March 4 – “… for Millie”

Saturday we finally made it to one of Zak and Caleb’s basketball games.  They played in the Upward Basketball program sponsored by their church.  As it turned out it was the last one of the season, so we barely got it in.  The rules are a little different in that program, so it took some getting used to.  They play two halves, but each half is split up into three periods.  They make use of the period idea in a few different ways.  It does provide an extra water break for the kids.  There is also a rule that when the same kid gets his second foul, he has to sit out for one of the periods.  That proved helpful to Zak’s team.  The best player on the opposition was a pretty big kid who garnered his second foul.  While he sat out Zak’s team pulled ahead, and even when the big guy re-entered, they couldn’t catch up.  Meanwhile, Caleb’s team was playing on the other court.  I mentioned before that he is the youngest on his team, so his attention span is not the longest ever noted.  I also mentioned that he has a very cute little girl named Millie on his team.  Well, to start the game, those two were on the bench as subs.  And their antics were almost as interesting as the game itself.  At one point Caleb was sprawled out on the floor under the bench.  Millie was draped across the bench.  And they were holding hands.  Cute stuff.  He did get into the game and was able to display his fierce defense.  He even had a chance to dribble the ball down as point guard.  His coach was trying to get a lane cleared for him so he could attempt a shot when one of his teammates stole the ball from him.  Ah, the joys of five-year-old sports. 

We went by Target on the way home to get a gift for Millie’s birthday party.  Caleb had looked in a catalogue ahead of time and had picked out the Target version of an American Girl doll tent and backpack camping set.  Of course they didn’t have it in stock, so he had to pick something else.  Christi stayed behind in the car to finish feeding Luke, so Josh was lefty alone to deal with the dilemma.  But the dilemma was not a problem for Caleb.  He glanced around at the items they did have, and rather quickly picked out a very frilly white doll dress.  He said, “This one is pretty … for Millie.”  Wanting to do his due diligence, Josh suggested something else.  Caleb answered, “No the dress is pretty … for Millie.”  Josh mumbled something along the lines of “For Millie,” and Caleb reiterated, “For Millie.  See, she’s a girl.”  Wanting to make absolutely sure, Josh tried one more alternative.  Caleb calmly replied, “That’s very nice, but I choose the dress.  It’s very pretty … for Millie.”  No mistaking what his choice was.  And can you beat those impeccable manners?  Sounded just like his Mommy.  Josh finally got the message.  “This is a good choice Caleb.  And it’s definitely for Millie, not for you.  We get it.”

2 Corinthians 9:15 says, “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”

Father, thank you for the incredible gifts you have given me.  Life.  Salvation.  Chris.  My sons.  My grandchildren.  Doesn’t get any better than that on this planet.  Amen.