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This is comical and seemingly pointless. But I just have to post it anyway. Jacob's pre-K teachers send a folder home with him each day for us to look over. There is stuff to 'keep at home' and stuff to 'return to school'. They usually just send home his worksheets or projects and sometimes notes regarding upcoming events. Well, today, taped to the front of the folder was this note:
"We do not want the students wearing cowboy boots to school. We have had several problems concerning cowboy boots. The boots have hard soles and if they hit or kick someone.........it hurts. We are on the floor together for circle time and centers and accidents happen! Do not send your child to school with cowboy boots. Thank You."

That is word-for-word what the note said. I did not leave anything out. Now, can you imagine a cowboy boot lifting itself off the floor and hitting or kicking someone?? I would ban them too. They're about as dangerous as guns without a hand to pull the trigger. So I guess we will now form the National Boot Association and we will work alongside the NRA to ban boots in Elementary Schools across America. Because, as you can see from the note, they are dangerous objects.
;)

***disclaimer*** I am not trying to be tacky....just some thoughts I had today and I wanted your reactions as well. Jacob's teachers are precious and are clearly looking out for his best interests.

My Boys

God is so faithful. I look at this picture and I have to restrain myself from weeping over His goodness. There is great responsibility represented here, but I pray that not one day goes by that I don't praise God for the gifts He has given Sylas and I in Jacob Ryan, James Tyman, and Justice Kyle. He is GOOD.

Ministry in Eldo

I want you all to know that God has given me a fresh perspective on Sylas' ministry here. I often gripe and complain about him being gone four afternoons of the week and on Saturday for YMCA football...but recently I have opened my eyes to the way the Lord is using it to draw people to Himself. I have gone to the past two games, one in Big Lake, the other in Ozona. Sylas is an amazing coach. I have never seen 3rd and 4th graders make 15-20 yard pass completions!!! It's almost more exciting than the Varsity game the night before!! Check this out...how cute are they?

Jacob's World

Ahhhhhhhh, where to begin? I have so many pictures and so many ideas for posts. I just don't have any time!

I can't wait to show you what Jacob has been up to. First of all (yes, first of all...and yes, I miss Camp Buckner already) Jacob and his pre-K class got to ride on a firetruck last week. He was so excited. I was the only nerdy mom following the firetruck and taking pictures! Jacob thought that was cool -- give him time, he'll realize it's not. Anyway, I went up to Pre-K and the kids were learning things from the firemen. Well, the whole class walks off to get on the truck and Jacob stays behind and chats with the firemen...until his teacher comes back and gets him!! I love that kid! I just hid behind my vehicle and watched, laughing to myself.

Tonight, Jacob and I cleaned up and re-organized his room while Sylas and Ty went to football practice. I bought him a 'reading' chair at Target today and we had to make room for it in his 'reading nook'. About 30 minutes after we finished his room, he comes in and goes "Mom, could you bring Kyle in here so I can read to him?" So I br0ught Kyle into his room and set him in his bumbo in the reading nook. God is so good. Do you know how my heart was filled watching this take place???? I can't even tell you.

Ty Turns Three

I have a lot to update you all on...so I thought I would start at the beginning. Ty turned 3 on September 15th...these are the pics I took of him on September 14th. He didn't cooperate as well as his older brother but we still managed to get some ok shots.

After this he said he wanted to take some pics at the football field. It was Thursday night and JV was playing in Harper. So we went over to the deserted field...I was trying to be creative and think about how I could take his pics by the goalpost and stuff....and suddenly the sprinklers came on!! The only problem with that was that to me, that clearly meant we needed to leave. To Ty, that was the PERFECT opportunity for some great pics. I managed to convince him to stay dry long enough to get a few more shots.-

This is the last shot we took...he was getting bit by mosquitoes and was SO ready to go home!! Hope you enjoyed Ty's photo shoot!!

It's been too long...

Well first I will officially apologize. It has been way TOO long since I blogged. It's certainly not because I haven't had anything to blog about...but rather because I haven't even had time to upload our latest pics of our boys...much less write something intelligent on our blog! Ty has turned 3, I have his 3rd Birthday pics coming soon. We had a fun Buzz Lightyear party which was a big hit among the town's 3 year old population. Sylas was in charge of entertainment so you can imagine how fun it was.

Ty's birthday party was just a few hours after Voddie Bauchom spoke at the High School here and over 200 people attended. It was amazing. God is so faithful -- this was a vision that Sylas had over a year ago. It took a year to plan it because when they began the meetings, Voddie didn't have any open dates for an entire year! Anyway all the work, planning, praying and preparing paid off. My heart rejoiced with the Truth that he preached. I only wish he could have stayed longer.

Kyle turns "6 months" old in 2 days!! I can't believe it! Jacob is absolutely loving preschool and he thinks that next month he goes to preschool. You can keep one of his teachers in your prayers...Mrs. Rojas. Her daughter was pregnant and had her baby yesterday -- at 25 weeks. He weighed less than two pounds and was airlifted to San Antonio after his birth. We are praying that he will come through this but they have given him a 50/50 chance of survival. That doesn't sound too promising...almost pointless to say it...50/50?? What hope does that give? Oh well, we know Who's decision it is so we are asking Him to bring that baby through this. It's a miracle that he even made it through the birth (they gave him a 3% chance of living through that). Anyway, keep them in your prayers. Sylas had the privilege of being invited into the NICU by the family (they are Catholic) to pray over the baby and then to pray over the mother.

We have some other very serious situations here in Eldo right now as well. Please pray for us as we counsel. I have an insatiable desire to know more of the Word of God -- a greater desire than I've ever had in my life. So I am learning to balance that with my other duties and delights. :) Jay Adams, John MacArthur and David Powlison have really helped me out with nouthetic counseling...not to mention Sylas Politte and Ryan Bebee.
Well, I guess I better head over to Wednesday night church. Sylas said there were 50 kids at the pole this morning so that's exciting. Hopefully they will be here tonight to hear the Word of God preached by my gifted husband.

Comments

OK for some reason I'm not getting the comments people are leaving on these last 2 posts. If you don't mind, try again...I'm trying to figure it out. Thanks!

Seeing With New Eyes

I am reading a book called Seeing With New Eyes: Counseling and the Human Condition Through the Lens of Scripture. It's a MUST read -- especially for people like Sylas and I who counsel on a weekly basis...if not daily. I wanted to blog some of the quotes I find especially great from the author, David Powlison.

On anger:

"When Paul writes, "Be angry, and yet do not sin" (Ps. 4:4; Eph. 4:26), he again shifts the direction of application in addressing a very different context. The original appeared as part of an extended meditation on stilling your heart into peace and trust, so that you would not sin when you are upset at the wrongdoing of God's enemies. The fresh restatement develops the necessity of dealing quickly with anger, primarily in the context of the remnant sins that can irritate and provoke those in Christ. It develops the devilish dimension, how unresolved anger plays into the divisive agenda of the accuser of the Brethren. It sets our dealing with anger in the larger context of "learning Christ" (Eph. 4:20), one piece of the transformation of our lives. Psalm 4:4 has been adapted to a larger vision. The quotation sparkles with new meanings, not contradictions."

The first chapter in this book is called Counsel Ephesians and he deals with the ways the book of Ephesians is sufficient to counsel with, saying "What a remarkable, provocative, and unusual door Ephesians opens into the rest of the Bible! The light of the Lord Jesus Christ and current ministry needs lead Paul to rework Scripture and put Scripture to work."

Powlison refers to the OT quotes in Ephesians (and the rest of the NT) as being "Christified" -- or seen in a new paradigm because of the birth, death and resurrection of Christ. Interesting, isn't it? I'm sure you seminary folk would get more out of this than I do. I have to sort through background noises such as Baby Einstein, pleas for milk and juice, and the phone ringing incessantly. :) It's not necessarily an 'easy read'...at least not for me. I'd love it if someone read it and reviewed it on the booked blog!! I highly recommend it!

The First Day of Pre-K

Well, I had all these ideas for an elaborate post on this momentous day in our lives. But it is now almost 1 am on the SECOND day of Pre-K and I just now uploaded all my pics. SO here are a couple pictures of Jacob's morning...

Sylas and I were both able to take Jacob to school because Cara is here. So she stayed with Kyle and Ty -- praise the LORD for that! I spent most of the morning being made fun of while I cried over Jacob's introduction to the real world. We took his backpack and supplies to the class room and then went to the cafeteria where they serve everyone breakfast. Jacob was thrilled to find blueberry muffins and cocoa puffs. I don't let the boys have that cereal because Ty plays 'Cocoa Puff Stomp' and grinds them into the carpet. So it was quite a treat. He was also thrilled that he got milk AND juice. We had a lesson on holding your tray at a 90 degree angle with your body -- not 45 degrees as he originally had it. I think he and Michael were making plans for after school.

When I asked him how his day went, he told me "We didn't learn anything about something." I figure that means he didn't learn anything significant. Then later he told Cara that they didn't teach him about God. I'm pretty thankful, however, that at least 5 of the kids in his class attend our church regularly. So all in all it was exciting and emotional. This final pic is Jacob and the young and beautiful Kiely. What a stud, right?? I'll blog more later. I'm pooped.

Jacob's All Growed UP

The chubby, mostly cranium infant we called 'Tubbies' will be heading off to pre-K in 9 days!!

I got a sitter last week and Jacob and I went shopping for school supplies. We had a great time. He's not at the age yet where he knows exactly what he wants, so we actually got out of Target for less than $25. I'm training him to be a bargain shopper. ;)


While we were shopping, we even took some fun 'extended-arm self portraits.'

Then on Thursday I took him out for some Pre-K Portraits. You can check them out here. Here's my personal favorite:

Abortion

Many of you know my heart yearns to begin some sort of crisis pregnancy center here in Eldorado. The purpose would be to minister to pregnant women here and in the surrounding areas. I had kind of put the idea on the back burner for now since I have my hands full with my precious boys. But tonight I was watching a video online that stirred up the passion in my heart to offer hope in the midst of a crisis pregnancy situation, with the main goal to be evangelism and abortion alternatives. I'm going to put a link to it on here but I want to warn you first. There are graphic pictures on this site of unborn children ripped from the womb. That is an understatement. I couldn't even watch the whole video -- honestly. I was weeping. I had to look away. This site seems to be dedicated to exposing abortion for what it truly is. Don't let your kids see this. But let the vulgarity of it create in you a passion for spreading the gospel and a love for life and for the grace of God despite the sin that is in us and is surrounding us.

www.abort73.com

Another Wild Weekend

Sylas took the youth to Rock the Desert in Midland, Texas this weekend and I sucked it up and stayed home with the boys. Little did I know, we would have an addition to our family for the weekend...Mr. Michael Creek. So the weekend turned into camp Politte. Friday we went to the snuggle factory and made animals. Best story from that place: You have to pick out a star and 'make a wish' and then put the star in the stuffing that goes into your animal. Ty's wish? "I wish we could just go home." Ya never know with that kid.



Then on Saturday I figured we better do something fun, so we got out the Creek's inflatable water slide. The thing is gigantic. The boys obviously had a blast. In the picture where Ty has the noodle -- I had told the boys to wrestle in the water and I would take pictures. So Ty picks up the noodle, smacks both Jacob and Michael in one swing then goes "I WIN!" We all got sunburns and had a blast! Kristin Mittel was my sidekick for the weekend -- I couldn't have done it without her!

New Pics

I've been anxious to share some new pics with all of you but I couldn't get my software to work with the camera/laptop setup I have. Ugh.

Anyway here are a couple pictures I took so that you could all get a taste of Eldorado.

This might be my favorite...only in Eldorado!! ;)





Eldorado sunset







A random, abandoned church building








That's it for now -- I have boys with swords and a hungry infant. More later...I'm sure the suspense is killing you.

Bring the Rain

So today has been a rather trying day for us. I will spare you the details in order to avoid a lot of sins that might occur if I blabbed the situation on a blog post. Let's just say that Sylas and I are facing some major decisions in our life. Sometimes I think about being responsible for three kids and caring for my husband and I still think I'm this little girl inside trying to act all grown up. Sometimes it works better than others ;)

I want to share the words to the chorus of Bring The Rain by Mercy Me. I realize that my trials are trivial in comparison to some of you - but this has helped me to refocus and has become the cry of my heart today:

Bring me joy
Bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings you glory

And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise you,
Jesus bring the rain.

I am yours regardless of
The clouds that may loom above
Because you are much greater than my pain
You who made a way for me
By suffering your destiny
So tell me what's a little rain

HOLY HOLY HOLY IS THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY


'nuff said

Picasso Politte

Tonight things have been insane getting ready for our girls retreat tomorrow. We leave at 9am tomorrow morning...which is actually only 8 1/2 hours away. But in the midst of it all, sweet Jacob drew me a picture. He said it's me and him with a heart between us. Being a mom brings me immeasurable joy....most of the time. ;)

A Public Service Announcement

I heard this on CBS or NBC or some network like that. This beautiful woman -- probably a famous person but I don't know her name -- fills the screen and confidently recites the following:

"You may not realize it, but everyone is born with their one true love, themselves. If you like you, everyone else will too."

Things that make you go hmmm. She's kinda right...in a weird way.

Ty's Little Eye

I have decided that this whole blog thing, coupled with myspace, facebook, weather radar and email, could potentially become a colossal waste of time. Although these days I don't have much free time so I have to use it wisely. I must admit I watch the weather radar and 'loop' it (animate it?? I don't know how to explain it...) between 3-4 times a day. Ryan shares the obsession, though, so I'm not alone.

OK, now that confessional is over, I must update you on our crazy little Tyman. He has a bite below his left eye and it has gotten progressively worse over the past couple of days. The first picture is from Sunday (day one) and the second is from earlier this evening. We've been asking him what happened...Last night, the story was "I got bit by a monster....in the backyard...and he looked like a mosquito." Then yesterday after church he told us that the church nursery lady "flicked him" and then spanked him. (Never would have happened) The best story, however, was today when he said "Um, it was the bears. They bit me on Monday night." He's hilarious. I'm not laughing at this point, however, because his eye is swelling rapidly and I am counting down to his dr's appt. at 9 in the morning.

I'll give an update tomorrow after the doctor.

I'll leave you with a pic of my hysterical husband who decided to 'ride bikes' this evening. I said "How many bikes do you plan on riding?" He didn't think it was funny. Especially because he got a flat tire about 30 seconds into it. HA! ;)

I DID IT!

I can't believe that actually posted with all the links and pics and everything. This was my first attempt with no help from the hubby. The only thing is, the pictures didn't come out positioned where I wanted them. Ty is in the gray shirt and Jacob is in the green polo. Kyle is obvious. :) Just thought you all might want to know (those of you who don't see us on a regular basis). Thanks for reading!!!!

Happy 7-7-07

SO I thought the day might go by without anything significant happening...then I remembered I had a blog!! Actually, I was finishing up my Sunday School lesson and I read a quote and thought "Man, if I had a blog, I would for sure put this on there." Then I remembered I had a blog!!

I will close with the quote but for now I figured you might all want an update on our family of FIVE. Kyle is doing amazingly well, considering Ty tries to squeeze every inch of his body at some point during each day. We are on 24/7 bodyguard duty when it comes to little Kyle!! I don't remember having to do that when Ty was born... :)



Jacob is going to start Pre-K in 5 weeks (but who's counting?)!!
He has a Pre-K wardrobe that is growing rapidly and tonight after his bath I heard him bragging to Ty "I'm going to PRE-K! I'm going to PRE-K" A few months ago I received a letter announcing the Pre-K objectives. I am happy to announce that Jacob has already mastered all ten of them. Let's pray he doesn't get bored and get into trouble.

Sylas is doing well now that things are finally slowing down a bit.
He was gone for a week at Pre-Teen camp in Abilene and then Kyle and I went with him to Youth Camp at Glorieta while my parents and Ryan and Sarah kept Jacob and Ty. Then we high-tailed it to Liberty Hill because we were both having withdrawals from missing the boys so much. We were thrilled to see them, and we spent the next 5 days celebrating July 4th with the Bebee family minus Cara. You can read about what she was doing here. You also might be interested to know about the american family reunion that my dad is heading up.

As for me, well, I'm trying to hold things together. Sylas and I make a good team with this parenting of 3 boys. It has it's moments when I think we'll never make it through the next few hours...but most of the time I'm overwhelmed with the understanding that we are blessed exceedingly abundantly above all we could ever ask for or imagine. I am also reading a book called The Joy of a Word Filled Family. It is so informative and encouraging. I am thankful for a husband who values this virtue so highly and supports my desires to discipline and teach according to the Word of God. So I will now close with a piece from the first Bible printed in Scotland in 1576:
Here is the spring where waters flow,
To quench our heat of sin:
Here is the tree where truth doth grow,
To lead our lives therein:
Here is the judge that stints the strife,
When men's devices fail:
Here is the bread that feeds the life
That death cannot assail.
The tidings of salvation dear,
Comes to our hears from hence:
The fortress of our faith is here,
And shield of our defense.
Then be not like the swine that hath
A pearl at his desire,
And takes more pleasure from the trough
And wallowing in the mire.
Read not this book in any case,
But with a single eye:
Read not but first desire God's grace,
To understand thereby.
Pray still in faith with this respect,
To bear good fruit therein,
That knowledge may bring this effect,
To mortify your sin.
Then happy you shall be in all your life,
What so to you befalls:
Yes, double happy you shall be,
When God by death you calls.

So I got a 'pregnancy ticker' online tonight and wanted to see if it works. No chance I'll have a bald baby, but it will be fun to watch him move closer to the finish line. Meanwhile my belly moves closer to the keyboard. :)