Texas Football

It isn't any secret that Texas is serious about football, which makes this family fit right in here in Dallas. I know my next door neighbors can hear Justin yelling during a Cowboy game (Several years ago I gave up trying to tell him that they can't hear him through the tv--that didn't go over very well...and it's not "we" if it were "we'd" be a lot richer--don't tell these things to your husband, especially during a game); Jed will do any amount of homework to get to play Maddin '10, can tell you any statistic of any player who played this past weekend, and lives for his 4 hour intense practices plus a game each week; and Judson who doesn't go anywhere without a Cowboy jersey and his helmet. One would think that we were born and bred in Texas. Like I said, we fit right in.
Well, tonight as I as dropping Justin off for his last Varsity football game at Wylie Prep (he was the Jr. High coach and got to help coach the varsity team) we noticed a team having a bit of a pep rally. As we drove closer we see that it is the Colts from Jed's league. The Colts were undefeated last year, won the superbowl, and had been undefeated until the Steelers (Jed's team) dismantled them earlier this season. This DEVASTED the Colts. We later beat them again in overtime. Thus, bringing them their only 2 losses in 2 years.....needless to say, they don't care for the Steelers too much! Tomorrow, we (the Steelers) meet up with the Colts again for the third time this season. As we drove by the pavillion we see that the Colts have huge banners stating the how great they are and how they are going to win tomorrow...then we see it--a stuffed steeler hanging by its neck from the roof of the pavillion. Oh, let me tell you that got my blood pumpin'! I said, "Jed do you see that....boy you better get your game on tomorrow, you will NOT let that team beat you guys!" We drop Justin off, then turn around (it was much too cold and wet for me to be out there when one of my own wasn't playing) and I pull over and make Jed and Blakley hop out and take pics of them with my phone. I texted them to our coach--to get his blood boiling like mine is. He asks if I was sure it was a "steeler lynching" and not just a football pinata-yes, sir, I do believe it was a steeler lynching.

I have several emotions going through me about this--here are my top 2:
1) Seriously, these boys are THIRD GRADERS ya'll, let's not teach them to be so mean, angry, competitve so early in life--let them play some football and have a good time--they're not being scouted out just yet (except we ARE in Texas, so I could be wrong on this one)
2) Out of the other side of my mouth--I say, boy if you guys are going to go to that much trouble because you are so distraught about losing to us twice--then BRING IT ON COLTS~ we are ready for you!!! (Oh yeah, I forgot to mention at Tuesdays practice who showed up and practiced right next to us--the Colts. Jed said that coach changed practice so we wouldn't work on any offense since the Colts stooped low enough to practice next to them to steal our plays....) ahh, my blood is still boilin'!
Come on guys it is just football~I'll let you know how the game turns out:)

GO STEELERS!

Here's the secret spy shots me and Jed got--I felt a little sneaky, but I just couldn't believe it, no that you can even tell b/c we were shaking (from the cold and shock of it all! ) If you look super carefully in the middle you can see the doll hanging from the roof....crazy!

Who Are You, And What Have You Done With My Son?

Last week Justin was questioning what all I was teaching Jed. Then the conversation came up about his reading. Last year, reading was hard for him. It didn't come easily, and his 20 minutes a night of reading was like pulling teeth with no toothfairy money to look forward to. Jed's curriculum has a LOT of reading in it, so even though in the back of my mind I was thinking he needs to be reading books, I figured he was reading a ton--to me and silently--that he was doing "enough". Well, after J and I conversed over Jed's "schooling" I started googling books 2nd graders like. Over and over again The Magic Treehouse series came up. I remember my neighbor mentioning she had #1 her daughter had gotten as a present and wasn't able to read it yet, so I called her, she brought it over, and within 24 hours he had read the whole book. I also found a website that has activities and tests over each book with a "passport" he can earn if he passes the comprehension test (kinda like Accelerated Reader Points). He took the first test, passed and printed out his "reward". Since then (one week) we have been to the library, gotten him his very own library card and he has read #1-5 and passed all the tests! In one week! This little guy is on fire! Today, we returned the books he's read and checked out the next 6 books in the series. I am hoping this will last us a couple of weeks, but at the rate he's going, we'll be back at the library by Monday!
Who is this child, and what has he done with my son??? :)

Jedidiah

Sometimes kids are just too funny. Jed has become so funny lately. First, Justin and I thought it was nerdy homeschool boy...but he really is funny.

Tonight we took a movie back that we had rented for the girls, then on to Braum's for the kids to use their "free ice cream" coupons for memorizing their verses in Sunday School. The following are bits and pieces of the car ride:

1. Jed talking on the phone to Papa..."What? Papa I can't hear you..." "mom, something is wrong, I can't hear pa...oh, maybe it's because I have the phone upside down" (he was not even trying to be funny which makes it more funny to me)

2. On our way home from Braum's had top 40 songs on from 2006. Number 1 song comes on...Sexyback by Justin Timberlake. Judson starts dancing and me and Justin start singing (even though I really don't know the words) Jed goes, "Hey, I LIKE this song!"..."I wish I could snap"
at the end of the song JT says "are you ready" Jed enthusiastically replies, "YEAH, I'm ready!"

He said a lot more funny things today--on our way to church, but I can't remember them now, I guess I was still thinking about those 10 pounds and how I couldn't breathe in my pants!

Daddy's Blood

Last night Justin went to the Cowboy game and then spent the night with a buddy in the City, so that he could get 3 hours of sleep instead of 2 hours before having to be at his new job at UPS at 3:15 this morning. Whenever Justin is gone, Jed loves to sleep with me--that is our special "thing". Anyway, if you've read previous posts you know Jed is now all about football and ALL ABOUT the Dallas Cowboys, so I promised him if he took a good Sunday afternoon nap I'd let him lay in Mommy and Daddy's bed and watch the game. He did, so about the 3rd quarter, I walk in to tuck him into my bed, and notice that the sheet and blanket are at the bottom of the bed and the comforter is up covering him. I explain to him that this could very well be one of my biggest pet peeves (right up there with leaving cabinet doors open) and I showed him how to keep all the covers neat and orderly. He listens then grins and says, "Mom, does Dad mess up the covers like I did"? "

"Yes, he does and it drives me nuts!"

"Then I must have Daddy's blood!"

yeah son, you do, and I'm realizing you have a lot more than I thought you did! :)

Jed's 1st Day of School Pics

Getting loaded up--he has a special place for his lunchbox, and I did not put it in the right place!
Monkey Bread

Outside his classroom door Locker inside the room

His desk--happens to be right next to the teacher (do you think she already knows something?!?)

Monday August 27, 2007

6:30am: "Jed, it's time to get up Buddy. Today's your big day!" says Daddy as he rubs Jed's back to awaken him out of his deep slumber.

"What, now, this early?" Jed replies moaning.

"Yes, now, it is time. From here on out--school or work--probably the rest of your life--you'll be getting up early," Daddy sweetly replies.

Jed sits up, rubs his eyes, looks toward the window that shows no signs of sunlight coming through yet and states, "I just don't understand it. It can't be time, why do we have to go this early?"

Mommy and Daddy giggle, they don't understand it either. They would rather still be in their cozy bed as well....

Thus began the first day of school. Jed's first real get up, dressed, teeth brushed, breakfast ate, and out the door day of school. This was a big day for us Edgar's as I home schooled him last year for Kindergarten (which I loved by the way--but through circumstances felt he was to go to public school this year).

We began the day with fresh Monkey Bread (because his classroom is decorated as a safari theme and his name on the classroom door happens to be on a monkey--so why would we NOT have Monkey Bread.) Then vitamins, and a family prayer--which is when my tears began to well up--my little boy.
Jed and I loaded his lunch and backpack in the van and off we went. After finally finding a parking place (as each parent of the 800+ students escorted their child in this morning) we walked in to the great school, everyone a flutter with the first day of school jitters. Many moms with cameras, Dads with video cameras, and children dressed to a tee, hair all neatly in place, new shoes squeaking down the halls, big smiles, and wide eyes ready for a new year of learning, growing, and making memories with friends yet to be made. My tummy jumped as I walked in, a fraction of my heart longs to be there-teaching, but only a small fraction as I would not trade my time at home with my kids for anything--I have plenty of time for teaching later.
Jed's class has already left the gym, so we quickly walk to his room where he puts his backpack and lunch in his own locker (so cool--lockers acually inside the classroom!) takes his water bottle (insulated, so that it does not sweat on the desk), sits down and quietly gets to work on his seat work--my heart swells with pride. I quickly snap a few photos, and go to kiss him goodbye. As I tell him 'bye, have a great day, I will miss you, can I have a kiss goodbye....' He bows his head shaking it 'no'. And there it is--my little boy just grew up a bit, too embarassed to kiss Mommy goodbye. As I walked out of the classroom, one more quick photo of the whole room, I am at peace. He is going to have a great year, with lots of new friends and a lifetime of memories of First Grade!

The girls and I made him a Pencil Cake that said Happy First Day of 1st Grade for his afternoon snack, you can tell by the pics that the icing melted fast, but he obviously loved it. He had a great day, smiled big when we asked if he made friends, then asked if he could buy chocolate milk for lunch the next day. He fell fast asleep by 8:00 and still didn't understand this morning why school starts so early....

6 Years And A Whole Lotta Life Later

Today Jed is 6 years old. I know that 6 really isn't that old in the grand scheme of things, but when Justin teasingly said that 1/3 of his life living at home is gone, I couldn't help but get sad. 6 years has flown by. Since Jed's birth we have lived in 3 states, 5 houses/apartments, 4 jobs and have had 3 more children. That's a whole lotta life right there! What is sad is that it feels like we have slowed down a lot, but the fact is, life is just now starting to "happen"! We are gearing up for another move (thankfully in the same state), new jobs and back to school for Justin--sometimes I feel we are moving backwards instead of forwards.

Back to Jed: this week he got his first loose tooth, and I cried. He has been anxiously waiting for this huge milestone in his life to happen (all his friends have started loosing teeth--hence the anxiety) When I asked them what they thought the Toothfairy does with all the teeth, Jed thought she builds her castle with them, Jadyn thinks she keeps them all in a buried treasure. Then I asked how much money they thought she leaves, Jed was absolutely certain she leaves $1,000.00. However, Jadyn thinks she only leaves 5 pennies. I tried to convince them that a dollar would be a great amount--Jed was stuck on that thousand though! (oh, will he be surprised!) He has grown up into a boy. His long, lean frame shows no more signs of chubby, cuddly baby fat. His facial features are distinct, and his sense of humor is sadly maturing. He now loves to stay up late and watch "that funny show" with Daddy. (thankfully, he doesn't get why everyone laughs, but just enjoys laughing when everyone else laughs--I remember doing the same thing watching Johnny Carson in my parents room when I was his age) He is now at the age that he will make memories--he will remember where we lived, certain friends, places we go....This makes me want to make thoses memories happy ones for him--as they will be a part of who he grows up to be. How I need to remember that his experiences and the words I choose to use, or more important the tone I chooseto use, will all be a part of how he is molded into the man he will be. By the grace of God, I pray for my oldest son: that he will be a man of Godly character, a man of integrity, a heart to love even the unlovely, to give above and beyond what is expected because he desires to bless those around him, a man who values what God values who has a passion for the lost, one who has an incredible relationship with his family, his brother and sisters, who will honor and love his wife above all other earthly things; and will have a heart to love and have a relationship like no other with his children.

Happy Birthday Jedidiah! I love you!
Mommy

Sign Language

Well, I mentioned it last week and sure enough this week wasn't any different--just a different kid. Monday morning Jed woke up not feeling well. We had just got back in town--the kids spent the weekend at my in-laws and I figured that he was just totally worn out from playing outside for 4 days with his cousins. By noon his fever was high and he was obviously really sick. Of course, the doctor was closed for lunch so at 1:15 I got a hold of the nurse who I was hoping would just send a prescription in for me (as I thought he had a sinus infection), luckily, she thought Dr. Gray needed to see him, so I texted Justin (who was in staff meeting) and he snuck out during prayer in order that I would not have to wake 2 of the other 3 from their naps to haul them all in to the dr. office. At this time, Jed was moaning and very convincingly telling me that he could in no way walk and would need to be carried. (this put no doubt in my mind that he IS his father's son--I felt like I was taking care of Justin when he is sick--praise God Justin is rarely sick because it literally WEARS me out!) I get Jed to the Dr. and he is broken out in goosebumps and is hovering at a 102.9 degree fever. The nurse immediately gives him motrin and has him lie down to bring the fever down. We finally see the Doctor, go down stairs to get the throat culture--which I already knew was going to be positive because Jed gets a very distinct smell when he has strep and I smelled it carrying him (all 50 pounds I found out when he was weighed) through the parking garage,up the elevator to cross the skybridge, in the elevator back to the 2nd floor, and down the hall to Dr. Gray's office. So, we have the prescription sent to Walgreens, get back to the van and head to Sonic (a tradition after a visit to the doctor). Later that night, Jed's ear starts causing significant pain. I call my best friend at 10:30 pm (who else would you call at 10:30 at night?) and she leaves ear drops in her mail box, being as her daughter just had an ear infection. So, I send my wonderful husband--who snuck out of his staff meeting early, to Kristen's house at 11:15 at night (we had a couple over that we are conducting premarital counseling with) to retrieve the ear drops so that Jed would not be screaming all night. As I was holding Jed on the couch with him every few minutes grabbing his ear and moaning, he looked up at me and in his most calm voice and matter of factly he says, "Mom, I guess I am going to have to learn sign language." After a little giggle that he would think of such a thing, my heart broke. He was so calm and in his little mind he thought that he was never going to be able to hear again and he was ok with that. That's my boy~such a tender heart, so brave and strong. It is days like this that I am proud to be a mom. To comfort, love, and hold--when all they want is to be held (or carried) by their Mommy--life is good, God is good, I am blessed.

Tunnel Rat does it....

My son goes through phases about as often as our family of 6 goes through toilette paper. I think it started with Buzz Lightyear when he was 2 years old. EVERYTHING was Buzz. He dressed like Buzz, talked like Buzz....then on to Spiderman, next was Batman, Peter Pan, Captain Hook, Hans Solo (don't even know if that's how you spell it), Darth Vader, Spider Man again, Batman again, Jack Sparrow, Ninja Turtles (thanks a lot McDonald's!) and now G.I. Joe. Today, he is Tunnel Rat--whoever that is. I find myself no longer worrying if who he is pretending to be is a good guy or a bad guy, because I know tomorrow it will be on to a new character. There was a time that I stressed over Jed wanting to be a bad guy, or even worse wanting a figurine that was one of the bad guys. I particularly remember a conversation with Justin about this. I was very distraught over Jed's begging for a Green Goblin Figure at Target. He assured me that it was fine for Jed to have the bad guys, because he had to have someone to fight and be a superhero for. (oh, the joys of boyhood) I realized that, even though I didn't like it, he DID need someone to conquer.

This afternoon, as I was feeding Judson, Jed came running in from the backyard with sweat dripping EVERYWHERE. He had that lovely sweaty boy smell, that could make you nautious if you got too close. He was in shorts and a t-shirt, but also adorned a camoflauge ski mask and spy glasses. Mind you, it is over 80 degrees here in Lubbock today. As I stared at him for the split second he ran through the living room, I yelled out something to the effect of --"JEEEDDD". His response, "Mom, Tunnel Rat does it!" (whoever THAT is!)

Never a dull moment at the Edgar House!!!