Last First Day of Preschool

Today was Nate's last first day of preschool.  It made me so sad.  Can you imagine how sad I will be at graduation?  Our boy is growing up.  We've had complete peace that this (one more year of preschool) is the right decision for several months.  However, it is nice to hear from lots and lots of parents who share how they waited to enroll their child and are so glad or parents that did not wait and wished they would have.  I am just glad to have one more year with him. :)  This topic has actually been in the news a lot lately.  They call it redshirting, just like in sports.  We have a lot to pray about this year - public school, private school or home school.  All three are very real possibilities.  We'll see where God leads.      

Coyote Hunt Video

I just realized the video in the Coyote Hunt post was "private."  It is now public for those who would like to watch it. 

Words of Wisdom

I just read a great blog post, Developing Honor for Others in Our Children.  It's a must read in my humble opinion.  My favorite part:  ‘It is natural to be selfish, but it is supernatural to be kind and loving. It is only when we allow the Lord Jesus to speak with our words and use our hands and our voice to give His love that we can really know how to be close to others.’ 

Coyote Hunt

We have a large pasture of cows behind our home.  Occasionally we see a coyote roaming around in the pasture. Darren saw one the other day and decided he and Nate needed to go on a coyote hunt.  One afternoon they rode out in the pasture to see if they could call one up with a turkey call. 

Darren wasn't expecting to really see a coyote.  He just thought it would be something fun for Nate.  The first time I watched the video, I thought Nate was just being silly.  We have laughed and laughed at this video...I know it's a lot more entertaining to us than the rest of the world.   

Since seeing this coyote, Darren and Nate have been plotting about how to really hunt this thing.  A couple of days ago they decided they needed to build a blind to hide behind and wait on the coyote. So, this morning they cut a path out to the perfect spot to hunt the coyote.  Then, they put together this blind made from feed sacks.  :)   

After some much needed rest from all this hard work, they headed out to hunt the coyote.  I drove them out to their perfect hunting spot and left them there.  Darren said he would call me when Nate was ready to come inside.  He took snacks to help pass the time.  About twenty minutes after I dropped them off, Darren called and said Nate was done.  They didn't see a coyote today, but they had a lot of fun and I got some cute pictures of my two favorite guys.

Blessed To Be A Blessing

Meet the Dinsmore family.  They adopted sweet little Ambrose last year and are now in the process of adopting an eight year old girl.  As you all know, adoptions are expensive.  God has called this family to adopt this precious child and He will provide for them.  How will He do this? Through people like you and me who are blessed to be a blessing. 



They make it very clear that no donation is too small - even if you can only donate $1.00.  And don't think that your $1.00 won't make a difference.  Those dollars add up quickly.  Please click here to read more about this family.  I encourage you to pray for them and, of course, make a donation. :)

This reminds me of a t-shirt I have from the non-profit, Wiphan. The back of the shirt says "our little can do a lot."  I LOVE that statement.  Satan doesn't want us to believe this.  He wants us to think that our little can do nothing so what's the point.  I'm not just talking about financial stuff...it could be your talents, abilities, time, etc.  Don't believe the lie!  The TRUTH is your little can do a lot!

Learn to do right!  Seek justice, encouraged the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. Isaiah 1:17

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27

Wind Creek

Last week, we camped for the first time this summer.  We've had a surprisingly busy summer with the last minute Disney trip and Nate's birthday trip.  Darren has also been very busy at work and having to work a lot of Saturdays this summer.  So, this trip was long awaited and much needed. 

The weather was surprisingly pleasant for August.  We had just enough rain each day to cool things off.  We were sitting outside enjoying the very cool breeze of an approaching thunderstorm when I took these. 

Nate loves. this. dog.  It is hard to believe she's been with us for nine years. It seriously took her about three years to warm up to Nate, no joke.  She is very patient with him, but will quickly let him know when she's had enough.  :)

High above Lake Martin

This kid is just about too big to hold. :(



Birthday Questions

I asked Nate these questions a few days after his birthday.

How old are you?  5
What makes you happy?  Harry (the big stuffed hippo Uncle Dale gave him for Christmas several years ago)
What is your favorite animal?  hippo, lion, & crocodile
What is your favorite thing to eat?  chicken
What is your least favorite thing to eat?  pizza
What is your favorite thing to do? play dinosaurs
What is your favorite TV show?  Dinosaur Train
What are you really good at? working with daddy
What is your favorite movie? Cars 2
What is your favorite color? yellow & red
What is your favorite song? Dinosaur Train song
Who is your best friend? Harley (a girl from preschool)
What do you and your mom do together? play
What do you and your dad do together? work
What is your favorite sport? football
Where is your favorite place to go? "Dollar Junior" (Dollar General)
What is your favorite book? Bugtown Boogie
What do you want to be when you grow up? Paleontologist

Nate was obviously really into dinosaurs when I asked these questions.  He is not as obsessed with them at the moment.  I laughed so hard when he said his favorite place to go was Dollar General.