All grown up, (kinda)

Last night Leah had a forensics thing at school. Her and approximately 10 others were selected to read and act out their forensics poem in front of friends and family. So as all these ladies and 1 boy :) (girls are more dramatic than boys, go figure) got up to do their poems I realized, Leah and her friends aren't little girls anymore. What happened?!?!? They all had their hair done, nice clothes, and looked like ladies, not the little girls in my head. We know they'll all grow up, sometimes it just hits ya like a slap in the face.
Speaking of slaps in the face, Steve and I have a "bedtime routine" we have done with the girls for 12 years. Last week Megan told Steve she was "all set." Steve came out and said, "I don't know what I did to Megan but she's all set." So I went and talked to Megan and said, "what's up?" She explained to me half of her class doesn't get tucked into bed at night and pray with their parents. She's getting to old for it. WELL WELL WELL!! 1st I got all teary eyed and Megan started laughing :) "Are you crying?!" Then I calmly explained to her not all parents are as cool as hers, and who wouldn't want cool parents to put them to bed. She laughed and is entertaining us by letting us put her to bed. hehe I really enjoy the ages of Leah and Megan. You can talk to them, reason with then, laugh. And they know the consequences of their actions. It makes the crazy times easier. The other 3 are still in the "learning" stages of their actions. It takes alot more energy. Good thing we are up for the challenge.

1 John 4: 12 "No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us."

This verse reminded me of last week. I went to drop off donuts for the girls. They were in chapel. My children have been in school for many years and I have never been to chapel, that's no good. But I heard the singing coming down the halls, so I was drawn to listen. WOW, a gym full of children praising God, together. Loudly and beautifully, the energy was instantly transferred to me as well. Obviously we all have our down times but if we could live with that energy life would take on a whole new meaning. Get rid of the negativity and turn things positive. It's been a fun week to get to see the kids at school more. When Leah was young I did more at school. As the kids get added on, and Brooke gets to stay home, I don't seem to get there as much. Tomorrow I'm off with Ashley's class on a field trip. We'll see what God has in store with a bunch of 1st graders. I guarantee there will be lots of laugh and noise :)