It’s official. Three of our boys are teenagers now.
Our brother-in-law took this while we were in CA at Christmas time.
While I will admit that bigger issues and bigger decisions come with having bigger kids, I still hold to the truth that teenagers are delightful and are not to be feared. Having three teenagers in our house is awesome. In fact, when I got a terribly sad phone call from my dad tonight, letting me know that my dear uncle had gone (fairly unexpectedly) to be with the Lord – and Matt wasn’t home – my teens took his place, holding me while I sobbed and listening to me while I said stuff that didn’t make sense. These teenage boys are precious – and now there are three of them.
To celebrate Elias (our third son) turning 13 over the weekend, Matt did what has become our tradition. Together they chose an event to attend – just the two of them, father and son. They spent the day driving, talking, and enjoying BBQ and an indoor soccer game a few hours away. Matt had made arrangements with some godly men in Elias’ life to call throughout the day to speak a word of blessing on him and to encourage him as he begins to think like a man and godly leader. I believe he was a few inches taller when he got home.
I love these teenagers (and their 10 year old brother) more than words can say. Now, I weep for the loss of my uncle and for all that his wife and kids are going through. I praise God all the while that my uncle is singing with Jesus. I realize my thoughts are not cohesive. I started writing this, then started making dinner, then got the phone call, then I needed to finish writing this post. It doesn’t have to make sense, right? But in the midst of grief, there is always so much to be grateful for.
Please take the time to leave a comment and share what you are grateful for. God’s goodness is overflowing in our lives!
I’m so sorry for your loss, Laura.
Happy Birthday to Elias!
Today I am thankful for the crazy weather we have been having lately!
So sorry about your uncle!
So glad you are embracing this season of motherhood! All of my boys are under 5 right now and I cherish their little hugs and kisses! Yet I know the day is too soon coming when they will tower over their momma! Thank Gid for this wonderful gift called motherhood!!!
So sorry for your loss and praying God’s comfort for you and your family.
Like you, I am thankful for my teenagers and their father.
Laura, that so encourages me. Thank you for sharing your real, raw heart of thanks. I’ve seen inklings of this big-boy/little man love from my almost 10 year old boy. And while we are also walking through the “I’m growing up & feel big sometimes & feel like a little boy sometimes” growing pains, I holding fast to these reminders to just hold on! With a house full of 5 young ones (that boy is the oldest), I needed that reminder today to love & snuggle all I can. Okay, I think I can get up and face the day now! (;
I love all of your family traditions and have already borrowed or plan on borrowing many of them. Hope you don’t mind! ;-) Bless you!
I’m sorry for the loss of your uncle.
I’m grateful for the warmer weather. I’m in NE too.
So very sorry for your loss. Heaven gained another saint. Blessings to you and your family.
I’m so so sorry for your loss. I’m glad your boys were there to hold you. Your family is in my prayers.
Sorry for your family lost. Sending prayers. I am thankful for my hubby. Seems like we take one step forward upteen back. I was having one of those days (you know the where u cry in the shower) and hubby must of sense it bc we went to bed just hold me. He is my rock and I needed it.
I am very sorry your heart is hurting, dear Laura.
Today I am grateful to God for providing ways for us to heal ourselves. My son is sick, and I’ve been learning about natural remedies and I am so grateful for the knowledge to help my sweet boy feel better. God is amazing!
I am grateful For mild weather in the middle of January although a little snow wouldn’t hurt there are literal cracks in dirt in my backyard.God will provide : )The Coppinger”Boys”are growing up to be tall men Keep up the great parenting &cooking.
Dear Laura,
Though I am sorry for the loss of your uncle, I am so grateful to hear that you’ll be reunited one day! What a difference that makes in our grieving. Do not think I take your loss lightly, I’m so glad you had your boys there to comfort you while Matt was away.
I, unfortunately, have spent too much time over the years being caught up in my failures…or perceived failures… that I haven’t enjoyed to the fullest each of my children’s stages and seasons of life.
However, I must share that my 22-year-old son, who moved to Arizona (from Ohio) back in September, skyped with my husband and me the other day. He wanted to Skype so that he could continue cooking as he talked….he made refried beans, prepping for homemade nachos, started pizza sauce to go with the pizza shells he’d made a few days previous and had frozen. He and his roommate were hosting friends for a game night. They decided on snacky foods since everyone had to work rather late. There was something else that I don’t remember, but it was all done before he left for work that afternoon – lol.
As our son gave us a “virtual” tour around the apartment, he made sure to show me the list on his freezer door of all the contents therein :)
Let me just say that I am grateful for a young man who loves to cook, plans menus, checks the ads (!), and makes things ahead so there is food in the freezer thereby saving money so that when he DOES go out to eat he can afford a nice restaurant instead of going through a fast food joint.
I am also grateful that my son called a couple weeks ago to talk to his father after a particularly rough day at work, asking his dad how HE’S done it all these years working with “less-than-stellar” people (and I say that with full knowledge that none are perfect, but I hope you know what I mean) and thanking his dad for putting up with all those people for so many years knowing he had a family to provide for. Being on his own has definitely opened up our son’s eyes to a lot of things. He was grateful before but even more so now. And I’m grateful that God uses messed up people to get His job done.
Before I wrap up this novella, I want to say that amongst all the recipes I copied off my son to use, there are several of yours included. In fact, yours are what got us started!
One other thing — I’m grateful for you…your honesty, your openness, your love for God and your family. Bless you, Laura!
Carolyn
Hello Laura. Such a lovely picture of your family and you. May the Peace of God fill your heart, spirit and mind at this time. May His joy and love continue to grow in your heart for your young men. ((hugs)) of comfort for you.
Happy Birthday Elias! May you grow closer to your Heavenly Father as you mature and think about what you value and make important in your days ahead. Good health, joy and peace for each of you days, 8-)
I’m sorry for your loss Laura.
I too am thankful for teenage boys (19 and 18) so men, really. I am thankful for your blog. I have learned so much!!
And that’s a great photo!
So thankful we sorrow not as they who have no hope. We KNOW where our believing loved ones go when the race is run! Your family picture is lovely. Congrats on 3 teenagers. I have 6 younger brothers, and now four boys of my own, and I look forward to the teenage years, having seen personally as a sister, what a blessing teenage boys can be. Blessings to you and yours, even as you have and continue to be to me!
I am thankful my 18 year old son (??really??) is questioning his beliefs and I am trusting God to show him The True Way. His doubts are sharpening my faith and is leading to some great discussions.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I know only too well how sudden loss can hit a person. I am thankful you have teenagers who are compassionate and there to comfort you! I am thankful you can take comfort in knowing your uncle is rejoicing with Jesus and you will one day be reunited. I am thankful for the presence of God in my life!
Loosing a loved one is so bittersweet. I lost my mom in July after a battle with pancreatic cancer. I’m so thankful I know she’s not hurting any more. Life has resumed normalcy but it feels like there’s a piece missing. My kids have loved on me through it all. Such a blessings to have a close family to love on you when you need it. I’m saying a prayer for you and your family.
Laura,
Deepest sympathies for your loss. I keenly understand the place of joyful mourning you are residing in at this time. Knowing your uncle is celebrating with Jesus doesn’t take the edge off the loss.
Today, I am grateful for all that has gone seemingly wrong over the past week. All those hurts, real and imagined; the communication issues (electronic and otherwise); the injuries and trips to urgent care (multiple); the failed meal attempts; the destroyed baking utensils; the frustrations, irritations and exhaustion. All these seemingly awful things that drove me right into the arms of Jesus. Our family has leaned on God more readily in this past excruciating week, on more levels than I have ever witnessed . Maybe it is simply more apparent to me than in times past. I am just grateful to recognize how much I cannot do without Him.
I know how vulnerable we can be after a loved one goes home. But what a great chance we have to share His goodness in the life of one we remember. Hope to hear about the great things your family learns about His peace in this time of loss and grief.
Kindly,
Audrey
I send my condolences for the loss of your uncle. Praise God that he knew the Lord!
You and Matt are doing a great job raising your boys to be compassionate, godly men. I know you would give God the glory and credit for that. I enjoy following your family, because I too have four children – but mine are all girls. :) We also homeschool, and I think the age differences are similar to yours, because when my oldest is 17, the others will be 15, 13, and 10. She’s only eight now, though. :) I definitely believe you when you say the years between now and then will pass quickly, though. Thanks for sharing your life with us.
Awww, hugs, Laura. I’m so, so sorry. We lost my dad suddenly on Oct. 5. He was perfectly fine, then gone. Very traumatic and devestating . It brought me great comfort to see my cousins at his service. They *knew* him and understood what we lost. I pray for comfort for you and his widow and children.
Blessed by children who are growing in every way and a hubby that is there for me in a sweet and tender way.
Much love –
God’s goodness is indeed overflowing in our lives!
I’m incredibly thankful for a warm home (it was 3 degrees this morning!) and plenty of food to keep the teenage bellies full! So many people have neither of these blessings, and my heart breaks for them.
Love the family pic!