Me, 14, And My Not-So-Magic Mother Moment

It's no secret around here.

Me and 14 are like oil and water.

For girls, it is more like 13 but let's round up for goodness sake.

'Cause when they are 13, they are going on 23 anyway.

The girls, that is.

 I cannot find a "13" picture of Lindsey. I think that was before the digital age and I'm not in the mood to look through 30,000 photos. Thirteen for her was boys, and giggles, and flirting. Oh my, we laugh about it now.  She always told me sooner or later about most things because her conscience got the better of her. We survived that year and moved on beautifully.

Now boys are a difference ball of wax altogether. My understanding was limited mostly because I'm a girl and they aren't.

Jerrod spent "14" seemingly angry and and pensive. His growing pains and oncoming manhood were nothing I could relate to. 

He stretched me big time and when it was over, a really good kid that was there all along came back, and asked if we could be friends. We weathered the storms and found the rainbow.

You can imagine my fear and trepidation I felt on round number three. Lord, help me.

Erik discovered his giftings.

Found and finessed his addictions.

He kept his smile while he pushed every one of my buttons and stretched our family with his growing pains. Big time.

And emerged an excellent capable young man. A sigh of relief was an understatement when fifteen arrived. The end of the tunnel is within reach and we can only go up from here.

Now the fourth go-round has begun.

You know how there is a certain age where they start to trail behind at Wally-world?

Just enough so you start to wonder if they don't want to be seen with you?

Well, that happened with Erika the other day.

Wanna know what I said? 

It was a douzy.

I said, "Hey, at least you can pretend to not know me and everyone will believe you because we don't look alike."

Yep.

I'm definitely NOT a proud adoptive mother.

While it was true, it wasn't necessary, nor kind.

It's a darn good thing I have a lot more practicing on the horizon.

Maybe I'll conquer "14" by the time the tenth one makes it through.

Just maybe.

Pictures of the Week 7/8-7/14

  VBS Kid's Worship Team

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Kloey got to dance in the aisles.

Ocean Fun

198 / 365

The girls used their long hair to fling some water around.

A New Gap

199 / 365

Joshua pulled out his tooth. 

Although he has lost teeth before, this was a first in our presence.

  Summer Fun

200 / 365

A beautiful night to play in the yard.

Birthday Boy

201 / 365

My baby no longer.

What's In Your Front Yard

202 / 365

My beauties were gazing at clouds and imagining all sorts of shapes and things

Suspended  

203 / 365  

We watched a spider flying through the air as he wove his web.

Beach Boys

 Funny thing how only six kids this week was like a vacation.

I realized that this was the first time I had braved the beach with the kids by myself. We've had either babies or behavior problems that would be a safety issue prohibiting the beach without at least two adults. I feel like I've arrived!

 Low tide means head for the tide pools.

 Where little hands can find treasures.

 The big girls did some serious exploring.

 What have we here?

 Crabs!

 Never too young to learn about teamwork.

 Lift boys, lift!

 Better.

 Let's go over there.

 Hold on, let me fix the blanket.

 "Mom, look a cross." Heart soars.

 "Wait, we have to pound the nails." Heart swells.

 Love comes in all colors, shapes, and sizes.

These boys melt my heart. 

Grateful for pudgy hands and hearts that know Jesus.

Beach Girls

Would you believe me if I told you this was NOT staged? I was up on the beach watching the kids play in the water and couldn't believe my eyes. Often people ask if they are twins and I swallow hard because I think they are incredibly different.  Sometimes we have to look through another lens to see what someone else sees. Can you tell who is who?

 Definitely sisters.

  There you are, Miss Cora.

 And pretty in pink would be Miss Kloey.

When your sister is your best friend, even for 10 minutes, it's a very good thing.

Especially when you have a contest of "Who will move first?"

 Rarely do they play together like this. It was a joy to watch.

 And the big girl? When she wasn't exploring with the little guys,

or pretending to be annoyed because I was trying to take her picture,

 She was flying down the beach.

Because even big girls know how to have fun.

I Though About It...For A Minute or Two

Last week was Vacation Bible School at our church.

Due to other obligations I wasn't able to participate as an adult helper this year. 

However, I guess I have arrived at a new place because all seven of my at-home-kiddos went to VBS. 

Without me.

Which means, I was home without any kids every morning.

As I walked through the house tidying up the scatter and enjoying the quiet, I admit it.

I had a thought.

The one that ALL homeschool moms have at one time or another.

What would it be like if all my kids went to school?

My house would be clutter free.

There wouldn't be books and toys everywhere.

Nothing on the kitchen table.

Gasp! The floor would stay clean for more than 5 minutes.

All that time for myself.

No constant bickering/negotiating.

No opportunities to learn how to get along.

No teachable moments when messes are made.

No passing along of skills like cooking and cleaning.

No laughter and impromptu shows.

No singing "Clean-up, clean-up, everybody do your share."

Okay.

I'm over it. 

I love my life just the way it is.

Pictures of the Week 7/8-7/14

  The Stack

190 / 365

A little bedside reading.

 Working On Cloning

191 / 365

Be very afraid. I am trying to clone myself...

  Yellow Flowers

192 / 365

Found these on my table today.

  Herb

193 / 365

He came for a visit. He told stories. He sang. He joked. Love him.

 Back In The Saddle

194 / 365

Kloey is riding again. This week she went western.

  Boy Toy Fun

195 / 365

Big brothers come in handy when you are hankering for a ride.

 

Summer Joy

196 / 365

Is there anything more joyful than running on thick green grass through a 

sprinkler when the temperature says hot and your skin feels even hotter?

Boy Toy Fun

Hot this week and when the littles get antsy, 

Erik says, "Come on boys, lets ride."

One.

Two.

Three.

Fun.

Like monster fun.

Har-har-har-har-har-har-har.

Hardy-har-har. Can't you just hear him?

Headlights work. The little boys love their tractor rides.

Until the motorcycle showed up...