Brag On Your Kids Day

I came across a blogger today who had a great idea. She gave us permission to brag on our kids! Too often we try so hard not to be "that mom" who tells anyone within earshot how wonderful her kids are, that we don't brag on them at all. Or worse, we only share the "bad and the ugly" (not the good) in hopes of being relatable. So today, let me tell you how wonderful my kids are:

Reed is best defined by his athletic ability. He amazes me with the natural talent that he has at many sports, but especially basketball. He is so fun to watch on the court! He has never shown interest in playing any organized sport other than basketball (and homeschool soccer), but I am pretty sure that if he gave football or baseball a try he'd excel at those sports also. (Yep, I said it. I'm allowed to brag on him, remember??)

Reed is funny. He's learning quick come-backs and one-liners just like his Dad, and is getting pretty good at them. Lord, help me!

I'm sorry, (no, I'm really not) but Reed is handsome. So handsome. I adore his flawless skin (envy it, really), deep baby blues, those lips... I could go on and on. Let's just say I think he's gonna turn a few heads in the next couple of years. And I won't like it... just being honest.

Miles is an entertainer. Loves the spotlight. Keeps us in stitches. He is in his element when he has the attention of everyone in the room. This year he was the only Kindergardener who tried out for a part for the children's musical at church. And he got a little part that is right up his alley.

Miles has a beautiful singing voice. Perfect pitch, right on key. Often after we've put him to bed at night we'll hear him in there singing to himself. Love those moments.

Miles is a good friend, and everyone wants to be his friend. On any given Sunday in Kids Worship, there are 4 or 5 boys his age fighting - literally pushing and shoving - over who is going to sit beside Miles that day. And he eats it up.

There you have it... my kids rock. To participate or to read about someone else's awesome kids, visit It's Almost Naptime.

Forgiveness

We were sitting at the dining room table one recent morning, ready to begin another school day. As we always do, we read out of our devotional book before starting our school day with prayers. The story that day was about a boy who had broken one of his mother's favorite vases. He was too afraid to tell his mom, so he took the broken pieces and buried them in the yard. His father later bought a shrub for the mother and - you guessed it - planted it in the exact spot where the broken pieces of pottery lay. His sin discovered, the boy apologized to his mother, who reminded him that she would have forgiven him the day it happened, if he had only come to her.

The application questions asked: Are you hiding some sins, thinking they will never be found out? Do you think you are getting away with something? God knows all about it. Confess your sins, take the consequences, and receive forgiveness.

After reading the questions, Reed looked over at me with a trembling lip and tears welling up in his eyes. "Mom, I did something", he said. Worried about what kind of confession I might hear, I asked anyway. He came to me and buried his head in my chest, sobbing with guilt and shame.

"You know how at CiCi's they will give you a quarter if one of the machines doesn't work and it takes yours? I told them that had happened and it didn't really... I just wanted to play another game."

Tears - confession -forgiveness -relief. He had been hiding that secret sin for months. He told me that as I read the story and asked the questions, his heart was beating out of his chest and he knew he had to confess that very day. The Holy Spirit was working in his little 9 year old heart.

Thank you, Father, that Your Word promises forgiveness when we come to you.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Photo Shoot

We had a girl from our church come out and take some professional pictures the other day. Actually, it was a birthday gift for my mom from my sister - a photo shoot of Nannie and all of her grandkids. She took us aside and shot a few of just me and my boys. I love them...