Win, Lose, or Draw?

It was a DRAW!

Not bad considering my son hasn't played chess in a couple of years!!

HAPPY 9TH BIRTHDAY, ELI!

Eli, my third child, is turning 9 years old today!

Wow...where did the time go?

Ever since he was a baby, he had the sweetest disposition. He hardly whined, he never complained, he loved to cuddle, and he just melted your heart with his "smiley eyes."

Here you are, almost at one year old. So sweet! (I had to scan this photo).

When you meet him, you know there is something special. He is ALWAYS looking for the positive in any situation, and genuinely cares for the people he meets. I still remember when he was around 6 years old, his Sunday school teacher would tell me that he was such a blessing in the class because he would not goof off with the other kids. He'd start drawing and that would attract all the boys to him because they were curious about what he was doing.

He's polite, sincere, a leader, sensitive, artistic, smart, loving, creative, and a good friend. Most of all, he loves the Lord! He does not hold back his faith, and will ask questions now and then that will baffle us!

I just pray that we continue to train him up in the Lord, and that God will use him mightily for His kingdom!!

Eli at day camp, doing what he loves the most!

Happy Birthday, my sweet son! You bless us more than you know!

FRIENDS FOR LIFE

My 8 (almost 9) year old son, Eli probably has one of the most gentlest and sweetest dispositions. For some reason, out of all my children, people are drawn to him the most. Believe me when I say that I'm not boasting about him, but it's so funny to hear how many people have said that they want to take him home with them, or they will whisper to me that he is their favorite. I totally don't get offended and think, "Well, what about the other ones?!" We have accepted that there really is something special about him. Not that our other kids aren't, but we feel that the Lord really has a special calling on his life. We don't know what it is yet, but I know that he has a way of turning anything negative into a positive, and really makes me think twice about something I've said, or just my "attitude" in general! He's not one of those kids who is nice to your face and sneaky behind your back. He's a good friend to everyone he meets, and he also knows how to interact with adults! And who said that homeschooled kids were not socialized? Okay..that's a totally different post altogether..hehe.

There IS a point to this post...I promise!!

One of Eli's best friends is named Keith. They have been friends before they could even talk. Well, recently, he was bitten by a big dog and was hurt pretty bad. When my husband told Eli what happened to Keith, the tears immediately started flowing. He assured him he was okay, but I can just picture him thinking of his little friend and how scared he must have been, and that it could have turned out a lot worst if his brothers weren't there.

This is Keith & Eli back when they both just turned 5 years old! My favorite picture of them together!

I told Eli that he should make him a card, so he made one for him the other night. It was so cute, that I wanted to share it with you!

This is the front of the card!


And this is what is on the inside. On the top left, he wrote, "This is you in the future Keith!!!" Then there you see the muscle guy he drew underneath, and next to that he wrote, "Your like President to me." And finally, you can read what he wrote on the right.

MY LIL' PICASSO AT WORK AGAIN

Lisa at Family Life started this fun meme on Tuesday's called "Kids Got Talent." I wanted to participate in it because I think it's a great way to share the different gifts that God has blessed our children with!! So, if you would like to join in on the fun, just click here!

Here is another painting Eli finished yesterday. I've been anxiously waiting to see what the next painting was going to be of. I love it! Makes me want to go on vacation! Again..props to Miss Heather for being such a wonderful art teacher!! I think I have enough paintings to open a mini art gallery!

MY PICASSO DOES IT AGAIN!

My son finished this painting the other day. I never know what he's working on till he's done and gets to take it home. We're so blessed by his teacher, Heather! She told me one day that Eli should continue to take art even when he's older because he has potential to go further. Who knows, he may support us one day..LOL!

If you would like to see his other painting that I posted, you can click here.