And now I have an 11 year old.

Yes, its true. We celebrated Shaun's eleventh birthday last week. It still sounds so strange to say it. He's eleven. He's grown so much in the past year. He's matured. He's grown spiritually. He's doing the best he's ever done in school.

He's trying to find his place, and so far its been interesting to watch.

I remember being 11...too old to be a baby and not old enough to be a teenager. Too old for some things and not old enough to do others. Tough times. I don't think I'd like to go back there! I can see a lot of my 11 year old self in Shaun. Some rebellion. Defiance. Uncomfortable in his skin. Just like his mama was!

My parents prayed me through my angst-ridden adolescence (Yes. I have an adolescent. And I have an in-take form from one of
Shaun's recent doctors appointments to prove it!) and my rebellious teenage years...and, eventually, everything clicked. I found my place in the world and became who I was meant to be. As will my precious, rambunctious, strong-willed, wonderfully sensitive, kindhearted child. I honestly get chills when I think about what God has in store for him.

Last week, on his birthday, Shaun slept late and then spent some "Call of Duty" time with his dad while I took my sister out for a birthday lunch...have I mentioned that Shaun was born on her 17th birthday? Later that night after church we met up with my parents, Chris' parents, and our friend Steven for a birthday dinner at Red Lobster where Shaun gleefully discovered that he is now too old to order from the kids' menu.

Goodness, my phone takes an awful picture!

We'll celebrate with friends next week with bowling and pizza.

Shaun- I can't believe how much you've grown in only a year. I wish I had just half of your determination. I love you so, but never forget that God loves you more.

On how we were blessed by a random stranger.

Unexpected blessings. My family and I have been on the receiving end of them lately. Does that sound as if I'm bragging? I certainly don't mean to...its just that I don't know any other way to say it than to just....well....say it.

And so I did. And we have been surprised with several unexpected blessings here of late. It all began two Saturdays ago. The kids and I were shopping for shoes. At least, we were shopping for Shaun some shoes. We were on the way to church that morning when he observed that his "very favorite shoes" were beginning to show some signs of wear and tear. In other words, one of his shoes had a hole in the sole. Yes, he has more than one pair of shoes, but this was his "very favorite" pair. The pair he's worn almost every day since July. So I decided he deserved another pair.

Into the shoe store we went. Straight back to the boys' section. While we were looking, Jordan happened across a pair of Yoda bedroom slippers. Of course, he tried them on and of course, he asked for them. And of course, I had to give him the old standby answer of "not today", which translates into "I'm so sorry honey, but your parents are kind of broke right now and really do not have twenty extra dollars to spend on bedroom slippers". I actually didn't feel too awfully bad about turning him down, as he had just gotten a new pair of shoes himself the week before. And he took the let-down very well. He asked if he could just please wear the slippers inside the store. So I said okay, hoping to get out of there quickly.

I was helping Shaun try on a pair of shoes when a woman walked by and began talking to Jordan, telling how cool those Yoda shoes were. My little Jordan just looked up at her and explained that we weren't getting them today. Just like that. Was I ever proud! No pouting, crying, or whining. The mystery woman smiled at me and asked Jordan if she could see the shoes. I agreed, telling him that she could put them back where they belonged. And, much to my surprise, Jordan handed over the shoes. I continued to help Shaun find a pair in his size and was getting ready to head to the check-out counter when mystery woman popped up beside us again, this time with a bag in her hand. A bag containing...the Yoda shoes. She gave the bag to Jordan, wished him a Happy Valentines Day, and skipped off to the back of the store where her children were waiting.

It took me a minute to realize what had happened. When I finally came to my senses, I told Jordan to go give her a hug. He jumped into her arms saying "thank you, thank you!" while I locked eyes with the sweet woman and mouthed the same thing. Then, we again made our way to the check-out counter where the cashier informed me that the whole store was having a sale: buy one pair, get another for half off. So we set off down the aisles again. The store had absolutely nothing in Jordan's size (besides Yoda shoes!) so I headed to my section. While I was browsing, mystery woman showed up again. Asked if she could talk to me and motioned for me to walk a few steps away from my kids. When we were alone, she pushed something in my hand and said:

"God told me to give this to you. Don't look at it. But I want you to take it and spend it on yourself. God told me that you need some encouragement. Bless you."

Of course I started to cry. I somehow managed to say "Thank you...I really did need some encouragement today". And, oh, how I did! I was coming out of a week that left a lot to be desired. Mystery woman blessed me one more time and then skipped away again.

I paid for our shoes and then went out to the car before I finally looked at what was in my hand. $100.

The kids and I prayed for this sweet woman of God right there in the parking lot. For God to bless her for blessing us. I had never seen her before, but I hope someday we meet again. I'd love to hug her neck and tell her exactly how much she did encourage me that day. Not only with the shoes and the money, but with her joy, which simply radiated off her. For allowing God to minister to me through her obedience.

I'll never, ever forget her and I pray that one day God will use me in the same way.

Doors

I've been on an emotional roller coaster ride this week. Elated to disappointed to down-right discouraged and now I've settled back into contentment.

My family and I were presented with an opportunity this week for something that we had been praying about for awhile. We were elated and excited with anticipation while waiting to see if it would work out. We prayed about this situation, my husband and I. I love to hear him pray. I love to hear my husband be blunt with God- no beating around the bush or trying to sugar-coat our needs or praises or prayer requests. One night last week, while in prayer over our family's future, Chris prayed for God's will to be done. For God to make His will known to us. For doors to be opened if we should move forward and for doors to be "slammed in our faces" if we should not.

And...just like that...today the door was, seemingly, slammed in our faces. In all honesty, we were a little let down when we heard the news. Or a lot. But then, as we were driving home and I was blinking back tears it occurred to me that God had, in fact, answered our prayer. I have to believe that He is protecting us...our finances, our children, our marriage. He knows what He's doing. And He really does know what's best for us.

So tonight, I'm resting in contentment and thanking God for closed doors.

I've been wondering...

...exactly where my brain's been lately. Seriously- I've been so absentminded. Forgetful. I'm afraid I'm turning into a real airhead. Here's some evidence:

1. None of my aunts showed up at Jordan's birthday party. This weekend I received a phone call from one of these aunts, asking me when Jordan's party was. I told her that it had been two weeks ago and that I'd sent her an invitation. She paused. And then told me in no uncertain terms that the invitation that showed up at her house clearly stated that Jordan's party was to be held on Saturday, the 22nd of February...instead of the 22nd of January, which was the date of the actual party. And, just to top this all off, I totally just now typed in March instead of January. Ugh. I caught my mistake in time. Too bad I can't say the same for my mistake on the party invitations.

2. I called the receptionist of the office where Shaun has an appointment tomorrow. Left a message stating our names and that I just needed to verify the time of our appointment for tomorrow- Tuesday. Said receptionist called back and left a message for me stating that our appointment is at 10:00...on Wednesday.

3. Last week, I called our pediatrician to schedule Shaun's 11 year check up. When asked what day would be best for us, I replied that any day would be fine. After all, I reasoned in my head, we home school, so there's need to worry about scheduling conflicts during the day. I scheduled an appointment for a Thursday and went on with my day. As I was drifting off to sleep that night it occurred to me that I had scheduled an appointment on a Thursday. Co-op day for the kids. Childcare for the ladies Bible study for me. The only day of the week that's completely unavailable for appointments.

4. Today I made the boys a pasta salad for lunch. Pasta salad which is usually preferred eaten cold. I boiled the rice noodles and put them in the colander to drain. And then I proceeded to dump them into a mixing bowl with some mayonnaise. Without rinsing them with cold water first. By the time I realized what I had done, it was too late. There was nothing I could do about the hot noodles-and-mayonnaise mixture. So I improvised...though in some shredded cheese, onion powder, and told the boys it was a different kind of macaroni and cheese. And, if you're curious, they loved it!

5. Two weeks ago I overslept and was late to my Thursday morning job at church. Last Thursday, I set my alarm to go off 30 minutes early and gave myself plenty of time to arrive at church on time. I even had 15 extra minutes to sit around before I left the house, got the kids their breakfast, made a deposit at the bank and drove into the church parking lot at 9:40. I congratulated myself on being punctual as I coasted into my classroom right on time at 9:45...only to be reprimanded for being late again. Because I'm actually supposed to be at church at 9:30.

*Sigh*

So I ask you, where's my brain? Is this what normally happens when one crosses the bridge into her 30's? I anticipated something like this. That's why I started taking a fish oil supplement awhile back. To improve my brain function.

How's that for irony?

Nuggets

I haven't really mentioned this to many people, but Shaun has been struggling with some issues lately. Some tough issues that Chris and I always kind of figured he'd have to deal with eventually, but, as the time came realized we had no earthly idea of how to help him though this season of his life.

What did we do about it, you ask? Well. We let the stress get to us. We argued. We cried. We tried the "out of sight, out of mind" approach, which, not surprisingly, didn't work. (Does it ever??) We tried to fix it on our own and then finally, only after all else had failed, did we surrender this little problem to our God. It felt nice. Really, really nice to not shoulder this burden on our own. Not that we ever really had to shoulder it on our own. But we're stubborn like that sometimes.

We're getting some counseling. Shaun and I met with a counselor for the first time last week. It was helpful to both of us. We'll all be going back. And, again, it was so nice to be able to unload all of our stuff to someone who is bound to silence by law.

Together, Chris and I have been praying about ways to encourage both of our children. We decided that it would be a good idea to claim biblical truths over their lives on a daily basis. On the way home from church last night we could tell that Shaun was just a little down in the dumps. Feeling sorry for himself. So my Hubs began to give him a little pep talk. The man really has a way with words. He began to (very animatedly) express to Shaun that he was wonderfully made in God's image and that God makes everything in our lives work out for His glory. He was really on a roll and my mouth was actually hanging open just a little bit as I listened.

Toward the end of our drive, Chris told Shaun that God loves him and saved him. And that Shaun should keep these little "nuggets" of truth with him all the time. There was a small pause of silence and then...

Shaun: "Giggle, giggle, snort. Nuggets!"

And then, despite my best efforts, a little giggle from me.

And a withering look in my direction from my husband.

As someone very, very wise once said, "Laughter is the best medicine". It really, really is.

Oh, and Chris was able to get his point across despite his little faux pas. He didn't even stay angry with me for laughing...for long! After all, almost-11-year-old-boys will be almost-11-year-old-boys!