I'll Take What I Can Get

Chris and I had a rough day today. He's already decided that he doesn't like school this year so he whines and fights all morning until it's time to leave. It's interesting that he has always had a good day when we talk about it after school. I think it is just having to get ready on a schedule that causes him trouble...he's definitely not a morning person!

This morning it got pretty out of hand and I was frustrated for quite a while. He argued with everything I said and ended up screaming that he hated me (because I told him to put on his socks...I know, I'm cruel).

But tonight he asked me a very strange question. He wanted to know if I would trade my mother for a grape if someone asked me to. What???? After I asked him to repeat it because I was sure I'd heard incorrectly, I answered that of course not, I wouldn't trade my mother for anything.

Then he told Kevin that he would never trade me for a grape...he would be too lonely!It may not be a big hug and "I love you", but some days this is may be the best I can get.

After the disagreements this morning I was sure he'd give someone much more than a grape to take me away. I hope he doesn't change his mind tomorrow if we butt heads again!

25 Years? Amazing!

Twenty-five years ago today I walked down the aisle and married my best friend Doug. I have been blessed more than I can imagine. The love he has shown me has helped me to understand how God can love us -- totally and unconditionally. Together we have learned how to focus on the things that matter and that by growing closer to God we can grow closer to each other.

Even though he tells me that he loves me every day, I would know without the words. He has allowed me to try new things and he's supported my crazy ideas regardless of their potential impact to him. He's encouraged me to accept challenging positions at work that resulted in a lot of travel, leaving him at home with three girls. He never complained, and he went out of his way to ensure that the girls had a fun time when I was gone...so much so that at times the girls couldn't wait for me to leave! He supported me in career moves that I had dreamed of and he's the cause of any success I've had.

He walked right beside me and never hesitated when I wanted to consider adoption. Although the original reason we considered adding to our family didn't work, he too felt the need to fill the empty seat(s) at our table and he was key in all the struggles we went through to adopt our boys. He had never complained about living in a house with all girls (well, he didn't really mean it...), and he'd even thought that another girl was what we wanted. I'll never forget the look on his face when he walked up and down the boy toy aisle and realized that he had a GOOD reason to play with light sabers now that we were adopting twin boys. He'd chosen to be so satisfied with our family that I don't think he realized how much he wanted a little more testosterone in the house!

With the same ease he was enthusiastic about my desire to come home to support our family and to try yet another new endeavor (writing). He took changes in income and my transition struggles in stride, never doubting that this new challenge would work. He even lets me bring cats home despite his intense dislike of them!

I could give a thousand example of his love and care, but one of my favorites is the way he wants to hold my hand whenever we stand or sit together.

Thank you, Doug, for every thing. For your love, your friendship, you abilities as a father and a husband. I look forward to holding your hand for at least 25 more years!

What a Great Place!

I don't usually like to promote business establishments in my blog, but I just have to tell about ToysRUs's Birthday Club. This is the second year we have done it (see my original blog, Like a Kid in a Candy Store, from last year). The boys each received a birthday card with a $3.00 gift card. At the store each received a balloon and a birthday crown. Christopher put his on immediately and wore it the whole time...Kevin decided he was too old for that, but he carried the balloon around like a prize.

Then, as we started shopping, they announced over the loud speaker that the boys were doing their birthday shopping, and they asked everyone to congratulate them on turning eight. Several people stopped us to aske about their birthday and oohed and aahed over their toy selections. The boys had each received a gift card from us and some birthday money from their Aunt and Uncle, so they had a fortune to spend ($48.00 each).

We had a blast. Just like last year, Kevin decided what he wanted very quickly (a Hot Wheels toy, Hungry Hungry Hippos, and a remote controlled snake). He put them in the basket and then happily helped his brother shop. Christopher checked over every item. He was appalled at how much some things cost (what a good shopper!) and he didn't want to spend his money all in one place. He was such a frugal shopper. He eventually chose two $5.00 items and I was starting to wonder if we had time to finish shopping since the store closed in just six more hours...

Then he found the spy toys, and he chose to put his two small gifts back in order to purchase night vision goggles, a listening device, secret message pen, small lights that attach to your helmet for secret missions, and several other things. They carefully handed over their money and gift cards and proudly carried their gifts to the car.

We had free kid's meal certificates for a local restaurant because of their birthday, but they didn't want to stop anywhere that might postpone their playtime! Whose children are they and where did they take my fast food junkies????

It was fun to see that their basic personalities are gelling and their shopping techniques remained the same for a whole year. They are already talking about their shopping spree next year! I guess I don't have to agonize over gifts any more as long as they like ToysRUs.

A Front Porch Day

Psalm 65:11-13
11 You give the year a good harvest,
and you load the wagons with many crops.
12 The desert is covered with grass
and the hills with happiness.
13 The pastures are full of flocks,
and the valleys are covered with grain.
Everything shouts and sings for joy. (New Century Version)

Taken from www.biblegateway.com

Here in the midwest it is a glorious morning! After a long hot and humid spell, the air finally has a cool freshness to it. I could swear the flowers by the front porch are a little perkier this morning after being weighed down by the weather for so long. We've opened all the windows and turned on the attic fan to clear out the air in the house. A perfect day to sit on the porch and read the paper.

It's amazing how a slight change in weather can impact your spirits. I'm energized and ready to attack the day. Dare I say that I'm now anxious for the crispness of fall and caramel apples? Hmm...it's still August, I'd better hold off.

Today reminds me of the unseasonable warm day of February -- a relief from the expected weather and just enough to instill hope for the season to come!

Faith Lifts

After a long 'sabbatical', I'm publishing my column at Faith Links again...check it out!

Unreasonable Expectations?

Well, I brought it on myself. I had great expectations that this morning would be different. After all, the boys are eight now, right? Surely that means they will be more mature, wake up happier, and won't fight at the breakfast table.

I know that this is unreasonable, but I expected that today would be better since it was a special day.

But no. Kevin woke up early and realized that his brother had stolen his pillow sometime in the night. He yanked the pillow out from under Chris as 'gently' as he could, and somehow Chris just woke up! I don't think I've written the warning in my blog NOT to wake Chris up any earlier than necessary...he's just not a morning person. I know he's too young to introduce morning caffeine, but he's really tough to live with before 8:00!

So the birthday got off to a rip-roarin start. Have I mentioned that I often pray through the day for the boys' teachers? Some days I think they need it more than others...this would have been one of those days, but at around 8:00 Chris decided that a birthday was worthy of a better attitude. He was all smiles by the time he got to school.

So, the birthday celebration worked to perk up his mood today...what can I use to entice a smile tomorrow?

And before any of you start thinking that Kevin is an innocent bystander in all of this...he told me about getting the pillow from Chris with a big gleam in his eye!

The joys of twins...

The Last Seven-year-old Hugs...

13Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
14Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." 15When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there. Mt 19:13-15

Ok, it was shameless I know, but I did it anyway. Tonight is the last night that my adorable, obnoxious, funny little boys will be seven years old. So I made them give me their last 'seven year old hug' -- I told them I would never get one from them again as seven year-olds. As they limply wrapped their arms around me (they are boys after all...most times that's the best I get), they told me that this wouldn't be the last time...I can hug them again when they are seventy-seven! Whew -- that's a long time to wait!

Don't tell them, but I'll pull the same thing next year when they are eight for the last day! After all, I'm sure Jesus was rewarded with a hug or two from the children when he blessed them...so it's just being Christ-like!

Glorious Rain!

It has been a rough August around here. The temperatures have been sweltering (not as hot as the South, but 103 is HOT), and everyone's grass is turning brown. We took Alicia back to school in Tennessee on Tuesday, and many of the trees on the side of the road are dying (well, hopefully they are just shedding their leaves to protect themselves against the heat, only to return next spring). But this morning we are having a wonderful, slow rain. It is a dingy sort of day, perfect for curling up in my big chair and reading.

I just received a copy of Lisa Bergren's books The Begotten and The Betrayed. You shouldn't start these books unless you have time to finish them! I'm hooked on her characters and the story line. Lisa is going on a 'virtual book tour' and she'll be visiting my blog on October 1. I was concerned that I might not have time to read both books before hand, but I was wrong. I'll write book reviews later, but if you are looking for a great read, check these out. They are available at Target in the "Breakout Books" section.

Well, it looks like my life might settle back into a routine again since everyone is back at school. I hope to do more writing and housecleaning (well, I don't really WANT to do more housecleaning, I just want it to be clean!). I have gotten out of the habit of creating my daily to do lists and as a result not much has gotten done. I am looking forward to my Fall Energy Boost...it occurs at the same time the air gets crisp and the caramel apples show up in the stores!

I hope you are able to take some time to sit down and enjoy the day!

So the Summer Ends...

School starts on Monday for the kids. I love school shopping...the overwhelming number of crisp new notebooks, ink pens, and glue sticks at amazing prices is sort of like being in a candy store! In addition to filling the lists sent home by the teachers, I always buy a few notebooks and pens for me, too.

Kevin and Chris are going into second grade. As we were moving things around in the basement today to remove more panelling so we could put up more drywall (it never ends...), I saw a photo taken of the boys about a month after they moved in with us. They were so little! While they give me fits and I still don't get this 'boy thing' (did I mention that Kevin has devised 8 ways to..umm..make 'tooting' sounds????), they still want me to sing and tuck them into bed each night.

Sammi will be a sophmore, and Becca is a SENIOR. Alicia is a senior in college. I clearly remember each of their first days of school. Alicia looked so small getting on that bus behind big sixth graders, but she was brave and excited to go. Becca went directly to the magnet school with Alicia (in third grade at that point), and I followed their cab all the way to South St. Louis so I could walk her to her class. And Sammi wore a cute green jumper and a cute floppy hat when she headed off to preschool at the magnet school with her older sisters...once again I followed that little bus all the way downtown.

I'm so proud of each one of our kids. They are very different (and I'm glad), and they are growing into wonderful people.

But I digress. The new school year still seems like a time for new beginnings...a new year, a new school, a new adventure. I have officially submitted my notice of termination at Boeing and I'm starting off on my own learning experience.

Although I've had two and a half years to practice being at home, it is a little different not to have a safety net...to officially step away from a successful career and a lot of nice amenities (no more first class upgrades and international trips!). But I know that God has even better things in store, and I can't wait!

The Windy City

Sammi and I took our first train trip to Chicago on Sunday. We spent two nights in a really nice hotel (priceline.com is great) right at the end of the Magnificent Mile. Although the weather report showed rain and thunderstorms, the only time it rained was while we were inside the Rainforest Cafe, and it stopped in time for us to walk back to the hotel.

If there was a theme to our trip (besides shopping), it was chocolate! We visited the Lindt chocolate store every day for free samples (the absolute BEST chocolate in the world. Their truffles are to die for). One day we went from there to the Ghiradelli's for samples and ice cream sundaes, then to the Hershey's store for more samples. We really did that backwards...having the best first! The other two stores hardly had a chance. We spent a good portion of our fun money on chocolate (it was on sale, of course).

Sammi finally found a couple of dresses and we spent a lot of time just walking through stores. I got some pants (believe it or not, 8 out of 10 pairs I tried on fit...a definite first), tops, and shoes. We visited five malls and lots of stand alone stores, and we probably walked close to five miles each day. Definitely a shopping success.

Sammi introduced me to the Sephora store...a fun place where you can try on all different kinds of make up and perfume. We stopped there every day, too, to get gorgeous!

We had a really good time together, and we decided that we need to take a girls trip (we'll invite her sisters) at least once a year from here on out.

Wow...has it been a month?

I knew I hadn't been writing much, but I didn't realize it had been this long. I've sort of taken the summer 'off' from any sort of routine due to the chaos of the house, and I'm really feeling out of sorts because of it.

July was a really busy month. Sammi got her drivers permit and got to go white water rafting in Tennessee. Becca went to Ecuador and got back yesterday (we are STILL waiting for her luggage to make it...). Doug, the boys, and I went to Great Wolf Lodge and later the boys and I went to High Hill Teddy Bear Camp while Doug played golf. Alicia was on crutches for two weeks and is still going to therapy for a problem with her toe.

We have hung drywall in half of our basement, put down a kitchen/breakfast room floor, started laying a family room/living room floor, and tiled about 1/2 the basement. We will be finishing all these projects in August (I hope), so writing may still be a little infrequent.

I have been playing with my new camera, and you can catch up with some of the activity here.


Though the mess and frequent activity kind of makes me crazy, God has been here holding it all together!

A 15 Minute Day

Have you ever had one of those days when you wish you weren't a grown up? I want to revert to my teenage years today. I want to sleep 'til noon, then go lay around at the pool all afternoon. I'd like to come home to see that someone else has cleaned house and made supper. After I eat I'll rush off to do something with my friends, laugh a lot, and come home just a few minutes before curfew.

But alas, I have kids to get off to summer school, meet two deadlines, work on my share of house repairs, and clean more rooms than I have time or energy for.

It's one of those days when I need to set my timer for 15 minutes and head out to accomplish something in that time...then start all over again!

So, my top ten goals for the day are:
1. Stain the quarter round boards for the kitchen
2. Keep the boys, who just woke up in foul moods, from killing each other
3. Dust and vacuum the living room and family room
4. Take Sammi to work
5. Stop by the library
6. Do basic research for Thursday's Bible study
7. Spend at least 1/2 hour reading my book (guess what will fall off the list first!)
8. Take a photo for my photo a day challenge
9. Smile and have a positive attitude
10. Make the bed so I don't crawl back in

Let's see how I do!

Sammi's Big Day

Today my 'baby' girl is 15. I am so proud of her that I could just bust. She's turning into such a beautiful, responsible young woman. She's always been a lot of fun to be around -- she is fearless and fun-loving and quick to smile. She makes friends easily (see photo below to meet a new one -- he kissed her on the forehead just seconds after he met her!) and she is comfortable around all ages and types of people. She's now the second tallest in our family (after her Dad) - her sisters aren't too thrilled with that. She's also the toughest -- she loves sports of all kinds and plays so competitively that she often has the bruises to prove it. She's also been known to eat ANY concoction that someone can prepare...the grosser the better!

We are going to the Muny (an outdoor theater) tonight to see 'Grease' and she's planning to wear this terrific hat she got several years ago that looks like a giant birthday cake (she'll take if off in time for the show, of course!). That's my girl! Thanks for bringing so much joy into our lives. We love ya, darlin!

A "Mom" Moment

I took Becca to the doctor today, and the boys went with me. We waited in the waiting room while Becca was seen, and Christopher wanted me to read to him. I brought books with us and I was happy to read them.

He surprised me by climbing up in my lap with the book. Then he reached around and grabbed both of my arms gently and wrapped them around his stomach. I wasn't able to read this way, but he wasn't as concerned about the book as he was the hug he got while sitting on my lap. He held the books and turned the pages as we read four books this way. The whole time he rubbed my arm and snuggled against my neck.

Just the other day I had been lamenting the loss of my 'huggable' little boys. It's nice to see that as they near eight years old they are still willing (and needing) to sit still for just a few minutes for a cuddle bucket refill!

20. cuddles
21. a good, slow rain that refreshes the earth
22. thunder that reminds us how small we are
23. a husband who tells me every day that he loves me

Catching Up

Wow...I can't believe it's been so long since I've written. We've been very busy with the house (see previous post), but in reality I just haven't felt like I had much to write about.

Since the last post we have:
Kissed Alicia goodbye for the summer as she heads off to Panama City for an internship
Finished school...everyone passed!
Shopped with Becca to prepare for her Ecuador trip
Transported Sammi back and forth to her job at the Fireworks stand
Hugged my Uncle Tom goodbye -- he's moved to Arkansas
Started a summer Bible study on Moms of the Bible
Ripped up the laundry room, kitchen, breakfast room, and 2/3rds of the basement floor
Put down new laminate in the Laundry room, kitchen, breakfast room
Put down black/white tile in 2/3rds basement
Ripped out basement walls
painted the laundry room
watched 2 swim meets (Kevin, Chris, and Sammi participate)
Got a new camera and have fun playing with it
started a photo blog (www.liftupmyeyes.blogspot.com)

And probably a bunch of other stuff I've already forgotten!

One of the verses that I've read during my 'Year Through the Bible' efforts is:

Nehemiah 4:14b "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes."

It reminded me that we must always keep our eyes on God, and that we will have to get involved and fight for what is good and right. It's not that He can't do it by himself, but He wants us to want things badly enough to get involved in the fight!

Check Your Washing Machine Hoses

I've been told this before by a wise person, and I promptly did as he suggested. Then I forgot to ever check them again.

Friday I realized I have waited too long. I came downstairs and found the fountain of my dreams going off full force in my laundry room! Apparently it had been spouting for about 45 minutes. I reached through the water to turn off the faucet, but it was stuck. I ran to the basement to turn off the water to the whole house and realized that we had a bigger problem when I splashed through water in the work room at the opposite end of the house from the laundry room.

After turning the water off, I checked the basement and saw that we had a torrential rain storm brewing in the storage room and Doug's office. I grabbed all the trash cans and buckets I could find to catch the water and I called by dear hubby to come home and save the day!

Did you know that laminate floors start curling up about two hours after they are wet? And that the underlayment wicks water to the furthest reaches of a room? Nice things to know.

So, you are all invited to our home in September to see the new digs...we are getting new flooring on the first level and we get to totally redo the basement. God is good...even though the water was coming down all over, it totally missed computers, televisions, beds, Christmas decorations, and anything of any value...all we really threw out were boxes!

So, please take some advice from a now wiser woman and check your washing machine hoses.

The Best Grass Grows in My Garden

One of God's great gifts to us is flowers. There are so many different sizes, shapes, and colors available that it continually amazes me. There is something about a flower garden that makes me relax and smile.

But no matter how hard I try to garden, like everyone else I continually fight with weeds. I don't mind pulling the ugly, thorny things out of the flower patch, but I always hesitate to remove the grass that has worked it's way past the barriers. It has fought so hard to get there and it is often the greenest, strongest grass in the yard. Why does it grow so well here and not on the other side of the barrier?

At first I thought it must be out to get me...that the grass thought out what it could do to be most annoying and then set out with a plan to take over these small plots I tried so hard to preserve. Hmmm...I don't remember learning about brains and evil intent of plants in my botany class.

After thinking about this for a while (yes, I know I need to get a life)it hit me -- the garden plots get much more attention in the way of loosened soil, fertilizer, and moisture protecting mulch. Grass will naturally grow best in those areas that are well prepared than in areas that are ignored. But when a large clump has grown it actually removes a big chunk of the garden dirt when you pull the grass out by the roots. The only way I can avoid this is to check the garden frequently and remove any small sprout of grass I see.

Sin acts in much the same way. It may sprout up and look really nice for a time in our lives. We can even pretend that it's growth is admirable and we can hesitate to remove. But without immediate attention it's roots will take over and it will be difficult to remove without taking a lot of good soil with the roots. It leaves a gaping hole in our lives that must be repaired.

The only way I can avoid sin is to examine my heart with God's help each day and remove any hint that sin is moving in. Then all that remains are the 'flowers' of my life -- the fruit of God's Spirit.

Galatians 5:16 - 25
16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (NIV)

Great Contest!

Check this out (oops, I've been watching too much American Idol)... 5 Minutes for Moms has a great new contest. You can win a whole years worth of Nexcare bandages...well, it's actually 43 boxes so hopefully they will last much longer than a year.

Leave a comment and you are entered...go here http://www.5minutesformom.com/1571/nexcare-contest/

The Spirit in Me

I have been preparing a Sunday School lesson on the Holy Spirit, and I have learned so much...mostly things telling me how little I actually know! My weekly teacher challenged me to take on one class during the current series (What Really Matters - The Essential Beliefs of the Christian Faith). After looking at the agenda for the series I knew I wanted to learn more about the Holy Spirit, so I jumped right in and chose that one.

Foolish me! The totality of the Holy Spirit is so far beyond my comprehension, I have no idea how I can teach anyone anything. It seems that anyone who has ever written a Christian non-fiction book has written on on the Holy Spirit (there are 24 books on the subject at our public library alone...a search of Amazon.com books results in 53,919 hits).

Several books list facts, though, that have really helped me narrow the lesson down. They meant a lot to me and I thought I'd share them:
1. If I am a believer, I already have the Holy Spirit.
2. I are to be filled with the Holy Spirit (being filled with him is definitely different that 'having' him).
3. The Holy Spirit Gives me power for God's purposes.
4. Sin blocks the work of the Holy Spirit in my life.

The Holy Spirit is probably the least understood and the least utilized member of the Trinity. Most Christians woefully underutilize the power of the Holy Spirit, many ignore him completely. Is that because we don't understand?

Jesus had to leave this world so the Spirit could dwell within us -- and he said that was a good thing! Because I believe, I have access to the very heart of God. The Spirit will convict me, teach me, pray for me, equip me, and provide me power to complete the plan God has for my life -- if I let him.

I pray that I will actually incorporate what I learn into my life so that those around me will know that I am filled with the Spirit...not so that I can boast, but so that they can see his power and seek it for themselves.

I imagine that this study could last for the rest of my life.

Not On My Gift Registry

I'm fascinated by the life of Solomon (the current topic of my 'Bible in a Year' plan). He pulled out all the stops to build a magnificent temple for God and a grand palace for himself. There is one parenthetical passage that just floored me, though:

16 (Pharaoh king of Egypt had attacked and captured Gezer. He had set it on fire. He killed its Canaanite inhabitants and then gave it as a wedding gift to his daughter, Solomon's wife. 17 And Solomon rebuilt Gezer.) (NIV, 1 Kings 9:16-17)

Now I don't know about you, but I don't think I'd be really happy to receive a town from my father for a wedding present -- especially if I knew that all the inhabitants had been killed and then the whole town had been burned down! I am glad Solomon rebuilt the town for his bride, but I would still feel horribly guilty every time I walked in the place if I were her.

As I continued reading the text for today (1 Kings 9-11), it told of the vast riches Solomon received...absolutely amazing. I had to laugh, though, when I read that:

3 He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray.(NIV, 1 Kings 11:3)

Well of course they led him astray, what WAS he thinking????

I hope you enjoyed your Bible reading for the day...let me know what you read and what you learned!