Eating Garbage

Yesterday I went grocery shopping at Publix (of course) and I brought home 4 boxes of one of the most horrible, God-forsaken processed foods on the planet. Pop-tarts. And they were the frosted kind with sprinkles on top. My husband loves these things and when I bring them home along with my wheat germ, flax seeds, and spaghetti squash... he is nicer to me. And well, they were free after coupons. (of course)

So this morning my bouncing 4 year old finds the shiny box and brings them to me.

Gabe: I want this!!!!!!!!! Pleeeeeeeese!!!

Me: You don't want that. Those are your Dad's. It's garbage, Gabe

Gabe: I WANT TO EAT GARBAGE LIKE DAD!!!!

Me: *rolls eyes and lets Justin handle the rest*

Ninja Girl With Allergies?

A lot of the the time Gabe will tell me things and I'll have absolutely no idea what he's talking about unless I ask A LOT of context clue type questions. Can anyone relate? For instance.... today I bought some bologna. We don't usually have this mysterious lunch meat at our house because 1.) I'm still not exactly sure what it's made out of and 2.) my Mom (the health freak) use to tell us we would die if we ever ate it when we were little

Gabe: "Mom let's go to Wendy's." He does this pretty much every day on the way home because when we DO get lunch there it is a total treat. He knows it is the home of the Frosty.

Me: No, Gabe we are going to have bologna and cheese sandwiches today.

Gabe: But Mom, that red ninja girl is allergic to bologna.

This just made me laugh. If you just read that statement and didn't at least giggle there's just something wrong with you.

Me: Where did you see this ninja girl Gabe?

Gabe: On G.I. Joe.

Me: Well, you're not allergic to bologna so you'll be okay.

Gabe: How do you know? I might dis-plode if I eat it.

Gabe says displode instead of explode. I think it's cute so I just go with it. He's growing up so fast. He couldn't say his "L's" for a long time and magically last week he started saying them correctly. "Whaaa-wee-pops" are now "lollipops" and "why-ons" are now "lions." Makes me proud, and sad at the same time.

Back to bologna allergy ninja girl.... I just think it's amazing and funny how kids can remember everything. Even one random line from the G.I. Joe movie.

Box Car Children

Gabe and I have started to read Book 1 of the Box Car Children series. I decided to experiment to see how good his listening skills were and I can't believe how much he's enjoying this! He pays attention and seems to retain most of the story lines! He asks a TON of questions too. (Shocker!) We are on chapter 8 and started reading two days ago. There are a few black and white sketchings here and there that keep him intrigued. I'm really proud of him.

President's Day

Last night I was explaining to Gabe why he didn't get to go to pre school today.

Me: Gabe, tomorrow is President's Day so there's no pre school tomorrow

Gabe: O-rock Obama is coming over to our house?!?!

Me: Ha! No... we celebrate all the wonderfulness of a couple of our founding presidents, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. They were presidents even before Nana and Poppy were born.

Gabe: Whoa.

The Love Of God

I apologize in advance if this comes across as bold, or judgmental, or out of line, but it is something I want to remember.


Today we went to a different church that we don't normally go to (that will remain un-named to protect the innocent who are going to do great things in the future here). And to put it bluntly, the children's ministry was the pits. My son was ushered into a 4's and 5's classroom where the Sunday school teacher welcomed him and me. She then showed me some bookmarks they were making and told me they were learning that Jesus was the "Good Shepherd." She said, "He probably won't get it, but it's okay." WHOA LADY. THAT WAS THE WRONG THING TO SAY. The person who's church I was attending made mention that I probably was offended that she insinuated that my child wasn't bright enough to "get" the story, but that wasn't it at all. This is what those 5 little words said to me,

"I am teaching the next generation of Christ followers, but I believe I am just a babysitter. I have been given no training, no tools, and no confidence that a 4 or 5 year old can grasp concepts about God's love for them or that this hour that I am spending with these little people is making an eternal difference in their lives."

Hang on... there's more.....

When service let out (which by the way service was GREAT) My husband went to go pick up the kids while I caught up with a friend for a second. As Justin walked down the hallway he heard Gabe say, "Dad! Wait!" Gabe was sitting on a chair outside the sanctuary by himself...with no grown ups around. He said he was looking for us and he had left the classroom. No one was looking for him. I'm not sure if they even knew he had gone. This made us frustrated with Gabe, (he got a talkin to afterwards) of course, but more so frustrated with the lack of security and organization of the leaders in the children's ministry!! What he had left the building and started walking down the street? What if someone had taken him? What the crap!?!?! We were both pretty hot.

Anyways.... there are good leaders at this church that are taking steps toward positive change in many areas of the church.

All this to say this.... because I'm not posting this to vent or rag on this particular church. I'm saying this to PRAISE THE LORD for our children's ministry at the church we attend. For the leaders who "get" that little people can TOTALLY understand God's love and share it with their family and friends even at such a young age. I have a new appreciation for the partnership with our children's ministry and a new found understanding for its importance in the early development of my kids understanding and desire to be a part of the "church" as an institution. I know when I leave him there he is surrounded by people who are praying for him, who are teaching him and reinforcing basic concepts about things like God made the world. God made me. God loves me. God wants me to tell others about Him. He is memorizing Scripture. He is starting a love relationship with his Saviour.

I am sincerely praying for children's ministries everywhere now. It is such an important place to serve, if not THE most important place to serve, if God places it upon your heart. Don't take it lightly. Even at 2, children can understand God's love.

Your A Sweet Girl

On Saturday night we were reading a story. One of Gabe's favorites, "Fred and Ted Go Camping." After we said prayers Gabe just started stroking my face and he said, "You're a sweet girl, Mom." I just giggled. Where does he come up with this stuff??

Sunday Day School Re-Told

Once upon a time there was a little sheep and he got lost. Then the shepherd was trying to find him and then he found him. And when the shepherd found the lost sheep he said, "Yaaaaaaaaaaaaay!" because he missed him. (Luke 15:3-7)

He Can Have My Penny

This morning we went to Chuck E Cheese. My kids LOVE Chuck E Cheese and if given the chance to go to Disney or Chuck E Cheese, it's quite possible they might pick Chuck E Cheese. Anyways.... with my trustee coupons and our play group friends to split with we were able to play for 3 hours and eat all the pizza and drinks we could fathom for $10. Not to mention the pop rocks and dum dums that Gabe picked out with his ticket prizes. He was also quite excited about finding a penny on the floor. Gabe loves money.

When we got in the parking lot a scruffy man came up to me and asked me if I had any money. I didn't have ANYTHING, only my debit card and I told him I was sorry. After we got in the car Gabe said, "Mom, that guy looked hungry. He can have my penny." I almost cried.

We went to McDonalds got some burgers and drove back to give him the bag. He was very gracious and ripped right into them.

Your heart is good Gabe. I pray you continue to love others as much as you do now. You teach me more than I teach you some days.

Sunday Day School Re-Told

This will be a weekly post. These are the Bible stories Gabe is being taught at Surfside Kids on Sunday mornings. We always ask him about what he learned and talk it through with him. The initial re-telling is always hilarious. He always seems to get "the bottom line" though. =)

Jesus Calms The Storm
as retold by Gabe

"Jesus was on a boat with a lot of guys. But it didn't have a motor. So they rowed and they rowed and they rowed. And then there was lighting, and thunder and a LOT of wind and they got REALLY scared. So they went down the stairs and woke up baby Jesus and he said, "Guys, RELAX!!!" and he got a piece of tape and fixed the boat. Then they weren't scared anymore. "

Barack Obama

The setting: Driving home from pre school

Gabe: Mom, I thought you said John McCain was going to be President.

Me: Well, Gabe... that's the great thing about America. Whoever gets more votes gets to be President. It's called democracy.

Gabe: So Oh-rock Obama is our president now?

Me: Yup. BAH-rock Obama is our president.

Gabe: But I liked John McCain.

Me: Why?

Gabe: Because he isn't black.

Me: (in my head) *oh my gosh, we HAVE to get the stank out of this hick-town fast! Why is my son racist? Quick Windy, make more black friends!*

Me: out loud- Why don't you like black people Gabe? Mr. Jim is black, you love Mr. Jim right?

Gabe: Yup. I love Mr. Jim. Can we go to Ms. Laura's for lunch? (Mr. Jim's wife)

Me: Hey Gabe, did you think Mommy and Daddy didn't like Barack Obama because he was black?

Gabe: Ummm.... No??

Me: Because we love black people. We love all people, all colors. And the reason we voted for John McCain was because we agreed with him on more things. But now that Barack is our president we have to love and accept him. And pray for him at night. He's got a tough job. Can you remind Mommy to pray for Barack Obama tonight at bed time?

Gabe: Yup.

He remembered too. He always remembers.

Gabeisms

I love the way a new, fresh 4 year old's brain functions. I love the silly reasoning. This blog is dedicated to journaling the funny, adorable, hilarious and silly things my 4 year old says, because otherwise I will never remember this priceless phase of his life in my tired, weary brain. I hope someday to share this with him ( and possibly future girlfriends too ) as a special gift and peek into his early childhood antics. Enjoy. =)