Maybe, just maybe, he is listening

Wil isn't known for his ability to pay attention. You can tell him to do two things, like put his dirty clothes in the hamper and put his shoes in his closet. I'm thrilled if the shoes are in the hamper and the dirty clothes are put in the closet. Wade gets extremely impatient sometimes if he doesn't get things done in a timely manner. There have been many learning experiences out at the barn taking care of the animals, if you know what I mean. Wil tends to do things sort of half way, but after the conversation he and Mollie had today, maybe he's actually growing up and taking some of our guidance to heart.

I ask both of them to go pick up the playroom. I wanted them to do it together without fighting. (right!) Mollie was rushing around and I believe she was throwing things into the closet and this was the conversation I overheard.

Wil: Mollie do it right!

Mollie: I'm in a hurry to it get done, WIL. (with just a hit of sarcasm in her voice)

W: The quickest way is not always the right way or the best way.

M: Who have you heard that from? I know you didn't come up with that on your own.

W: Dad.

M: Finally...you listen to something daddy says.

There was more to the conversation, but it went down hill from there. It had to do with name calling, agitation, and the general attitude those two usually have towards one another. The room was picked up and they did a great job together.

So, Wade, just so you know, he's listening! He's really listening! Now if only I could find all his dirty clothes!

Sandy C

"At least mom, the numbers aren't reversed!"

It's hard to believe we have been in school 8 weeks. Wil and Mollie got their report cards last week. Mollie is a very good student. She is very proud of having all A's. Wil on the other hand, is not ashamed to say, as long as he is passing, who cares?

So last Friday, on the way home from school, I asked Mollie about her report card. She said, "all A's, of course." She works very hard and is one of those kids who does her homework without any arm twisting or complaints. Most of the time, she has it done before she gets over to my school.(She's at a different campus and rides a bus over in the afternoon.) If she doesn't have it finished, she always wants to get it done when she gets home. I love that about her. She really is very conscientious about doing her very best and she is not afraid to brag about that very fact.

Wil....on the other hand.....He is extremely bright! He is an avid reader and especially enjoys reading nonfiction books on WWII, the Civil War, medieval times, and other historical books. However, we always get a knot in our stomachs around report card time. We know he has the ability, but we really never know how he is going to perform. When I got home last Friday, I ask him for his report card. I ask him how he did and he gave his standard answer,"I think I did pretty good." He always says it with an ever so slight apprehension in his voice. So..drum roll....he had an A in Language Arts, a B in Math(which is his most difficult subject)and a C in both Science and Honors Texas History. I was very proud of the A and B. I was disappointed in the other grades. He absolutely loves his History class and has already learned so much. He can rattle off all these historical facts that I have no idea what he is talking about. His actual grade was a 74. When I ask, "Wil, why do you have a 74 in Texas History?" He looked at me with a very serious look on his face and said, "At least mom, the numbers aren't reversed?" That's one thing I love about him, his brutal honesty. So, I had to go into lecture mode and explain to him that he is not working up to his potential and that we realize he is capable of much, much, much more. Wade on the other hand, was just happy he was passing everything.

It's so hard for me to imagine how God could have given us two totally different children. They are polar opposites, to say the least. It is much deeper than their gender and their report cards. I wish Wil cared about his grades as much as Mollie. I realize nothing I can say can give him the desire to work up to his potential, like Mollie. I also realize I can't force Mollie to eat potato chips and ketchup, like Wil.

I love their differences!!

Sandy C.

I am officially the mother of a TEENAGER!!

At 12:29 am this morning I was the mother of a teenager. Wil is 13 years old today. It's so hard to believe. Where has all the time gone? He is such a great kid!

I grew up with two sisters. My oldest sister had a daughter 6 years before Wil was born. My dad began thinking his chances for a grandson were slim. (He has been blessed with 3 more grandsons since Wil.) When he was born after a very long and difficult labor, we couldn't have been more excited, especially my dad. He even shares my dad's first name, William. When Wade and I brought him home, we had no idea what we were supposed to do with him. I had many conversations with my mother over the phone about why he was crying! It usually was because of obvious things, like hunger or being sleepy! He was actually an easy baby and slept very well. I did not work for the first year of his life. He and I spent our days "talking" and napping and playing. What a great time! I wouldn't trade that year for anything. There is something special about a boy and his mother! Whatever "it" is, we share it without question.

Time has flown by with many adventures for Wil....climbing into the washing machine when it was agitating(no broken bones!), locking my mother-in-law out of the house and refusing to open the door when he was 3(she had to call me at school-20 miles away-to come unlock the door), and almost cutting off the end of his index finger in a freak accident(I passed out. He handled it fine.) He then went to school, went through speech therapy, for what we thought was cute, got glasses, started showing his animals, and the most recent adventure was when he backed my mother-in-law"s car into Wade metal shop. She was in the car with him! I am sure we are in store for many more in the years to come.


Wil has grown into a great kid! He is bright and funny! He is a boy that loves video games, movies, history(Civil War is his favorite), loves to read(comics, science fiction, nonfiction, etc.), has great compassion for animals(especially his show heifers and our cats), is affectionate and very loving, loves to play his trumpet, likes drama and hates to play sports. He says he officially retired after one season of tackle football when he was 9. The most important thing I can say about Wil is that he has a personal relationship with Christ.

He made that decision last summer. What a moment in his life and ours as parents! I am so glad that as he goes through these difficult years as a teenager he will have Christ walking with him. I can't say I am not terrified at the notion at what the world will throw at him. He belongs to God and my prayer for him each day is that he will follow Christ, not the crowd. I want him to depend on God for protection and wisdom. As his parents, Wade and I have a responsibility to teach him to make good decisions. Our expectations for him are high. We expect him to respect us and others. We expect him to follow our rules. We expect him to be responsible(a work in progress). We expect him to spend time with God. We expect him to go to church. We expect him to do his best in school. We expect him to consider the feelings of others. As his example, I struggle to do these things sometimes. I want him to realize that we all fail, but because of God's grace and mercy we are forgiven! What an awesome responsibility we have as parents! I am so glad that I have Jesus Christ to help me through.

So as we celebrate this momentous occasion in his life, I look back over the past 13 years with amazing happiness. I look at him (at eye level, because he is almost as tall as I am) and my heart just burst with pride in the fact that I am the mother of Wil, the teenager.

Sandy C

I wanted to post some pictures, but for some reason, Blogger won't let me. Check back later.

My Baby is growing up!

Today I finally realized my son, Wil, is growing up before my very eyes. We sent him off to youth camp! This will mark the first time he has had an extended stay away from home without the rest of the family. He was sooo excited!! I was excited for him, but it didn't make it any easier for me. He will be 13 in about a month and it seems like only yesterday that his whole world revolved around Thomas the Tank Engine and eating Little Debbie's Chocolate Cupcakes.

I figured out this morning that he is still not old enough to be embarrassed by the affection shown to him by his mother in public. As we were walking up the sidewalk I hugged and kissed him goodbye. Still having issues with the leaving him at the door scenario, I walked him inside the building and hugged and kissed him again. Poor boy! Wade, Mollie and my mother were also close behind. Anyway, without hesitation he hugged and kissed me good bye again. I love his big hugs! I thought about that after we left, are we embarrassed to show God's love in public? Do those around us know that we love Jesus? Whatever the answer, without hesitation, He loves on us!!! WOW!! Thanks Wil for reminding me of that so clearly.

When he gets home on Monday, I am sure he will be full of stories, have a very tired body, and hopefully have a heart filled with Jesus! I am so proud of him!

Sandy C

Now if he only remembers that swimming in the lake at camp does not constitute a bath!!!