Would You Take Marriage Advice From This Kid?

Mad & Jake were watching an episode of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" yesterday. The couple getting the new home were also treated to a wedding in Paris. The couple had written their own wedding vows for the ceremony. Jacob, becoming very concerned and alarmed by the exchange, turned to ask me as I walked by, "I'm not gonna have to say those compromises when I get married, am I?! I can't say those compromises!!"

Trying not to choke on my drink, I laughed and asked, "Do you mean their vows? They are saying their wedding vows."

He replied, "Yeah, I don't want to write my own vows. I won't know what to say! And, I am not kissing either!!"

VOWS = COMPROMISE!!

Little does he know that he is wise beyond his years for an 8-year-old!!!
(I'll remind him of this little equation in about 20 years!!)

I Tell You: She's Mad!

A couple of days ago, I overheard the kids playing downstairs. In the midst of the action, Jacob stopped to announce: "I know why they named you 'Maddie' -- because you are MAD!!" This, of course, was followed by maniacal laughter from his sister.

This is my firstborn. She lives up to all the common birth order stereotypes. She's a leader. She's a watchdog. She's zeroed in on all things fair. She's a mother hen - she loves little kids. She must have her 2 cents added to all discussions. She reminds me of me when I was her age!

She offered this observation over the weekend: "I don't know how I'd ever survive solitary confinement. I'd have no one to talk to but the walls!" I am glad to know that she would try to make the most of the situation!! ;-)

Compassionate. Loving. Goofy. Creative. Intelligent. Voracious reader! Kind. Funny. Memory like an elephant! Dramatic. Giggles constantly. Dances like Elaine! Inquisitive. Imaginative. Talkative. Loves Jesus! Loyal. Opinionated. Quirky. Heart full of joy!

I love my Madeline! Maddie Moo! MadHatter!

Hilltop "Icebreaker" Bound!

Camp time! This time was Jacob's turn. He set off on Sunday to Hilltop Christian Camp for his very first "away from home" trip! He had been looking forward to it for a long time. Here he is all packed and ready to go:

Daddy and Jacob took off for the "Dorm on the Hill" to find his room and unpack and make his bed while I got him checked in. (This picture melts my heart! My big boy!) Plus, that's a LOT of stuff for a 3-day, 2 night stay. He packs like his momma!

All set in his top bunk! We let him pick out new sheets for camp: Cowboys!

When we got to camp, we discovered two of Jacob's good friends & neighbors, Hope and Hailey were there too! He was so glad to see them!

Ross made a new friend too! He got to hold little Miss Ashley! She went right to him and let him hold her for longer than 5 seconds (my current record!) She LOVES Maddie too and lets Mad tote her around all the time. I just haven't won her over yet. Ross must have what it takes!

She's just about the cutest baby EVER! -- besides my own! Here's Maddie giving Jacob some last minute camp advice! She's quite the veteran camper and can't wait to become a camp counselor in a couple of years!
The kids get "mail" at camp too! One of the funniest things from the week was one of the cards that Maddie wrote to Jacob with her wise advice:

"Dear Jacob,

This is a letter of advice that you should follow:

1. Be nice
2. Respect your elders
3. Eat your veggies
4. Have fun
5. Make new friends
6. Don't eat the crawdads!
7. Take showers
8. Don't push anyone off the bridge to their death in the creek.
9. Pay attention so that you learn more about Jesus
10. Don't eat too much from the Canteen"

She's full of camping wisdom! (thankfully, he did heed #8!)

So, we picked him up on Tuesday evening. He was none the worse for wear. He had a great week making new friends and learning more about turning to Jesus 24/7!

He's looking forward to spending a whole week at Hilltop next year!

Movie Time

Well, we've lived in Bloomington for 10 years now and, for the first time, ventured over to the Starlite Drive-In to catch a flick with the kiddos! What fun! We can't wait to go again!!

(Note: Jacob had just finished a steak dinner before we left and claimed, "I am SO stuffed!" What's the first thing he said when we got to the drive-in? "Can I get some popcorn?" I don't know where he puts it!)