A "message" from the 4 year old

What do cell phone ring tones and Jonah have in common? Well... In Alaina's world, they bring messages from God.  Here's the story......

Alaina has been watching the Veggie Tales movie, Jonah, a lot lately. In that movie, there is a catchy song describing Jonah's job in bringing messages from the Lord to the people.

At the same time, Alan recently changed his text message ringtone to be the voice of Warf (sp?)from Star Trek saying, "Captain, incoming message."  When you assemble the two and listen through the ears of a four year old, you might see the revelation. Here is how it transpired.....

As they were driving home from school, Alan received a text message (which he of course did not answer), the ringtone sounded off saying, "Captain, incoming message." And Alaina replied, "Is it a message from the Lord?" Alan simply chuckled.

Upon hearing the latest "words from Alaina" story (and there are many!), I laughed and kissed my sweet girl.

Later while pondering the story, I began to think how I wished the words of my precious four year old were true. Sometimes when waiting on the Lord to speak to me, I so wish he could just call me on my cell or send me a text and tell me what to do next or how to decide on a topic.

In all that wishing, it occurred to me that perhaps Alaina's obviousness was the answer. In her world, a message from the Lord was as clear as a ringtone. Oh, how I long to hear the Lord that clearly. So my prayer this week is.... Lord, give me the senses of my four year old that I may hear you clearly! 

Thank you Alaina!

Sweet moments explaining things to a 4 year old.....

As I prepared for church this morning, I heard a sweet voice ask, "Mommy is that Jesus saving Daddy?". I stopped applying make-up and turned to see what she was looking at. Alaina was gazing at a piece of art we keep on our bookshelf (the one posted here).

I smiled and said, "Sort-of." It is a picture of Jesus saving us all from our sins. She replied, "Well it looks like Daddy." I chuckled and tried to explain to my very smart four year old that the man in the picture represents all of us and that we all do bad things but that Jesus forgives us and saves us.

She listened intently and then replied, "Oh, but I'm not a boy..." Again I chuckled and answered that she was of course not a boy but a very pretty young lady and the God made her that way and loved her very much- so much that he sent us Jesus. She smiled and said, " I'm glad he sent me Jesus."

We proceeded with our morning , I was feeling very touched as I heard..... "Daddy, the one on the bookshelf. It's you, but mom says its me too- let me show you." She promptly brings him to the photo and says, "See, it looks like you daddy." He smiles and says, "Thanks, baby" as he winks at me quite proud of his daughter's evaluation that he looks like the man in the picture. Then Alaina said, "You look a little different now though...." We both sighed, laughed and enjoyed the sweet moment!

Long Time No Blog... But back at it again!

It has been almost a year since my last post and a lot has happened.

In the last year, Megan has suffered from a strange intestinal illness (now totally cured) causing her to miss two months of last season's swimming, competed in her first OM (Odyssey of the Mind) competition, graduated elementary school, had an awesome summer swimming on two teams, started middle school ,had her tonsils out, suffered complications while healing, and is now healed and swimming on a new team at the YMCA ,playing soccer there as well and starting a new year of OM! She is our active, helpful, emotional, passionate, mature eldest child. She is 11 going on 17.


In the last year, Matthew has played two seasons of soccer, had a tooth pulled, and made several visits to the orthodontist who is watching his teeth for the future (much to mommy's pocketbook's dismay) finished the third grade, swam on the summer team and is starting a new season of soccer in a new age group. He has begun fourth grade and is working hard to stay on track. He is our crazy, wild, sweet spirited boy who keeps us on our toes.



In the last year, took part in Itty Bitty Sports (her first season of organized sports), finished her three-year-old preschool class, turned 4, learned to swim (mostly), had her ear tubes replaced (for the third time) and her adenoids removed, passed her first hearing test in two years (Woo-HOO!!!), and started Pre-K. She is our giggling mess making child and loves to emulate her older siblings.





In the last year, Alan and I have simply held on for dear life as we chased, managed, and enjoyed these three blessings God gave us. We have also become an Aunt & Uncle again- one more Goodroe nephew arrived in January. Also we celebrated the first birthday of our first Lance nephew- Cole- in July. We have also found a church home here in Winder and are settling in as members of River Hills Church in Winder.

I (Teri) have also been pursuing my specialist degree and traveled to several conferences and taught at some for work.


It has been a crazy and wonderful ride, but I am going to try to blog more this year. Well see....

Fall has come & gone, Bring on the Holidays!

We have had a great first semester of school. We enjoyed an exciting soccer season with both Megan and Matthew's teams ending with only one loss each. Alain has been keeping us all enteratined with her singing and constant activity, three really is her maniac age! Megan has been swimming as well, although a nasty stomach bug in November has impeded her competition schedule. We started our fall with a wonderful weekend at the lake. We had a great Halloween and enjoyed Thanksgiving at home. We are now all decorated for Christmas, I have survived my first root canal and will get a crown this week, and we are getting ready to celebrate the holidays and our 13 year wedding anniversary in the next month. As usual the end of the year will be a busy one for us! We wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

October 27, 2010

Halloween has struck the Lance house again. Dorothy, an evil fairy princess, and GI Joe have invaded. AS usual we enjoyed our Pumpkin Party at Uncle Joey & Mimi's and trick- or-treating in Nana & Papa's neighborhood! Fun and candy were had by all!

A photo gallery of the last few months

October 27, 2010

Life is busy as always. Halloween is this weekend and the kids are very excited to trick-or-treat. Soccer is almost over and swimming continues as always. Teri is knee-deep in grad school and Alan is just trying to keep up with these crazy kids. Enjoy some recent photos.

We spent July at the State Swim Meet with both kids placing 5th- Matthew in his realy and Megan in her IM.

We also enjoyed a weekend at the Lake for Labor Day and the kids got to see Uncle Randy take off in his plane!

Summer's Over, School Begins

First Day PICS

August 5th, 2010

What can I say? This crazy summer full of swimming, swimming, and a few beach trips is over and school has begun for me and will begin for the kids on Monday. We had a blast! Now back to school- will try to post more later- too swamped to give details now!