Sweet, Smiling Boy

He's always been the "shy" one.  He's very timid and cautious in most every situation.  He isn't quite sure about being left by mom even if it's with someone he knows very well.  He often cries when mom isn't the one putting him into bed.  He wants mom to pour his chocolate milk, mom to make his sam-wich, mom to brush his teeth, mom to change his clothes, and mom to hug him every morning.  He's particular and needs a routine.  He likes his sports blanket and has it with him whenever we are at home.  He usually has his drink in his left arm.  He likes to wear comfortable shorts and prefers crocs over any other type of shoe.  He can usually be found holding a book and pretending to be at church.  He sings all of the time and learns all of his older brother's lessons from school.  He knows sight words and letters.  He wants to be left alone while he's in the bathroom.  He is who he is, and I like it.

My favorite thing about him, though, is when he opens up.  When he comes out of his "shyness" and shows who he truly is.  He is really smart and recalls way too much.  His vocabulary is astounding considering his age, though most people have never heard him speak!  He's precious and funny and blunt.  He notices everything.  He calls you out if you're not doing something right.  He tells you not to say "gosh" because "it sounds like God."  He laughs with his eyes closed.  He makes his own jokes and writes his own lyrics to almost every song, then sings them in whatever tune he chooses.  He also tends to sing his thoughts to us.  He's genuine and honest most of the time.

Tonight, I watched as he cried being taken into his Wednesday night bible class at church.  I had to walk away knowing it was best for him.  I honestly sat in my study, wondering how he was, if he was comfortable yet, if he was missing me.  However, as class ended, I walked out the door to a surprise sighting of him, laughing with the other boys in his class as they walked back to the classroom hand in hand.  His smile was as big as I'd seen it in a while, and he was happy.  It was the most precious thing I'd seen him do in a while, and while I don't have it in pictures, I'll always cherish Samuel's sweet smile.

Pretending to be a soldier

Nervous about the chickens at the Apple Orchard

Happy to be celebrating Mimi's birthday

SUPER happy to be eating Mimi's birthday strawberry shortcake

Thrilled to have strawberries with his leftovers

Hilariously smiling for Mom after school one day

Excited to have dinner with Mom and Dad...

all to his sweet self!

Back to School

I was intrigued when I read her response to my email concerning my son entering his final year of Mother's Day Out before Kindergarten.

"I think I'm going to need another PreK teacher...let me know if you know any one interested in a part-time job (wink wink)."

I knew she meant me.  I quickly forwarded the email to my husband, and instead of a response, he texted, "WHOA?!"  I wasn't sure if I'd be going back to teaching or not, but the idea was so intriguing.  I love to teach.  I love the opportunity to create in a classroom setting.  I love watching little eyes light up when they've realized something they didn't see before.  

But, God had called me 5 years ago away from the classroom.  He was clear.  So clear that I almost fought His directions to me.  God wanted me at home.  He wanted me to heal from my miscarriage.  He needed me to enjoy my second pregnancy and the birth of our first born without any distractions.  He also wanted me home when I quickly learned I was pregnant for a third time when Daniel was only 3 months old.  He knew I needed to stay within these four walls with sweet Samuel and his energetic, big toddler brother.  He had me here during the days of my 4th pregnancy which ended in a miscarriage, and He was ready for me to rejoice when becoming pregnant a fifth time.  He allowed me to watch Elias through all of his doctor visits, hospital stays, and procedures.  I have no questions NOW about why God called me out of teaching then.

It didn't take us but a day to prayerfully consider this new offer.  It was perfect for me and our little family.  I would teach at the Mother's Day Out program where our boys attend.  I would get paid for doing something I was trained by a university and gifted by God to do.  It was pretty clear to us that evening that I was going to be going back to teach Pre-K in the Fall of 2013.

Here I am.  

13 students (one of them is my own, Daniel), and I couldn't be more thrilled with what God and this program are allowing me to do each Tuesday and Thursday!  It's truly been so much fun and exciting going back to school, and I can't thank God enough for the opportunity to do so!

Our Carpet Area

The Wall of Art

Birthday Bulletin

Daniel was excited to find his name on the wall!

Oh, and to get his treat from his teacher, Mom.

Treat Bags for Students

Mine and Daniel's 1st Day of Pre-K

Just Some Things About the Boys...

Lately, the boys have really come to life in different ways.  I just cannot believe how different three little boys can be from one another, but in our home, it's truly a testament to God's amazing handiwork!

Recently:

Daniel (4 years and 5 months old):

• is beginning to recognize letters. 
• can write his own name...  finally!
• is really into his bunny rabbit he was given by Gran-Ju at a baby shower before he was born.
• holds onto random things.  Pennies, rocks, shells...  you name it, he's got something in his pocket.
• asks a thousand questions.  Why?  What?  How?  Tell me again.
• dresses himself.  WOOHOO!
• is raising money (coins to be exact) for a little girl in our community battling leukemia.  If he sees you any time soon, you'll get hit up for some pennies.  I'm just warning you!  He's the cutest little fundraiser I've seen!
• loves to play baseball in the backyard.  He's crazy good.  Like he's-only-four-how-does-he-hit-so-hard good!

Samuel (3 years and 4 months old):

• is recognizing letters.  A LOT of them.  He picks up more than I thought he could.
• is beginning to write his name.
• tries to dress himself.  
• sings all of the time.  He sings questions to me, pretends to direct the choir, and is teaching Elias to do the same.  Just this morning, he is singing, "Go Tell It on the Mountain" and "Jesus Loves Me," and he just finished asking for chocolate milk to the tune of "Baby Bumble Bee."
• really likes preachers and going to church.
• still cries when we take him somewhere, like the nursery, Mother's Day Out, or classes at church.

Elias (1 year and 4 months):

• says da-da and mom all the time.  He also has added ball, look, and WHOA! to his list of words.
• is running all the time.  
• is really curious.  He opens, climbs, eats everything. 
• has two favorite foods...  strawberries and veggie straws.  
• may possibly have a milk allergy.  YUCK.  He's drinking only almond milk at this time.
• points at everything he wants.  Even if it's something he can't have, he stands and points until you acknowledge his want.