John-Heath on the Migration of Birds, Aliens and Rolling Yards

This, I'm sure, will be of no interest to anyone but me and, perhaps years in the future, my son.  John-Heath, like any small child, is often a sundry of thoughts, comments and questions.  I wish a thousand times over I had kept a written record of all of them. 

 

I remember once a friend telling me that her English teacher, our town's beloved Ms. Marguerite Law, had told her students to keep a pencil and paper bedside in case they were to ever have a dream or thought in the middle of the night which might provide a useful idea for a story.  She said that if one waited until the morning the idea may well be forgotten. 

 

This is certainly the case with cute things our kids say.  How many times do they cay something adorable or hilarious and we think we'll always remember it, only to be like now what was that he said the other day?

 

So, before I forget...here are some things that have recently been on the mind of John-Heath, age 8...

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In a conversation with his father after noticing a flock of birds he asked, "Dad, how do the birds know when it's time to come back?"

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When I went in to wake him up this past Saturday, arms stretched behind his head and face turned toward his window he says to me, "It's a beautiful Saturday morning, isn't it, mom?  Was dad just kidding about aliens destroying the earth?"

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This morning, he comes in the house while I am brushing my teeth and informs me, "I didn't get any dirt on me when I went outside just now.  I rolled our bushes with toilet paper.  That way, other people will see it and think we've already been rolled and they won't do it.  (a pause)  You're welcome."

P.S.  John swears he never told John-Heath that aliens would destroy the earth, so we're thinking this must have been left over from a dream.

My Renny Turns 18

My dearest, darling daughter,

     I really have no words today (rare, I know) to tell you just how unbelievable it seems for you to be 18.  You are the last of all your friends to turn this age, so one would think my mind would have somehow, over the past year, settled on the fact that you would soon be an adult.  Nevertheless, it didn't.  Neither my brain nor my heart was prepared.  And now a tall, beautiful woman has invaded our home.  Of course, you have always been tall and beautiful.  It's the woman part with which I am having issues.

     Ren, I am so very blessed that you came into my life and heart that Monday afternoon all those years ago, and I cannot thank God enough for allowing me to be your mom.  Happy birthday, Renny!  I hope your 18th is one of the best.  Just remember, though...age is only a number and you will always, always be my little girl.

Love,

Mom

The Untitled Post

I have thought and thought and thought of a title for this post.  No luck.  Well, a couple came to mind but I scrapped them.  What does one title a post about a tampon?  Allow me to explain.

Jibber-Jabber

This evening's post will be randomness at its best.  Hang on and try to keep up.

Apparently, there is some sex-ed course being taught among the third-graders at my son's school.  According to him, some in the class were recently caught looking up the word "weiner" at school.  He promptly informed us that it was not the kind you eat, either.  Thankfully, he was not among the guilty party.  This time. 

He goes on to inform us that when he gets married he will not be having any of that S.E.X.  No, siree bob.  This little convo took place in the car on the way to lunch after church yesterday.  When I told him that he shouldn't say words he does not know the meanings of (like s.e.x.) he told me that he did, in fact, know the meaning of that word.  "And just what does that word mean, John-Heath," I asked him.  I'm not sure if I should have felt relief or sadness when he told me it had something to do with French kissing when you stick your tongue in their mouth.  I guess I'll go with relief.   It's the little victories that count sometimes.

My daughter has recently begun attending another church which she seems to really enjoy.  Even though we have always attended church as a family and I miss her sitting beside me (and not just because she would scratch my arm for me anytime I asked), we realize this is another way she is seeking independence, and we are fine with this decision.  I do wish she had been with us this past Sunday, though.  Our Sunday School lesson was over the importance of companionship (Adam and Eve) and, if you know my daughter, you'll know this is not too high on her list.  A "people person" she is not.  This is my biggest worry about her.  That she will die alone with forty cats.  Have I ever told you how much I hate cats???

I'm off from school tomorrow.  I get to have my first iron infusion.  Yippee.  I would rather spend the day shopping for new fall decor.
Have a wonderful night, friends, and an even better tomorrow!

An 8-Year-Old's Interpretation of Interior Design

Many times when our children were very small, John and I would freely have adult conversations in front of them.  As they grew a bit we began to speak in parent-talk.  If you're a parent you know what parent-talk is...speaking in code by spelling out words or using sophisticated synonyms so