Never a dull moment

Wednesday was going along, like any other typical Wednesday: doing laundry, dishes, and other around the house chores. In the afternoon the phone rings and caller ID informs me that it is Wylie ISD.  This typically means I have a child throwing up, or lying down with a fever in the nurses offices at one of the campuses. Today, however, turned out to be a little different.

"Hi is this Katie?" (They call so often the school nurse is comfortable enough to call me by my first name)

"Yes it is."

"This is Sandy, the nurse at the Elementary school. I have Branden with me, and he had an accident at recess. He fell on his chin..." That's all she had to say, I knew exactly what was coming next. When Branden was about 22 months old he had fallen and split his chin.  It was able to be butterfly bandaged and we avoided stitches.... According to the nurse, we weren't getting away that lucky this time.

Here was my dilemma, I was without a car.... Because of the hailstorm, Zach's car was being repaired, and he had my car at work. Luckily we have terrific friends, and I was able to call up a friend a couple blocks away and she swooped in to pick me up and took Bubba and I to the ER. Meanwhile I had to call the Intermediate school to explain that Kristyn couldn't ride the bus home. Another blessing in friendship came through and Kristyn was picked up after school, while Branden was being sewed up.

We were in and out of the ER in two hours, which I thought was pretty good. And he made out with 6 stitches, and a great story to tell his friends. As he left for school this morning he was blushing at the idea that the girls would want to take care of him! :) 

Boys and their scars!

Waiting patiently for the nurse to come back and numb his chin

It was worse than it looks... trust me.

A numbing agent applied before the shot of lidocaine.

Ended the visit with six stitches! He was very strong and brave!!!

Easter Weekend 2011

Wow, what a blessed weekend we had! Zach's parents came into town and we got to spend the day with them Friday, while the kids made up a snow day at school. Zach and his dad got a round of golf in, while Mom and I did some Easter Dinner shopping, and then waited for the kids to come home. They were thrilled  to come home to their Farmor (Swedish for father's mother, and what they call Zach's mom), and were also happy that I suggested Shaved Ice for an afternoon snack. (This was such a hug hit, Farmor and I repeated the trip Saturday afternoon after stopping at HEB for some dinner groceries)

Saturday Farmor, with the help of Branden, made plattar, small thin Swedish Pancakes.  They were delicious, and I perfected my ability to flip the pancakes... These particular ones are quite tricky!  Then we ventured to downtown Abilene.

The first stop was the Grace Museum... The children's section was a huge success!

The kids got in touch with the Fine Arts!

Kristyn definitely has a flare for the dramatic... I have no idea where she gets that from (wink, wink)

Branden enjoyed playing this fun musical instrument... He wanted to play it all on his own! After The Grace we enjoyed some terrific art at the NCCIL, walked through the 12th Armored Division Museum and tried to take a look at Relics, but it was closed for the Easter weekend.

After walking around downtown we enjoyed lunch at Cypress Street Station.

Saturday night we enjoyed dinner at home and terrific company. Then rested up to celebrate our risen Savior at church Sunday morning.  Zach woke up extra early to help out for breakfast at our church. After a great service we headed home and took a few family photos.

After our photo shoot we had an Easter egg hunt in the backyard.

They were very eager to find the eggs... Zach hid them really well.

And of course you know this South Texas girl has to keep the tradition of cascarones going with her own kiddos!

We even got the Georgia boy in on our fun! :)

I'm pretty sure I was finding confetti in my hair Monday morning!

After the "egg"citement (sorry I couldn't resist) we finished preparing our Easter dinner and: Leg of Lamb, Au Gratin Potatoes (They were extra cheesy), Pineapple Casserole, Spinach and Strawberry Salad, Cherry Pie & Strawberry Pie with homemade whipped cream. It was a delicious feast! After our dinner we watched as the clouds rolled in. We were a bit skeptical, since we have seen the clouds and lightning, and heard the thunder, but have not seen rain in quite a long time... In fact, we have probably seen snow more recently than we have seen rain.  It did indeed rain however, and it didn't stop there. We were treated to a hail storm. We watched, entertained from the safety of our kitchen window as the golf ball sized hail fell onto the trampoline and bounced really high... But you know what they say about hail, "it's all fun and games until someone loses a back windshield." Well, I don't think it's really a saying, but it is now in the Fulton house! :)

It's better than one of our house windows, and no one was hurt. Praise the Lord for the much needed rain.

After dinner, the weather excitement and bath time the kids treated us to a puppet show.

All in all we had an amazing Easter weekend. We were so grateful and blessed to have our family here to celebrate with us!

Rejoice, rejoice oh Christians lift up your voice and sing

Eternal Hallelujah to Jesus Christ the King

The hope of all who seek Him, the help of all who find

None other is so loving, so good and kind

He lives!

He lives!

Christ Jesus lives today!...

You ask me how I know He lives

He lives within my heart!

A friend loves at all times

Branden came home this afternoon, rather upset with one of his friends. In fact he went as far to say, "I am not John's friend anymore." (Since I don't know John or his mother I will be calling him John instead of his real name) This was quite surprising because since "Meet the Teacher Night" Branden has called John his best friend.  I was curious as to what would cause Branden to be this angry with his best friend. I didn't have to wait long because Branden proceeded to tell me that John had gotten physical with a little girl in their class. 

From the explanation it wasn't violent and she wasn't hurt, but from a young age Branden has been taught "You don't hit to solve problems, and you NEVER hit a girl."  Called me old-fashioned but that's the way it is in our house.

So when the little girl told Branden this he confronted John about it. John didn't deny it, just said that it wasn't that hard and he didn't hurt her. Branden said it didn't matter, you don't touch girls, or treat them like that, and if John was going to act like that Branden wasn't his friend anymore. (I was gushing inside at what a gentleman and knight-in-shining-armor my son was for this little girl).

I listened to the story and then reinforced how proud I was of him to stand up for the little girl, and that he was right to rebuke John for his behavior.  I was also proud that he didn't get into a fight with John and simply walked away. I then reminded him that John was his friend, and because he was human, he made a mistake, and when we make a mistake God forgives us. So, maybe before he ends his friendship with Johnhe should give  him the opportunity to apologize. He listened to what I said, and then as most kids do got distracted with the idea of playing outside with his sister and went on his way for his afternoon activities.

We had AWANA at church last night, and the lesson that Branden heard was on the Crucifixion and why it was necessary for Jesus to be a sacrifice. We all need forgiveness. We got home from church, got showered and ready for bed, and what seemed like a random questions Branden asked, "Is there a verse in the Bible that says 'if you want a friend you have to be a friend?'"  I said I knew there were lots of stories and verses about friendships, and I would look later for that one. 

Then the coolest thing happened. Branden sat next to me on the couch and looked up at me and said, "Can we look now?"

I looked at him questioning his motives, I had to make sure he wasn't just trying to prolong the inevitable bedtime.  He must have sensed this because he said, "I want to talk to John about what happened today. And I want to tell him about being a friend, but I want a Bible verse to tell him too."

Wow, was it possible? My six year old son, understood the concept of a biblical rebuke? He was being the best friend John could have...  An open rebuke is better than hidden love! Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy. (Prov 27:5-6)

My heart was filled with joy, as I began praising God for speaking to my son's heart, and giving him the desire to share scriptural truth with his friend.  We searched for some verses, and with Branden's help we decided on Proverbs 18:24, There are "friends" who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother, and Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times.

My prayer this morning is that God would speak through a six-year old boy, that loves Him, and loves his friends enough to share the Truth with them. My prayer is that the children Branden speaks with will hear God, the way only children can.

As a parent, my prayer is one of praise, that God is following through with His promise, Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. (Prov 22:6) May the Lord continue to guide Zach and I with wisdom as we train our children.

First Day at a new school

Here are the precious duo. They love each other and stick together. Here they are on their first day of school. Branden was so brave and excited as he walked straight into school, no looking back. He gave us each a quick hug and didn't even turn around! Kristyn was a little more nervous, but she put on a brave front and sat with her classmates as they all waited patiently in the gym. I can't wait to hear the stories of first day of school when I pick them up.