<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>

I regret to inform you that I eagerly awaited THE EVENT all day long.
I thought about what cool navy and silver (grey) outfit I would wear.
I tried to get the kids to bed a wee bit early so I could fully savor the moment.
There was a fleeting moment.
One decent punt return for a touchdown.
No goosebumps.
No thrill beyond all thrill as you watch the teams duke it out.
Only pitiful whomping and stomping.
If only it were a team that I would even consider relevant in the league that defeated them.
Come on, Cowboys - you have got to be kidding me...
On the bright side, it was the second fiddles, but still...

Dallas Cowboys, You're on notice:
You're the Dallas Cowboys.
Your B team should be whoopin tight ends all over the place.
By the start of regular season, there had better be something better going on than the Vikings laying you out to dry...

There.
Not that you care.
I care.
that was purely for my benefit.
thanks for listening...

In the end,

Thanks Scrappy!

Do you like your new nickname?
It's my thing.
I get to give nicknames to those who don't already have them...
And Gwen was so last decade...
The fact that you had a playdate was enough.
Your string bikini was the icing...
hehehee
Alright, what can I say?
Your house was perfect!
Your backyard oasis - delightful!
The company - a treat!
And your homemade smoothies and kiddie Popsicles - to die for!
Who knew you could make kiddie Popsicles that are both healthy and yummy??!!??
Yes, she made Popsicles.
Now I'm loser mom...
"Why don't YOU make our Popsicles mommy...."
Oy ve!!

untitled.

When someone you love is hurting, you hurt with them.
When someone you love is hurt by you, it is a feeling altogether wretched and unbearable.
I have been tried and found guilty by the wounded. The hurt is real, although unintentional.
How does a person who intended no harm and feels justified by their decision facilitate healing?
I have inflicted a wound on this person that serves only to re-injure a deeper heartbreak and for that, I am wholly to blame.
I had only the best intentions in mind for the involved individuals,
but what is perceived as less than pure motive where some are concerned.

I am conflicted.
I am broken.
I am alone.
If it is possible to be right and to be wrong at the same time, in this situation, I have mastered the art of being exactly that.
Right and wrong.

In the end, the unsolicited, unintentional, undesired result is wreaking havoc on not only me, but also someone I care deeply for.
If you were to ask me which is worse, I'd say the latter is more agonizing for sure.

Every Mother's Dream....

Classroom.

We do a lot of sign language in my class so I was excited to find this sign.

One of my most favorite things in my classroom is the stuff hanging from the ceiling.

It's hard to appreciate in the pictures, but it really adds a bunch to the feel of the room!

Last year, we did a bunch of songs and I would let them choose their favorites ever once in a while - but when they chose 'Frosty the Snowman' in May, I decided to revamp the choosing process. This little juke box guy is going to help me limit their choices to only the songs and activities we have done that week.

I didn't like seeing the ugly back of the piano first thing when I walked into the room. I made the curtain (valance), the piano cover, and the curtains across the front of the shelving last year.

I wish I had taken a BEFORE picture. You will never be able to fully appreciate how much stuff came out of my room. THAT is the miracle of my lifetime. One day, 400 Little Tykes Playthings. 14 gillion dead crickets - yucko!

I am really looking forward to this schoolyear! I think the second year is going to go so much more smoothly than my first - and I positively cannot complain about the first year...

I just know what to expect and I have much more confidence.

Ok - that's all I have! Thanks for peeking into my music room!

E! Entertainment.

We bit the bullet.
We went and got family portraits this evening.
It had been almost 2 years.
The pictures turned out really nice, but even nicer than the pictures was the lady at the portrait studio...
My good friend E. showed up in uniform and ready to go - even though she wasn't actually scheduled to work...
Who does that?
I will tell you.
E. does that.
Above and beyond.
She even gave her very best to help calm little A. down in the midst of her fit-frenzy...
What would a scheduled photo op. be like without a black eye, puffy cry-baby eyes, a new zit, et cetera??
Thank you for making the huge effort you made so that everything could be perfect.
And those editing training sessions have really paid off! You're good!
Those pictures will make me think of you. And that zit that just appeared this morning...
And my daughter's nonstop crying... And my Hollywood-bound son.... And...
Well, you're just fantastic - that's all!
Thank you!

Strong.

We've been laying with our children at night for longer periods of time than in the past.
One reason is because we can do it without getting them all riled up, and the other obvious reason is so we can know what they're thinking about.

So my husband hung out with A. while I hung out with J.
I could hardly wait to find out what my husband had to say about his conversation with A.

He said A. kept bragging about how strong she is.
She said, "I'm stronger than daddy. I'm stronger than mommy. I'm stronger than Bubba."
Then she turned it around and started saying, "Bubba's strong. Daddy's strong." All the way down the line....
Her daddy asked her if Granddaddy was strong.
She said, "No, Grandmomma's strong."
There you have it ladies - Grandmomma's are stronger than granddaddies!
Sorry DAD................

Big kid.

I was talking with my son at bedtime tonight.
He was talking about what it took to be a 'big kid.'
You must:

1. Sleep in a big boy bed,
2. Poop in the potty,
3. Eat all your growing food,
4. Play on the big kid playground at school.

I asked him if Buzz Lightyear was a big kid, he said,

"Yeah, he's an Intergalactic Space Ranger."

Who knew?

Recipe anyone???

I have never boasted the extent of my culinary prowess.

Tonight, I concocted a meal that was neither delicious, nor edible.

It was simple by design.

The meat was hamburger meat. I added a few spices and some other secret ingredients (if you ask me, it must have been canned dog food and nail polish remover).

Truly, this was without question the most disgusting hamburger patty I have ever put into my mouth on purpose...

My kids looked at this cruel, cruel reality as it oozed grossness all over their plates.

I told them they didn't even have to try to eat it.

I was shocked by my own involuntary response when the foul substance crossed my lips and assaulted my tongue.

I literally gagged as if I would vomit.

Here are some pictures of the progression of events:

That was after one flip-over.

Here's after two...

At this point, I realized it might be more appropriate to call it "hash."

Also around this time, my husband came into the kitchen. He was clearly thinking, "What is that heinous odor?" But he sweetly asked, "I smelled it all the way from the living room, and I had to come see what it was." (Good hunny.)

I scrambled the cursed mess up and finished burning it...

And voila! It was dinnertime! Here's a look at our dinner table tonight...

Seriously, it was despicable. Utterly loathsome.

This begs the question, 'meems, do you want me to post the recipe?'

As a side note: I also managed to burn the frozen veggies IN THE MICROWAVE!!!

Proud Moment: Husband went back for seconds. Bless his heart...

Bummer.

Cowboys lost to the Houston 'Losers.' 28-16

No news is good news!

Ok, well I haven't been doing my blogging homework...
It just so happens that my life has picked up a bit.
Or maybe life has picked me up...

Either way, God has really been doing a great work!
It has taken me a long time to
'put on my big girl panties and deal with things'
and I have not been disappointed!
My expectations have been met and exceeded!
I am so grateful for a God who cares enough about the goings-on in our world to bring a revolution!
It couldn't hurt that I took a long hard look in the mirror...
God has shown me things I have been hiding from myself,
and now that it's out in the open, I can clean house!

What a journey still lies ahead in this path to becoming:
A woman after God's heart.
A person of depth and breadth, created to praise and adore a deserving God.
A loving, supportive, and respectful wife.
A patient, consistent, and tender momma.
A genuine, honest, and devoted daughter.
A considerate, accepting, and loyal sister.
A caring, attentive, and generous friend.

These are traits that I have been praying for - not this list specifically - but a version of it from one prayer to the next.

Many days, I fall short;
But my God is no small God.

It's unreal, the stuff that Satan hurls at you, when you are making your most concerted effort to become everything you can become in God.
Especially from the angles that you have left unguarded...
But at long last, I am compelled.
Compelled by a desire birthed from deep within,
not of myself - but of God.
A sense of urgency drives me further into the process that burns away that which cannot abide in the presence of a holy God.
A process that I don't particularly enjoy, with it's inherent scrapes and bruises.
It, however, is a process that has become increasingly necessary for this crawl to become a 'walk.'
And then for my walk to more closely resemble my Saviour's.

It's for your own good.

La, I got your comment.
Boy, did I ever get your comment?!?!?!?!
It is a matter of your protection that I did not post it.
As a result, it will never see the light of day.
You can thank me later!
Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!

Yay to me!

Hunny's home.
Burns are not too bad.
He's lying there on our couch asleep, cuddling a pillow, looking so cute.
I'd take a pic, but you know I would so pay for that...
I have felt so bad for him. No one should have to work such long hours. Seriously.
This is the never-ending week for him - but tomorrow is Friday.
He's here. He's ok. He's getting some much needed rest.
Yay!

Debbie Downer...

Okay - it's time for a new thought on this page.
I have been so down the last few posts. Sorry.

When my kids jump on a bed, my first instinct is to jump with them.
No cuter thing can I picture than the two of them jumping with all their might on my bed.
It is cuteness defined. The only thing that is even cuter is when they giggle too.
It is so hard for me to overcome the kid in me sometimes.
I'm glad for that.
But there are also days when it's too hard to overlook the responsible adult.
I always end up telling them that they cannot jump on the bed, but only after a few minutes of pure, precious bed-jumping fun...
Mixed message? NAAHHHHHHHH>>>>>>>

I'm fighting anger here.

It's not fair, for the first time in a really long time, I had an unusual excitement over Chris's day off.
I was looking forward to it for many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that it was our last day off together before I go back to work.
During the school year, it is as if we don't see each other for days at a time because we arrange our work schedules for childcare.
I am really upset. Really, really upset.
I NEEDED him to be off work today.
Do you realize that I have not been up to my classroom yet?
I don't even know if hurricane sunday school or tropical storm vacation Bible school has left it unrecognizable as my music classroom...
I have found it to be futile to take the kids and expect to get anything done up there.
So I NEEDED him to be off today.
But I also Wanted him to be off.
It was his day off. The fact that he is up there means that his miserable 70+ hour work week will likely end up being more like 75-80.
He figuratively and now literally puts out fires that others start for a living...
I think it was close to 3AM before he got home after the disaster and he was gone again by 8AM.
Poor, poor hunny...
I am really trying to fight back the 'mad' here...

Pray.

Yes, I know.
10 minutes ago everything was coming up roses.
My hunny just called.
There was an accident at work.
He and an employee have been burned.
The employee might need to go to the hospital he said. (No, meems - not that employee)
There is damage in his kitchen due to a fire.
Their efforts to extinguish it caused a bit of a "backdraft" as he put it.
He is coming off of a more than 16 hour shift - which, due to recent events, will likely be more like 18. If everything goes ok from here on out.
he's tired.
he's burned.
he needs our prayers.
Tomorrow was supposed to be his day off.
It has been snatched away from him. He has to go back up there for cleanup.
They can't open tomorrow.
Too much mess from fire and extinguishers.
Poor hunny.

Things that happened today...

1. I was pleasantly surprised by a visit from my daddy first thing this morning.
2. I had not one, but 2 cups of coffee. The best part of waking up. Two cup days are usually good, but not nearly as good as 4 cup days.
3. The kids got to play at the park. That is always fun! They played themselves into a dither!
4. J. decided that he does like pizza. I have dreamt for this day. Can you say, Digiorno?
5. My parents were in-town today and we spent some time this afternoon with them. The kids are always glad to see their grandparents. My mom tried to give the kids ice cream and their evil mom said NO... Poor kids... Poor grandmamma... :(
6. My son begged and begged me to let him mop. Yes, really.
7. My daughter morphed into a two-year old, finally. She's always been so perfect, now, at 2 and 3/4 years old, she got the memo... I think an extended 3 month timeout should do...
8. I cooked a dinner that both kids ate. It was evidently scrumptious.
9. We got to go to church. Rainbows, specifically. I cannot explain to you how much this means to the kids. It is as if they would do anything I asked them to just so they can go, (pick up toys, eat their 'growing food') It's magical. J. knows he gets 'points' if he brings his Bible, so at like 3PM he started carrying it with him everywhere... so sweet.
10. I saw Marme's 30 year set. Good job, Pastor. And Marms, you're gonna have to get a sling to hold your arm up before too long. I'll say - if that's what 30 years earns me, I'm in...
11. Rainbows went well, until Julia got a present for earning 500 points, and A. did not get the same special present. She cried real big tears, for a really long time. So heart-broken. These outbursts are so foreign coming from A. that I don't really know what to do with myself when it happens. I guess I will do what every other mom does; grin sheepishly and make an escape... In her defense, she's been positively perfect, until lately...
12. We went by Daddy's work to kiss him goodnight. Given A's foul mood today, I should have known better. She covered her mouth as we walked in. I asked her why she was covering her mouth and she snarled, "I don't want to give kisses." And she quickly covered her mouth up again.
13. The much anticipated moment arrived at bedtime tonight. I told J. that if he had a good bedtime last night, and he ate and behaved well today, he would get to sleep with his favorite Buzz Lightyear Toy. A moment I have dreaded because I knew he would keep himself awake with it. He tried so hard today. He was agreeable, sweet, he ate, he did everything I asked him to. He was just perfect. So tonight at bedtime, I told him he had definitely earned a night with Buzz. Those eyes just lit up. It was wonderful! He could not have been more pleased. And I could not have been any more proud. We have had our moments, me and that boy - but tonight he was so big, so tender, so excited, so everything a momma dreams of. He went straight to sleep.

What a gift! We are so blessed!

Even the days that don't seem to have a real definite purpose are blessings!

Thank you Lord for a great day with my babies!

Nothing Compares...

Cruel child labor?

I know they set those child labor laws into motion for a reason.
But who am I to rob my son of his joy?
Yesterday, it would seem my son began what I hope is a lasting love affair with mopping.
Today he begged me to let him mop the kitchen floor.
I 'reluctantly' agreed. HA!
I got out the Pine-sol and told him to get after it!
He is a really great mopper!
When he finished, the floors in my kitchen and dining room were super-sparkly! I just went on and on about it!
He wanted to do more.
What kind of mother would I be if I denied him his good, clean fun? (drumroll)
I said, "you can go do your bathroom..." He just gushed with happiness.
He came back, practically skipping all the way. I will say, I know just how to brag on that boy to keep him coming back for more!! Like father, like son.
He asked if he HAD to quit.
I suggested he go mop the entry way. He was elated!!!
Man! What a humdinger of a deal!
I got to prepare dinner and avoid major catastrophe.
Normally, while I cook or clean or try to do ANYTHING other than invest 100% of myself into them - I can be guaranteed a catastrophe.
Momma learned a new trick. Give him something really helpful to do. He loves being a part. He absolutely eats it up!
And now I get to relax in my perfectly clean house, well at least until 8:15 tomorrow morning...

Stories from our chaotic world.

Last night, I made the mistake of warning my kids that I would vacuum today.
It's not usually an event when I vacuum but J. just could not get to sleep for thinking about all the things I might accidentally suck up in the vacuum.
After 'lights out,' he came out to remind me of the Lincoln Log between his bed and the wall.
I assured him I would not allow it to meets its end tomorrow...
About 20 minutes later, he returned with furled brow, "My mind just will not let me quit thinking about that Lincoln Log."
How terrifying for those little ones who have wild moms with vacuum cleaners...
__________________________________________________________
My daughter has some interesting words I'd like to share:
Salads have cartoons on them. (croutons)
Last year during the holidays, Merry Christmas was really 'Mermaid Princess.'
Nightgowns are night downs.
Whenever she talks about something being 'little bity' her voice chirps a full octave above her normal pitch.
__________________________________________________________
Today, as I stepped from the shower, I found that she had been discovering things underneath my bathroom sink.
She actually unravelled the mystery of baby powder. In the form of an explosion. Covering a 3 foot radius. It was everywhere.
I have learned that there is at least one substance on this earth that has the ability to get in more places than sand. Yup, baby powder.
When I asked her 'What happened?'
She looked up at me with a powder-white face and said, "I don't know."
I lifted her up so she could see her face in the mirror, she chuckled.
Then I set her back down and pointed to the mess. I said, "Did you do this?"
Her: "No, I didn't"
The 8th great wonder of the world.
__________________________________________________________
In a moment of inexplicable clarity tonight came words of wisdom.
Here's some background: I was outside in our front yard pulling weeds. My two most favorite-ests were right there with me.
Pulling weeds is so monotonous that I usually find myself drifting off into la-la land. I came back to earth when I heard my son say, "I just LOVE throwing dirt clumps at our house!"
I immediately returned to my post as drill Sergeant mom, and started in on all the reasons it was not a great idea. About first on the list was, 'because it makes MORE WORK for me...'

He looked at me and said, (I'm quoting here) "You know momma, when you think about how much you love me, bein' upset over dirt clumps on the house is really silly willy..."
Now there is some perspective from a 4-year old. I am raising a world-changer.
Thank you Jesus! Sometimes I wonder if I am up to the challenge, but most of the time I feel so completely honored to be chosen for the job!

Horrifying.

It is horrifying to me that these gurus of Blogville feel that they have the power to remove our privilege to blog at their every whim. I just read that today at 4PM, they will cause the system to shut down for 10 whole minutes for scheduled maintenance.
Who are they to dictate to me when I shall get my 'fix?'
They must not realized what an epidemic is on the loose...

Dimples.

Is there anything as genuinely intoxicating as looking at a child with dimples smile?
I just cannot get over how adorable those dimples are! I was blessed with not one, but two, dimple-faced sweeties!

On the other hand, I'd gladly contribute my extra dimples. I was saving them, you know, hiding them somewhere I wouldn't forget them, for future cute kids' faces.
After two absolutely perfect starts out the gate, I decided to quit on making babies.
But I still have all these extra dimples leftover...
Any takers??

Kids.

My kids are a ticket to Crazy Town.
The boy child, specifically, has been making me feel like each word I speak bounces off him and into some other dimension. I know it's a phase, but when your sanity is so intricately attached... I feel like I am going crazy!

Me: Did I not just tell you that jumping on your bed was not an option?
Him: This is your bed.

At the restaurant today, I asked him for a kiss. He proceeded to bend me back and lay one on me that would make a kiss from Gone With the Wind look unromantic... I don't even want to think about what everyone else thought...

My daughter, on the other hand, cried for literally nearly an hour last night because her nightgown "wasn't beautiful." Who tells a 2-year old about what's beautiful?

Then there are those moments that come in perfect timing, when momma has just about lost her ever-lovin' mind, they come to you tenderly, petting you, and saying those words that have never sounded as beautiful, "Momma, I'm thirsty..."

And off you go, for another round of the best job you've ever had.

Somethin' you might not have known about me...

I've got goosebumps!
Oh it's bad. I cannot wait for the season to begin! The Dallas Cowboys have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I am hoping to organize some football parties this season, to watch the Cowboys, and get everybody together! But if you ladies think for a minute that I will be hanging out in the kitchen, you have another thing comin'...
I am crazy for some Cowboys!
Check your calendars. I'll be mysteriously leaving Sunday services early when they kickoff at noon...

Navel gazing.

Hi, This is me.
I have a crick in my neck.
The reason I have a crick in my neck is because I have been craning it so that I could gaze directly into my own belly button.
I have spent too much time worshipping my problems.
They are not unique. They are not even interesting.
So this is me, coming up for air.

I would love to tell you that tomorrow, I will be freed from the chains of selfishness, of self-interest to the exclusion of others.
Navel gazing.
But this ugly habit has attached itself to me and it's grip is strong. I have been so blinded to what has been going on elsewhere, the world outside my own 4 walls - to the point that I have become unavailable to the people I care about most. Even my own children.

I never wanted to become so self-involved. I think it's just the kind of thing that happens over time. You go to war with whatever you're warring with. You suit up. Engage yourself, and after a while you've forgotten what the fight is for... Your eyes have long since become glazed. You're just fighting, but why?

Something pretty cool has happened in my life, I started letting God fight my battles for me.
It's nice to think that because God said He'd fight the battle for me I have acquired some free-time.
So here's to the new me, the self-effacing one. The one who genuinely wants to know how she can help you. How she can resist the urge to focus her gaze inwardly, and be available to someone else for a change...

I love those girls!

I just got to spend some time with some 'older women.'
Well, they're not "women," they're little grils. Yes, I meant to type grils.
They are so sweet, and lovey, and helpful, and fun, and well-spoken, well-loved, well, just wonderful...
They are just a few years older than my kids. I really enjoy the age that my kids are right now.
It's pure sweetness. And it can feel so good to be needed.
But I just love the ages that those little ladies are too...
So much fun. My little friend, the fashionista, who had advice for those people who were dressing the mannekins at JCPenney...
And her little sister, who is, hands down THE BEST little mommy I have ever seen...
They were delightful, k, just delightful!!
I look forward to each and every opportunity to steal them from you!
What a HOOT!

What a day!

A lot happened today. Mostly good. Some not as good.

Here's the run-down:

GOOD
I got a guitar. I needed a guitar for work. Yes, I do play. Only a little.
I got to spend a little time with La, not planned time, but time (I'll get to the story in a moment)
I had lunch at Red Lobster. Also not planned, but it was yummy...
My dad and his friend helped me pick out the guitar (got a great deal) and my dad bought me a strap for it along with other various items. They also strung it and tuned it for me, and lowered the bridge. Whew! I was gonna have to do all THAT? Thanks fellas!

Not-so good:
I discovered a pretty sizeable dent in the hood of my van. No idea from whence it came...
I was trapped outside my house for ALMOST the whole day...
I did not shower before I left because I would only be gone 'for a little bit' - hmmm, that's ironic.
I went to a pawn shop this morning to look for aforementioned guitar and when I returned home around 11:30ish, the garage door would not open. It was jammed.
The other doors to the house were locked from the inside where you can only open them from the inside. NO Possible entry through anywhere but the garage...
I went to Red Lobster to hatch a plan.
Left with full tummies, but No plan. I went back to the house to try to break in with a credit card. Dumb. It was so very hot and I needed a potty.
I drove to La's house to crash her pad, *at naptime* I might add. We used her phone and her potty and played for a few minutes... I was stinky and greasy by now...
By the time I made it home, my husband had gotten away from work for a few minutes and like an expert, had broken in for me. Thanks!
The spring was snapped on the garage door.
I spent the rest of the afternoon trying to catch up on laundry and house work.
I played my guitar for too long and now my fingers hurt and typing is a chore.
It's off to bed for this tired lady!

That's the run-down.

Oh and one more thing, I skipped church because of a KILLA headache, that belongs under the 'Not-so good" category...

Ok so I hated the greyish blue...

Still looking for the perfect color combo for my bedroom.
Looks like some brown scheme will win... Shocker...

His dream.

J. had a dream last night.
He usually tells me he had a dream about choo-choo trains and candy canes, but last night he dreamed about marshmallows and mud food. Mmmmmm.....

Things I miss most about my sister...

Your blog about home sparked thoughts and emotions in me.
So many that, let's face it, a comment would have been ridiculous!

Home misses you too!
Family dinners still taste good, but have less flavor. Your empty chair is a constant reminder of the hole in my heart.
I know it has been the journey of your lifetime. A journey necessary for you to take. And your journey has worn well on you.
Your success and growth as a person are a testament to that. You are in the right place. doing the right things. and although it pains me to say it, for now, home is right where you are.
I do miss things. Man do I ever miss things...
I miss the girly little room we shared. With all the girly little porcelain 'pretties' and floral patterned everything. Pepto Bismol pink - I think I called it. I used to HATE that room.
I miss sleeping next to my sister. You were so cozy.
I miss stealing your eyeshadow when you weren't looking. You always had the best makeup.
I miss singing with you, it was like this perfectly wound thread. Nothing has ever come close to that...
I miss being your partner in crime, except for that time you ran over that kid's sack lunch, that was just pure evil.
I miss teasing you mercilessly - you were always such an easy target...
I miss being able to chuckle every time you gagged yourself with your toothbrush, you must have done that everyday for our whole lives!!
I miss having little things to talk about, like which earrings to wear - the kinds of things you can only do face to face... Or joking about "whatever should I wear today?" when we went to private school together and had to wear uniforms.
I miss you dropping by at the exact moment that I needed a friend.
I miss the fact that I could know the minute I should be expecting a phone call to let me know that you got home safely.
I miss the phone calls in a moment of great peril, when I could tell you came to me for help first. (I don't miss the moments of great peril, just the fact that I was your refuge)
I miss the frequent hair dyeing. The shop-talk. I miss having stir-fry with you.
I miss your presence, your faithful, happy presence.

I miss the tiny, daily events that you never notice until they're not there.
I miss you!
I love you!

color schemes.

yes, you're right - I have been changing my background a lot lately.
The crazy truth about it is - I am testing out color schemes for my master bedroom, on my blog.
Once I settle in on one, it will calm down - and then I will vanish for a week and my room will be done!
Just think of it as a sneak peek...
I just can't decide what I want to do with it yet.

Zip it.

How hard is it for a girl like me to shut the mouth?
Pretty hard, I'll say...

I don't usually read in the Old Testament, other than Psalms and Proverbs...
I have read it before - but I don't generally study there...
Today was one of those days where you just kinda rummage around in your Bible, looking for nothing in particular, hoping to gleam something wonderful.
Maybe even a specific answer to a specific something you might be going through at the time...
It happened. And in a way no one would ever suspect.
I was actually rummaging through my son's Bible, looking for a story that they would enjoy for bedtime, you know-action, drama, adventure, God's power, the whole nine yards...
I stumbled across the story where God empowered Moses as he led the Israelites out of Egypt and eventually parted the Red Sea. You know the one...
In the kids' Bible, it is really paraphrased and simplified so they'll understand it...
I can't tell you how many times I have read that story or heard sermons on that story and this tiny detail has never stuck out - until tonight.
Yeah - go ahead, laugh - I had to read something from a toddler Bible for it to penetrate my mind! LOL!

Exodus 14:14 says,
"God will fight the battle for you. And you? You keep your mouths shut!"

What? You're telling me to sit down and shut up?? I am a problem solver. I regularly take matters into my own hands, with mixed results. :P

That may very well be one of the most challenging things I will ever do. Hush and let God fight my battle for me. But I do know this, He has done it before. He'll do it again!

Thanks be to God for using toddler Bibles to speak to some of the more hard-headed ones of us!

Sit down and shut up!

And what a divine story it will be when He does what He promised to do!

So to you, insurmountable problem, You're toast! My God parted the Red Sea. Nanny, nanny, boo, boo...

Acknowledgements and Blog Rules to live by...

1. I realize that I am a blog spaz.
2. It has been brought to my attention that I delete too many posts.
3. I have a fairly regular case of blog remorse.
4. I think there might be a medication for that.
5. There is always a deeper meaning, and I am determined to find it.
6. Why does it give me heartburn to see a deleted comment? Was it tacky? Great, now I've got hives...
7. My husband recognizes that blogging is a cheap addiction, unlike other potential addictions and is therefore sold on the pretense of its 'greater good.'
8. If I reveal something personal (embarrassing) about myself and your husband inadvertently stumbles across it, please warn me of the impending awkwardness that will ensue.
9. If for some reason, I am made aware of something personal or embarrassing about your husband, that under normal circumstances I should not know, please warn me of the impending awkwardness that will ensue.
10. If there is an inside joke, such as code-breaking, that will make me pee my pants (I had big babies) - a simple warning phone call will suffice. (ie. "Hey, You're gonna pee your pants when you read this...") I don't ask for much.
11. On a similar note, Computers are electronic devices. You are taking the safety of your friends into your own hands when you pen a post that cannot be read without gallons of tears falling to their keyboards. Fair warning is advisable. These are perilous times in which we live, you never know when you can get electrocuted by your space bar...

Your careful and regular adherence to these edicts hereby set before you is duly noted.

This could be classified as a post that was intended only for fun and should be administered with a few grains of salt.

Here she is ladies and gents...

My good friend, M.(rhymes with candy) who was also at the playdate and vowed to give this blog thing a try has made good on her word...
here's her link:
http://joliebijoux.blogspot.com/
As for the name, I don't know the story behind it - you have to ask her... :)

calling in sick.

Although I have no reason to believe that anyone will see this between now and time to go to church, I thought I'd 'call in sick' anyway. Most of you are probably sleeping, cuddling, or some other nonsense...

3 hours.

I just discovered one of the biggest drawbacks to having a blog.
when you use it as your diary, just to jot down a few thoughts, then save it as a DRAFT...
Sometimes you end up posting it accidentally...
such a thing has happened.
it was out there for 3 hours.
to any of you who read it, i'm sorry
to those of you who are suddenly wondering, no it wasn't about you... ;)

Betwixt.

God has always come at me in waves.
I always love God. I always want to serve Him.
But in the ebb and flow of life, I find myself more apt to follow after the things of God at the height of a wave.
Although my desire to serve Him is no less fervent during the retreat of the wave, for some reason amidst the retreat, I get disoriented.
I never lose the desire.
I lose direction.
So tonight God, as I am here between waves, I pray that You would lead the way.
I need to know where to place my foot.
Point it in the direction You would have me go.

• Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your
paths straight.

• Psalm 119:105

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

So much emphasis is placed on getting to the next wave by whatever means necessary.
There is so much to be gained between waves. Traits like trust, obedience, and faith can be cultivated there.
I want to be positioned so Your next wave can hit me full on.
I trust you, Yahweh. Maker of ALL things. Knower of ALL things. Lover of souls. Lead on.

She's smitten.

I was asking the kids what their favorite part about being at the pool was.
J. said he liked going to "the deep end" - The deep end, in this case, is an ominous four feet deep.
He also got a kick out of sticking his head underwater and trying to find me by my legs. Like THAT'S hard... :)
My daughter, on the other hand, snickered and said, "Mason and Mason's daddy."
She-devil.
I am sorry, no_iffer -
But it is so stinkin funny.
She has a crush on BOTH of them.
Who to choose??

J's time out.

My son earned a time out. He has earned a time out many times before.
The thing that set this time out apart from so many of the others is the fact that he chose to ignore me.
I called him.
I called him again.
And again.
I finally raised my voice and called him one last time.
He came.
I calmly asked him, "Do you know how many times I called you?"
He looked down, thought for a moment and made a 4 with his fingers.
He looked up and said, " Uh-huh, 4 times."
That little rascal knew exactly how many times I had called him.
And that, my friend, is how you earn a time out.

At seph's suggestion:

My kids nicknames would be as follows:
(Most of them are interchangeable)
Suggah Buggah
Sugar doll
sweet pea
monkey
chango (monkey in spanish)
Meeka - M'ija, but J always says it with a K... Girl child
M'ijo - only the boy child
Princess
Sunshine
sweet doll baby
Tooters and scoots
Chookie-chook
Love bug
Mama and Papa
buddy bear
sugar bear
rotten pea-scotts
stinkweed
Sweet love

It is not an exhaustive list. I could continue almost indefinitely, but these are the most widely used nicknames.

as for the husband:
hunny, sweetie, babe, hey, christoa, darlin', whatever comes out of my mouth at the time...

This will be funny tomorrow...

I don't know if any of you heard the purported
C-R-U-N-C-H as my husband left for work this afternoon during our little get-together...
I, for one, thought he was playing a mean trick on me when he told me this had happened.
I said, "You're joking right?"
Apparently, he tried and tried (as did numerous others) to reach me by phone - but it was off the hook...
He backed into our neighbors'/across the alley fence.
It busted out a good bit of it.
I'll be making phone calls tomorrow...
whoopsie!
One can easily see why the name - beautiful chaos - is so fitting.

Special bedtime.

I took kdp's advice. Well, maybe it wasn't advice exactly but I took it to heart anyway.
She said that she just listened to her girls at nighttime. Tried to talk as little as possible. But mostly listened and answered questions.

Tonight, I felt it would be nice to breakaway from our usual pattern of bath, brush teeth, read stories, tuck, sing, pray, kiss, close door.
I was worried they would go nuts because patterns comfort them. If I stray from the usual, will they actually go to sleep?
I tried it.
It was magical.
They have so many wonderful thoughts.
So many perfectly wonderful things to say.
It was like falling in love all over again.
They are so sweet.
I love LOVE my precious adorable babies.
Thank you kdp for an unforgettable nighttime.
What a gift!
Thank you Father for the honor of raising them.

I have a friend, some of you met her at the last playdate, her name is Wendy. She has joined the B-team. (The very first B-team I have ever been proud to be a member of... Blog-team)
Here she is: http://wendy-scrapsoflife.blogspot.com/
Go take a look!

One of those.

Ever had one of those days?
THIS is one of them.
How great would it be to be a gorilla right now?
I would roar and beat my chest repeatedly.
And when I finished, everything would be better.
That is all I can say about that.

seedless fruit.

When did seeds in fruit become 'inconvenient?'
I mean, honestly...
Is that not, after all, the point?
Eat it. Replenish it. The circle of life.

I have thought about this since our last playdate.
I bought a seedless watermelon. Thinking it would put the mothers of the very young at ease.
If there were no seeds to choke on, no one would worry about it.
(In the end, it didn't matter because I bought a rotten watermelon and had to throw it away.)
But I started thinking about it that evening as I lay on my bed, drifting off to sleep.

Who thought of that?
Seedless fruit.
And what kind of mad skills must someone have to remove the seeds from fruit without leaving a huge gash in it? I joke.
But so much technology must go into breeding and crossbreeding this hybrid called "seedless."

What are we after?
Will there come a time when all that is left is that one last watermelon? (referring to the do-do birds on the movie ice age... good flick...)
All because we removed the very thing that life needed to sustain itself for the sake of convenience?
Have we become a people so fraught with the 'necessity' of convenience that we can no longer appreciate the true necessity of replenishing?
What will they think of next - pitless peaches?

I began to liken myself to the seedless fruit: the church (community of believers) to the vine.
I have been the seedless watermelon.
Once cut away from the vine, I would grow no more. And once whatever sweet pulp I had had been used up, there would be no more. No seeds for future use. For growth. Although the fruit itself was good, what is left is meaningless without the seed.
I guess in the end, I'd rather find the balance.
Lord, let me not be content to wither on the vine (or fade into the pew).
But please Lord, while I remain on the vine, let seeds be instilled in my soul.
Seeds of usefulness. Seeds of purpose. Seeds for replenishing.
Let me not become that rotten seedless watermelon, whose purpose was best served fermenting in the bottom of my trash can.
If I have something, anything that is of use, USE ME...

I'd like to thank the academy...

where do i begin?

• I have to say thanks to kdp and her pilot who bailed me out of a major dilemma. They were johnny on the spot when i called them on thursday night at 6'ish begging for their muscles and their pickup. three clicks of my heels later, they showed up at my house ready to rock-n-roll. how very comforting it was that you were so available to us! (i'll try not to cash in on your good graces again anytime soon) thank you! the good news: all that big stuff has already sold so you're completely off the hook.
• Also, meems. she brought us route 44 sonic cherry limeades at nearly 12 midnight. You have no idea how badly La wanted one. no really, no idea. the bounce in your step is a mood-lifter anytime.
• rw, i know you're just pretending that you're shy - you're really the life of the party - (bossy-bossertons) hehe! it has been a pleasure to get to spend time with you.
• E. dearest e. You are wonderful! I love the way you got excited every time someone said 'stroller' or 'aquarium.' You have so many endearing qualities, not the least of which is your fun-loving excitement (even when caused by lack of sleep).
• Missy and Colleen, without you two darlings, this would literally never have been possible! you two did an exquisite job loving those babies. for real.
• La. I cannot thank you enough for being the kind of person you are. you have exceeded my expectations and caused me to rethink my own ideas of what servanthood means. There is apparently no challenge too large for you to take on. You amaze me! Thanks for starting this whole shin-dig up and seeing it through!

I think that may have been longer than a real acceptance speech.

I'm going to bed.
See you in the morning.

So many stories, so little time.

I have some catching up to do.
I committed to doing this blog thing for posterity's sake.
I wanted to have one spot where most, if not all, of my memories of the kids were stored.
Here are a few:

Two nights ago, we were reading bedtime stories and, as a rare treat, Daddy was here with us.
All 4 of us were snuggled in A's new bed (the hottest new commodity in our house) and A. started petting my leg. She was doing it so sweetly and intently, it caught my attention.
I focused my gaze on her, thinking about her delicate mannerisms.
She looked up at me, perplexed, and said, "momma? You's pokey legs."
_______________________________________________________

About 3 days ago, I was having a particularly hard time remembering how blessed my life truly is.
I think I stooped over to pick up 107 baskets full of toys.
My hunny had gone back to work after vacation.
My children literally had it out for me. (of this, I am certain)
I griped to anyone that would listen and found myself near tears numerous times.
My vacuum cleaner, which had been put on the seriously endangered list over 2 weeks ago, became extinct.
All was not well in my world. As I prepared the 2nd dinner for my ever-hungrier, always growing kids: I calmly tried to explain to them that, "Mommy doesn't want to chase you around all day picking up senseless messes. I want to play with you. With one or two toys. We CAN have fun with one or two toys and then put them away and eat our "2nd" dinner. I just don't want to have to be cleaning up huge messes all the time!!!"
My son then responded, "But mommy, That's your JOB..."
Leave it to a 4-year old to coin the perfect 'job description' for motherhood.
It again became my pleasure to be his momma.

____________________________________________________

Just keepin' it real.
Tonight I went to church.
I'll give you all a moment to recuperate...
So I have NEVER been to a Wednesday night service before. It was nice. The kids LOVED it!
A. got to go into JAM/Rainbows with her big bubba and that was a special treat.
Afterwards, momma got to go chat with some of the girls!
Fun was had by all.
We laughed.
We cried.
We peed our pants.
In the middle of the foyer.
Not me, my child, (I might have preferred it to have been me.)
I am certain of my potty-trained-ness.
Her stance (as ree reminded me) was not unlike that of an ostrich, watching the stream hit the floor.
kdp, was a most worthy accomplice as we discovered the contribution to the carpeting. Together, we locked hips and worked on a coverup.
Marme, scolded me as I tried to flee the scene, reminding me of the location of the janitor's closet...
Se la vie.

Conversations:

After going through the story of Jacob and Esau, due to non-stop squabbling:

What's your favorite color?
boy child: red
girl child: blue

What's your favorite animal?
boy: cow
girl: kitty cat

What's your favorite thing to eat?
boy: Fruit snacks
girl: Shrek

What's your favorite thing to do with daddy?
Boy: wrestle
girl: I wanna hold you.... (as she crawls into his kangaroo pouch/lap)

What's your favorite thing to do with mommy?
boy: love mommy
girl: Clean the house, followed by "I don't wanna go to bed - waaaaahhhhh..."

Some night.
Sweet kids.
Onery as they can be.
Shrek?

big bummer.

I faithfully took pictures at our little get-together today (for those of you who, for reasons I cannot explain, missed) and I was snapping this adorable shot when my "INTERNAL MEMORY FULL" light flashed onscreen. I have about 3 mediocre shots on my memory card and I have spent far too long this evening trying to extract the good ones from my camera's internal memory.
If any of you are digital camera savvy, I know you are gonna wanna see these, so throw a suggestion my way before I go cro-magnon and start bashing my camera with a pry bar!