How Could I Forget??

Kendal's First Dip in the Atlantic Ocean.


Look at that face. He used to love the swings at the park- No matter how cold.


I love this picture of him in time out. He still hates to sit.


Oh, how he loves things that fly. This helicopter was his favorite color. He was in heaven.

Snowy days are all about fun with Kendal. He loves to just be a boy. He's just one great kid!!

WOW!! I feel like the best mom ever...forgetting to create a birthday blog for our oldest son on his birthday. I cannot believe it. Well, knowing myself, as I do, I can believe it, I would just hope I wouldn't.

Kendal Noel Bryan was born in Wauwatosa, WI in April 1st, 2003, just 9 months after Cameron and I got married. Yep, we got plenty of eyebrow lifts from this phenomenon even though he was 5 3/7 weeks early. He was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. And so so so very tiny. At just over 5 pounds, there was not a whole lot to him.

I remember when we were driving home from the hospital, I told Cameron not to drive too fast, as though slow driving would protect him from everything. It is so crazy to think that was 6 years ago. He has grown to be some kid. He is bright and inquisitive and all his own person. He is going to grow up to do great things. I have no doubt in my mind!!

Well, here's to six more, Kendal!! We love you so!!

The Good Samaritan

In January, we made a pact with our good friends and neighbors (the Lasleys) that each Monday night we would take turns thinking of FHE for our families so that we could encourage each other not to miss. Well, we haven't missed once this year, I am happy to report, even when our children did not create the most optimal learning environment.

This night we had all had a long day, and the Lasley's decided to call it a night. I thought it would be great to still have FHE, but SHORT and SWEET...and SHORT!! So we acted out the story of the Good Samaritan from the Bible.

The kids really enjoyed it. I was surprised that they wanted to take a part, and which part they chose. Avery wanted to be the man who was beaten, and Kendal wanted to be the good Samaritan(before he changed his mind to Levite).

I got to bandage Avery and tell them how important it is to watch for people around us who need help and to be strong enough to help them, even if our friends won't. Sometimes we might be the only ones who will help, but we need to help anyway.

I don't think I will ever know how much FHE really teaches them. Sometimes I think they haven't heard a word of it. I do hope someday, when my children get the chance, they will do what is right, because they heard about a hurt someone on the side of the road and a man who picked him up and took care of him. I hope my kids will choose the way of the Good Samaritan, not because of the good FHE lesson, but because my kids are just genuinely GOOD. I pray and believe they truly are.