Funny conversations

If a comedian wants good material he need only have a few young children - I feel like I'm in a comedy show most every day. Mary Jo makes me laugh with just about everything she says these days - if someone's having a brownie or has been asked a question she will quickly answer. She walked around the house singing a lot today, at one point it was "All About That Bass" and later tonight it was "Holy, Holy, Holy." (she doesn't listen to pop music, by the way, just heard her Daddy singing that on occasion, and of course she picked it up!). When playing with her siblings she has quickly changed from being a doormat to screaming, "No, Mine!!" She's become a little pistol, but is still a sweetheart.

David is currently asleep in his bed in a tank top, shorts, and soccer socks pulled up above his knees. Soccer season starts in just under 2 months and he is SO ready! The other night we were talking about what he and Eli were going to be when they grew up - Eli decided on a police officer and David was torn between "A policeman, a bad guy, a firefighter, and a power ranger." We need to work on the "bad guy" aspirations, although recently he's been telling me "I'm going to listen to you tomorrow!" 

Eli is starting to read! It's been so exciting and I've used lots of praise and encouragement (if it took me as long as it took him at first to sound out words I might just give up and be illiterate). Early on he was sounding out the word "pal" and was slowing saying each letter sound - as I was struggling to stay patient - he said "papapa aaaa alalalal....eloise!" Not sure where it came from but it provided the much needed comic relief in the school room. My Mom gave me some old phonics books from when she taught Kindergarten a few years ago. The first one is called Mac and Tab, and Eli has gotten pretty comfortable with reading it. I tried to introduce book #2, The Tin Man, the other day and he really protested, he said he only wanted to read the first one forever. I laughed at the thought of him in college curled up with a very beat up copy of Mac and Tab. :)

Sadie is my work in progress, we are deep in character training. She is a pendulum, having very sweet moments then some very challenging ones. Sometimes I question my decision to take her out of school, worrying that I've created a monster, but I really think the Lord's given me this time with her, much needed time, to re-establish her boundaries, her authority, and nurture her in the admonition of the Lord, as the Scriptures teach us. The other night we were doing her devotion and it was about staying on the right track, but if we fall, we can always call to the Lord and He will put us back on the right track. I looked at her, smiled, and said "Was this devotion written just for you?" She answered with "I know! I really needed to hear that!" 7 going on 25.  Below is her precious little self, sick, from earlier this week. Thankful for my 4 little blessings and treasuring every conversation we get to have. Goodnight!