Praise God for those teachers who

direct you in good things. We have teachers throughout life that teach us all kinds of things, but never forget those who instruct you in godliness and the Word of God. Those precious hymns that you learned from teachers at AWANA, are to be remembered for God's glory. Pray for your teachers, who teach you in righteousness and let these precious memories of love and traditions that honor God and give Him the glory.

Sing a Song of Sixpence a Pocket full of Rye...

4 and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie,
When the pie was opened the birds began to sing,
Wasn't that a dainty dish to set before a king.

Are these silly ditties that we sing in our childhood? Yes they are. But they give us a connection to the generations before us, who were also children and sang those silly songs. It gives us a unity of culture and perspective as we all look at the concept of counting and kingliness and pictures of things that could have happened and people made up songs about. I, for one, will not throw out mother goose for her folly and poppycock. I will embrace her and learn and teach my children to cherish the days of childhood until they are gone.

Dearest Ezra,

It was so refreshing to see you praising the Lord, as you do. I am glad that God has a true worshipper in your soul, at church. You listen to the sermon and you are loving to sing for God's glory. Everything that you do, you seem to pursue with your whole self, at this age.
You do somewhat remind me of your father, who is very exuberant and my father who was also very exuberant. Your father loves God and goes at his faith with his all.
My father was discouraged, at the loss of his grandmother, at 12 years old and never talked to God much after that. I hope that never happens to you. I hope that in spite of the things that happen and the losses that you are sure to have in life that you will always know that God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. Some people call it free will and then stick their foot out to see you fall down and see if you will get back up. Others, mark the way for their young people to follow, in faith so that they won't get lost. Sometimes the intimate knowledge of the fathers ways and what made them do what they did, can help you in your determinations. I do hope that it will.
People love you and now you are in a season where all of the nest is hear and at home. You have a constant barrage of love upon you, but they are all sure to go their ways and things are sure to happen that will also discourage you. God never means for you to be lost in discouragement, just because we are fallible in our attempts to raise you right. We will be here as long and as much as we can, but when we are not here, God is here and He is more dependable than the hugest of family ties. I love you and would not see you depend so on your pillow of family love which seems so fluffy right now. Life batters the pillow and it will get crumpled in time and not hold your head the way that it does now. But don't forget that God is always there. In your discouragements and when you have no one left with you and no other encouragements, God is there. I love you

Happy Day

My first second grade teacher's meeting. You are growing and learning and doing the second grade stuff. That is always a pleasure to hear. You are busy and unfocused sometimes and respectful to your elders, when you remember to be. I can't ask for much more than that. I am glad that God is letting me be your mother.

Dilli, dilli dumpling, my son Ezra...

went to bed at the crack of dawn,
Fell asleep in science and didn't do his work well.
What is a mother to do? I know that he will listen and get to bed on time. I know that he won't embarrass his mother anymore like that. The next day, he feel asleep and missed supper. All because we haven't scheduled in cubscouts correctly.
Well, it doesn't rhyme, but its true.

Early to bed early to rise, makes a boy feel healthy, wealthy and wise.

This morning we looked back at the first blogs.

This is a year of alot of changes and growth. My teacher, Ms. Hicks is teaching me how to follow directions, the first time. I seem to have a knack at messing up and getting a correction or two every day. I hope that I will learn to keep my behavior above the line. Following directions, Talking at appropriate times. etc.

The Bebe's made it to the bus on time and with a minute to spare...

I love the look on his face when he tasted the grits. This is really good! MMMMM. Do you like them? Yes, I'd like them better if they were cream of wheat. Don't complain.
Today we happened to have the right amount of cheese and the right amount of butter to make the grits the right consistency. In the old days, mommies used to have to use the crock pot to cook the grits all night to have them ready for the children in the morning. Aren't you glad that God allowed the microwave to be created so that we can have fresh old fashioned grits in no time. I don't believe you mother, said my "Bebe's". It is true, I reasoned. I cannot imagine somebody cooking something all night, just for breakfast. They did.
Now let me comb your hair and lets have a conversation about this talking in class. Neither of these were to his liking. He fought me combing the hair and he fought me discussing his talking. It was just a warning, he reasoned to me. I know, but you have to pay attention and stop the chatting. Okay. I love his talky spirit. It is so far from me to imagine this. We were shivering in our boots if anyone even hinted that we might be talking in class. Fear of death came over us. I love the look on their faces as they consider the consequences of love or more love. I love that mischevious cheshire cat smile when they consider their ways and know that they will stumble again today. Not a hint of fear of death is in them. Even after a spanking there is still that look of, I know that you love me and I may want another spanking later, just to prove it. I don't know if that means that they will be well behaved in life or not. I know they won't be paranoid about it.

Ezra is in Second Grade Now!

We went to open house and met the teacher. He had a difficult first day. His face said, I don't know if I am going to do well in second grade. I thought I had this learning stuff down pat, but the first day of second grade has me convinced that I don't know what I thought I did. He had unbelieveable questions on his face. He got into bed with me and just looked at me. I had to be corrected, today, he finally confessed. I guess so, I responded. I am not sure, if I can do this. Everybody makes mistakes everyday, son. Keep going, it will become clear after a while. Okay, mom, he said. I think he will stay in school. :)

First Grade is over.

Now, class with Ms. Beasley is only a memory. What wonderful memories we have of a year full of learning and growing and doing. Coordination is developing, mind is sharpening and you are getting to be a delightful young fellow, blooming out of the happy and greatly loved toddler years. We have kept you a toddler for as long as we could and now you are a "squirt".
Time for more chores!:)

What a great day it was for a field day?

It was wet outside, so the PE teachers ran the field day in the gym. My little fellow was glad to see me there. I met Crystal's mommy and saw the other parents that were there enjoying the glee. You guys ran and rolled and tagged and pushed and pulled and everybody was tired, but first we were in the parade. Ezra's class had cheerleaders and loud children cheering. So much class spirit and we had a great time.

You haven't lost any teeth yet...

But, I told Ethy that the tooth fairies are making necklaces for the mommies that get to heaven, having kept their children from losing any of their adult teeth. Can you imagine how many pearls I would get?
You get to practice on your baby teeth and you have to brush them well every day.
While, that is just a story and I hope that you remember it long after I am gone; please brush your teeth!:)

Hooray, Hooray, you've waited all year.

STAR STUDENT!
Aren't you pleased. Won't you want to be a good boy and remember your homework and such. You are always my baby and star. But a star student, makes me so pleased.

Zoo trip

Zoo Trip

Let another man praise you!

You have an audience and everyone to tell you everything. You have assertion built into your position in the family and into your every word.
Isn't he cute, they say. What a precious gift, they say. We love you, but you must humble yourself under the mighty hand of God and stop pressing your way into every conversation. You are very special, but you must learn to be humble, or God will have to humble you the hard way, like He did Joseph. There is absolutely nothing uglier than a pompous foolish person. I would spare you that degradation. I love you enough to tell you, "stop interrupting people".



I can just imagine, Jacob shushing everybody to listen to what Joseph was saying. Wise or foolish, we stop what we are doing to amaze ourselves at the beauty of a little fellow, who we all love. God hates pride and will not abide it, from you or anybody!

Sleepy little helper boy!

Is there some medical problem with Ezra that causes him to sleep at 12:30 noon in AIG class? No! Learning disabled from lack of sleep. Naughty mommy. Get that boy in the bed. New bed time established from 8:30-7:30 and we will be missing evening service for a while, so that he can grow into his brain. I love the help of the teachers and aids. Thank God for assistance.

Spring break when we are 6.

Picking up sticks, throwing a football, kicking a stone and days and days of Wii Sports Resort. Loving and fighting and playing all day. Fun and Polywoly doodle all the day of Spring Break. It is great to be 6 and the 6th of 6. Ezra!

Back to school, now...

My son. Be ready to get back into the swing of things. Have a great day!

Don't say "What" to mommy!

It's not respectful, honey!

Somebody looks like the Michelin Man!

You put on Enoch's big coat and voila, my Michelin man! You are so cute in your costume. I do hope that we can remember that for a Halloween idea. The great ideas always come in a time away from the event. We took the photo and you looked just like the Michelin Man. I love you.

Benjamin Banneker

Was the first African American man to write an Almanac. He was educated by Quakers and continued to improve his mind, although it was against the law for an African American man to do so.
He worked day and night to improve his mind and studied the stars and math and sciences so that when it was time to put together the city of Washington DC, he was qualified to be on the board for the planning of the city.
His mind was so acute that after the designer left them without plans, at the last minute; Benjamin had memorized the plan and was able to recreate it, so that the city planners didn't have to begin, again; from the start.

Isn't God Good?

"Amen!"

Do you remember when we sat outside and watched the lightning on the porch in front of the house? I am afraid of the lightning, you said snuggling with me. I said to you that the lightning glorifies our God and we needn't be afraid, just careful. The lightning shines the question, Isn't God Good? and the thunder responds a resounding AMEN!
We are among the creation that glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
What a beautiful dance that the lightning and the elements enjoy in thanksgiving and praise to our creator. We enjoy more of the blessings and dance and glorify Him much less. He is worthy alone of all of that Glory.

Now, you are too big to discuss those little things as we did. You are concerned about the three R's and the friends and busyness. Never forget the song of the lightning and the resounding response. Great is the Lord and greatly, to be praised.

I was 5 when I stopped sucking my two fingers.

A little old to still be a finger sucker, but I must confess that I was still sucking my fingers, to the ripe old age of 5.
It was a personal determination of mine and probably my first New Years resolution to stop sucking them. Everybody took it upon themselves to give me tips on how to stop. Aunts and Uncles and cousins had suggestions, although most of them were still in the habit themselves. Finally, somebody said that I would have buck teeth forever and that was it! I would not suck them another day. I put my hand under my pillow and I still keep it under there to this day. Afraid that I will backslide into the horrible habit.
Other habits, I haven't been so successful in kicking. You are the only one of my children Ezra, who never indulged in that bad finger sucking habit.

Clouds, from both sides?

I remember the feeling of my body baking under the summer sun and then the relief when one cloud would cover the sun and a breath of cool air would seem to refresh in the midst of a match. Especially at Rochdale where there were no trees or shaded areas. The heat seemed to bake into your skin and eyes and then a cloud would cover the sun and it seemed the best refreshment for the moment.

It is spring today in January, maybe they call it Indian summer, down here, but I call 69 degrees a heat wave. I am so glad that I got outside to make acquaintance with a little cloud who reminded me of a cloud that I met when I was a child and playing the longest match of my life. I played and played and it seemed the only relief was that little cloud and I thought I wouldn’t make it another step 3 hours of constant pushing, as they teased us that we were. A bunch of little pushers. Just one more ball over the net. Dad said I couldn’t do it. He was the boss, and I did it. I beat Margo Smiley. 3 hours and I had beaten her. He couldn’t believe that I could beat somebody grown up like that, in the heat of the Rochdale sun. The sun was nearly down when we finished and I was glad it was. I was too hot for words and there was no word for the sense of elation that I had won over my own limitations of myself. I am my worst enemy;now as well as then. Catching a second wind.

Wise Men Still Seek Him!

Be a wise boy and look at the beauty of the sciences, because the heavens declare the glory of God. The study of the glory of God will always lead you to Him. Be a wise boy and you may become a wise man.

Moved your card, I hear?

Will we behave ourselves in school? Will we listen to the teacher, or talk when she is talking? You can learn the easy way or the hard way. Your lesson will be learned now or later. Don't make your mother unhappy