January 28, 2007
Recently overheard
Setting – My oldest son’s room.
Scene – My son was constructing a car track. My daughter walks in…
Daughter: How did you get the track to go like that?
Son: (exasperated sigh) Sometimes, you don’t get to know.
Daughter: But how did you get it like that?
Son: (another sigh) I’m an artist. No… I’m a “cre-at-or.”
January 27, 2007
My baby is one. Despite my wishes, he went and had a birthday. This year has flown by so fast, I can hardly believe it. It’s almost hard to remember him being a tiny little baby, yet it doesn’t seem that long ago, if that makes any sense. I’m trying so hard to relish every second of babyhood with him. I don’t know if he is our last child, but he could very well be, so I want to cherish every moment I can!
We had fun celebrating his big day and I do think he liked his cake.
Now, he has been pulling himself up on the furniture for quite awhile now and he cruises around if he has something to hold on to, but we were still waiting for those precious first steps. At one point, on his birthday, I walked into our living room from the kitchen to find him standing, in the middle of the room, (nothing to hold onto there) and he was looking down and he took a step. I, of course, gasped in amazement and delight, at which point he looked up, got a very guilty-looking grin on his face and immediately sat down. A feeling of shock and utter betrayal came over me. I do believe he has been putting us on for awhile! I think, when we have had our backs turned, he has been walking. Practicing up, maybe, for the big show. I know what you’re thinking. He is one, he couldn’t possibly have these devious scheming abilities, but I’m telling you. He’s sneaky like that. So we proceeded to have him walk between the two of us, and he took close to ten steps before dropping to his knees to take off crawling. TEN STEPS. Pretty sure he’s been practicing! Sneaky little devil.
January 25, 2007
I have decided that, in line with my goal to be more grateful this year, I am going to start Thankful Thursdays! This, like most other cool things I do, is not my original idea. I am totally benefiting from someone else’s grand idea. (Feel free to click on the Thankful Thursday icon to be directed to a great blog entitled, “Sting My Heart,” there’s some great stuff there.) Now, onto my inaugural entry…
Things I am thankful for this week.
January 25, 2007
A few nights ago, we were called in the middle of the night. My father-in-law had a heart attack. He is in the hospital recovering, but it was scary. This was not the first time, he had some issues a few years back with a partial blockage, but it sounds like this one was definitely more severe. To the tune that he said if they hadn’t called for an ambulance, had he insisted on being driven to the hospital instead, he might not be here today. Scary stuff. A harsh, in-your-face reminder of just how unpredictable life is.
In all honesty, one of my first reactions, once we knew he was going to recover, was anger. Why wouldn’t he take better care of himself? Why would he pick up another cigarette? Why? Why? Why? The reality is, though, while I don’t smoke and try to take care of myself (though I could do SO much better) I could be hit by a bus tomorrow. Now, I’m not saying that it doesn’t matter what we do. I believe since we are created in God’s image as part of his beautiful creation, that we are to take care of our bodies and minds. I do realize, though, that there are circumstances sometimes which hinder our ability to do that. I also realize that my anger in this situation is born out of a sincere heart. You see, I have three kids that adore this man and I want him to be around to see them grow up. I lost my grandpa when I was quite young (my other grandpa died before I was born) and though I do remember a few things about him, I don’t have many specific memories of him and I so wish I did. He was a great man. I want my kids to have these very important people in their lives for a long, long time! I am so grateful that Grandpa is recovering.
I hope this event marks a point of change for him and those around him, myself included. What a wake-up call that we cannot take our health for granted; physical, emotional and spiritual. We truly don’t know what tomorrow will bring.
January 23, 2007
My kids love the computer. I can’t blame them. They come by it naturally. Their daddy is a technology guru and well, their mommy spends a decent chunk of time in front of the old monitor as well. The other day, I was busy scrubbing my floor to a gleaming shine… alright fine. I was sitting at my computer, when my daughter skips up beside me and asks, “Mommy, how do you download?” To which I respond, “Just a minute hon—- W-Wait, what?” Now thankfully, tech guru daddy built a computer just for them so they cannot screw up our nice system. Said tech guru has also set up this machine so they are unable to download, etc. but it caught me off guard all the same. Later that evening, I was out and my daughter asked daddy the same question. So he investigates further and she was on NickJr.com wanting to play a game that required a plug-in. So daddy states, “oh, we just need a plug-in” to which my daughter quickly looks down to the power rail and says, “nuh-uh, daddy, the computer is already plugged in.”
Gotta love ‘em!!
January 22, 2007
I love my church. Every single Sunday I walk away with something relevant to my life and useful for the week ahead. There I am surrounded by people, true friends who I can let my guard down and worship God with. People who honestly want to know what is going on in each others’ lives and care deeply about one another. Yesterday’s service was one in which I stood in amazement at God’s power and care for us. The story referenced was that of the woman with chronic bleeding who was healed by her faith when she touched Jesus clothes. A highlight of the service was when a dear friend of mine gave her Faith Story. Her past includes more than any one person should have to bear. Through Jesus, she has found healing from a childhood of abuse and stolen innocence. Through Jesus, she has found the ability to forgive the person who subjected her to years of hurt and fear. Through Jesus, she has been able to endure years of chronic pain. Because of her love of Christ, she looks forward to a day when she will be free from all the earthly pains that have plagued her. I was on stage as she spoke and I could see the power of her words on those listening. She touched many lives with her story. After the service, people were invited to come and be annointed with oil and prayed over for healing of any hurts they had, physical or not. I was on stage playing during this also and it was powerful to see so many tear-stained faces come forward, souls bared, seeking the power of prayer. At one point, after we finished playing, I went to the back of the room and just sat, basking in God’s presence. He was so evident there. He is so much bigger than our burdens. Whether He chooses to heal us or not, we need to trust in His purposes.
I will lift my eyes to the Maker
Of the mountains I can’t climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer
Of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer
Of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to YouBebo Norman
January 19, 2007
It is Friday and the baby has a fever. No other real symptoms, unless extreme grumpiness counts. He is obviously miserable, and his nose is a little runny but it is hard to say if that is illness, or just from all the crying. I hate it when my babies are sick. If only he could tell me what hurts! He just looks at me with these sad eyes like, “mama, do something!” Oh, I wish I could.
On a brighter note, tonight is Movie Night! We started Family movie night a few months back and it has been so much fun. Our kids so look forward to it every week. It is so funny how something so simple can mean so much to kids. Yet another lesson children can teach us. It doesn’t take something big and grand to make them happy. How much more simple can it get? We all don our PJ’s, pop some popcorn and drag down our pillows and blankies and sit and watch a movie together. I guess the main thing is we are together. It has pretty much ascended to tradition status in a very short amount of time. So much so that I think my husband and I would miss it just as much as the kids! It’s a great way to kick off the weekend.
