Missy's Moments

Eric

 

Eric turned 11 last week…. 11

What freaks me out a little more is that along with 11 comes middle school.

It’s not Eric I’m worried about- it’s all the other kids. I have a feeling this will be yet another lesson in trust. Seems like the older each of my children get the harder some of the lessons in trust are but I must say that God is faithful and I am always able to come to that peace that passes all understanding. So with that in mind I will choose to be excited for Eric and we’ll walk into middle school looking forward to the opportunities and not scared of the what if’s.

Enough about me…..

Eric is 11- did I mention that. He turned 11 on the 27th of April and this mama was out of town. I had an early childhood conference that I was at for a few days. Leaving was hard because Eric was very concerned about me not being here but he and Rick and Sam had a great day. He started out his day doing one of the things he does best (and baffles me with) and that is his Math Masters Competition. It was about 3 hours of numbers and numbers make this boy happy. strange… Great as long as I don’t have to help! (not sure I could)

He brought a giant chocolate chip cookie cake to school to share with his friends. Came home opened his desk and helped Dad put it together. He loved it and has been happily doing his homework there each night. On Sunday Grandma Bobbie, Kayla and Jordan came over to celebrate with him. One thing that always impresses me is how grateful he is for his gifts. Always and there’s never a doubt about it. Case in point- we asked my mom to purchase the chair that matches his desk. A chair. Eric was giddy about it.

Eric is my tender hearted boy. He still cuddles (don’t tell his buddies I said that) and when I drop him off at places he gives me this look that says “sorry mom- I want to give you a hug but now isn’t the time”. Sam on the other hand almost acts excited he has an excuse to get out of a squeeze!

Eric is smart… and I mean scary smart. He loves space and the stars and reads books about planets for fun. He loves to read in general which I think he gets from me and he is a great artist which I know he got from Rick.

Eric started a bowling league last fall and he and his lava red bowling ball are improving each week. In fact later today he is bowling in St. Paul in the Pepsi youth state tournament. He qualified at the tournament he bowled in earlier in April.

Eric begins golf lessons this summer and decided that he’s going to love that sport. I have no doubts as he’s a thinker. He enjoyed baseball and played for a few years but decided that’s not his thing. Golf will be his new stick and ball.

Eric is excited about youth group- moving on “in his walk with God” as he put it. A couple of week ago he shared with us his desire to be baptized so he’ll talk with the pastors over the summer and if they agree and he still feels led he’ll be baptized in the fall. He’ll attend our summer program called Treasure Hunters again where kids in 3rd-6th grade take a week to really dig into God’s word, have a service opportunity and grow their friendships. He’s loved it for 2 years now and this will be the last year he does it.

Eric loves Skylanders, Mario- his new favorite Super Smash Brothers Brawl, his Ipod all of which must be given limits b/c he could stay in front of a screen the entire day if we let him.

Eric you are a treasure- What a joy it is to be your mommy.

 

Grandma Dairies

4 reasons I love being a Grandma in honor of Jack’s 4 month birthday.

 

1. Pictures- I get to be that lady that says “oh oh oh do you want to see my grandson” I patiently wait for an answer and now I have an “accordion book” A Grandma’s dream- it folds up nice and neat and then WALA falls open to make people ohhhh and awwww til I say “I know they’re great huh!?”

Must give a plug- Midwest LifeShots did them- yes they are WONderful!

2. I love my Jack time- I love his snuggles, his raspberries, his smile, his expressions (oh his expressions are endless). I love sitting in my recliner and dozing off while he naps in my arms. His cooing and jibber jabber memorizing me and well not a whole lot gets accomplished when Jack’s in the house. I’m ok with that.

3. I read to Jack. He likes his stories and loves pictures of baby faces and it’s all part of my masterplan to help him with his already advanced self

4. And last but not least I’m thinking that it’s ok that I haven’t had to wake up a whole lot at night for this little man.

Possessed?

Quite possibly… about 2:30am Rick heard giggling and party music- this thing was was in full swing, lights, music everything but the jumping baby.

Today during lunch- it started just random giggles.

Do you see the on/off position- that’s were it’s been and that’s where it stays.

What happens if we move it to on you ask- well it just has more lights and music and parties a little more often.

Never a dull moment I tell ya!

BTW- Rick will fix the short that I’m sure it has SOON or mr. hop n pop may go back to the used toy store that it came from!

Remember Jonah?

I love my job.

I have often said that I think those sweet kiddos teach me much more than I could ever teach them.

I find myself sometimes thinking to myself "Do you hear what you are saying?"

Today was yet another one of those days.

Their was a child having a little to much fun with his buddy that he/she sits next too. It does happen. Shocking I know. Even more shocking is that I sometimes have to rearrange the seating to "help" them be better listeners. Well today after helping a friend I got "the look". Most the kids have turned four or are very close and well they getting less shy about letting Mrs. Eagen know when they are not so happy.

I felt it was a good time to talk about what we learned from Jonah. Not sure why as we learned about Jonah last fall but I felt lead so I went with it. Amazing the recall they had- what fun it was to re-learn such a good lesson.

God told Jonah to go to Nineveh.

Jonah didn't want to.

Jonah decided to head the other way to Tarshish.

Well after realizing (both Jonah and his travel companions) that God was not exactly amused about his choice to be disobedient Jonah took a dive overboard.

Well we all know the story- the "huge fish was provided" (vs. 7) and down the hatch Jonah went.

So I ask the kids "What do you suppose it was like in the belly of that whale?"

wet

cold

stinky

dark

.... guessing a Super 8 was looking pretty snazzy at this point for poor Jonah (OK so I leave that part out)

UNCOMFORTABLE....

what do you do when things are tuff or there is times of trouble or you don't exactly like the place where you are.... you do just as Jonah did. You Pray. I know I do.

Now granted when I'm talking to the 3 year olds about it the words are different. But trust me when I say the message is the same.

"Boys and Girls- Jonah was not comfortable in that smelly, dark, wet, cold belly of the fish but was Jonah safe?" .... yes

"Who keeps Jonah safe and loved him even when he was disobedient?" .... God

"Did God forgive Jonah and give Jonah another chance"..... yes

Don't we all have Jonah moments? I know I do.

I have big one and small ones. Some that weigh me down much to long and some that should weigh me down a little longer.....

but even after I feel like I've been puked onto a beach after a little self will run riot I know that God loves me. I know that I can go to Ninevah afterward. I know that I am a child of God and the way he keeps me safe and shows His love isn't always the most comfortable or the most desirable of situations but it sure does get the job done.

 

Yes-sometimes Mrs. Eagen needs "help" in being a better listener.

See Ya!

PICC line out- check

Clothes on- check

Room packed up- check

cute pose in car seat leaving (added bonus wave)- check