong about that one. One day your Great-Gran was leaving and she said, “Bye, Curly!” Without missing a beat you said, “Bye you Old Butt-hole!” It was totally inappropriate and you had better just thank-your-lucky-stars she laughed, but so did I. It still makes me laugh.

That is what you love to do. Make us laugh.

You are a bike riding crazy man! You have been able to ride with no training wheels since you turned 3. You didn’t always feel confident on there, so you didn’t officially ride full-time with no training wheels until about 6 months before you turned 4. You do “bike stunts” where you ride with one hand and other shenanigans. Your brother had this bike ramp set up and you would ride as hard as you could up it and then stop at the top. We laughed ourselves silly watching you fall face first, bike and all, off the top of that to the ground. You would just pick your bike up and go again. Tough guy!!

You are tough, but oh so tender! You will randomly walk up and hug me and say, “I ludge you, momma.” Sweet angel, I ludge you too. More than you could ever know. You are my ray of sunshine and you bring out the soft side in all of us. I watch your daddy just melt with you. You are quick to forgive and quick to obey. Getting in trouble really bothers you and you aim to please. You haven’t required many spankings. Although, you are a total MESS!

I was sick recently, on your actual birthday. You were so wild that day. I found you butt-naked in your bathroom sink. Water was EVERYWHERE as was soap. I walked in and you were laughing so hard you couldn’t breathe. I said, “What are you doing?” You said, “Washing my nuts. Now you not hab to!!” Oh boy. You are just too much some days. That same day, you nursed me back to health. You would wake me up with my water and a straw to my lips. You would rub my face and move hair off it and bring me the thermometer to take my temp. You reminded me to apply oils and take my Silver. My tender boy.

A few months back I was making a slideshow for Granddaddy’s 60^th birthday. While watching old pictures from when I was little flash up, you looked up at me with big tears in your eyes and said, “Mommy, I feen-ch dis is doe-ing to make to try.”

We just love the way you talk!!!! So do so many other people. I need to do a better job of recording your sweet accent and syllables. I know I will miss it when you talk plain. You asked me awhile back, “Mommy, what wed-air do Den-Daddy (Granddaddy) tart width?” I said, “G” and you said, “What do G sound why-ch?” I told you, “ggg” and you said, “Rah Rah, Den Daddy.” I couldn’t hold in my laughs. You are so cute.

For awhile you would make lists in your mind and “check” it off out loud. “Dot hour bye-ch, chech, hemets, chech, and wad-air, chech. We weady to doe on hour bye-che wide.” (you add that “ch” sound to so many words, or “dge”. Truck is tru-ch, dog is dodge, bike is bye-ch, water is wad-air, this is thi-ch”.)

These three years have been FUN. I look forward to continuing to watch you grow and thrive.

God sent you to us as a surprise. I still remember my shock when I saw the positive pregnancy test. Nothing could have prepared me for loving 2 children. I didn’t think it would be possible to love another child as deeply as I did your brother. How amazing that God created our hearts to hold endless amounts of love. I love you with the same intense, unconditional love that I love Dane. You are not an accident. You forced my heart to grow in order to hold that kind of love. You have made me into a better person and mom. Webb, you force me to the foot of the cross each day and to become the best possible me. You have stretched me in ways I never thought possible and you have challenged me to live what I say. I am so thankful that God trusted us enough to raise you. You are ultimately His. He has loaned you to us and I am eternally grateful. I do not take the responsibility lightly. My prayer is that you seek Him and that you find Him. He longs to have a relationship with you and to see you surrender your life to Him. God has a big plan for you and I am so excited to see what that is. Always look to Jesus. He is the answer. Life can be crazy, hard, and heartbreaking. Run to your Abba, Father. And know your mommy is praying for you continuously. I am always here for you.

I love you, sweet boy.

Mommy

A Year's Perspective

As I was writing in my prayer journal this morning, it occurred to me that a year has passed since my life kinda went to the crapper.

It actually passed by 2 days ago and I didn't even realize it.

That, the fact that it passed by without my knowledge, is such a picture of God's goodness and faithfulness in my life.

For close to a year, my life was depressing, lonely, cold, disappointing, hard, cruel, and angry.

I don't have to tell you any of the details of what made it that way.

I'm sure most of you guys have experienced a time and trials that left you feeling the same way.

My situation may have different or similar to yours, who knows. Not you or me.

One thing I know, the same God was with us. You and me.

For months and months I knew I was to count it all joy when I was faced with hardships.

James 1:2-3King James Version (KJV)

² My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
³ Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

But let me tell you something, repeating that over and over in your head and actually meaning it are 2 different things. 

I tried crying out to God, literally crying, "Thank you, Lord for this!" but it was said in more of a sarcastic/angry tone than what I would call thankfulness.

I tried crying out to God, "Make me thankful for this!"

But more often than not, my hearts cry was, "Lord, why me?! Take this from me!! Please! Get me out of this! I can't take anymore!"

I am crying tears this morning while typing this because for the first time I can truly say, "Thank You, Lord for this year!" and I mean every single word.

He has been so good and so faithful to me.

I can see His hand so clearly and I am in awe that He would allow me to experience such a year of heartache just to show me His love, His goodness, His faithfulness to ME.

To Me.

He has planted people in my path who LOVE me and pray for me.

He has given sermons that I need at just the right moment that literally transform my thinking.

He has given me Scripture that once meant nothing and now mean everything.

He has given me songs that minister to my heart and soul. Songs I meditate on and write out in my prayer journal when I don't have the words to say.

He has given me grace for each and every day. 

He has absolutely matured me and shown me things He didn't have to show me.

I can say, I am not today who I was a year ago and for that, "Thank You, Lord". 

It really is amazing what a year can do. A year when I wanted to turn my back on God, but no matter how much I wanted to, I couldn't for one minute live without Him. He was my only constant. I learned this past year just how much I NEED my Abba Father.

I know I need the Lord every single day. I need him like I need air. I cannot do it without Him. I now depend on Him for it all and I never have done that before.

I guess the point of this is to encourage you!

If you are in the pits of hell and everything that you thought was is no more, don't give up. Don't turn from your God. Even when you don't feel like it, go through the motions of prayer, Bible reading, church, Bible study, singing praise and worship songs..... I promise you, I PROMISE you if you stay the course, you will get through this time and you will grow and change in ways you never dreamed. God is using this terrible time to work in you and change you, even if you don't think you need changing... HE does. When He is finished, you will agree, you needed it too!

And one day.... one day maybe far away, you will say, "Lord, it was worth it all."



 

Another Case of Strep Fought and Won

I posted just recently that Dane had had strep and we had cleared it up with colloidal silver and rest. I was really wanting Essential Oils when he got sick, but didn't have any yet.

Well, I got mine on Thursday and wouldn't you know, that very same afternoon when I picked the boys up from my mom's, Webb was burning up. He had just woken up from a nap and we thought that was the reason for lethargy. He had a fever of 102.7.

I felt so very prepared because I had un-expired colloidal silver at home AND now my Young Living Oils.

He was complaining of a headache and Dane had recently had strep. I assumed strep for both those reasons. When I was little and had strep, my only symptom was a headache.

Webb wanted daddy to inspect him and daddy checked his throat. He had very swollen and red tonsils.

I started giving him Silver Shield and Echinacea immediately and continued to every hour. I also applied Thieves to the bottom of his feet, Lavender to his chest (didn't know then it would help with fever), and Peppermint to his forehead to help with headache.

I also diffused Thieves with the diffuser I got with the oils.

If you google what Thieves is good for, you can find 101 uses. No, really. A website that lists 101.

Here is the first 30 it lists:

1. Dilute with V-6™ Enhanced Vegetable Oil Complex and apply to cuts or open wounds to prevent infection and promote healing.
2. Mix with a tablespoon of water, gargle and swallow for a sore throat.
3. Apply undiluted directly to the skin of your upper chest and throat for bronchitis.
4. Place a drop on your thumb and apply to the roof of your mouth for a headache.
5. Put 10-12 drops in a size 00 capsule undiluted and swallow daily for longevity.
6. For acne, take internally and apply to the skin diluted with Young Living’s V-6™ carrier oil.
7. Put directly on the soles of your feet to protect you from colds and flu.
8. Breathe in the vapors when you have lung congestion.
9. Use to clean pet cages, creating a healthier environment for them.
10. Add to your dishwasher for cleaner dishes.
11. Add to your laundry cycle for cleaner clothes.
12. Add to your mop water for cleaner floors.
13. Mix with water to make a spray to repel insects on your flowers and plants.
14. Use to dissolve the gummy adhesive on price labels.
15. Apply to bee and wasp stings to neutralize the toxin and relieve the pain.
16. Apply to gums to prevent and treat gum disease.
17. Apply orally to maintain healthy teeth and reduce cavities.
18. Apply to gums and teeth for pain relief from toothaches.
19. Diffuse in homes or business to solve mold problems.
20. Add to orange juice and drink to reduce phlegm and congestion.
21. Apply to broken bones or joints for pain relief and to hasten healing.
22. Put a drop in your cup of tea for flavor and to maintain health.
23. Put on the tip of your tongue to help you stop smoking.
24. Put on cold sores and canker sores to make them disappear.
25. For warts, apply topically, inhale and ingest in capsules to make them disappear.
26. Rub on sore joints to relieve arthritis pain.
27. Drink a few drops in water or juice every three hours to stop a cold.
28. Place a drop on the tongue and a drop in a glass of water every day for herpes.
29. Rub on the bottoms of children’s feet for protection before school every day.
30. Diffuse in the house as your children come home from school every day to kill airborne bacteria.

It is pretty amazing stuff!

You can also Google and find out all the amazing things Lavender is good for and Peppermint.

I'm trying Lavender out today as deodorant as I have heard numerous testimonials to this working.

My first experience with using Thieves was when Webb had had a rash on his bottom a few months ago. He had red dots on it for a least a month before he started complaining that it bothered him. Once he started complaining about it, it progressively got much worse. I tried EVERYTHING. Every single homemade remedy I heard about, every holistic treatment I googled, and even resorted to buying anti fungal cream. Absolutely nothing worked. I was about ready to cave and just take him to the dr for an antibiotic because it was irritating him. As a last resort, I posted on FB asking for help.

Someone asked me if I had tried Essential Oils on him. I was clueless to what they meant and how they could help him. I didn't even know what they were. She knew someone who possibly had some samples to help him.

I got a sample of Thieves and when I'm telling you the rash was gone in 48 hours, I'm not kidding. He had had this thing for at least 6 weeks and after 2 days of applying Thieves to the bottom of his feet and his bottom (with a carrier oil of coconut oil) it was GONE!

I have been a believer since. It just took me longer to get my hands on a kit.

With Dane's strep infection, it was gone in 48 hours. He was still lethargic and whatnot for another 24 hours.

Webb was 100% back to his normal self Friday morning. I continued doing everything I had done the evening before. He only had a fever around 3pm of 99 and I just applied more Lavender (as well as everything else).  I checked his throat then too. Significantly less red in color, more of normal pink and not swollen at all.

I couldn't believe it!

The only difference in either treatment was the oils.

I was so thankful they worked faster because I sort of have a hot date with my hubby tonight ;-) and because it's hard to see your kiddos not feel well.

Essential oils pretty much can be used to treat anything your family faces- anxiety, headaches, hyperactivity, teeth coming in for babies, RASHES (lol), acne, strep, ear infections,  you name it. I bought the Premium Starter Kit.

Young living sales tons of individual oils as well as a few kits. The oils can be used internally or externally. Some need to be put in a capsule for internal use. They are derived from the plant extract and are super concentrated, way less than you would get with herbs. I watched an online webinar explaining them. The lady explained that they are fat soluble and able to penetrate the cell wall and affect the virus inside the cell. They can also get through the blood-brain barrier. The pores on your feet are the largest pores on your body, so you can add oils there to get into your blood stream the quickest, in 30 sec. They can be used aromatically- and trigger emotional responses. The scent enters your body through cilia and goes directly to your limbic system in the brain. It also cleanses the air. They can be used topically- great and safe for kids and offer immune support. They can be used internally-put in capsules, use in cooking or add lemon oil to your water (tried that and super yummy!). They can also be used for household things like disinfectant, removing gum, grease, and permanent marker, polishing furniture, sanitizing bathroom, or added to your dishwasher to help fight the grime.

I am in LOVE with these oils and already have a running list of individual oils I'm wanting to order.

I am signed up as a distributor so if you are interested in ordering any, let me know!

I plan to keep up the testimonials as we use them and see them work. So, if you are interested, stay tuned!

Webb this morning before running errands with daddy... completely better. Dressed himself in everything too big too.

FIrst Day of Classical Conversations

Wow!

I knew I was going to to be awesome, I just didn't realize how awesome.

We really enjoyed our first day and now we are even more excited for what this year holds.

Dane was super excited about "school" today. He got up and picked out a special outfit first thing. He got his backpack and was dressed and ready to go when I got out of the shower.

Once we got there, we waited in the main room for everyone to get there. The kids were all excited to be back and the moms were enjoying catching up.

There were some announcements and pledges to the flag and Bible and then a family stood up to give a presentation. Each week, a different family will introduce themselves and present something-- whether vacation memories, family hobbies, unique interests, etc. It allows us to put faces with names and get to know one another better.

After that, we were dismissed to classes.

Webb and I get to stay with Dane. There is technically a 4 year old class I could have paid for, but I didn't really think he was ready. I am able to keep him with me as I sit in Dane's class. He thinks he is hot stuff and he is learning right along with big kids. The mom's have to stay and pick one of their child's classes to sit in on. I LOVE that because then I learn with Dane and also see how he is behaving.

Today, the class gave their own mini-presentations, which will be weekly (kind of like show and tell). No child gets to say they don't want to and I love that too! Dane's teacher is amazing and great with the kids, stern, yet fun. It is required they get up each week and follow the presentation guidelines which are things like: speak loudly and clearly, don't talk forever, look at people when you speak, not the ground, have good posture, etc. It creates a familiarity and confidence with public speaking and I am thankful for that. Dane did not want to do it, so I was really glad he didn't have a choice. I know this will be so good for him.

These are the following facts they practiced/learned.

All are learned with a song and hand motions and repeated numerously with fun activities thrown in too.

History
Acts and Facts Timeline:
Age of Ancient Empires, Creation and the Fall, The Flood and the Tower  of Babel, Mesopotamia and Sumer, Egyptians, Indus River Valley Civilization, and Minoans and Mycenaeans. 

History Sentence:
Tell me about Columbus.
In 1492, Columbus made the first of four trips to the Caribbean on three Spanish ships named the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria.

Geography
States and Capitals:
Augusta, ME
Concord, NH
Boston, MA
Providence, RI
Hartford, CT

English
An INFINITIVE is "to" plus a verb, used as a noun, adjective, or adverb.

Latin
Prepositions
in            in
apud       with
per         through  
sine        without

Math
They counted by 1s and 2s

Science
What are four types of tissue?
Connective, Epithelial, Muscle, and Nerve

They also learned the scientific method and did an experiment using that method.

He had art where he learned about drawing basic shapes.

They have snack time each week too.

Overall, our day was great!

I treated the boys to Chick-fil-a. We went and got a few last minute school supplies and copied a big map for us so Dane can trace the United States daily and just slowly become familiar with it.

I usually TRY to get up by 5:30am so I can get my time with the Lord in and have some alone time each day (I aim for an hour of alone time).

Yesterday, I got up around 5:50am and Dane was up at 6:10am and today I got up at 5:45am and spent a little time with the Lord and then had to start on breakfast for Brent. While I was cooking, Webb got up! LOL. They are supposed to sleep late! That is the beauty of being schooled at home. Not my boys.

So this afternoon, after a new school day, lots of errands run, and a fun evening planned, I'm just letting the boys relax in front of the TV. Actually, Webb is asleep! I guess I should go wake him up. Then, I plan to get the house all in order so tomorrow (my birthday!!!) I can relax... to some extent.