Dinner and a Murder

Last Saturday, a friend of ours had his 40th birthday bash. His wife, did a wonderful job of putting it all together...it was a Murder Mystery Party set in the Roaring 20s. Everyone dressed up and had a fabulous time!

Feathers and boas everywhere for the ladies...Definitely a criminal element to the gentlemen...

Al Capone and his secret girlfriend, Carrie, the jazz singer...

The baroness of "the Family" and the Detective for the evening...

Cash and Cassandra Steal...the new head of the Black Hand Gang (but nobody knew this tidbit)Fun was had by all...if you want to host one yourself, click here

Conversations with Asher

At lunch today (on going to school):

Asher: When you asked me if I wanted to go 3 days or 5 days, I did not understand what you were talking about.

Mom: What do you mean?

Asher: You know, when you asked me if I wanted to go to school 5 days. I said yes, but I didn't know what I was talking about. Now, I want to go 3 days.

Mom: But, Asher, now Mommy has to work 5 days. So you have to go to school 5 days.

Asher: No, I can just stay in bed.

Yesterday morning upon waking for school:

Mom: Asher, time to get up and get ready for school.

Asher: No, I'm just going to stay in bed.

Jerry then picked him up and is carrying him out of his bedroom...

Dad: What do you want for breakfast?

Asher: I'll tell you when I get there.

On the first morning of school, when I started crying because he was hugging me so tight:

Asher: Mommy, why are you crying?

Mom: Because I'm going to miss you.

Asher: But, Mommy, I have to grow up.

...more tears from Mommy...

First Day of School

Here are pics from the first day of school 2008-09! The kids were so excited! No, I did not make them dress alike, they all chose their red shirt for their first day.
Colton said his teacher is the best ever, and...

Kenzie said that Latin is going to be her favorite class. I can't believe they take Latin in the 4th grade. Kenzie and Colton were so proud of their little brother going to big boy school. But, as for me, I cried and cried. I don't know what it is. I guess because he's the baby.
Or because I'm going back to work this year.
Yes, it's just one class.

Yes, it's at their school.

Yes, I am very blessed.

But, it closes a chapter in my life just the same.
I thought I was prepared, but I certainly wasn't ready.
I was a basketcase.
Not sure when I'll be "okay" again. Whatever that means.
Leaning on my "Papa" God these days. Reaching for the pole and following the rope, and trusting Him.

As for Asher...see for yourself.

He's all about big boy school. Having a ball, totally doing his own thing.

While everyone was at centers, he went and got a book to read.

He's so excited to be in class with his new buddies, Jake and Camden.

Now, I just have to get a grip, and hold on to Him!

The Last Hurrah

Jerry and Colton spending some time on the beach...Colton was so proud of his airbrush "tattoo" (see the shark on his back?) He thought it was so cool!

Asher loves his snack time...he usually had both of his snacks for the day eaten before any of us even had one!

Kenzie preferred the pool most of the time this trip...too much seaweed and jellyfish for her liking. The storm (Eduardo) kept everything churning until our last day there, then it cleared up and was beautiful!

She looks so grown up!

This is their Ralph Lauren ad...

The boys do love each other! Two sweet boys, but all boys!

The last hurrah of summer...school starts tomorrow!

My Father's Eyes

One day at the beach I was with Asher at the little water slide at the condo where we were staying. I had inched my way over closer and closer to the water slide because several big boys had taken over the slide and were ruining it for the little children (it's the teacher in me...I can't stand it when children are unsupervised and ruining things for smaller children...that's why I pretty much avoid Chuck E. Cheese altogether).

Anyway, I digress, I began to watch this little boy who would come down the slide, pop up then feel around for the pole, then the rope, and hang on to it all the way to the line, then go up the stairs, down the slide, repeat. It took me awhile to realize that this little boy was blind. I watched him, amazed at his confidence and independence. I looked around because I was the only parent besides one other dad in the water with the children, and that dad was obviously not with him.
I kept looking and wondering...where are his parents?
I still kept looking, then I saw her.
His mother.
Sitting in her lounge chair, never taking her eyes off of him. She was oh so aware of his every move, but even when he would stumble or bump into someone, she didn't move. She quietly watched (with baited breath I'm sure) her boy whom she loved more than words can say, and while I'm sure she wanted to protect him from every bump and misstep, she knew that she must let him find his own way (he was only 6). I talked to her for awhile and was amazed by her spirit and confidence in him.

It got me to thinking that it was very much like our relationship with God. When He sees us bump and stumble and mess things up, He is so very aware of our every move, but He knows that it is better for us to find our own way and come to Him, than for Him to protect us from everything. He allows us to choose to follow Him and to love Him. He could absolutely sweep us up in a heartbeat and take us home, but He has bigger plans for us than that. He loves His children, and His eye is absolutely on us.

I've been pondering this a great deal lately since I read The Shack during vacation. Anyone out there reading it? Let me know your thoughts...

It's Outta Here!

During the last tournament of the season, Colton hit an out of the park homerun. He was so excited, and I was so proud for him...this season has had lots of ups and downs, so this was a great way to end it...in a blaze of glory!
The dugout cleared, and they all came out to cheer...


The look on his face...priceless!