Thursday, July 02, 2009
Be Angry and Sin Not.
I don't get out much, but last night two very sweet husbands let their grateful wives have a night out ~ at least for an hour ~ which we managed to stretch to 2 hours ~ but that is another story. I just happen to be one of those two grateful wives. And, while we were at dinner, we talked a great deal about Erik's parents. We talked a lot about anger. Erik and his brother have both used the phrase "It is what it is," in their posts on their parents' caringbridge site when discussing their mother's condition. It is what it is, and nothing we can do can change it. No amount of doctoring. No amount of anger. No amount of hope. We can pray. We can believe. But, we within ourselves do not have the power to change it. It is what it is. My sweet friend kept saying, "But, they just don't seem angry. How are they not angry?" I assured her that the anger is there. And, as if he knew of our conversation and wanted to put his two cents in, my father-in-love wrote the post below on the caringbridge site yesterday.
I am posting his post for you to read and be encouraged by his words. But, more than that I am posting it so that I have it in a place that I can go to and read it whenever I need to. And, even more than that, I want my boys to have it. I want them to read it ~ to know the faith of their grandfather even amidst his life's greatest trial. Prov. 20:7
And, here it is. . .
Be Angry and Sin Not.
Jesus taught us a little about anger and how to deal with it. He seemed to say that anger can sometimes be a useful thing, but we are not to let Satan use it as a toehold to get us off on the wrong track.
I must confess that I have had to deal with anger relatively often in recent months. Fortunately, I have been able to get into my right mind and move on from it quickly. I realize that anger, even acted on, would not change our situation, but there is a strong temptation to try.
My pain, which on some days accumulates to such a degree that I think I cannot stand it, sometimes just makes me angry. However, when I am able to think through it, I realize that my pain does not even come close to measuring up to what Retia is going through. I confess that when I sit in the hospital room and watch her as she is right now in the struggles she is going through and compare that to what she was, my anger burns furiously.
Sometimes the anger is directed at the person who was driving and should not have been. Sometimes it is directed at the alleged law officer who failed so miserably in her duties. And yes, sometimes it is directed at God.
Now, I have been a follower of Christ since 1949. More than that, I have been associated with the church. and the teachings of Christ even longer, so I know that God does not deserve my anger. But do you know what I have learned (by experience)? That God is strong enough to tolerate my anger and still love me.
Like a loving human parent, I have learned that God is able to listen to the rantings of his children and the questions about things that happen and the intervention that does not always come, and yet he is able to continue to be God with all the love and mercy and grace that he has always revealed to us. He is not changed by our anger. He is still love.
I can almost hear him say audibly, "Hey, I understand your disappointment and hurt and anger. But I still love you." He also reminds me, as he did the psalmist, that in spite of my perceptions of the wrong choices of others whose consequences I suffer, my wrong choices, or even the perceived inaction from him, he will walk with me through the storm and will work good out of horrible circumstances.
So I must confess to him that he is not safe, but he is able to keep me secure. I must confess to him that what bothers me so much is that the love of my life is suffering way too much and I do not believe it is her fault. That makes me mad. The people whose fault it seems to be are going on as usual. Then he reminds me that however much I love her, he loves her even more. He made her and he can take care of her whatever the problem is. So, forgive me for the anger and help me to see through your eyes.
So now you know why I say to Jason don't try to make me feel better in my misery. Just let me stew for a while.
We had another meeting with the Drs, nurses, and therapists today. The prognosis is that the trends are good, but that does not mean everything will be OK. We just don't know that yet. We are still hoping and praying for that end, but in the light of what we have learned about God, we are growing into a position where we will see things as he sees them and love her as he loves her whatever the circumstances (even as he does for us all).
Pray for Retia as she struggles with therapy. Pray for the healing of this pernicious bedsore. Pray for her comfort as she struggles to deal with the everyday pain and suffering. Thanks for standing by us.
I am posting his post for you to read and be encouraged by his words. But, more than that I am posting it so that I have it in a place that I can go to and read it whenever I need to. And, even more than that, I want my boys to have it. I want them to read it ~ to know the faith of their grandfather even amidst his life's greatest trial. Prov. 20:7
And, here it is. . .
Be Angry and Sin Not.
Jesus taught us a little about anger and how to deal with it. He seemed to say that anger can sometimes be a useful thing, but we are not to let Satan use it as a toehold to get us off on the wrong track.
I must confess that I have had to deal with anger relatively often in recent months. Fortunately, I have been able to get into my right mind and move on from it quickly. I realize that anger, even acted on, would not change our situation, but there is a strong temptation to try.
My pain, which on some days accumulates to such a degree that I think I cannot stand it, sometimes just makes me angry. However, when I am able to think through it, I realize that my pain does not even come close to measuring up to what Retia is going through. I confess that when I sit in the hospital room and watch her as she is right now in the struggles she is going through and compare that to what she was, my anger burns furiously.
Sometimes the anger is directed at the person who was driving and should not have been. Sometimes it is directed at the alleged law officer who failed so miserably in her duties. And yes, sometimes it is directed at God.
Now, I have been a follower of Christ since 1949. More than that, I have been associated with the church. and the teachings of Christ even longer, so I know that God does not deserve my anger. But do you know what I have learned (by experience)? That God is strong enough to tolerate my anger and still love me.
Like a loving human parent, I have learned that God is able to listen to the rantings of his children and the questions about things that happen and the intervention that does not always come, and yet he is able to continue to be God with all the love and mercy and grace that he has always revealed to us. He is not changed by our anger. He is still love.
I can almost hear him say audibly, "Hey, I understand your disappointment and hurt and anger. But I still love you." He also reminds me, as he did the psalmist, that in spite of my perceptions of the wrong choices of others whose consequences I suffer, my wrong choices, or even the perceived inaction from him, he will walk with me through the storm and will work good out of horrible circumstances.
So I must confess to him that he is not safe, but he is able to keep me secure. I must confess to him that what bothers me so much is that the love of my life is suffering way too much and I do not believe it is her fault. That makes me mad. The people whose fault it seems to be are going on as usual. Then he reminds me that however much I love her, he loves her even more. He made her and he can take care of her whatever the problem is. So, forgive me for the anger and help me to see through your eyes.
So now you know why I say to Jason don't try to make me feel better in my misery. Just let me stew for a while.
We had another meeting with the Drs, nurses, and therapists today. The prognosis is that the trends are good, but that does not mean everything will be OK. We just don't know that yet. We are still hoping and praying for that end, but in the light of what we have learned about God, we are growing into a position where we will see things as he sees them and love her as he loves her whatever the circumstances (even as he does for us all).
Pray for Retia as she struggles with therapy. Pray for the healing of this pernicious bedsore. Pray for her comfort as she struggles to deal with the everyday pain and suffering. Thanks for standing by us.
Labels: Pop and Grandma
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Treasure Hunting. . .
I had a really fun mom. I really, really did! And, one of my favorite things that she used to do for me was to prepare treasure hunts. An episode of WordWorld brought back some wonderful memories, and I decided to do a little treasure hunt for my boys!
Erik and I had already decided that we were going to take the big boys to a movie. I had a babysitter lined up for the little boys and everything was set and ready for us to go ~ except I had not told the boys. So, during nap time I took all of 20 minutes and made clues and hid them! This was so much fun because Joshua can read now, so he could read the clues!!! :-) I think there were 13 clues? or maybe it was 14? Anyway, it was so fun!!!! And, they couldn't wait to find out what the surprise at the end was going to be ~ especially since I told them it was not a toy, but that they would love it!
The clues were hidden inside and outside and then back inside and then in. . .
the garage and then back outside and then back inside. . .
And, the final clue was hidden in the front seat of our van. . .
The boys absolutely loved it! So much so, that the next morning Joshua came up to me and whispered in my ear, "Can we do a treasure hunt for JCT?" I agreed as long as Joshua wrote out all the clues. So, while JCT played with Elijah Joshua made and hid the clues!
They were very simple and cute ideas for clues. . .
Most of them were easy enough for JCT to sound out with a little help. . .
And, at the end was a treasure created especially for JCT by his big brother. . .
Erik and I had already decided that we were going to take the big boys to a movie. I had a babysitter lined up for the little boys and everything was set and ready for us to go ~ except I had not told the boys. So, during nap time I took all of 20 minutes and made clues and hid them! This was so much fun because Joshua can read now, so he could read the clues!!! :-) I think there were 13 clues? or maybe it was 14? Anyway, it was so fun!!!! And, they couldn't wait to find out what the surprise at the end was going to be ~ especially since I told them it was not a toy, but that they would love it!
The clues were hidden inside and outside and then back inside and then in. . .
the garage and then back outside and then back inside. . .
And, the final clue was hidden in the front seat of our van. . .The boys absolutely loved it! So much so, that the next morning Joshua came up to me and whispered in my ear, "Can we do a treasure hunt for JCT?" I agreed as long as Joshua wrote out all the clues. So, while JCT played with Elijah Joshua made and hid the clues!
They were very simple and cute ideas for clues. . .
Most of them were easy enough for JCT to sound out with a little help. . .
And, at the end was a treasure created especially for JCT by his big brother. . .
Fun! Fun!
Labels: Chronicles of a boy mama, Fun Projects
Monday, June 29, 2009
10 for 10. . .
10 facts about you, little sweetheart, at 10 months of age. . .
1.) Your new favorite thing to do is to stand up holding on to your superyard! And, one of your big brother's favorite things to do is to cheer for you and then pry your sweet little fingers off the superyard and make you fall. :-( He loves you to pieces, I promise! He just has a funny little way of showing it sometimes!! :-)
2.) You have two teeth which makes for a very cute little smile! And, even though you are eating baby food 3 times a day and nursing, you still wake up at least once at night for a little snack!!! Silly boy! One of these days, or should I say one of these nights. . .
3.) You love everyone! And, I do mean everyone! You will go to anyone and everyone and smile at them the entire time. Mr. Mike and Mrs. Susan helped me get to the van with all you boys after chuch yesterday. When we got to the car Mr. Mike said of you, "He is my little buddy." And, Mrs. Susan very quickly said, "Mike, he's everybody's little buddy!" And, it is so true!
4.) You might be part dog! Just kidding, but you do love to chew on shoes ~ especially crocs! We have to hide our shoes from you because they are your favorite teether! :-)
5.) I don't know much about who you will become, but two things I do know. . . You are happy ~ the content kind of happy ~ not the bright and shiney kind of happy. And, you are layed back. You don't get too worked up about anything. In fact, one night we put you to bed and from the other room we could hear you crying. Erik said, "That's unusual." And, I said, "I'm kinda glad. It's good to see he has a little fight in him." You are just a calm little man.
6.) You have brown eyes! I've never had a baby with brown eyes!
7.) Put #5 and #6 together and what do you get? You are very much like your namesake-your Daddy. I always tell Erik, "I think this must be what you were like as a baby ~ calm. Your Daddy is super layed back ~ unlike your high-strung mama! And, you look like him, too, Mr. brown eyes!
8.) You have a very sweet and special relationship with your big brother James Christofer Truett. He adores you. He wants to hold you and feed you and take care of you in any way that he is able. It is so fun for this mama to watch her little boys develop friendships!
9.) You love to crawl around the house and explore! You are a busy boy!
10.) You make life so much sweeter. You go from car seat to stroller to swing to superyard to walker to highchair without complaint. You just look up at me and smile like, "Hey, I'm just happy to be here." And, you know what, I'm so happy you are here, my little surprise baby. I can't imagine my life without you, and I love you with all my heart!
We love you to pieces! It is hard to believe that you will soon be one year old!!!!!!
Labels: Erik Daniel's First Year
Friday, June 26, 2009
What I did today. . .
*Woke up at 5:50 to the sound of a hungry 10 month old.
* Nursed him and rubbed his cute little fuzzy head.
* Showered, made coffee, and held 3 little boys in such a way that they all thought they were sitting on my lap and sipped coffee without burning anyone!! :-)
*Checked email, my calendar, and made breakfast.
* Kissed Erik goodbye.
*The boys and I prepared a small cooler with bottles of Gatorade for the garbage collectors to pick a drink from. Posted a sign on cooler instructing them to do so and letting them know we appreciate them. Oh, yes ma'am, we appreciate them!
*Got boys dressed and ready to play.
* Put Erik Daniel down for morning nap.
* Boys played inside while baby slept.
* Erik Daniel woke up and I took boys outside to play and to wait for garbage truck.
*An hour later, sweaty and still waiting. Decide to regroup, make lunch, and have picnic in the 90 degree heat.
* Hear garbage truck coming. Boys are giddy! Garbage collectors see cooler and wave with big smiles.
* Boys are more than pleased!
* Hey, wait a second, they took the cooler! They weren't supposed to take the cooler ~ just the Gatorade! This concerns Joshua. I assure him that we can replace the little cooler. All is well. Joshua says to JCT, "Doesn't it make you feel good to do something nice for someone else!" I think he has heard that line before??? :-)
* Finish up lunch and head inside for afternoon naps and rest-time.
* Nurse Erik Daniel and put him down.
* Sing to Elijah and put him down.
* Settle big boys in their room with puzzles and books.
* Go downstairs and spend 30 minutes looking for a babysitter to watch the little boys while I take Joshua to 2 birthday parties on Saturday. No babysitters available.
*Call Erik and complain that I cannot find a sitter to save. my. life.
*Unload dishwasher and reload.
*Straighten kitchen.
* Read a friend's blog.
* Tell big boys that they can come back downstairs.
* Hear Erik Daniel waking up, nurse him, and pack diaper bag.
*Wake up Elijah and load the boys in the van to go get hair-cuts.
* Call 2 of Joshua's friend's moms on the way to salon and ask if they could possibly take Joshua with them. Strike 2 and 3.
* Joshua overhears me talking on the phone and from the back of the van I hear my sweet boy say, "Mom, I don't have to go to both parities. Really, I don't. Just don't worry about it. I don't have to go. I'll just stay home."
* I assure him that I will get him to both parties ~ no worries!
* Spend the rest of the drive threatening JCT not to touch anything that doesn't belong to him at the salon.
* Get to salon. Load Erik Daniel in stroller and walk inside. Want to cry when I see a customer sitting in our hairdresser's chair with wet hair. Begin to point out chairs for each boy to sit in when I notice sidewalk chalk sitting on a little table.
* Ask Ann (hairdresser) if we can play with it. She says yes, and we head out to find a little corner of concrete to write on.
* Ann comes out to get us, and boys get hair-cuts.
* Laugh at my Elijah as he is getting his hair-cut. The child who never sits still looks as if she has put him in a trance! :-)
* JCT obeyed! He managed to keep his hands to himself! Hooray! Ice cream for everyone!
* Drive to Sonic.
* Make one last attempt at finding a babysitter.
* Bingo! The brave soul agreed to watch my boys! :-) God be with her and bless her abundantly!
* Pull into parking place at Sonic and order ice cream.
* Receive order, get boys out of car seats and head to picnic table area.
* Grab entire roll of paper towels from van.
* Feel like Mother of the year as I walk my well-behaved little boys in a straight line to eat their ice cream.
* Oops. Not feeling like Mother of the year anymore. Mother of the Year would have realized that eating ice cream in the summer heat would not be a good idea. Ice cream is literally running down their arms, their shirts, and onto their shorts and crocs.
* Have to laugh at what a bad idea this was and at how adorable my little men look with ice cream goatees!
* Try desperately to clean them as they eat all the while holding Erik Daniel on my hip.
* Attempt to sit down and look as if this is easy and very much under my control since I have a captive audience of hamburger eating folks gawking at me. But, when I sit down Erik Daniel grabs the roll of paper towels on the table behind me, and it falls to the floor unraveling all over the dirty concrete.
* I attempt to collect myself and the runaway paper towels without dropping the baby!
* Praise God when one by one they begin to finish their cones!
* Head back to van.
* Go to the library because I love books, and it just makes me feel good and peaceful.
* Let the boys pick out one book each, then head to the front to check them out.
* Realize that my library card is at home in our library bag. Where else would it be?
* Ask if she can just look me up in the computer.
* She says she needs to see my drivers license.
* No problem, only it is in the car. So, I leave books at desk and haul all four boys back to van. Elijah begins crying because he thinks we are leaving without his Barney book. I assure him that I would not do such a thing and try to explain that we are coming right back.
* Go back inside, check out books, and head to park. . .
* Yeah, I'm a sucker. They asked and the park was completely vacant, so I said yes.
* Drive to park, load Erik Daniel in stroller and head out to play.
* Again feeling a bit like mother of the year until I hear. . .
* Wailing and Gnashing of teeth! JCT realizes that he! has! a! blister!
* Go back to car where I remember seeing that someone stuffed their sock in a cup holder. I have been meaning to bring it in for a week at least, but I'm glad that I didn't! Give JCT the sock to put on and head back to play.
* Play for 30 or so minutes until JCT is almost asleep on the swings, then load everyone back into van and head home.
* Get home, make dinner, bathe boys, read to boys, take out Rain, slowly one by one put boys down.
* Take 2 Extra Strength Tylenol for my aching legs, get a glass of milk and three chocolate oatmeal cookies and sit down at the computer. . .
* Talk to Erik, and now I am calling it a day.
* Amen.
* And, amen, and amen, and amen.
* Nursed him and rubbed his cute little fuzzy head.
* Showered, made coffee, and held 3 little boys in such a way that they all thought they were sitting on my lap and sipped coffee without burning anyone!! :-)
*Checked email, my calendar, and made breakfast.
* Kissed Erik goodbye.
*The boys and I prepared a small cooler with bottles of Gatorade for the garbage collectors to pick a drink from. Posted a sign on cooler instructing them to do so and letting them know we appreciate them. Oh, yes ma'am, we appreciate them!
*Got boys dressed and ready to play.
* Put Erik Daniel down for morning nap.
* Boys played inside while baby slept.
* Erik Daniel woke up and I took boys outside to play and to wait for garbage truck.
*An hour later, sweaty and still waiting. Decide to regroup, make lunch, and have picnic in the 90 degree heat.
* Hear garbage truck coming. Boys are giddy! Garbage collectors see cooler and wave with big smiles.
* Boys are more than pleased!
* Hey, wait a second, they took the cooler! They weren't supposed to take the cooler ~ just the Gatorade! This concerns Joshua. I assure him that we can replace the little cooler. All is well. Joshua says to JCT, "Doesn't it make you feel good to do something nice for someone else!" I think he has heard that line before??? :-)
* Finish up lunch and head inside for afternoon naps and rest-time.
* Nurse Erik Daniel and put him down.
* Sing to Elijah and put him down.
* Settle big boys in their room with puzzles and books.
* Go downstairs and spend 30 minutes looking for a babysitter to watch the little boys while I take Joshua to 2 birthday parties on Saturday. No babysitters available.
*Call Erik and complain that I cannot find a sitter to save. my. life.
*Unload dishwasher and reload.
*Straighten kitchen.
* Read a friend's blog.
* Tell big boys that they can come back downstairs.
* Hear Erik Daniel waking up, nurse him, and pack diaper bag.
*Wake up Elijah and load the boys in the van to go get hair-cuts.
* Call 2 of Joshua's friend's moms on the way to salon and ask if they could possibly take Joshua with them. Strike 2 and 3.
* Joshua overhears me talking on the phone and from the back of the van I hear my sweet boy say, "Mom, I don't have to go to both parities. Really, I don't. Just don't worry about it. I don't have to go. I'll just stay home."
* I assure him that I will get him to both parties ~ no worries!
* Spend the rest of the drive threatening JCT not to touch anything that doesn't belong to him at the salon.
* Get to salon. Load Erik Daniel in stroller and walk inside. Want to cry when I see a customer sitting in our hairdresser's chair with wet hair. Begin to point out chairs for each boy to sit in when I notice sidewalk chalk sitting on a little table.
* Ask Ann (hairdresser) if we can play with it. She says yes, and we head out to find a little corner of concrete to write on.
* Ann comes out to get us, and boys get hair-cuts.
* Laugh at my Elijah as he is getting his hair-cut. The child who never sits still looks as if she has put him in a trance! :-)
* JCT obeyed! He managed to keep his hands to himself! Hooray! Ice cream for everyone!
* Drive to Sonic.
* Make one last attempt at finding a babysitter.
* Bingo! The brave soul agreed to watch my boys! :-) God be with her and bless her abundantly!
* Pull into parking place at Sonic and order ice cream.
* Receive order, get boys out of car seats and head to picnic table area.
* Grab entire roll of paper towels from van.
* Feel like Mother of the year as I walk my well-behaved little boys in a straight line to eat their ice cream.
* Oops. Not feeling like Mother of the year anymore. Mother of the Year would have realized that eating ice cream in the summer heat would not be a good idea. Ice cream is literally running down their arms, their shirts, and onto their shorts and crocs.
* Have to laugh at what a bad idea this was and at how adorable my little men look with ice cream goatees!
* Try desperately to clean them as they eat all the while holding Erik Daniel on my hip.
* Attempt to sit down and look as if this is easy and very much under my control since I have a captive audience of hamburger eating folks gawking at me. But, when I sit down Erik Daniel grabs the roll of paper towels on the table behind me, and it falls to the floor unraveling all over the dirty concrete.
* I attempt to collect myself and the runaway paper towels without dropping the baby!
* Praise God when one by one they begin to finish their cones!
* Head back to van.
* Go to the library because I love books, and it just makes me feel good and peaceful.
* Let the boys pick out one book each, then head to the front to check them out.
* Realize that my library card is at home in our library bag. Where else would it be?
* Ask if she can just look me up in the computer.
* She says she needs to see my drivers license.
* No problem, only it is in the car. So, I leave books at desk and haul all four boys back to van. Elijah begins crying because he thinks we are leaving without his Barney book. I assure him that I would not do such a thing and try to explain that we are coming right back.
* Go back inside, check out books, and head to park. . .
* Yeah, I'm a sucker. They asked and the park was completely vacant, so I said yes.
* Drive to park, load Erik Daniel in stroller and head out to play.
* Again feeling a bit like mother of the year until I hear. . .
* Wailing and Gnashing of teeth! JCT realizes that he! has! a! blister!
* Go back to car where I remember seeing that someone stuffed their sock in a cup holder. I have been meaning to bring it in for a week at least, but I'm glad that I didn't! Give JCT the sock to put on and head back to play.
* Play for 30 or so minutes until JCT is almost asleep on the swings, then load everyone back into van and head home.
* Get home, make dinner, bathe boys, read to boys, take out Rain, slowly one by one put boys down.
* Take 2 Extra Strength Tylenol for my aching legs, get a glass of milk and three chocolate oatmeal cookies and sit down at the computer. . .
* Talk to Erik, and now I am calling it a day.
* Amen.
* And, amen, and amen, and amen.
Labels: A Day in the Life. . .
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
A Few of My Favorite New Things. . .
I am not a spontaneous type of girl. I am much more of a planning, checking, double checking, triple checking, etc. type of girl. But, last Friday I decided at the very last minute to drive to New Orleans.
6 hours.
Don't let your mind wander to how I handled potty breaks. Let's just say I had my hands full. And, I obviously didn't think ahead because I wore drawstring yoga pants. Have you ever tried to tie drawstrings with a twenty-something pound wiggle worm on your hip? It was an experience! :-) But, we made it, and I got to see my sweet husband who had been in New Orleans with his parents all week, and that is all that really matters!!!
Jen and Jason were there, as well, and Jen gave me this awesome Mother's Day gift. . .
She knows me well.
I mean, seriously, how cute!! "Mommy's Sippy Cup!" I love it, love it, love it! I have used it the last two days straight! And, I begin my mornings sipping it and holding cute little red-headed boys. But, once they begin to get up and play, I grab my Bible and this workbook. . . .
and head to my favorite chair at the bar. I sip my coffee and do this wonderful study! I love it because I like to talk a lot, and I don't mean just to others. I do a whole lot of talking to myself. And, I don't talk quite as kindly to myself as I do to my friends. So, I am in desperate need of a thought closet makeover!
And, when I glance up from my Bible study, I see this new frame that I bought with a picture of four of my favorite little people!
And, speaking of those four little people. . .
I have a new favorite book to read to them!
It is a take-off of Goodnight Moon. And, it is perfect for our family because the Big Easy will always have a very special place in our hearts.
And, these are a few of my new favorite things!
6 hours.
By myself.
With four children.Don't let your mind wander to how I handled potty breaks. Let's just say I had my hands full. And, I obviously didn't think ahead because I wore drawstring yoga pants. Have you ever tried to tie drawstrings with a twenty-something pound wiggle worm on your hip? It was an experience! :-) But, we made it, and I got to see my sweet husband who had been in New Orleans with his parents all week, and that is all that really matters!!!
Jen and Jason were there, as well, and Jen gave me this awesome Mother's Day gift. . .
She knows me well.
I mean, seriously, how cute!! "Mommy's Sippy Cup!" I love it, love it, love it! I have used it the last two days straight! And, I begin my mornings sipping it and holding cute little red-headed boys. But, once they begin to get up and play, I grab my Bible and this workbook. . . .
and head to my favorite chair at the bar. I sip my coffee and do this wonderful study! I love it because I like to talk a lot, and I don't mean just to others. I do a whole lot of talking to myself. And, I don't talk quite as kindly to myself as I do to my friends. So, I am in desperate need of a thought closet makeover!
And, when I glance up from my Bible study, I see this new frame that I bought with a picture of four of my favorite little people!
And, speaking of those four little people. . .I have a new favorite book to read to them!
It is a take-off of Goodnight Moon. And, it is perfect for our family because the Big Easy will always have a very special place in our hearts.
And, these are a few of my new favorite things!
Labels: Everyday Life
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Leaders, Confrontations, and an Upgrade
I haven't been posting as often lately, and I think the reason for that is two-fold. On one hand we are busy. Erik is in and out of town taking care of his parents. The boys have a summer agenda which consists of lots of outdoor play. And, we had Vacation Bible School at our church last week ~ the boys attended and I helped with crafts.
And, on the other hand, I am going through a kind of funny stage right now.
And, on the other hand, I am going through a kind of funny stage right now.
If I have learned anything about parenting in the last 6 years, it is that it comes in stages, phases, or whatever you want to call them. Some stages are sweet, some are fun, some are trying, and some are downright difficult. And, right now the testosterone level in this house is wearing me out! I don't consider myself to be a leader. Deana B. would argue with me on that, but I think it is true. And, I have four little wanna~be leaders growing up under me, and I am learning how to handle them ~ how to handle myself. All my life I have fought to avoid confrontation at all costs, and now I am facing confrontations all day everyday.
Little boys.
God made them with the desire to lead, to conquer, to fight, and to protect. Those are wonderful things when they are under His direction. But, harnessing them, channeling them is a huge challenge ~ one that I didn't see coming. But, I am attempting to adjust, to get my barrings, to figure this thing out ~ if that is possible.
All that to say, I have been a bit distracted from the computer lately! But, hey, speaking of leaders, my number 3 boy has a new thing that he likes to say to aggravate his big brothers. He walks up to them, puffs his little chest out as big as he can, and says in his loud, deep, raspy voice, "I da BOSS of dis house." This angers his big brothers who argue that Daddy is the boss of the house. But, Elijah, unrelentingly repeats his little phrase over and over, all the while smiling overcomingly as he fuels their anger. He loves it. They hate it. And, these sorts of things go on all day long within the walls of our sweet home!
So, here is Lijah in two pictures that I like to call. . .
The Upgrade. . .
This summer Erik Daniel has taken over the baby swing, and Elijah has upgraded to a big boy swing. And, he is oh, so proud of himself!!! Can you tell??
Labels: Chronicles of a boy mama, My Elijah
Monday, June 15, 2009
VBS Video for Grandparents!
The video above is of the rehearsal LuAnne did with the kiddos right before the service. I love that you can hear her voice at the beginning! Erik focused on Afton and JCT as he videoed this song. But, if you look closely you can see Lij on the other side of Afton. He stayed on stage for rehearsal, but he decided he didn't like being front and center when the room filled with people. So, he sat on his sweet teacher Miss Lauren's lap during the actual performance. In the video below, I start out videoing Afton and JCT, then move over to sweet Joshua, and then scan over a little further to Miss Lauren and Lijah.
Mr. Ken and Mrs. Diane, I know this is no replacement for actually getting to be here, but I hope it helps!!!!! :-) Hope you enjoy it!! Love you both!
Labels: Video Posts
