Sound the Trumpets!

Oh my goodness, am I actually posting something today? I guess so! These past couple weeks have been both lazy and busy. Seemed like one day passed and then another and another and another. I decided to enjoy the last days of summer before school started.....and summer ended today with Matt off to second grade. And I am trying to digest Mark starting preschool in another week. Can't believe his time is here too!

So those of you asking, "Is Lori still on this planet?" Yes I am and doing quite well, thank you.

So here I sit. The house is quiet with Matt in school. No bickering or whining or complaining of boredom. Maybe I'll catch up on the last three episodes of Lost from last season during Mark's nap? Sounds good to me!

RINGING IN 2008-09!!!!

Opportunity

Last night Matt tagged along with our sports writer neighbor and his son to the Chicago Bears training camp. As soon as Matt walked through the front door he was all smiles showing off his new autograph book with his first entry: TOMMIE HARRIS #91

NEWSFLASH!

My article was posted today --> READ NOW!

This Mommy Won't Get the Mommy of the Year Award

This morning Matt ran into our bedroom in shock and despair that he didn't get any money for losing his tooth yesterday. My heart sank. Thankfully Steve overheard and came to the rescue, rushed down to our cash bin and asked if Matt checked his other pillow.

"No!" Matt ran back to his room. "There it is!"

Relief!

From Tests to Testimony

About five and a half years ago Matt was in the middle of blood tests and preparing for an upper endoscopy. The doctors were looking into celiac disease and all the tests proved our assumptions to be true.

We were faced with Matt living gluten free. For life. The first couple years were life altering as we tested some great products and, let's face it, some major stinkers. With each year our family began to flow more in gluten free eating and now it is only natural to cook this way -- and quite healthy I may add!

The son who I though would live so differently from his peers is playing sports, excelling in school and enjoys many parties/gatherings with his friends. Why was I so worried about his future? It's just living without wheat products for heaven's sake!

Our local paper circulates a parenting magazine and I was asked to share Matt's journey from his diagnosis to the gluten free diet. I gladly accepted the task and took it as a way to raise awareness about celiac disease. Here is what the latest research is saying:

*It effects more than 3 million Americans

*A child will visit on average eight pediatricians before being diagnosed

*It presents with as many as 300 different symptoms

*97% with celiac disease have not been diagnosed

*If undiagnosed, patients are at greater risk of other serious illnesses

When the paper posts the article online, I will link you to it. I pray this causes more food and drug companies to wake up and realize that millions of Americans have this disease. It's not a rare condition, but becoming more common among those with gastrointestinal/weight issues. And I am willing to spread the word!

Too Much of a Good Thing

Saturday was Matt's first baseball game. It was a chilly 55 degrees and very windy. Mark and I cuddled underneath a warm fleece blanket while snacking on yogurt covered raisins -- his favorite.

Matt made great hits every time at the plate. A couple shot above the shortstop's head and Matt announced over and over again that he "got a double". His efforts didn't stop there...

On the field he snatched up ball after ball throwing quickly to first. When he played pitcher he even caught a couple behind the back and again, hustled together to aim at first base. He was amazing!

After the game I had parents coming up to me asking his age, how long he's been playing and why we didn't advance him to instructional ball. (And if you must know, we felt Matt needed to be with players his own age. I don't want to push him. He may have talent, but he's still only in first grade. It was a maturity thing.)

One came up calling Matt "the stud player". More approached him saying he's a "true ball player". Steve and I always knew Matt can grasp athletic concepts easily, so this came as no surprise and you can imagine our delight. I mean there was a time when we thought his life would be altered in so many ways because of celiac disease. To see him excel swelled my heart. On the way home we were telling Matt what a great job he did and he was aware of the compliments he received. All of us were beaming.

Then this morning on our way to church Matt says, "I can't wait to play again today. You know, I'm the stud-player."

It hit. Hard. That awful word: PRIDE (with a little arrogance on the side)

I collected my thoughts about Saturday's game. Did I want my son to have this kind of ego? No. Not my son. Most of all Steve and I want our boys to know that God is the giver of life and talents and He should receive the glory, not ourselves. As I started sharing, we all were convicted and allowed humility back in.

Pride can be like a cancer. It starts out small and then grows to deform your mind and spirit. It allows man to think he is above the Lord even when you have the best intentions. Do we want Matt to play well? Sure. But I wasn't about to let the seed of pride be planted in his heart. No one will enjoy being around a bragging boy who only thinks of himself. We are the Body of Christ. No one is better than the other. Each has a position called to by God and each person is an important function; kinda like a team. We need to work together.

At the game today, he hi-fived his teammates. He shouted, "Great job," to all the guys. It wasn't about him, but the team. He wasn't boasting about his double yesterday. He just knew to play his best for the team; not himself. And again, I heard the comments from others. "Thanks," I said and left them at the doorstep.

"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." James 4:6

Amen.

Entitled: "Self Portrait"

And I thought Matt wasn't creative?

He proved me wrong!

(made with pieces of construction paper)

Out With the Old, In With the New

It's Monday. A fresh start to the unseen week. Baseball practice with a group photo. Flag football practice. Friends to have coffee with. Library storytime. Endless possibilities and at the same time, possible let downs.

Another week. Possibly the week I finally remove Oprah from my Tivo schedule. Her grey-colored Christianity isn't working for me anymore. Some may disagree, but in my opinion she is causing lots of confusion in the Body of Christ. I don't think I can stand her "God accepts all ways to salvation" any longer.

A new week. Maybe I'll replace that hour of Oprah with some sort of workout show? Oh how I need to stop being a slug and get moving. Or maybe the root is from cabin fever and dealing with 40-degree temperatures again? I just love taking walks with my boys and chatting with neighbors. Whatever the reason, I need to get off my butt!

A week of trying something new. I just got word that Rice Chex cereal is gluten free. Its on my grocery list. Here's to hoping more companies jump on the bandwagon and cater to those with dietary needs.

This week I anticipate Thursday when we attend our school's art show and see two pieces Matt created. I thought he was the logical-type and less creative. Boy, was I wrong!

An overall week of change. My parents gave our family a children's devotional book (shown here), which we started this morning. It's easy to read and the concepts are on a child's level. I pray with each day my boys desire to know Jesus and walk like Him. (And maybe us parents will learn a thing or two as well!)

Anticipation

This weekend our family had a taste of what lies ahead: SUMMER

Now I know we only hit the mid-60's, but seriously, my mood was altered from gloom to joy just by the warm sun. And I guess having the boys play outside for hours on end helped too. All their bickering and rough-housing wasn't occurring five feet away from me. I had several moments of peace in my kitchen watching from the window as they screamed and hollered in outdoor bliss.

Sunday Matt (#33) had his first flag football game. It was so much fun! Matt was Mr. Quick as he dodged and spun around the field. Mark made sure to cheer for his big bro: "Go orange. Hi, Matt!" A far cry from trying to keep his attention with suckers and toys like we did for two years at baseball games. He was really into the game and we noticed how much he looks up to Matt. Truly sweet!

And on the subject of kids and sports, I am wondering if I fit the description of what a soccer mom is? Can someone define it for me and I'll decide. Right now I think I fit the bill! -- Is that a bad thing?

I Couldn't Ask For More

Matt and I jammed to Toby Mac on the way to our bowling date. We ate chocolate. I got a strike on my first frame -- amazing, seriously! Without bumpers Matt impressed me with a spare. And to top our date off Matt's name was picked first to choose from a table full of prizes. Wanna know what I got? Little Debbie Heart-Shaped Brownies (That'll go well with a good Meg Ryan movie one night this week.) I kept yelling, "Look for something spelled S-P-A!" But what kid would pass up sweets? Not my Matt!

When asked what was his favorite part of the day was Matt replied, "Spending time with my mommy."

Enough said.

Look What My Son Did

One day when Matt is getting under my skin, which happens every now and then being a social butterfly that he is and reminding him to turn this off and that off and to wash his hands and, well, you catch my drift! I need to look on this post and know what a special boy God gave us to raise.

During our homework conversation he told me that a student cannot have sugar. I told him all about diabetes and he confirmed that's what his classmate has. He then explains that his teacher gave Matt the job of taking this boy to nurse every day to get his blood sugar checked. The thought of someone looking upon my son as responsible warmed my heart. Matt said confidently, "She knows I have a special diet too, so I can handle this." But nothing prepared me for this.....

He then goes on to tell me he spoke to his art teacher. Let me admit that on Matt's report card he did well overall, but his conduct in art received an "S" for "sometimes". He was so distraught over that mark and Steve told him that maybe he should talk to his teacher about it. And he did! I guess he socializes instead of working on his projects (no surprise) and he committed to his art teacher that he would work on being more focused.

Matt did this. My Matt! Just when you think your child doesn't get it, you may be surprised that all your hard work is paying off. I know I feel that way today.

Wordless Wednesday: Ed Grimly "I Say!"

Wordless Wednesday: Snow Block

"Falliss Mighty Ducks"

Matt's interpretation for "Feliz Navidad".

Wordless Wednesday: 7 Years

Guess who turns 7 Saturday? We celebrated early with Papas and Nana since our family will be out of town visiting Uncle Jeff and Aunt Erin this weekend. Someone is excited! Like my Lego Brick cake? Turned out pretty well with the help of real Lego bricks hiding the faults. I can bake and cook most items with ease, but decorating cakes makes me nervous to the core.

Tooth #4

Matt's other front tooth was hanging down and it started interfering with apple biting and waffle chomping. Friday night he requested Mommy Dentist to pull it. It was loose enough, so I felt comfortable.

Today I am thankful for Matt's bravery. (Mark's is a different story.)

Make a Loop & Pull

Yes, Matt conquered tying his own shoes this weekend. Gee wiz, our family is full of firsts lately! He was dead set on getting these new Sketchers shoes like his daddy, but our one request was if you want them you must tie them yourself.

TASK ACCOMPLISHED!

Today I am thankful for Matt's willingness to learn new things.

Smarty Pants

Parent-teacher conferences were Thursday. No surprises really, except we found out Matt tested above average in reading and was placed in an accelerated reading group. My heart swelled with pride and I am sure his teacher caught me holding back a gleeming grin. This sure made my day!

Today I am thankful that my son absorbs education like a sponge and I pray Mark follows in his big brother's footsteps.

Interpretation

"Where's Mark in our family, Matt?"

Matt replies, "Oh, I forgot about him. He's off the page playing with my stuff." (And maybe I need to change my profile's photo. Don'tcha love that stylish red dress on me? And how about Steve's Zac Efron-ish hairdo?)

"Your favorite sport is basketball?" Matt confirms like we should know this, "YEEAAAH!"

"And what is your favorite sport?" (We couldn't make heads or tails by looking at his drawing.) Matt replies, "Motorcycle racing!"

When did he start showing an interest in that?

Boys v. Girls

"So what did you do during recess today, Matt"

Matt answers under his breath, "Oh, you know. Boys chase girls." (Its apparent he's not too thrilled to admit this to his parents.)

I pick for more information and ask, "How do you play that?" I start reminiscing about being boy crazy myself when I was in grade school.

"Well, we start running away from all the girls," Matt explains, "and then they try to get us. We are always faster than them."

I respond, "Sounds interesting." Then I hear an evil laugh.....

"And if we get one we suck their brains out."

Now I don't remember that.