What Might Happen?

Well, my boys have a retreat coming up in a few weeks and its entitled "Unplugged".  I'm assuming that they are going to be focusing on how to get plugged into Jesus or something of that nature. As much as I would like to say that my children love reading and don't really like wasting their time on video games, DS systems or tablets...I would be lying. Don't get me wrong, a couple of my crew really do enjoy reading.

My husband and I try to keep an eye on how long they play any of their devices. Of course they can't touch their electronics until school is done, but lets be perfectly honest here...it is not easy keeping tabs...ALL the time. I work out of my home, and my children are left to their own devices (pun intended) while I'm giving guitar lessons. If they are on their electronics, I know my house is going to stay clean (and food will be left in the cupboard) - so sometimes its a fair trade.

This electronic generation is struggling to use their imaginations and their creativity. So, we tried an experiment (still ongoing by the way). Other than watching movies with us, they were going to stay away from their "plugged in" devices. No Wii, no tablets, no DS games, no computer, even no Kindle reading (find a book with pages that you actually have to turn).

Ok..so I'm sure someone is reading this and saying, well why didn't you unplug too? (Its ok, my children asked the same thing). We do almost all of our banking online, bill pay online, email is important and yes, even Facebook is useful when used correctly. Then there is the point that both my husband and I made to my kids...we don't have a problem getting all of our jobs done, spending time face to face, or playing and doing other things - ie. reading a book (we are both book nerds). It is different...there isn't the threat of addiction issues with us.  Of course, all of this is my opinion...but it is my blog..so...

My boys didn't give one fuss over the idea! In fact, they were excited. Let me tell what happened this past week:

• Monopoly, The Scrambled States Game, Puzzles and even Battleship were on the dining room table. In addition to that, during those times, much laughter and excitement sat around the table as well. (We are naturally a big board game family, but this week...WOW!)
• The basketball and football were in full use (even in the rain). Neighborhood boys came out of the woodwork. :)
• The 7 trillion LEGOS that my boys have collected over the past 6 years were ALL out. At one point my husband and I thought we were taking our life into our own hands if we dared attempted to help make the top bunk bed. I think they made up some games to go with the LEGOS. 
• Paper, colored pencils and drawing pads made their way to the table too.
• Pleasant, happy, non-distracted children played with each other (and with us) - every single day.

I have to say, this has been a great week. I'm so proud of my boys! NOT one complaint the entire time.

Realistically there are going to be times they have to use the computer. Minecraft and other games that they play (snowboarding on the Wii) even Facebook are fun and honestly if used correctly and tempered with a good mix of all the other things they rediscovered were TONS of fun...in my opinion and for MY children...its not so bad.

Not sure if we will keep this going for another week (Sunday will be 7 days). We did say we will take it one-week-at-a-time. (Before they are even aware a whole month may go by. tee hee!) I don't know. Maybe we will see how the rest of the weekend goes before making a decision. I know this...they have admitted that it has been fun and even said they would do it again. So..we'll see.

Have you had your children unplug recently? What happened?

Making Magical Memories

Great things come in small packages!

I think that the most vivid memories of Christmases past are usually not about the gifts that were received or even given, but of the spirit of love, the special warmth of Christmas worship, the cherished traditions of home and the results of just being Jesus to one another.

Yesterday was amazing. We were pretty sure that our boys wouldn't mind not opening too many gifts on Christmas. After all, we only ever do 3 gifts per child, but those gifts are treasured. This year we decided that we just wanted to focus on making memories. As our boys get older, they desire to spend time with friends (which is understandable and acceptable), but we know that before we know it, a girl just might steal their heart...and then our lives will change dramatically!

So my husband and I figured out a way that we could afford annual passes to Disney World this year. We were going to surprise them good! We had to wake them up at 5:30am...my youngest was VERY tired.

I had packed a Bible in each of these boxes (for weight). On top of that I laid their annual pass to Disney and then on top of that was a Disney World rain poncho!

You can tell by the looks on their faces...they were in total shock. It has been several years since we visited Disney World. We were going to Disney on Christmas Day! Last Christmas Mr. Incredible had to work...we waited around until he got home, then he had to go to bed shortly after that. This Christmas he had off! It just happened to be on his day off! That alone was a gift!

So, there wasn't a whole lot of unwrapping to do. As we arrived at Disney, we were very aware of those men and women having to work on Christmas day...and doing so with a smile. We thanked every Disney worker we could for giving their time. We wore our "We Are Family" shirts that our church had made for our Pastor's sermon series...on Family Values. We represented our new church (Family Worship Center was on the back of the shirt) as well as Jesus!

 It really is a very magical place! You can't help but smile!

Let the memory making year begin! We made sure we let others go before us in line if they were struggling to get there first. We moved back so smaller children could see things. We really tried to think of others today! That is what made the day so special. We knew we could keep going back to Disney and we had no problem showing people the love of Christ on His special day!

 It's a small world is one of my favorites. It never gets old!

Italy - my heritage!

You know, because he wants to be president someday!

We explored Tom Sawyer Island. That was fun...going over on the raft and then exploring trails, mines and crooked bridges! We even explored a hidden escape hatch!!

Exploring Tom Sawyer Island!

After Tom Sawyer Island, we went to our Fastpass destination...Space Mountain. This ride just about did me in. Maybe I'm getting to old, but my brain felt like it was jostling around just a little too much! So as the other boys and Dad went on Pirates of the Caribbean, Shane and I went to a show and got a great spot for the Christmas Parade!

Waiting for Mickey and friends to do their Christmas Celebration Show!

 Parades are my favorite! Especially at Christmas! The songs, the smiles, the snow!! Really you can't beat it!

 

We survived Disney on Christmas Day. It really wasn't as bad as everyone was telling us it would be. We ended in up in a restaurant off Disney grounds (not easy to find on Christmas day) and we blessed the socks of our waiter Gus. He was amazing, did everything with a smile, but would have much preferred being home with his family!

I love that my boys enjoy being with us! I love that they enjoy serving with us and we are in fact still their favorite people! They couldn't stop thanking us and hugging us and dreaming of what to do next! This will get them away from their electronic devices a bit, help them use their imagination, and keep us all active...as walking around Disney parks...is GREAT exercise!

Looking forward to spending some quality time with each other this coming year - building magical memories that will last a lifetime! It was a different Christmas...not a traditional one by any means...but it was quite magical to say the least!

Leaving a Beautiful Scent

The road trip! It started off as a plan to keep my children busy this summer since Dad was working nights. Then we got so excited during the planning process....even though Dad is working days...we HAD to go. People have called me crazy, insane, brave...really I'm none of the above, or maybe I'm all of the above, either way it is so rewarding to spend memory making time with my boys.

I'll show a few pictures to show what we've done so far. But really, the best part of this trip so far (and we're only on day 4 of 24) has been the conversations we've had with old friends and perfect strangers.

We all made shirts for our vacation. Yes, this means that we stood out a little, but it was fun to do and it really sparked interesting conversation - especially while riding the metro in DC. There was plenty of time to talk while I stood up holding on to a bar for dear life while others sat with their eyes closed after a long day. So here is what we were asked: "Have you been to all these places in the past 6 months?" No...we're just starting out...and doing it all in 3 weeks. :) "How is it you have time for this?" "You are still smiling even with traveling this far with 3 boys?" "What is Deb's Cakes anyway?" (That was my favorite, because it is my friend's business...and we'll be seeing her on our return trip.)  Well, I was able to advertise Deb's business and in fact one woman wanted my facebook to connect her with Deb's Cakes for her sister in North Carolina. How about that?!

These questions brought out such interesting and even some deep conversations. Comments from total strangers. One woman even asked the boys about their homeschooling experience. She said she knew there was something a little different about them, when she watched my two boys get up from their seat to allow a woman to sit. I didn't tell them to do it (but I have told them in the past). We teach them, they learn...sometimes. :) Someone else commented that she was a teacher and she had the wrong impression of homeschooling.  In fact she had been outspoken against it...but she said my passion and my children had her rethinking. We can't put everyone in a box and condemn it.

One person asked about my faith. She said she saw it on my face. (Don't ask...it makes no sense to me either)...she said that she watched my boys and I interact on the Metro and saw that we were truly joyful. Well that just blew me away. I was EXHAUSTED that day!

Before leaving for this trip I prayed that my boys would see people the way God sees people. He LOVES all...deeply. I want my boys to have a heart for people, to see beyond the exterior, to get past the lifestyle  or political differences and genuinely love people. That has been a big part of this trip so far.

Here are a few pictures from our trip...won't bore you to death with all of them:

Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville...such a great place..every boy would LOVE it!

What an incredible experience to share with 3 of my favorite people on the planet!

One of my favorite pictures...I feel strongly about teaching my children to respect our heroes and our history!

Of course we had to stop by and see Shane's future home.

See..he fits pretty good!

Taking time to grow a "stash"..while they're on vacation.

My old high school...walking down memory lane.

My teen years...spent in a neighborhood with author's names...hmmm?

My children doing the things that I did in elementary school.

Mama Rosa's Tomato Pie

Friends from the class of 1987

 Let me pause a moment right here. That tomato pie, brought back every wonderful memory of my childhood. So sad that food has a way of doing that isn't it!? Oh...I really feel bad for my Florida friends...I wish I could bring some back for them. There is nothing quite like it.

Now for the girls! I took the picture of the food and they were shocked that I didn't snap a picture of them first. They all wanted to be sure that I blogged about them. So...here it is! I left this amazing night feeling so loved. We're all so different; different political views, different faith views, and some of us share more memories than others, but..around that table tonight...I was proud to call these women my friends. So much talent, so much character, so much heart and passion...I'm humbled that they all took time from their schedule to share a meal. I was reminded today of how insignificant your high school years really are....once you are on the midlife side of things. However, I also realized how significant our relationships are. I'm thankful for facebook. For keeping us in touch with one another. We can be proud of each others children, we can rejoice with each others successes and we can relate to life experiences! After 26 years we sat at a table and caught up, laughed and now look forward to the next time we have Tomato Pie together.  Who knows...perhaps we'll be having grits and hushpuppies...or riding on a pontoon boat together. I love the way people leave an impression on your heart. Kind of like a fingerprint or a scent. One of the things that keeps resonating in my mind and heart is when I first got to the restaurant tonight, albeit fashionably late, they were all asking me..."When are you going to write that book?" "What it is all about?" They were genuinely excited and happy for my new endeavor as an author. I'm feeling very blessed right now...to have these ladies as friends...even after 26 years...each one has truly left a beautiful scent behind. 

I hope that my boys and I leave a beautiful scent behind! Next leg of the trip...takes us to Philadelphia, North Jersey then NYC. 

He Is Just Misunderstood

My precious boy..and the bird we rescued!

My emotions have been all over the place today. I know it is probably pre-menopause for the most part, but I have laughed hard today and even cried a little. I felt blah then amazing. I felt like a failure and then a winner. Crazy what one day can bring.

Kyle and his snickerdoodles!

My friend Allison has planned our Homeschool Christmas party for tomorrow..and one of the things she encouraged us to do is bake cookies together with our children (thank you for that Allison). I love to bake!! I love to bake with my boys. However, my sweet and precious Kyle has never shown an interest in baking. He would rather draw, play legos, make paper airplanes....700 of them. He is such a sweet and wonderful boy...it is over him that I wept today. Tonight as he mixed his ingredients..he was very awkward. I noticed, he didn't stand right...this is not his thing. I gave him the scoop to scoop out the dough and for the life of him he couldn't figure out how to squeeze it so the dough would drop off. I demonstrated it about 5 times...I watched him struggle...I got all choked up.  I told him, how much I loved baking with him tonight. I held his hands in mine and squeezed the scoop..and out plopped the ball of dough. He was so excited...like the first time he learned to use the water fountain. Everything to Kyle is....amazing!

Always so genuinely thankful - he loves nutcrackers!

Coming home from the park one day, Kyle's twin brother says to me..."Mom, I think that Kyle is just misunderstood by people. They don't understand his ways." OH that weighed heavy on my heart.

Toilet paper contest at Grapple!

 When he was very young, before he had words (he didn't speak on his own until he was 3 years old), when he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (Pervasive Developmental Disorder) PDD-NOS I wanted to wear a shirt that said...please don't mind him...he's on the spectrum.

What he does with his legos...He made Cruella DeVille and some dalmatians.

 I tossed and turned about how to explain him, if I should bother explaining him. How do I explain him? Well, he is precious beyond words. He is honest and good. He has an innocent heart, one that cares deeply for all things. He loves animals and art and adores nutcrackers. He genuinely cares about people. He loves God...and really really knows Jesus. He prays like nobody's business. He sees what nobody else notices! He cares about the details!

"Oh how embarrassing" His love/hate relationship with the Paparazzi!

He use to stand on his head in new situations. No, I'm serious, that is not a figure of speech. When Kyle was uncomfortable, for many years he wore a batman mask. Yes, even to sing in the children's choir. He did grow out of that and moved on to carrying a magna doodle with him...so he can draw...when he was uncomfortable. A few years back..the boy would stand on his head..it is quite impressive. He was warming up to different situations and people by showing his talent. Now he carries a composition notebook..it helps to keep him centered.

I just had to show the detail!

 He can be very "silly", seem immature, say things just a little differently. It is his way of making his world seem...safe..when he feels out of his comfort zone. He is funny and his is very polite. Many people, many children have said unkind things to him. I think Brendan is right...he is just misunderstood.

I love this boy, his heart, his face...every single thing about him!

So..tonight as I stood by him at the table, we talked. I told him how much I loved him. How special it was for me to have him join me in something I absolutely love to do. I told him that he has enriched my world so much. He looked at me...right in my eyes (he didn't do that when he was 3 years old)..with that gorgeous smile and said "Mom, I want to be wherever you are...always. You know, you are beautiful Mom...and I love you!" I hugged him...he in his green apron, me in mine! You know what I don't care if you don't understand my Kyle. I don't care if he annoys you with his "oddness". This boy shows me Jesus...every single day! I sit here right now..with tears..running down my face..because I'm the one that is blessed. He belongs to me. Yes, he has challenges. He doesn't know everything a boy his age should know. I don't care. He knows how to love...how to treat people with respect...how to touch your heart. He's mine...misunderstood or not...his brothers, his Dad and I understand.

Thank you Lord for giving Kyle to us. May we do right by you Jesus in the way we continue to raise this boy. May you fashion him and perfect him to do whatever it is you have planned for him. May he continue to have your heart Lord...and shine Jesus wherever he goes!

Refections of Our Adventure - Road Trip Day 2

Well, I'm not exactly sure what happened, I changed photo platforms...so now I'm able to put photos back into my blog. We'll see how long this lasts. Back to our fall adventure! Day two of our travels woke us up bright and early. We wanted to see the sunrise, we wanted to have our free breakfast, we also wanted to explore a little bit...so we had no problem getting up and out. However, we did hit a few snags...like when we thought Brendan had been abducted.

I was so proud of myself, I was so organized. Got all the kids up and dressed and out to our free amazing breakfast. Typically, I like to make the beds again in the hotel room, but I didn't this time. (I'm still kicking myself for not doing this. My favorite Mickey Mouse pajama top is somewhere in North Carolina - so sad). We had a wonderful filling hot breakfast. Shane was elated...it was buffet style...that boy can EAT! Brendan wanted to go back to our room (which was a little bit of a hike up a hill to our building) so he could wash up and use the bathroom before we left. I was a bit hesitant, but he is so responsible and the other boys were still eating. I didn't want to make him wait or leave the other two...so I said..fine. Gave him my ONLY key card and sent him on his way. After about 15 minutes or more, the boys and I decided to walk back to our room to see what Brendan was doing. We half expected to see him on his way back or totally watching cartoons on TV. When we got to the door and looked into the window..no one was there. So we did what any rational people would do...banged on the door and yelled for him. (It was a small room...2 beds and a bathroom). No one answered. No movement..no nothing. Crazy how fast your brain goes to all of those criminal shows that you watch, you know, the FBI shows...where children are always kidnapped in old country towns...like the ones in Asheville, NC. The other two boys and I ran back down the hill to the main building..thinking maybe we missed him. Then we ran up. Every man walking now look like a child abductor. We stopped running, caught our breath and we prayed. I'm serious, we were scared! We went back to that room 2 more times and ran down the hill 2 more times and then we saw Brendan running down as we were running back up. We all screamed...BRENDAN!!!! Where were you. I hugged him...like I just rescued him from the snare of some wild beast. "Mom, I really had to go to the bathroom...sorry it took so long!" Traveling 101...remember that it can reek havoc on your digestive system. We're ready to hit the road now!!

This was so fun. I kept finding Kodak moments. I remember posting this picture on facebook and a friend of mine said..."Where were their coats?" If she only knew...they had no shoes on either. It was one of those shots where I just really wanted it on the side of some big crazy road...made everyone hurry to get out and get a shot! They were such great sports!!

Then I had this other wild idea. I was going to find the entrance to The Great Smokey Mountains National Park. So I took a little side trail. (oops) I didn't understand that for most of this journey, we were traveling through the Smokies...we were in the green area on the Garmin. So, I added about a half hour to my trip...because I kept driving and driving and seeing signs, but no "entrances".

However, it did give us some amazing things for our eyes to behold. Such incredible beauty, and some scary places too. So many hills and mountains, my poor little car.

 Finally we made it to Tennessee! Such a fun little welcome center. Lots of great photo opportunities!

OK..here is where I totally went up on the "BEST MOM EVER" rank. My boys had so much fun rolling down the hills. "Mom come on - its so much fun!!" OK..I did it! I was a little nervous that I would roll right into a pile of doggie doo, but NOPE. I think I kicked Kyle in the head, I felt a little nausea, but it was SO much fun! We laughed and laughed and high-fived each other! Such a great time! We could have done this for hours!

However, we knew we wanted to make it to Cumberland Gap. We had done our research and we were excited to step foot on the same ground as Daniel Boone, Abraham Lincoln's father, and countless others that had found their way west.

For early settlers and pioneers the Cumberland Gap was a gateway that led through the southern Appalachian Mountains into the great wilderness of Kentucky. They mostly traveled on foot, coming from as far away as Pennsylvania. Although many of these early travelers had different dreams and expectations heading west into Kentucky, they were all in search of land and a new start. They often traveled in groups for safety and had an insatiable drive to penetrate the great wilderness. Everyday was a struggle to survive as they lived off of the bounty of the land. Such incredible history here. We could have spent days just exploring..and we will go back!

It was a very VERY VERY steep drive up to the top of the pinnacle. I mean I at one point thought my car might go in reverse even though I was in drive. I was having to turn my steering wheel all the way left and all the way right. Very intense! However, we did see some absolutely amazing things on our way up.

When we did finally reach the top, we passed the part where we could see the boundaries of the three states. Brendan really wanted to be able to step in Virgina, Tennessee and Kentucky..all at the same time. I told him we would stop back at this point on our way back down.

It was FREEZING up here...and very VERY foggy. Well, we thought it was foggy. Loved knowing that we might see bears. No really, we had already planned how we would get out of that...we watched Man Vs. Wild before we left. I think we were confident that we could even eat the bear! lol!

So pretty. However, we did get out to the look out point of the very top of the mountain and we were so sad. All of this traveling, and we couldn't see a thing. The fog was so dense. So we just looked over at the fog and tried to imagine what it might look like.

As we stood there, Brendan seemed so disappointed. I mean I was too, but this boy just needed to see it.

Then right before our eyes we watched this fog just gently move with a gentle breeze. Suddenly we could see everything crystal clear! We were in shock. Brendan looked out at the gap and looked over at me and said..."Mom, it was like the Lord moved that cloud, just for us! I believe it did it just for us!!" My precious boy who had just told his Dad a few weeks earlier that he was wondering why God shows up for Mom all the time, speaks to Mom all the time, but never him. He has seen God's hand move in mighty ways for our family. No doubt about it. However, he has prayed, he has read the Word and he has struggled to see God move in his own personal life, answer his own personal prayers.

When his eyes could see the massive gap, the incredible colors and all of that wonder...he knew that only God could have done that, could have created that. Only God gets that Glory! I kid you not, this moment, changed my boy. Brendan was convinced that "every good and perfect gift comes from the Father!" and it was indeed personal to him. God has showed up for him.

Kyle just loved every bit of it too! We all did!

This will be a photograph that will be forever etched in my heart! Brendan taking it all in. Yes, we were in the clouds, we were up that high, so if you wait long enough, the wind will blow the clouds away, but WE give HIM all the Glory! I know my words are not doing that moment justice, because as I recall it, and type it, there are tears streaming down my face. We were at The Pinnacle and this was a pinnacle moment of my trip.

We stayed up here for quite awhile. Another one of my happy moments was when Kyle and Shane discovered that they can pick of leaves, throw them over the rail and they would be blown right behind them again. OH they laughed and did it over and over again! So much fun!

The laughter would soon be done. Climbed back down to the parking area only to find the scene in the picture below.

That would be all of my oil that had leaked out of my oil pump. My little engine that could. We carefully and prayerfully made it all the way back down to the park and continued to wait and see. I called Karen, Lorrie and Mike to see what I should do. So I got a park ranger to take a look to make sure it really was oil, then I filled up my tank with oil and bought some more for the trip to Karen's house.

This leg of the trip got me a little worried that I might be lost. Don't get me wrong, it was absolutely breathtaking, but it was also painstakingly slow. I thought for sure Madame Garmin was wrong. NOPE...she was totally right and taking me the scenic route! So worth every single second.

Just look at that beauty! Then finally, I had been to this house before...home sweet home!

This would be my view for the next 7 days! So incredible!

We still have several more days to document. I think I will document experiences instead of days now. Stay tuned for Karen and Anna's home, Asbury Theological Seminary, Shaker Village, Raven Run, High Bridge, The Kentucky River, Civil War Corn Maze, Lincoln's Birthplace and Boy hood home, Mammoth Cave, Alabama, Horseback riding, and Providence Canyon. Whew...I do hope my blog holds up!