Friday, January 28, 2011

Interview with a Five Year Old

I saw this on another blog, and I thought it was cute, so I totally stole it.  Not just the idea.  Nope, I stole it word for word...well except the answers.  Those are 100% The Little Man.  I have to admit,  I saw the idea for this a little while ago, but I was so terrified by how my kids might answer some of these questions, that I kept putting it off.  I  have only kind of gotten over it (See question 3.  WHAT IN THE WORLD?)  For the most part, though, I think his answers were funny and it was cute to hear what he really thinks.  I guess when I interview The Girl, I might retract that last statement. 

What the Little Man thinks of his mom, as answered by The Little Man age 5 years and 7 months:
1. What is something Mommy always says to you?
I love you.   
2. What makes Mommy happy?
when I give her hugs.
3. What makes Mommy sad?
When I spank her.  (????What in the world???)
4. How does Mommy make you laugh?
When I talk to you. (either I am a comedian or he thinks I am completely ridiculous.  I am going with witty and fun)
5. What was Mommy like as a child?
Sad.
6. How old is Mommy?
69 (not impressed)
7. How tall is Mommy?
9 feet.
8. What is Mommy's favorite thing to do?

Play with me.
9. What does Mommy do when you're not around?
Go to workout.
10. If Mommy becomes famous, what will it be for?
Taking pictures.
11. What is Mommy really good at?
Taking pictures.
12. What is Mommy not very good at?
Playing frisbee.
13. What does Mommy do for her job?
Makes dinner. (at least someone is noticing the effort)
14. What is Mommy's favorite food?
Salad.
15. What makes you proud of Mommy?
When she kisses me on the cheek at bedtime.
16. If Mommy were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Jesse from Toy Story.
17. What do you and Mommy do together?
Drive places.  (I told you our lives revolved around the carpool)
18. How are you and Mommy the same?
We both like cookies!
19. How are you and Mommy different?
She doesn’t like to play soccer.
20. How do you know Mommy loves you?
She hugs me and I hug her a lot.
21. Where is Mommy's favorite place to go?
Hawaii (I might say this a few times a day. *ahem*)

Friday, January 21, 2011

Proper Focus

This past week at Bible study, our teaching leader taught on prayer, after studying King Hezekiah's prayer in Isaiah.  What grabbed my attention from the lecture was, often times when we (I) are in prayer we (I) tend to focus on the problem(s) that we (I) are facing instead of who we are praying to.  Yes, Hezekiah acknowledged the problems he was fighting, and laid them out before God, but He doesn't stay there.  He instead acknowledges who God is and what He is capable of.

Our teaching leader said it's like when we sit in prayer before God and continually hash out the problem(s) or the people in our lives that are causing problems.  God just gently grabs our little faces and turns them away from the issue(s) and says, "Look at me! Look at me.  I am bigger than all those things.  Remember who you are praying to?"

So last night, as I was praying through some tough times, I remembered this.  I confessed that I do forget who it is I am praying to because I am too wrapped up in myself.  I then asked the Lord to show me, remind me, who He is.

I thought for sure I would be searching through His Word for quite sometime, but I was up for the challenge.  I was surprised (pleasantly) that I didn't have to look very far.  Turns out, His Word is full of who He is (Duh).   After reading only six different chapters in Psalms and Isaiah, This is what He showed me:

He is:
The one who answers prayers, Ps 20:1
My protection, Ps 20:1
My Refuge and Strong tower, Ps 61:3
My Shelter, Ps 61:4
My rest, my salvation, Ps 62:1
My rock and fortress, Ps 62:2
My Hope, Ps 62:5
Strong and loving, Ps 62:12
My help,  63:7
The satisfaction of my soul, 63:5
Incomparable, Is 40:18
None is equal to, Is 40:25
The Everlasting God, creator,  Never tiring or weary, understands all things, Is 40:28
Strength and power, Is 40:29
The First and the Last,  Is 41:4
The One who has chosen me, Is 41:9
The One who takes hold of my right hand and says "do not fear", Is 41:13
Redeemer, Is 41:14

After sitting back and reviewing my list, I wept.

How could I possibly be scared, worried, or anxious.

It was one of the most precious times I have spent with the Lord.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Confessions

In an attempt to get the creative juices flowing (as if anything up until now has been creative), I thought I would do a few different types of posts, starting with this one.  I'm going to air some (somewhat) dirty laundry.

1.  Just so we all know, I totally stole the confessions idea from another blogger.  So it's not really creative on my part at all.
2.  I'm embarrassed because I know most of these confessions will leave people thinking "Really?  That's it?" I'm a pretty boring person.
3. I had to take The Little Man to get two more cavities filled today.  This is horrifying to me, but I try to make it sound like it's an everyday type thing to him because I don't want him to feel badly about it.  For the record, The Hubs and I still brush his teeth for him, so it's totally our fault either because we don't know how to brush teeth properly, or genetically.  Since The Girl has no cavities, and we also help her brush her teeth, I think it's a genetic thing.
4. I blame The Hubs' genes for number three.
5.  I am about as mature as a middle schooler when it comes to flatulence as well as jokes about body parts.  I can rarely say "nuts" or "balls", in any context, with a straight face.  Seriously, it's like I am 14.
6.  I despise bedtime.  Getting the kids in their jams, teeth brushed, stories read, and prayers said is painful for me.  I just want to get to the part where the house is quiet.  I feel even worse knowing that some parents find this time of the day enjoyable and it's their favorite part of the day.  And just to add a cherry on top of that guilt sundae, I think my kids find this part of the night their favorite as well.  I feel horrible even confessing this!  What parent doesn't like reading, snuggling, praying, and wrapping up the day with their kids? 
7.  After a few years in a row where I have thrown birthday parties for both kids in which I created cute invites, had themed decor, great crafts, and basically killed myself put a lot of effort towards making a special day for my kids, I am so excited about The Girls birthday party this year.  I am showing up, allowing someone else to run the show, packing up the gifts and my kids, writing a check, and going home.  THRILLED!  Even better: I don't have even an ounce of "Mommy Guilt" over this one.
8.  I just realized that I forgot all about goody bags for The Girl's party.  Dern. 
9.  I am seriously considering not having any goody bags.
10.  Even though The Hubs travels quite a bit for his job, there are times when I still get scared out of my mind about him going.   I literally have to be on my knees in prayer about it for days before hand, and for the time he is gone.  I feel like a baby about this.
11.  I have "control issues".  If I feel like I am out of control in one area of my life, I will transfer control to another area.  Totally praying through this "issue" this year.
12.  I'm neither a night owl or a morning person.  I like to think I hit my stride mid-day.  I am so thankful that I married someone who does not require as much sleep as I do. 
13.  The Hubs gets up with the kids everyday.  He gets them breakfast and makes sure they are getting ready for school.   I feel guilty about this.
14. I have work I should be doing, but I'm here instead. 
15.  I feel like we (The Hubs and I) are on the brink of some really big changes in our lives.  I can't quite put my finger on it, but through prayers, circumstances that we are enduring, and some pretty big shifts in our hearts recently, change is on the horizon.  I am terrified and excited all at the same time.  Sometimes I feel like it will happen any day now, and other times I feel like it could be a few years out yet.   We are praying for clarity and courage, and would love any prayers you may have to offer.

Ahhhh.  Confession feels good sometimes.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Bringing More Mediocre News

Many things have happened, been said, and were totally blog-able in the last two weeks.  Life is super busy now that school is back in session, and before I know it, another week has zipped right past me.

Both kids have started up with their winter activities.  The Girl is in cheer leading and The Little Man is doing basketball.  I am happy to say, that both are enjoying them very much.  After last year's basketball season, the thought of asking The Girl if she wanted to play again this year, actually made me sweat a little. I was praying she would say no.  Let's just say that team sports are not her forte.  I was thrilled when she asked to do cheer leading instead.  I guess I was thrilled that she was steering clear of the team sport thing more so than the fact that she chose cheer leading.

After cheering at her first game last weekend, I can say, I am very happy with her choice.  It just fits her so well.  The Hubs actually was a little teary when we watched her cheer saying that it just made his heart so happy to see her doing something that made her so happy.  I am by no means saying that we have a future in the cheer leading business, but she is very happy cheering. So happy, in fact, she is going to be having a cheer party this year for her birthday (which she allowed me to throw her a full 3 weeks late, thankyouverymuch).

The Little Man also loves basketball.  This isn't his first season in basketball, but it is his first season where he actually plays "games" against another team.  I say "games" because our last "game" involved little people getting hold of a basketball and then looking for their parents in the stands with a face that said "Now what?" The parent that belonged to the child would then instruct them what to do next.  While most of the kids on the team are great at dribbling, passing, and shooting, I think it might be asking a bit much for five year olds to understand the "game" part of basketball.  They were all constantly confused on if  they should be asking for the ball and trying to get open or if they were supposed to be blocking the shot.  And what in the name is a re-bound?  Let's just say, it was a very LONG game.  Conveniently, I had a photo shoot scheduled for the second "game".  I am sure that by the end of the season, we will see considerable improvement in the "game" part of basketball.

Maybe.

We've also enjoyed a Snow Day.  Again, I don't know who gets more excited about getting out of school, me or the kids.  Well, actually, I know that The Girl was VERY excited.  She's been experiencing some dread towards school these days.  Again.  I think having time off from school actually makes it harder for her to want to go back, instead of the opposite.  Actually, the problem isn't school itself.  She likes her teacher, has friends, and enjoys learning.  She just hates homework.  And if you are going to school, you get homework.  Truth be told, I kind of agree with her.  I understand the purpose of homework, but they could ease up a bit.  Oh well. 

Because of the Snow day last week, a teacher in-service the week before, and now Martin Luther King Jr's birthday, we have had three four day weeks in a row.  I think that is pretty awesome.  Now, I just have to work on getting The Girl back into the swing of things.

Or we could just keep having snow days.

Of course I wouldn't be too happy about missing school for snow days in May.

I'm just never satisfied.

In other news, God was gracious and merciful to my mommy brain, and I was able to memorize my Bible verse by the middle of this month.  I took that as encouragement to try to tackle two verses a month instead of one.  My new verse is from Psalms and goes:

"But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.  I praise God for what he has promised.  I trust in  God, so why should I be afraid?  What can mere mortals do to me? -Psalm 56:3-4 NLT.

I have a feeling I will have plenty of opportunity to work this scripture into my head (and heart, prayerfully) while The Hubs does some traveling soon.  I am hoping that this verse will help remind me of all the times God has been so faithful to me with some fears that I struggle with.  I think it goes well with the second part of my scripture from earlier in the month "Finally brothers (sisters too!) whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things".  If I am thinking about such things, I should be remembering all that God has promised to me, and since He is trustworthy and faithful to His promises, I should not be afraid.   See how it all goes together?  Oh good, I love it when we are all on the same page.

Since I seem to be experiencing some writers block with the blog, I hope to be back this week a few times with some ideas that I am totally stealing from other bloggers.  I think they were cute ideas, and am hoping not only to get some fun information documented in the blog, but also get some creative juices flowing again.

We all will be thankful when that happens.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Baby Girl

I feel like every year, when my kids have a birthday, I come on here and sob.  It's bittersweet, as a parent, to watch your children grow.  Today, I am going to focus on the sweet.

Sweet Baby Girl,  I am so proud of all you have done this past year.  You are so sweet, so caring, and so fun.  I love the way you care for even the tiniest of creatures.  You have so much compassion in that little heart of yours.  I love watching you quietly take in the world around you.  You are so imaginative and creative, and all of your crazy contraptions and inventions leave me amazed.  

As you grow this coming year, know that I am watching in awe.  I can hardly wait to see where God uses the amazing gifts He has given you.

Here are your Eight Year old portraits:











































You actually requested this shot!  So creative, you are!



















You are all about American Girl this year.  You got matching outfits and a new doll for Christmas:








































 













































I love you more than you can imagine,

Mom

P.S.  Here is your birthday montage:

Monday, January 3, 2011

There Isn't a Bow Big Enough to Tie This Post Together

So, you might have guessed, but my New Year's resolution list didn't include blogging more.  Good thing!  I have already gotten a big fat "F" on that!

In all seriousness, I have absolutely enjoyed this Christmas break with the kids.  We have had a great time together, and I have had a wonderful break from all things "regularly scheduled".   Truth be told, I would take another week in a heart beat!

Since Christmas we have had a couple of jammie days, a play date, caught up with some chores, watched a ton of movies, gone bowling,  celebrated my dad and The girl's birthday (with my side of the family), and ushered in the New Year with friends and family.

Sadly, tomorrow we are back into reality in a rough way.  I don't think my calendar could possibly hold one more "event".   I keep reminding myself that we are halfway there (to the end of the school year).

Speaking of "Events" tomorrow's main event: The Girl's EIGHTH birthday! Can you believe it?  I can't, and I was the one who gave birth to her.  Sweet mercy.

Thankfully, she has been so kind to me and has allowed for me to postpone throwing her a party until the end of the month.  Here's to hoping I can use the time wisely and pull it all together.

Since we are on the subject of The Girl, I thought I would share a little conversation she had with The Little Man today while they waited with me at the Chiropractic office.  For some reason, while I lay on the heated roller (like a heated massage table) they usually like to hide in the corner and scare the doctor when she comes in to get me.  Thankfully, our doctor is also a mom, is totally easy going, and completely loves children.

p: Sister, are you going to come over and hide with me? I think she is almost coming!
d: No, bro.  I am going to sit right here.  I don't like hiding anymore.
p: What?  Why?
d: Because, bro, hiding is for babies.  I don't know....I just think it's baby-ish.  I guess I've grown out of it now that I'm turning eight tomorrow.
p: huh?
me: Come on.  Just play with your brother.  It's OK to play with him.
d: No.  I don't want to.
p: Why not?
d: Because it was just a phase I went through for a time, and now I am all grown out of it.  I'm sorry, but you're still in the middle of that phase, and I'm all done with it.
p: Huh?
d: Young kids go through phases.  It's just what they do.  Now I'm eight, and I am all done with that phase.

Since I was almost choking trying to stifle my laughter, I didn't end up convincing her to hide with her brother.

And in absolutely no connection with what is being talked about, I would like to discuss New Year's Resolutions.  Do you make them?  Do you keep them?

For me it's more like goals.  I don't care when they are accomplished, but I do have in my heart what I would like to see happen in the next year.   I don't know how to really describe it, but I am not all about "No sugar" or "Exercise 5x a week" or "Read 15 books" or "Blog everyday".  It's more like I have a desire to see growth in my life or faith walk.  Not that those other types of resolutions are things I scoff at, just that I know for a fact that I will not keep a single resolution.  I can't.

OK.  I probably could, but the pressure!  Oh, the pressure is too much!

So, I do have one thing I will be working on this year, that I will share, and will probably share throughout the year (that's at least my hope...if the pressure doesn't kill me first).  I am going to work really hard at scripture memorization.  This is something I am really bad at.  Seriously.  As I walk through this life, and in it's valleys and peaks, I would just really love to have God's word imprinted in my heart. 

(See, right now, I know that there are TONS of scripture that talk about how important it is and how beneficial it is to have God's work tucked away in your heart, but guess what?  Can't recall them exactly or know their references.  Point made)

So I am going for 12 new scriptures written on my heart this year.  Once a month, I'll have a new one to work on and work through. I am hoping each one will meet me where I am at, and as I review them at the end of the year, it will be kind of like a review of my year.

Right now, I am going through a time in which I am pretty anxious.  There are many things that worry me, and a few that will actually keep me up at night or cause slight panic during the day.  As I have prayed through this, the Holy Spirit has been merciful enough to show me that I have a control problem.  The need to control is rooted, for me, out of lack of trust.  It gets pretty messy at times.  So here is January's memory verse (although, I know there are plenty of scripture that talk about trusting and worry, I am going with this one this month and we'll see where February takes me.).

6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
Philippians 4:6-8


WHEW!

That's a big one!

That's OK. Truth be told, I am kind of cheating on this first go 'round.  I had this verse a few years ago in a study, and was supposed to memorize it then.   Didn't work out so well.

It will now though!

I even have a cute little spiral bound note cards so I can take my verses everywhere and work on them whenever I have a couple of minutes. 

I can hardly wait to see what scripture God has waiting for me this year.