Oh to Have the Mind and Heart of a Child

I woke up yesterday morning, then ventured into Austin's room to awaken him.... I found this paper taped to his wall above his bed:

In case you have a hard time reading it, this is what it says... he set two goals for himself (I'm typing them just as he wrote them):

1.) http://www.guinnesworldrecords.com/

Two witnesses must witness that they saw it

Must eat and peel 4 bananas in one minute


2.) Help Mark!

Get 5 $ every month

Let me give you a brief history behind Mark. Sunday was World Missions Day at our church. During one portion of the service, they talked of meeting Mark (a young 6th grade boy who was selling newspapers on a bus) on a missions trip to Manila, Philippines. The story was moving; however, I wasn't even aware that my own 10-year-old was taking it all in. There were cards at the end of the service that were just a picture of Mark... a reminder of the need for service and dedication to World Missions. That is the picture that Austin attached to this paper....


As far as the banana/Guinness Book of World Records goes... I HAVE NO IDEA where the child came up with that!!!! His heart and imagination are just amazing!!! lol

Conversations With Austin

As I am preparing dinner, I pull out some red glasses....
Austin: "Mom, not that it will happen soon, but I know one day it will and I don't want it to be now, but we know it's coming one day... One day when you are gone, I want to save these red cups and everytime I see them I will think of you."

Mom: "Austin, do you mean when I die or when you move out."

Austin: "When you die...I'll be sad by the way."


Austin seeing his Nonna at school after she styled her hair differently....
Austin: "Nonna, what did you do to your hair?"

Nonna: "I fixed it different."

Austin: "Did you wake up late?"

Nonna: "No."

Austin: "Did you mean to do that?"

Nonna: "Yes."

(Austin comes home later that day.....)

Austin: "Mom, I saw Nonna today at school and she fixed her hair different. I think it's like when I am rushing and can't fix my hair the way you want me to in the morning."

While Ragan and I were in our room folding clothes, putting them away, etc.....
Austin: "Ragan, I am so glad you came here. My mom never picked up her clothes before you lived here like she does now."

On the way to school one morning....
Austin: "Mom, if you won alot of money, what would you do with it?"
Mom: "Why?"
Austin: "I know what I would do... I would create a place for all the homeless people in the world to live. And I would make it real nice..."

After Austin sprained his ankle, we were discussing his day at school.....
Mom: "How was school? Did you get around okay on your ankle today?"
Austin: "Yeah, it was okay... everyone kept asking me if I was okay and what happened and did I need anything.. even the TEACHERS."
Mom: "Really?"
Austin: "Yeah, I got alot of attention... and, mom, I kind of liked it."

Talking about Science class during 4th grade.....
Mom: "Did you learn anything new today?"
Austin: "We talked about the solar system and the sun and planets today."
Mom: "What did you learn?"
Austin: "Nothing, really."
Mom: "You had to have learned something."
Austin: "Yeah, I guess, I just don't remember. But, I had something I wanted to say about it.. I bet they don't know that there was a day in history when the sun stood still.... it says so in the Bible."

Name

Paxton Joseph Smith...

That will be his name....

Shakespere said, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." They say that what this quote expresses is not what something is named, but who they are.... I only partially agree. I think that if you have a story behind a name it carries on something or someone. If that story or person you are carrying on is something of strength or importance, you should share that with your child and let them know their legacy!

Ragan's grandfather's name was Patrick Joseph Guillot...I was not lucky enough to meet him, but from what I've heard he was quite a man and left quite a legacy. Ragan is a lot like him... quiet, a peacemaker, patient, loving, and not quick to anger.... oh, and he loved to fish!

I love family names and I am a firm believer that if you can, pass on a name. Austin's name is Austin James. My grandfathers, daddy Randy, and my brother all have James as a part of their name.... Cooper's name is Cooper Alexander. Alexander was part of my great-grandfather's name (on the Etier side)....

And by the way, I have a beautiful name for a girl... Sophia Sunseri. A beautiful Italian name... Sunseri was my Mimi's family name. And, no, I will not be trying to have a girl so that I can use this name. I am saving it for a grand-daughter!! ;-)

And Blue Prevails

Well, IT'S A BOY!!!!!! What does this mean?

*wonderful hand-me-downs
*more ballgames & ballparks
*an endless stocked supply of bandaids
*using my ER nurse skills for many years to come
*continuing to say "my boys"
*jokes about "My Three Sons"
*bunkbeds
*more DIRT in my house
*less expense for future weddings (sorry all you moms w/ girls...)
*lots of activity
*another future daughter-in-law that will have a hard time meeting my expectations (just being honest)
*more hunting and days at the camp with Poppa
*dirty/stinky shoes forever abiding in my home
*shopping alone... thank goodness for nieces
*did I mention hand-me downs... if so, it's worth repeating
*tripping over bikes, helmets, skateboards, ripsticks, rollerblades, bats, and balls
*kisses from a smelly boy, covered in dirt and sweat, but it still is ever so sweet
*getting to cook for teenagers that don't think they're fat
*another chance for Boy Scouts
*no one trying to borrow my clothes
*lots of repairs
*blocks, tools, blocks, tools, blocks, tools (here's hoping that they love the tools and learn to repair what they break)
*pets...forever and ever
*no new furniture anytime soon
*I KEEP MY OWN BATHROOM

Best of all..... another momma's boy (sorry, Ragan)