Gardening and a Few Ramblings

Other than pool parties, I have been busy caring for my flowers. A hugely rewarding project. Each morning I love to spend time in my quiet backyard to focus on the goodness of our Lord. It is a peaceful haven, and I feel so blessed.
I'm also thankful for my little helpers, who (I think) are achieving an appreciation for God's creativity as they see His creation thriving in their own backyard. We recently hung a few birdfeeders, and have acquired a couple birdbaths. Watching and identifying birds has been a delight.
As the summer comes to an end, I've also been gearing up for the new school year and relatively new season of life. For those of you who do not know yet, Noah will be attending "real" school this year at Covenant Classical in Concord. He will be entering the seventh grade. When John and I began homeschooling Noah it was our hope to keep him home through his highschool years, but as he's gotten older it has become clear to us that he would benefit from a traditional school setting. The academics offered and extracurricular opportunities will hopefully spur him on to excel in his overall education. CCS is a highly respected academic facility. Some of his buddies already attend there, and he couldn't be more excited.
Please pray for a smooth transition for Noah, my biggest concern would be academic. Covenant is known to be uniquely difficult. Also, he will be going from a classroom of four to a classroom of twenty! Noah has always relied heavily on my one-on-one assistance. I hope he will grow more independent quickly!
In addition to transition, please pray for his character to grow in godly leadership and not to succumb to negative peer pressure. Homeschooling does allow parents to protect children from some of the harsh realities that are sadly introduced to children at too-young-of-ages (in my opinion). Though Noah is current on world events, (more so even than myself, he's an avid reader of World Magazine), he certainly has not had to endure the peer pressures that I faced by his age. I'm not hugely concerned about this issue, (Noah's a good kid), but I still covet your prayers for him and for wisdom for us in leading him through these years.
Thank you so much! I feel so privileged to have so many wonderful people walking through these years with us. You are a blessing to me!

Bracing Myself for the Future

Getting braces on Noah and Alyssa has been a regular reminder of their rapid progression towards adolescence...another step towards that phase of life that makes most parents cringe in apprehension. Books such as Paul Tripp's Age of Opportunity and Carolyn Mahaney's Girl Talk pair up on my reading list. A chapter here and there to answer the latest question or dilemma.
But it's an exciting season as well. The kids are beginning to think through their own decisions and beliefs. They are beginning to evaluate their hearts and personal choices they make. Hopefully the training we've done so far is beginning to bear fruit and our Christian faith will become their own.
I can be tempted to fear the upcoming years, but I am enthusiastic about it as well. I don't think I've ever felt more of a need to pursue discernment from others, and to seek God, from Whom all wisdom flows. And slowly, I am learning to loosen the protective restraints we've placed upon them in their earlier years. But I still want to hold on.
Training hearts while training teeth. Never thought braces would bring on so much reflection! Surely their symbolism will keep me on my knees, as I'm bracing myself for the future.

The Conclusion of Noah's Birthday

It feels like Noah's birthday was a two-week event! First celebrating as a family, then hosting a pool party, and finally his trip to Carowinds with his buddy, Chris. Here are a few clips...

Growing Up

Noah's birthday was quite different this year than it has been in the past. For one thing, Noah decided he didn't care to have a "themed" birthday party. Although it was important to him to have his best buddies over to celebrate, and to do something special with just one of them at a later date.
On Sunday, we'll have a pool/pizza party to which five of his friends have been invited. (I may drum up goody bags... kids like candy no matter how old they get!). For the following Sunday, he has asked to bring Christopher with him to Carowinds. (Originally, he wanted to go to a Panthers' game with Chris, but didn't want to wait for the first home game.)
Rather than a specially shaped and decorated cake, Noah told me he would like a chocolate raspberry cheesecake instead. (How's that for particular?)
For Noah's birthday gifts, he requested very specific things:
A pair of Vans, (deja vu!); a sports jacket; two Webkinz with clothing; and....drumroll...two rats. (I know, "ew".)
Noah also asked to shop for his gifts himself. So, yesterday he went on a shopping spree with his Daddy.

Yes, my baby is growing up. We have seen Noah maturing in many areas of his life this year:

Noah has become a more grateful young man. Last night, Noah came out of his room at eleven o'clock. Our conversation went like this:
Noah: "Mom, I have to get my Mossflower book, if that's ok."
Me: "It's too late, Noah, you need to go to sleep."
Noah: "Ok." (He turns to leave.)
Noah: "Mom? Thank you so much for everything today. I've been so blessed."

John mentioned Noah stated his gratefulness for each of his birthday purchases several times yesterday, as well as the time spent gathering them. Noah's thankfulness has become more of a regular occurrence.
Secondly, Noah is a deeply caring person. He regularly watches out and expresses concern for his grandpa. He often jumps up to help Grandpa, to move things out of his way or get things for him, and he lets me know if Grandpa needs any help.
Noah has also grown in sentimentality. Grandma Bett-Bett annually has had each of the children spend the night in celebration of their birthdays. Last year, Bett thought Noah had "outgrown" this tradition, so Noah didn't go. Well, Noah has expressed many times his desire to be with Bett-Bett since then. Pleasantly surprised, Bett will be having him over sometime in the next couple of weeks.
I have also seen an increased diligence in Noah with his schoolwork. He has not complained about his assignments at all, and has even mentioned enjoying his work several times in the last couple of weeks. For a homeschool mom, this is a BIG deal.

Most importantly, we have seen an increased maturity in Noah's relationship with the Lord. A few months ago Noah responded to an altar call at the Rebelution conference by Alex & Brett Harris. Although this was his third time expressing a desire to the Lord to be a Christian, we have seen a more sober awareness of the truth of the Gospel, and his knowledge of doctrine continues to be defined and embraced. He has read several difficult books on spiritual truth including: Do Hard Things, How Can I Be Sure I'm a Christian, Humility, Gospel for Real Life, Living a Cross Centered Life, and is currently reading Morning and Evening for his daily devotions.
The fruit we have seen in Noah's life this year gives me much hope and excitement for the upcoming teen years. What a privilege and joy we have in seeing our children grow.

Twelve Years Ago

Time flies.

I Wanna Be a Cowboy...

I couldn't resist posting this one.

Baby Noah

Meeting Noah's birth grandparents has me reminiscing... as a result, I have begun a new project. John brought home a VHS-DVD converter, and I am in the process of compiling and editing about six years of video. Here is the beginning of this huge undertaking:

P.S. No comments on the hair please! : )

Love is...

Staying in contact over 11 years, even though we had never met.

We had the privilege of meeting Noah's biological grandparents for the first time this past Thursday night.
Communicating through letters and gifts, Tom and Beverly have been more than generous and kind, persevering for years in spite of the closed doors of Noah's adoption. Now that the door is ajar, we have begun communicating more regularly with the ease of the internet.
I would like to say two things about this family: First of all, meeting Tom and Beverly confirmed my sentiments...they are lovely people. Secondly, I wish we had meet years ago. (Open adoption was not legalized through NC adoption agencies until 2002, six years after Noah was born.)
Noah told us after we left, that although he was hesitant beforehand, he was glad he had the opportunity to meet both of them. (Especially when he found out they are avid Panthers fans!)

Tom and Beverly, thank you for taking us out to dinner last week. It truly was a joy to be with you both. We love you guys, and thank you again for staying in touch.
Tom, Noah has considered your regard for David Garrard, and is now a Jaguars' fan as well. ; )