The Growing Gant Family...

For some reason, my attempts to straighten out these photos were thwarted.  Not sure why they wouldn't stay.  But, they were too good not to post.  I found them both in William's school folder. He always has and probably always will.  With his analytical mind and attention to detail, I can see some kind of engineering in his future. This one made me smile.  One small step at a time in his ability to overcome timidness.

There's just some things in life that make you feel like such a big kid.  And this one does that for William.  He' grown into such a responsible little guy.  Can't quite reach the peddles very well, but he figures it out and does a great job!  I don't think you could trust many 8yr olds on a mower this large. Doesn't he look like such a stud on that thing?!

New chapter here at the Gant house.  We've got both boys in school for the full day this school year.  It'll be such a different day for me, as well as Curtis when he's home from work.  I'm excited about how it will free me up to help in both classrooms as well as provide more opportunity to be involved in other's lives as well.  And I'm sure the time will fly by! Couldn't resist... Man I love that smile! Still a bit apprehensive, but definitely  less anxious as he entered into his 2nd year in Mrs. Smoth's class as a 3rd grader.  I'm excited to see how this year will boost William's self confidence in who God has created him to be and the strengths He's given him. All smiles here. He'll see a lot of the same friends he had in preschool  last year of which is super fun for Mr. Social.  Kindergarten, here we come!!

Never let an opportunity to take a picture of "Boy Fort posted rules" go by... No burping or tooting?  Or making loud noises?   I guess at least they know of manners!

Today marks Grandpa's 74th birthday.  We always enjoy the opportunity to get together with cousins in Eugene.  I'm reminded of what a great bunch of boys we have in the Gant family...And how quickly they're all growing up into young men.

W:  "Mom, I really need to borrow your clothes basket!" M: "What are you going to do with it?" W: "Make a bird trap." M: "Well, ok.  Just remember to put it back when you're done and make sure it's not all covered in dirt the next time I need to do laundry." Hours later, I came upon this... The boys had rigged up a bird trap complete with some wood with sap on it to attract bugs for the bird to eat as well as some rotten strawberries in case the bird wanted those too.  They had worked so hard together on this and were now patiently waiting for a bird to come close. I love their imaginations. I love their optimism. I love their brotherhood.

William's always thinking about things (he's always been a sit back and take it all in kinda kid) and every once in awhile he'll just start a conversation out of the blue.  I've had more and more of these lately with him and I can always tell, even though it seems so out of the blue to me, he's thought long and hard before initiating it. W: "Mom, sometimes Lucious (one of his friends at school) says bad words." Me: "Oh really, what are they?  You probably better spell them so we don't repeat them in front of Calvin." W: "Um, ok...'D'...'U'...I don't think I know how to spell it." Me: "Just whisper it in my ear." I lean towards him and he whispers, "Duh". I respond, "Oh...were there any other words he said?" W: "Yeah...'S'...'T'...'U'...'P'...'I'...'D'" Silently relieved in my mind (and trying not to chuckle out...