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Hail Mommy

September 28, 2009 by Kelli

In January 2007, St. Louis had a massive ice storm. Lee was out of town that weekend (naturally – don’t crazy things always happen when your husband is out of town?) and I was alone with a then 3 year old Sloan and 11 month old Tia.

In the dead of night, ice fell from the sky in frigid sheets, layering already weak trees (as it was the second big ice storm of the season) with several pounds of frost. About 4:00 that morning, I awoke to realize that the power was out and the house was very cold. Outside my window, I heard a pop and saw a flash of blue and realized a transformer had just blown.

And then I heard the sickening crunch of a tree branch slicing through our roof (it didn’t come into the house, thankfully, but went through the over hang barely a foot from where my bed lay).

It was then that Sloan woke up and raced out of his room exclaiming – “Mommy, blue monsters are throwing ice at our house!”

Then we looked out the window to see a crazy mess with downed trees and branches all over our yard, driveway and roof.

And from then on, my child was altered forever more. He became terrified of storms. The tiniest flash of lightening sends him into a frenzy and with a rumble of thunder he begins nervously talking a mile a minute, his panicked voice reaching ear piercing decibles.

He is equally obsessed with the weather. I assume it’s because he is trying to keep his enemy close, but he loves to read books about tornadoes and hurricanes, tsunamis and floods. I’ve caught him on more than one occasion watching the weather channel and he frequently gives me updates on the weather in different parts of the country.

“Hey mom, did you know Florida is having a tropical storm? That’s like a hurricane only it’s not really a hurricane. Good thing we’re not there, huh?”

So, it was with great terror that we got caught in a doozy of a storm on Saturday. I had taken the kids to buy Halloween costumes (another story for another day but seriously – costumes are ridiculously overpriced. Why have I never learned to sew!?!) and we were on our way home when literally out of nowhere the heavens opened and released with great fury, directly over my (hot) minivan.

As a bolt of lightening streaked across the sky, Sloan yelped from the backseat, “Mom! Lightening. We gotta get home now!”

“I know, honey, I’m trying,” was my reply. To which I heard, “Hey mom. I’m pretty sure a tornado is coming so if you see it, you have to turn the car around and rive away from it.”

Me: “Okay, babe, I got it.”

Sloan: “Mom. In case a tornado does come and we get sucked up, cover your head with your hands to protect it.”

Me: “We’re not going to get sucked up, Sloan.”

Sloan: “But we might-”

It was then that the hail started. Large balls of ice began pelting my car along with alligator size raindrops reducing my visibility to almost 0. It was loud and ferocious and I found myself lamenting the fact that for years I’ve been praying that a hail storm would center itself over my house so insurance would cover a new roof and instead it was centered over my defenseless (but hot) minivan.

And over the racket of the storm this is what I heard in the backseat:

Tia (with her hands squeezed over her ears): I’n stewrd mommy! I’n woody stewrd.”

Landon (looking around with furrowed brow): “Woooowww!”

Sloan (eyes so wide they threaten to swallow his face): “HAIL MOMMY. HAIL MOMMY! HAIL! MOMMY! WE’VE GOT HAIL!”

Me: “It’s okay, it’ll be over soon.”

Sloan: “JUST PRAY TO GOD MOM! PRAY. TO. GOD!!!”

Me: “You pray, I’ve got to drive.” (Mind you we’re shouting at one another because the noise is deafening)

And in the rearview mirror I watch my 6 year old fold his hands and press them to his forehead beseeching God to rescue us from what he sees to be imminent death by thunderstorm.

And the whole situation strikes me as so funny that I start cracking up, as I sometimes tend to do when I’m nervous or upset, whilst all along keeping my eyes firmly glued to the barely visible red tail lights of the car in front of me.

Then, two miles up the road, the clouds in the sky parted, giving way to nothing more than a light drizzle. I look back in the mirror at my shell shocked crew and find Tia still has her ears covered and eyes closed, Landon is grinning from ear to ear and Sloan looks utterly amazed.

When he catches my eye, Sloan slowly grins, then pumps his fist in the air. “That was awesome!” he exclaimed. “That was the big one and I wasn’t scared at all.”

Uh-huh. Right.

And that, my friends is the story of the day we survived the ‘big one’. All it took was a few “Hail Mommy’s” and a prayer.

Filed Under: Family, funny stuff that happens, Kids, Kids do the darndest things, Random, Sloan

Balancing Act

September 23, 2009 by Kelli

I’ve noticed recently that I have quite a few more readers following my blog on a daily basis than I realized. I mean, I’m not experiencing mutliple thousands of hits per day, but my readership has increased significantly in the last few months.

While I’m grateful for this fact, as I’d always hoped to turn this more into a creative outlet for my writing and less of a family journal, I also feel a lot more pressure on a day to day basis because of it. I find myself thinking of things to write and then talking myself out of it because I’m not really sure if anyone would actually want to read about said topic or it seems funny in my head, but translating it onto cyber-paper loses the effect.

Whatever the case, I do find myself thinking a lot more about my words, how I write and how much I really want to share with the world.

I enjoy writing about my kids more than anything, because…well, because they’re funny. For example, yesterday Sloan came home and told us that the girl from iCarly is hot. When Lee asked him what that meant he replied, “Uh, you know it means she’s, like, really awful…Really, I just like to say that she’s hot!”

Six year olds say funny things and I love to capture those things so that someday, when he’s all grown up and we are at his rehearsal dinner the night before his wedding, I’ll be able to read some of the funny things he said and reminisce about the boy that he once was.

But there is a balance on how much I share about my kids. I try to think clearly through how they might feel about what I wrote for the world to read when they get older. I want them to laugh at these stories – I don’t want them to be embarrassed.

So, sometimes, I keep things to myself. Even if they’re funny. There have been a couple of times when I’ve contemplated writing about a particular struggle or disciplinary issue, in the hopes of getting some insight or wisdom or understanding from other parents, but have refrained eventually because I don’t want my kids to look back and be ashamed or humiliated by my words.

This is a balancing act.

I also enjoy writing about motherhood issues because that’s where I am right now. I’m in the thick of this thing called motherhood and it’s so nice to know that I’m not the only one who sometimes feels isolated. Blogging has become my lifeline to a world outside the walls of my home. There are some days when I get so discouraged as I look at the caller ID on my phone and realize no one’s called my house in two days. But then I see that I have several comments on my blog and my spirits are lifted, because, while it’s not as personal, it’s still a connection.

Motherhood can be lonely sometimes, yes?

My conundrum with writing about all things motherhood, however, is that I often feel like I don’t have that much to say. I don’t have any innovative child rearing tactics. I’m thankful each evening when I tuck them in to bed that they’re all still alive! I do aim to mother with purpose, but I don’t feel like I’m a good cheerleader on the sidelines of the motherhood game.

I’m more like the pimple faced, uncoordinated kid who stumbles around the field and every once in awhile bounces the ball off her foot and falls into the end zone.

What I mean is – I have a plan in my parenting, but I don’t have an excellent plan book so sharing mothering advice seems daunting to me. I don’t have great discipline techniques or fun, crafty ideas, or cute recipes. I don’t have great advice for getting your kids to clean up their rooms or how to make them eat broccoli without bitter weeping and gnashing of teeth.

I can, however, write about each of these issues in such a way that we can all chuckle together at the hilarity of parenting. For example, while I can’t give you point by point advice on how to get your child to obey you immediately, I can tell you that yesterday, when I told Landon to give me the penny that he found and was playing with, he promptly shoved it in his mouth and swallowed it. Um – a little dangerous? Yes. A little funny? Uh-huh. Because I’m now on poop patrol to make sure that the penny passes.

I find that funny.

Moving on…I love to blog about the fun things that happen in our lives. Lee and I are so blessed – were blessed far beyond what I ever imagined we would be. We are not rich…but we are not poor. We have three healthy, beautiful, hilarious kids, a house that meets our needs, faithful and wise friends and we laugh every. single. day. Our life is wonderful.

And so I blog about it. I try to keep the blog light and fun, but OY! There’s pressure even in that. I find myself sitting at the computer, staring at a blank screen, begging myself to think of something funny to say. And sometimes I come up dry. So somedays I’m just not going to be funny. Somedays I don’t feel funny. Like today. Sorry.

There are other things I like to write about like, for example, politics. But we all saw how that went for me the last time I did it, so I try to keep my political ramblings to a minimum because I want my blog to be a happy place. There will be times when I share my views because, ahem, this is my blog. But, in general, I try not to go overboard with the politics.

Blogging is great. It’s fun, it gives me some sense that I’m pursuing my passion, I’m making a little money, I’m keeping a record of my children’s lives and I’m working out some of the kinks in my head. But I am also balancing the act of sharing the right amount of information. It is a delicate balance, but, so far, I think it’s going alright.

So what about you? How do you balance the art of sharing your lives without sharing too much?

Filed Under: Blogging, Family, funny stuff that happens, Kids, Kids do the darndest things, Landon, Life, Motherhood, Random, Sloan

Wordless Wednesday: Carefree

September 16, 2009 by Kelli

Ribbons and curls

Laces and twirls

These are the dreams

Of sweet little girls.

For more Wordless Wednesday, visit 5 Minutes for Mom.

Filed Under: Kids, Motherhood, Tia, Wordless Wednesday Tagged With: Wordless Wednesday

Photographic evidence that gymnastics was a good idea

September 10, 2009 by Kelli

Yesterday, I looked out the window and caught Tia like this:

So today, I took her here:

To do stuff like this:

I spent many years coaching gymnastics at the competitive level in a gym that has produced two Olympians. I don’t have high aspirations for my child to become an Olympic gymnast, primarily because I’m pretty she’ll outgrow most Olympians by the time she’s in 4th grade.

But for now? Gymnastics is a great outlet for her unending energy and her constant desire to climb up, flip over and jump off of anything she sees. I’d sign her up everyday if I could afford it. She had a blast.

I’m off for a few days dear internets. I’m headed to Texas for a little R & R with some dear friends. Enjoy your weekends. Hug your babies tomorrow and if you see someone in the armed forces, let them know that you appreciate them for their service to our country.

We have not forgotten!

Filed Under: Kids, Kids do the darndest things, Random, Tia

A Party in the Heavenlies

September 9, 2009 by Kelli

I don’t usually post twice in one day, and I certainly don’t have time to be doing this right now, but I can’t resist. Sloan accepted Jesus as his Savior today. And my heart is filled with all measure of joy.

When Sloan got off the school bus this morning, I could immediately tell we were in for a rough afternoon. He was just grouchy. And it took no time at all for him to end up in his room where he proceeded to throw a lovely little tantrum.

By the time lunch was over and the little kids were in bed, I was fried. I was completely done and fed up and I still had to discipline my very angry boy. After Sloan and I both calmed down, we sat to talk about his behavior. Sloan told me he was sorry and that he wished he would act better and he didn’t know why he did that.

“I know I shouldn’t yell and scream. Why do I do that?”

So we talked a little about sin and how our sin separates us from God. Then I explained to him that God gave us all forgiveness through his death on the cross, and when we acknowledge Jesus as our Savior and believe that He rose again and accepts us as we are, we can have eternal life.

We also talked about how we can pray and ask God to help us behave in a way that honors Him and in the way that we know is right.

After all this, Sloan asked me how he could ask Jesus into his heart, and he and I prayed together. And, I mean to tell you, the heavens themselves cracked open and splayed forth a song of praise within my heart.

I’ve prayed for a long time that my children would know God and that they would desire to grow in faith. I’ve also prayed that either Lee or I would be the ones to lead them to salvation. I wanted to be the one to rejoice with my child in that moment. I’m so grateful for this experience today.

Now, I realize that he’s only six and that there will be plenty more tantrums and discipline issues to come. I don’t expect him to fully understand this decision. But, I do believe that this is the start of his walk in his Christian faith. This is the moment when he grasped it with the faith of a child. As he matures, he will have to learn to make the faith that Lee and I impart to him his own.

But for now, I rejoice in the knowledge that my deepest longing for my child has come to fruition. It’s a beautiful moment.

Filed Under: Family, Kids, Life, Marriage, Ministry, Motherhood, Sloan

For the Love of Money – Part 2

September 9, 2009 by Kelli

A couple of weeks ago, I told you about our desire to better teach our children how to handle money. Last night we had the opportunity to reward Sloan for his patience and great attitude in working and saving his money.

For two weeks now, Sloan has done little chores around the house to earn extra dollars. He’s cleaned baseboards, taken out the trash, watered the flowers, cleaned the bathroom and a whole host of other household tasks.

Each time he got paid, he raced to his wallet and carefully counted out his earnings. The coveted toy cost $25.00, so he had to do quite a bit of work.

During this time, Sloan had a great attitude. He didn’t complain, he didn’t whine and beg for more money faster. He was brilliant. So Lee and I decided to help him out in his goal.

When he reached $20.00, we told him to take out three dollars and set it aside for savings. Then we had him give us two dollars to give to the church. We then gave him the last ten dollars he needed and we packed up last night and headed to the store where he got his beloved Star Wars doodad.

(He says it’s called a Nancho Fighter. I’m pretty sure that’s not right, but whatever it is, he’s very proud.)

Not to be left out, Tia has been saving money herself. Because she tends to, ahem, lose focus in just about any task she’s given, she didn’t earn quite the same amount as Sloan. But she did have ten dollars to spend, so after taking out a dollar for the church and two dollars for savings, we gave her enough to buy a princess jewelry set, of which she is equally proud.

This was a very fun way to help the kids learn money management. It also gave us a chance to teach them of God’s blessings on those who are good stewards of their finances. It was a good lesson for both kids and for Lee and I as well.

It was also good for my house as I now have clean baseboards for the first time in, well, a really long time. So, you know…Mama got a bonus too.

Filed Under: Kids, Motherhood, Sloan, Tia Tagged With: teaching kids to manage money

Three Ring Circus

September 8, 2009 by Kelli

I just ran downstairs after hearing my daughter screech, “MOOOOOOOMMMMMYYYYYY!” only to find her dangling from the top of the door jam in the basement.

How did she get up there? I couldn’t tell you. But however she managed to get up, she couldn’t figure out how to come back down. And there she dangled, like a wild little monkey, screaming for help.

So I’m taking her in today to sign her up for gymnastics. I’ve thought about it for awhile, but this solidified for me the need to channel her energy, bravery and athleticism in a more productive way.

Or I will most definately die young of heart failure…

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Sloan went to bed with a rash all over his legs last night. It was little red dots all up his legs. I assume he is having a reaction to something, though I can’t imagine what it would be.

This morning when he was getting dressed, I noticed the rash was still there. “I wonder what that’s from?” I said.

“It’s because I’m allergic to racoons,” Sloan replied.

“Really? How do you know?” I asked.

Sloan shrugged. “These are just things I know, mom. I’m just that smart.”

So, you know – he’s having an allergic reaction to racoons. Why didn’t I think of that?

__________________________________________________________

While driving down to Arkansas, Lee turned into man-driver extraordinaire. Normally Lee is a fairly calm man-driver. Like any self respecting male, he does like to get to his destination without the hassle of those pesky pit stops, but he handles the occasional need for a bathroom break with great aplomb, patiently pulling over and waiting.

Unless, of course, we decide at the last minute to leave at 5:30 pm for a five and a half hour drive. It is then, and only then, that Lee turns into man-driver extraordinaire. The stops are few and far between. He does not deny anyone a bathroom break, of course, but he actually clapped his hands this trip.

As in, “Okay Tia, you gotta go fast baby. Go, go, go!” clap, clap, clap.

It was a race against the clock and you know what? Lee beat the clock. He won. We made excellent time. All because we powered through and did not stop unless the need was dire.

What a man!

________________________________________________________

At one of the (very short) stops we made there were a group of Army soldiers, all decked out in their fatigues. This fascinated Sloan and he immeditaely proclaimed, in that fantastically boisterous voice of his, “Mom, look! Army guys! Hey Army guys!”

One of the men turned and waved back at Sloan who then gave him two thumbs up and said, “Don’t worry – I’m being good.”

___________________________________________________________

Finally, as I type this post, Tia and Landon are in the other room tormenting each other. I hear them. I know it’s happening. But I’m ignoring it. The screams aren’t blood curdling…yet.

_________________________________________________________

On the way home from our trip yesterday, Lee and I were discussing our dreams for our family. Places we want to go, things we want to do with the kids, etc…And we realized that it’s going to go by fast. This phase really doesn’t last long.

So although I may feel like I am the ringmaster in the three ring circus, I’m trying not to rush this motherhood thing. Ten years will go by fast. And when it does, I will no longer have a chubby little baby, slobbering on my hair as he hangs on my neck while I try and do some work.

The house will be quiet all day long. It sounds glorious…but it also sounds a little boring.

And now I’m off because the volume has escalated. It sounds like they are beating each other.

Let the show begin!!!

Filed Under: Family, funny stuff that happens, Kids, Motherhood, Sloan

Servant’s Heart Ministry

August 26, 2009 by Kelli

Missions Week – Day Three: Servant’s Heart Ministry

Sometimes, it seems that if you listen closely enough, you can hear the hollow strains of an orchestra in the forground. If you stop, open your eyes and strain your ear intently, you’ll hear the soft beat of a well played harmony…

I can testify personally to the heart behind this amazing new ministry based out of Nashville, Tennessee. One of the founders, Rob Dublin, is a dear friend and is someone who, along with his wife, Kyna, has a deep love for missions.

Servant’s Heart Ministry has a unique focus. Primarily working in the Dominican Republic at this time, Servant’s Heart is working to empower and support the work of a local church, and in doing so, is impacting the lives of children and families.

Sshhh…listen – do you hear the strings?

Born out of a love for orphans, the founders of Servant’s Heart Ministry all met while actually doing ministry together. In 2006, Rob Dublin, Rex Sexton, Kenneth Hill and Jay Weinstein worked together in the country of Ukraine building homes for orphans. Upon returning to the US, they continued to meet with one another regularly and encouraged each other in their shared passion of ministering to the orphans of the world.

Add the bass…

After learning of the plight of children in the Dominican Republic, the idea of Servant’s Heart Ministry bubbled forth. With a little bit of research and a lot of planning, the four men planned their first trip to the Dominican Republic where they witnessed firsthand the cruel fate of an impoverished people.

But how did they get to the Dominican Republic? Well – that’s where the cello starts humming a harmonic continuum. Can you hear the sounds?

In a small village, roughly 45 minutes from the booming town of Santiago, people are living in extreme poverty. Children go to school where they spend roughly 4-5 hours a day learning, but receive only a small cup of milk and a piece of bread.

Sometimes that’s all those children will eat all day long.

A local church, run entirely by Dominicans, recognized the rampant hunger of the children and established a program for the kids to come to the church after school and receive a solid meal as well as spiritual training.

It’s a simple concept. Nourish the body and develop the heart. Immediately the church noticed the impact they were able to have in their community. But how would they sustain this program under such harsh conditions.

In rolls the timpany. A beautiful thunder of sound is beginning to resound.

Servant’s Heart Ministry is now working in conjunction with this local church, partnering with them to establish a feeding program, as well as providing training materials for the children, school supplies, school uniforms and so much more.

They are also working to develop a clean water program, providing filtration systems for the church and local water catchments. The money they raise will go toward power generators and food storage (refridgeration), building supplies and whatever other needs arise within the community.

Listen to the sounds. The symphony is beginning!

For now, the focus of Servant’s Heart is concentrated in this one small town in the Dominican Republic. But the vision is much grander.

In time, and as the orchestra gains momentum, there are plans to expand this model to other villages, towns and countries. The goal is to support locals – to provide them with the materials they need to minister to the people in their own backyards.

The best part of this story is that you all can be a part of the grand symphony that God Himself is conducting through this amazing ministry. There are so many ways to be involved:

Prayer. Will you pray for Servant’s Heart Ministry as they work to bring about the vision that God has laid upon their hearts? Your prayers are the whispers that drive the beat of the symphony. They are the measures within which all the notes are contained.
Donations. Of course monetary donations are always welcomed and appreciated. Funding is important in helping provide these churches and children with the things they need, like water filtration, power generators, uniforms and, most importantly, food. But Rob told me that there is also a need for supplies. They need Spanish books, literature, scriptures, coloring books, supplies for water filtration, anything that you can offer that would allow the church to better serve the children.
Your time. In 2010, Servant’s Heart will be taking a second trip to the Dominican Republic and they would like to take a team of people with them. Let’s face it – when you are living life, sometimes, going on a foreign mission trip is difficult. One of the benefits of serving on a mission trip with Servant’s Heart is that, while it is to a foreign country, it is relatively inexpensive and easy to get to. The trips last only 4-5 days and the cost is much lower than many other overseas mission trips. This makes a trip with Servant’s Heart much easier for many people. Perhaps you are one of those people?
Table Sponsorship. For Nashville residents, Thursday, October 22 is the first official fundraiser for Servant’s Heart Ministry. This would be a fabulous event to attend (it will be held at the spectacular Factory at Franklin). I encourage you to attend so you can hear in person the heart of these dedicated men as they cast their vision for the Servant’s Heart Ministry. Table sponsorship is available as an option to show your support (and you don’t even have to be a resident to do that. Wink, wink…)

For more information, please visit the Servant’s Heart Ministry website (again, I have left you a bajillion links so there’s no excuse for not at least clicking over).

You can also check out the beautiful video they put together of their first visit on their very own YouTube channel. Or, you can join their Facebook Fan Page. Or follow them on twitter. The possibilities are endless!

To contact someone personally about how you can be involved with Servant’s Heart Ministry, or to get their address so you can send supplies, click here.

God, the Almighty conductor, has lifted His Hand, tapped the music stand and begun waving His Arms, inciting a glorious melody. And, through the involvement of others, that melody will swell and grow, making something beautiful out of the ugliness that is poverty.

Will you consider joining Servant’s Heart Ministry as they change the world one child at a time?

Missions Week – Day One

Missions Week – Day Two

Filed Under: Kids, Ministry, Missions Weeks, Uncategorized Tagged With: feeding orphans, Missions Week, poverty, Servants Heart Ministry

On the Homefront

August 25, 2009 by Kelli

I was a little late in getting my requests out to the people I want to feature this week so I’m still gathering the information I need for the rest of the features. I was planning on this being my last post of the week, but I’ve decided to post it today in order to keep up the Missions Week flow.

Perhaps the most important mission any of us will ever experience is that of parenthood. Now, I realize that not everyone who reads this blog is a parent, but a majority of you are, or will be someday.

I am living my mission field every single day. And while I have deep desires to be more involved in missions outside of my home (and, truthfully, outside of my country) for now, this is where God has me.

Lee and I work really hard to support one another as the missionaries of our own little battlefield. And I call it that because every day we are waging a spiritual battle for our children. We are their intercessors at this point in their tiny lives.

Well, and also because, if you’ve spent any time with Sloan and Tia you know that it really can feel like an actual battlefield around here. They are the best of friends, but oooh m’goodness…

Each morning, before he leaves for work, Lee prays over our children. He speaks blessing over them. And he rarely forgets. Unless he has to leave the house before they wake up, he blesses them before walking out the door.

The kids have come to so expect and look forward to this that on the rare mornings when Lee forgets or is in a rush, they remind him to bless them before leaving.

It looks a little like this:

Summer '09 146

Summer '09 147

The reason I don’t have a shot of him praying over Sloan is because the day I took these, Sloan had already left for school.

Lee and I are working hard to establish in our children the idea that there really is no place like home. We want them to know that home is safe, home is a place where they will experience blessing and love. We want them to know that no matter what happens in life, they can always return to the comfort of home.

As Laura Ingalls said in the first episode of Little House on the Prairie, “Home is the nicest word there is.”

Season 1, Episode 1 – Harvest of Friends…Yes, I’m a geek, but didn’t that little bit of TV knowledge fit perfectly with what I’m trying to say today? You. are. welcome.

Aaaaanyhooo…

I’m so thankful for a husband who is willing to take his role as leader of our family seriously. Praying blessing over our children is not something that comes naturally to me. I have a hard time with it and so I am grateful for my husband, who so naturally speaks the blessings of God over our children.

His prayers over them usually go something like this:

Lord, I pray for Sloan today. I pray that you reign down your blessings upon him – that you go before him as he goes about his day. I pray that he would know how loved he is today, not just by his family, but by you, God. I pray that you would give him a spirit of peace and of obedience. I pray that he would be a leader in his class today. Lord, we thank you for Sloan and the blessing he is in our lives…

And that’s all there is to it. It takes less than a minute, but the impact is eternal.

I would encourage all of you to take the time in your days to speak blessings over your children. If, like me, it doesn’t come naturally, then I urge you to pray for them on your own. We are in a time and age when our children’s generation could potentially suffer greatly. We need to be paving the way ahead of them with our faithful prayers.

So today’s mission focus is the family. May you all be encouraged…

Filed Under: Family, Heritage, Kids, Ministry, Missions Weeks, Motherhood Tagged With: Little House on the Prairie, Missions Week

The First Sleepover

August 23, 2009 by Kelli

On Friday night, we hosted our first sleepover. Sloan had two sweet friends over and they spent the evening playing Star Wars, watching Star Wars, eating S’Mores, playing UNO, and altogether wearing Lee out.

In typical sleepover fashion, they hopped up on junk food and got very little sleep. But they also made sweet memories. We are blessed with good, good friends. The two boys Sloan had over are great kids. They’re the kind of kids you want your child spending time with. They bring out the best in Sloan and we altogether enjoyed watching the three of them play together.

Tia and I went to my mom’s house while the boys played. Mom was out on the town, but Tia and I had fun girl time watching Little House on the Prairie and painting our fingernails. I let Tia paint my nails – she also managed to paint a majority of my fingers as well. Though my nails are now an assortment of colors (red, purple and orange were her color scheme) she was so proud, I couldn’t bear to take the polish off. So I sported my sassy nails at church this morning. I think, though, that I’ll clean them up tonight 🙂

Suzanne and Nicole, thanks for lending us your children for the night. They were absolutely fantastic. For your enjoyment, I’m going to list some of my favorite quotes from the boys and a few pics from the super awesome, totally cool first ever sleepover!

Me (upon returning home and finding the boys all nestled shirtless into their sleeping bags in the tent): “How was your evening, guys?”
Bobby: “Mr. Stuart just told us an…unusual story…
Apparently Lee told them a rather animated story that scared them just slightly…Luke ended up practically sleeping on top of Lee.

Sloan: “When I go to heaven, I’m going to see Granny. I have a Granny (his great-grandma) from my Arkansas. She died.”
Luke: “My grandma died one year ago. She made the best muffins.”
Sloan: “Your actual grandma died?” I love his distinction between a great-grandma and an actual grandma…
Luke: “Yeah – she made good muffins.”
(Don’t you love their sweet honesty?)
Bobby: “I have a great-great-great grandma who’s an Indian. An American Indian I think.”

Bobby: “The only thing that would make this sleepover better is if we could stay two nights.”
Luke: “Yeah. I like everything about this sleepover…except the sleeping.”

There were so many other sweet quotes from the evening, but those are the only ones I could remember. Listening to 6 year old boys communicate with one another is a hoot!

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