6 Year Old Perks

As a 6 year old in the Hill family, you are awarded one perk for the year and only that year.  You get to climb up the laundry shoot at Grandmama's house in Grand Saline.  Even though Cavett had been running fever the previous day, he was dead set on going to Grand Saline on Saturday to do just that.  It was THE first thing he did as soon as we got out of the car. 

It's a big laundry shoot.  Fairly wide.  In fact, I think I could have stood in the middle of it and not felt too claustrophobic.  The unfortunate part was that Cavett was still a bit small for it.  Dad gave him a little help with one foot pushing him up, but he still wasn't quite able to make it.  He'll be able to try again about Spring Break, and maybe he'll have grown a bit by then.  

The biggest foul of the weekend was that diesel  was accidentally poured into the Pug.  Stephen suspected it, but didn't realize it until after it was loaded down with 2 cords of wood we had just split it the woods.  Stphen used the tractor to puch it out backwards until we got to the pasture.  Stephen also saved the day and siphoned it out.  He only got a little in his mouth........  :P

We also had many enjoyable moments in the big Catalpa tree reading.  Kendrick sat for at least 20 minutes reading whereas Cavett spent about an hour and a half total during the weekend up there reading. 

Precious times.  

A New Title

Something has really been eating away at me for a few months now.  But, I just didn't know what I wanted to do about it.  It's my title.

You see, I have been in a tough "season."  There have been some not so "happy" happenings in the last 4 months.  That's a whole other blog for a day to come, hopefully soon, but I digress. 

My title of my blog was just not right.  I mean, yes I am very "happy" in my life and where God has taken me--my life,  my marriage, my kids, my relationship with Him.  But, stuff happens or literally for me sh** happens.

"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing."  James 1:2

At Christmas, I saw on facebook a quote that really got me thinking more about it.  It was something like, "Happiness is what happens to you, joy is an attitude of the heart that is God given."   We can pursue happiness all we what, but it is how we interpret what happens to us that decides our happiness.  Joy is something that lasts; happiness is something that is temporary.  When happiness fades away, joy remains. Joy is something that is bigger than me and my current circumstances.  Joy brings us peace in the middle of a storm.  Joy is something that God deposits into us through the Holy Spirit.

I guess I had been using the words happy and joy as synonyms.  I know what I meant, but I also want others to understand this isn't something superficial.  It's God-given and God-centered. 

"Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns are empty,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
able to tread upon the heights."  Habakkuk 3:17-19

So in keeping with the "Kid Church Song" theme, the new title is......

i've got the joy down in my heart

Well Celebrated

This weekend was all about Cavett.  His birth and years passed were celebrated to the greatest height, even if there were some camera snafoos.

We were blessed to have Nana with us the whole weekend!  That was a treat in itself.  And Stephen's mom was able to join us for the party too!  Saturday morning we had the traditional pancake breakfast on the birthday plate, but the new camera card that we had just bought wouldn't hold but one picture.  When we took it back to the store to exchange it, we realized we hadn't downloaded the one picture, so thus, no picture.

Afterwards, Nana went with Cavett and me to watch him have his Karate lesson and get his birthday spankings.

The day continued with a birthday party at ASI gymnastics with several of his school friends, a couple of church friends and a couple of family friends.

 I think he really had a blast!  The favors were many different types of gum.  It's been our standing rule that you can't have gum until you are 6 at house.  (Just because I don't want to clean it off carpets and hair, and such...)

That evening we went to dinner at Cavett's choice of restaurants which was Chuy's.  Jonny and Amber joined us to celebrate Jonny's birthday as well-Jan.26th. 

That evening all the Dents enjoyed playing Cavett's game, Bananagrams, from Nana for about 2 hours after he went to bed!  It's a kind of Scrabble played without a board making up your own crosswords, but competing against other players in speed.

Sunday was "clean up and put away day" after church and part of his present form Mom and Dad was to be able to organize his Legos.  Dad installed shelves in his room and it is actually beginning to feel like a real boys room.  I have also promised that we would paint in the next couple of weeks so that we all don't have to look at the "9" that Kendrick wrote on his wall with sharpie last year. 

So, I think he enjoyed his weekend and totally didn't want to go to school today.  Who could blame him with all the cool stuff he got? 

The Birthday Boy

"Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him."  Psalm 127:3

Dear Cavett,

As we sat in the church choir class room tonight waiting for our first children's choir rehearsal together, I was reminded of what you are to me.  Up on the wall was the previous Bible verse--Psalm 127:3.  It couldn't have been more true.  You are my gift from the Lord.  You bless me daily and remind me of what is truly important.  You make me a better person and encourage me in ways you don't even realize. 

The time that we shared tonight playing around with each other was dear and precious to me.  It was the best part of our whole celebratory weekend.  We don't get enough time like that these days, since you are now in school.  Your giggles are contagious.  Your dimple-a kiss from God.  I get lost in your deep brown eyes.  Your desire to see a project through to completion at any cost, I can totally relate to and empathize with you when it can't happen.  And, your zeal for life and curiosity is inspiring. 

I just can't believe it's been 6 years.  They have flown by and I am afraid the next several will only get faster and faster. 

I love you, my dear son. 

Mom

P.S.- Your Dad loves you too!

A Creative Outlet

I used to quilt when I had a ton of time and sleeping babies. I have had people ask me if I would sew for other people, like drapes and such. I just don't have that kind of time. But, I enjoy a creative outlet every now and then.

So this week when I put together a banner for birthdays at our house, I thought maybe I could sell these. Doesn't take too much time and I enjoy putting the fabrics and colors together.

What do you think? How much would you spend? Per letter?



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Run Club

Cavett has been doing Run Club for 5 months now. He's increased his speed by 20%. But the best part is the cheerleader, Kendrick, giving all the "high fives" to the kids.


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Morning

THIS was the morning I needed to see this and remember these words. 

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in Him."

Lamentations 3:22-24

Snow Day #2

This morning Kendrick came running into my bathroom screaming "There's more snow outside!" Well, maybe not more snow, but it didn't melt last night and it actually only melted off the roads today by about 11. As a result, Cavett's school had a delayed starting and he went about 10 instead of 8. We enjoyed a leisurely morning and then braved the roads. Kendrick and I drove around a little bit--to Dad's office and back just to see the beauty.

After picking up Cavett from school we decided to try again at making a snowman. We had seen several others in yards, so it must be possible somehow. It still didn't roll up and pack like last year, so we ended up mounding it and made a midget snowman using a piece of celery of a nose and some toys for the eyes. He was still cute and just enough.

The kids finished it off with snow angels and making tracks all over the front yard and then we said good-bye.  For it won't be there tomorrow afternoon. 

Surprising Snow

After last year's snow storm, I really expected to have absolutely no snow this year.  I wasn't getting my hopes up.  But, I was pleasantly surprised today when during church Stephen mouthed from the choir loft to me in the congregation that it was snowing!

We had awoken to rain.  A cold rain.  And the temperature was to drop from there.  With it already 36, I didn't hold up hope.  But, I was proved wrong.  We got to the car after church and had about an inch on the car.  It was pretty icy and full of sleet, but nonetheless, it was beautiful!

We ate lunch while continuing to watch it pour from the sky.  Gigantic flakes and they just kept getting bigger untill about 3, when they became much smaller.  After eating, we put on our coats, but not the full gear to just get a "taste" of the white stuff while waiting for enough to have some real fun.  Kendrick went full force into the snow with hands and feet.  He lasted maybe 3 minutes when he proclaimed he was done and frozen. 

We rested until about 4 and tried again.  There was probably 3-5 inches accumulated. We headed to the green space in our neighborhood with our inner tube and did a little sliding with our neighbor and fellow Kindergartener, Ross. 

It wasn't quite as much playing as we did last year and it didn't pack for a snowman, but it still reminds us of God's creative genius and beauty. 

Hi-ya!

This week Cavett started Taekwando.  I know, I said we would never have done this many sports by now: soccer, swimming, baseball and now this.  But we found out that baseball season doesn't start back until the last week of March and after the "behavior issues" he has had at school, Cavett needs the discipline of self-control, listening and following instructions.  We had been discussing it over the New Year weekend and that one of Stephen's patients is an owner of a Karate school. He went to work on Monday and low and behold, that patient was in the office that day.  Coincidence?  I think not!

We went to observe one class on Wednesday and I was sold.  It's a 30 minute class and we can go as many times a week as we would like.  They emphasize behavior and holding still (like a black belt) and listening.  After every command, they said "Yes ma'am!"  There is a goal of the week with a home report card using things like-putting away your clothes, using your manners, helping your parents. 

Unfortunately, they won't take Kendrick until he's four, but said they might squeeze him in after he has been watching Cavett for a couple of months.  Maybe it will provide incentive for potty training as well.

But Cavett is enjoying it and for now it's our "sport."  We'll see if we can keep it up during baseball season.