Tea with Milk and Sugar

Today Joseph Jr. and Jordan made a huge fort in the living room, utilizing every pillow, cushion and blanket.  They first made signs and drew up blueprints for how they wanted it to look.  My job… to keep King Kong (Violet) from destroying the “clubhouse” by keeping her interested in other things.  During the construction Jordan somehow really hurt his back, probably jumped and then slipped by the fireplace because three vertebrates are scraped badly and it has a large red mark around these.  He came in with a small whimper and I assumed they had a scuffle about whose building plans to use, which had been the case earlier.  Without listening to him I told him to just sit down a minute and take a quick break from the fort since they are having a tough time.  He of course didn’t like that so ever quick on his feet replied “Oh I’m just crying because I love God so much.  I just love God SO MUCH it makes me cry.”  And off he went in happy victory.  And yes I did hear him whisper “hey Joseph know why I’m crying?  I told Mommy I love God so much.  Look at my back.”  Joseph “oh yuck! MOMMY did you see Jordan’s back?” which is when I got to see the injured and feel guilty for my hasty response to his whimper.  My kids respond to pain and other things so differently that I’m still learning to not assume. 

This boy makes us laugh so much.  When Joseph Sr. told him he was leaving in the morning for Florida Jordan said with eagerness and joy “Daddy if you die, I’ll get a stepdaddy!”  We had been studying Abraham Lincoln and he had a great stepmom.

Violet said her first from the heart prayer last night.  She has been moved from her crib to her toddler bed and was struggling with the weight of responsibility that comes with new freedom.  She cried as if to say “mama, there are no bars to keep me here!”.  I did my best to settle her down and then said “let’s pray” because that usually helps her when she’s upset.  She said loudly “No.”  So I went on “Jesus, thank you for this day and for Violet.  Give her good rest  and good dreams.  Amen.”  To which she shut her eyes tightly and lowered her head and with great sincerety and faith said “Jesus!  Cake ah mama, ah cake, la cake, ah mama cake! Amen.”  I had made a chocolate cake earlier in the week that she really enjoyed.  Her prayer was answered today when I treated Joseph Jr. to doughnuts after a tough dr. appointment and we brought some home.  As I set her pink sprinkled doughnut in front of her I realized there it was and told her “there’s your cake Violet”.