Back to School

Yesterday was the 3 Brevicko's first day back at school after Thanksgiving break. The normal dread was in full force Sunday but they surprised me yesterday when they all came home with positive days. To my surprise, what they ate on Thanksgiving was not discussed in their classes. Maybe everyone was literally "sick" about it. The first day of the week is a busy day in our house: J2's got basketball practice, C's got tumbling, and I's got soccer practice. Soccer is almost over...two more games. I's team has named him "little rocket". He's pretty fast. Short legs do have their advantages. He's also, as I've already shared, a very determined little boy. He asked me if he could be homeschooled again. He wants to stay home all the time. He tried the "my tummy hurts" yesterday on the way to school. Then I heard a "toot" in the backseat...gas. He thinks that's the funniest thing right now. His two favorite movies are: The Pacifier (I love it too!), and Open Season. C's just got her hair cut short into a bobb. I think it looks adorable on her. She's one of those girls who can wear short hair well. Plus, lots less tangles!!!! Thats very important these days. Brushing out one of her tangles causes so much pain and drama you'd think she was having surgery...seriously! ha! You girls out there can relate, I'm sure. J2's exhausted most of the time. His basketball coach has them practicing every evening. They have their first tournament this weekend and it's through Saturday. Texans, from what I've learned so far, take their sports VERY seriously. I like it! They are very team spirited and supportive. Lots of cheering going on at the games. J2 told me, after seeing his first varsity b-ball game, that it's just like going to an NBA game. I saw my first last week...it really is! Not quite as flashy but close. It must be cool for the kids who are playing...especially at home games. J2's team is 3 and 0 so far. Go Eagles!!! (Proud mom)
On the homefront, it's cold here! We're lighting fires daily. Love that part about the cold weather...but not much else. I do like wearing warm winter clothes too. Just had to order the kiddos some new winter clothes. It's getting quite expensive as they grow. Hand-me-downs have become more appealing as the number of our children has grown. J2's clothes can be passed down to I...and it's pretty neat b/c J2 is 8 yrs older than I...so about the time those styles have come around the "fashion cycle" again I-can fit in them. The only problem with that is storage...so we usually on keep the nice stuff...the stuff the grandparents have bought them. Ha! Although, I have gained a little wisdom through the child rearing years...I can buy less but better/longer lasting clothes for the kids or more but cheaper/short lasting clothes for them. I prefer the first the more they grow. I don't like the wash it all. The less the better! I'm learning that for me, simplicity is the better way to live and keep it all moving smoother. We have very little "nick-knacks" in our house now. Through the years, they've "vanished" b/c of all the dusting they require. I'm guess I'm real practical. But that's okay for me. I like it! Get the needs met and just a little extra. That's about all I can realistically keep up with and sometimes not even that much. This morning, as I was taking sheets off the bed to wash, I noticed the messy room that is forever being cleaned..."I'm teaching my children to manage their messy rooms, not clean them. I do the same thing! Ouch!" Something new to work on...in my self first. It's funny how it usually ends up being me the one that needs to change first before our children.
C is so funny...we were eating leftover's last night together and she sits by J2. She kept reaching over and fixing his hair while he was talking. Of course, it irritated him. He told her to stop. She said his hair was making her antzy b/c it was sticking up in the front. Cute! J2 had just come home from practice. I - blessed me so much last night. We were at the table and all started eating at different times for some reason. We all said our own blessings and started to eat and talk about our days. Love that time of day! I- said, "I've got to pray about something. I'll just do it by myself quietly." So he proceeded to close his eyes to pray and everyone got louder in their conversing. He got frustrated and kept asking everyone to be quiet. I guess it was distracting him. But then I found out what he was praying about. He was praying for his soccer team to score goals at their game tonight. And also for a friend for his birthday. He's becoming quite spiritual on his own. He loves to pray! And God has done some really cool things for him in answer to those prayers. His sister was lying and he was getting in trouble for it too until someone fessed up with the truth about something that had gotten broken...daddy's tool. He was really upset b/c he knew she did it. He begged her to tell the truth but she was not budging. Typical. His dad told him to go inside and get C and tell her to come outside. I was in the living room as he walked by to her room. I stopped him and asked him to come over to me. He was really upset...tears streaming down his cheeks. He kept saying, "I know she's lying and now I'm grounded b/c she won't tell the truth!" I told him that God know's who did it and if C is lying. Can we pray about it? He immediately bowed his head and said, "God, I know C's lying. Make her tell the truth so I don't have to be grounded." Then he went and got her and pleaded with her a little more. Within five minutes...NO JOKE!!!...As Russell asked her some questions in the living...I was witness...she told the truth! She admitted to accidentally breaking it. She was afraid she'd get in trouble so that led to lying...we've all been there. Anyhow, I was off being grounded and had such an increase in his faith in God. God is faithful! I encourage anyone to try praying about those tough issues with your kiddos. God is real! He will come through...not always the way we expect...but He always comes through. And I believe, He really loves to hear our children pray and loves to answer their prayers. Their faith is so innocent and for I...strong! I wish I had my little champion's faith. I think God has a big plan for his life. Not sure what yet.
C told me last week she wants to be singer. She asked to take singing lessons. J2's still loving golf. Not playing much lately with basketball. He still hasn't made the team. Hopefully next year. Be blessed!