aj's question

yesterday we were leaving Jeff's parent's home after a nice visit.  out of the blue, as often is the case, AJ launched into a question....here's how it went...
AJ: "momma?"
me: "yes AJ"
AJ: "when i am fifteen, will you buy me a car?"
Jeff and i smiled at the randomness of the question, the age he figured he'd be ready for such a gift, and the complete seriousness of the suggestion.
me: "um...not likely AJ, cars cost a lot of money. you'll have to save your own money to buy one someday when you are even older than fifteen." 
the funny thing was, at that very moment we were just pulling up to the intersection by J&J Body Shop.  sitting outside of the building was a car in serious need of their services. there were large broken pieces lying on the ground by each door.  soooo, i couldn't resist...
"hey AJ, how about we buy you thattt car when you are fifteen!"  AJ was not impressed.  everyone enjoyed pulling up to get a closer look, however, and AJ was happy to pose for a picture beside the sad looking vehicle...

 

he's such a good sport.  but he wasn't buying it when we tried to convince him it really was a Lamborghini and that instead of the doors opening upwards, they just came right off and sat beside the car, as shown! :)

the new groove

sooo, another school year ends for five of my crew (that was a whirlwind ten months!), and exam week is here for Joelle.  for those of us already home, we are settling into a new summer groove.  it takes us a bit, but we're used to that too.  backpacks are washed, school supplies are sorted and tucked away for a few short months, lunch bags are up in the cupboard to stay for awhile.  it feels good.  mornings are slower, and sleeping in longer has been great for everyone.  personally, even if i'm still up by eight, the gradual wake-up is soooo nice when compared to the shrill alarm at six o'clock during school months...we are catching up on books, playing with toys that have sat untouched for months, swimming, eating watermelon, having unstructured play time, baking together, etc...would you believe that on day two one of my little cherubs even dared to utter the words "i'm bored".  what????   that's some kind of record for us.  and it's okay too.  she found herself in a new place of re-learning creative ways to fill her time, with no deadline or timeline or schedule imposed on her.  there is learning, even in that.  it isn't all rosy, however.  these first few weeks often reveal some tiny cracks in our family's foundation.  we see sibling issues, selfish tendencies, etc...my patience wears thin during moments of the day.  we are all adjusting again to being together...overall, i really do like having them here.  and i imagine by the end of August, when all the kinks are worked out, we'll be able to say that summer 2013 was a great break and reprieve from the super fast-paced days of the school year. 
my computer time always takes a hit during summer months (also a nice break!), so blogging might be sporadic (like even more sporadic :)), but i promise to have pictures along the way to capture the memories i wish to retain...
happy summer!

milestones

so much to say.  so little time.  it's june, and june is notoriously busy.  like realllly busy.  spring sports in full swing, school events and class trips.  end of year projects, recitals, and this year~ another graduation.  our dear Hannah has completed grade eight with diligence and grace.  she is moving out of the TCA halls and on to St. Clair Highschool.  she has mixed emotions.  i have mixed emotions.  rather than trying to sort through those and boring you all, i'll just say that we step forward with gratitude for a firm foundation laid by her school, teachers and principal.  gratitude for God's hand in shaping her young life so far.  gratitude for close friendships and warm memories.  gratitude for new beginnings and wide open doors.  how blessed she is.  how blessed we are to be her parents.  enough already, right? :) so, a few pictures to mark the day....photo credits to her older sister~ thanks Joelle, you did great!!

 

 

the picture below is for Coach Burke and Coach Clark.  it had to be done.  Hannah in her wrestling stance....

 

below~ not a complete class, but some pretty close friends anyway...

the day ended with us sitting at the island in our kitchen.  reminiscing about the whirlwind of the day and the many days leading up to graduation.  our wish for Hannah is this, as taken from her letter...."seek God’s will in all things.  ALL THINGS.  don’t be swayed by popular decisions or thinking.  let God’s word keep you grounded. stay open to God's leading and direction.  guard your heart so that you can shine brightly to those whose lights are dimmed. do hard things (because it comes so naturally! haha :)).  in all of this, have fun and joy in the process, knowing God is using you and changing you and shaping you for His purposes.  can’t you just wait to see who you become??  we love you lots and are always going to be cheering you on.  we are happy to listen and promise to be here for you as you continue to grow and spread your wings.  we are so proud of you…happy graduation sweetie!" 

and now i'm off to find the Kleenex...

deep prayers

another deep one by AJ tonight. :) word for word, just like this...
AJ: "dear Jesus, thanks that we had a good day.  thanks that we had a big chunk of garlic bread today.  amen."
yep, he's a bread lover like his mom! 
take away lesson: nothing is too small or too big to stop and show gratitude for.  God must be pleased to hear the sincere and simplistic prayers of His children...