I just put her to bed, my four year old; and tomorrow I will wake up and go into her room and wake up a five year old girl. Hard to believe that time has gone by so quickly. It makes me stop and think ya know?! When I get irritated with Brandon or the stages he's going through I realize that one day I'll be tucking him in as a four year old boy and waking up a five year old big boy.
Julia has come a long way in her five years here on this earth. She was my first (and only for that matter) girl, the first to have stitches, the first with a sassy comment. In many ways she was the first for a lot of things in spite of her being second born.
She is the hardest working little kid I know, and I love that even though she's a girl she is not afraid to get her hands dirty. When she loves you...she really loves you, and you'll know it when you are in the dog house!
I can't wait to see the woman she turns out to be...so Julia, happy early birthday. We love our little girl!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
The Proof Is In the Pudding
For not knowing where a particular phrase comes from, or even what it really means for that matter, I have heard the phrase, "The proof is in the pudding" many times. My dad always says that if someone has changed their ways, the proof is in the pudding, and to me it means that the change will last if it is a true change.
I say all this to say we are going on our fourth week at our new church, and David has only been able to go with us one week out of all four due to work. I am still enthused and can't wait for my weekly recharge and fellowship with other Christians. It's been a long time since I've felt this way, and I sure am enjoying it! Last week we had a great special speaker, Dr. Jimmy DeYoung. He was an awesome speaker on end time events and taught us some great tips for helping read through the book of Revelation. An amazing man of God; he made all of us excited for the return of Christ!
I have even been getting everyone's clothes out and ironed the night before, just want to make getting out the door even less stressful. Tomorrow will be the last week that David has to work the whole weekend and he will be able to go with us again. But even without my right hand man, I am happy in this church, and the kids are happy and God is moving in my life and teaching me things again. It feels good to be back in that place, a real relationship with my God.
I say all this to say we are going on our fourth week at our new church, and David has only been able to go with us one week out of all four due to work. I am still enthused and can't wait for my weekly recharge and fellowship with other Christians. It's been a long time since I've felt this way, and I sure am enjoying it! Last week we had a great special speaker, Dr. Jimmy DeYoung. He was an awesome speaker on end time events and taught us some great tips for helping read through the book of Revelation. An amazing man of God; he made all of us excited for the return of Christ!
I have even been getting everyone's clothes out and ironed the night before, just want to make getting out the door even less stressful. Tomorrow will be the last week that David has to work the whole weekend and he will be able to go with us again. But even without my right hand man, I am happy in this church, and the kids are happy and God is moving in my life and teaching me things again. It feels good to be back in that place, a real relationship with my God.
When Cats Attack...
This evening when I stopped at the gas station to put in my meager amount of gas money, I noticed a cat across the parking lot. He was laying on the ground, very comfortable and watching all the cars coming in and out. He didn't seem inclined to move at all, in fact he seemed very pleased with himself, as most cats seem to be.
When the kids noticed him, the questions began. "Mommy, why is he outside", "Mommy do you think he has food"? I explained that since he looked comfortable he must be an outside cat and can take care of himself. Zach then remarked, "Mommy, I bet he's an attack cat. If you don't pay for your gas, he attacks you." All I could do was laugh!! And since we paid for our gas, we will never know:)
When the kids noticed him, the questions began. "Mommy, why is he outside", "Mommy do you think he has food"? I explained that since he looked comfortable he must be an outside cat and can take care of himself. Zach then remarked, "Mommy, I bet he's an attack cat. If you don't pay for your gas, he attacks you." All I could do was laugh!! And since we paid for our gas, we will never know:)
Monday, June 20, 2011
An End And A Beginning
Tomorrow is the last day of school for my children. I am thankful that it is here, we can have a bit of a slower pace in the morning, do fun things together and begin our summer. It never fails that as one thing comes to a close, another opens. It's kind of nice to be always anticipating what's coming and at least this year we are anticipating good things; unlike last year's uncertainty.
Now is not only the beginning of summer with my babies, but we are anticipating a much needed vacation South. It will do my heart good to be with my Southern family. We have also started a new beginning with a new church for our family. We are so blessed by this new church, so much love the invitations for lunch and visits kept coming left and right. I can't stop smiling; I haven't been this excited about church in years. My spiritual life was all but dead, I had truly left my first love...but I'm back! By God's grace and love I am back. Ready to worship, minister in whatever capacity and possibly even consider something I never thought I would consider again...becoming a member of a congregation.
Another thing on the 'new' front is the wonderful work we have been blessed to witness in a dear loved one. As we pray for him, we see God working in wonderful ways. So grateful for family and the way that God gives us our hearts desires. One of my desires was just to minister to a person in need. That person came in the form of a dear loved one, and David and I feel so special to be a part of his life again. Let's just say God is mighty and can work miracles if we just believe it! This is in no way to David's and my glory...only to the glory of our risen Saviour:) To watch this person break free from the things he was bound to and turn into this amazing, responsible man is such a privilege. I wake up smiling, anticipating what God will do today for us, for our friend in need, for our children.
I actually have the desire to play the piano and violin in church service again...something I haven't done in over 10 years. How exciting to feel like God can still use me, love me, accept me back into his open waiting arms:)
On another 'new' note, my parents have made settlement on their retirement home!! It is a true fixer-upper and we have been over there in force to demo the inside completely and clean up the yard! A huge thanks to Sean Barner for all his REALLY HARD work...you've earned some respect from my family as we work along side you. Keep up the good work, you're doing great! It's nice to have a project to work on with my Dad and Mom again. I miss those times when dad and I would work together, and jump at every chance to do so now that I'm grown and have kids of my own. And I have to say we do make a pretty good team...whatever we're getting ourselves into! They are happy to have about two acres of wooded land that their "new" house. I put new in quotes because the house is about 50 years old, but by the time we are done with it, it will be new:)
Rosie always says we are into some project on the house...now that we ran out of money for our house, we're spending mom and dad's money:) I've always found that a family that can do projects together...stays together. I am happy for my parents as they will be debt free once they sell their current house; a dream we have all had for them for many years. Congrats mom and dad...God has truly blessed you in ways only He can.
Now is not only the beginning of summer with my babies, but we are anticipating a much needed vacation South. It will do my heart good to be with my Southern family. We have also started a new beginning with a new church for our family. We are so blessed by this new church, so much love the invitations for lunch and visits kept coming left and right. I can't stop smiling; I haven't been this excited about church in years. My spiritual life was all but dead, I had truly left my first love...but I'm back! By God's grace and love I am back. Ready to worship, minister in whatever capacity and possibly even consider something I never thought I would consider again...becoming a member of a congregation.
Another thing on the 'new' front is the wonderful work we have been blessed to witness in a dear loved one. As we pray for him, we see God working in wonderful ways. So grateful for family and the way that God gives us our hearts desires. One of my desires was just to minister to a person in need. That person came in the form of a dear loved one, and David and I feel so special to be a part of his life again. Let's just say God is mighty and can work miracles if we just believe it! This is in no way to David's and my glory...only to the glory of our risen Saviour:) To watch this person break free from the things he was bound to and turn into this amazing, responsible man is such a privilege. I wake up smiling, anticipating what God will do today for us, for our friend in need, for our children.
I actually have the desire to play the piano and violin in church service again...something I haven't done in over 10 years. How exciting to feel like God can still use me, love me, accept me back into his open waiting arms:)
On another 'new' note, my parents have made settlement on their retirement home!! It is a true fixer-upper and we have been over there in force to demo the inside completely and clean up the yard! A huge thanks to Sean Barner for all his REALLY HARD work...you've earned some respect from my family as we work along side you. Keep up the good work, you're doing great! It's nice to have a project to work on with my Dad and Mom again. I miss those times when dad and I would work together, and jump at every chance to do so now that I'm grown and have kids of my own. And I have to say we do make a pretty good team...whatever we're getting ourselves into! They are happy to have about two acres of wooded land that their "new" house. I put new in quotes because the house is about 50 years old, but by the time we are done with it, it will be new:)
Rosie always says we are into some project on the house...now that we ran out of money for our house, we're spending mom and dad's money:) I've always found that a family that can do projects together...stays together. I am happy for my parents as they will be debt free once they sell their current house; a dream we have all had for them for many years. Congrats mom and dad...God has truly blessed you in ways only He can.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
My God Is Bigger Than My Biggest Doubt
Well a true miracle has happened, and in the process some kiddos were able to see that their prayers reach the ears of their Heavenly Father.
After I said that we were postponing our Mississippi trip I commented to my Mom that it was interesting that just when we had it all planned out our way, God changes things. Her response, "Well how could it be a miracle if it all went according to your plan"? I told Rosie about the postponement and although she was disappointed I knew she would lovingly understand.
Last night we went to dinner with the friends who are graciously lending us their camper for the trip, and I happened to tell them about the fact that we couldn't go because we didn't have the money to put new tires on David's truck. We were disappointed but safety and making sure our bills are covered obviously has to come before a "want". If you ask me we are way beyond just wanting a visit at this point,but since it's not necessary for survival...
When I told Kim and Rob about the tires, they said, "We already talked about it and we want you to take our truck". Rob's truck is already set up for towing, and has plenty of seating for all five of us!! I could have cried! How amazing that God answered this "need". I hesitated before calling Rose to tell her about the provision of the truck because the other money was certainly not on the horizon. So I didn't want her to get her hopes up and then be crushed again. Instead I said to myself, "God is in the business of miracles, so I'm going to believe that this is really going to happen. Trust and believe and rest".
After I told Rosie about the answer to prayer she told me that her little boy Micah had prayed at one meal, "Dear Lord please help Zach to come here and it not cost them money". Rose smiled thinking that he meant that we would get the money to come, not that it wouldn't cost us anything. Later in the afternoon I received a surprise phone call. Early last year our van was having lots of problems and we felt like we might have a lemon. We contacted a lawyer that handles these types of cases, simply looking for the problems to be fixed. We knew that worst case scenario we would walk away with no money and still have our van. But the main thing was that we didn't have to pay the lawyer to do the work as he would get his payment directly from GM.
Well the surprise phone call was an offer to settle out of court. The money is enough to cover all the bills for the month that we are going away in, and gas and food money for the round trip!!! I was screaming with excitement when I called Rose back to tell her that Micah's prayers had been answered. And better yet, it was answered EXACTLY the way he prayed for it, none of this has cost us any money! PRAISE GOD!! We know that it is God's will for us to do something when it all falls into place without any effort on our own. Oh don't get me wrong we were willing to work extra hours, and I even perused the obituaries hoping a long lost rich relative left me some money:)
God's ways are so obviously better than our own. He always promised to meet our needs, but a trip south was not a need, it was a want. God saw fit to give me something that my heart has been desiring for so long. I feel so special that God wants to give me 'fun' things too!!
My kids are going to bug out when they see the camper pulling in the yard in just a few weeks so we can start packing!!! Mississippi Rose, HERE WE COME!! Prayer works! And so does having faith in the fact that God is bigger than my biggest doubt. I will cry when I see my Rose, I can't wait!
After I said that we were postponing our Mississippi trip I commented to my Mom that it was interesting that just when we had it all planned out our way, God changes things. Her response, "Well how could it be a miracle if it all went according to your plan"? I told Rosie about the postponement and although she was disappointed I knew she would lovingly understand.
Last night we went to dinner with the friends who are graciously lending us their camper for the trip, and I happened to tell them about the fact that we couldn't go because we didn't have the money to put new tires on David's truck. We were disappointed but safety and making sure our bills are covered obviously has to come before a "want". If you ask me we are way beyond just wanting a visit at this point,but since it's not necessary for survival...
When I told Kim and Rob about the tires, they said, "We already talked about it and we want you to take our truck". Rob's truck is already set up for towing, and has plenty of seating for all five of us!! I could have cried! How amazing that God answered this "need". I hesitated before calling Rose to tell her about the provision of the truck because the other money was certainly not on the horizon. So I didn't want her to get her hopes up and then be crushed again. Instead I said to myself, "God is in the business of miracles, so I'm going to believe that this is really going to happen. Trust and believe and rest".
After I told Rosie about the answer to prayer she told me that her little boy Micah had prayed at one meal, "Dear Lord please help Zach to come here and it not cost them money". Rose smiled thinking that he meant that we would get the money to come, not that it wouldn't cost us anything. Later in the afternoon I received a surprise phone call. Early last year our van was having lots of problems and we felt like we might have a lemon. We contacted a lawyer that handles these types of cases, simply looking for the problems to be fixed. We knew that worst case scenario we would walk away with no money and still have our van. But the main thing was that we didn't have to pay the lawyer to do the work as he would get his payment directly from GM.
Well the surprise phone call was an offer to settle out of court. The money is enough to cover all the bills for the month that we are going away in, and gas and food money for the round trip!!! I was screaming with excitement when I called Rose back to tell her that Micah's prayers had been answered. And better yet, it was answered EXACTLY the way he prayed for it, none of this has cost us any money! PRAISE GOD!! We know that it is God's will for us to do something when it all falls into place without any effort on our own. Oh don't get me wrong we were willing to work extra hours, and I even perused the obituaries hoping a long lost rich relative left me some money:)
God's ways are so obviously better than our own. He always promised to meet our needs, but a trip south was not a need, it was a want. God saw fit to give me something that my heart has been desiring for so long. I feel so special that God wants to give me 'fun' things too!!
My kids are going to bug out when they see the camper pulling in the yard in just a few weeks so we can start packing!!! Mississippi Rose, HERE WE COME!! Prayer works! And so does having faith in the fact that God is bigger than my biggest doubt. I will cry when I see my Rose, I can't wait!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
A Great Sunday
I think David and I have just about decided that the new church we are attending is "the one" for us. The big test was going to be if I went when David had to work. You see the way his schedule works out he has one month of weekends off, and then works every weekend the following month. So I knew my big test would come when he couldn't be there.
I can't even tell you how excited I was to get up and get the kiddos ready to head out the door...we were even a little early!! Yes, early! When you want to do something you put all excuses aside and you just do it. Brandon was a little teary when I picked him up, but mommy was recharged and ready to take my little man:) Zach and Julia had a great morning and have been singing Bible songs for most of the day. The worship service was just that...WORSHIP, and I soaked in every minute of it. My heart has longed for worship, and I have found a place for that in this church.
The sermon was great too. It was titled "Playing The Blame Game". I did a lot of nodding in agreement this morning. Blaming others sure is easier than taking responsibility for my actions. Pastor took us to a passage in Genesis...you know the one where the Lord is walking in the garden after Eve sinned. He asked Adam about what had happened and Adam blamed Eve...when he asked Eve, she blamed the serpent. Blame goes all the way back to the beginning!!
I think the part that really hit home is when he was talking about using past things that have been done to us (offenses) as our excuse to be bitter people today. He said a wise man once said, "Bitterness is a pill we swallow hoping the other person dies". He said when someone offends us (not just hurts our feelings, I mean really offends us) we have two choices. We can overlook the transgression or we can lovingly confront the person. He also mentioned people who look for hurts like treasures, and instead of taking care of them they tuck them in their pocket and hold onto them for a later date to take out and use against the person who hurt them.
My best Northern friend and her children went with us this morning and had a great time as well:) I look forward to next week and getting filled up with the Lord's Word.
Still praying for a miracle to happen so our trip south can happen in August:) Signing out, happy, blessed and tired.
I can't even tell you how excited I was to get up and get the kiddos ready to head out the door...we were even a little early!! Yes, early! When you want to do something you put all excuses aside and you just do it. Brandon was a little teary when I picked him up, but mommy was recharged and ready to take my little man:) Zach and Julia had a great morning and have been singing Bible songs for most of the day. The worship service was just that...WORSHIP, and I soaked in every minute of it. My heart has longed for worship, and I have found a place for that in this church.
The sermon was great too. It was titled "Playing The Blame Game". I did a lot of nodding in agreement this morning. Blaming others sure is easier than taking responsibility for my actions. Pastor took us to a passage in Genesis...you know the one where the Lord is walking in the garden after Eve sinned. He asked Adam about what had happened and Adam blamed Eve...when he asked Eve, she blamed the serpent. Blame goes all the way back to the beginning!!
I think the part that really hit home is when he was talking about using past things that have been done to us (offenses) as our excuse to be bitter people today. He said a wise man once said, "Bitterness is a pill we swallow hoping the other person dies". He said when someone offends us (not just hurts our feelings, I mean really offends us) we have two choices. We can overlook the transgression or we can lovingly confront the person. He also mentioned people who look for hurts like treasures, and instead of taking care of them they tuck them in their pocket and hold onto them for a later date to take out and use against the person who hurt them.
My best Northern friend and her children went with us this morning and had a great time as well:) I look forward to next week and getting filled up with the Lord's Word.
Still praying for a miracle to happen so our trip south can happen in August:) Signing out, happy, blessed and tired.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Threads Of Life
Did you ever find that there is one person who has been such a big part of your life that they are weaved through every aspect of your life. The good, the bad, they know your ugly side and love you anyway.
I was cleaning my bookcase out tonight and found that person. The children are fascinated by my books, and I often find Julia pouring over them while laying propped up in my bed...even the books that have no pictures:) Well since the books are within reach of the kids little hands, they rarely stay in the order I put them. I haven't had the energy or the desire to put them back in order until tonight. I put on some music in the bedroom and got started. I had some found some books in the basement that I wanted to bring up and add to my collection, but knew that would mean taking all the books down and rearranging them. Hence not wanting to touch that whole project. For some reason I had the energy tonight.
All the books came out and I rearranged them and put them back in alphabetical order according to the author's last name. Just as I was putting the last book to rest out slipped a small pile of letters, and a picture of my best friend in the whole world Rose Morris (well she was Rose Roberts at the time the picture was taken). I could feel the tears welling up, you see it's been seven or eight years now since we've seen each other. A lot has happened in that time, life has happened, kids have happened, anniversaries, birthdays, laughs, tears, and we just had to postpone a trip to see her in August. I guess the fact that we postponed didn't really hit me until tonight when I saw the picture and read through the four or five letters that were piled together.
Some of them were sad tears and then I found myself laughing out loud and hysterically until I cried again at some of our memories. They are precious you know, our memories are precious. I can't wait until we are together, meet each others kids, HUG...little does she know I'm not letting go for a long time. This amazing, special person has laughed with me, cried with me and lifted me up when I was at the lowest point in my life; heartbroken, she sent words of encouragement and I found retreat with her and her family when I thought I couldn't make it one more day on my own. She didn't laugh at me when I dyed my hair and it turned out almost red! Instead she teased me about wanting to be her mom's favorite child (Miss Mary always wanted one red head I guess)! I told her I already knew I was the favorite, and she called me a brat:)
Since I grew up as an only child it was wonderful to have a safe haven in the beautiful South, where I was surrounded by sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, grandmas, Uncle Will and no end to Southern mamas to love me when I was far away from my own parents. These are my the Southern threads that are tied so tightly around my heart that it hurts when those heart strings are tugged on. And so I finished up with my bookshelf, cracked a smile, shed a tear and send all my love South tonight.
I was cleaning my bookcase out tonight and found that person. The children are fascinated by my books, and I often find Julia pouring over them while laying propped up in my bed...even the books that have no pictures:) Well since the books are within reach of the kids little hands, they rarely stay in the order I put them. I haven't had the energy or the desire to put them back in order until tonight. I put on some music in the bedroom and got started. I had some found some books in the basement that I wanted to bring up and add to my collection, but knew that would mean taking all the books down and rearranging them. Hence not wanting to touch that whole project. For some reason I had the energy tonight.
All the books came out and I rearranged them and put them back in alphabetical order according to the author's last name. Just as I was putting the last book to rest out slipped a small pile of letters, and a picture of my best friend in the whole world Rose Morris (well she was Rose Roberts at the time the picture was taken). I could feel the tears welling up, you see it's been seven or eight years now since we've seen each other. A lot has happened in that time, life has happened, kids have happened, anniversaries, birthdays, laughs, tears, and we just had to postpone a trip to see her in August. I guess the fact that we postponed didn't really hit me until tonight when I saw the picture and read through the four or five letters that were piled together.
Some of them were sad tears and then I found myself laughing out loud and hysterically until I cried again at some of our memories. They are precious you know, our memories are precious. I can't wait until we are together, meet each others kids, HUG...little does she know I'm not letting go for a long time. This amazing, special person has laughed with me, cried with me and lifted me up when I was at the lowest point in my life; heartbroken, she sent words of encouragement and I found retreat with her and her family when I thought I couldn't make it one more day on my own. She didn't laugh at me when I dyed my hair and it turned out almost red! Instead she teased me about wanting to be her mom's favorite child (Miss Mary always wanted one red head I guess)! I told her I already knew I was the favorite, and she called me a brat:)
Since I grew up as an only child it was wonderful to have a safe haven in the beautiful South, where I was surrounded by sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, grandmas, Uncle Will and no end to Southern mamas to love me when I was far away from my own parents. These are my the Southern threads that are tied so tightly around my heart that it hurts when those heart strings are tugged on. And so I finished up with my bookshelf, cracked a smile, shed a tear and send all my love South tonight.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Attn: Parenting Is Hazardous To Your Health
The title of this piece came to me as I was performing acrobatics in the drivers seat that would make any circus proud!
Why do I feel the need to do any such antics while driving? Well I have kids; that should be enough explanation in and of itself. I am completely against texting and driving, talking on your cell phone and driving, drinking and driving...but there are no rules about practically climbing in the backseat to grab a soda from your toddler before he sprays it all over the inside the van - or are there? I haven't even asked David (aka: Copper) about this for fear he would go all, "That's a violation of code 143a subsection 14c" on me:)
I swear the lady coming at me must have thought the rapture happened, because I don't think she could see me, that's how far back I was bent, while driving with one knee and screaming, "Nnnnnnoooooooo". Brandon's face broke out in a grin, all the while he must have been thinking, "Oh good, mommy is going to sit with me for a while"! I should have just pulled over, but I didn't actually think about that until just now. Imagine explaining that to the officer that pulls you over...
"Officer I promise you I won't drive with one knee on the wheel and one toe on the gas pedal ever again, I could have sworn that my husband said it was legal...is it too late to say no hablas english-o?" A dear friend's stepdad once told me that speaking spanish was simple, add "o" to the end of any word and voila it was spanish. As I giggled (like 13 year old girls do) my girlfriend groaned and her mother warned me not to encourage him:) I carry his wise words to this very day, and every once in a while break out Guy's version of spanish!
Now that Zach and Julia are older, they sit in the third row of the van and it's virtually impossible to reach them. I said virtually because when my mother is in the van she instantly becomes gumby. As soon as one of the kids makes a peep...there she is ripping off her seatbelt and bending, almost gumby like all the way to the third row!! I asked her once if she would just prefer to sit back there, since she spends most of our trips anywhere with the kids partially in the backseat:) The part that scares me is that she attempts the same feat when she's the driver! That's where I draw the line and she gets the Mom-mom look that tells the kids, "Your mother is mean, you know if it were me I would bend my body into the shape of a pretzel to get you the one crayon that dropped on the floor even though you have an entire box still there in your lap!!" What actually comes out of her mouth is, "Poor Zach...".
I doubt she remembers what I was told as a kid you know the bit, "You'll get it when we get there and if that's not good enough I'll throw the rest of the crayons out, then you won't miss the one the fell on the floor"!! Okay so my parents weren't that mean...oh wait, that's what I say:)
So this is fair warning to all mothers to be...you will become acrobatic circus performers when you have your baby:) I wouldn't have believed it if it didn't happen to me!
Why do I feel the need to do any such antics while driving? Well I have kids; that should be enough explanation in and of itself. I am completely against texting and driving, talking on your cell phone and driving, drinking and driving...but there are no rules about practically climbing in the backseat to grab a soda from your toddler before he sprays it all over the inside the van - or are there? I haven't even asked David (aka: Copper) about this for fear he would go all, "That's a violation of code 143a subsection 14c" on me:)
I swear the lady coming at me must have thought the rapture happened, because I don't think she could see me, that's how far back I was bent, while driving with one knee and screaming, "Nnnnnnoooooooo". Brandon's face broke out in a grin, all the while he must have been thinking, "Oh good, mommy is going to sit with me for a while"! I should have just pulled over, but I didn't actually think about that until just now. Imagine explaining that to the officer that pulls you over...
"Officer I promise you I won't drive with one knee on the wheel and one toe on the gas pedal ever again, I could have sworn that my husband said it was legal...is it too late to say no hablas english-o?" A dear friend's stepdad once told me that speaking spanish was simple, add "o" to the end of any word and voila it was spanish. As I giggled (like 13 year old girls do) my girlfriend groaned and her mother warned me not to encourage him:) I carry his wise words to this very day, and every once in a while break out Guy's version of spanish!
Now that Zach and Julia are older, they sit in the third row of the van and it's virtually impossible to reach them. I said virtually because when my mother is in the van she instantly becomes gumby. As soon as one of the kids makes a peep...there she is ripping off her seatbelt and bending, almost gumby like all the way to the third row!! I asked her once if she would just prefer to sit back there, since she spends most of our trips anywhere with the kids partially in the backseat:) The part that scares me is that she attempts the same feat when she's the driver! That's where I draw the line and she gets the Mom-mom look that tells the kids, "Your mother is mean, you know if it were me I would bend my body into the shape of a pretzel to get you the one crayon that dropped on the floor even though you have an entire box still there in your lap!!" What actually comes out of her mouth is, "Poor Zach...".
I doubt she remembers what I was told as a kid you know the bit, "You'll get it when we get there and if that's not good enough I'll throw the rest of the crayons out, then you won't miss the one the fell on the floor"!! Okay so my parents weren't that mean...oh wait, that's what I say:)
So this is fair warning to all mothers to be...you will become acrobatic circus performers when you have your baby:) I wouldn't have believed it if it didn't happen to me!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
This World Is Not My Home...and thank heaven!
After heading to a new church on Sunday I wondered if I had taken anything away from the sermon. I have been busily humming praise and worship songs which was a good sign that I had taken something away from the song service! Well today I got my answer.
David had left for work, Brandon was napping and I was switching a load of laundry. Suddenly I had overwhelming feelings of sadness, doubt and negative thoughts were flooding my head. Then something the pastor said Sunday morning jumped out at me. He had been talking about all the recent activity centering around Israel; he spoke briefly about the political goings on and then made a statement. He said, "I hope you can see that none of what is happening in Israel is about the politics, or borders...I hope you can see this is completely spiritual". He then went on to say that we should be watching eagerly what happens there, discouraged setting dates for the rapture to take place, but said we need to be ready as things fall into place for the Lord's return.
What stood out to me was the whole idea that the battles happening over there are spiritual. Why hadn't I thought about that before? Why am I so stuck in just living in the moment, and forgetting that there is an eternal outcome for me and my family? And that my brain is the only thing that Satan can control...my thoughts, so why wouldn't negative thoughts/feelings be a spiritual battle. I'm tired of saying, "That's just the way I am, I can't handle stress, I don't know why I feel that way".
I started saying positive things out loud, "I am a good mother, I keep a nice house, I have a husband that loves me, and a God that cares about me, I have wonderful children, I make good meals for my family..." and so on, until suddenly a big smile spread across my face and just like that it was God and positive thoughts 1, Satan and negative thoughts 0. It's certainly not a cure all, and I can fully understand now what fighting a moment by moment battle is, but the Lord is good and I'm ready to fight on...
David had left for work, Brandon was napping and I was switching a load of laundry. Suddenly I had overwhelming feelings of sadness, doubt and negative thoughts were flooding my head. Then something the pastor said Sunday morning jumped out at me. He had been talking about all the recent activity centering around Israel; he spoke briefly about the political goings on and then made a statement. He said, "I hope you can see that none of what is happening in Israel is about the politics, or borders...I hope you can see this is completely spiritual". He then went on to say that we should be watching eagerly what happens there, discouraged setting dates for the rapture to take place, but said we need to be ready as things fall into place for the Lord's return.
What stood out to me was the whole idea that the battles happening over there are spiritual. Why hadn't I thought about that before? Why am I so stuck in just living in the moment, and forgetting that there is an eternal outcome for me and my family? And that my brain is the only thing that Satan can control...my thoughts, so why wouldn't negative thoughts/feelings be a spiritual battle. I'm tired of saying, "That's just the way I am, I can't handle stress, I don't know why I feel that way".
I started saying positive things out loud, "I am a good mother, I keep a nice house, I have a husband that loves me, and a God that cares about me, I have wonderful children, I make good meals for my family..." and so on, until suddenly a big smile spread across my face and just like that it was God and positive thoughts 1, Satan and negative thoughts 0. It's certainly not a cure all, and I can fully understand now what fighting a moment by moment battle is, but the Lord is good and I'm ready to fight on...
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