an intuitive grasp of reality through something (as an event) usually simple and striking

Epiphany

I have realized something about boys.  I think this realization has been growing in me for some time, so maybe it can't be called an epiphany, but it all came together today.  So I'll share.
Boys escalate any given situation. 
First they are satisfied with rolling a ball, then it ESCALATES to bouncing a ball, then it ESCALATES to throwing a ball, then bouncing and throwing, then rolling, bouncing and throwing...I think you get the picture. 
I could see this escalation taking on some real negative forms as they grow.  Something to be aware of; I suppose.

Home Sweet Home

Our excellent travelers have blessed us again.  They are way better travelers that I am, I fall asleep, have to stop for the bathroom, complain that I'm hungry.  They just read and look out the window.  Who's children are they anyway?  Must be Van's children.  Glad to be home, now to the mounds of laundry and the list for the grocery.

Reunited with our young men!!

We picked up the boys from my Brother and Sister-in-laws home yesterday.  We were blessed to spend the night in their home and have a home cooked meal, which is indeed a blessing when one has been traveling.
The boys were in so healthy and happy, thanks to the wonderful care they received from Mum, Aunt Karen, Jennie and Uncle John.  Some of the wonderful things they reported were;
making new friends, one in Hattiesburg and another in Batesville/Oxford.
Bowling (always a crowd pleaser with the VanZant clan)
Swimming (especially jumping off the high dive)
Playing at the splash park with cousin Parker
And last but not least, Fishing with Uncle John (and of course, getting to drive the boat about 60 mph (so the speeed demon reports, but that sounds like one of those fish tales to me)
We now know who the fisherman in our family is...Ethan seems to have the patience to fish, while Thomas is beginning to realize that he's a tad impatient (a wonderful life lesson from Uncle John).
Ethan was full of hugs (catching up for all the missed ones)
Thomas said, "I only missed you at bedtime."  Does a mother's heart good to be missed anytime. : )

Thank you to all who cared for and loved my boys in my absence.  I'm reminded of this blessing from 2 Thes.  May it be for you.
2 Thes 3:16
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

Matthew 10:29-31

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Once again God proves his power and his mercy to us.  While on our trip, Becca was outside climbing trees, not 20 feet from our door, when she lost her grip and fell, landing on her back and right hip.  When I saw her walking toward me, I instantly knew something was wrong and was more assured of this when the first words out of her mouth were, "It's ok, I can breathe now."  Great to know she could breath, but scary to think there were moments she could not.  She had landed so hard and so suddenly that by the time she reached us, she was becoming very pale and shaky.  We had her sit down and got a wash cloth for her to wipe a few bumps and scrapes.  As soon as the rush of fear and uncertainty had passed, we praised God together that she wasn't more seriously injured, what a joy to praise your Savior for the blessed protection of your daughter. 

Whitewater Rafting today

Two hot-tired folks were picked up after 6 hours of this...

Horses and Trees

We are having a great time with a few adventures to boot.  Last night, we stayed in #8 Chalet (not highly recommended), it was smokey and the bed was extremely uncomfortable, not to mention that in the middle of the night he heater came on (we're talking 70 outside), then after Van shut it off it made popping noises.  Kind of freaked us out.  The company moved us to one of their hotels (very nice, I must say) and it is much more comfortable tonight.  Becca and Van went horseback riding this morning and I went shopping (great shops in Dillard).  Then lunch and Dulcimer shopping (we found one and Becca is making great strides already).  Before the Dulcimer shopping, Becca felt like we should have some adventure, so she fell out of a tree, landing on her back and knocking the wind out of herself.  Praise the Lord, she was fine and after a few tense moments (she was very pale), all was right with the world plus a few bruises and scrapes.  What a fun adventurous, musical girl we have.  More tomorrow.

13 year trip

Based on the example of Godly friends, we are beginning the tradition of a special trip for our 13 year olds.  We have passed that milestone with our oldest.  She turned 13 in May.  She and her Daddy planned a wonderful trip for the three of us.  We are on our way to Dillard, Georgia for a whitewater rafting trip, a horse back ride in the mountains, and some dulcimer shopping, then it is down to Atlanta to the American Girl Store.  We are already having such a wonderful time building memories with her.  She is becoming such a fun, beautiful, graceful, loving, Godly young woman who blesses us daily and it is a pleasure to bless her with this special trip. 
Continuing to grow,
Evelyn

Friends and shopping

Becca and I had a new experience today.  We had a girls day out with one of Becca's friends (long story, short; Becca's friend's mom is deployed with the Coast Guard (thank you for all you do), but she (the friend) wanted to go Father's day shopping without "father."  We spent about two hours enjoying all the stores we could stand and after Father's Days needs were met; we enjoyed a lunch date to "Friday's".  After we came home, Becca said, "That was really fun, we should do that more often; just a girls shopping trip." 

I have a sneaking suspicion this is just the beginning of all the fun we can have with this. 

Give me a chance

A wise friend once told me that as my children grow up, I should give them opportunities to prove themselves.  Her example was relateing a time that her teens were staying home every Tuesday while she and her husband went to a Bible Study; each Tuesday as dinner was being finished and the parents were preparing to leave for the study, she would remind her daughters to clean the kitchen before they went to bed.  After several weeks of being reminded, one daughter said, "Mom, please don't tell us to clean the kitchen, we know what we need to do, but you never give us the chance to show you that we can be responsible to remember on our own."  I try and remember this, but as a mom, I feel obligated to remind them.  This week, however, I told Becca on Monday that she was invited to a friend's to play on Friday, but since I had already planned my school week, she would have to complete all her Friday school on the other four days.  She did it without my reminding her.  Perhaps it was the exciting goal, or perhaps it is that she is growing up right before my eyes.  I am blessed.

Dinner ala Becca!

Becca wanted to learn some of my recipes this summer so that she could cook a meal a week next school year (this was totally her idea, I promise).  Tonight was Chicken and Dumplings.  They turned out great and now, she's got one recipe down.  The trick to my Chicken and Dumplings is broth in the dumplings, not water.  YUMMY! 

Growing up?

Becca was complimented last night at youth group and she shared with me.  Another mom, came up and asked her if she would be in 10th grade next year.  Becca will be in 8th grade.  The mom said, "wow, you are so mature and so tall."  Made her night.  I told her that it glorifies God when others notice your maturity.

Consider what is being learned at our home.

This is not only being learned by the youngest, but the oldest in our house as well.  Selfishness reared its ugly head again yesterday.
Has this ever happened in your home?  In this abode it was the culmination of a week of "not considering." 
This wasn't just one child winning and one child losing, this was a heart issue; a selfishness issue. 

Philippians 2:3 says "Do nothing out of selfish ambition, but in humility consider others better than yourselves."  God doesn't look down from heaven and cheer because we got a home run, swim faster than our brother or even (I can't believe I'm saying this) keep a neat home, or sew a beautiful skirt.  He cheers when we "Do nothing out of selfish ambition, but in humility consider others better than yourself"  or to paraphrase Micah 6:8...acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with our God. 

My little sinner was acting under the guise of justice, but he showed no mercy and was definantly not walking humbly.  I fail daily to lay a good example before my children.  I'm so thankful that they are not to grow up to be like me, but that they are to grow up to be like Christ, a much, much, much better example.

Each lesson learned continues to grow them in wisdom before God an man.

Bedtime and talking??

Apparently, this is the time that teenagers (at least mine) like to talk.  I'm usually done in by this time of day, but I'm going to try and make a concerted effort to listen for a few minutes each night.  Hey, how about I tuck them in just a bit early in order to give us a little talk time.  I always want to be there for her and the boys, too; whenever they want to talk.
Becca made me so proud today.  We spent the afternoon helping a friend with some organizing and sorting and B pitched right in.  Folded two baskets of laundry, sorted through toys and entertained my friend's daughter.  It is a joy to work side-by-side with her.