Spelling Bee and Lesson Plans

It is so fun to watch them grow. They are amazing works of God. I love planting the seeds in their hearts and God's faithfulness to nourish them. On Wednesday of last week the boys got out of the car to go into school. I let Jaxon go ahead and called Cole back. This was the day that Cole was in the school wide spelling bee with 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. I said, "Cole, today you get on that stage and do your very best and know that we are so very proud of you. If you win today we will praise God and if you lose we will praise Him." Cole lifted his face, grinned, and took off for the door. Cole made us so proud. He made it to the 3rd round. He spelled denim just like you hear it...denum. The school said it had been a long time since 3rd graders had gotten that far. God, we praise you for Cole and how wonderfully you have made him.

Jaxon made his first lesson plan this weekend. I am especially proud. He loves shoes and loves to be organized. He is my son!!! We have a small group from our youth group over on Sunday nights. Justin had to work this week and I told Jaxon he could be in charge. He went to his room with a piece of paper and a pen. He wrote out in order what we would do. Yes, I saved the paper and put it with his special papers. We played twister, simon says, had a Bible lesson and then had some brownies. Our high school kids were awesome and participated in everything. He asked the kids what it felt like when we pray. One girl said that it felt great. He said, "no, I mean like if Abbey(the dog) prayed it would feel like 100 hands petting her. It would feel that kind of good." Yes, Jaxon it is awesome when you can come before our God and you know that he hears you. God, we praise you for Jaxon and how wonderfully you have made him.

Snow

This is the 3rd weekend in a row that we have had snow. I can't remember the last time that we had a winter like this. The last 2 weekends we had more ice than snow. This weekend we got 8 inches and today was perfect for playing. We went to out to our friend's house to go sledding. The snowball fighting began as soon we we stepped out of the suburban and did not end until we went inside to warm up. I found out that I am not very good at sledding and that everyone wants to hit MOM with a snowball. Some people...like Dad...want to roll Mom in the snow! It was awesome to hear the giggles. None of us had a care in the world. We needed it. A break from everyday living and a time to just be us. Another reminder to cherish this time, because it soon will be gone.

We are now in our pajamas and sitting in front of the television watching football. Okay..before anyone gets excited, Justin is not in here. Hee,Hee He is in the back watching the Travel Channel. Cole had a dream last week that the Bears and Colts would make it to the Superbowl. The Bears won earlier and we have one minute left in the Patriots-Colts game. The Colts just scored! The second half of this game has been great. Exactly one minute left and the Colts are winning by 4.

Ouch!

The black eye Jaxon got last night reminded me of all the many times Jaxon has gotten hurt. I am so thankful he is a boy, because scars look really cool on boys.

When Jaxon was three we were walking into the baseball field for Cole's first baseball game. It was a very cold early spring morning. Grandmom and Granddad had come to see the event. Justin had gone to the game early with Cole for batting practice. We were walking in with Jaxon. He had a brand new Columbia down jacket on and he could not move his arms. He stumbled and fell to the ground. He could not move his arms in front of him to catch his fall, so his head hit first. The blood started gushing and the screaming began. I held it together pretty well until I saw white matter at the wound. I thought it might be his brains! We called for Justin and he assured me it was not his brains, but just a little baby fat. He did need a few stitches. Grandmom and Granddad stayed for the game and we went to the ER with Jax. He was a real trooper while they gave him his stitches. He only cried when the doctor got in the way of his cartoons on the television.

About a year later, we were out at the High Plains Children's Home taking some photographs of a senior. While Justin was taking pictures, I thought Cole would get a kick out of sitting in my lap and steering the car. We were going pretty slow and just in a parking lot. What could it hurt! Jaxon of course was not in his car seat. When were done, I said that it was time to stop and Cole heard me. I forgot how long his legs are and that he can reach the brake. Cole immediately stomped on the brake. Jaxon came flying through the suburban and hit the dash. He bled everywhere and screamed. We were afraid to take him to the ER AGAIN so soon. Justin glued him up.

One summer day, Jaxon came in to report he THOUGHT he MIGHT have swallowed a small silver ball. When asked what he meant by might, he said well actually I did swallow it. It was a small silver ball that went to the Bullseye game. I convinced myself that we HAD to find it. Yes, like any good mother I would put his poop in a ziplock bag and search. After 4 or 5 days we had not found the ball. We were leaving for Wyoming soon and I did not want to be on the trip and have to make a trip to the ER. I took him to the doctor and we had to get an x-ray. There it was taking its sweet time through his little body. We had stayed close to home during this time so that we would be using our bathroom. I ventured out to run a few errands and of course it decided to exit. We were in JC Penney's and Jaxon announced to everyone he was ready to poop the ball. I will have you know that I was prepared. I carried gloves and a ziploc bag in my purse and he was right. In the nastiest bathroom in town we found the ball. I took it out and cleaned it REALLY well. I announced to Jaxon here it is. He took one look at it and said, "that is not the ball that I swallowed, mine was silver." You see his stomach had turned this ball black and when it went in it was silver. We still have the ball. A few months later he came running out the playroom to announce he had done it again. I sure hope that one passed, because I am done!

Last night Jaxon and Cole were wrestling in the dining room and a plate rack fell. Yes, it found its way right to Jaxon's eye. It is a great shiner. Poor child I hope he makes it one piece!

Their Names...

When we were expecting both of the boys, we spent much time working on their names. It was very important to us that they have names from their heritage. We tell them all of the time what their name means and about the men that hold those names. This Christmas, Justin's Aunt Carol gave us a frame with the name of the boys and the meanings of their names. It is amazing to me that they completely match the boy's personality.

We picked Cole for my Dad. We wanted Dad's last name (Colson) to keep going. Dorsey is for Justin's great uncle that had no children. Aunt Carol found the meaning for Cole to be "Peaceloving" and Dorsey is "Free in the Lord." How true of our Cole Dorsey. He has such a free spirit and is very giving of his love. With the meanings, Carol gave scripture to go with their names.
"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves..." Matthew 10:16
"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." John 8:36
I hope that he always finds the freedom that only comes from the Lord.

We picked Jaxon for two reasons. First for Jack Hood (Justin's maternal grandfather) and second for the last part of Colson. Andrew is for T.A. (Justin's grandfather). Aunt Carol found the meaning of Jaxon to be "Following after the Lord" and for Andrew "Strong and Manly."
That is a great description of our Jaxon Andrew.
"The Lord is my rock...my strength in whom I will trust." Psalm 18:2
"Be strong and of a good courage;...the Lord thy God is with thee..." Joshua 1:9
I hope his strength will always be fruitful for the Lord.

With these kind of names the boys have a lot to live up to. My prayer is for them to own their names and for me to only be a guide for their hearts to be exactly who God has called them to be. I hope I never get in the way of the good work God has begun in them.

A New Beginning

Okay...here we go. I am now entering the "blog" world. For many years I have wanted to journal for the boys. I cannot remember where I put my keys everyday. I don't know how I will remember all of the awesome stories that the boys have blessed us with. I hope to reminisce and tell new stories. Rod and Barbara, this is also for you. I want you to know the boys like we do and to know their sweet hearts. Hopefully, through this blog you will feel like you are watching the boys grow up.

Cole (9 years old)
He has a heart just like his Dad. He would give EVERYTHING to ANYONE. He makes friends with everyone on the playground. He has a way of looking past the outside of someone and seeing the soul the Jesus loves. He has a natural intelligence that I would love to have. I was a good student, because I could repeat a process over and over. Cole understands the process and can apply it. I love to listen to his thought process. He loves to read. I hope that he never loses that love. Right now he is reading one chapter book a day at school. He has started writing a little. He is very creative and has a great imagination.

Jaxon (6 years old)
What a fun-spirited child. He absolutely loves life. His little face tells it all. A stranger today told him he could see mischief in his eyes. He is so right. Poor kid...if anything happens we always ask Jaxon first. Jaxon likes for everything to be fair. Well, that is fair in his eyes. He loves to help in everything we do...cleaning, cooking, and being the boss of Cole. He is a great student as far as kindergarten goes. He is Miss Toole's helper and spider killer. He even cleans up the spider mess when he is done. He is just now beginning to find the world of books. He has extremely neat handwriting.

What parenting has taught me so far...

I have learned to be much more dependent on God. I have realized that I am not in complete control. I do not like this lesson, but I have found it to be easier to let God protect them. He does a much better job. What a great partnership...getting to raise your kids along side our Father.
The boys have taught me what is truly important. Like who cares what my house looks like. It is much more fun to just sit in the floor to play a game, watch a movie, or wrestle. It is important to have what we call a family night. This means all of us get in mom and dad's bed to watch t.v. or read a book before bed. It is important right now, because we all will not fit very soon. The boys are too big!
Their little giggles keep me young. You cannot help but laugh and smile when you hear their giggles. No cares in the world. I hope they can always laugh like that.
I am more and more amazed at a heavenly Father that has blessed me with these two. He knew exactly what would complete my life!!