Round and Foxy

The other day, my sweet little Luke looked over at me and said, “Mama, you’re round.” 

I begin to choke on the chocolate chip cookie I had in my mouth.  When I finally regained my composure, I asked him to repeat himself.  (I’m a sucker for punishment).  Sure enough, I had heard him correctly.

“Mama, you’re round. (long, long pause) Round and foxy.”

By this time my head was swimming.  “Round and foxy???”

“Yep, just like Manny says on Ice Age 3.”

Okay, we have watched that movie one time.  Once!!!  That’s the line he takes away from it???  I really wasn’t sure whether to be offended after being compared to a female wooly mammoth, or if he meant it as an enduring term of love and affection.  I’m going with the latter, even though my rational mind tells me I’m perfectly pathetic for believing that. 

That, along with a good inch and a half of dark brown and gray root growth, was enough to plunge my self-confidence to new depths.  I was in dire need of a cut/color so that’s where I headed this afternoon.  It never ceases to amaze me how much sheer joy I receive sitting in that chair for at least an hour without having any other duty.  Thanks Mom and Dad for the birthday money…now my new boots have a decent head of hair to go along with them!   And to all the rest of you wonderful friends and family…thanks so much for the sweet cards, lunch, the flowers, and the steady infusion of caffeine (aka Stbx cards!!!) you sent my way to celebrate my birthday.  I am humbled by your kindness and the gift God has given me in such faithful friends. 

In completely other unrelated news, Philip has started basketball and is in full frenzied play.  That kid has more hustle than Van McCoy and the Soul City Symphony.  (Just so you know…I had to look that up because, although I am old – I’m not quite THAT old!)  It is completely exhausting and exhilarating watching Philip play.  He has inherited some of his Granddad’s super-athletic basketball moves, all the while reminding me of his Papa dribbling down the court with his tongue peeking out of the corner of his mouth.   

Luke joined Anna this past week at her gym for a trial gymnastics class.  I wasn’t sure how he’d do, but I don’t think he was the one I should have been worried about.  He listened well and fit right in with the other 3 and 4 years old who have been in the class for several months.  Unfortunately, Anna E. couldn’t concentrate on her class with little brother within 100 yards of her.  She kept yelling his name, waving, and giving “across the room” hugs and kisses to him.  One time she even ran over and almost tackled him in her excitement.  He was waiting in line for his turn to do an obstacle course, and despite the fact he was finding it very hard to keep his balance with his sister hanging all over him, he never took his hands from behind his back.  He just looked at me with eyes that were screaming, “HELP!!!”  I had to laugh.  He is quite the rule follower and I find that very interesting.  The other night at a basketball practice, Anna kept running between the two teams from one side of the court to another.  That drives me crazy, and I kept getting on to her about making sure she didn’t get in the players’ way.  Luke eventually decided that he would like to join Anna on the other side (she was practicing dribbling in a little alcove).  I told him to follow the black line across the court so he didn’t get in the middle of the practices going on around him.  He painstakingly put one foot in front of the other and walked toe to heel on that black line…even going around the semi-circle at center court.  Another mom looked at me and said, “Wow.  He’s quite the rule follower isn’t he?”  About that time Anna E. came flying across the court; arms waving, legs flying.  I looked at the mom and said, “Yes, but his sister is quite the free spirit.”  It guess it takes all kinds.   

Of course, Luke comes by his rule following ways naturally.  His mom and oldest brother being quite the rule followers themselves.  When Anna gave him some stamps today, he asked me what he should do with them.  “I don’t know, Luke.  Put them on your face if you want…just don’t put them on any windows.”  A few minutes later he came back in the kitchen and said, “Like this, Mama?”

Yes, baby.  Just like that.

Catch-up Post

Well, Football season officially ended in the Thompson household tonight.  Philip’s All Star team lost the North Side championship to our dreaded rivals Hamilton Southeastern 7-0.  The difference in the game was a reverse with 45 seconds left in the first half.  I am so proud of our boys – Carmel, win or lose, always does so with pride.  It is hard to explain the delight other cities have in beating Carmel – we always get everyone’s best.  It is a blessing to have our sons coming up through a system that teaches excellence in everything they do. 

Philip had another fantastic game tonight.  He threw a really nice pass on 4th and long to his tight end on a flag route.  I was so proud that he stood his ground and took a big hit to be able to get the ball off.  With just under a minute, he rolled out towards the sideline and fired a pin-point accurate pass to his receiver on the sideline.  All of us coaches were jumping up and down as the receiver almost broke it for a TD.  Nate was working the chains on the opposing  team’s sideline and said that coaches and parents were coming up asking who the QB was for Carmel.  I know that sounds like bragging, but I only share that story to say that Nate proudly answered, “he’s my brother.”   What a life I have been blessed with. 

Philip continues to get better and I cannot wait to see how he does next year.  He works so hard and carries his leadership capabilities into everything he does.  I am also proud to report that he scored all A’s on his report card except for 1  B+ in Advanced Math.  Keep in mind that in the Carmel School District, to get an A you must score at least 93%.  A  B+ is over 90% and would be an A in most school districts.  Kaleesha and I are so proud that Philip strives for excellence in everything he does. 

Speaking of excellence, Nate shared his report card with us tonight as well.  I was blown away (and reminded of how much he is like his mother), when he reported a perfect 4.0 GPA.  Nate takes everything he does seriously – and is humble about his success (even as his dad shamelessly brags on him in this blog).   He was also honored to be selected by his teachers to participate in the 21st Century Classroom “technology utopia” taking place at the Indianapolis Convention Center.  His middle school was selected by the National Middle School Association as a 21st Century School in the area of technology (Nate is taking a class this semester where he is taught how to make digital video productions – his first will be a documentary showing the processes Philip has to go through with his diabetes).  At this conference, Nate will participate in a learning experience that will be on display for students across the globe.  We were also proud of Nate for trying out for the Clay Middle School 7th grade basketball team despite the fact that he has not played basketball since 1st grade.  He was ripped off not making the team – apparently they are looking for players that can dribble, pass and shoot

As for Anna, she continues to flourish in gymnastics.  She also earned a certificate in Spanish for hard work, is falling in love with reading, and has declared her best talent is walking on her heels in boots.  I am blown away by her beauty - and she is super-duper sweet.  Our little Luke is hopelessly enamoured with anything Star Wars (including princess Leia).  He is also getting more  ornery by the day.  This kid is deadly with a light-saber.  Friendly sword fights typically turn into all-out death matches as his big brothers and I have to run away from his sweeping blows.  He shows no mercy, until he thinks he has actually hurt you and offers to kiss your “boo-boo.”   As I sit here writing this, he is informing me that I need to “tell momma how to spell Master Yoda and Luke Skywalker” (he heard me ask her how to spell Leia).  

Kaleesha continues to be her “children’s mother” and I am proud to report that she was not kicked off of any football fields this year – even though she did turn the head’s of a few of our coaches this year with her spirited cheering.  We are having a blast with my mom this week.  I have included a picture taken at the Halloween party at Carmel’s Library last night.  Take a look at the costumes my mom made for them.  She is so talented – she made Anna’s cape in just a couple of hours after Anna said she needed one to complete her outfit.  Luke was the Unhappy Knight (he was not feeling good) and Anna was a Narnia Princess.  How fitting that she is a princess with a sword – that fits her perfectly.  We are looking forward to this weekend’s open schedule – it will probably be filled with picking up leaves and the Headless Horseman night at Conner Prairie.  Check back in – we will be taking pictures.   

WT

Undefeated!

7th Grade Champions!

Monday night, Nathanael and his teammates ended their football season with a 34-30 win to become the 8-0 undefeated 7th grade football champions of the district.  Our oldest son has had a heck of a football season this year.  After an extended sabbatical from sports (due to two broken bones), Nathanael was a bit behind in the conditioning department when the season began.  Fortunately, he rebounded quickly and was once again playing with that “Freight Train” mentality he is known for.  So far, I think the transition into school sponsored team sports has been a great one (both for the player and the parents).  Nathanael has only had one day to recover and he is already missing it.  He’s decided to fill his time by trying out for the basketball team next week.  Wayland has told him if he makes the team it may be the single greatest sporting accomplishment of his life and has promised to take him for a steak at St. Elmo’s.  (The last time Nathanael played organized basketball was as a 1st grader with the Upwards program).  I think that was all the motivation he needed.  Food does that to him.  He could probably summit Everest if he knew a good steak and our neighbor’s homemade apple pie were waiting for him at the top.  If basketball falls through, his back-up plan is wrestling.  Coming from a city where competitive wrestling was non-existent, I was happy to know that Nathanael would not have to change his name to “Bone Crusher” and wear gothic make-up to join the team.  (Although that little singlet will make a pretty amazing photo opp all by itself!)    We’ll let you know what happens with winter sports in Nate’s life.  Either way, it’s going to be interesting.  (By the way, if you’re trying to find Nathanael in the picture, you’re only going to get a profile.  He is behind #20 and to the left.  Isn’t my son a cutie?  Getting more and more handsome every day!)  And if you were wondering…Nathanael’s wrist was not broken.  Just a sprain.  Thank you, Lord!

In other football news, Philip had his first All Star game on Sunday afternoon.  They walked away with a 28-0 win over the Noblesville Millers.  Despite a couple of messy handoffs, and a fumble on a QB keeper, Philip (thank goodness) also had a nice TD pass and a good run where he somehow broke several tackles after almost being sacked in the backfield.  Their team plays again tonight (against a great rival) and Philip is looking forward to it.  We were afraid yesterday that he was getting sick again, but he seems to feel better today.  I found an H1N1 clinic that is open to the public tomorrow morning.  I think I’ll be there bright and early with Philip (and maybe Luke) in tow.  We’ll have to fit that in before we pick up Granny from the airport.  She’s coming back for another visit, and we can’t wait.  It will be so much fun having her here to see Philip play some football and deliver the costumes she made for the kids in person.  I see lots of picture-taking in our future.

You Were Wrong

For all of you saying, “She never blogs anymore” - you were wrong.  Look at me go.

I really don’t know where to start.  Things have been like things tend to be in our big, busy family.  Run, run, run.  Go, go, go.  Someone gets sick.  It spreads.  On and on.  Philip is adjusting well to the pump.  Wayland and I are coming along.  Two weeks ago I was worried that we might not have done the right thing.  Not now.  I feel sure that this is all in Philip’s best interest.  Big congratulations are in order for Philip, by the way.  He tried out and made the All Star team, and it looks like he will be playing QB a bit longer this Fall.  His house league team ended the regular season 5-2.  The playoffs start Saturday and Wayland has been pouring over his playbook the past few days.  Our goal is to get to the Rose Bowl.  We’ll keep you updated. 

Nathanael, who is pretty much solely known as Nate  now, is also having a great season.  His team is 4-0 and he continues to melt my heart each time I watch him as team captain on the 50 yard line with helmet in hand.  He is such a cutie! (He is also playing GREAT – I just decided to focus on the one time he is on the field and not encountering opportunities to walk away black and blue).   Last night at his game, there were a few girls sitting near us who kept giggling as different players ran on and off the field.  I kept hearing, “There’s Nate!” followed by a squeal and a laugh.  I never  acted like that I’m sure, but if I did – I’m sorry to any mom who had to endure it.  It seems to make Wayland’s chest puff up and mine deflate. 

Anna E. stole the show last night at the football game.  Sporting her precious hot pink fleece ruffle car coat with matching hat (thanks Granny and Granddad), she made sure every spectator got at least one good look at her.  She has made that big transition into putting much more thought into the fashion end of her wardrobe.  Some dear friends of ours in Albuquerque generously save and send Anna things they outgrow, and when we switched over her closet the other day, Anna actually wanted to try on every single piece of clothing.  Over and over she kept saying, “I just look so cute in this.”  Poor girl; doesn’t have a bit of confidence. 

For our friends and family down south reading this blog, you did read that previous paragraph correctly.  Anna E. was wearing a coat.  And hat.  It’s cold here, y’all.  Plum cold.  (I think just typing the words “down south” made my vernacular change…Yee-haw!)  It was perfect football weather, and made me love Fall in Indiana even more.  Luke came home and put on his fleece snowman pj’s and immediately told me he needed some new slippers because his toes were “vewy, vewy, cold!!!”  I worried a bit about having him out in the cold after him being sick last week, but it didn’t seem to faze him a bit.  He ran around playing Star Wars and pretend lightsaber fighting onlooking fans.  He thinks he is Luke Skywalker and I know he has a crush on Princess Leia.  I don’t have the heart to tell him she’s old enough to be his grandma.  Every day at 2:40 Luke runs to the window to see if the bus is here.  As much as he loves going to the library, Bible study, and Costco with me, I just don’t play “car family” as well as Anna Elizabeth.  Really, “car family” is an enigma to me.  He is probably the only three year old boy who separates the boy cars from the girls.  Today I had to be the grandma car.  Quite the ego booster. 

Well, between all the interruptions and a lunch break, it has taken me far too long to type this post.  (I’m better at 1:00am when the house is quiet).  We’re off to gymnastics.  Guess what Anna E. is wearing? 

Football Update and Deep Dark Secrets Revealed

I know many of you are wondering how Philip is doing.  In many ways, things have gone smoother than I thought they would.  In some ways, however, it has been much more difficult than I could have imagined.  I’m actually blogging today to find some release from the stress and hurt of it all, so I’m not going to say much.  For those of you praying for Philip (and us), please keep it up.  I know each day is going to get easier.

First off, Wayland and Philip were invited to watch the season opener of the Indianapolis Colts as they take on their opponents, the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium.  I know they are going to have a blast, and although it really should be me going to this game (since I truly am a Colts fan), I am not harboring ill will toward my two guys, and will be looking for them on TV in a few short hours.  I gave them strict orders to not root against the Colts (which Wayland sometimes does) for fear that they will burn all our bridges with Colts season ticket holders and I will never see them play in person.  I also forbade Philip from wearing Dallas Cowboys gear to the game.  I just didn’t think it seemed particularly gracious to his hosts. 

Speaking of football, Nathanael played on Thursday night and his team came away with another win.  They played their cross-town middle school rivals (which really means some of his best buds) – a team Nathanael’s middle school has not beaten in seven years.  It was a great game, full of hard tackles followed by sincere back slaps or “knuckles” between the guys on the field.   The parents were playfully jesting with one another about the opposing teams, but cheered for each boy’s individual achievement – regardless of the colors they were wearing.  It was a blast!   He plays again on Tuesday and we are looking forward to it!

Philip’s team played yesterday morning at 8am.  (That means we had to be at the field at 7:15, which means we had to get up at a pretty indecent hour for a Saturday morning.  We might as well have been playing hockey, for Pete’s sake!)  If you remember, the Fighting Irish were 4-0, having given up only 12 points to their opponents during the season.  Yesterday, that changed.  We lost 20-14.  Philip scored one TD (a QB sneak) and had some great passes, but our defense (which also included Philip) really fell short.  Wayland feels like it might not be such a bad thing to go into playoffs in a few weeks with a loss under our belts.  With the game over so early, we still had our entire Saturday ahead of us, which was a nice consolation considering the circumstances.

 Little Miss invited a friend over for a play-date yesterday afternoon.  It was a little girl who was in her class last year, and goes to a different school this year.  They had fun catching up over tea-parties, house, horses, and playing outside in the backyard.  Last night, Anna came to me visibly upset – her face, a pale green hue.  She proceeded to tell me that she and her friend “had a secret and that I could never know or I would be really upset and she would get in lots of trouble.”  Immediately, my imagination went wild and my anxiety level shot up.  I tried to remain calm and reassure Anna that there wasn’t anything she could do that would make me stop loving her, or a situation where she wouldn’t receive forgiveness from her parents, or more importantly from God.  She cried and toiled for quite a while until she worked up the nerve to tell me her deepest, darkest secret. 

“Mama, _______ and I found something in the creek.  We picked it up, well really, she picked it up.  And it was a dead mouse.  And it had a hole in it’s tummy and we could see it’s bones.  And I think it’s toe was bleeding.  And it made me so sad, because I love animals.  And don’t worry, there weren’t flies on it or anything.  So _______ and I decided to bury it.  So we dug it a grave and we put rocks and a leaf on it.  And an “L.”  For love.  And I said those words that preachers say when people die.  And Mama, I’m so sorry.  Please don’t be mad at me.” 

To say I was a bit dumbfounded would be an understatement.  I don’t know if she thought I was going to be mad at her because just a week ago (the morning after the boys had their sleepover and left the door open to the kitchen from the garage) we saw a mouse run across the floor.  After squealing and hoisting myself atop of the kitchen counter, Wayland proceeded to be my knight in shining armour and rescue me from my arch nemesis.  He chased that little rodent across the kitchen, hitting it with a broom (and evidently injuring it).  It took refuge behind our washing machine, so Wayland brought out the big guns (literally) and finished it off with one of the boy’s BB guns.  Our guests (the boy’s three friends who had spent the night) got quite a show that morning.  Poor them.  It’s a wonder they are allowed to associate with us.  Anyway, I made Wayland set up traps and put out D-con all over and around the house. Every day since then I’ve been asking, “Did we catch any mice?  Oh, I hate mice!  Hate ‘em!”   I guess Anna Elizabeth thought I was going to be mad at her for giving my hated enemy a decent burial.  Regardless of how many questions I had racing through my mind like, “DID YOU TOUCH IT WITH YOUR BARE HANDS???”  (which I found out she did not) I simply told her I thought she was very sweet and thoughtful to be so caring to one of God’s creatures.

"L" is for Love

They also gathered walnuts for the squirrels and chipmunks. "They shouldn't have to work too hard, because winter is coming soon!"

And look who just lost another tooth! She's making that tooth fairy work pretty hard!

As for Luke, he does his best to keep up with all the craziness going on.  Sometimes, it’s just too much though. 

Sleeping Luker

Poor Baby!

Giving it to God

A little over two weeks ago I scheduled Philip’s pump “installation” at Riley Children’s Hospital.  Ever since then, I have been operating on high levels of anxiety mixed with bouts of extreme worry and fear.  I know, I know, I am the perfect picture of a Christ-follower, huh?  Last night, after receiving an email explaining that one of the students at a youth retreat Nathanael went to over the weekend had just been diagnosed with H1N1, I almost lost it. 

I hate worry.  I hate stress, and fear, and anxiety.  Unfortunately, there is hardly a day that goes by that one of these things doesn’t try to raise it’s ugly head and sneak into my life.  I do believe God builds something into mothers that causes them to be concerned for their children.  That’s healthy.  What I end up doing is not. 

I have been walking around with a baseball in my throat and a cannonball in my stomach the past few weeks.  How are we going to adjust to Philip being on the insulin pump?  How are we going to afford it all?  What if one of my kids gets swine flu?  What if Philip gets it (much more severe in people with asthma and diabetes)?  What if we give them the vaccination and there are crazy side effects from it?

After taking all I could, I finally just gave up.  Or had a slight mental break – not sure which.  I put myself in my room, opened the Bible and read ’till I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer.  When I woke up at 2:00 am to do the blood sugar check and I couldn’t fall back to sleep, I prayed.  I prayed and I praised.  This morning I woke up with a substantial amount of peace.  (Thank you, Jesus).

I took Luke to the doctor this morning (cough, runny nose – scared he had swine flu) and came away with him on another round of antibiotics, steroid, and breathing treatments…but no H1N1.  Yea!  We discussed how to approach flu season with Philip, and the doctor suggested an early flu vaccine and immediate treatment at any sign of fever over 100 degrees. 

Oh, by the way…because I know I really didn’t make it clear…the exciting news about Philip is the pump.  September 9th.  Six days and counting.  (Just a slight feeling of nausea when I typed it that time).  I know this will be good for him.  I think it will be good for all of us.  I am prepared for a few bumps in the road, and am praying that God would give us clarity of mind so that we can learn an entirely new way of caring for our son.  I’ll be sure and take the camera and get lots of pics of Philip and his new machinery. 

And now, for a quick sports update, let me just tell you that this momma could hardly contain herself at her oldest son’s first football game of the season.  Named one of the team captains for the year (voted for by fellow players and his coaches), Nathanael started at center on offense, and started on the d-line as defensive tackle or noseguard.  With a win of 32-14, it was quite a victory, but way too long of a day in my book.  I put my baby  son on the bus at a little after 7:00 this morning, and he didn’t walk in the door tonight until around 9:30.  Thank goodness all the homework was done, because all he could do was shovel some food in his mouth, crawl up to the shower, and then roll into bed.  He was done!  His arms look like someone has been pounding on him with a hammer, and he has several new cuts and scrapes that bled throughout the game, but I’ll tell you what - you’d never know it when he’s out there on the field.  He plays with such heart.  I love to watch him. 

Just like I love to watch Philip.  He plays with finesse.  And with a little bit of attitude.  I like it though. 

I also had the opportunity to see Anna E. at gymnastics today.  She did a one-handed cartwheel.  That about knocked my socks off.  Every once in a while, when I’m watching her do seven cartwheels in a row, followed by a handstand into a forward roll, followed by a backbend, I think I want to try it.  Then I raise my hands in the air, point my right foot out (no, not to do the hokey pokey) and muster up all the strength I have to try a cartwheel again.  I always chicken out though.  I’ve decided that this mother of four needs all her bones in the right places to keep this family moving.  I think I’ll save cartwheels for heaven.

Is it May, Yet?

Today marks the kiddos ninth day of the 2009-2010 school year.  This morning when the alarm went off all I could think was, “Is it May yet?”  Seriously, it feels like I’ve been doing this for months already.  This week has been filled with “Meet the Teacher” nights, Middle School Open Houses, and Athletic meetings.  I feel like I haven’t seen Nathanael at all this week.  He leaves for school so early, gets home so late after practice, and then I’ve been sticking him at babysitter while I run around from school to school and class to class equipping myself with loads of information on how to make my child’s educational experience excellent.  All that information is now in a large stack on my desk and will be sorted through at a much later date.  Much, much later.

Anna Elizabeth came home on Tuesday with her first spelling list.  When I told her we were going to sit down and study the words, a scene erupted that could have earned an Emmy nomination.  Even I thought it was an insurmountable task in getting her ready for today’s test.  Surprise of surprises, this morning when I quizzed her over a bowl of Frosted Mini-Wheats  (I knew we were going to need all eight layers for such an important day), she spelled all her words correctly.  She even threw in the comment that they were “easy” words.  Same girl that told me on Tuesday that “life with homework is just too hard.”  I’ll let you know how introducing addition and subtraction flashcards goes next week.  I’m gearing myself up right now. 

I completely crack up when I think of the difference between the boys as first graders, and their precocious little sister.  Nathanael read and did a book report on Jack London’s, Call of the Wild at six years old.  Philip was reading some challenging chapter books as well, and did a report on the Titanic.  Anna E. is going to be doing good if I can convince her to read more than three pages of her library book at a time, and  I’m thinking the only report she’ll be interested in giving is “How to Do a Cartwheel and  Handstand” or “How to Wear White Shorts and Decide to Play in the Dirt So Your Mother Gets Close To Losing Her Witness”  (not that she would know anything about that or anything).  Oh sweet variety.  I love it! 

Football is going well.  Philip is doing great, his team is 2-0 and they play again tomorrow morning bright and early.  Nathanael is getting stronger and stronger in practice and (as of today) looks like he will be starting on both the offensive and defensive line.  His first scrimmage is next week and we are counting down the days.

Handsome #12

This was taken at last week’s game during a blood sugar check.  (I take what I can get).   Aunt Rachel and Uncle Scott sent the boys both a set of eye black stickers for this football season.  Philip took the ones that said Phil 4:13.  Everyone thinks we had them personalized especially for him. 

Little Luker is a constant source of joy.  I have not taken him for a hair cut since Tales From the Clipped.  You understand.  Yesterday he told me he had “Nacho Libre hair.”  I knew I had crossed a line and had to face my fear.  Actually, I didn’t want to face it, so I let Wayland.  He and Luke went for haircuts and Luke came back with his Libre fro gone, and in it’s place a nice, handsome little boy’s haircut.  Oh thank you, Jesus.  Wayland came back with something different.  After looking at himself in the mirror for a while he said, “I bet you ten bucks someone asks me if I’m a marine.”  Nathanael cracked up.  Wayland said, “If I suck in my stomach, you’d totally think I was a marine.”

Much better than the fro

Hoo-rah!

 This weekend looks to be like another crazy one, followed by more family coming to visit on Monday!  YEAH!!!  I’m sure in between football, cookouts, church and life group, I’ll be frantically trying to clean the house.  One of my dear friends reminded me that sharing and showing love was more important than a spotless house.  I’m going to remember that!

Swim Lesson Success

My dear sweet Anna E. finished up her private swim lessons yesterday.  I am in complete and utter amazement at the miracle that transpired in one weeks time.  She can successfully swim under water and finished off her session by doing cannonballs off the diving board.  Solo.  We went to the neighborhood pool with some friends yesterday afternoon and I was shocked to look up and see Anna E. walking to the diving board to continue her practice there.  The swim to the side of the pool in 10 foot deep water was quite a bit more lengthy in this pool, so I was a little more than nervous when her feet left the board and a loud “cowabunga” escaped her lips.  No worries though.  She bobbed right back up, and proceeded to swim to the side of the pool using her breaststroke arms and flutter kicks.  She’s got it! 

A sight I thought I may never see

 

Scary Goggles; Confident Smile

Cannonball!!! (Not an easy picture to get)

 Luke’s next…if he can ever get out of diapers!!!  (Keep praying, Miss Pam!!!)

Are You Sitting Down?

So, you wanted an update on the Thursday night double header.  Here goes.  Philip ended up NOT being able to play.  (League commissioner overruled head coach).  He was completely bummed.  So was I.  Oh well.  It was just the first of many disappointments of the evening. 

Nathanael was finally put on the line up to catch last night.  He was really excited and a little nervous.  It was the first game.  Third inning.  Nathanael was catching.  He called for a fast ball.  He got it.  After the inning, he came over to the stands (first alert that something is not right).  He asked for some ice.  We happened to have a big bag ready because of Anna’s recent fall on the bleachers.  I gave him the ice and asked him what was wrong.  “I kind of hurt my thumb.”  During the next inning, I ventured over to the dugout.  The thumb was swollen and bruised and I could tell Nathanael was hurting.  I told Wayland to look at it.  He said, “He’s fine.  Probably just jammed it or something.”  Nathanael finished the first game and ended up playing the entire second game (they only had eight players last night – every man was crucial).  I ended up going home early during the second game because it was literally making me ill to watch my son grimace with pain after each swing of the bat, or catch of the ball.  He was playing great, by the way -   even if it was killing him to do it.  He had some great outs, and only struck out once during both games. 

Long story short, I knew Nathanael was in pain.  Even if he wouldn’t admit it to anyone else.  I called the hand surgeon who we took Philip to a few short weeks ago, and he got us in first thing this morning.  The verdict:

Guess he really does like pink

He broke his left thumb on the growth plate.  Not fun.  We go back in three weeks to make sure (you know the drill) – no movement and hopefully no surgery and need for pins!!! 

I asked the doctor if there was a bigger problem here – two broken bones so close together.  He blamed it all on the fast ball.  I hope that’s all it is.

Baseball Comebacks, Heavy Hitters and Pertinent Pleas

Although Nathanael’s baseball team is 6-0, he played his very first game tonight.  When he got his cast off a week ago Tuesday, he expected to play in a baseball game that night.  The doctor told him to hold off at least one more week, as his arm was only 90% healed.  He was completely bummed.  You know when you’re not quite twelve, a week can seem like an eternity.  He knew his next opportunity would be tonight, and he was plain determined to be in the lineup for this game.  He has been doing all the stretches the doctor gave him, and he has been working at throwing the baseball and swinging the bat to regain some strength in his right arm.  For the past two days, his uniform has been laid out on his bed – socks, jockstrap and all.  If he asked me once, he asked me a dozen times what time it was today.  He was ready for 6:30 pm and his season opener.  Nathanael’s favorite position is catcher, with 1st base being a close second.  The coach decided to put him in left field the first few innings, to ease him back into things.  Last year, when Nathanael was still in 5th grade, he got called up to play in a 6th grade team during their playoff season.  He dropped a crucial pop fly that was hit into left field, and the team ended up losing.  To say he was as nervous as he was excited tonight, would be an understatement.  In the second inning, as Nathanael was playing left field, he not only caught a pop fly to get the first out, he quickly turned it into a double play by throwing the runner out on second base.  In the midst of all my whooping and hollering, a mom yelled out, “Welcome back Nate!!!”  I yelled a little louder, got covered in goosebumps and started tearing up.  Sports will do that to you, you know?  His batting looked good as well.  He made great contact with the ball, and although he was tagged out at first, he advanced a couple of runners on his at bats.  He had a great game; along with the rest of the team.  They remain undefeated, and Nathanael will get to finish the season with a great group of teammates, and some exceptional coaches.  (His dad included).

Spittin' Seeds

In other news, I think I may be developing an ulcer.  My two oldest sons leave for their mission trip and camp respectively on Sunday morning.  Please, please, please pray for me them.  Okay, pray for me too.  I’m not quite as worried about Nathanael, because he will have his daddy with him.  His daddy will also have his cell phone, and I will be able to hear both their sweet voices if push comes to shove.  Philip, on the other hand, will be completely out of contact with me (and all other family members) for a week.  Excuse me a moment while I go swallow another handful of Tums. 

Okay, I’m back.  I spent the afternoon writing some scriptures on note cards for Philip and taping them inside his journal.  (The journal that he darn better write in so I can have some idea of how his week has gone when I pick him up on Saturday).  Looking back over the scriptures I wrote down for him, I should probably make copies of each of them for myself;  I’m going to need them.  I also wrote him a letter for each day he’ll be gone.  I asked Anna E. if she wanted to make him a card as well, and she delightfully agreed.  In it, she wrote, “ I hop you hav a grat vacatshon.  I do not wut you to hav a low blud shrgr oor hi.”  (I hope you have a great vacation.  I do not want you to have a low blood sugar or high).  It made me cry.  That’s really all he knows.  Lows and highs.  Today he asked me why God didn’t take this away from him when He could.  It’s hard to have your ten year old ask you a question like that.  I told him there are things we are never going to understand this side of heaven.  That we just needed to trust that God loves him, and has his very best interest in mind – even if that means that Philip has to deal with diabetes for right now.  I told him that one day, I did believe he would be healed.  Whether God does that through a miracle, through doctors and researchers eventually finding a cure, or ultimately in heaven where he will deal with sickness no more -  I told him that one day God would take this from him. 

Since I’ve opened this can of worms, and I now have both the box of Kleenex and the bottle of antacids sitting beside me, I’ll go ahead and post something else I wanted to share when I found it in Philip’s folder of endless end of school papers last week.  In preparation for the writing part of the ISTEP test, Philip and his classmates were given a number of different prompts to write about in the spring.  The question on one particular prompt was “What would you wish for if you could have one wish?  Why would you wish it?”  Here’s Philip’s answer:

All I would wish for is that Diabetes would disappear from the face of the Earth.  I wish that because I can’t remember what it was like to not have Diabetes.  I would wish it because my fingers have red dots on the tips of them, and I wouldn’t have to get 4 shots a day, 28 shots a week, and so people wouldn’t have to spend so much money on the supplies.  It is not fair what the babies (with Diabetes) have to do every day.  I hate having a low blood sugar before I eat or I have to eat 15 grams of sugar and wait 15 – 20 minutes, then check again.  I hate doing all this, but I do.  I hate feeling the way I feel, but I will always feel it, and I hate Diabetes but it won’t go away.  I wish Diabetes were swept of the face of the Earth!!!    

I have no words.

Okay, I do have words.  I haven’t finished what I want to say – hang in there with me.  For six, almost seven days next week, Philip will be just like everyone else while he’s at camp.  He’s still going to check his blood sugar (probably more times than he does at home).  He’s still going to get those 28 shots.  He’s still going to have to gulp down juice when his blood sugar goes too low.  But for the first time since he has been diagnosed, he’s going to be doing it with 100+ people just like him.  I can’t imagine how that will feel for him, but I think it will be pretty good.

So.  Here’s what I want to ask from you, our dear friends and family.  Please pray for the junior high youth of Northview Christian Life as they travel to Memphis to do mission work with SOS (Service Over Self) next week.  Pray for safety.  Pray for servant’s hearts.  Pray for situations and more importantly, lives to be changed.  Please pray specifically for Nathanael and Wayland – that God would bring them back home safely and that He would be glorified in their lives in all they do and say.  Also, pray for Philip.  For the camp – their staff, and the extra staff American Diabetes Association and Riley hospital will bring in.  Pray that Philip will have a blast, be healthy and safe, and not be homesick  (I’ll be sick enough for both of us, I’m sure!).  Okay, pray for me and my two little bundles of joy next week as well.  We’re packing our calendar as full as we possibly can, so hopefully there is little time for worry or anxiety attacks. 

If worse comes to worse and one of our playdates is canceled, I’m just going to give Anna E. and Luke the camera and let them go wild.  Look at the fun they had today when the camera went missing…

        

One more prayer request…Lawrence, my father-in-law, is having surgery on his knee Friday.  Please pray for his health and quick recovery.  Thanks!!!