Thoughts of Heaven

With the passing of Mima, the kids wanted to discuss Heaven at dinner. What a great, wonderful discussion to have with them.

So, we asked, who do you want to meet when you get to Heaven?:

Mollee immediately said Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (which we quickly informed her to say Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah) and ask them about the being in the fire, but not burning.

Tavis said Granddaddy Caines (which made me teary) because he has heard such good things about him. I cannot wait for Jason to meet him also!

Daegan doesn't handle saddness or stress very well and he listened to our discussion but did not join in, which is fine.

Capps said Jesus!

and Mac said, "I can't wait to get there to see if Capps makes it". Do not ask me where that came from because I have absolutely no idea - even questioned myself putting this in print.

Jason is very anxious to meet C. S. Lewis, and maybe even smoke a pipe with him.

And I always long for the day to meet our first child that we lost.

Mima's things

Jason's Mima and Granddaddy moved here to be closer to family over 10 years ago. Granddaddy passed away about eight years ago.

Mima moved in with Jason's parents about a year ago because of failing health. Up until then, she was very independent. She loved to cook and she was very spunky. In October, she turned 100! As Jason's Mom has slowly been cleaning out Mima's house, we got a few pieces of furniture.

Not sure where to put them yet, but I love them! These two chairs:
This couch is really designed for an entrance area, but our entrance area is a little slim. This is Jason's favorite item from the house.

And this beautiful chair that I am proud to put in my living room.
Last night, Mima passed away. We haven't told the children yet, but the funeral will probably be Saturday.

She will be greatly missed!

The extent of our Valentines

When the kids did their class Valentines I made them all do one for Daddy, so we could put them in his lunchbox. Thankfully, I think it was Capps' idea, they all did one for me too.

And I've left this in the shower for Jason when he gets home.

Maybe he'll bring me a card? Maybe not?

Cherishing my time

I've been feeling like I'm in a whirlwind lately. I've delayed, maybe emotionally as well as physically, getting Mac registered for kindergarten. They have assesment tests in January and again in April. Because of my delay, we are scheduled for April.

Someone asked me the other day, "Is Mac going to kindergarten or are you holding him back too?" Then it hit me, like a ton of bricks, Jason and I held back the other boys and haven't even discussed it for Mac's sake. Why? Because he turned five and we just registered him and we are both a little stressed these days.

So, I don't really have an answer for that question. We will do the assesment and go from there. Honestly, it will have to be Jason's call. I don't want him to go just yet, so my emotions might hinder that decision.

Over Christmas, my Aunt Candy and I were talking about life and fast it goes and how stressed things can get. When I said something about my job and being so busy and Mac going to kindergarten, she said, "Cherish your time you have at home with him, once he is off to school (whether it be this year or the next), you won't get that time back."

So, that is what I'm trying to do (starting now). Each week, I'm going to try to have a date with Mac. Not to spoil him, but to not let paperwork and a dirty house get in the way of what might be the last three months I have of just him and me.

Today we went to the mall playground, we haven't been there since they remodeled, and he was thrilled!
We also went and had his picture made, something I've been wanting to do for many, many months. I really wanted to get his 4-year old picture made before he turned 5, but I didn't make it.

The pictures are precious and I'm so excited I finally got them done. I've tried not to buy any special prints (collages) of the kids because if I got it for one, I'd feel bad if I didn't have the money the next time for another. But I couldn't resist this time.

He's my last one, I'm allowed. Right?

If you came to my house today, you might see

A snowflake hanging on the key rackSchool Projects on the wall (trying to hide the 1970's radio/intercom system that doesn't work)
AR Reading awards on the cabinet doors
A helium balloon and sticky hand stuck in the high ceiling of the stairwell
A never ending laundry pile
Toothbrushes never in their cup
Monkey Grass that needs to be cut back
Random ball in the bushes
A bat and big sticks in the grass
An empty birdfeeder
and some chalk on the bricks at the front door

And if you come to my house in the following months and those things are still visible, love me anyway!

My office today...

Carnival 2012

Today was the carnival at school. We let the kids have their tickets and go free a little more this year, so I don't have a lot of pictures, but this is what I do have.
Waiting to get in the bouncy house.
Mollee checking out basketball, mostly because Emma was the ticket-taker.
My two left-handed shot gun shooters.
And Daegan went to jail with cousin, Ezra.
This is how my purse looks now.
Things seemed a lot more organized and enjoyable today. The kids got to play games, I got cotton candy and Jason got some yummy hot dogs.

Jason and I also enjoyed smirking at all the girls that squealed and waved when Capps walked by.