Toot-a-bop

I had the honor of taking my first family photos of a family other than my own a few days ago.  They are a beautiful family.  A mom and dad with their two boys who are 15 and 18.  The 18 year old leaves tomorrow to move six states away for college.  His mom has been anticipating this day:  driving her son to the airport, squeezing him one last time and then waving goodbye, sending him into the world on his own.  She knows that he'll come home again soon, he'll be ok, but as she put it - it's the end of an era.

Hearing her words made my heart ache for her - and rejoice with her - as she bravely lets go of her little boy, knowing that God has brought him and their family and her job as mom to this point.

It brings tears to my eyes.  Soon I'll be dreaming of the days my kids looked up at me and said, " I luf you berry much, Mommy" and I'll waving goodbye, wishing I could go back and do it all again - just one more time.

(Emerson snapped this one!)

I'm holding on.  Breathing in these fleeting moments!

In only two days, I'll be sending Emerson to her first day of first grade and Braeden to his first day at his new preschool.  And then off we go into our second busy year of drop off's and pick up's and weekly activities.  The days will fly.

It goes by so, so quickly!

Landen has been cracking himself up.  His new made up word is "toot-a-bop."  It means nothing and comes up in the most random of times.  Today after his nap I asked if he wanted some cheese for a snack.  "I have some... toot-a bop!" And he giggles and giggles at himself.  Which in turn makes me giggle, which then encourages the use of this silly word because he knows it'll make us both laugh.

I hope I can remember these silly random things ten years from now.

And check him out copying his sister.  Practicing cartwheels has been Emerson's favorite pastime lately (she's getting pretty good!) and so Landen took a try this afternoon.  He raised his arms and lifted his leg just like Sister and then bent over and landed straight on his head!  He jumped right back up and did it again!  Just watching the process was hilarious.



Sorry about the funky focusing.  I couldn't seem to get my camera to auto-focus while I was taking the video (I'm sure I'm doing something wrong!)

(And right after this a fight ensued between the boys about who could cartwheel first.  Cartwheel fun was then suspended for a little bit.)

This morning we found out Jon's grandma, whom I genuinely love as my own grandma, and whom we affectionately call Granny, went to the Emergency Room this morning with trouble breathing and pain.  The doctors discovered she may have a blood clot in her lungs and believe she also has pneumonia.  As soon as I heard the news, I gathered the kids in our living room and we lifted her up in prayer.  Normally I ask if either of the older two want to pray and most of the time they only want me to pray.  Today, however, they both volunteered.

I can't tell you how the innocent words of their 4 and 6 year old prayers told so much of their love for Granny.  It was beautiful to hear them boldly ask for healing and for their Granny to "have fun in the hospital instead of being scared."  I pray the same.

Will you pray for her, too?  She is so deeply loved and loves her family deeply as well - and treats me like I'm one of her own grandchildren.  We love her and want her well again.

Thank you so much!

I know my thoughts (and pictures) were pretty random today, but I was pouring my heart out anyway and linking up with Shell at Things I Can't Say!

Happy Wednesday!