No Givsies Backsies!

Landon has a problem keeping his hands to himself at school. He likes to play fight with the other boys, but with a tough Daddy that likes to play rough at home, he has a hard time not playing so rough at school. As a result, we are working on this since he tends to get a color change to "Yellow" that usually includes a note that states: Landon could not keep his hands to himself today, Landon punched a kid today outside playing Star Wars, etc. All this to say, a week that results in all "Green" is one to be celebrated.

Last week was an all "Green" week and so I gave him a dollar to buy ice cream on Monday. He was stoked! This morning I remembered that I forgot to ask him about the ice cream. Here was the conversation:

Me: Hey Bubby! I forgot to ask you about the ice cream on Monday. Did you buy some with your dollar?
Landon: They didn't have ice cream, so I got pudding.
Me: Awesome! You love pudding.
Landon: Yes, but she didn't give it back to me.
Me: She didn't give what back to you?
Landon: My dollar. She didn't give it back to me. That's not very nice.
Me: Well, you paid her the dollar and she gave you the pudding. That's called "buying."
Landon: Well, I don't like buying. She took my money and now I don't have any.
Me: Well, you don't have any money left, but you got pudding.
Landon: Oh man! {frowns} Now I don't have any pudding either. I ate it all. So now I don't have any dollars or pudding. That's so mean.
Me: Welcome to the world of commerce!
Landon: Wait... I thought we lived in the world of Rockwall?!

Have a Happy Wednesday! 

And So it Begins...

It's been a month or so since I've posted. So sorry! I will begin with a Landonism from this morning:

Landon: Mom, why do you work at the church?
Me: Because that's the job and career I've chosen. Why?
Landon: Well, I think you need to work at my school. As a Janitor.
Me: {laughing} Oh, ok. Why is that?
Landon: Because you're a good cleaner. And the janitors at my school just pile stuff up. And you hate piles of stuff. You would be a good janitor.

That boy cracks me up!

Ok, moving on. If you are just recently following me, you may not be aware that Bret had re-enlisted back into the military (Army, this time) back in May of last year. He is Army Reserves (for the time being) and is a Medic. He was gone for 2 months last year for his Warrior Training in Oklahoma. Now, he is leaving again for Fort Knox, Kentucky for more training. He will be gone for another 2 months- beginning this coming Sunday. And then shortly after his return, he will deploy with his battalion for a year. For some reason, I have been so focused on getting care of the kids in the summer, Girl Scout stuff, work, and other random things that I don't really have any emotions going on right now about it. I am a very fearless person. I don't worry about things. I never have. I don't fear much. I never have. Maybe it's because of my Lion personality, maybe it's my life experiences, maybe it's how God wired me knowing how my life would play out. Whatever the reason, I am pretty neutral. And I am thinking a cry session is coming. Not for fear or stress or worry. But, just that I am going to miss him terribly. Oh, how I am going to miss him.

I googled "Prayers for Safety" and found some prayers on the Catholic.org site. I am not a Catholic, but these prayers say what I can't put into words. I felt them appropriate, not only for Bret, but for those he leaves behind in Rockwall. If you will join me in praying these prayers, I would greatly appreciate it.

For Bret and the other soldiers:
Almighty and eternal God,
those who take refuge in you will be glad
and forever will shout for joy.
Protect these soldiers as they discharge their duties.
Protect them with the shield of your strength
and keep them safe from all evil and harm.
May the power of your love enable them to return home
in safety, that with all who love them,
they may ever praise you for your loving care.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

For me and my kids: 
God of all goodness,
Look with love on those who wait
for the safe return of their loved ones
who serve in the armed forces of their country.
In faith and hope, we turn to you for comfort.
Grant that we may trust in your mercy
and send an angel to sustain us as we await their safe return.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.