We've made it through the first week of seventh grade.

The first week is behind us. Now, we've got the rest of the year to work on.

Finally, at 11 years old, the last bottom tooth, fell out.

I still have a baby tooth in my mouth. That tooth and all of the bottom front baby teeth are so stubborn. I blame it on that noise you make. I thought they would never come out. Now that the front bottom single teeth are all out, we'll see if your teeth will find room to spread out. You are growing up, my boy. No more discussions of the tooth fairy necklaces, that I am waiting for, when I get to heaven, if I persevere in making you brush. Now we warn you of your own consequences. Manhood is looming behind you. Enjoy these moments, as from the Lord. Money under your pillow helps you enjoy, doesn't it?

It finally came.

THe MP3 player came in the mail today and we are listening to the radio and playing listening games with brother. Delayed gratification from a job working at Uncle T's house. No, I will not give you your money back. You paid for this little delight and now you have received it.

Kisses and Hugs from mommy!

E, you're "E"dorable

What, my son, what, son of my womb, what son of my vows?

What is a mother to do when the son's are no longer pulling at the apron strings as in earlier times?

Time to clean up the mess of a full ox stall.

The mess of a full oxen stall is a long process.

The husband of my loving partnership and the other children of the quiver have parts in the process, but the littlest part of the puzzle is exceptional. You are watching a season of life that is full of action and drama. There are more grown people than children.

I grew up with more children than adults. I was gone from the home before anybody grew up. I came home to celebrate Christmas and they made fun of the childish gifts that I had bought them. I guess I think that is the most important time of life, is childhood. I hope you stay a child in spite of our "grown"ness, or lack thereof.

don't miss the childhood that you are blessed with. I love watching your budding maturity. You are not grown yet! Thank God.

Mother, on "How Green..." said, if you ever leave me, Hugh, you'll make me wonder why I ever had children? I don't say that, but I understand the sentiment, now. You may not stay with me, but stay aware of your need to stay childlike in many ways. Don't rush the ride.

Where were you, my son?

Spring fest and you were allowed to spend your money to go and enjoy yourself. When we sent Enoch to pick you up, you weren't there! You had gotten bored and gone to Elisha's house. We were worried. Thank God you were there. Learn the lessons!

Running to the tape of Sixth Grade!

The lessons this year about budgeting your time and getting your own stuff together. I am not able to read 9 books in 9 weeks, as much as I would like to. Realistically, I don't even want to try, you said to us. But you tried and tried and tried to show yourself and live up to your own expectation of your abilities. There is a joy in the attempt to reach beyond ourselves, especially in reading and learning. What do I do when I get an assignment to do something that I really find hard. Pressing on and bringing your burdens to your parents is sometimes harder than just grinning and bearing it alone. Should I make everything a part of the family discussions or should I keep some of my burdens to myself.

I love watching your perspectives clarify and congeal to adult thoughts. We come from a long line of large family thought. Learning to appreciate the individualistic mentality of the world that we are thrust into is always a lifelong adjustment. Thank God for your family and learn to live with people who's main thought is themselves first and foremost. I love how you point this out to me. Yesterday, you said, I have too much space to sit, in this car. It makes me very uncomfortable. I can really relate to that reality...

Who loves you, baby? We love you Ezra!

Good Friday was a special celebration of family growth and ministry. How we affect and infect each other to the glory is the fruit of the grace of God and the mercy of God that has been started in Christ and nurtured by many ministries and churches that have instructed us of the duties of parents and families to and with one another.

I hope you would read Duties of Parents and Christian Living in the Home and Shepherding a Child's Heart, whenever you grow weary and long for the riches of Christian Family as you grow older and life seems not to be the same. Keep striving and nurturing and reaching for what God has placed in your heart as a yearning for the unity of Christian Family. It looks automatic to you, I know. But, it is not. It is deliberate and it is agonized for, in prayer and in effort.

It took effort for your father to take his time to instruct us in the Word of God. It took effort for me to cook and make a meal for our enjoyment. It took grace and mercy for God to respect our efforts and be among us to make the Word of God effectual for our profit and growth. You look at it, like this is just what happens. Pray that God would sustain and grow your yearnings for a Christian Home to another level of God's Glory. It is only that we yearn for God's glory that He would honor us to continue and bless us to minister to each other and others for Him. Let that light and that expectation guide and direct your ambitions for your future. God is faithful!