Sweet Sunday

This past summer has been our family's own personal Gethsemane.  To make a long story short, we have been going through many trials.  We have been trying to look at our blessings and to look at the good, because in reality, we have a very good life.  We just have some bumps in the road and some major life decisions ahead.

I've recently noticed that, when we have temporal trials, that our spirituality seems to increase.  Is this just a natural occurrence for us to turn to God when we need His help so desperately?  Is it possible to stay close to God before the trials occur?  Is it the same with our earthly parents?  Don't we normally turn to them when, as toddlers, we need someone to kiss our boo-boos, as teens we need a shoulder to cry on, and as adults we need counsel from someone who has 'been there'.

What I really wanted to record today is how the spirituality of my children has increased during this summer.

Zane came home from school the other day telling me that he had said a prayer in the morning that he would be able to make more friends at school.  He told me that he felt like his prayer was answered during one of his counseling sessions.  His teacher and group talked about how there are three different personalities:  aggressive, passive, and assertive.  Zane knows he is mostly passive because he is shy.  He learned that someone being aggressive is super bossy and no one will want to be their fried.  But an assertive person knows what they want and is able to communicate.  Zane is our little thinker and I'm sure that deep down in his brain that this was a lesson that he needed to learn about his own personality and how to react to situations.  It was an enlightening moment for me, as his mother, to listen to him talk about such deep topics for a 9 year old.

Harrison is very much aware that he is getting ready for changes to occur as he takes a tiny step toward adulthood next month.  He is turning 12, will be leaving the Primary, will attend Young Men's, and last but not least, he will be receiving the Aaronic Priesthood.  He has shown these tiny spiritual growth spurts over the summer, but the biggest one occurred this morning.  He offered to join Andy and me in our fast.  Because Harrison decided to join, Zane decided to do it as well.  These boys have never fasted before and it was such a sweet experience to kneel down together as a family before church to begin our fast together.  It brought a special spirit into our home.  We did not have the normal bickering, shoe-hunting, and rushing that usually happens on a Sunday morning.  Most importantly, we were on time!

It was fast and testimony meeting today, because General Conference is next week.  I got up and bore my testimony because I have had a strong feeling lately that I need to confess God's hand in all things.  Everything we have truly comes from Him.  Shortly after I sat down, Harrison timidly walked up to the stand to bear his own testimony.  I was so proud of him! I loved seeing that tiny spark of his own testimony that he wanted to share with others.  I am sure that it will grow into its own fire.

What a rewarding Sabbath.
What a Sweet Sunday.

School Project

Zane made a snake habitat for his 2nd grade project.  Silhouette to the rescue!  Andy was sweet enough to let me buy a 'tax return' present.  I've had so much fun playing with it!  We cut out the tree and the grass with the Silhouette.  We also helped one of the neighbors cut out some lettering for his project.  It's great!  School projects definitely aren't as intimidating as they used to be.

Cold Season, Part II

Cold season, part II. Zane has missed a couple days from school as we suffer from a major cold. Poor kid!

This cold has run the gamut.  Abric started with it first, then Ewan.  I started with it last week with Zane.  He was feeling better for a couple days, and then a fever set in.  I just haven't been able to get any sleep.  I think between coughing and having to pee, I sleep for maybe one hour stretches at a time.  Not to mention kids coming into our room in the middle of the night to tell us that they can't breathe.  Zane, Harrison, and Andy have all taken turns sleeping on the futon couch in the baby's room.
It's been real.
Hopefully we are all on the mend now!

Zane playing the trumpet

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"Zane gets his first trumpet lesson from Andy."

Soccer Season

Soccer season is upon us again.  Harrison and Zane are on the same team, coached by their uncle Michael.  Their cousins, Alexandra and Isabel, are also on the team.  Its a great Saturday/Family Reunion!
Harrison in action

Zane in action.  He hasn't played since he was 4, but decided to try again since he could be on the same team as his brother and cousins.  He is thriving under Uncle Michael's coaching skills and is having a great time.

Ewan in action.  He is coached by his dad this year, along with the rest of his U-6 team. They won their very first game today!

Only in Pennsylvania can you look over to the neighboring elementary school and see little Amish boys sliding on a roof made slick after a night's rainfall.  They were entertaining themselves while their dads did some finishing work inside the school.

First Day of School

Can you feel the love?

Can you feel the excitement?

Zane going into 2nd grade.

Harrison going into 4th grade - and too cool to smile, apparently.

Ewan, my big boy/little kindergartener.  

Poor Ewan had an excruciating wait for his turn to get on the bus today.  He was the first one up and dressed at 6:45AM.  At breakfast, I finally broke the news to him that he wouldn't be catching the bus until after lunch.  That is what it meant to have 'afternoon kindergarten.'  His reply, an incredulous, "WHAT?!?!"
He spent the morning riding his bike, playing with Abric, eating lots of snacks, out of sheer boredom.  We were 'this close' to going to the park, but then I decided against it.  I didn't want him to be overly tired for his first big day.  Later I found him playing in the dirt hill in the empty lot next door ~ in his new school clothes, no less.  It was 10:45AM, so I helped him clean up and had him help me make lunch.

Daddy was able to come home for lunch.  (Yay!) We ate, brushed teeth and hair, and then headed up the road to Ewan's bus stop.  Then we waited. . . and waited. . . and waited.  I finally called the transportation company and the buses were running 45 minutes late.  Good grief!  First day of school wrinkles, I guess.

Finally!  The bus came.  There goes my big/little kindergarten boy -- off to his first official day of school.

Our Weekend Date with Zane

Andy had to go to Philadelphia to help support his friend, Shawn, who was running a race that weekend.  We decided to make a date of it and take Zane for a special overnight trip.  Here are Andy and Zane in front of the Hard Rock Cafe.

The next morning we walked over to IHOP.  Zane specifically requested a smiley face with whipped cream.  That's my boy!

That morning we had some time to kill before Andy had to go help out at the race, so we walked to Independence Hall.  It is under construction, as you can see the facade.

We then walked up to the US Mint.  Zane wanted to see how money was made.  It must be top secret since no cameras are allowed inside.

Then we walked back to the hotel, checked out, and went to the Market for lunch.  Zane got a double-scooped ice cream cone.

Happy as can be.

After lunch, Andy had to meet Shawn, so he dropped Zane and me off at the train station.  We would be taking the train home.  In Harry Potter fashion, we had to board at Platform 9.  (No 3/4, though.)

It was Zane's first real train ride, not counting DC Metro or the NY Subway.  It was so much fun having this one-on-one time with Zane.  It was nice to 'spoil' him with special little things:  like a double-decker ice cream cone.

Cub Scout Camp

Here are the boys getting ready for Cub Scout Day camp.  One week during the summer, Harrison and Zane were gone from 7:30am until 5:00pm.  They came home exhausted.  It was great!  The theme this year was C.S.I. - Cub Scout Investigation.

Harrison, Graham, and Zane.

Ready for camp!  

Watch Out World!

Here comes Zane!

The Dentist

I love our new dentist. Seriously, Harrison and Zane cheered when I told them that I had to take them to the dentist this morning. TV's on the wall and fun gifts probably play a huge role in their excitement, but that is OK. I grew up terrified of the dentist, still have the fear, but it is getting better. Dr. Arndt let me come in the room while Ewan got his exam. They even let me bring Abric with me and then gave him a tour of the rooms so he would know what to expect when he turns four. I love it.

Check-up results:

Ewan had 0 cavities.

Zane had 0 cavities.

Harrison had 7 cavities.

No type-o there. 7 cavities. Six of them are in his baby teeth, but still. 7 cavities.

How do we make sure he brushes his teeth at least twice a day? I called Andy, my mom, and told Cindy and Anya at the store the number of cavities he had. (Embarrassment, in some circumstances, can be a useful tool.)

We all know boys go through that 'lack of hygiene' phase and Harrison's has just begun. He's not yet to the point where he has to shower in the mornings instead of at night, but it will be coming. And when we get there, life will be so. much. fun.

Yellow Belt

Zane earned his yellow belt tonight at TaeKwonDo class. We were so proud of him! He had to kick through a board and everything. He is a champion in our eyes.

He has been going through a rough time lately, so we are hoping this will give him the confidence that he needs to keep going. He has always been our sweet little Zane. Now he is growing up and life is throwing curve-balls his way. I know he can get through this. Every time I hear Firework on the radio, I think of Zane and all the potential that he has.

We love you, Zane!

You don't have to feel like a waste of space
You're original, cannot be replaced
If you only knew what the future holds
After a hurricane comes a rainbow

Maybe you're reason why all the doors are closed
So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road

Like a lightning bolt, your heart will blow
And when it's time, you'll know

You just gotta ignite the light
And let it shine
Just own the night
Like the Fourth of July

Cause baby you're a firework
Come on show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
As you shoot across the sky-y-y

Baby you're a firework
Come on let your colors burst
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
You're gonna leave 'em all in awe-awe-awe"

~lyrics by Katy Perry

Valentine's Day

I love you t(o) Mom from Zane

I love you

more than

a cow loves

grass.

to Mom from Zane

Me too, Zane.

Me too….

Zane's Thing

It's hard living in the shadow of an older brother. One who is very driven and always seems to be good at everything.

This is why we have signed Zane up for Karate. (I think it is actually TaeKwonDo, so I hope I'm not offending some martial art experts out there.)

Zane LOVES it! He is doing really well, too.

It motivates him, and that is what we wanted.

Here he is learning his stance. After his lesson, he comes home and shows me all of his new moves…. sound effects and everything. I love it!
Like I said, it is hard living in the shadow of an older (and much LOUDER) brother. Zane has always been my silent observer. Even when he was born, I yelled at the nurse, "Why didn't he cry?" I was freaking out that something was wrong.

She just looked at me and said, "He did. You just didn't hear it."

That's our Zane. Our sweet little Zane who is growing up much too fast.

Winter Series- D-town 10K

We decided to register for the York Road Runner's Club Winter Series: 8 races, varying from 5K to 15K for $20 total. You just have to bring your same bib to each race. There was a max $50 registration for family, so for $10 extra dollars, I enrolled Harrison, Zane, and Ewan. Each race had a 1-mile fun run before the actual event. This Saturday, we ran our first race as a family. I ran the 1-mile with the stroller while Ewan, Zane, and Harrison ran on their own.

Here we are getting ready to start the race!

And we're off! Can you see how tiny Ewan is?

Harrison is near the front of the pack by now.

Here is Harrison coming in for the finish. He ran a 7:29 mile. He finished 7th place overall. Overall- that includes kids and adults. Seriously, where does this kid come from? Andy and I were never that fast at age 9!

Here comes Ewan in for the finish. He ran the entire way. I was so proud of him!

Here comes Zane! He was starting to get sick and wasn't feeling very well, but he still ran and finished.
Harrison took this picture of me. I thought he did a great job…. he was pretty camera-happy, though.

My little Ewan. He was so excited to have run in a real race.

Here comes Andy, finishing his hilly 10K run.

The boys ran with him to the finish.

Ang, please don't kill me for posting this, but you did awesome!

My friend, Ang, ran her very first 10K today!

Fight

You can imagine my shock today when Harrison and Zane came home from school and began telling me about the fight Zane was in.

You can imagine my shock today when I found out that Zane was the instigator. (Gasp!)

In other terms: the bully. (Double Gasp!!)

My Pacifist Zane.

Really?

Apparently someone tried to talk to Zane's friend on the bus this morning and that green monster swelled up inside of him. He punched this boy in the stomach.

Seriously?

I never even got a call from the principal.

Seriously.

If my kid is in the principal's office for any reason, good or bad, I think I should be informed!

To make a long story short, Andy happened to be home for lunch at the time.

We looked the boy up in the yearbook. Found his parents' names and address on-line. (Thank you, 21st century).

Andy took Zane with him to apologize in person, which the boy's parents really appreciated.

Then Zane had to write lines and was grounded for the rest of the day.

It being a half-day and all made it especially tortuous.

Zane's - the big 7!

Zane is 7 years old now and, I have found, is going to be a mover and a shaker. If he wants something done, he is going to make things happen. How do I know this? Because he invited his friends over for his birthday party that he himself organized.

All by himself.

Without telling me.

Zane, as he came home from school: I can't wait until four o'clock! I can't wait until four o'clock!

Me: What happens at four o'clock?

Zane: My birthday party! My friends are coming over!

I just kind of let it go, not thinking that anything would happen. We finished up his homework. I was in the middle of baking his birthday cake. We had just planned on a small family get-together around 6:30pm for cake and ice cream. The big party would happen next year, when he turned 8.

Sure enough, right on the dot at 4:00pm, the doorbell rang. His friend, R, was standing there with a button-down shirt, sweater vest, nice khakis, and gift in hand.

I went along with it. What else could I have done? I ran upstairs and called Andy:

Me: Andy! Where are you?

Andy: On my way home from Gettysburg.

Me: Zane planned his own bday party at school and people are showing up! I need you to pick up some pizza.

Andy: (laughter)

Ten minutes later, I received a phone call from a parent.

J's Mom: Hi. This is _____. J is insisting that Zane has a birthday party today at 4:00, but I told him we would have gotten an invitation. Is Zane having a birthday party?

Me: Well…… today is Zane's birthday…..and apparently he has planned a birthday party.

J's Mom: (laughing) You mean boys do this, too? (Apparently one of her daughters had done the same thing??)

Me: We are just having a little pizza party if J wants to come over.

They had family plans that night, so he wasn't able to come. (I was secretly relieved because I didn't know how I was going to keep them all entertained while still trying to finish the cake, do the dishes, and clean the house.)

Zane: I'm so bored!! R, what did you get me?

Me: (Ack!) Zane, that's not polite to ask that. Why don't you go play the Wii?

Zane: (gave me an expression like 'You're a genius! and ran off to play the Wii.)

Andy soon came home with the pizza-that-saved-dinner. Zane and R played the Wii, then R's brother came to pick him up. Whew!

I felt awful that R didn't even get a piece of birthday cake because I wasn't finished decorating it yet. I'm sure he was pretty confused with the whole situation.
Later that night, Zane did eventually get to blow out his candles, with his silly siblings and cousins.

Happy Birthday, Zane! We love you.

Zane!

Happy Birthday

Zane!

You are the mellow-peacemaker in our family. Even though you do have your share of tantrums, I can always count on you to do something kind for someone else and to always ask me how you can help.

Love you, my 7-year old little man!

Swimming Lessons

Zane has been taking swimming lessons while Harrison and Ewan are in soccer. Swimming is definitely Zane's love. He has always been my little fish.
And being the 'mother of the year' that I am, I finally remembered to bring my camera on the last day when they gave a lesson on life-jackets.

Finally!

After waiting for what felt like years. . . Zane finally had a wiggly tooth.

Tonight, with a little help from Daddy,

Zane officially lost his very first tooth.

We are so happy for you, Zaner Baner!