Open doors

One thing about the Smotherman house is our seemingly always open doors. Aside from catching a millions flies, we have a handful of parents who actually drive up to our house and send kids in to see if they can stay(and they rarely ask for a couple of hours...they mean all night while mom and boyfriend enjoy this world). For so many, I feel such compassion (seriously...my mom would never ever have done that....I don't do that to other people either), but the kids who come to our door? Rarely do they come from homes that inspire great parental influence. Tonight one little boy called and told Sarah his mom wanted to drop him off. Scott and I were already at the ball field watching Lita and Bella play softball. Sarah told him to come on but that he would just have to watch games. He did, happily. He was hungry so Sarah bought him a coke and nachos and popcorn...lol:) A few nights ago, after my kids were in bed, a boy who lives down the street walked into the kitchen looking for me, he had his younger brother with him and they were wanting to play. Play at 9pm. Sad sad sad....that just makes me sad. In my crazy life, I cannot imagine ever being so busy, so self absorbed that Idid not care for my children!

Now, on the flip side, we also have kids that hang out here, the ones who have great families but seemingly still love this crazy house:) Tonight as we were headed out the door to the game Jonathan, our longtime friend of my guys, walked into the living room and asked me if I has scissors. I walked to the kitchen to get him some as he described "I was just driving down the road and my gear shift broke off ....so I just pulled into your driveway....I think I can fix it". He was made himself at home (as he has done for many many years) and I am GLAD! I love that he feels that way, he's a good kid( lol..college student). I smiled and snapped this shot of his efforts in my driveway as we left under his assurance he had it all under control. He wasn't here when we arrived home, so I guess he did:)

I love open doors. With every single "door" opened, every single child who walks through is another opportunity for my family to give back. Perhaps one of the neatest (and I mean this so very sincerely!!) things in life is to see your children open their lives to others. My kids love company, but they seem to do pretty well with the "hard to love" company too. Unconditional love in ACTION....a huge huge blessing! Our family IS so very blessed and so very thankful...thankful for our home and the ability to share it:)

Humbleness

Seth had his last scheduled game of the season. They had a great win. While watching Michael, Daniel and Ryan's game one of the coaches came by and told Seth he had made the all star team and he would be calling him later. He said this as Seth was standing with his school friend Jase (who came over and watched the ballgames with us). On the way home, Seth said, "I sure do love all stars!". Scott and I talked about how much we love baseball. All Stars players are chosen on ability, and with our sweet Micheal in the van and Jase we realized the conversation needed to be encouraging to all our players so we talked about how great baseball was to play and watch. Jase listening asked, "How do you get on the All Stars team?" Scott did not reply, I didn't either, in the midst of our "hum, how do you describe that nicely" thoughts Seth answered and I had to smile so very pleased with his answer.

"Well, first you have to be on a good team, then you have to try your very hardest and never ever give up. And when you make mistakes? Just know everyone does and just keep trying your hardest!"

Jase nodded as though that made perfect sense and I was in awe of the humbleness of this little guy of mine. I love sports. I love sports done well, the kind of strength of character that does come from doing your best and feeling good about it! I love coaches who give positive input and build in young players the attitudes that make them great individuals and good teammates! Seth is the product of sports done well....he loves the game and it brings out the very best in him!

My youngest.....maybe smartest? lol:)

I laughed today as Doug relayed a conversation he had with Seth. Doug was helping Dustin today with the 2-5th graders at church while they were making and painting marshmallow guns to sell at the Relay for Life. I know that it sounds crazy that our youth make guns to sell, but they make a BUNCH of money and it all goes toward cancer research.

The kids all went to lunch and sitting at Long John Silvers in a booth for two was where Doug(my current oldest at home guy) and Seth( our youngest) began a conversation:

Seth: Who've you been talking to late at night?
Doug: My girlfriend Grace.
Seth: Does she make you happy?
Doug: Yeah, she does.
Seth: That's a good thing, cause when you're sad she can make you happy.
Doug: And she's pretty too.
Seth nodded.
Doug: So which do you think's more important? That she's pretty or makes me happy?
Seth: Neither.
Doug: Neither? Then what IS important?
Seth: That she goes to church with you.

From the mouth of babes!! I love it:) I sure hope he always remembers that....I think Doug will! Maybe someday Doug will be able to remind Seth of those very perfect standards should the need ever arise!

A WIN!!!

Last night my trio of fellows WON! The first win of the season with no time to spare...they just have one more sceduled game!

The boys all had a great game....I am so proud of thier excellent efforts!

A new ride for Jacob

Jacob purchased a new ride yesterday. He is very happy:) lol...of course! Funny that this is the vehicle he talked about having (well, one very close to it) before he even got his drivers licence. So, if you are looking for Jacob? This is what he will look like:)

Long days and sweet things:)

Memorial day was a busy crazy kind of day.


Jacob and Kade were here for a while early. Eating blue berry muffins and being funny (I love it when my big kids just hang out), before going to the river to tube.

I left home by lunch to take Carlton back to the ranch. We stopped on the way (in Memphis) and picked up Zack. Zack rode with us and visited with Carlton for almost 2 hours before we took Carlton back.



Earlier in the day as I stood in the kitchen with Jacob, Kade and Doug, we were all talking about the day and activities. Doug had no plans. I smiled and asked if he would like to ride to Memphis with me and spend the evening with Carlton and Zack? He immediately (without pause)said, "ahh! I would love to but I have so many plans that just can't change." He ended with a smile and I smiled back....no one wants to go with me on these trips. I can't blame them. I can't take little people with Zack along and frankly, a nine hours drive (7 actually on the road traveling to and from) is not fun for any side-kicks.

Carlton didn't like having Zack be part of our time. He really can't stand him. It's sad to me, as they are bio brothers. Zack? He really likes talking to Carlton (which might be why Carlton gets aggravated). Both boys are so very RAD, both so very selfish (neither cares about anything or anyone unless it impacts them). I told Scott last night that we were in line at Wal-Mart and Zack asked if he could have a coke. I said, yes. He got one and put it in the buggy. I asked Carlton(how was sulking thinking he would not get one) if he would like one? He got one and put it in the buggy. If any of my other kids had gotten a drink they would have asked if I wanted one too. Not these guys. One thank you was issued all day from Zack for his watch (and I did buy the guys clothes, food, gum and junk). It is usually the case that they are just upset they didn't get more.

We took Carlton back at 4pm. Zack and I at at Ryan's (where he really wanted to eat). We drove to Memphis and I took him back to the group home. The worker there hugged me telling me how much she thought of me. I've never met her before, I suppose that attitude was brought on from dealing with Zack everyday.

I was home around 9 pm. I sat down and checked email, played a game of cards with Scott and headed to bed. This was from my Sethie....sweetness...the kind that makes long days so very much worthwhile:)

Find Waldo...ummm...I mean John:)

John is having a great week at Boy's State. The website posts pictures of each day and the activities. I "found" John in this picture:) It really was a bit like looking for Waldo, I looked about about 200 pictures and sure enough...here he is! I can't wait to hear all about it!!