It is amazing to see these three boys growing into the most interesting, thoughtful young men. They are pursuing their individual interests and stretching themselves to try new things, and we love getting to cheer them on in their various endeavors. While they all still enjoy some of the same things, it's also been a joy to see their divergent interests begin to develop. This fall, the boys each found things that they thought were worthwhile activities to pursue.
Luke joined a flag football team with several of the boys from his class and they had a great time practicing and playing together. He is very quick and did well playing both defense, by chasing down and grabbing opponents' flags, and offense, as a quarterback (who gained good yardage just by running with the ball) and receiver. He's a great teammate and loves the camaraderie of his friends. He also recently joined a chess club that meets after school and is eager to go each week to practice and learn more about the game. He has also followed his brothers' lead and is a voracious reader, plowing through all the library's available "Hank the Cowdog" titles and is now working his way through the "Dog Diaries" series, which tells the fascinating true stories of dogs from history. Luke has been a faithful contributor to our fall garden this year, tending his several varieties of radishes, carrots, and mustard, and harvesting some of those to take to school to share with his teacher.
Isaac enjoyed another season on the school 5th/6th grade touch football team. He had several good friends from his class also playing, and their practice time and hard work together showed as they worked their way undefeated through the season, finally clenching the championship in tournament play. His practice was not limited to official after-school sessions with his team, but he often asked for us to come throw balls to him in the backyard and his determination and effort paid off with his sharpened skills contributing to the victorious outcomes on the field. He also decided to try out for the Middle School musical and was cast in a lead role as Mr. Warbucks in the show, "Annie." He has spent much time at school and home learning his lines, songs, and choreography, and we eagerly look forward to seeing those efforts pay off with the upcoming performance. It has also been a good opportunity for him to get to know upper classmen and make new friendships. In his little bit of free time, he has enjoyed watching Marvel and Avengers movies and listening to a wide variety of music, from cello duets to 90's rock to movie soundtracks. He has also been very interested in the fall garden and has planted sweet peas, a variety of lettuces including his favorite, romaine, and a nice row of broccoli plants.
Caedmon is a busy thinker, always designing and planning new ideas in his mind, on paper, and in spreadsheets. He has discovered the value of working hard to earn the necessary funds to complete his projects and daily asks for jobs that he can do around the house to pay his way. He has matured so much lately and I am always grateful for his presence - he is so good to ask me how he can help, especially in the mornings when I'm making breakfast and packing lunches. He is always up and waiting for me when I come in to the kitchen, and some mornings I know I wouldn't get it all done in time without his contributions. I'm so grateful. Some time ago I told the boys at morning school drop-off to "take good care of my heart that day," meaning each of them. Ever since then, every single day at after school pick-up, he has hopped in the car and said, "Your heart's back!" It doesn't matter if it was a difficult day and it's said on the verge of tears, he blesses me with those words. Lately he's enjoyed choosing the music we listen to on the way to school, especially favoring MercyMe songs after he and Daniel had the opportunity to go to a concert a few weeks ago. No matter what his choices are on the ride, though, at the moment he hops out of the van he always begins the song "I Will Be Here" by Steven Curtis Chapman, which he knows is so special to me because Daniel sang it to me when he proposed. It blesses my heart mightily for him to give me that sweet gift, remembering what is meaningful to me and sending me off on my day on such a sweet note. I am also tickled at Caedmon's signature style these days - a favorite blue plaid shirt that he enjoys pairing with his black camouflage shorts. I don't know what he's going to do when he outgrows them!
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