Boone tells Bible stories...Hudson corrects.

I absolutely love that my boys all share a room...right now. Most days it's a lot of fighting naps or one another, but some days we get these sweet bonding moments. Rebellious giggles knowing I've asked them to be quiet, or sneaking into each other's beds, making forts etc.

Right now I'm eves dropping on them in their beds as Boone (5) is telling his brothers the story of David and Goliath. Hudson (3) keeps interrupting with corrections: "No! He swinged the slingshot around and around like THIS! And then he CHOPPED his head off like this!" 

Boone just concluded with an impressively improvised song about a sling shot.  Hudson: "Wait, did Goliath get a big bleed on his forehead?" 

Johnny went in to read it directly from the Bible. Boone: "Oh! Goliath had a spear? Was it like Loki's stick?"

 I love my boys.

Happy 7th Birthday, Lincoln!

Lincoln!

Today you turn seven. SEVEN! That is so close to ten! When did this happen? I'm not ready for this! What a year it's been. 

Some highlights of six:

- You learned to ride a bike! Like, first try without training wheels, you took off! I'll tell you a little secret. Daddy turned to me with tears in his eyes and said "I'm just so proud of that kid! He picked it up so quickly!"

- You learned to read! I love hearing you sound out words without my help. 

- You lost your first tooth! Two teeth in fact. 

- We got a trampoline and you've mastered flips!

- You grew like three inches. Maybe more! Hardly gained any weight tho! Skinny man.

- You can't get enough LEGO...anything.

Those are just a few changes that come to mind. Some things haven't changed all that much, to my delight. You still love to snuggle, you kiss me goodbye in front of your friends at school, you like to dance with me and hold my hand. Your favorite foods are still spaghetti and cliff bars. 

Your most recognizable love language remains quality time. I enjoy our dates more than you know, and I apologize that they don't happen as often as we'd like.

Your dad and I could not be prouder of the young man you are becoming. Your awesome groove, you're attention to detail, and your goofy humor pail in comparison to your love for people. You are kind and generous. My heart swells when I watch you play with Dixie. You are gentle and she adores you. When you pick her up and she goes limp in her big brothers arms? It's her happy place. (Oh...You're still praying for another baby sister. Good luck on that one.)

Nothing makes me prouder than to be your mom. You bring vibrance and excitement to my days.

Lincoln, our first born son, Daddy and I pray for you every day. For your health, for wisdom, for a heart that loves Jesus. We pray for the girl you will eventually share your life with. We ask the Lord to guide your steps clearly, and we hope you always seek His will before your own.

Isaiah 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it."

I am so lucky to be your mom. Let's see what your seventh year brings!

Love you, Lincoln Log.

Mommy 

Dinovember

I wish I could say this is an original idea, but alas, there are no more original ideas these days. It is, however an 11 month anticipation of magic and awe. 

My kids don't believe in Santa. We don't do the "Elf on a shelf" thing. Our goal in December, is to keep our focus on Jesus' birth and the celebration that comes from his life. 

Last year, my sister showed me a blog post about Dinovember and I knew we had to do it! Lincoln is turning 7 next week and I am clinging to his innocence and naivety as long as I can. To my surprise, Dinovember has made his eyes sparkle in wonder at the thought of their dinosaurs coming to life and getting into mischief while they are asleep. They were, after all, warned last Christmas.

November came, we all knew that something would happen, we just didn't know WHAT! To our surprise...

If you look closely, those naughty dinosaurs colored ON the table. I was expecting to hear whispers of "Oh no. Moms is going to be sooo upset!!" But instead, the following morning Boone immediately said with a smile "it's ok mom. I'll clean it up for them." 

Lincoln insisted that one of the dinosaurs tails looked different, so he must have frozen in a different position. I love that as a now SEVEN year old, he's so into this! He's star player in 1st grade and informed us that he's bringing the magic dinosaurs to show and tell.

They picked up some new surprise "cousins" along the way!