One Happy Mama

Wayland’s last post was beautiful, wasn’t it?  I’m hoping Nathanael will post something as well; I was a little overwhelmed at the changes I saw in him in one short week.  He came back older.  Part of his innocence shed.  His eyes opened to things he never knew existed.  I found him burdened and markedly changed.  He knows he will no longer view the world through the same lens.  I know, because of that, he will change his world.  He is confident, capable and his heart is connected to those who are in need.  I praise God for bringing my two big guys home safe and sound from Memphis and for the work He is doing in their hearts. 

Another thing I’m thanking God for?  Philip’s awesome week at camp.  After only 3.5 hours of sleep Friday night (or more accurately, Saturday morning) I woke up at 5:15, got ready, and hit the road to collect my boy.  We arrived with time to spare, and the waiting was pure torture.  I was hoping that Philip would be just as excited to see us as we were to see him.  He did not disappoint.  He came running up to us, stopping first to meet Anna E.’s open arms, then rushing into mine.  Luker grabbed onto his legs and squeezed with all his might.  It was quite a sweet reunion.  He seemed much more grown up.  His voice was even deeper.  I really don’t know how that happened.  After his counselors told me what a great son I had, we collected his bags and headed to the car.  Once we were buckled, he immediately pulled out his journal and began recounting his days.  I’ll say this – I asked him to journal and he did.  We just need to work on those skills a bit.  Here’s a quick excerpt:   “Day 2.  Woke up.  Bathroom break.  (By the way, every single day of his journal starts like this except once where he uses the word restroom instead of bathroom).  Went to breakfast.  Chapel then activity.  Next swim test.  Came back.  Played.  Lunchtime.  Bubble Bounce.  Free-swim – we had fun! Next dinner and showers and bed.”  The funny thing is, he wrote this right after lunch – so he hadn’t even done half the things he journaled about…they were just on the schedule.  I love the way he went into such detail about the mundane and left me guessing about the big things like ACTIVITIES!!!  I found that I was getting much better info by asking questions, opposed to him reading straight out of his journal.  First off, he seemed to really hit it off with his counselors, med staff, and cabin-mates.  He loved the climbing wall, sea-wasping (like tubing), and kayaking.  He swam a little (I think the water was really still too cold), but spent most of his free time playing “GaGa,” or Israeli dodgeball.  He took down some teenagers and the queen of the GaGa pit, and won some serious bragging rights.  There were campfires, and mock rock (like a talent show) where Philip’s cabin preformed a great number to “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.”  (He did the running man.  On stage.  In front of the entire camp…I’ve got to be a counselor next year!)  He really loved the chapel services and was encouraged that there was such an emphasis put on faith.  He started a program that encourages campers to work on mind, body and spirit.  His goal was to work on the character trait of “reverence” and spend more time in the Bible.  He came home with a full playlist of camp songs that we’ve all tried to learn.  All in all, it sounds like an awesome experience.  It was wonderful to hear all about his adventures, but the best words I heard were, “I loved it!  I’m going again next year, but…I really missed you, Mom.”  Yeah.  Me too. 

I am so happy to have everyone back under one roof (well, not quite – Wayland is already traveling again).  It’s been good to snuggle and listen to another story as someone remembers it.  It has also been nice to eat something other than PB&J or Special K for dinner.  I was actually ready to cook  by the time everyone got home. 

Anna Elizabeth started a day camp this week.  It revolves around nature and wildlife, plus they do a craft each day.  She is in hog heaven.  When I got ready to drop her off yesterday, she asked me how many days she would be there.  (I guess she thought she was going off for a week like her brothers did).  I told her I would be back in about three hours to get her.  She wasn’t happy.  “I want to stay until school starts!”  What is that girl trying to do to me???

Luke wants to do all these “big kid” things as well.  Just not bad enough.  I keep telling him that boys that still wear diapers can’t do camps and gymnastics and VBS (and anything else I can think of at the time).  Doesn’t seem to faze him.  “I’ll just do camp when I’m four then.”  Oh joy!

Nathanael has one great week of regular season baseball left before playoffs begin.  Thursday night they have a double header – one of the games will be played under the lights.  I don’t know why that excites me so, but it does.  Saturday they also play two games.  What makes it even better is that the coach is in need of some players to fill spots of those who are MIA.  Guess who he called up to fill a space?  PHILIP!!!  My boys played on the same t-ball team six years ago (with their second cousins Jake and Dan) and, although it was fun – they hadn’t really come into their own as players, if you know what I mean.  I haven’t seen them play on the same team since then.   I can’t wait!