Our babies aren’t babies anymore. Brant and Titus just turned 12 this week. Everyone says “Don’t blink” - goodness, isn’t that the truth. Since the boys were 3, we have been doing trips/experiences verses toys for their birthday celebrations. Over the years we have went to indoor waterparks, museums, zoos, trampoline parks, spring training in Florida and we have created so many wonderful, lasting memories!! Just like I do every year, I asked Titus and Brant in January what is something they would like to do for their birthday in March. Both said they wanted to go to Newton Lake and fish on their (new to them but it’s a 1993 model) bass tracker boat. Wait…what? Newton - as in Newton, IL??? Gotta admit, my travel lovin’ heart kinda sank when that was their dream experience for birthday #12! My husband on the other hand immediately went to - “Well just think of all the money we are saving!” ((Just google “Family Fun” in Newton, IL)) So, that’s what we did - let the boys fish on the lake of their choice. They loved it! That evening we had dinner with family and on the way home they thanked us for an awesome birthday. Our boys remind me often to enjoy the little things in life, to be content, and to appreciate our presence over presents. Parents, children do spell love T.I.M.E. (honestly, I think about everyone feels loved when people spend time with them) Toys are great. Gaming systems are fun. New clothes look sharp. Art supplies make masterpieces. Books fuel the mind. But there’s nothing going to replace quality time with children. Not all of our time together ends up being a special moment… like the time Titus and I were working together to build a ramp for the chicken coop. Well… actually we were adding little steps to their ramp so it would be easier for them to go up and get in the coop each night. As I was bent down, right next to him, holding the ramp, he was using the nail gun to put a peg on. Honest to goodness, the next line out of my mouth was going to be “you know it’d be better if you didn’t put your hand behind the board” when fwwshhh (think nail gun sound) …next “Ugh, I’m stuck”…then insert the mom running around like a chicken with her head cut off, yelling DO NOT PULL YOUR HAND OFF, to me running in the house and yelling at Curtis, “HE IS STUCK TO THE BOARD”, leading into me grabbing a bag of cauliflower rice out of the freezer to use as an icepack, running back out the door yelling at Curtis that he’s in the barn, to kneeling next to my super calm son who is literally nailed to a board! I’m crying and calling anyone I could think of to help me know what to do next. Curtis cut the nail so Titus could actually get off his knees and not be attached to the ramp. The nail was all the way through his middle finger. Titus never cried. The nurses and doctors whose numbers I had in my phone told us to head to the ER. Like a champ, Titus let the staff pull out the nail and fix him all up. Such a trooper. All that to say - time together can be chaotic. Learning moments can turn into ER visits. But the truth remains the same - children would rather be together with the ones who love them than only showered with tons of things. If you stick around long enough… I’m sure you’ll get your fill of chaotic moments and ER visits for the Thompson Tribe. Living a life set apart, Rachel Alyse Scripture: Psalm 139 You are a child of God.You are wonderfully made. Dearly loved and preciousin His sight. Quote: “Little boys are just super heroes in disguise.”