skip to main |
skip to sidebar
So, one day last week I was listening to KLOVE and the were doing the daily news stories. They started off talking about the tragic shooting in Arizona last weekend and the death of the nine-year old girl. (BTW - wasn't she BEAUTIFUL??) Anyway, the story immediately following was about the year anniversary of the earthquake in Haiti and how an infant who had survived 4 days in the rubble without food and water was able to meet her rescuers. The baby's mom was quoted as saying that "God must have a something very special planned" for her baby. That really kind of stung me. I mean, I know it wasn't intended to sound this way, but to hear that on the heels of the story of the tragic shooting, it was almost as if this baby was saved because he/she was more special than the nine-year old who was callously gunned down. Obviously I know that isn't true, but imagine what that would sound like to a non-believer, or even to this little girl's parents?
Yet, how many times have we used that phrase in reference to someone else who had a brush with death? I know I have used it - or thought it at least. If you really think about it though, it isn't really true. We ALL have special plans for our lives - given to us by God Himself. The God I serve is not surprised by what happens here on earth. He isn't up there scratching His head or wringing His hands wondering what He's going to do with all these rebel children! :-) That - my friends - is a huge comfort to know!
When Sarah was born, on her birth announcement, one of the verses we had printed was Psalm 139:16, "Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in Your book and planned before a single one of them began." He knows it all....our beginning...our end...and it isn't our place to try to figure it out. I mean, you can try, but you really won't be able to. Trying to figure out the "how's" or "why's" things happen to us or in our world can consume us or even make us bitter if we let them. Our purpose is spelled out in vs. 14 of Psalm 139. "I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made." THAT is our purpose...in the midst of all the tragedy surrounding us, it is our place to praise Him. Even on the days you don't feel like, JUST DO IT! It will change your whole outlook..I promise! :-)
I mean really? We are already 6 days into 2011....and I am still recovering from that blur we called the holidays! It was fun and all, but I am more than ready to assume our normal chaos. The kids were (for the most part) ready to go back to school and Ava is bouncing off the walls to go back to her ballet classes! The break was fun - restful - yet I still did not do some most of the things I wanted. :-( I had intended on doing the Happy Birthday Jesus cake, but due to unexpected illness by three of the 6 family members (myself included) - it just did not happen. It's a great idea though, so I am hoping to do it at Easter....it just can't be a "Happy Birthday" cake. (Did you get to try it Judith??) We partied 3 nights in a row...the kids had a blast - well we all did!! It's fun to have people over to our house....stresses me out to get ready for it, but it is still fun!
Anyway, decorations are down - much to the dismay of one very upset four year old. The night Charles started taking down the trees, Sarah exclaimed "Daddy, how can you do this to us? Santa will be so disappointed!" That girl is a hoot. Her latest thing is she is telling everyone that we (as in "she and I") are going out of town and never coming back. Yeah -- like that statement didn't provoke phone calls from teachers at school. Thank goodness they are all our friends! Hearing her repeat things these days is like playing the game "Rumor". Have you ever played it? You have a room full of people and one person whispers something to another and so on and so on until the last person in the room repeats what was told to them - which is usually some whacked out statement making no sense. Well, that is every day life with Sarah....minus the room full of people. She was also telling Zachary and Josh that we actually went to visit the "Fresh Beat" house. (FYI...."Fresh Beat Band" is a show that comes on Nickelodeon that the girls love. It is about 4 teenagers that live in the house and they all play musical instruments and dance, etc. I know, I know, there is the whole 'where are the parents' thing, but that is just the way it is!) So anyway, either she is dreaming some crazy dreams or I need to get her ears checked! Until then, I'm just going to be extremely careful what I say!
So anyway, I guess I will gear up for "White Out 2011" -- the weather service says we are supposed to get 5-8 inches of snow here in Memphis - which means I need to get to the store! I got the bread but I need some milk!!! Oh - and the boys need some snow shoes!!
***DISCLAIMER*** - when I started writing this post, it was Monday, December 20th, so it really was only five more sleeps til Christmas. Due to a late night trip to retrieve my stranded hubby, the post didn't get finished to Tuesday - which is really four more sleeps....I haven't totally lost it!
_______________________________________________________________________
That is what I told the girls tonight.....five more sleeps until Christmas! It just can't come soon enough for them, which is not surprising ~ them and their "microwave mentality"! They are just beside themselves....and I can only play the Santa card for so long - lol! It will be over soon enough (sigh).
So anyway, we had Zachary's birthday - he turned the big "12" this year. He was also quick to remind me that in 365 days he would be a teenager. UGH! I have been around little ones for years - as soon as I could babysit - but teenagers? That is unchartered territory for me! I don't know what to do with them! I don't think Zachary will be difficult. He is an awesome kid - an incredible blessing. I just can't believe that my first little bundle of joy has grown up so fast. He "broke me in" as a mom. I was so stressed those first few months - mainly when he was sleeping. SIDS freaked me out and I would literally stand over his crib on the verge of a panic attack. Finally, one night I realized that this little blessing from God was in His hands. All of Zachary's days were known to Him before he graced my arms. I was stressing over nothing. Since then, the "worries" have changed..health...happiness...friendships...you know how it goes. As a mom you never stop worrying about your kids. Now he's talking about teenage years? You know - that is a whole year away, so for now, I think I'm just going to put a pin in it and come back to it later.....
Josh got a part in the play "How I Became A Pirate". It is a really cutre story. Practices start in January and performances are the end of February. It is a rough schedule, but one we are used to. Both boys were in a play in the spring....Zachary just last month...now Josh. He is actually in the "pirate ensemble", but he doesn't care. It is a small cast, so he was just glad to get a part! He and Zachary both have made lots of friends through New Day, so he is looking forward to getting caught up with everyone.
Now, school is out and this week will be crazy, but today was fun. Went with all the kids and Charles' mom to see "Tangled"....very cute movie! Still have some shopping (just a few little things) to do...squeeze in a couple of days at work...one (and I do mean one!) more trip to Wal-Mart...a fun night with friends...then a party for Jesus' birthday! I saw a cute Happy Birthday Jeasus cake (thanks Judith!) on a friend's blog that I am going to try. If it works, then I will post some pics. The kids will enjoy it I know.
So anyway...let the fun and festivities begin! Merry Christmas!
...to be jolly? Thankful? Generous? Reflective? Forgiving? All of the above? Yeah -- probably the latter for most of us. I hate to say it, but I don't really feel all of these things in the middle of July. I most definitely should, but I don't. Sometimes it takes a dose of reality to really shake things up and make me realize just how fortunate blessed I am. My husband is sleeping soundly right next to me...yet a young bride is mourning the loss of her husband in Afghanistan (click here to see her blog). Two other couples I know of are going through a divorce. It all seems so surreal -- so unfair. I can't imagine the pain they are going through. None of these people deserve these tragedies. Why them? Why at Christmas? It seems like there should be some sort of "protective" period during the holidays so that no one should have to experience pain or death during what is supposed to be the happiest time of the year. At least ~ I wish it could be that way. Now, for these families, the holidays will only be a reminder of the day their lives changed forever. My heart really hurts for them. Again, I am reminded that I am very blessed. I have four healthy children, a house to live in, a faithful, patient, hardworking husband, a job....the list goes on. I think my last post talked about being thankful. That's okay though...I never want to take these things for granted.
Yet, go back the start of my blog....these things are all heightened in sensitivity because it is the holiday season. Why aren't we concerned with giving in July? Why aren't we adopting "angels" or supporting toy drives in the summer? Why aren't we helping out in the homeless shelters during the other months of the year? No - I don't do it, but I'm thinking I should be doing something else at other times besides Christmas. I'm not trying to point fingers - I'm talking to myself here. Y'all are just lucky enough to be a part of the conversation..haha! I need to work on that...and get my kids involved in it to. The boys and I have already been talking about what to do for Christmas to help out other kids. I want them to think of Christmas as "what can I give?" rather than "what can I get?" And I know for kiddos -- that is a hard concept! That is why I want them to decide the "who" and "where" so that they make the final call. I don't want it to be like I bought the gift and put their name on it. You know?
Anyway...I'm just kind of rambling. It's very late early in the morning. I'm thinking that Starbucks I had earlier wasn't decaf! Please be thankful for the little things as well as the big things...pray for those who are hurting, and ask God the use you to minister to someone - rather it be in a big way or a small way. And don't forget to say, "I love you" to those who mean the most to you!
Haha...I titled that b/c it is "Thanksgiving Eve" and all of Facebook is a flutter with everyone's things they are thankful for! Yes - I am truly thankful. I am thankful for the big things as well as the small things. For a job that even though I might not always like...I am blessed to have. Thankful for 4 HEALTHY kids that are all under my roof tonight. As the years go by, there is no telling where God will lead them. Thankful for an amazing husband...guys like him are few and far between. Thankful for food in my fridge and clothes in my closet. So many people are not so lucky. Thankful I have a vehicle to take me where I need to go. Thankful for little arms that hug my neck and little voices that say, "Mom, I love you." Seriously...I don't need any more than that. Really, I don't. I listen to the news and realize (again) that these kids are merely on loan to me. God has blessed me with them and He could choose to call them home any day. For tonite, they are with me. Years from now they might be across the country or even on the other side of the world. Who knows? My quiver is very full...and for that I am very thankful!
Again...it has been FOREVER since I blogged. I think I start all my blogs out this way! I used to be so good about it, but now it seems I just don't have time. That "life" things seems to constantly get in my way. Then there is the whole "what should I blog about?" thing. Sometimes at night when I am supposed to be sleeping, my mind is racing with ideas for blogging. Does it ever come to fruition? Ha - obviously not! That's okay -- this blog is just going to be random - because that is pretty much the way my life feels right now -- random! :-)
Sooooo...I like to "blog-stalk" if there is such a term. I love to read other people's blogs! Many blogs I read or follow are written by people I don't know in person, but I love to read what they write. I can usually relate to them on some level, and love to see what golden nuggets of wisdom I can take away from their posts. Sometimes it is learning how to deal with chaos, sometimes it is great spiritual insight. One thing I have noticed though, some people tend to share waaay too much with the world! (These are usually the people I don't know!) If Charles and I had a knock-down-drag-out fight last night, I sure would not be writing about it on my blog! Okay -- if you know me and Charles, then you have to know that us having a "knock-down-drag-out" really is out of the question...we aren't exactly "fighters". Don't get me wrong -- we have our moments, but we are more of the "silent" fight types..ya know? Okay - maybe I should stop now...haha! Point is, I guess if we were the types to just put it all "out there" for everyone to read about, then it wouldn't matter. I'm just not that type.
Oh well -- we hade new family pics made...do you like them? Our ah-MAZING photographer friend took them. He is so talented! My wonderful hubby is pretty good too with the computer side of it...he can swap out faces...whatever you need to make the pic turn out, he can most definately do it!
In other news....I realized the other day how much things have changed once I had kids. Well -- I guess I should say how much I have changed. Before kids, my house was cleaned top to bottom once a week. I was able to maintain for a while once Zachary was born, but fast-forward to today and -- well -- that's totally out the window! I do remember dusting last week...and I did run the vacuum cleaner...one day. Now, I do stay on top of my laundry -- which is a MUST with 4 kids! [Insert side bar here: with 6 people living in the house, "staying on top" of laundry for me means that the laundry basket is "fairly" empty. If I do get an empty basket, it only stays that way for about 3 minutes!] And I do not let dishes pile up in the sink -- just can't deal with that. I also do pick things up throughout the day and at night when the kiddos are in bed, so my house is at least NEAT....just not Cloroxed on a regular basis. (Is it wrong that the smell of bleach in the bathrooms gives me great satisfaction?) I had great plans one day last week to do some serious cleaning when Ava asked me ever-so-sweetly to sit with her and watch Dora (or Little Bear...or Max & Ruby...or Pinky Dinky Doo...or something like that.) I had a sudden change in plans and did just that. We sat on the couch doing nothing but chatting and watching tv...the whole time she was curled up with her blanket in my lap. Who cares what got done that day? At one time it would have eaten away at the anal-rententive side of me, but not anymore. Maybe it is because Sarah and Ava are "it"...no more little ones for me. I've seen Sarah start school this year and it breaks my heart to hear her tell me every day she missed me (but she is totally in love with school too - don't get me wrong. I think she is schmoozing me!) I figure Ava will be in school soon enough and then it will be just me at home during the day. Believe it or not, I actually am NOT looking forward to that. There are some positive things about it...like actually being able to go to the grocery store and focus on what I am buying....lunch with a friend on my days off...being able to clean the whole house at once...stuff like that. They just won't be my babies any more. :-( I do have to say, even though Zachary and Josh are older, they will come curl up next to me and watch a movie or a tv show. At least they haven't reached the age of not wanting to be around me yet (I don't think!) But my girls....my baby girls. They are getting to the fun stage of wanting to play in make-up and wanting their fingernails and toenails painted. I can't wait for the manis and pedis! So, all this to say...if you drop by my house and think, "ewwwww.....I could write my name on her mantle! And look at those ceiling fan blades!" I really don't care! That means I have dropped what I was doing to love and hold and snuggle with those kiddos. The other stuff just doesn't matter - not now anyway! :-) Don't get me wrong....I am far from perfect! I say things I don't mean....have to apologize (something I think parents should do). Everyone makes mistakes and each day starts with a clean slate ~ take advantage of it!
Haha! I'll take what I can get...but I am ready to call an end to this week! When school is in session, it seems like getting to Friday is like a race to the finish line. If I can get thru the usual morning chaos and everyone out the door on time for school Friday morning, then I have broken thru the tape and can breathe a HUGE sigh of relief! You all know how abnormal my schedule is, now Zachary has play practice several nights and on Saturdays, Josh is doing JBQ at church (meaning he has to be there at 5:30), Ava has ballet 2 mornings a week...but poor Sarah has nothing extra! (I'll just keep her home and work with her on writing her name! She is actually doing very well in school and loves it!) Anyway, throw into the mix I have a current car "issue" that is probably going to leave me without a vehicle for several - well , probably more than just "several" -- days. A tractor trailor backed into me so my front bumper needs a little TLC! It could have been alot worse, so I really can't complain. Makes me shudder to think what would have happened if I had been in Charles' car. His car is so low to the ground, it probably would have come thru the windshield!
So anywho....tomorrow is Friday and then Saturday Sarah has a birthday party, Zachary has practice, friends for dinner, Josh is spending the night at my mom's new digs...yea her! She finally moved out of her house and into her own little apartment! She is sooooo thrilled! Her old house held lots of bad memories for her, and the neighborhood just isn't safe for a single woman (at least I don't think so). Now, instead of being 30 minutes away, she is only about 5 minutes away. It is a "win-win" situation for all of us...ha!
You know, I really am just rambling nonsense here....just kind of the mood I am in I guess. Waiting for the last 30 minutes of my day to pass so I can clock out and head home. We got a new kitchen table today and I can't wait to see it! Finally...after all these years...we have a kitchen table all 6 of us can sit at! Before, the only way could all sit together was to sit at the dining room table, and we just are not "dining room" people...you know?
So - speaking of dining room (which makes me think of meals -- which makes me think of Ava -- stay with me people)...I was thinking the other day...my little Ava ~ God love her ~ Ava is my spirited strong willed child. I find myself saying things to her I don't remember having to say to any of the other three.... "Ava, get your feet off the table", "Ava, don't pick your feet at the table", "Ava, get your fork out of your nose", "Ava, get off of Bernie [our Shih Tzu puppy]", "Ava, go put your underwear on NOW!" I promise, I am not making any of this up. There is always something to laugh (or cry) at at our house! I hope ya'll have an "Ava" you can relate to, because she sure makes life more interesting. Well, all my kids do really. I love them so very much, and am so proud of the people they are becoming. I listen to Zachary and as he relates the events of his day and conversations he had with his friends, it really makes me proud that he is so strong in his beliefs and so confident in himself. That is pretty awesome for a 6th grader! Josh still reigns supreme in his own little world - population "1"! He is so funny, so sweet, and so cranky when he doesn't get enough sleep. Sarah is my little princess who has transformed from "toddler" to "little girl" in just a couple of months. I'm so amazed by her! I miss her so much now that she is in school all day. Now, it is just me and Ava - each of us getting some well-deserved one-on-one time with each other. It probably is a good thing it is just the two of us, because she WEARS ME OUT!!!! Haha...
So did I lose you? Did you stay with me til the end? I told you I was in a rambling kind of mood! More later...not sure when...so just be ready!
