David, Goliath, and Wayne

Scripture Reference:

1 Samuel 17

David and Goliath - Story Summary:

The Philistine army had gathered for war against Israel. The two armies faced each other, camped for battle on opposite sides of a steep valley. A Philistine giant measuring over nine feet tall and wearing full armor came out each day for forty days, mocking and challenging the Israelites to fight. His name was Goliath. Saul, the King of Israel, and the whole army were terrified of Goliath.

One day David, the youngest son of Jesse, was sent to the battle lines by his father to bring back news of his brothers. David was probably just a young teenager at the time. While there, David heard Goliath shouting his daily defiance and he saw the great fear stirred within the men of Israel. David responded, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of God?"

So David volunteered to fight Goliath. It took some persuasion, but King Saul finally agreed to let David fight against the giant. Dressed in his simple tunic, carrying his shepherd's staff, slingshot and a pouch full of stones, David approached Goliath. The giant cursed at him, hurling threats and insults.

David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied ... today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air ... and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel ... it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give all of you into our hands."

As Goliath moved in for the kill, David reached into his bag and slung one of his stones at Goliath's head. Finding a hole in the armor, the stone sank into the giant's forehead and he fell face down on the ground. David then took Goliath's sword, killed him and then cut off his head. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. So the Israelites pursued, chasing and killing them and plundering their camp. 

Wayne's class studied the story of David and Goliath on Wednesday morning, and then got to make paper rocks, and throw them at a giant Goliath in the upstairs of church...  somewhere the little kids usually aren't allowed.  It was a HUGE hit, and the story lit such a fire in him, that he played both David AND Goliath the rest of the day!  He especially loved being Goliath, and letting Weston be David.  There was MANY a Duplo thrown at that pot lid/shield, let me tell you!!!

 But Goliath "died" every time!  Poor Wyatt was a little concerned for the first few "deaths" but settled into the game after that. 

Thank you Sara for taking your time and your TALENT to teach our kids!  You are incredible!

Sunday Dinner

Last Sunday we had an impromptu dinner at Mom and Dad's after church.  It's been a LONG time since we've all got together, or at least it seemed like it!  Wyatt and Weston went down for naps right after church, and were just waking up when we got there.  I love getting together!  We've instituted the "one Sunday off" rotation - every time we get together, somebody just gets to show up without bringing any food.  Brilliant!  It was my turn this time... more brilliant!!!

My mom is a darn good cook.  And she only gets better as the years go by.  This week it was ham and scalloped potatoes, with homemade rolls, lots of vegetables, and a 7 layer salad. 

 

Wayne adores baby Kallen.  Baby Kallen is not yet convinced how much he loves Wayne yet, but we'll win him over!

 I wouldn't let Wayne take his shirt of (we are working on "appropriate.")  Undoing his buttons was the next best thing.

 Weston and Grandma, bonding over some old pictures.  All the kids LOVE looking through these.

 Grandma and the grandkids, having fun with Sticky Notes!

Fun times were had by all!

31 years Young - Happy Birthday to ME!

This past Monday was my BIRTHDAY, and after looking forward to it for 364 days, it DID NOT disappoint.  Honestly - I couldn't have had a better birthday.  On Sunday night Tyler and I went for a drive to Burlington, with coffee and a RiteAid stop along the way, then to dinner at Black Forrest.  It was simply lovely.  Monday I got to volunteer in Wayne's classroom, then head to Bellingham to go shopping with my mom.  We went to TJ Maxx, Bed Bath and Beyond, Target, and Trader Joe's and had lunch at La Patisserie (my favorite!)  It was relaxing, fun and SPECIAL.  When I got home, a very dear friend drove all the way over to deliver a gift, and a very sweet card.  I loved it so much, I had to include it here!  Pay special attention to #11 (unless you are my Dad, then skip that part) #24 and #25 and 26!

 

After a pizza dinner, we all had ice cream cake and the boys went down for bed.  It was a quiet night spent at home, and it was PERFECT!

Hi-Ho Cherry-O CHEATER!

If you ever get sweet talked into a game of Hi-Ho Cherry-O with this sweet boy, I want to warn you....

He CHEATS!

 

He'll smile at you, but he'll turn the spinner to four cherries, EVERY time!

Can't imagine where he got that from, can you?

October 3, 2011 - The Day Wayne discovered he couldn't marry his Mom

I was tucking Wayne into bed on my birthday, and we ended the day with the following conversation:

Wayne: Mom, I know something. I can't marry you. Boys can't marry their moms, it's just not allowed.

Me: I know buddy, but it's okay. Daddy likes to be married to Mom!

Wayne: I know he does! But what about me? I am going to need a wife someday! How will I know who is supposed to be my wife?

Me: God will show you who He wants to be your wife! He will pick the best one - way better than what you could pick, because God loves you.

Wayne: Hey Mom? I really want to pray right now. I need to ask God to give me a wife when I'm older. Not now, right now I have a mom. But someday when I don't need a mom so much, and I need a wife. I need to pray for God to give me the perfect wife, to make me food.

Me: Okay, let's pray.

Wayne: Dear God. Hey, I really want you to find me the perfect wife. Just for me. Not now, just when I am older. Okay? Just tell me when you find her. Thanks God! In Jesus' name, Amen.

Wayne: Mom? Tell Dad God loves him so much, to give him a wife that's you!

Speech 101 - taught by Weston

{be sure to turn off the music, in the right side bar!}




PS:  No Wyatt's were hurt in the filming of this video...

{October} and we've got a routine

I can't believe that today is OCTOBER 1st!  Whew, I blinked, and September was gone!  Okay, maybe I had my eyes squeezed shut the whole month, because I kept having to put a kid on the bus all the time, but....  It still went fast!  I feel like I was a Mom MADE to have kids in school.  Not that I like them being GONE ALL DAY, because I don't, but because there is a certain rhythm and a schedule to our days. An ebb and flow of schedule and activity, and fun things.  I have committed to a morning routine for Monday through Friday that is both military precision and a work of art.  Breakfast at 7am, clothes on at 7:15, shoes, coats and backpacks by the door, and then by 7:30 the kids can play DS, iPad, Legos, or whatever they want until 8am.  Then we head to the front porch, talk about our day, and pray before the kids get on the bus.  I just don't want the 1 hour I get with them before school starts to be crazy and rushed and chaotic.  It's working well for us so far!

By Friday, we were ready for a down day.  Weston was at school in the morning, but as soon as he got home we changed him into scrubbies, and laid low the rest of the day.  I love seeing what the munchkins find to do when left with no TV, DS, or iPad!

Sidenote: These kids are so well trained at this point in their lives, they FIGHT to have me take their picture!  Weston wanted only a picture of him and Wyatt, without Wayne.

 Yup, there he is, still mouthing off to Wayne.

 Now the pushing begins...

 I think that they are smiling now?!?!?

 And Weston and Wyatt, back to their buddy system, "shopping" with Mace and Bumble and their blankies, and a few pictures and....  Whatever else they "needed!"