Another One Bites the Dust

She started school this morning,

And she seemed so very small.

As I walked there beside her

In the Kindergarten hall.

And as she took her place beside

the others in the class,

I realized how all too soon

Those first few years can pass.

Remembering, I saw her as

She first learned how to walk.

The words that we alone made out

When she began to talk.

This little girl so much absorbed

In learning how to write.

It seems as though she must have grown

To girlhood overnight.

My eyes were blurred by hastily

I brushed the tears away

Lest by some word or sign of mine

I mar her first big day

Oh how I longed to stay with her

And keep her by the hand

To lead her through the places

That she couldn't understand.

And something closely kin to fear

Was mingled with my pride.

I knew she would no longer be

A baby by my side.

But she must have her chance to live,

To work her problems out,

The privilege to grow and learn

What life is all about.

And I must share my little girl

With friends and work and play;

She's not a baby anymore --

She's in Kindergarten today.

-author unknown

Oh the wonder...

I wonder what she is doing?

I wonder if she is making friends?

I wonder if she remembers her manners?

I wonder if she misses her Momma?
I wonder if she knows I miss her?

I wonder if she will keep her fingers out of her mouth?

I wonder if she will keep her hands to herself?

I wonder if she will have enough lunch to eat?

I wonder who will read to her the note I tucked inside her lunchbox?

I wonder what she will do all day without me?

I wonder what I will do with my little sidekick at kindergarten all day? 

I wonder did I feel this tug when Little Man and Big Sister went to school?
I wonder...

2nd Grade and  Kindergarten

4th Grade 

My Splash of Reality

Summer is upon us and that means swimming, swimming and more swimming for the Parsons Family Five.  If you need us, we are in the pool.

Morning... we are swimming.

Noon... swimming.

Afternoon... yep, swimming again.

After dinner... why not?!  Swimming again!

It was dark-thrity one evening and my kids had convinced me to join them for a late night swim.  We had giggled and splashed and dunked and jumped the night away.  The air was getting a little chilly and I was ready to be done.  Addi begged me to stay just a little longer to watch as she performed various jumps from the side into the pool named after her favorite Marvel Super Heroes and Villains (yeah, we get creative).

My sweet Ella seized the moment and swam over to snuggle in while we watched Big Sister.  The moonlight seemed to just kiss her sweet little nose.  With pool water reflecting that same moonlight, I could barely see the outline of her innocent 5-year old face.  I was in Heaven.  Not in my lap but mere seconds, she dips her head back onto my shoulder and whispered quietly into my ear,

"Is that better, Momma?"  

My heart melted at the sweet concern of my Little Nugget.  

Reality slapped me in the face like Big Sister's splash.  "Uhhh, Ella, did you just pee on me?"

Snowmageddon 2012

 They talked about it for days.  

They waited for it for hours.  
They endlessly begged to go outside.
I relented.

While grabbing the first fall for fresh Snowcream before it could get trampled, I received a wet snowball to the side of the face from a giggly little boy as gratitude.  Clothed in what he quickly found in the basement and snowboots two sizes too small, the snowball fight began.

Little sisters followed suit with what they could quickly find as well. 

An eclectic mix of attire, for sure, but for the fun that was had... who cares!?

As always, our house is full of teenagers on Sunday nights and Snowmageddon 2012 was no different. While crouching, undetected, out of the crossfire of snowballs, Addi cautiously packed her snowball and waited for her moment of glory.  "Hey Jon!," she called out to one of the boys, "this one's yours!" As if pulling the pin from a grenade with her teeth, she takes a bite of the snowball & launches it squarely at her target.  Down came her big Goliath.

A memorable night had by all with pictures to prove it...

As is always the case here in North Carolina, 

if you don't like the weather, 

just wait until tomorrow.

Seven

Another year has come and gone.  

Two more fingers on the second hand are up, thus displaying the 

SEVEN.

She is a first grader.  

She loves Jesus.

She is artistic.  

She is shy.

She is smart.

She is beautiful.
She loves to sing.
She loves to read.

She is mischievous.

She is curious.

She still has no front teeth.

She enjoys her sister (most of the time).

She tolerates her brother (when she has to).

She has Daddy all figured out.

She is a lover of all things "bunny".

She is an excellent mommy to her pet bunny, Snowball. 

She is rarely seen apart from Baby Bunny.

She is the world's best snuggler.

She is fashionable.

She loves to cook.

She worries about leaving for college.

She is our precious Addi.

It Makes Perfect Sense

We are several weeks into the school year and the kids have been learning a lot.  It makes me smile to see my kids spewing out of their mouth the educational things they learn at school.

 

Tonight, a conversation took place that just made me giggle.  Jaykob hollered from his room, where he was getting his jammies on, to me in Ella's room, where I was setting out her school clothes.

"Hey Mom! Did you watch the news yesterday?"

(Really!? I can't even remember what I wore yesterday, let alone if I watched the news!?!?!)

"Ummmmm, I can't remember, Jayk.  Why?"

"Some scientist made a discovery yesterday."

Still upset about loosing Pluto as one of our planets in our Solar System, I was bracing to hear what the scientific community was going to throw on me now!

"What kind of discovery?"

"This scientist said that some apple juice has poison in it!!!"

Relieved that my planets were not all out of whack, I replied:

"Yes, I had heard something about that yesterday."

"I don't believe it for a second, Mom.  We drink a lot of apple juice and we are just fine."

As a non-alarmist when it comes to things like that, I was proud at his pragmatic way of thinking.  


Insert comment from yet another other room where 3rd, rather dogmatic, 6-year-old member of the family chimed in...

"Well, Jaykob, I believe in God!  

I DON'T believe in science!  

I heard a story where God was represented as the color PINK 

and you KNOW I like the color pink!  

And scientists were represented as the color yellow 

and well, pink is so much prettier than yellow.  

I love pink and I definitely believe in God.  

I do not believe in scientists!"

Lord, Help Me!

Well, the thing I have feared for years has finally happened! I have dreaded this moment for eight long years and knew the time would come.

I have sought out every opportunity for this event NOT to happen. I have withheld anything related to the subject in hopes of thwarting any schemes. I have avoided the subject in conversation in fear that the mere thought might plant ideas and notions in the heads of curious minds. Some might argue the fact that I merely worried on it beseeched the event to happen.

No matter how hard I tried, my efforts failed.

It happened.

One of my children cut their own hair.

Did I mention she actually used safety scissors???

When I questioned said individual about her choice, her response was child-like & simple.

"It was in my eyes."

Albeit not what I wanted in the way of hairstyles for my four-year old (I still have choosing rights for several more years, right?), she has some pretty sweet stylist skills! Her trim was pretty precise! Not too long. Not too short. A perfect length.

It has been several days and I am still a little perturbed every time I see those pesky little bangs we worked so hard and so long to grow out. Its just hair. It will grow back. I will get over it.

I thought for sure when we hit four years old, I could relax my fears. Clearly, I was mistaken. Point proven, Ella.

My new fear... this is just the beginning of the mischief to come out of this little girl! Ornery little thing.

Momma always prayed I'd have one like me!

LORD, HELP ME!!!

The Princess Bride

Yes... I am going there. I have been intrigued by the Royal Wedding. I admit it. I am not a part of the crazies that awoke at 4 in the morning to get the first glimpse...I was not THAT intrigued! Before I get inundated with comments from you crazies that actually did partake in the live showing of the wedding, I applaud you for your commitment. I said I was intrigued, not insane! :)After waking up well after the nuptials were over, I turned on the Today Show to catch the famous first kiss. Sweet. I took in several pictures via the internet throughout the day of the Duke and Duchess of Cambidge (Prince William and Princess Catherine sound so much better), but I saved my wedding party for Friday night.

I made every attempt to dominate conversation with Jayk, Addi & Ella on Friday, April 29th to direct it to hype up the wedding with them. The girls took the bait and were getting more and more geeked about it as the day rolled on.

The kids and I got jammied up and snuggled in with some fresh popcorn and a warm blanket on Mommy & Daddy's bed (Tony had a softball game, not that he would be at all interested in anything relating to the Royal Wedding). Following in his father's disinterest of The Royals, Jayk was more intrigued by Angry Birds than ball gowns and tiaras. However, when the grand event began, his sweet expression changed and he watched with curious expectation as to what would unfold.

The girls giggled with delight at the first appearance of Kate Middleton. In my British knowledge, I explained to them that she was a commoner at the moment but was soon to become Royalty and Kate Middleton would become PRINCESS CATHERINE (yes, that was said with a British accent as if reading a Royal proclamation...a la Cinderella). I am pretty sure it was Addi who actually squealed when Kate got out of the car. She does have a flair for the dramatic (wonder where that comes from???).

Thank goodness for DVR because I was able to fast forward through loooooooooooong parts! All three kids were mesmerized by the wedding, the carriage ride, and then the kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace (Jayk didn't even seem to mind the quick kiss). The whole event itself was memorable but it was the memory-making with the kids that was most special.

Throughout the evening, Ella matter-of-factly announced that "I want to be Princess Catherine when I grow up!" I have no doubt in my mind that, of any of my children, she is determined enough to find a Prince to marry. Addi peppered me with questions about British Aristocracy that either I felt proud I was knowledgeable enough to answer or I made up answers that would suffice the curiosity of a six-year old. But it was Jayk's single question as the whole event unfolded that, I hope, will stay with me forever.

With furrowed brow that only accompanies intense pondering, my happy-go-lucky little man leaned over to me and quietly said,

"Mom...I didn't know Prince and Princesses were real."

"OH YES!!!!"

came my surprised reply followed by my long explanation of Prince Harry, Prince William, Princess Catherine, Prince Charles, Princess Di, Prince Blah, Blah, Blah. As I attempted to go down the Royal lineage, his brow furrowed even more and the wheels in his eight-year old brain cranked even harder attempting to make sense of whatever ideas it was he had jumping around in his head.

Jayk paused for a moment and snuggled in closer to me and pensively asked,

"Well if Prince and Princesses ARE real... then are dragons real?"

Explanations to My Unfinished Tasks

I heard today that
a preschooler requires Mom's attention
EVERY 4 MINUTES.
She is inquisitive.
She is smart .She is creative.
She is expressive.

She makes her opinions known.

She likes to get her way.

She is my 210-times-a-day distraction.
She is my Ella.

From Kindergarten to College

It always seems that bedtime brings out the best of conversations with my kids. Perhaps it is their refusal of sleep or their secret desire to drag bedtime on into infinity with “just one more thing, Mom.” I prefer to think of it as a special time when each child has a moment of Mom’s undivided attention. Bedtime can be stressful at times and like so many other moms, I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world those special “clicks” on the mental camera for me to treasure.

This particular bedtime conversation came after a very typical Sunday...nothing special happened but the conversation brought a tear to my eye at the thoughts coming out of my sweet 5-year old girl, all the while leaving a knot the size of Texas in my throat and the flashes of my mental camera feverishly clicking away.

Seeming to mustering up all the courage in her body, my Addi stated:

“Mommy, I am worried about going to college.”

Did this really just come out of her mouth?

Zillion of things surged through my mind. Just the other day I so proudly walked her into her first day of Kindergarten. And years of life’s little moments yet to be had flickered illusionary visions. Practicing with her for endless days before her first dance recital, all dressed in her favorite color, pink. Late night study sessions before her big calculus test. Listening for hours to her excitement about the boy who paid her a compliment in homeroom. Warning her, as only a mother can, about all the woes boys can bring while watching her and her sister roll their eyes and giggle at the thoughts. Hugging her endlessly after her first broken heart, hurting deeply myself because I know it won’t be her last.

Then we jumped to college?!?!?

Why, Addi?

I think I will miss you too much. I will want to come home and see you all the time and go to our church on Sunday.

Trying to sound as convincing as I can to her while I desperately attempt to convince myself, I say:

That’s fine, Addi. You can come home whenever you want and I can come visit you all the time when you are away at college.

With tears streaming down her face, she replies:

But I won’t be able to hug you and snuggle you whenever I want.

I am quickly loosing my battle with the growing lump in my throat.

It’s ok, Addi. You know Mommy loves you SO much and I will miss you a bunch too but we can talk on the phone, see each other on the computer and visit each other all the time.

But it won’t be the same, Mommy.

There it went...That tear I had been holding back slipped over the rim of my eyelid.

College is a long time away, Addi, and I am sure by the time it gets here, you will be ready to go.

I am not so sure I will be ready for her to go.

I am not so sure, Mommy.

Clearly there is work to be done in the next thirteen years to get us both ready.

Honey, going to Kindergarten was a big step for you and after you went, you were really glad you did because you really like it, right?

Yeah, but college is different. It is really far away and I won’t see you much.

Yep, another tear. There it went.

Seeming to have found her logic, she states:

Mommy, do you know who will go to college before me?

Who, sweetheart?

Jaykob does! So I guess I can see what it’s all about then.

Addi, would you like to pray about college and tell God about your worries?

Matter of factly, she replies:

Nope. We can pray about it when I go.

I knew the financial preparations required for college needed to be in place now, but I was certain I would have a good eight - ten years before I would need to tackle the mental side of college preparation.

Sweetheart, you can bet your bottom dollar Mommy will be on her knees praying.

Thoughts at the Bottom of the Beanstalk

Once upon a time there was a little boy named Jack who was about to climb his very first beanstalk. He had a fresh haircut and a brand-new backpack.

Even though his friends in the neighborhood had climbed this same beanstalk almost every day last year, this was Jack's first day and he was a little nervous. So was his mother.

Early in the morning, she brought him to the foot of the beanstalk. She talked encouragingly to Jack about all the fun he would have that day and how nice his giant would be. She reassured him that she would be back to pick him up at the end of the day. For a moment, they stood together, silently holding hands, gazing up at the beanstalk. To Jack, it seemed much bigger than it had when his mother had pointed it out on the way to the store last week. His mother thought it looked big too. She swallowed.

Jack's mother straightened his shirt one last time, patted his shoulder and smiled down at him. She promised to stay and wave while he started climbing. Jack didn't say a word.

He walked forward, grabbed a low-growing stem and slowly pulled himself up to the first leaf. He balanced there for a moment and then climbed more eagerly to the second leaf, then to the third and soon he vanished into a high tangle of leaves and stems with never a backward glance at his mother.

She stood alone at the bottom of the beanstalk, gazing up at the spot where Jack disappeared. There was no rustle, no movement, no sound to indicate that he was anywhere inside.

"Sometimes," she thought, "it's harder to be he one that waves good-bye than it is to be the one who climbs the beanstalk."

She wondered how Jack would do. Would he miss her? How would he behave? Did his giant understand that little kids sometimes act silly when they felt unsure? She fought down an urge to spring up the stalk after Jack and maybe duck behind a bean to take a peek at how he was doing.

"I'd better not. What if he saw me?" She knew Jack was really old enough to handle this on his own. She reminded herself that, after all this was thought to be an excellent beanstalk and that everyone said his giant was not only kind but had outstanding qualifications.

"It's not so much that I'm worried about him," she thought, rubbing the back of her neck. "It's just that he's growing up and I'm going to miss him."

Jack's mother turned to leave. "Jack's going to have lots of bigger beanstalks to climb in his life," she told herself. "Today's the day he starts practicing for them... And today's the day I start practicing something too: cheering him on and waving good-bye."

All Work and No Play... Nah!!!

What beautiful scenery!

End of story...

Don't tell Tony, but I let someone steal my heart today!

Ahhhhh... God's Amazing Grace.

I am stumped for words....

I saw my God today. I looked into His eyes today as I looked into the the sweet eyes of Claudia. Claudia has no life outside of the twin bed she shares with a plethora of her stuffed animals. Cerebral palsy has stolen her movement. Claudia can not speak. Cerebral palsy has stolen her voice. With no ability to speak, Claudia sang (grunted) of God's Amazing Grace. Claudia was a beautiful depiction of the joy my Savior can give to someone with no hope. Claudia is Jesus.

I saw my God today. I looked into His eyes today as I looked into the spunky eyes of Kevon. Kevon can not speak. Cerebral palsy has seized his voice too. In fact, cerebral palsy has seized nearly every muscle in his body. Cerebral palsy cannot seize his smile. Cerebral palsy can not seize his humor. Cerebral palsy cannot seize his praise! Cerebral palsy may be able to seize this young man, but cerebral palsy cannot touch my Jesus that lives in Kevon!

I saw my God today in the lives of our team members that looked beyond the mang

led mess of adult diapers, slobber and wretchedly twisted bones.

My expectations going into the day could not be farther from reality... nor could the pictures I took depict the power of God's Amazing Grace.

What precious precious precious people! Yes, my heart broke for them and I cry for their situation as I type this. Cerebral palsy has stolen the movement and the ability to speak but their joy will not be silenced!

Of our 15 people on the trip, 8 are returning and had experienced the orphanage last year. Six were unsure of what to expect (myself included) and Derek, our third adult sponsor, is a seasoned veteran with special needs (Derek works for SnugSeat, a company that builds and special fits wheelchairs for disabled children).

God's providence is in no way accidental. Derek was able to measure each person at the orphanage for a special fit wheel chair to be shipped back before the new year!

Oh their joy despite their heartbreaking circumstance!

Oh their gladness despite being bedridden in a hopeless environment.

Oh their sweet spirits!

Oh I fell in love! I fell in love today... Claudia stole my heart. Kevon stole my heart. Jesus stole my heart.

FYI.. Don't call them "kids" here in Antigua!

Uncertain... that is simply how I can put into words what we were walking into.

VBS started this morning and riding to the church, we were just uncertain.

Uncertain if our hard work canvassing the local neighborhoods (and I use that term

"neighborhoods" extremely loosely) would pay off. (It did!)

Uncertain if the kids that offered me my first opportunity to eat "goosenberries" would honor their promise to show up? (I didn't eat...They didn't show. I wonder if there is a correlation?)

Uncertain if what we prepared so hard for would culturally translate? Welllllllll.... After referring to them as "kids" and the appalling look we received nearly immediately, we were told with all the goats on the island, we were basically calling them goats! Oops! Looks like apologies are in order for tomorrow!

VBS nutshell: Day #1 was fun! Although we were uncertain in our expectations, we met the challenge with enthusiasm and had a BLAST playing with the kids. We are all looking forward to VBS Day #2! I am not sure if the strength of my voice will last through the week, but I will go down trying!

After sharing lunch with our new Antiguan friends provided to us by some ladies in the church (Antiguan hot dogs are not quite the same... but the fries were pretty good), we loaded up the vans for Amazing Grace Orphanage.

Uncertain how I will combine the two events (VBS & Amazing Grace Orphanage)...I will close for now and write about AG in a bit...

The Eagle Has Landed

"We are experiencing technical difficulties."

This announcement greeted us aboard Flight 1203 with non-stop service from Charlotte to

Antigua.

"But everything had been going so smoothly!!!!" While I made every attempt to remain calm (you know, for the sake of morale for the troops), I have visions of Jet Blue's NINE hour delay with stranded passengers held hostage on the plane while the gate was within eyesight danced through my head. My blood pressure began to rise and I was doing my best to keep my claustrophobia in check. Meanwhile, US Airways took good care of us while grounded and two hours later, we took off for an uneventful flight for Antigua.

Needless to say, all is well... we are tired and ready for some sleep... but more importantly, ready for our adventure! Bring it on, God! We are ready!