Cole Thinks He's the Boss

Cole sometimes tries to talk to us like we talk to him.  Earlier he was bossing my around and when I informed him that he wasn't the boss he said calmly, "I'm sorry, but I just wish you would listen."  Then, when Brad stopped playing with him, Cole started giving his dad "choices". 

Cole is a White Belt!

Cole was invited by Grayson to Karate.  He gets to go one month for free so we can see how he likes it. This is at the end of the class when he received his belt.

This was a game they played at the end of class.

These were some drills they were doing.

He's not in preschool so I was worried he may not listen and follow directions very well, but he's been doing great. He stands in line, yells "Yes Sir!", and does just what Mr. Trey says. He seems to really like it.

Last Saturday Cole was asking Mr. Trey a lot of questions like, "Why is there tape on the floor, have you tried everything in here, and are you the boss?"  When Mr. Trey answered that, yes he was the boss, a cute little guy standing behind Cole says, "Hey, I thought my mom was the boss!"  Then Cole said, "Which one is your mom?" 

Later a little boy,  who was a brother of one of the students and was probably two, ran onto the mat.  Cole raised his hand and said, "Mr. Trey, that short guy didn't bow before he came on the mat." 

Luckily Mr. Trey and his assistants are super patient  and great with the kids.

 Here Cole is trying to break a board with his foot.  He's already learned quite a bit and he's only been to 3 lessons.

 Since he finished his 3rd class today he earned his belt.

 And even though he did whatever Mr. Trey asked, whenever I asked to take a picture of him this is what I got. 

It's so adorable to watch him and is good for him too.  Hopefully he'll stick with it.

Happy Birthday Justin

 Justin came to Seneca Elementary part way through his kindergarten year.  He was one of the angriest little guys I had ever seen.  He hated everyone and everything and didn't mind telling you about it.  I fell in love with him immediately and introduced him to my mom and dad.  That was 14 years ago.  

Many of you know the rest of the story.  My parents adopted him through foster care.  We never even met his biological parents, but we have learned a lot about them.  I'm a person who easily forgives, but I've had to pray a lot about his parents. The damage they did to him from the time he was in the womb, until he was taken from them at age 5 is unrepairable.  He has dealt with so much and still has to make a conscious effort every day to fight those evils.  

 This January 15th he will turn 20.  We aren't sure what his adult life will be like.  We desperately want him to live life to his fullest, but still unsure what he can handle.  When you think of Justin or our family, pray for him right then, at that moment.  We love him so much.  Happy Birthday Just!

Zoe's Room Makeover

Zoe wanted her room to look "homey". 

 Nana, Zoe, and I went shopping Thursday.  It was fun picking out things for her room.

 She had got some things for Christmas and many things we reused (like Blake's futon). 

 Of course the dog picture was all her idea! 

It turned out super cute and is currently the cleanest and most comfortable room in the house.  I may start hanging out in here all the time!

Sometimes You Need God...and Mom!

Cole is scared to be in a room very long by himself.  I have talked to him about how God is always with him so he doesn't need to be afraid.  This morning he was in the kitchen eating some oranges and kept yelling, "Mom, come here!"  I finally went in the kitchen and said, "Cole, why do you need me in here?"  He answered, "I don't want to be in here with just God."