3 Days

I have not enjoyed a book as much as "A Truth Worth Tellin" since Mrs Wilson let me borrow her Harry Potter books a few months after Luke was born. I finished it in 3 days, which is good for me lately, considering most books just sit there on the nightstand, not catching my interest at all.

It is written from the view of an 11 year old girl, growing up with a mother who has schizophrenia. She also befriends another girl, whose mother is not well, but she has a different disease. It's based in Louisiana, and the author is from Central.

Here are a few excerpts from it.

"Lord", I whisper, "I know you're thinking, oh great here's that Maggie girl wasting my holy time again." I admit, sometimes I do ask for silly stuff, like the other day when I prayed my breasts would grow. It seemed like such an important thing to ask for, but now, I realize that was something I should have just kept to myself. I am sorry about that, because I know you stay busy dealing with things down here and running Heaven and all. Anyway, I'll try to keep that in mind from now on."

There is no greater love on earth, than that of a parent for a child. It calls us to live for someone other than ourselves, and asks us to be deliberate in our choices. It demands more than we have to offer which brings us to our knees in search of wisdom and guidance.

If possible, I would create a world where you would never experience pain, where your deepest desires would become reality and life would meet all of your expectations. Of course, I'm not able to do that, but I can do something more valuable. I can direct you to the God who created you and knows the desires of your heart. A heavenly Father who offers strength and peace, and will walk with you through life.

It is great, I highly recommend it, and I will return it to the library in just a few days so you can read it too!

A Morning At The Museum

Cold. Rainy. Yucky. Stuck inside again. Blah.

We loaded up and made the best of it by visiting the Arts & Science Museum downtown.

First stop was the Science Station. The kids loved the ball maze.

And this thing (which I'm sure has a name) that the ball clacks down each wooden step.

Next was the Discovery Depot where they imagined, played, cooked in the kitchen, climbed the clubhouse. Suprisingly, I was not asked yet again, for a train table. Because a train on the floor isn't quite the same thing.

Erin built a firetruck puzzle while her brother threw all the jumbo-sized dominos on the floor, then proceeded to take a "nap" on the bookshelf.

We took a tour of Ancient Egypt, saw a real live mummy and walked through a pyramid tunnel.

I'm sure we could have stayed much longer, but after passing a few birthday parties and the delicious smell of birthday cake - our rumbling tummies told us to head on our way.

It was a good morning, and no one cried or yelled. At least until we got in the car.

And just as a note (which of course my cheap self didn't realize) every 2nd Saturday of the month, they do not charge admission for children under 12.

Just For Me!

Happy New Years to me! Happy Valentine's to me! Happy Anniversary to me!

Happy New Years, Valentine's and Annniversary dear Ashleigh....

(Let's be honest, it will probably be my birthday gift too! But I'm ok with that.)

I got a new package yesterday. I patiently waited 6 whole days for it to arrive.

Woooo Hoooo! A shiny, new camera!

A camera whose flash works properly....that has more than 6 mp...that isn't prehistoric size and will actually fit in my pocket!

And now, I also have a daughter who doesn't have to keep asking, Where is my camera Mom?

Why People Follow Jesus

John 12:1-50

Why do you follow Jesus? Do you follow Him? There are several reason why people do...

Some follow out of  a passion for Him, a true love. (vs 1-4)
Days before Jesus was crucified, Mary Magdalene annointed His head and feet with an expensive oil. It was more expensive than gold today. It represented one years salary. She was devoted to Jesus and willing to give everything to Him. And some days we are reluctant to give 10%. A measly portion considering all He has given us.

Some follow to gain position. (vs 5-11)
All of the disciples are disappointed at the use of the oil, but Judas was the one to voice his displeasure. It was not because he actually felt pity for the poor that he spoke of, but because he was a thief, and would have loved to have his hands on the money it was worth. The disciples, even up to this point, were interested in who would be the greatest in His kingdom. They even argued about it in Mark 9:34.

Some follow to obtain prosperity and power. (vs 12-19)
The Jewish people wanted a king to save their city, not their souls. They followed Him in hopes he would restore their city to its former glory.

Some followed Him to investigate a phonomenon. (vs 20-36)
They were interested in what would happen to Him. If He was who He claimed, would he allow His own death on the cross?

Some follow Him privately. (vs 37-50)
Many of the chief rulers who beleived in Jesus, would not openly profess their faith in Him. They loved their relationship with men, more than their relationship with God! (vs 42)

Why do you do what you do? If you have a passion for something, then nothing will stop you from doing it. Do you have a passion for Jesus? Why do you follow Him?

A Must Read

I know most of my fellow bloggers read MckMama's posts, but for those of you who don't, I'm copying & linking it up here.

It is so true, and although my dear son is making us crazy the last two days by simply being a 2 year old, I will miss it too. (Except maybe the excessive screaming at naptime today.) I think all the time, Erin & Luke can stop growing now. They are such sweet, wonderful (mostly) children, at such a great age...

So get a hankie ready.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010
I'm gonna miss this


"How do you do it? How do you stay so calm with four young children?"

Part of it is just how God made me, I think. I am pretty calm with my children. And, honestly, often I stay calm even in the midst of chaos because, frankly, it's better than the alternative. A shrieking, freaking out mama is not going to make an already stressful situation any better. So, for the most part, I stay calm and try to be in the moment with my children.

But how do I do it?

There is one little bit of inspiration that literally descended upon me almost two years ago, while I was holding Nuggey in the bathroom, that has completely revolutionized my parenting. When I keep this truth in mind, I find it as easy as apple pie to stay calm in the midst of toddler chaos.

I remember that I'm gonna miss this.

It was dark, during the end of bathtime, and Prince Charming was gone. I was doing dinner, baths and bedtime myself those days, as my husband worked late. It had been, undoubtedly, a long day with the kids. Big Mac was three, Nuggey was one and a half and Small Fry was a baby. It is as clear as day still, this memory.

I was sitting on the toilet, drying MckNugget off after his bath. Small Fry, unable to roll, was sprawled on the floor of the bathroom on some towels, wearing nothing but a diaper and a grimace. Big Mac was still in the tub. He was squawking to get out and Small Fry was bellyaching for attention. But I slowly wrapped Nuggey up in his towel, determined to stay calm, and cuddled him in terrycloth. I slowly rocked him back and forth in my arms and sang Rock-a-bye Baby to my second born.

As I wrapped up the song, I prepared to sit Nuggey up and attend to the chaos that was the other children. After all, there were baths to finish, teeth to brush, diapers to put on, jammies to find and beds to tuck children into. But as he sensed me about to right him, Nuggey tossed his wet head back in my arms and looked up at me. "Uh-gain!"

So I sang Rock-a-bye Baby one more time, but I told him it would be the last. Yet when I finished, he begged again for more.

I didn't want to do more. I didn't want to sing to him one more time. I was tired. Tired of children, tired of singing, tired of the day. I just wanted it to be over. But then suddenly, as if fairy dust was sprinkled from the heavens right onto my tired head, the entire reality of my future set in.

I'm gonna miss this.

I looked down at little Nuggey, his damp eyelashes long and dark batting at me, his tiny bottom cradled in my hand, his soft, chubby legs thrown over my arm, his body entirely dependent on mine as I held him in my lap, and I could see the future. Nuggey, a grown boy, sporting a football jersey and facial hair, walked out of the bathroom. It was going to happen, and soon. And while I knew there would be joys with that time in my life, when our young children are teenagers and beyond, it struck me like a ton of bricks.

When that time comes, I'm gonna miss this.

When Nuggey comes home from college, barely speaks a word to me and hibernates in his bedroom all summer, I'm gonna miss this. As my mind fast forwarded to the future, I knew that at that moment, I would give anything for 20 year old Nuggey to be a toddler again, just for one more hour, so I could rock him and sing while I stroked his wet head.

And here, years earlier, I was being given my wish. I was able to rock Nuggey, a nearly helpless babe in arms, one more time.

Given a new perspective from which to see, I sang Rock-a-bye Baby as many times as Nuggey would let me that night. Eventually Small Fry found her hands and started admiring them, and Big Mac grabbed a new tub toy. And I relished that time with my son in my arms, knowing that soon enough he would be all grown, and my arms would ache to hold him like a baby again.

I'm gonna miss this.

My mind cannot help but wander to those parents who have lost children. What on earth would they not give to hold their children again, even for a moment. I bet they would not complain about having to sing Rock-a-bye Baby one more time. Rather, they would probably give their right arm to sing it ten million times until their voice was hoarse and their eyelids closed in slumber.

And women with empty wombs who long and pray and ache for children? What honor am I doing them if I take for granted the fact that I have children, young children who are begging me to cuddle them, sing to them. I will love those women who long for a baby by loving my babies and not taking them for granted.

So, I determined right there and then in the bathroom to try to be ever thankful for the moments I do have with my children. I will not wish away their young years, always hoping to get more laundry done or other children dried off. I will relish each kiss, hug and song. I will leave their childhood behind with no regrets, no "I love you" unsaid, no cheek unkissed, no request to "Cuddle wif' me!" turned down. Even as the macaroni flies and the Sharpie stains my table, even when there are midnight wailers and globs of Desitin under my fingernails, I know...

...I know I'm gonna miss this.

http://www.mycharmingkids.net/2010/01/im-gonna-miss-this.html

Serious Bedhead

What do you do when your son wakes up with hair like this? I know of nothing that will make it lay down!

Sadly, I think a screaming, crying, sobfest haircut is in order.

As Happy As

A girl in the grass!