Today Joshua's Therapeutic Recreation group learned about Egypt. And then they did a "pottery" type of craft using dough. Joshua made a snowman. When I got there, he said, "look what I made...an OLAF!"
On the way home in the car, I asked him to tell me what all he learned about Egypt (he pronounces it "E-jup).
He said, "it reminded me of Tatooine."
Me: "what?"
Him (with his indignant voice): "Tattoine..from...STAR WARS?"
I said, "I know what Tattoine is...what made you think of that when you were talking about Egypt?"
Him: "because there's desert everywhere."
He said that when people die, they are wrapped up in strips of cloth.
"Like Jesus," I said.
Him: "mmm...mmm. And then you are stuffed in a tomb."
He said that he learned about camels, and I said, "what about them?"
He said, "they are verrrrrrrrrrry fascinating creatures." (WHAT?)
He said they are tall and smelly and can walk a long distance. Jenni said they spit!
He said, "they have extra fat in their hump."
I said, "oh yeah? Why?"
And he said, "for people to ride on."
Oooooookay.
He said, "camels can store up to 20 gallons of milk for long trips."
I said, "you mean WATER."
He looked at me in the eyes and said, "MILLLLKKKK."
Alrighty then.
Tomorrow is their fitness day and they go to the gym. It's one of Joshua's very favorite things to do.
He said, "Last week, at fitness, I looked up and saw Cale walking alllllllll around the room like an Indian."
I said, "WHAT?"
He said, "Cale was walking around the room like an Indian."
I said, "what do you mean."
He put one hand up behind his head and spread his fingers out like feathers. And then he put one hand off and on his mouth (think: the scene from Peter Pan where the "Indians" are dancing around the fire) and went, "WOOWOOWOOWOOWOOWOOWOOWOOWOO!"
I'm sorry.
Joshua said, "I'm glad that there weren't any Indians at the gym, because they would be offended."
Me: "Native Americans."
Him: "I'm glad Jenni wasn't there."
Me: "Why?"
Him: "She's part Indian, and she would've been offended if she saw what Cale was doing."
Me: "Joshua, they call themselves NA-TIVE A-MER-I-CANS now."
Joshua: "Yeah. Native Americans. But they're Indians."
(sigh)
(I'm really sorry)
"You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head." Psalm 139:5
...finding joy in the UPside of DOWN...
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Joshua The Wolf
So on our way to Little Rock today, I asked Joshua how it was going with his "story." For those of you who don't know, Joshua is writing a story that he is convinced will be made into a block-bluster movie...and we will buy a big mansion in the skyyyyyy if it does.
We're not packing yet.
It's called, "Bravery."
He's also working on a story called "Charcoal-Gray Power Ranger," not to be confused with the regular Power Ranger show...but it's eerily similar.
Joshua takes all of the characters from his favorite movies and TV shows: Twilight, Power Rangers, Boy Meets World, Alf, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Frozen...and squishes them around into new characters in his story. And most of his story makes no sense to anyone but him.
What his characters are wearing seems to be very important to Joshua...and how they look. It's interesting to me that in his stories, Joshua's character is 6'4" tall and does NOT wear glasses. Kinda makes me sad to think that he has an idea in his mind of the perfect body, and it's not the way he is now. In real life, Joshua is 5 feet tall and DOES wear glasses. He asked me the other day if I thought he could wear contacts, so that might be something we check out in the future.
And, if we're being honest, Joshua is about 4'10" tall...or so. We always TELL him that he's 5 feet tall, because it seems to be so important to him.
Don't judge me.
For example, in Bravery, Joshua's character is named Josh Billy. Billy is after one of the original Power Rangers. In the Charcoal Ranger story, his character is JAKE Billy. In Bravery, his character starts out as an atheist, and eventually comes to Christ. In Charcoal Ranger, his character starts out as a 7 year old kid, on fire for the Lord. He said that his character in "Bravery" is just taking a little longer to see the Light. I told him that Jesus draws us to Himself...in our spirits.
Joshua said, "well, THAT'S obvious."
He said that he made Ron to be his brother in his Charcoal Ranger story. I said, "Ron, from Harry Potter?" And he said, "yes." I said, "does he have red hair?" Joshua grinned and said, "yep, he's a ginger."
He has also put everyone he knows into his stories. I've written before that he made his character a fearless and strong wolf. He made his two brothers to be strong lions. Holly and Morgan are fearless bears. I can't remember what Faith is, but Aaron-the-son-in-law is a fawn.
A FAWN.
As in half-man, half-fawn...like Thomas from Narnia.
This has caused no small amount of conflict, because every time Joshua brings it up, Aaron will threaten to write his OWN story and make Joshua's character a fairy or a mouse. And Joshua goes NUTS!
This should come as no surprise to us, because not only did he make Aaron-the-son-in-law a FAWN...he makes him wear a 1-inch "cut-off" Arkansas Razorback shirt in his story.
I don't think he is fully aware of how little a 1-inch shirt is...or how that would look on Aaron.
Today, I learned that Joshua has also added Jenni's childhood boyfriend to his story. He said, "I made him a big, smelly, RUDE RHINO."
Oh, really?
He also wrote my Dad's wife, Mrs. Clara, into his story. He wrote about finding her crying (this is totally made up), and he tried to comfort her by saying, "hey, I know you lost your best friend (this would be my Mom), but you have filled a hole and a gap in our family with your love."
So, even tho this story is completely made up, this is very true. Mrs. Clara has filled a huge gap in our family and we love her very much.
I could go on and on and on...but I'll spare you. He could talk for hours about this and he gets SO EXCITED and ANIMATED. My head was spinning by the time I got to Little Rock! So.much.information.
I love that Joshua can write. I love that he can read and imagine and think. I love that he has found ways to express himself. He knows the difference between real life and fantasy, and it makes me happy that he is finding fulfillment by using the creativity that God gave him.
"Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous..." Psalm 139:14
We're not packing yet.
It's called, "Bravery."
He's also working on a story called "Charcoal-Gray Power Ranger," not to be confused with the regular Power Ranger show...but it's eerily similar.
Joshua takes all of the characters from his favorite movies and TV shows: Twilight, Power Rangers, Boy Meets World, Alf, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Frozen...and squishes them around into new characters in his story. And most of his story makes no sense to anyone but him.
What his characters are wearing seems to be very important to Joshua...and how they look. It's interesting to me that in his stories, Joshua's character is 6'4" tall and does NOT wear glasses. Kinda makes me sad to think that he has an idea in his mind of the perfect body, and it's not the way he is now. In real life, Joshua is 5 feet tall and DOES wear glasses. He asked me the other day if I thought he could wear contacts, so that might be something we check out in the future.
And, if we're being honest, Joshua is about 4'10" tall...or so. We always TELL him that he's 5 feet tall, because it seems to be so important to him.
Don't judge me.
For example, in Bravery, Joshua's character is named Josh Billy. Billy is after one of the original Power Rangers. In the Charcoal Ranger story, his character is JAKE Billy. In Bravery, his character starts out as an atheist, and eventually comes to Christ. In Charcoal Ranger, his character starts out as a 7 year old kid, on fire for the Lord. He said that his character in "Bravery" is just taking a little longer to see the Light. I told him that Jesus draws us to Himself...in our spirits.
Joshua said, "well, THAT'S obvious."
He said that he made Ron to be his brother in his Charcoal Ranger story. I said, "Ron, from Harry Potter?" And he said, "yes." I said, "does he have red hair?" Joshua grinned and said, "yep, he's a ginger."
He has also put everyone he knows into his stories. I've written before that he made his character a fearless and strong wolf. He made his two brothers to be strong lions. Holly and Morgan are fearless bears. I can't remember what Faith is, but Aaron-the-son-in-law is a fawn.
A FAWN.
As in half-man, half-fawn...like Thomas from Narnia.
This has caused no small amount of conflict, because every time Joshua brings it up, Aaron will threaten to write his OWN story and make Joshua's character a fairy or a mouse. And Joshua goes NUTS!
This should come as no surprise to us, because not only did he make Aaron-the-son-in-law a FAWN...he makes him wear a 1-inch "cut-off" Arkansas Razorback shirt in his story.
I don't think he is fully aware of how little a 1-inch shirt is...or how that would look on Aaron.
Today, I learned that Joshua has also added Jenni's childhood boyfriend to his story. He said, "I made him a big, smelly, RUDE RHINO."
Oh, really?
He also wrote my Dad's wife, Mrs. Clara, into his story. He wrote about finding her crying (this is totally made up), and he tried to comfort her by saying, "hey, I know you lost your best friend (this would be my Mom), but you have filled a hole and a gap in our family with your love."
So, even tho this story is completely made up, this is very true. Mrs. Clara has filled a huge gap in our family and we love her very much.
I could go on and on and on...but I'll spare you. He could talk for hours about this and he gets SO EXCITED and ANIMATED. My head was spinning by the time I got to Little Rock! So.much.information.
I love that Joshua can write. I love that he can read and imagine and think. I love that he has found ways to express himself. He knows the difference between real life and fantasy, and it makes me happy that he is finding fulfillment by using the creativity that God gave him.
"Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous..." Psalm 139:14
Monday, November 3, 2014
Whose Kid Is This Anyway?
Not gonna lie...this time change is kickin' my rear.
I almost didn't write anything tonight. Just.so.tired.
At the grocery several weeks ago...wayyy before Halloween, I walked behind a young dad and his daughter. He was pushing the buggy with one hand, and holding his daughter's hand with the other. She was wearing a tiara, a Princess dress...and a cape.
I'm sure the dad was unaware that anyone was paying any attention to them, but I saw them...and I smiled all the way down into my heart. And I thought...what a great dad.
On Sundays...in the 2nd service...Holly and I go down and sit with our family after the choir sings. Usually, it's Jim, empty seat for me, Joshua, empty seat for Holly...and Aaron. Well, yesterday, we walked down to sit with them and there was one empty seat by Jim...and one empty seat between Joshua and Aaron, who were sitting on the row in front of Jim.
Apparently it was crowded on our row, so they split up.
Well, Holly slid in beside Joshua and y'all. I wish I could've recorded his face. He grinned from ear to ear. She put her arm around him and hugged him...and he grinned and grinned. And Jim and I just smiled. SO precious. I love the bond they have.
I'm sure they were unaware that anyone was paying any attention to them, after all, the service was already in progress. But after church, a lady who was apparently sitting in our same section...several rows back...came up to me and told me, with tears in her eyes, that she and her husband had watched the whole thing. She told me how sweet she thought it was, and how it blessed them so much.
Speaking of Holly, yesterday, we had a 2 hour "bonus" choir rehearsal to work on the Christmas music.
Years ago, Holly was probably around 9, my friend, Paula dropped her off at our house after her piano lesson. Holly, and Paula's daughter, Sarah, took lessons together...and we took turns taking them and picking them up.
Holly seemed kind of grouchy when she walked in, so I asked her about her lesson. She said it was "fine." I asked her if she got any new music, and she huffed and said, "yes, and I don't like it at all." I said, "well, what's the name of it?" She said, "it's a song called 'whose Kid is this anyway?"
So I had to chuckle when we sang the song in choir tonight. It's really called, "What Child Is This?"
"Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12
I almost didn't write anything tonight. Just.so.tired.
At the grocery several weeks ago...wayyy before Halloween, I walked behind a young dad and his daughter. He was pushing the buggy with one hand, and holding his daughter's hand with the other. She was wearing a tiara, a Princess dress...and a cape.
I'm sure the dad was unaware that anyone was paying any attention to them, but I saw them...and I smiled all the way down into my heart. And I thought...what a great dad.
On Sundays...in the 2nd service...Holly and I go down and sit with our family after the choir sings. Usually, it's Jim, empty seat for me, Joshua, empty seat for Holly...and Aaron. Well, yesterday, we walked down to sit with them and there was one empty seat by Jim...and one empty seat between Joshua and Aaron, who were sitting on the row in front of Jim.
Apparently it was crowded on our row, so they split up.
Well, Holly slid in beside Joshua and y'all. I wish I could've recorded his face. He grinned from ear to ear. She put her arm around him and hugged him...and he grinned and grinned. And Jim and I just smiled. SO precious. I love the bond they have.
I'm sure they were unaware that anyone was paying any attention to them, after all, the service was already in progress. But after church, a lady who was apparently sitting in our same section...several rows back...came up to me and told me, with tears in her eyes, that she and her husband had watched the whole thing. She told me how sweet she thought it was, and how it blessed them so much.
Speaking of Holly, yesterday, we had a 2 hour "bonus" choir rehearsal to work on the Christmas music.
Years ago, Holly was probably around 9, my friend, Paula dropped her off at our house after her piano lesson. Holly, and Paula's daughter, Sarah, took lessons together...and we took turns taking them and picking them up.
Holly seemed kind of grouchy when she walked in, so I asked her about her lesson. She said it was "fine." I asked her if she got any new music, and she huffed and said, "yes, and I don't like it at all." I said, "well, what's the name of it?" She said, "it's a song called 'whose Kid is this anyway?"
So I had to chuckle when we sang the song in choir tonight. It's really called, "What Child Is This?"
"Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Links For You, November 2, 2014 Edition
After a fun weekend and a whirlwind Sunday, we are having a quiet night.
As I sit and type this, it's 7 p.m. and I'm exhausted. It feels like it should be 10 p.m. What in the WORLD? I thought the extra hour of sleep I got last night would make me feel more energetic, but all I want to do is go to bed.
We had Sunday School and church today. And then I had Christmas Choir practice from 1-3 p.m. And then we had a meeting at church tonight at 5.
Yesterday, Holly started getting her craft on. She doesn't have a lot of time these days for anything but studying, but she took a break and painted the cutest board for me. And she painted something for Morgan-the-daughter-in-law. Clark's girlfriend, Faith, came over this afternoon. When she saw what Holly painted, she wanted in on the action. Jim keeps stacks of wood out in the garage...cut into various shapes and sizes. Faith went out there and chose a couple she liked, came inside and got started.
My kitchen now looks like Clinton's Craft Corner. Paint, brushes, wood, sandpaper, paint pens, etc.
I love it!
Here are a few links that I enjoyed reading this week. Maybe you will, too!
Let HIS light shine in you...this post.
"In puffy coats and matching nothing..." this post made me cry.
This, by Emily Freeman, on letting Jesus speak to you through the words and hands of others.
This, because we can't do it all.
And this, just for fun, because Kelly's Korner was the very first blog I ever read. Like in my whole life. Someone sent the link to me as a prayer request, because her daughter, Harper, was born with complications. I prayed for Harper (she's fine now), and have read and followed her family for the past 5 years. It's been so fun to see God work in their family. His ways are higher than our ways!
"God thunders with His voice in marvelous ways; He does great things beyond our understanding." Job 37:5
As I sit and type this, it's 7 p.m. and I'm exhausted. It feels like it should be 10 p.m. What in the WORLD? I thought the extra hour of sleep I got last night would make me feel more energetic, but all I want to do is go to bed.
We had Sunday School and church today. And then I had Christmas Choir practice from 1-3 p.m. And then we had a meeting at church tonight at 5.
Yesterday, Holly started getting her craft on. She doesn't have a lot of time these days for anything but studying, but she took a break and painted the cutest board for me. And she painted something for Morgan-the-daughter-in-law. Clark's girlfriend, Faith, came over this afternoon. When she saw what Holly painted, she wanted in on the action. Jim keeps stacks of wood out in the garage...cut into various shapes and sizes. Faith went out there and chose a couple she liked, came inside and got started.
My kitchen now looks like Clinton's Craft Corner. Paint, brushes, wood, sandpaper, paint pens, etc.
I love it!
Here are a few links that I enjoyed reading this week. Maybe you will, too!
Let HIS light shine in you...this post.
"In puffy coats and matching nothing..." this post made me cry.
This, by Emily Freeman, on letting Jesus speak to you through the words and hands of others.
This, because we can't do it all.
And this, just for fun, because Kelly's Korner was the very first blog I ever read. Like in my whole life. Someone sent the link to me as a prayer request, because her daughter, Harper, was born with complications. I prayed for Harper (she's fine now), and have read and followed her family for the past 5 years. It's been so fun to see God work in their family. His ways are higher than our ways!
"God thunders with His voice in marvelous ways; He does great things beyond our understanding." Job 37:5
Saturday, November 1, 2014
That Time My 18 Year Old Son Asked Me About Marital Fulfillment. OR: How I Fell Over Dead
Several things about today:
* Logan was here all day so...LOVE! I expected him to sleep until 9:30 or so. He is a huge fan of professional soccer. Last night, he told us he would be watching a game that started at 10. Well, about 8:30, he jumped in the shower while Jim and I fixed breakfast. He walked into the kitchen, dressed for the day, wearing this Harry Potter lookin' scarf. It is so funny. He wears it for every soccer game. Ten points for Gryffindor!
* Jim, Clark and Faith ran in a 5K this morning and all 3 did GREAT! The weather was sunny and COLD! Brrrrr! I went and cheered them on. It was really fun!
* All four kids were here most of the day. I was so HAPPY!
* All four kids, plus Aaron-the-son-in-law and Faith, joined us for dinner. So FUN! We ate at David's Burgers. We had to sit at two tables for 4. The "big kids" sat at one table, and Jim and I sat at the table with Clark and Faith. And then we had to beat it back to the house because Arkansas was kicking off against Mississippi State at 6:15...and Aaron-the-son-in-law was about to lose his mind until we got in the car to head home.
* Joshua picked up Holly's little Yorkie, and accidentally pinched the skin under one of his "arms." Marley yelped, and Joshua said, "Marley is so excited to see me...he SQUEALED!"
* Holly got her craft on and made me something CUTE! Logan saw it, sent a picture of it to Morgan...and now she wants Holly to make her something cute, too!
*Joshua say he doesn't want to live until he's 50 because of the Metamucil.
* Annnnnd...my 18 year old son asked me if I thought Jim and I would experience "more marital fulfillment" after he goes to college next year. And I...uhhhh...I...uhhhhhhhhhh...
[drops mic and walks away]
Because I.can't.even.
"...a sensible person keeps quiet." Proverbs 11:12
* Logan was here all day so...LOVE! I expected him to sleep until 9:30 or so. He is a huge fan of professional soccer. Last night, he told us he would be watching a game that started at 10. Well, about 8:30, he jumped in the shower while Jim and I fixed breakfast. He walked into the kitchen, dressed for the day, wearing this Harry Potter lookin' scarf. It is so funny. He wears it for every soccer game. Ten points for Gryffindor!
* Jim, Clark and Faith ran in a 5K this morning and all 3 did GREAT! The weather was sunny and COLD! Brrrrr! I went and cheered them on. It was really fun!
* All four kids were here most of the day. I was so HAPPY!
* All four kids, plus Aaron-the-son-in-law and Faith, joined us for dinner. So FUN! We ate at David's Burgers. We had to sit at two tables for 4. The "big kids" sat at one table, and Jim and I sat at the table with Clark and Faith. And then we had to beat it back to the house because Arkansas was kicking off against Mississippi State at 6:15...and Aaron-the-son-in-law was about to lose his mind until we got in the car to head home.
* Joshua picked up Holly's little Yorkie, and accidentally pinched the skin under one of his "arms." Marley yelped, and Joshua said, "Marley is so excited to see me...he SQUEALED!"
* Holly got her craft on and made me something CUTE! Logan saw it, sent a picture of it to Morgan...and now she wants Holly to make her something cute, too!
*Joshua say he doesn't want to live until he's 50 because of the Metamucil.
* Annnnnd...my 18 year old son asked me if I thought Jim and I would experience "more marital fulfillment" after he goes to college next year. And I...uhhhh...I...uhhhhhhhhhh...
[drops mic and walks away]
Because I.can't.even.
"...a sensible person keeps quiet." Proverbs 11:12
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