What We Have Done Over the Summer and More

Summer 2016 proved to be a whirlwind for our family.  Aidan and Jordan fell in love with my sister's dogs and their second cousins in Canada.  Every night I hear prayers for Cael, Austin, Mikey, and Phoenix (these would be the cousins!) and for Sadie, Storm, and Spike! Too cute!

In other news, the Summer Bible Adventure finished at church at the end of August.  The kids had been in learning stations all summer long which was very cool.  One of the stations was a reading nook which was very cool! My cute little Jordan won a third place prize by reading/looking at 18 books! I thank the person who helped him 'read' all those books.  But it's had a good effect...

We have a wonderful picture book on the bookshelf entitled ...

Jordan loves this book and its fun quirky pictures! I have watched him a few times pull the book off the shelf close to bed time, turn the pages, look at the pictures, and 'read' the book to himself.  "There was an old lady who swallowed a fly.  I don't know why she swallowed the fly.  Perhaps she will die...There was an old lady who swallowed a spider.  It wiggled inside her..."  

We have extended the reading nook idea into our bedtime routine. Everyone pulls 3 books off the shelf they want to 'read' before bed.  Guess which book Jordan pulls out?

Another fun story happened last week with our weekly Bible verse.  The earth belongs to God.  Everything in all the world is His.  Psalm 24:1.  We read this verse out loud together at the supper table.  Aidan got very quiet and I saw his eyes moving up and down.  

​"Really?  Does God really own everything?"  

"Yes, honey!"

"Does he own this building?"

"In a way, yes!"

"How is that possible?"

"Well, He made you and me made me and he made the men who built this building.  Because the men can't take the building with them when they die, they don't really own the building."

"That's really amazing when you think about it!"

"It is!  It really is!"

Another related story is about him rushing into the house at 3:58 on Tuesday afternoon!

"Mom, I'm late!  Can you give me a ride to Taekwondo!"

"I can't today.  I'm busy working.  Your fast feet will have to carry you!"

"I don't have fast feet.  Mom, please help! I am going to change my clothes and come back."

I continue to work not even thinking about the request.

"Mom, I've changed my clothes!  Can you please give me a ride?  I hate being late.  You hate being late.  I'm just like you!  Help me not to be late please!"

"Aidan, were you playing with your friends outside?"

"No, I came straight from piano!  I'm just late."

After a few more questions determining that he had not been outside playing with anyone, I did give him a ride.  Like mother, like son for this one!

And Justin.  What is there to say about Justin?  Well, I'll leave a few highlights here.  Puberty is upon us.  I have man-child.  His voice is starting to change.  He sings opera in the shower.  He dances when he comes out of the shower.  He loves to tease his brothers!  He loves to tease his mother! He loves to have fun even when he is the only one laughing...  and I will spare you the joy of pictures of him dancing after the shower!

In other news, Hansung and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary over the weekend.  18 years!  How did that happen so quickly?