Raising Huckleberry Boys

It is not uncommon for Levi to go off on his own little adventure.  It reminds me so much of me as a kid.  I rode my bike to the creek, wandered around in the woods, turned over every rock, fished by myself, etc...  He has his own little pocket knife, and everyone in the house knows if they are looking for tape, tools, tape measures, magnifying glasses, string, paperclips.... any odds and ends- ask Levi.  He knows where it is.  

Today Levi went off on his bike again to the fishing hole near the house.  It was such a beautiful day today!  When Kyle asked me to ride him over there, I couldn't resist the urge to get out and go see what the boys were doing.  

Levi had caught a few perch in his fishing net already, and was making conversation with some of the other people who were fishing.  I watched him throw his net down off the little pier, and noticed that he had tied the string around his ankle just in case it slipped out of his hands.  LOL!  Smart little toot.  

He and Kyle decided to move across the creek and fish from the shore, and I tried to follow.  As I traversed across the rocks, I felt my age... and I realized just how long it has been since we have gone out on an adventure as a family.  It used to be so common!  In Georgia our backyard was literally IN the woods, and we didn't have to go far to find our own adventure.  

I miss it!  I love the fact that our boys enjoy the outdoors and would rather be fishing than playing video games.  When they were smaller, we had "Mummy Time".  Each boy got to spend some one on one time with Mummy, and they took turns.  Most of the time, our Mummy Time had something to do with hiking, or fishing, or turning over rocks in the creek.  I made it a point to have lots of positive experiences in the outdoors with each one.  I'm so glad they have picked up on this love of adventure, and it sticks with them even now.  I'm thinking soon we may have good reason to "re-institute" Mummy Time (more to come on that later).  I think I want to find another adventure....

A Moment to Cherish- and by moment I mean literally 60 seconds.

So there I was... a typical afternoon sitting in front of my computer at the kitchen breakfast bar while dinner cooks.  I had one kid on my left, and one kid on my right.

Kid number 1 says: Mommy, what would you do if I decided to be one of the first people to colonize Mars?

(I barely even process what he just said...)

Kid number 2 chimes in:  "that's stupid.  that's not even gonna happen like in your lifetime."

(I look at kid number 2 with a scowl... then back at kid number 1)  "ummmm.... "

Kid number 1: "They ARE working on it right now, and there will be people there in my lifetime so shut up!"

Kid number 3: from across the room- "BE QUIET!"

Kid number 2:  "you shut up!  that's impossible!  they haven't even sent ONE person to Mars let alone figured out how to make a whole colony survive."


aaaaand back and forth it goes.  with me in the middle.  staring at my computer.  head in my hands.

This is an everyday thing!!!!  It inevitably ends up in some sort of physical brawl that will end up in tears, or bruises, or both.  I say to myself too often.... "will they EVER stop arguing!!!??"  I know, I know... brotherly love right?

We eventually settled it with google.  In case you are curious, there actually is an effort underway to recruit some people for the first colony on Mars, but they don't even expect to send a single man to Mars until about 2030.  -good job kid number 1.  BUT you do NOT have my blessing to go to Mars. nope.  not happenin'.

There is a constant state of testosterone induced competition at my house which includes competition over who eats more, who eats less, who dribbles better, who shoots better, who plays better, who is the quietest, the loudest.... the whatever-est.  There are very few moments when ALL is peaceful, and usually when it happens it is because each kid is in a separate corner of the house doing their own thing.  So when I came upon this scene this evening, my heart jumped just a little.

It was completely quiet, and three out of four had set aside their individual activities to "play" together....(really watch Z play lol.)

Aaahhhh.  So pleasant to see them getting along and enjoying each others company!  Yes... the guitar leaning on the couch is a little unnerving, but seriously.... I needed to enjoy this moment.  It did not last long, but I have photo evidence that it did happen!

Life with A Whole Bunch Of Boys is not always glamorous.  Okay... it's never glamorous.  but moments like this make me want to go buy a "boy mom" T-shirt.  I felt like a successful parent today- for about 60 seconds.  😏

Declaration of War

I'm usually inspired to blog by funny, or embarrassing things my kids do.  I have this awful unavoidable addiction to embarrassing myself and my kids publicly.  This time, I'm inspired because of more serious concerns.  This isn't a crazy change of personality or anything weird... you won't see many more serious posts- I don't think- so please savor this rare peak into the serious side of my brain.  

I am a little frustrated…. No a LOT frustrated.  It is shameful that I have become hesitant to call myself a “Christian” due to the negative connotation of the word.  A word that was embraced by the church for the original meaning- “follower of Jesus”, “slave of the Anointed One” …now because of the actions and beliefs of individuals claiming the title, for many it brings to mind exclusivity, cruelty, and hypocrisy.  For this reason I prefer to just call myself a Follower of Jesus.  Perhaps that will at least lessen the blow to my chosen heritage that so many past and present have destroyed. 

I have a righteous anger burning inside and it makes me want to lash out!  If you want to call this a “Christian Nation” then so be it; but DON’T assume the title without taking the responsibility. 

Christians are called to “Go into all the world” –(Mark 16:15).  To love the unlovable- (Matthew 5:44), to “look after orphans and widows”-(James 1:27), to welcome the foreigner, -(Leviticus 19:9-10,33-34, Deuteronomy 10:18-19, Ezekiel 16:49, etc…)   and above all else to LOVE!-(Matthew 22:36-40).  We are called to love the Lord our God with all that we have, and also to love our neighbor as ourselves.  HA!!!!  And who is our neighbor!??!!  – (Luke 10:25-37). 

Unfortunately, I have some pretty controversial views within the Christian church.  As a left leaning moderate Christian I am sad that so many of my brothers and sisters in Christ fail to recognize the very “left-ish-ness” of the Bible itself.  Yes, that is my own word and I like it.  I don’t like political posts.  I comment on very few, and have mastered the art of face book creeping.  (Admittedly, I have on occasion hit the like button accidentally as I swipe, but I’m getting better.)

I’m sad when I think about my LGBTQ friends, (there are a lot of you!  J) and I have to think to myself- I hope they don’t lump me in with all the hateful speaking other people who claim to share my Christianity.  I hope I always show nothing but genuine love and respect as friends without labels. 

I’m sad when I think about the damage that is done to my testimony, and my witness by people who are hateful to those who practice other religions.  I have atheist friends, I have Muslim friends, I have Buddhist friends, (I actually don’t know if I have any Hindu friends but I’d like some.  J).  I strive to be a good example of Jesus everywhere I go.  I fail.  I fail a lot.  I fail so much, that I only hope that my friends have the same amount of love and grace for me as I have for them.  –That is what it’s about right?  Treating others the way we expect to be treated?  Loving others as we love ourselves?

As a follower of Jesus, I choose love.  I choose inclusiveness; I choose to see souls and not labels.  I choose to be a light in darkness.  I choose to love the woman who chose the abortion.  I choose to love my homosexual friends and celebrate victories and happiness with them.  I choose to celebrate uniqueness and diversity; I choose to fight for social justice, in the US and in the far reaches of the world as far as I’m able. 

When Markel and I were called to ministry, we could have chosen to go to a Lutheran church, a Presbyterian church, a Methodist church…. But we chose The Salvation Army.  Why?  because I agree with every position statement?  NO!  We chose this church because the words of the founder, written below, resound within my soul…  I cannot let those words out of my mind, I will not forget them!  This giant army is poised and ready to tackle social justice worldwide where our government is failing.  If only we could wake the giant.  I pray that more true followers of Jesus stand together against evil and against hate.  Hate breeds isolation, hopelessness, malice, and division.  LOVE is the only weapon that will prosper in this battle because out of love flows prayer, faith, good works and unity.  It is with LOVE that I choose to fight this battle…

“While women weep, as they do now, I’ll fight.  While little children go hungry, as they do now, I’ll fight, While men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I’ll fight.  While there is a drunkard left, while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I’ll fight-I’ll fight to the very end!” – William Booth

#HashTagGoodDeeds

Today when I walked in the door, Levi asked if he can borrow my cell phone to take a picture.  I was busy.... and handed off my phone without even realizing I had done it (don't make fun.  I know y'all do it sometimes)

I have no idea how my cell phone ended up back in my hands, but a little later in the day he comes in my bedroom and says, "mommy, didya see my pictures?"

and this is what happened next:

Me:  pictures of what?
L:  The house down the street.
Me:  (lowering my head, and peering at him as though I were looking over bifocals) Levi, why were you taking pictures of the house down the street?  It is vacant right.
L:  No! somebody definitely lives there.
Me: (wide eyed and a bit stressed)  WHY were you taking photos of someones house!!!!
L:  no, not of their house, their yard!  look what I did!

Me:  so did they ask you to put their leaves in a pile?

L:  nope!  I just did it.  and then I left a note on the door.

Me:  (eyes even wider... if that is possible.... no words)

L:  what?  "hashtag good deeds"  (with a cheesy grin).

Me:  (nervously through clenched teeth)  what... did the note say?

L: It said

          "Happy Fall!  I'm sorry if you wanted them spread out."

                                                          signed, a kid down the street.

Me: sigh....   oh boy.

Football Invasion

Sports have taken over my life!  I realized as I looked at my old blog posts that the last post I made was just before the boys very FIRST football season ever.  Before that, we were oblivious to organized youth sports.  Now that I'm a full time football/wrestling/basketball/track mom.... In my spare time, I haven't been  taking time to blog.  I realized though that I had forgotten some of the crazy stories I had shared....  The crazy quotes, etc.  and it was soooo nice to look back on them.  Especially now that my oldest baby has a mustache.... And beard whiskers. 

So back to it I go!  Ready to document our adventures and misadventures in an attempt to capture every possible embarrassing moment and store it for future.....use.  Here we go again!!  

Break Up Letter

Dear Beloved Pepsi,

You have been my best friend since childhood.  Thank you for comforting me when I was down, and for that tingly feeling that I get when I take a sip.  You've been good to me, however its just not working out between us.

You're making me fat, and giving me high blood pressure, rotting my teeth, and keeping me awake at night and sleepy in the morning.  Regretfully, we'll have to part ways.  I will miss you.... but only for awhile.  If you're sad, don't be... remember, it's not you..... it's me.

Remember Me Always,

Carrie

Day number 6 down!!  Almost an entire week Pepsi free.  I should say... soda free.  I only had a couple close calls but never gave in!  go me!  I even walked out of Wendy's today with a great big LEMONADE!!  Typically I would go out of my way to find a Wendy's because they have the LARGEST large drink EVER.... but I felt good sipping on my lemonade instead.

and now... off to Walmart to get some suspenders for Kyle.  He is playing Steve Erkle in a day camp skit.  This should be quite interesting......... Perhaps a story for another blog?  we'll see.

Potty Talk.

There is a misconception out there that ALL little boys like to talk about bowel and flatulence at the dinner table.

Well, maybe it’s not a misconception…

We had a wonderful Memorial Day, just relaxing and cooking hamburgers, corn on the cobb, and baked potatoes all on the grill.  I brought it inside and placed it on the dining room table for a formal dinner.

We seldom sit in the dining room for dinner, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have regular family dinners!  We just typically stand around the island in the kitchen talking and eating.  Weird?...yes, but its us. 

This time we sat down and passed the food around like the Clevers, when somehow Braden’s corn on the cob reminded him that he needed to tell me that the other day, Zyan had a poop bigger than a corn on the cobb.

Before I could compose myself to reprimand, it turned into an all-out war at the table over who has had the longest poop EVER, and what their poop would look like when they finished this big meal.

The more they talked, the more I couldn’t speak… and the laughter turned to a silent whisper, I almost choked on my own food and had to excuse myself.

We had a conversation about potty talk at the table afterward, but unfortunately they now feel that if they team up and make us laugh hard enough, they can get away with anything.  

It's going to take some time to recover from that one.