Random Reflections

A lot has happened in the last week! Exciting things, fun things!
Our twins turned five years old and we celebrated with a family party at home (aren't those the best kind?) Alexandria had a princess cake with a tiara and wand on top, and Isaiah had a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse cake decorated in black, red and yellow. Both kids loved their day, which was topped off with cousins sleeping over and a trip to the high school varsity game that night!

This past Saturday, Drew sang in the Jr. Idol competition at the Belleville Chili Cook-off. He didn't win, but he did so good! Our whole family went to cheer him on. Seeing him sing on that great big stage, so full of confidence and self-assurance and watching him do what he loves to do, and utilize his talent was so fulfilling to me. I felt this sense of pride that is hard to describe. It is different than watching my little ones acheive new things. With the little kids, it's fun to see their accomplishments and watch their enjoyment and delight in new experiences. It's awesome, for sure. But this was different for me. Watching Drew sing on stage and watching Emanuel run the length of the field for a touchdown touched me in a different way. In those moments, I felt like I was seeing my kids as completely separate people...not as my children, but as young adult men using the talents God gave them. In both cases, their talents have nothing to do with anything I taught them, or molded them into. Certainly I have zero athletic or musical ability. So it's wondrous and amazing and thrilling for me to watch them at their craft, their passion. Whether these things will be their passion years from now, I can't say. But for now, it's most spectacular to watch and be part of. And on Saturday, it didn't feel like I was watching my child sing. It felt like I was watching this young man with a great voice and a deep talent, and he was my son, and I was so proud of him.

Tonight Emanuel has a game. All of us are going. All of us except Drew that is, because Drew has Cheer-boys practice. Cheer-boys is a group of high school guys that are learning all the cheers from the cheerleaders so that they can dress up crazy, in wigs and make up and put on a hilarious show at the homecoming pep rally. We've seen a few of them perform and they are hilarious. There are between 20 and 30 guys doing this, so it should be really fun.
Today however, Drew is with his chorus teacher and fellow chorus students, competing for Mascoutah over at Highland High School. The winning schools will advance to state competition so we are really hoping that Mascoutah's group does well!

Our kids are home from school today for Columbus Day. Albert has to work. Apparently Missouri schools don't take this holiday off. At least not in St. Louis. So I'm spending a lovely day with all my little ones. Brandon just made pancakes for breakfast, which, while surely delicious, is resulting in one heck of a mess in the sink. We've currently got the back door hanging open to air out the kitchen from all the smoke that has accumulated. I'd really NOT like the smoke detectors to go off!
I have tons of laundry to do today. Not fun. I can't wait till it's football time tonight. It's the highlight of the day for me! I hope that Mia can behave herself during the game!