Wish List Gone Wild

The funny thing about asking your kids for their Christmas wish list is that they will wait until the last second to give it to you and when they do...BOOM...you get the ultimate request...A REPTILE! 

Me: "Umm, NO!"

Them: (Yes,the request was plural. They totally ganged up on me.) "Pleeeeeease!"

Me: "Reptiles do not make good pets."

Monkey 1: "Bearded Dragons make great pets! (Proceeds to remind me that Bob, the Bearded Dragon class mascot, helped him with his math. 

Exhibit A:

Dang it all, Bob!!! Why do you have to be all cutesy and helpful! 

Exhibit B:  

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Me: "We have a dog. We don't need another pet to care for."

Them:  "Her breath smells like death from eating cat poop out of the litter box. 

Me: "There are no words."

Exhibit C:

Just be glad this isn't a scratch and sniff picture or you would want to run away. 

Tink: "Hey kids! Where are you going?"

Kids: "Where the air is fresh and clear of your fishy, death breath!"

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Me: "We have a cat."

Them: "If she's not sleeping, she's trying to get outside to have adventures."

Exhibit D:

Exhibit E: 

Me: (Thinks to self) "Sounds like a perfect plan to me." (Actually says) "That's just what cats do."

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Them: "We really want a Bearded Dragon or a Lemon/Lime Gecko. They are so cute."

Me: Silently screams from within, then says, "Who is going to take care of these wild beasts?"

Them:  "We will!"

Me: "Who is going to feed them?"

Them:  "We will!"

Me: "Who is going to clean up their poop?"

Them: "Tink will!"

Help,

Melissa

Dear Kelsey

One week has passed since that joyous moment you when became Mrs. Lehman! 

You were such a beautiful bride! Your loveliness filled the room. Watching Alex's  face as he saw you walking down the aisle on your brother's arm was truly a sacred moment. Such love! I will never forget it! 

As you promised your love and devotion to each other and worshipped God together, I thanked God that He brought you into our son's life and into our lives. You are a precious gift- a pearl that we have prayed for since Alex was very young. 

As I watched you become our son's wife, I felt so proud. You are a very special woman. You have been through so much over these past four years, and through it all, we have seen you lean into Jesus. You love the Lord and that is the most precious thing about you. Your faith is strong, your hope is humbling, and your perseverance is inspiring. We thank God that we have the privilege to welcome you into our family. For many years, I have been the central woman in Alex's life, but I have handed that over to you with great confidence. I feel such peace and great joy now that he has you as his wife. You are a Godly wife and he is blessed. We are blessed. 

I want you to know that I don't expect you to be perfect because there is really only One who is perfect. He is the One who will be the center of your marriage. He will be with you every step of the way, creating the marriage that He has for you. There will be good times and bad times, but I/we will be here to cheer you on and pray for you. We love you both and we want to see you succeed! Please forgive me in advance and give me grace for my shortcomings and failures, because it's hard being a mom, and I will make mistakes. Let's make a promise to always say we are sorry if we need to and to trust God for His strength if conflict should arise.

You know that old mother-in-law stigma? The one where our relationship is supposed to be filled with strife? Let’s kick that to the curb! We have common ground, because we both love Alex, and we both love the Lord. Family dynamics can be tricky. Communication can get jumbled, people can get their feelings hurt, and things can get messy. Let's always assume the best in each other, have a spirit of forgiveness, and love each other well. 

You are a member of our family now. The moment that Alex kissed you for the first time as Mrs. Lehman, my love for you grew exponentially. You have a whole bunch of new family members who love you and care about you. I know that our house can be crazy and overwhelming at times, but I hope that you will always feel accepted, loved, and welcomed. 

Welcome to our family Mrs. Lehman..,

Love,

Melissa/Mom

Yesterday and Today

Yesterday and Today

Dear Alex,

     It seems like just yesterday you were born.  Full of promise and hope. A new beginning. Our family's first chapter.

Today, you are getting married.  Full of hope and promise. A new beginning. Your family's first chapter.

Just yesterday, you were our little boy and we held you close.  We cherished you, protected you, nurtured you, taught you, laughed with you, cried with you, prayed for you, encouraged you, disciplined you, and by the grace and mercy of God and the help of so many raised you to become...

 The man that you are today.

 Just yesterday, we were blessed with two...

 Then three...

Then four...

Then five...

Then six...

Today, we will be blessed with our seventh. Your sweet bride Kelsey Rae will become our daughter-in-love.  She is one of our precious pearls. We have prayed for her since you were both little. God  answered our prayers above and beyond what we ever imagined with Kelsey.

Just yesterday, your dad modeled for you what it means to be a man of integrity. He challenged you.  He encouraged you to do what you love, to be a good steward of you time, money, and energy.  He showed you what it means to cherish a wife and a family.  To honor your mother and father. To be an amazing brother. To remember that people are precious and relationships are more important than anything else. To be a provider.  To work hard and take nothing for granted. To be thankful everyday. To stand in the gap.  To be a protector. To be a Godly man. To worship the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind.

Today, you are a young man of integrity and you have learned so much. You will continue to walk in your father's footsteps as you become a husband and one day, a father. We are so thankful for that!

 Just yesterday, you found your love of music.  Your passion.  You heart song to God. You have led us in worship as a family, just like your dad has.

Today, you will led us in worship yet again during your wedding ceremony as you sing praises to God and your precious bride.

Just yesterday, you were building birdhouses and loving life.

Today, you will begin building your own home with the love of your life.

Just yesterday, you were hanging out with your best buddies. Cracking jokes! Having fun! Doing life together.

Today, you will get married with all of your best friends by your side.

Just yesterday, you were falling in love with the girl of your dreams.  Having adventures.  Getting to know each other's heart.  Weathering the tough waters that life can bring.  Learning to love someone more than yourself.

Today, you are marrying her. 

And today Alex, we could not be more proud to call you our son.  We know that the time has come to no longer hold you tight.  It is time for you to fly.  You have become everything we prayed that you would become and so, so much more. Your faith in the Lord is so strong.  You are a beautiful human being.  We are forever grateful to God for the gift that you are to all of us. 

This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it. 

We love you forever and we are overjoyed for you and Kelsey today!

"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."  Ephesians 5:31

Love, 

Dad and Mom