Breakfast

I was waking the kids up this morning because we had to be somewhere early. Sometimes I have found that it helps to wake them with their breakfast options, as motivation to get out of bed. So I went to Owen's room first, woke him, and said, "Hey Buddy. What do you want for breakfast? Oatmeal or cereal?" to which he rolled over and mumbled, "Instructions." Baffled, I moved to AK's room. "Morning honey, would you rather have toast or cereal for breakfast?" "Seven," she groaned. "Claire?" I whispered from the hall. "What do you want for breakfast?" She popped up like a squirrel and said, "Cereal." Thank goodness. So now I have to go figure out how to make instructions, seven, and cereal for breakfast.

A little bit of Owen.

Owen the scientist...

O: Mom, I'm gonna go see if I can lay down while I'm standing up.

Owen the observer, when he realized we would not be meeting together in person for church during the pandemic...

O: Mom. Can you believe they deleted church???

Owen the philosopher...

O (crying in his bed at night)
Me: What's wrong, buddy? Why are you crying?
O (still sniffling): I was just thinking 'bout how grownups get to watch so much more movies than kids do.

Owen the jokester who over-explains...

O: Why can't fish play basketball?
Me: I don't know, why?
O: Because of the net!
Me (laughing): Oh, they might get caught in the net! That's good!
O: Yeah, and also they can't hold a basketball or jump.

Owen the dreamer...

When asked where he would go if he could go anywhere in the world, O's reply was, "I'd go to Hawaii. To see the chickens."

When asked what his favorite city on earth was, he replied, "Butts County."

Oh, that they will.

 These kids.

They are growing and changing so fast.

They make me laugh and cry and shake my head in wonder, frustration, gratitude.

It is a gift to watch them become who they are.

I pray that they will always be best friends.

That they will walk in the truth.

That they will act justly and love mercy and walk humbly with their God.

That they will value others above themselves.

That they will seek wisdom like gold.

That they will grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ.

That they will be steadfast in hope.

That they will enjoy life fully.

That they will be strong and courageous.

That over the days and seasons and years of their lives, they will grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.

Another Weekend Away

 At the end of May we went to one of our favorite places, Fort Mountain State Park.

We hiked...

We enjoyed lots of s'mores...

AK and Owen especially enjoyed the hammock, though this seems a little weird.

The beached area of the lake was open, so that was fun too!

And guess who joined us for a day!!!

Bo, Bonnie, and Justice came to visit! The boys rode bikes and then we enjoyed the afternoon before they had to head back home.

AK thought the water was a little too cold.

Justice enjoyed s'mores with us that evening!

The girls made a friend, Layla, who was camping nearby.

And lots and lots of bike riding filled up the rest of the weekend!

A Weekend Away

 Last weekend we had the opportunity to join some friends in the mountains of north GA. On the way there, Claire made a pretty awesome tennis player out of modeling clay.

We enjoyed a couple of days away. We hiked the gorge at Tallula Falls, went to Goats on the Roof, and stopped by the petting zoo at the Dillard House.

AK found a horse that she wants for her birthday.

Claire told bedtime stories to all the kids.

We are grateful for this time with the Wetzl's!