Daybook 5/4/15

Outside my windows...It is a gorgeous day. The sun is shining brightly, the temperature is perfect. I love this day.

Within our walls...This school year is winding down. David and Daniel are finishing up their research papers, and Anna is finishing her literature book. When those tasks are completed school will be out! Probably by Friday! Yay!!

Heart of thanksgiving...I'm thankful for Gods provision in our lives.

Heart of prayer...Sunday is Mother's Day and I'm praying for all of those without mothers in their lives. Samuel's girlfriend lost her mom last year, and this day isn't an easy one for her. 

Random observations...I'm texting Samuel as I write this. A player on his team is in trouble with the coach. As I think about the situations I am again reminded that our conduct, actions, and attitude are so important in making, and keeping relationships. When we act selfishly it doesn't just affect us, but also those on our "team."

My children...The childhood our children have is so different than the childhood Stephen and I had, we grew up in a large church with all of our needs met. Our children are a part of a struggling, small, almost nonexistent church. They are making friends with all kinds of people, being out in situations we were never put in. And they are thriving! I'm so proud of all of them. 

Thoughts from the kitchen...I'm going to try a new recipe tonight, yikes! Last night I opened a can of sauerkraut and it smelled bad. BAD! I looked at the expiration date and it was December 2014. No wonder! 

Sounds of the moment...David is throwing away a lot of notebook paper, he's wadding it up and it's kind of loud. The air conditioner just kicked on, the washer and dryer are running, and a neighbor is mowing their lawn.

What I'm wearing...Cute black shorts, old shirt, socks, and tennis shoes. Yes, shoes!

A favorite thing from last week. Last week was busy, and I loved it!

On the calendar...Samuel has two games this week. One today that we aren't going to, but we'll go Friday to Magnolia. And then if everything works out, we'll go to Harrison next for the state tournament! Yay!

Anna and her friend Audrey

Saturday Funday

Since we moved to Pine Bluff we have been intentional about being in the community and participating in community events. 

We're not great at it, but we try! Yesterday the city put on Family Funday. When we found out about the event, we signed up to participate in the team games and to tailgate. We took our charcoal grill, that Stephen loves, and food for our team. 

Little did we know, communication for the event was subpar, we were to provide food for everyone that attended! Everyone could come by and eat our food, and drink our drinks. There were eight groups tailgating and six of them brought enough food for the couple of hundred people that attended. Oh well, we had enough food for us, and were able to share our drinks with others. 

Anna and Stephen taking a break from unloading our tailgating supplies.

David, Daniel, and Stephen went fishing during the afternoon.

It was a fun, full day. We played games, laughed, and got some sun.

And Samuel won the chicken wing eating contest! I'm hoping there's scholarship money for this new talent. 

Keepin' it Real

It is a beautiful sunshiney, green tree and grass, warm with a little breeze day here in Pine Bluff. I'm sitting outside trying to keep wasps out of my can of Coke and feeling pretty yucky about the morning that we had.

It started off as a normal day. In fact, I got up earlier than normal, and felt refreshed! I started a load of laundry, we got a new/used washer yesterday so it was the first time in over a week I had done laundry at home, and enjoyed some time with the family.

School started, everything was going good. And then everything went downhill. Fast. I didn't even see it coming. There were words, tears, looks, sighs, more words, more tears. It went from good to worse quickly. I ended up in my room crying and wondering where I had failed. Then I remembered where, and then wondered why I had let it happen again.

"The sins of the fathers" quote came to me. But it was the sins of the siblings. You see, I have one child that can be unkind towards me. I've done all that I know to do. Punish, talk, ground, talk, punish, repeat. It appears I should have taught my other children about how to treat people kindly and with consideration, and compassion. Because today I saw a side of a child that I hadn't seen before. I had seen hints of it, but I really thought it was under control. And it made me sad. And mad. And guilty. 

You see, if I had been more prepared in introducing a subject the anger level for this child wouldn't have risen. I was under the impression the last time I covered the material it "stuck", but it didn't and I didn't know it. 

Sure, kids have their own personalities. Parents shouldn't get all the credit for the good children and all the blame for the bad ones. But I do think parents play a huge role in helping define character and how their children treat others. My children have good manners because we taught them and expect it of them. And my children have a tendency to yell and speak unkindly because I didn't come down hard enough on them the first times they did it. Unlearning behavior is difficult. Unlearning behavior that the child likes is more difficult. 

I don't have the answers, I wish I did. All I know to do is bear down a little harder, don't lighten up just because I think the lesson has been learned. Stay the course. Fight for good character in my children, both in our home and outside of it. Show them love, grace, kindness, and compassion. Yet show them discipline, strength, and determination too.

A quick review of the week

Ok, I'm going to try to make this a quick read, but still document our week.

We began the week celebrating this sweet girl and her 11th birthday.

We ended the week celebrating these two. They were such sweet smelling, little guys back then.

And now they look like this. 14! They aren't so sweet smelling anymore, but still great guys!

And then David took his written driving test and passed! Now to teach him how to drive.

Then this happened later that afternoon

Aren't they stunning? Friday night was prom, Lauren is a senior and Samuel is a junior. Such a good looking couple. 

Saturday there was a kayak race at Saracen Lake so we did that and 

Daniel won! 

Then later on that evening Stephen and Anna went kayaking. They had so much fun together. 

Sunday David and Daniel were awarded for their work in Trek. Trek is the Jr. High version of Awana. They've memorized 634 Bible verses.

And then Samuel preached at Eastside Baptist. Their preacher is wanting to give young guys called to the ministry a place and time to preach. We really appreciated it, and Samuel did a terrific job.

Kind of looks like a natural doesn't he?!

Whew! This was a quick review of the week. There were so many emotions. My kids are getting older, rights of passage are happening, races are being run and won, the future is unfolding right in front of us. I hope I never forget busy, eventful weeks with my people.

Anna's Birthday

Yesterday we celebrated Anna! She is 11, just two years until the teenage years. 

She woke up earlier than usual, don't they always! 

We, of course, put streamers on her bedroom door, which she then fashioned into door curtains. Love having a girl!

Anna wanted to eat lunch at Wings To Go with a few friends and one of them brought a cake! You've had a great birthday when you get two cakes! 

She also talked to many relatives throughout the day. This call was from Mamaw. When Anna got off the phone, she said we had to go to Mamaw's soon because she told her we would! So I guess we need to plan a trip.

We finished the evening with dinner and a movie. We laughed, told stories, and enjoyed celebrating Anna.

Birthday Month

It's April! Birthday month in the Beavers' home. 

We celebrate three birthdays in four days. The amount of cake, and wrapping paper consumed is every birthday persons dream! It's my favorite time of the year actually. I love celebrating three of our children in one month. And I'm pretty sure Samuel loves celebrating his birthday all by himself in October! Ha!

We'll do a little streamer hanging,

 

We'll blow out some candles,

And we'll open presents! (This picture was 2 yrs ago. Wow!)

6 days until Anna turns 11!!!! The countdown is on.

Daybook 4/9/15

Outside my window......It's supposed to be a nice day, but storms are coming this evening. I'll make sure our iPads and phones are charged in case we lose electricity. 

Within my walls.....School, school, school and clean, clean, clean!

In my kitchen...Meals will be cooked, I just don't know what they'll consist of! 

What I'm wearing....Black yoga pants, t shirt, and socks. Surprised??

Random observations...The pollen is unreal! At times, it looks like it's raining yellow pollen. Yuck!

A favorite thing from last week...I got to hang out with Samuel and Lauren the other day. It was fun, but I need to remember to stay out of their conversations!

A heart of thanksgiving.... I'm thankful for this girl, she'll be 11 in just 11 days. Wow! 

A heart of prayer...

The