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As I was just tucking Adam into bed I asked him, "Do you know how much I love you?"

He replied, "A whole lot?"

I said, "More than that."

He thought for a moment and said, "I don't really know how to put it into words."

I told him, "I don't either."

That was a warm heart, Mommy moment.

Austin's Prayer

My blog posts are usually comical little clips out of our normal life.  Nothing to heavy, just "moments with my boys."  I have been thinking about this post for a few days, and I think I'll give it try, even though it is not typical clip from our lives.

The other Sunday we were talking about trusting God and trusting that the outcome of situations would turn out and be the way he wants them.

A situation came to mind.  When this friend and I had a chance to talk later that week I told her of this story.

 My sister asked me at some point if I had ever recorded it.  As I thought how to answer that, I had always thought that it was somewhat of a personal story to my heart, but I shared it when I thought it might encourage a friend.  The more I thought about it, the more I thought, "why not share it.  If it encourages someone-great.  But mostly, I want Austin to have access to this story."

I have been very open about Austin health when he was first born.  He was a very sick little boy!  The Doctor's could not figure out what was wrong with him.  They ran, what seemed to be, every test they could think of and found NOTHING!!  They were have phone conferences with the University Hospital (about 1 hour away--with a larger NICU), the pediatric group that was caring for Austin met over lunch (there are at least 10 Doctor's in this group)--their topic of discussion: Austin.  On his 6th day in the hospital nursery, I woke up--the nurses had not called me to come feed him.  So, I strolled down to the nursery to feed him.  One of my favorite nurses that took care of Austin stopped me when she saw me coming.  She said, "He stopped breathing, he turned blue.  I resuscitated him...."  She continued, but I don't think I heard much of what she had to say after that.  I talked to the Doctor, I do not remember much of what he had to say either.

I went back to my room and I sat on my bed thinking--since I clearly could do nothing for this situation.  I thought over my pregnancy.  I was determined that I was going to take care of my baby while pregnant.  Then I went on bed rest.  I was going to get through that, it was best for my baby.  As I sat on the bed in my room, knowing that my baby was having tests done, and I couldn't help in the least, it occurred to me that I can only do so much for my child.  I can eat nutritionally, and make healthy choices.  I can do bed rest, but in the end I should not have been relying on myself, I should have been relying more on God.

I'm realizing this while in my room down the hall from the nursery.  I sat there and prayed, "God, I should not rely on me to bring up this child.  He is more yours than he his mine.  If I only get him for a week, I will know that was in your will.  I will be sad, but you know best."

Shortly after that (the time frame gets fuzzy here), the Doctor came into my room he looked baffled.  He said, "I cannot explain it, Austin is doing better.  He going going against EVERYTHING that the texts books say he should be doing.  I don't know why..."

I thought to myself, "you don't have to tell me why, I know!"

That was my first lesson in parenting--My child has mine by genes, but truly I have been blessed to foster him.  He is by far, more God's than he will ever be mine.

A Bit of Affirmation

Sometimes I sit and wonder how our faith is being transferred to our boys.  We go to church, and are active there.  We pray. We talk about God and our Faith.  We do devotions.

But still, there are moments when I wonder "Are they getting it?"

A few weeks ago Adam went to camp.  While he was away for a week, I decided I was cleaning his room, and painting it.  It was highly due--for both!!  While I was cleaning I found a note in his "reading corner"  (I guess it is also a writing corner).  Here is a picture of the note.

I guess Adam is picking up tid bits here and there.  

I have to say, this little note warms my heart every time I see it!

Camp

Austin was at camp this past week. He was in the same cabin that Adam was in the week before and he one of the same counselors that Adam had this year as well (Daniel).  The other counselor was the one that Adam just LOVED last year (Caamon).  

Austin went without a friend in his cabin.  The dates didn't work with anyone he asked.  So, to solve that problem, he said, "I'll just go meet new people."  There were a few people in his cabin that he already knew from other places, and some that he met new this week.  

I happened to be friends with the camp nurse this week.  She would send me little messages about him, letting me know that he is fine.  I even got a picture.  

Austin had a great week.  They hiked, swam, played captured the flag, and cooked over a fire.  They had devotions each day as a cabin, and had fireside each evening. 

I went to this camp when I was young.  It is so great to see my boys go and have such great experiences.   I love that when I pick the boys up from camp they are already making mental plans for camp the next year.  

I certainly do appreciate all that these young men.  Giving up their summer to work at a camp with little ones and be a guide and role model to them.  

I Didn't Think They Were There...

Mike and I both have naturally curly hair.  When we were newly married, when we talked about our future children we thought certainly they would have the curliest hair--since both mom and dad have curly hair.

Austin's hair was never overly curly.  Adam had cute baby hair curls.  After Adam's first hair cut they never came back.  

I have looked at my boys baffled that they had this straight hair, yet Mike and I both have curly hair.  

Austin is going through a phase right now, wanting long hair.  It is driving me totally insane!!  I like short hair. It is cooler, and much easier to clean and cleaner looking.  But I continue to remind myself that if this is the worst rebellion he does, it's not that bad.  He is just at an age where he wants to express himself and this is where he chose for that to happen.

The other day, I was looking at Austin, and I found....

... The slightest hint of a curl at his ear.  I looked on the other side, and...

...sure enough there were more.

I never thought my boys had curly hair.  Maybe it was just that I never gave their hair a chance to get long enough to show the curls.  They may have been there all along.

A Little Mix-up

The other day I was in the kitchen fixing dinner.  I had noticed earlier in the day that Austin was a little stuffy sounding.  As I was working on the meal, Austin walks up and very casually announces, "I'm constipated."  Then he got a really funny look on his face as if, "what did I just say?"  Then he said, "I don't think I said the right word."  I said, "Do you mean congested?"  Yes, that was it!

It just tickled me that he knew right away that he said the wrong word.  Although i can see how he could get those confused.