a desk

I love it when God gives us good things in the most unexpected of ways. I love how He shows His goodness and love through seemingly small things.

Jeremiah has been begging us for a desk of his own. We have a school desk area where the boys do their school work together. More and more lately Jeremiah has been needing some autonomy and independence. A space of his own. We have been putting him off. I have some projects in mind for rearranging the boys bedroom to make it more functional for the ages they are now. I was trying to wait until we had some extra cash and could make one comprehensive IKEA run. So, Jeremiah kept asking, and I kept trying to come up with other solutions. But, he really wanted a desk, "So I have a place to write my books!"

Yesterday, this "beauty" was sitting by the side of the road in our neighborhood with a "Free" sign on it. Suddenly I just couldn't put it off any more. It was a free desk for goodness sake! We borrowed a truck and installed it in a corner in the guestroom. I don't really like it. It is cheap, and kind of ugly, and really really big. But my boy is over the moon happy! He puttered around yesterday putting things in drawers and lining up his folders and generally making himself at home. Periodically I would hear him exclaim, "This is so awesome!"

So all that is left for me to do is smile and thank God for this lovely way of showing love to my son. I can't wait to see what masterpieces come from Jeremiah's imagination at this new spot of his.

Camp New Dawn

 

Last week was Jeremiah's annual week at sports camp at Camp New Dawn. It was his third year and he was excited. He was eager for a week of sports, swimming, crafts, and making new friends. Jeremiah's award this year was for being "the verse man." Apparently there was a competition between cabins to see who could memorize the most verses and Jeremiah did really well.

Nathaniel really, really wanted to go this year too. But he has to wait until he is 6 so he will get to join Jeremiah next year. We are so thankful for our friends who have a heart for running this camp. It takes a lot of hard work and sacrifice. Thanks for another great week of memories! Next year we will be sending two Rapier's your way! Hope camp is ready for it!

time for the tooth fairy again...

Jeremiah was well past 7 1/2 years old when he lost his first tooth. It was my expectation that Nathaniel would be similar. Imagine my surprise when this evening it was revealed to me that his tooth had started loosening last weekend and an unfortunate incident with a Wii remote this evening helped loosen it more and it was ready to come out!
So now my baby is snaggle-toothed. And I am not sure that I am ready for that. He isn't even 6 years old yet!
He is pretty excited though. He has already made the requisite calls to grandparents and is eagerly awaiting Jeremiah's return from camp so that he can show his brother.

Goldrush

Goldrush week was pretty epic! We drove down and spent the week at a youth conference in Atlanta with the youth group from our church. Aaron was there in an official capacity as a chaperone and the boys and I were pretty much just tagging along for fun. It was lots of fun to stay in hotel room, eat out for every meal, climb rock walls, play hours of fuzball (spelling?) air hockey and basketball, participate in some pretty awesome worship services, get to know the youth of our church better, and spend hours hanging out with friends.

A new look

I still remember when my mom got glasses. I was a teenager and she kept asking me to read things for her that were in small print. Over the past few months I have been noticing that the TV and computer screen can look blurry and that I would have headaches at the end of the day. Turns out I needed glasses. Choosing frames was my idea of a nightmare because 1) I hate making decisions, and 2) I have no fashion sense. Aaron helped me narrow the choices down to two frames. I texted pictures to friends and family and ended up choosing the frames that go the most votes. I like them. Now I just have to get used to wearing them....

As soon as I put them on both of the boys said, "You look just like Oma!" In this instance looking like my mothers is a good thing.

Where goes the summer?

 Proof that we did celebrate Father's Day a few weeks ago. My guys!

June is over.
I can't believe it.
It flew by and now July is staring us down. July is packed full and looking a bit intimidating at this point. I am not one who usually embraces "busy." I prefer to mix up busy with down time at home. But this is where we are right now. And everything filling up our month is fun and good and worthwhile so with some extra patience and grace I think we can enjoy the busy.

Aaron finished his June classes for his Education Specialist degree! He is a hard worker and a good provider for our family. He has also taken on extra responsibility by being on the pastoral search committee of our church. He is patient and funny and loving and wise.

I am starting a part-time job later this month. I was really unsure as to whether I should add the responsibility to my plate. But it seems that God has perfectly provided for us through this opportunity. It is going to take good time management skills, some sacrifice of free time, and family teamwork to make it all work but I think we are up to the challenge.