Beautiful Cows

Last Sunday Todd took the boys hunting with him. Todd got on a hunting lease this year with a couple of guys from work, including his boss Tim. Tim is from Ireland and has 3 children, the youngest of which is close in age to our boys. So, from time to time Todd and Tim will both take their sons hunting. Tim's inlaws have also been here visiting. On Sunday, Tim had also brought his father-in-law along for the hunting trip. The boys really seemed to like the father-in-law. He comes from an agricultural background and was talking to the boys about some cattle nearby. He said, "Those are some beautiful cows". Without missing a beat, Landon replied, "Their not women you know."

Superheroes

Landon's preschool class had a costume parade on Tuesday. As I took Landon to his class to drop him off I realized that all of the boys in the class were superheroes of some sort. Landon had decided to be Batman, he had been Spiderman earlier in the week. Last year he was Superman. There was another Batman along with two Spidermen. There was a cowboy and a military pilot, which are just a more real life version of a superhero. The girls were all dressed up as princesses. One of them was even dressed as a bride. Isn't that what we all really long to be...men: the hero who saves the world and women: the beautiful princess. The costume parade went off well. This picture is of Landon and two of his best buddies: Jack as Spiderman and Will as a cowboy (not Woody, just a cowboy)!

Shark Boy

Landon watched Shark boy and Lava Girl while at my sister-in-laws house. Since then, he wants to have his hair stick up all the time. This past Sunday he told me that he wanted to have his hair like Shark Boy for church. I explained to him that we could do that a different day, and we needed to comb his hair down for church.

When we picked Landon up from Sunday School, he came out with wet hair sticking straight up! The teacher said that he went in the bathroom and did it himself. He said, "I look cool!" Todd and I shook our heads and laughed. That day we had taught in Sunday School about different temperaments (personality types). Todd and I were both very shy and reserved as children. We never would have done such a thing that would have drawn attention to ourselves. Landon is the total opposite of us. Almost everything he does is motivated by wanting to get attention, to be noticed, or approval. He has never met a stranger. I am so grateful that Landon has such great self-esteem. He tends to be a leader and obviously has a desire to be a trend-setter!

Bed time prayers

The other day, I took all three kids with me to Mervyn's. Taking all three kids anywhere, is insane, but especially in a clothing store during a big sale. But, they were having a great sale that I couldn't bear to miss. As I was looking through the racks of clothes, Landon said, "Mommy, Mommy, do you see that lady over there?" He was trying to whisper, but was still very loud. I was mortified. I knew which lady he was talking about. I had seen a lady in a wheelchair that obviously had some type of permanent disability. I try not to stare, but I also try not to ignore someone with a disability. I always feel like I am walking such a fine line.

I tried to be discreet and told Landon, "Yes, I see a lady over there". "We need to pray for her." Landon said. "Why is that?". "Because she has a hurt hand." I hadn't even noticed the bandage on her hand. Landon then said, "I need to go tell her that we are going to pray for her." Again, I broke out in beads of sweat. It was all I could do not to say, "No, don't bother her." So, I took a deep breath and followed Landon around the rack of clothes to wear the lady was. "Excuse me." Landon said. "We are going to pray for you tonight at bedtime." "What?" the Lady said. "We are going to pray for your hurt hand tonight at bedtime." he repeated. The lady's whole face lit up and a big smile appeared, "Thank you!". My heart totally melted.

I wish I had an ounce of the bravery that Landon had. I wish I could be as bold about my faith with people I don't even know. That night at bedtime, Landon reminded me to pray for the Lady with the hurt hand (you know, he never once mentioned the wheelchair). I am reminded how often I tell someone I will pray for them, and then forget. Sometimes I think my children are the ones teaching me, not the other way around.