The boys and I went Lady Slipper picking last week with my family in Drain. I was especially happy that my Grandma, age 87, came. Any event that she is able to attend is made more special because of her presence.

Lady Slippers grow in old-growth timber, each flower standing alone amongst the moss proudly displaying its beauty. They must be the best smelling flower in the world. I anxiously await their arrival each year.

We took tiny bouquets to each of the boys' "special people." At our church, many of the older ladies (grandma age) have been assigned a child as their "special person." Our boys have been blessed by the ladies that were assigned to them. They each receive cards in the mail & sometimes little gifts. They really enjoy the attention. I think we were able to brighten the day of each of the ladies and the boys loved making the deliveries.

Politically Correct?

Today the boys and I were out shopping and saw Herman, a friend from church. Before saying anything to me, Herman started talking with Zane. Within a minute or two Herman said to Zane, "You don't know who I am do you?" I told Zane that Herman was our friend from church. Zane then explained to Herman that at first he wasn't sure who he was and then Zane innocently added, "You know, you're not the only black person in the world!" I looked away from the shelf and toward Herman. I asked, "Did Zane just say what I think he had said?" We both started laughing and I turned red. My reaction embarrassed Zane. After Herman left, I explained to Zane, as simply as you can to a seven-year-old, why Herman and I were laughing and gave him a little lesson about being politically correct.

Lick 'em

Zane came to me yesterday morning and told me that he has read over 60 pages in his Bible. I asked him what he read that morning. He said, with much expression, that he was reading about the time that Jesus was in the temple and the people tried to LICK him, but He got away! I asked, "Lick him?" and he said yes. I asked if he meant spit on Him and he said no. I then asked to see the story. He opened his Bible and found the passage in question. It actually said "kill" Jesus. Evidently, the best that I can surmise, Zane had a dyslexic moment and saw "llik" which when sounded out would read "lick."

Princess anyone? Anyone?

My niece, Lolly (3), has recently started to enjoy talking on the phone. The other day she asked me what the boys and I were doing that day. After patiently listening to my long list of to-do's, Lolly asked in a sweet little voice, "Are you going to play with your kids?" She suggested playing dragon, princess and prince charming. Although we didn't end up playing the game she recommended, I was thankful for the reminder to make playing with my boys a priority.

The humor of boys.

Tonight I was playing cars with the boys (something I don't do enough). One of the boys tooted and I said, "Someone just backfired." Luke looked at me and exclaimed while giggling, "It was me. I'm just going for a little ride!" I must say, I am surprised at just how soon little boys start thinking that passing gas is a form of entertainment.

Okay Tooth Fairy, we're ready!

LOOSING TEETH. Yuck!

Zane's two front top teeth are loose. One is VERY wiggly. Cory doesn't even want to see Zane wiggle it and I don't like it much either. However, seeing it in there with its deviant crookedness, staring at me, makes me want to pull it out! I don't like tugging on it, but getting it out seems to be the lesser of two evils. Zane is a brave little boy and pretty good about letting me tug on his teeth. [I have pulled out three of the four teeth that he has lost.] He gives me permission and I stop when he asks me to, until today...

Today, I got to tugging on his tooth and had a hard time stopping when Zane requested me to. The tooth is just so close to coming out! Finally, I let him go and he went back to his schoolwork. After awhile he came to me with his paper. He was suppose to write two sentences about his favorite breakfast. What he wrote didn't exactly answer the question, but it did make me laugh:

"I have the feeling that my mom will pull out my tooth while I'm eating."

As instructed, he also drew a picture to go with his sentence. A picture of me pulling out his tooth just as he was about to eat his breakfast doughnut! I laughed so much that he asked me, "Mom, are you going to put this on your blog?" How could I not?

SPRING FLOWERS!?

I love spring flowers, but with them come an inner struggle. The boys love picking them. They are so happy each and every time they bring me one. It seems they pick all the blooms and step on the rest. Even though each flower delivery is bittersweet, I try to remind myself that they're just flowers. I am sure one day, when I look at my yard full of blooms, I will miss the days when the boys picked them.
We have talked a little about saving some of the flowers for me to enjoy outside. And they have learned that once you pick the flowers they will die quicker. Cade has equated that information with the flowers need for dirt. He now brings me flowers & little handfuls of dirt! He wants the flowers and the dirt inside the vase. So if you come to my house and see a vase full of floating dirt and stemless blooms, you will know why. It's because my little boys love me.

An AMAZING story!

Today my mom and her sister, Evelyn, came to visit. They ended up telling their moose hunting story to the boys. Here is the abbreviated version:

They flew into an isolated lake [it didn't even have a name] and were dropped off for a week. On day one, while they were making camp, my mom was chopping on a tree to make improvised tent poles. Apparently the moose heard that noise and, assuming it was another moose, came to them. They told of how they shot it; they both got it in their sights and counted aloud, "one, two, three" and then both shot. They did this twice before it dropped. Then they had to walk 45 minutes, around the lake, to get to it. When they approached the moose they developed another plan: my aunt would shoot it again to ensure the death and my mom would take a picture of her doing so. Just as they got ready, about 10 feet from the moose, it jumped up. My aunt shot it behind the ear and my mom captured an amazing picture. Next they had to gut it, cut it up [with a chainsaw lubricated with Crisco oil], and hang it, a process that took many days. When the pilot returned he was so impressed by what these two women could do he named the lake Two Sisters!

Hearing them tell the story together was a lot of fun. When they reached the end, Zane said, "I feel like I'm going to cry." When asked why, he replied, "That was an amazing story!"

A few weeks ago the boys and I went to see my sister. They live on about 40 acres and we were outside exploring. Zane got tangled up in the berry briers and wanted help. Being that he was up on a muddy hill and I didn't have on the right shoes, I told him that he could do it by himself. Luke told him, "She doesn't want to be a country lady!"

I think it was the same day that I was teasing the boys and told them that I was not going to feed them lunch. Zane responded, "Snot! It's a booger of a problem!" [He borrowed that line from a song.]

Oh, the questions...

"What is that?" asks Cade.
"It's salt & pepper," respond I.
"Where did you get it?"asks Cade.
"From the cabinet," respond I.
"Where did you get it?" Cade asks again.
"From the store," respond I, hoping that Cade now has the answer he seeks.
"What did you get from the store?" says Zane, deciding that he know wants to be part of the conversation.
"The salt & pepper," respond I.
"Which cabinet?" Luke wants to know; however, no response is given from the tired I.
"I know! A cabinet we cannot reach," Luke concludes.

Recently Luke asked, "How do daddies help girls make babies?"
My answer: God has a special way.
To which Luke responded, "It could be that Jesus has a magic remote control."

Luke also asked recently, "Do butterflies go potty?"

Cory through the eyes of our children.

1. What is something dad always says to you?
Zane (age 7): A tackling word. It's like 'Oh Yeah'.
Luke (age 5): Seems like he always says don't get out of bed.
Cade (age 3): Go in yours room.

2. What makes dad happy?
Zane: To squish us.
Luke: Me.
Cade: Me hugging him.

3. What makes dad sad?
Zane: To kill us.
Luke: If I burned all of the Pepsi.
Cade: Me no hugging him.

4. How does your dad make you laugh?
Zane: Tickling us.
Luke: When he tickles me.
Cade: From tickling me.

5. What was your dad like as a child?
Zane: Indian.
Luke: Me.
Cade: Bars. 'Cause us love bars. [Granola bars]

6. How old is your dad?
Zane: What is it again?
Luke: How old? 45?
Cade: Me think 5-8.

7. How tall is your dad?
Zane: I have no idea.
Luke: I don't know.
Cade: 8 points.

8. What is his favorite thing to do?
Zane: Go on bike rides.
Luke: Play with me.
Cade: Go look at houses with you [mom].

9. What does your dad do when you're not around?
Zane: Do work.
Luke: He goes and does a date with mom.
Cade: Go to the store with you [mom].

10. If your dad becomes famous, what will it be for?
Zane: The strongest person in the whole wide world.
Luke: I don't know.
Cade: No me know.

11. What is your dad really good at?
Zane: Basket....no. Football.
Luke: Making pancakes.
Cade: Cutting trees [as he stares out the window].

12. What is your dad not very good at?
Zane: Knowing if we're squished. He doesn't think we're squished when we are squished.
Luke: Dad isn't very good at making babies.
Cade: Climbing trees [as he continues staring out the window].

13. What does your dad do for his job?
Zane: Build houses.
Luke: He builds houses. That is what his job is.
Cade: Work on a house.

14. What is your dad's favorite food?
Zane: This is an easy one. It's tacos.
Luke: Salad and hamburgers, tacos. That is all.
Cade: 'Tatoes.

15. What makes you proud of your dad?
Zane: Because he is so much fun and he makes everything seem fun.
Luke: When he makes pancakes. Yum! I want pancakes right now!
Cade: He at our house.

16. If your dad were a cartoon character, who would he be?
Zane: Strong man!
Luke: A kid one that we could watch and that mommy could watch.
Cade: Spiderweb.

17. What do you and your dad do together?
Zane: Play football. Go out.
Luke: I go in the pickup with him. Sometimes I go to his work site with him.
Cade: Go to a store.

18. How are you and your dad the same?
Zane: We have two eyes, two hands, five fingers, two eyes, two nostrils, one body and two legs. Two feet and five toes.
Luke: We're people. He is a person and I am a person.
Cade: 'Cause me have the same hair as him. Just a little bit.

19. How are you and your dad different?
Zane: He's bigger than me. Almost everything about him is bigger than me.
Luke: He likes salad and I don't. And I like...what does I like and he doesn't? I don't know.
Cade: 'Cause us have not the same eyeballs.

20. How do you know your dad loves you?
Zane: Because he's nice to me.
Luke: When he hugs me and kisses me and says that he loves me. I thought that you knowed that? Didn't know that you didn't.
Cade: 'Cause he loves me. 'Cause dad told me.

21. What does your dad like most about your mom?
Zane: Nothing. He just loves her so much.
Luke: That he is her husband.
Cade: Making dinner.

22. Where is your dad's favorite place to go?
Zane: To go on drives when mom is in a store.
Luke: I don't know. Robins. [Red Robin Restaurant]
Cade: To the Steve's house. [Steve Cornelius]

Lori through the eyes of our children

1. What is something mom always says to you?
Zane (age 7): Good job!
Luke (age 5): I love you.
Cade (age 3): Good stuff.

2. What makes mom happy?
Zane: Saying, 'I love you.'
Luke: Me.
Cade: Saying me love her.

3. What makes mom sad?
Zane: Being mean.
Luke: If I die or get on fire.
Cade: Hint? Me cry then her cry.

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
Zane: Tickling us.
Luke: Tickling me.
Cade: Telling something to dad.

5. What was your mom like as a child?
Zane: I don't know. What were you like?
Luke: Me.
Cade: Cereal.

6. How old is your mom?
Zane: 35
Luke: 35
Cade: 8

7. How tall is your mom?
Zane: Can I have a tape measure, Mom?
Luke: Not very tall. It's okay how tall you are, I think.
Cade: This big [points at the computer].

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Zane: Make us happy.
Luke: Eat candy & chocolate.
Cade: Eat dinner.

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
Zane: Worry.
Luke: Go find me.
Cade: Go to a store.

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
Zane: Doing crazy tricks.
Luke: Me.
Cade: Shar-Shar's.

11. What is your mom really good at?
Zane: Loving us.
Luke: Making food.
Cade: Doing Zane's school.

12. What is your mom not very good at?
Zane: Driving, right mom?
Luke: Nothing.
Cade: Cutting stuff.

13. What does your mom do for her job?
Zane: Feed us & clean up our toys.
Luke: Make me obey.
Cade: Hint?

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
Zane: Ice cream & brownies.
Luke: What? I don't know.
Cade: Salad.

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
Zane: Being nice.
Luke: Snuggling.
Cade: No me know.

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Zane: Mom-my Girl.
Luke: Lori mom.
Cade: This one [picks up a pink pencil]

17. What do you and your mom do together?
Zane: Go on dates sometimes.
Luke: Go on dates & to the eye doctor.
Cade: Go to the park.

18. How are you and your mom the same?
Zane: Same color hair, 2 eyes, 2 nostrils, 1 mouth, 2 ears.
Luke: We love each other.
Cade: Us likes greens.

19. How are you and your mom different?
Zane: My mom is bigger than me.
Luke: I don't like peas or pickles & she does.
Cade: From us no like green.

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
Zane: Because she snuggles with me & tickles me.
Luke: Because she hugs & kisses me.
Cade: 'Cause you love me.

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
Zane: He does work for mom - making houses what makes us get money.
Luke: That he works money for her.
Cade: 'Cause he love you.

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
Zane: Home.
Luke: To me.
Cade: Go at the store with dad.

Seventh Birthday

We celebrated Zane's seventh birthday (2/10) on Sunday. After church, Zane and I went down to Alton Baker Park for the Kids Fun Run at the Eugene Truffle Shuffle walk/run. Kids ages 6 and up competed together. I was so proud of Zane for doing his best and trying something new. (It was actually a little hard for me to take pictures because I was choking back tears.) He really enjoyed himself and said that he didn't let the kids behind him get past him.
Later that day, Cory and I took the kids to the bowling alley. Grandpa Bud, Grandma Boom-Boom, Aunt Joy and Lolly met us there. We had a great time; watching the kids bowl is so much fun! Next we went for pizza and then headed home for cake, ice cream, and presents. Cade was sad that he didn't have any presents so Zane let him open most of them. He said that next year Luke could open them. What a nice brother! What a great kid! Thank you, God, for Zane.

William Wayne Gant

Curtis and Melissa had their boy, William Wayne, on Saturday, February 7th, at 10:34am. He weighed 6lbs. 10oz. and was 20" long. He is named after his great-grandpa, William "Bill" Pile, and his dad, Curtis Wayne.

Although each of our boys love their new cousin very much, I think Cade is the most excited. While we were waiting for the baby to come, Cade asked, "When is Curtis going to get that baby out!?" He also called William his "son" one time. On the way home, Cade sang, "I love Will, Will, Will. I love Will, Will, Will."

They each had a turn holding him and loved every minute of it.

Wildlife Safari

Yesterday was a great family day. We drove down to Roseburg and ate lunch at Applebee's. Then we went to Wildlife Safari in Winston. The boys and I have had the opportunity to go probably four times in the last two years and we never get tired of seeing the amazing animals God made. When we first got there their was a gorgeous peacock with all of his feathers fanned out. Zane informed his brothers that his feathers were fanned out because he "wants to get married." Later, on the way home, we decided to stop at my parents house. When Cade heard he would get to see his grandparents he said, "Great. Why Great? Me want to see Papa!"


Turkey Twins.






Rino Jack and his woman.


Hippo eating dirt.


Zebra looking at Zane.

The Oregon Coast

We recently went to the beach in Florence. It was an absolutely beautiful January day. Cory and I took over 300 photos and I thought I would share a few of my favorites.

Silly Cade

Yesterday the boys and I drove up to Grove Christian Service Camp where Cory is working. On the way there Luke was whispering to Cade that I probably would get lost on the way to camp or on the way home because I didn't have a map. Hearing clearly what he had "whispered" I said not to worry because the map was in my head. Cade said, "You ate the map?!"

Last night at dinner I gave each boy six M&M's for after their meal was finished. Cade was taking a very long time and when I came back to check on him, I found six slobbery M&M's on the table. I guess he did follow directions in that he did not eat them -- he just tried his best to suck most of the candy coating off of each one.

Basketball

Zane is enrolled in a 4-week Saturday basketball camp. This last Saturday the camp leader told the kids that if they each gave ten high-fives during the session they would get a surprise at the end. I noticed Zane getting high-fives from the coaches and one boy. At the end of the session the coaches started passing out calendars as the surprise. Zane didn't take one. Cory and I walked up to Zane and I asked why he didn't take his surprise. He said, "I only got 3 high-fives." Just about that time another coach came by and offered Zane a calendar. He spoke too quietly for the coach to hear and so I told the coach Zane's dilemma. The coach smiled and then gave him a high-five, followed by another coach doing the same. Zane then accepted the calendar. I was very proud of Zane for being so honest when I knew how much he would want the surprise. I told him I thought he was the most honest boy there.

Another basketball story: Luke asked me what it means when a basketball player puts his hand up in the air. I said that it meant the player was ready for the ball. Luke said, "No. It means that you have to go to the bathroom." Yes, of course, that is what they told the kids at basketball camp to do if they need to use the restroom.

Luke's artwork

Awhile back we went to see Dr. Holo for Luke's 5-year checkup. We filled out the usual form that charts how Luke has grown in motor & cognitive skills. On question number ninety Luke was to draw a picture of a person. As you can read below, points are given for each body part included in the picture. When Dr. Holo looked at his artwork she was so impressed that Luke included a heart in the person. She said that in twenty years she has never seen a child do that. Later when I was explaining Luke's emotional side Dr. Holo referenced the picture and said that it was so interesting, given his emotional character, that he included the heart. I completely agree.



The second picture I've included is one that Luke drew of himself and me. I love my hair, heart & muscles.

How to love Jesus, by Luke Gant

I can hear Zane (6) and Luke (5) in the bedroom talking:

Luke declares, "Everyone should love Jesus."

"I don't know how to love Jesus, " said Zane.

Luke responded, "I know how."

"How?" said Zane.

Luke said, "Love other people."

"And?" asked Zane.

"Obey Him," Luke said.

"And?" Zane asked again.

"Try to be nice," concluded Luke.

Hi-Tech Tattling!

Being that I have three small boys at home I tend to hear my fair share of tattling. Today, however, was different. Today, tattling went hi-tech! Zane brought me his digital camera and showed me a video that he recorded of Luke and Cade's altercation!

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Zane woke up this morning and was surprised to see our home decorated for Christmas. He came to my bedroom and told Cory and me about it. He then said that only one thing was missing -- the lights. I told him he could carefully plug them in. When he came back to our room he asked, "Do you know what I did when I turned on the lights?" I asked, "What?" and he said that he looked up at the sky and said, "Happy Birthday Jesus, even though it isn't your birthday yet."

Dreaming

I just went in to tell the boys to be quiet and go to sleep. Luke said to me, "I'm having a dream I shouldn't watch." Evidently it was about bad guys.

I did that!

Tonight Zane was trying to teach Cade how to catch a ball. Luke was also trying to help. Zane saw how well Luke could throw and catch the ball and said, "Luke, you can catch really good. I taught you that. I mean it! I taught you so good that now you're better than me. I did that!" Zane was very excited about HIS accomplishment. :o)

Cader

Cade is pretty much potty-trained now. He has had control of his bowels since June, but we've been anxiously waiting for him to do better about using the toilet consistently for potty too. Now, he uses the toilet for potty unless his is in a Pull-up for naptime or bedtime. However, the funny part of all of this, he will asks me, "Mom, what me wearing?" Translation: Am I wearing a Pull-up or underpants? If he is wearing a Pull-up, he is more than happy to go potty in it. Kinda funny...at least we're getting closer. After nearly 7 years, we're almost done with the whole disposable undergarment thing!

SNOW DAY

We had about 3.5" of snow yesterday and the boys were very excited. It was pretty cold outside and so they didn't stay out very long, but I was able to get a few cute pictures.

How they sleep...sandwiched, posed and wrapped!

Fall leaves

Better than socks...

On Sunday it was announced at church that we are going to start collecting socks to give to homeless people under the Washington Jefferson Bridge here in Eugene. Zane asked me to fill out a prayer request card for him. At his request, I wrote, "Zane wants to pray for the people who will be getting the socks."
We are so proud of him!

My silly son, Cade.

If you know me very well, you know I have a little problem with germs. I am not fond of public bathrooms and it is hard for me to take my boys into them. I try to get them in and out without touching ANYTHING. I set them on the toilet, clean up the necessary "parts" and then have them stand motionless while I wash my hands. Being that they truly haven't touched anything, I don't have them wash their hands...after all the faucet and sink have germs on them, right? (I'm starting to question whether I should be blogging this...) Anyway....Recently, Cade has decided he wants to wash his hands. He will look at me and ask, "Is this dirty?" I respond, "Yes, that is yucky. Don't touch it." Then he looks at me and touches it and says, "Touch! Now my hand dirty." Then he will touch something with his other hand and say, "Now my hand dirty." Or maybe he will just keep it simple and make sure I'm looking when he touches the toilet and then say, "Touch! Me want to wash my hands." This could completely freak me out, but I am choosing to look at is as therapy. I guess I should be paying him for forcing me to relax my germ fears.*
_________
* I just did a little research on Mysophobia (the fear of germs) and I'm starting to think I'm not so bad. One lady, for example, makes her family change from their "outside clothes" to their "inside clothes" as soon as they walk through the door. She also covers her couches with blankets/sheets before company comes over!

The Eleventh Commandment?

Yesterday, Luke and Cade took a whole lot of cough drops without permission. I talked to Luke about stealing. (A lesson that my mom taught me when I took gumballs from her. It really stuck with...at the time it had never occurred to me that you could steal from your mom!) I asked Luke what God's number eight most important rule is. He said, "Do not litter?" (Another lesson I'm trying to teach...)

Were you drug? I was, thankfully.

My mother-in-law, Loretta, e-mailed this to me.

The Drug Problem in America

The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question, ''Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?''

I replied: "I had a drug problem when I was young":

I was drug to church on Sunday morning.

I was drug to church for weddings and funerals.

I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather.

I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults.

I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or if I didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me.

I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profane four-letter word.

I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's garden and flower beds and cockleburs out of dad's fields.

I was drug to the homes of family, friends, and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood; and, if my mother had ever known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the woodshed.

Those drugs are still in my veins; and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, and think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and, if today's children had this kind of drug problem, America would be a better place.

~author unknown~

Voting

The boys and I are watching the results of the presidential campaign. I told them that Obama is ahead right now. Zane said, "We have to do something!" I told him that we have done what we can; we voted. Then I suggested that he call my parents to make sure that they have voted. Aunt Joy answered the phone and Zane asked her if she has voted. He then asked, "Did you do it for the one who loves Jesus the most?"

Later Zane said, "Isn't there anything we can do? I had the feeling that Barack Obama might make some really bad rules."

Zane & Wayne

For Halloween we went to see my mom's best friend, Margaret. We went in to her house and got treats. I said hello to her son and his family. We stayed for a few minutes and then started to head out to the next stop. Then I heard Zane, "You forgot to say 'Hi' to someone." Zane was right. I had not said hello to Margaret's husband, Wayne. Wayne suffered a serious head trauma many years ago. He is in a wheelchair and cannot say many words. He wasn't in one of the rooms we had been in, but if I had been paying attention I would have seen him.
I'm very impressed that Zane (age 6) noticed Wayne and reminded me (age 35) to visit with him. Good job, Zane!

Man-up! and memorize...

Last Sunday Cory took Luke with him to Molalla to stay the night at Grandma Marsha's house. I was acting sad about him leaving and he said, "Man-up!"
__________

Today my mom asked Luke what she should teach her Sunday School kids. He quoted John 14:27:

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid."

Mom had all three of the boys come in and quote the scripture to her class. Hopefully, they were encouraged to memorize scripture too.

Halloween 2008

For Halloween we went to our neighbor Mary's house, my Grandpa's memory care unit, and my Grandma's house, along with a few others. Even though the holiday really isn't meant for good, we tried to do our part to at least cheer up a few people. Here are some pictures I took at my Grandpa's.

Halloween 2008

Cade the Train Engineer (sorry the picture is blurry), Luke the Fire Firefighter, and Zane the Cowboy.