Life Lesson #576

Dearest Joshua and Luke,

Life Lesson #576 - If there is something you really want to achieve, keep trying until you get what you want. (Mama Litteken)

Let's talk about persistence or perseverance. I will tell you that one of the more difficult lessons in life is not always getting what you want when you want it. I have learned that if there is something you really want.....

- it usually does not come easy.

- you usually do not get it when you want it. (It is about God's time table, not your own.)

- most of the time it takes a lot of hard work.

- you can always feel good about the job you have done as long as you have given it your best effort.

- If it is really worth doing, don't give up - keep trying and working hard.

And having said all of that, I will tell you that sometimes in life, you try really hard, you do your best, you have waited and waited, and it still does not happen for you. In these cases, I turn to God and put it in his hands. I will tell you that is not easy, but I have learned that is all you can do, and somehow things do work out for some reason. I also pray to St. Anne is who the Saint of Special Favors (more about her another day).

Luke is talking more and more all the time. He is using his words more and his body less so to speak. Good listening, Luke! Luke surprises us every day with the things he comes up with.

Joshua earned his first stripe in Tae Kwon Doe this week. We are very proud of him. He is working so hard to learn punches, jabs, reverse punches, kicks, and so many things. We are also so impressed with his progress with warming up with sit ups, jumping jacks, push ups, and running. Wow! Very impressive! Next, on to his first yellow belt! In the meantime, he has been learning about sparring and practicing his moves on Master Eric, his instructor. Keep up the great work, Joshua!

I love you tons!

Love,

Mama

The Atrium

Dear Joshua and Luke,

We have been having so much fun since Christmas! Before going back to school, we celebrated Epiphany at St. Nicholas with Joshua's group from the Atrium. We were so proud of you, and how you participated in the celebration. We were especially proud when you told Father Bill at church that the three kings got to Bethlehem to see Baby Jesus on camels. You are certainly getting it! Joshua carried the nativity set to the prayer table for the celebration. You were so proud to have Grammy and Papa and Sarah there to celebrate with you and your family. You have been going to the Atrium every week since September, and you are learning so much about Jesus. We are very proud.

Luke - we are so proud of you, too. You continue to be the biggest helper, and are so independent. You want to help with everything. And I have to tell you that you really are a big helper most of the time. You do not hesitate to pick up a screwdriver, hammer, whatever it takes to do a job. You want to help fold clothes, unload the dishwasher, whatever....I hope you feel this way ten years from now. :)

Since Joshua was sick later in the week, Luke had a special morning and afternoon with Grammy. She took Luke out to breakfast, to the park for a long time to play, then to the mall to pick out some candy. They had so much fun. Luke loves having special time with Grammy and Papa. We are so lucky that they come over almost every week to spend time with the boys. The boys look forward to it so much. And we know it is not easy these days to get over so we really appreciate that they do this. Joshua and Luke will always remember these special times with Eric's parents.

Joshua has been sick this week so we had a quiet weekend. We had a movie night on Saturday, and the boys wanted "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" and Frosty the Snowman" so that is what we watched. Luke loves movie night! As soon as we were ready to start the movie, he told me to place a large blanket on the floor for Joshua and him. Then, he said he was going up to get pillows. Next, he wanted covered up with his own blanket. And finally the request came for "poptorn" and hot chocolate. I love how you say popcorn.

I love you to the moon and back and back again.

Love,

Mama

Christmas in Branson

Dear Joshua and Luke,

Another family tradition of ours is spending time after Christmas on vacation. We have been to many places after Christmas, but the last few years have included Branson. Usually the time is low key - swimming, shopping for the after Christmas sales at the outlets, and lots of playing. Daddy always cooks so I get time off from the kitchen. :) We even woke up one morning to two inches of snow. Unfortunately, it melted so fast that you did not have time to build a snowman. You did make time to throw around a few snowballs though! You were both full of singing Christmas songs throughout the trip, too. Luke especially liked singing "Rudolph" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas!" Luke also woke up every morning, and with a big smile said, "Happy New Year!"

This year was extra special since we also saw two of the best shows in Branson. One night we saw Kirby van Burch perform his magic. It was unbelievable and very entertaining. We even came home with Branson, the white tiger, and a landing light or light saber as you two call it. We also saw Christmas at the Dixie Stampede. It was spectacular - especially the dance of the sugar plum fairy and how she brought the toys to life. Also, the live nativity complete with camels, shepherds, the three kings, donkey, etc. was a huge hit. It was so beautiful. No one minded that Luke belted out "Jingle Bells" while all was quiet for a moment.

Swimming was extra fun, too. You both picked up right where you left us this summer. It was so much fun splashing around with you. Visiting the fish hatchery is always a treat, too. It never gets old, and they even updated it since we were there over the summer. Feeding the rainbow trout

is always a treat.

New Years Eve was quiet, but again loads of fun. We swam a lot during the day and evening. Daddy cooked us a feast of steak, his famous Branson potatoes, and some other favorites.

After a full night of swimming, we ended with a movie. I pulled out the couch bed, and you two laid on the bed eating popcorn, vanilla wafers, sherbet, and drinking apple juice until you got so tired you wanted to go to bed. Joshua was so disappointed that he did not stay up until midnight, but I explained to him that it was midnight somewhere in the world.

Funny story from the trip:

Mom: "Joshua, your lips are turning blue. We need to get out of the water."

Joshua: "Can't we just stay in a little longer?"

Mom: "No, Joshua. Your body is telling you that it is too cold, and you need to warm up."

Joshua: (very disappointed) "Mom, when will my lips stop turning blue in the water?"

Mom: "Maybe when you get a little older or you get some more meat on your bones."

Joshua: "Can I just go home now and eat some meat and come back here?"

Next story from the car ride home:

After listening to Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho on a CD......

Luke: "Mama, play my song."

Mom: "Luke, I am not sure what your song is?"

Luke: (in a high pitched singing voice, with a grin from ear to ear)"Lukie, Lukie."

Mom: Luke, I do not know which song is yours. Luke was also very important in the bible, but I do not think you have a song on here (the CD)."

Luke: "Lukie fit the battle of Jericho, Jericho, Jericho......"

Joshua's unanswered questions from the ride home:

1. Can you grow up to be a king?

2. What is a catechist?

3. How does Jesus have the whole world in his hands?

4. What is artillery?

I love you both more today than yesterday.

Love,

Mama