Caleb's 1st day of Preschool

Caleb has been so excited to start preschool.  Today was his first day and he really enjoyed it.  He went into the classroom and said goodbye to Jeff and I without a hitch and was excited to see me when I picked him up.  The teachers said he did great.  After school, Caleb and I went on a date to celebrate his first day.  We went to get hot apple cider (because it was absolutely pouring outside) and a chocolate doughnut; we chatted about his first day.  I was informed that he played with pretend and real toys, pretend food and real food and playdoh.  He told me he was polite to his teachers and he had fruit snacks and juice.  I was thrilled to get that much information out of him. Tomorrow is day #2.  Perhaps I won't need as many tissues (for my tears not Caleb's) for the second day of preschool.

Caleb is 4!

Last Sunday, Caleb turned 4.  He is very excited about this new age.  He insists he is "just 4" not "4 years old."  He also insisted he wanted Clifford on his cake (again).  This kid knows what he wants.  So he got another Clifford cake.  I'm wondering how many years we can draw this Clifford thing out.  I'm getting kinda close to that red dog and I now have practice making Clifford cakes so I'm set for another year.  Every day Caleb seems to get older.  He loves to chat all day long and asks plenty of "why" questions.  He is super excited to start preschool this coming fall. . . I'm left wondering where the time has gone.

Hurt Cream

Yesterday Caleb hurt his hand.  In the midst of the tears he told me he had hurt his hand and he wanted some cream.  I asked, "What kind of cream buddy?"  He wisely responded "Hurt cream."  Oh, if only.  If only I could take away all of his hurts.  I would.  I would lovingly slather on a generous dollop of hurt cream and wipe his tears away.  If only it were that easy.  I got to thinking.  Wouldn't it be nice if there was some type of hurt cream for all the hurts that this world brings?  The cuts and bruises, the deaths, the shootings. . . And then I realized there is. 

God sent the one and original "Hurt Cream" over two-thousand years ago.  When God sent His son Jesus Christ to be born in this world, He knew that one day His only son would face a horrific death and in that death he would redeem every single man and woman who called on His name to an eternity without hurts, without pain, tears and death.  Knowing His son would be crucified on a cross He chose to send him anyway, because He loves us all so much that we were worth it to Him. We were worth the heartache He must have faced as He watched His beloved son be tortured and killed.  God knew we needed some hurt cream, because He knew we would make some ugly choices, or be hurt by others who have made ugly choices, and face many different hurts.  And we do. And it broke the heart of a loving God. So God sent Jesus Christ to be born on Christmas Day and He became our hurt cream.  He is the only one who can take all of our hurts and pains away.  So as we prepare for Christmas Day, I pray that Jeff and I would be able to teach our children about true hurt cream.  The kind that doesn't come in a bottle or tube or a package wrapped with curly ribbon.  The kind that can only be found when we choose to admit our ugly choices to God and ask for an eternal dose of hurt cream where God will wipe all our tears away and we will hurt no longer. 

Merry Christmas to all our friends and family.  I hope that you find some "hurt cream" for all of your aches and pains. May all your tears be wiped away by the one who came to save you.

 ^"‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4    

Happy 1st Birthday Aubrey!

Wow.  I can't believe that just a year ago we were celebrating the birth of our precious daughter.  She has brought so much joy and light to our lives.  We love her so much and thank God for such a wonderful gift. 

He is so good

My kids and I go to Bible Study Fellowship on Thursday mornings.  It is a great time for all of us to learn more about God and how we can live our lives to please the God who gave everything for us.  This morning, as we were walking to the car, I asked Caleb what he learned at Bible Study.  First he responded "anything" which is his rebellious 3-year old way of saying he didn't learn anything.  He uses this response for many things he doesn't want to discuss or do. He says it in a very exasperated tone, as if we ask too many questions and expect way too much. Sometimes it means "nothing" and sometimes it means "we didn't do anything."  It's consistently used in a rebellious manner by my dear boy.  For example:

Parent: "Caleb, what would you like for lunch?"
Caleb: "Anything"

Parent: "Caleb, would you please bring me your cup."
Caleb:  "Anything."

Parent: "Caleb, did you have fun at grandma's house?"
Caleb: "Anything"
Parent: "What did you do?"
Caleb: "Anything"

You get the point. I was a little disappointed with his answer this morning, so I responded "You did nothing at Bible study, well mommy can tell you what I learned!"  He was thoughtful for a few moments and then he said "I learned about God and I learned how God is so good."  Yes he is. I couldn't agree more.  And thank you for giving me a glimpse of what life may be like after the age of 3 and before the age of 13. 

The origins of this year's Halloween Costumes

Caleb loved his hair that was spiked in the front with blue gel!

In true "thing one and two" fashion, it was tough to get a picture of them both standing still!

Aubrey enjoyed Caleb's candy!

This was our Aubbie's very 1st Halloween. We decided to celebrate by dressing her according to her current nickname. Daddy originally started calling her "Missy Moo" which has evolved into many variations. . .moo. . . moo bug (a combo of Mommy's nickname for Aubbie and Daddy's). . .moozy. . . and enough embarrassment. You get the point. Either way, we are pretty sure she won't enjoy being called "Moo" when she is a teenager, maybe even before. So, we'll enjoy it for now and remember it always on this, her first Halloween.  I found her costume at a consignment shop and it actually has the word "Moo" printed on the side.  Destiny? I think so. Purchased.

As for Caleb, we have long commented on how much fun it is to watch Caleb and his cousin Camry play together. They will grab hands and run down Grandma Cathy's hall (or Aunt Cara's basement, or anywhere) while shrieking. At which point they find something to get into and it gets much quieter. Here are a few places they have been found. . .Grandma Cathy's bathroom (finding treasures in the bathroom vanity), Aubrey's pack and play (pretending to sleep), Grandpa Gary's office (shutting off and nearly destroying his computer- sorry dad), and Our bathtub (smearing soap in their hair). Because of they way they tend to gravitate towards trouble together, while enjoying it so thoroughly they have been referred to as "double trouble." Hence, this year's costume: Thing One and Thing Two.

Aubrey meets Great Grandma Nanny

Nanny loves kids and I think Aubrey sensed that, because she sure enjoys her too!