Proud Parents

The last 12 days have been very eventful at my house. When I started the fast I was going to spend a few days on several different things but the Lord had other plans. Last August Jacob turned 13 and the teenage years threw me for a loop. I feel very inadequate as the mother of a teenager. We had a lot of issues come up this week that dealt with relationships. Some of which are not settled yet but I have total peace they will be. I have never been so proud of Jacob and they way he handled himself. There were some "things" that came up at school and we asked him if he had said any of those "things". His reply: "No. You tell me not to so I don't say things like that." How simple that was. Why don't we do that with God? He says it. We do it. Simple. The final incident was Friday night. We went out to eat with friends and we got a call. Jacob had been hurt at a friend's baseball practice and needed to go to the hospital for stitches. The parent that took him complimented him on how well he behaved and acted while in such pain. He was so worried we would be mad at him (because we were on a date night and had to leave). We explained to him that we were not mad and were just glad that he was OK. Oh, and the bad sore on his leg has even brought him and Jared a little closer. They have something gross to look at and talk about! I can't believe how much closer we are. Jacob talks to us, asks us questions, and I am enjoying our relationship. I had no idea we would go through so much to get to this point. I know we have a long road ahead in these teenage years. In the future when/if he does mess up (and he has many times just like us adults) I feel like he knows he can come to us. We love you Jacob and have never been so proud of you!

Welcome Home-Back to School Part 2

Monday Jacob started 7th grade at ANOTHER, almost new, school. In Kindergarten ,
1st, and 1/2 of 2nd grade he went to LCA, the local Christian school in our community. The rest of 2nd grade we homeschooled then Jacob and Jared started public school in 1st and 3rd grade. WE knew when middle school started that we wanted them back in Christian School so we started checking into schools when Jacob was in 5th grade. We looked at every school around us (including LCA) and felt the Lord calling us to Prince Avenue. I know that was where Jacob was meant to be last year but through a series of God-ordained circumstances, just 7 days before school started, we were led back to LCA. I really thought that door was closed for us and every day I see why God led us back here. At open house one of the founders of the school, and friends of ours from way back, walked up to us and said: "Welcome home." That is exactly what David and I had just said on our way there-it felt like we were coming home. Jacob has connected with old friends, the school is full of our friends from church, it closer, etc... My sister-in-law picks him up every morning! If you remember my schedule from last year this is just blowing my mind that my life is so much more calm with not running the roads as much. I was listening to this song, How Great is Our God, a couple of days ago and just got overwhelmed at how good God is to us. I'm so glad he helps us look past our own thought of what he wants for us and leads us to His perfect will. We are continuing to trust Him with two other big prayer requests for our family. When the Lord led me to this verse for my Screamfree parenting class I never knew it would apply to my family:

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a NEW thing."
Isaiah 43: 18, 19

It's Official

It's official. I'm the mother of a teenager. My firstborn, Jacob turns 13 today (Sunday). It's amazing when I think back to how the Lord has blessed us in 13 years. It started in the hospital with an emergency c-section. The cord was wrapped around his neck. At the time, I did not realize how serious that was. From the time Jacob took his first steps he never actually walked. He ran. All day, every day. David and I have fond memories of Jacob bolting around the backyard in his Spiderman costume, or Batman, or Bibleman, whatever he wanted to wear at the time. Today, he is still my active one. But instead of superhero costumes it's American Eagle and Aeropostale, cell phone, girls, Georgia Bulldogs, playstation, and top 40 music. He's growing up to be such a fine young man. A few weeks ago we were all in church together and the offering plate was passed. Jacob quietly slipped his money in and when the sermon started he opened his bible and followed along. When we did his room downstairs, I saw his bible opened on his nightstand. I thought David did it but he said it was Jacob. I am entering the phase where every year I realize it's one less year that he will be at home. I can only pray we are preparing him to "launch".

Friday night we had a sleepover with 3 other boys and today we will just hang out with the family. Happy 13th birthday, Jacob! We love you so much.

P.S. No comments about my hair. That was 12 years ago.

Sweet Dreams!

For Jacob's 13th birthday we asked him if would want to move downstairs to the extra bedroom. Jacob and Jared have been sharing a room for 5 years and we thought Jacob might need his "teenage" space. I really was against it at first. The room downstairs was a great room for all my extra stuff. The cradle that I slept in and my kids, antique hope chest, antique telephone table that belonged to my gradmother, special pictures from my Aunt Jonnie and Uncle Don, and not to mention we all considered that "grandma's room" for when she came to visit. I didn't want to give it up. It was my Kentucky room. But, I'm really glad they both have their own room now. Jacob and Jared actually hang out in there which is bringing them A LITTLE closer together. Of course, it was an easy decision on the theme of his room. He is a huge UGA fan (like you couldn't tell). Go DAWGS! We still need a few things in there like a chest or dresser but it's complete for now. He had a tough time adjusting to sleeping down there at first but now he's doing great. That's a good thing because school starts Monday!

This Is Not Baseball Weather

Nope. I wouldn't say that about 45 degrees was baseball weather but we had fun! Last night was Jacob's first game on his 6th grade school team. A new milestone for us. No time limit games-yuck. That game lasted 2 hours and 15 minutes and we only made it to the 5th inning! Thank goodness it started at 4:30! Anyway, Jacob got to pinch run, scored, and played 2nd for one inning. He got the last out for a 15 - 2 win for the Wolverines! We're proud of you Jacob!

The only bad part is I can't get any good pictures. The dugout is totally covered and I can't see much through a fence! What's a Mom to do?

We ended the night with pizza (what else?) at our favorite place, Fox's Pizza and a banana split party! (That's whip cream in his mouth!)

Congratulations Jacob!

We were so exicted to find out last night that Jacob made the middle school baseball team. They only had three spots open so we were not sure what was going to happen. So, here we go. Jacob is also playing in a rec league. Two teams. Two practices. Two sets of games. One Dad who works nights. One Mommy. Now I have to put on my "sports Mommy" hat. At least Jared and Jenna aren't in anything right now.

It will be fun! We're proud of you Jacob, as usual.

Jacob's Mission Statement

The other day Jacob (6th grade) had an assignment to write a mission statement in school for a grade. Here is what he wrote (exactly):

My plan is to do good in school and be a Godly person, and listen to God and hopefully get a scholorship to the University of Georgia. And not hang around bad people who tell you to do the wrong thing and tell those bad people about Jesus. And then for my job a Godly football coach or sports announcer and tell people at work about God. And raise a good family.

I think that sounds like a plan to me! Good job Jacob.

What? For Me?

A couple of weeks ago I was at Publix with Jacob and Jenna. I was trying to get Jacob distracted in the books while I purchased Jingle Jam tickets as a surprise for Christmas. I did succeed and when we got back in the van Jacob handed me a Belk gift card for $25 dollars. That little booger had purchased it as a surprise for me! I didn't know you could buy gift cards at Publix! I can't wait to see his face on December 10th when he opens the box with a ticket in it and I tell him I was buying him a surprise too! I was shocked that he he would spend his money (that he has been saving for a bat) to buy ME a gift card. My heart just melted. Now when do I get to go to Belk?

Time With Jacob

Last week was a very busy week with "kid" stuff. It started out on Monday with a Mother/Son fun night with Jacob. We had such a good time with his friends from school and we even played a baseball game. Moms agaist the sons! Of course, the Moms won. The look on Jacob's face was priceless when I hit one in right field.

Wednesday I went on a field trip with Jacob to the Scientific Circus. It was a really good show and I actually enjoyed it. I know this time with him so short. Next year he probably won't want me to go! Boo

Happy Birthday Jacob

We took Jacob last night to the Braves game for his 12th birthday. It was hot, hot, hot. We tried to overlook it and have a good time. We did, for the most part. Sure wish the Braves won but it was a bad night for them.

Anyway, we had a good time hanging out and eating a bunch of good baseball game food!

Funny thing about these t-shirts. Bought these at the CNN center when I was at Women of Faith. Thought I was going to win the "cool Mom" award when I handed them to the boys. Jared's face looked so funny. He said, "Mom, that's Andru Jones (#25)." I thought he was being ungrateful! Dad and Jacob didn't know what to say. I said: "Well, don't you like Andru Jones?" Ha. Many thanks to the Clubhouse store at Turner Field for exchanging the shirt for me and making my 9 year old very happy to have CHIPPER Jones (#10) t-shirt in time for the game. In my defense, they say it happens all the time! Do I still get the "cool Mom" award for calling all over the place to get this worked out?

Thankful Thursday

Today I am so thankful for my first born son, Jacob. August 10th was is 12th birthday and we are celebrating tonight at the Braves game (100 degrees here, yuck!).
I will have more to say about that later!

You came into this world smiling and have never stopped.
You only have one speed-running.
You love sports!
You are thoughtful.
You always notice when Mommy gets her hair cut.
You are concerned about doing what is right and always aim to please.
You are growing up to be so mature and I see you growing in the Lord so much here lately.
You love to annoy your brother but I'll overlook that!
You love your baby sister even though she annoys YOU. I know, her first word was "bubba". It really was.

I love you Jacob!

Can It Be?

I took my first child to middle school today. I really can't believe it. I had a total breakdown on Friday going to open house. I looked over at Jacob sitting there with his MP3 player, baseball cap, and young adult face and just started crying. I had a flash back to when he was a baby: sitting in his carrier next to me with those big blue eyes! He thought I was crazy but one day he will understand. Jacob, you are growing up to be such a fine young man. I pray you will be a man who loves God and has a deep personal relationship with Him. I don't know what the next few years hold but I know it will be an adventure! I love you.