stone summit climbing party

Micah had the most fun birthday "party" ever for his 10th.  We took him and four friends plus his two brothers to Stone Summit to indoor rock climbing.  It was AMAZING!  They had auto belays that the boys could hook themselves up to and Zach passed a belaying course so that they could do some of the hire walls as well  Three plus hours of non stop action had these boys worn out but they loved every minute!  This will definitely be one to remember!

mandala

Living down the street from a college has many perks, one of which is the different cultural activities to experience.  Recently a group of Tibetan Monks came to Oxford to do a mandala.  Over the period of a week they created it and then swept it away.  We were able to see it just hours before the sweeping and it was remarkable.  

Not only was it beautiful to look out but it also initiated some good conversations with the boys about pride, idols and the ways Christianity is different from other religions.  

We love our small town and the ways our lives have grown because of it!

stem night

Micah and Connor's school hosted a STEM (Science Technology Engineering May) night where families could come in and do lots of different activities together.  

For a variety of reasons there was not a huge turnout, but we were there and LOVED it.  We built pillars with paper, sling shots with toilet paper tubes, and all sorts of other activities.  Great night of play and learning together!

10th birthday day

Micah's 10th birthday day started early since it was a school day. 

 His birthday breakfast request was doughnuts and even though we usually do presents after school so that there is no need to rush he asked to please do them before school so his wish got to come true.

Micah's two wishes were the Lego Millenium Falcon and a Broken Knuckle skateboard which is a cool brand of miniature skateboard that you ride with you fingers.  He got both and while he waited until after school to start building the Falcon, the skateboard was put together before he left so that he could show it to his friends.

After an entire afternoon of legoing we headed to Tokyo for sushi.  Zach, Micah and Connor LOVE sushi and demolished 30 pieces between them.  While eating Micah asked me to eat a piece since it was his birthday.  Grr.  I did my duty, but I first removed the piece of eel from the top.  Love only goes so far when food is involved!

During dinner we did our traditional birthday boy survey.  Here are the answers Micah gave this year...

Color- blue
Drink- cool blue Gatorade
Snack- hot funions
Dinner- sushi, crab legs
TV show- brain games, myth busters, curious George
Sport- basketball and baseball
Sports team- Auburn, Braves, Cubs
Hobbies- Legos, finger skateboarding
Activities- basketball,
Subject- science or social studies
Book- book scavenger, death by toilet paper
Friends- Gavin, Jayce, Charlie, Griff,
When I grow up...-Marine biologist

At home we enjoyed a homemade ice cream cake and some baby Micah videos before heading to bed.  I love our birthday traditions but I love our birthday boy even more!

sunday song

Psalm 62

My soul finds rest in God alone,
My Rock and my salvation;
A fortress strong against my foes,
And I will not be shaken.
Though lips may bless and hearts may curse,
And lies like arrows pierce me,
I'll fix my heart on righteousness,
I'll look to Him who hears me.

O praise Him, hallelujah,
My Delight and my reward;
Everlasting, never failing,
My Redeemer, my God.

Find rest, my soul, in God alone
Amid the world's temptations;
When evil seeks to take a hold
I'll cling to my salvation.
Though riches come and riches go,
Don't set your heart upon them;
The fields of hope in which I sow
Are harvested in heaven.

I'll set my gaze on God alone
And trust in Him completely;
With every day pour out my soul
And He will prove His mercy.
Though life is but a fleeting breath,
A sigh too brief to measure,
My King has crushed the curse of death
And I am His forever.

Stuart Townend & Aaron KeyesCopyright © 2007 Thankyou Music (Adm. by CapitolCMGPublishing.com excl. UK & Europe, adm. by Integrity Music, part of the David C Cook family, songs@integritymusic.com)