Stand.

This morning at church a mom and her physically disabled teenage son sat in front of us. Her son was mentally "there" but his body was served by a wheel chair. The implications of having such a child are beyond my imagination.

During one of the worship songs "I Am Set Free" most people stayed sitting. The boy, physically disabled, struggled with the help of his mom to stand on his feet and raise his hands to God. His mom braced him to stand as he stood and sang out "I am free" to God with his hands in the air. I was so moved by this moment. What we take for granted, being able to stand, is what takes one person all he has and the help of another. And then again, one day this boy will be set free from a body that hasn't served him well. 

Questions from a four-year old mind.

"Mom, this year for my birthday I want a unicorn Pinata and a flute" says the girl with curly hair.

"Mom, are dolphins nice to people? Are they friends with turtles?" says the boy with the big brown eyes.

"Mom, does the wind help or hurt fire? What about your mouth-wind (breath)?" says boy.

"Mom, do dinosaurs have big bones?" says boy.

"Mom, I never want to get married because I don't want to leave you" says little girl.

"Mom, why do sharks eat people?"-boy

"Mom, what do turtles eat" -boy

And many, many more....

The last days of "Four"

These are the last days of being four. We started this journey when he came home at four pounds. Now he is four years and in a few days, five.  He finished preschool, he finished Kindergarten Camp, he rides bikes around the neighborhood and tonight he is having his first sleep-over at Moses Brown's house. Even though Moses is 1.5 years older and bigger, they seemed to have carved out a nice friendship given Lyon's headstrong personality and "directing" personality. Speaking of that personality, Lyon's personality is emerging as a leader. He always wants to be first, to be in front, to be the speaker, to tell everyone what to do. The other night he told me he wanted to be the boss of the neighbors. I said no, they have parents. He said he wants to be the boss of the parents too. I said not possible.

The first day of Kindergarten camp went well. There were no tears. Only questions: "what are we doing here" -going to camp. "Who is that lady" -your teacher. "well whats for lunch and what time are you picking me up?" Once he had all the facts he went with it and had a good time. His teacher is Ms. Dizon. You wouldn't know it by her name, but she is a beautiful, skinny tall blonde. Lyon referred to her as the tall, bony lady when he couldn't remember her name.

Katelyn.

Lyon's first crush is a Filipino girl named Katelyn. Katelyn is the alpha-female, boss-chick at the preschool. She has an older sister so she's waaaay mature. Lyon told me that he went up to her and whispered in her ear "Your my girlfriend" and so now she is. Kiri told her neighbor friend "Brianne, my brother is getting married soon. Her name is Katelyn" all so matter-of-factly. Sometimes I wonder if we have only been raising kids for four years, only?