Courageous

I have not seen this movie yet, but judging by it’s title song, it would be worth the time.  These lyrics apply to all fathers and men of God.  It’s a powerful song.

Courageous lyrics
We were made to be courageous
We were made to lead the way
We could be the generation
That finally breaks the chains
We were made to be courageous
We were made to be courageous
We were warriors on the front lines
Standing, unafraid
But now we're watchers on the sidelines
While our families slip away
Where are you, men of courage?
You were made for so much more
Let the pounding of our hearts cry
We will serve the Lord
We were made to be courageous
And we're taking back the fight
We were made to be courageous
And it starts with us tonight
The only way we'll ever stand
Is on our knees with lifted hands
Make us courageous
Lord, make us courageous
This is our resolution
Our answer to the call
We will love our wives and children
We refuse to let them fall
We will reignite the passion
That we buried deep inside
May the watchers become warriors
Let the men of God arise
We were made to be courageous
And we're taking back the fight
We were made to be courageous
And it starts with us tonight
The only way we'll ever stand
Is on our knees with lifted hands
Make us courageous
Lord, make us courageous
Seek justice
Love mercy
Walk humbly with your God
In the war of the mind
I will make my stand
In the battle of the heart
And the battle of the hand
In the war of the mind
I will make my stand
In the battle of the heart
And the battle of the hand
We were made to be courageous
And we're taking back the fight
We were made to be courageous
And it starts with us tonight
The only way we'll ever stand
Is on our knees with lifted hands
Make us courageous
Lord, make us courageous
We were made to be courageous
Lord, make us courageous

glist

today I'm grateful for:

- clean floors. for real.

- gorgeous park weather.

- catching up with friends.

- productive trip to the library.

- a dinner plan.

- my sisters.

- a parent/teacher conference that reiterated how grateful I am to be cooper's mom.

- an easy exchange at best buy.

- it's friday.

- seneca's girly antics.

- my house.

- crazy boogs.

- possibilities.

- beckham's exuberance.

- d's willingness and ability to manage it all.

- friends keeping me updated from afar.

- mom and dad.

observations.

I have had a headache situation that has been pretty consistent for about a month. I am a much more engaged mother without feeling as though putting my head in a vice would be a great idea. More often than not these days, I am doing all I can. That is not all I want, desire or feel needs to be done, but it's all I can. Please bless revelation hits soon as to how to make it disappear. So, while I've been living in a survival fog, here is what I've observed around here. They are very deep thoughts.

1. it is beyond the half-way point of October and is still 100 degrees.

2. while a large jar of peanut butter is nice in that I don't have to buy them as often, how does one get out the bottom 1/3 of the peanut butter without getting all peanut buttery? my knife is not long enough.

3. ski lessons have been scheduled for christmas break. beckham asks every day if he can go water-skiing yet. thankfully, he is just as excited when he reminded that this time, he'll be on snow.

4. seneca arrived in the family room today wearing a multi-colored skirt, a shirt with ballet shoes on it, 4 hair clips, one headband and a gold mardi gras necklace. she struck a pose and said, "Mom, I am gorgeous today!"

perpetual fall break, please.

We kicked off fall break with a little party for the Coopster.  He chose to take a few friends to the local gymnastics gym and play around.  He didn’t hold still long enough to get any decent picture.

her, on the other hand… 

there was rope-climbing, rope-swinging, trampolines galore, balance beams and ball pits.  monkey bars and tumbling mats… it was a good time.

home for ginger cookies and ice cream cones.  in beckham’s case, both at once.

Then I win mother-of-the-year as I attempted the local skating rink with three little people who had never been on skates before.  By myself.  It was touch-and-go there for a bit, but they got the hang of it and had a great time.  Occasionally Beckham would fall on his bottom and yell, “this is why I don’t like skating!!”  and then he’d get up and go again.  Two of three were asleep before leaving the parking lot.  Mission accomplished.  Forgive the lack of any action photos.  I was a little occupied.

 

The beauty of fall break is that everything is cancelled.  No tumbling, no music class, no chess, no SCHOOL!!  It was fantastic.  The only thing we had scheduled was soccer, and the weather was perfect for enjoying a few evenings and a Saturday morning outside.  *Note:  these photos are from a few weeks ago…

watching and learning.

don’t let this picture fool you.  she got in there and took care of business.

 

We hit the park with friends, I escaped for a lunch date, I made it to the gym every single day, there were house projects completed and a lot of playing around here.  Why, oh, why, does fall break have to end??  Let’s do it again!!

Cooper, Age 7

Coop.  You’re a little bit of a stinker who keeps growing even though I keep telling you I am NOT ready for a seven-year-old.  You say, “I don’t know how to stop!”   and laugh at me.

You’re a responsible little bugger, getting up with your alarm at 6:15 every morning, making your bed, getting dressed, getting your lunch ready and eating breakfast, all while telling me about what you read last night or about what you’ll be doing today.  You’re a fan of Honey Nut Cheerios and Cinnamon Toast Crunch and when you eat eggs, you are like your mother and want them in the form of an egg sandwich or wrapped in a tortilla.  You love German pancakes and requested French toast for your birthday breakfast. 

You spend your days at school getting super smart and having loads of fun with your friends.  You’re always a happy camper when we pick you up and are good to get your jobs done after school.  Right now you practice your music every day and spend time doing your math and writing work.  When you’re done you enjoy the Wii or playing games with your brother and sister.  You three can get lost in your own world outside for hours. 

For dinner last night you requested “a really good cheeseburger.”  Those are not my genes talking.  You also love pasta, especially with pesto and you are a shrimp-lover.  However, orange chicken has been named your favorite food lately.  Instead of a birthday cake or cupcakes, you wanted ginger cookies.  They were delivered.

You are in your second year of chess club and are getting pretty darn clever.  You enjoy puzzles and games that make you think, stuff you have to figure out.  You play soccer and enjoy the competition and the challenge of the game.  You’re in your last year of the Let’s Play Music program and impressed your dad and I when you sight-read the whole book this week while messing around at the piano.  Dad was doing music flashcards with you this week and I heard him say, “Cooper, you are smarter than me!” 

Seneca and Beckham are lucky to have you to learn from.  They want to be just like you, do the things you do and play with the things you like.  Thank you for teaching them good things.  You are kind and patient with them  and our whole family appreciates the way you play games and help with your brother and sister. 

You have a happy face, Coop.  You have a light in your eyes that shines when you get excited.  Your eyes are dark blue and your hair is still super blond from all your time outside.  Your smile is losing it’s baby teeth as bigger ones try to intrude.  You still love your mom.  You want a hug and a kiss before bed and before you leave for school.  You are in this transitional stage where I know you want to be grown-up and you’re getting too smart for your own good, but then you have these moments where the joyful little boy in you erupts and I love those moments.  You laugh so hard and run carefree.  There are two things you leave home with every day:  The reminder to play like a champion and the knowledge that you are a Child of God.  You have determined what those things mean to you and I think they have helped make you who you are.

You’re still a crazy-pants with hilarious dance moves and unbelievable hula-hooping talent.  You play this funny game where after you start the microwave, you run a lap around the entire house trying to beat the timer.  It’s hilarious to watch you.  Beckham has picked up on your tactics and is trying to be as fast as you are.  You are 4’ 3’’ tall and weigh 48.5 pounds. You’re ticklish as can be and I love it.  You lay out your clothes for the week each Sunday evening and are a creature of schedule and habit.   You’re the one who was supposed to come first, Coop, and you’re doing a darn good job fulfilling that amazing potential you arrived with.  Our clashes are only because we are so much alike and because I want the world for you.  I love you to pieces.  Happy Birthday, Cooper B.

oct. 6, 2011

crazy hair day at school, on your birthday

I had some wonderfully sweet children in my home last night who left me feeling so humble and grateful for the life I have. The things I complain about and are eager to change were the same things they marveled at and were so impressed by. I was reminded how much I have and that the efforts of putting together a night with friends are always worth it when that time together has the potential to change lives. I am feeling full and humble today.