So, a little saga has developed with my Postman and me.
Every neighborhood usually has a regular post-person, and ours happens to be a nice guy. He and I have had a couple short, cordial conversations. Ok, cool.
A month or so ago, he brought a package to our door. When leaving, he said, "Have a nice day, Dawn." Say what? Ok, whatever. And he's called me that several times since. Even Mrs. [last name] would be better than Dawn.
A couple weeks ago, he delivered a package from my mom for my birthday. While signing for it, we carried on a conversation about how bitterly cold it was. As he turned to leave, he said, "By the way, you have a beautiful face." I stood there stunned in my no-makeup, hair-pulled-back, pajamas state. Ummmm...not ok.
Yesterday, Tara came over to watch the boys so I could go to the doctor. A package was delivered by Mr. Postman. Tara got to the door as he was trying to leave it between the door and storm door. He was startled and said he didn't think anyone was home. He then looked at Tara and said, "Oh, you're not Dawn." Errrrr.........
I like what Tara said her responses could have been:
1) No, I'm the other wife.
2) No, Dawn's the nanny. I'm the wife.
HA! I would have loved to see his reaction!
So whether he is just a little too friendly or kinda creepy, can I request a new postal worker? :-P
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Alphabet & Other Things
I was going through some alphabet flash cards with Judah. We got to Yy, which has a picture of a yo-yo on it.
Judah: BALL!
Me: No, what letter is this.
Judah: No. (meaning I don't know)
Me: It's a Y. Can you say Y?
Judah: Y!
Me: ...is for?
Judah: Ball!
Me: No, that's a yo-yo. Can you say yo-yo?
Judah: It's a striiiing for the baaalll!
Me: No, it's not a ball. It's a yo-yo. Can you say yo-yo?
Judah: It's a ball with a striiiing!
Kids. He is right though -- it does look like a ball with a string.
At 10:00, this is what Judah said to me:
"I'm coughing so I need a snack. I need a snack because I'm...I'm...having trouble. I'm having trouble so I need a snack...because I'm...I'm...I'm having trouble. I'm hiccuping. I'm hiccuping so I need a snack." (which he's not doing anything but asking for a snack)
I got a new water bottle the other day. The brand is Intak (and it's PURPLE!). It has a little dial on it so you can track how many 20 oz increments you had that day. I got through 2 yesterday. Gotta build up my stamina! This is the first of my small steps to get back on track with a healthy lifestyle. I figure drinking more water was a small, important, and easy first step.
It's so weird to glance outside throughout the day and still see snow. It'll be gone after today. We're supposed to have a warming trend -- all the way up to 51! Down right hot! :-P
Well, since she updated her Facebook page and is officially public, I am proud...oh so happy...to write the following...
JACLYN IS ENGAGED TO BE MARRIED TO A MOST WONDERFUL MAN!
SHE'S GONNA GET MARRIED! WOO HOO!!!
And since my mom tagged me on Facebook, I'll do my 25 random things here...
Judah: BALL!
Me: No, what letter is this.
Judah: No. (meaning I don't know)
Me: It's a Y. Can you say Y?
Judah: Y!
Me: ...is for?
Judah: Ball!
Me: No, that's a yo-yo. Can you say yo-yo?
Judah: It's a striiiing for the baaalll!
Me: No, it's not a ball. It's a yo-yo. Can you say yo-yo?
Judah: It's a ball with a striiiing!
Kids. He is right though -- it does look like a ball with a string.
At 10:00, this is what Judah said to me:
"I'm coughing so I need a snack. I need a snack because I'm...I'm...having trouble. I'm having trouble so I need a snack...because I'm...I'm...I'm having trouble. I'm hiccuping. I'm hiccuping so I need a snack." (which he's not doing anything but asking for a snack)
I got a new water bottle the other day. The brand is Intak (and it's PURPLE!). It has a little dial on it so you can track how many 20 oz increments you had that day. I got through 2 yesterday. Gotta build up my stamina! This is the first of my small steps to get back on track with a healthy lifestyle. I figure drinking more water was a small, important, and easy first step.
It's so weird to glance outside throughout the day and still see snow. It'll be gone after today. We're supposed to have a warming trend -- all the way up to 51! Down right hot! :-P
Well, since she updated her Facebook page and is officially public, I am proud...oh so happy...to write the following...
1) My middle name is a family heritage from both my mom and grandmother.
2) I was born in Salmon, ID.
3) Neither Matt nor I had jobs until a whole month after our wedding. That's faith!
4) I used to be crazy about purple, then aqua, then coral...and now back to purple, though not quite as all-out as it used to be.
5) I have a dream to get some art (whether painted or edited photos) for our bedroom of the places Matt went to in Europe done in our bedroom colors of sea green, cream, and yellow. It's beautiful in my head!
6) I have a big fork and spoon from Hati (by way of my mom-in-law) hanging in our dining room -- and how it got there is similar to one particular epsiode of Everybody Loves Raymond in which Frank and Marie have a large fork and spoon on their kitchen wall. Uncanny.
7) I will barely get to see my husband on Valentines Day this year since I will be leaving EARLY am on a youth retreat. :-(
8) I love Psalm 139 and Proverbs 4:18.
9) I get to have my first eye appointment with glasses today...it's been two years since I got my glasses. Should be interesting to see if my vision has changed at all.
10) I could sew all day if I had unlimted time and resources! Thanks for the new machine, Dad and Momma!!!
11) For pleasure, I'm reading Alice in Wonderland. You thought the movie was wierd? READ it.
12) My number one least favorite household chore is cleaning the shower -- I HATE grout and tile.
13) For our next child (when God sees fit), we are pretty sure we have a girl's name but have no clue about a boy's name.
14) An ultimate date dream I have is to see Josh Groban in concert WITH Matt. We got close on Inauguration night when they were interviewing a soldier about her dance with the President...and Josh Groban could be seen playing/singing on a big screen behind them. He was there, live, and we were on our couch! :-P
15) I feel that 27 is a very in-between, nondescript age. Just like 17 and 19 were.
16) I love my honeysuckle perfume from Bath & Body Works. Reminds me of being pregnant with Elijah when I so fell in love with the scent that my mom bought me some.
17) Tortilla chips are my weakness.
18) It bugs me that we have a purple wall in our living room and dishes that look great with it...but only red table linens.
19) I never saw myself as an SUV person. But now it's hard to see myself without it.
20) I am the admin assistant for our youth group.
21) I love to get colorful, vibrant flowers! The rich hues, the contrast of colors and textures...it really is theraputic and brings such refreshment to my soul. Perhaps because it is a glimpse of God's amazing eye for beauty! I got such a rush the other day when I saw a few sleeves of daffodils and remembered they are everwhere in spring.
22) I really miss my sapphire/diamond ring that got lost in a pool back in California. It's been 5 years, and I still mourn its loss. :-(
23) My favorite guitar chord is E minor.
24) I have a blanket I seriously call "heaven" because of the incredible soft, sleep-inducing warmth it gives.
25) The computer is a time-wasting temptation for me. ;-)
Saturday, January 17, 2009
The clock says...
This morning, rather than ask me for a snack, Judah told me, "The clock says it's time for a snack." I told him no it didn't, not yet. He replied with "The clock says it's time to watch Obama train." He's pretty excited to see a real train on TV today as Obama makes his trip from PA to DC.
Apparently, we're really entering the phase of "boy vs. girl." To add to yesterday's situation with Judah...today I gave the boys their baby brushes to play with. Of course, they like to brush my hair because I have a lot of it to brush. I had a bobby pin and a ponytail holder in my hair that I took out. I thought I'd be funny and put the bobby pin in Judah's hair (about the only hair item that would ever stay in his hair...). Then I put it in Elijah's, then back in mine. Judah asked to have it in his hair again. I told him it was for girls, but he could wear it just for a minute. I the bobby pin back in his hair, and he immediately said:
"I'm a girl!"
He'll get it eventually. :-)
Apparently, we're really entering the phase of "boy vs. girl." To add to yesterday's situation with Judah...today I gave the boys their baby brushes to play with. Of course, they like to brush my hair because I have a lot of it to brush. I had a bobby pin and a ponytail holder in my hair that I took out. I thought I'd be funny and put the bobby pin in Judah's hair (about the only hair item that would ever stay in his hair...). Then I put it in Elijah's, then back in mine. Judah asked to have it in his hair again. I told him it was for girls, but he could wear it just for a minute. I the bobby pin back in his hair, and he immediately said:
"I'm a girl!"
He'll get it eventually. :-)
Friday, January 16, 2009
Kidisms
For the past few days, Judah has been telling me at 9:30 one of the following phrases:
1) I need a snack...because I'm coughing.
2) I'm coughing...because I need a snack.
?
Yesterday, we were watching Little Einstein. There's a part where you pat your legs to rev up Rocket...patting faster and faster...ending with raising your arms into the sky and shouting "Blast off!" Elijah has patted his legs for a long time at that part; but yesterday at the end, he raised his arms and said "Yast aaawww!" Too cute!
This next one is of a more sensitive nature, but since I'm pretty sure my current readers are all women...
Today, after lunch, I had to have a little talk with Judah about some behavior. After our successful talk, he looks at my shirt and asks, "Mommy, what's in there?" It took me a moment to figure out he was wondering what was "in" my shirt. I tried to keep it simple and just said, "It's just Mommy in my shirt." He pried again, "What's in there?" I said, "It's just Mommy -- it's my body."
Judah: Can I see it?
Me: No, we wear clothes...because...that's just what we do. [Oh dear.]
Judah: looks at himself "Where's mine?" [LOL LOL]
Me: Um, Judah, you're a boy. Mommy is a girl. Boys and girls are different.
Judah: Elijah is a boy.
And that's where he ended the conversation. :-P
1) I need a snack...because I'm coughing.
2) I'm coughing...because I need a snack.
?
Yesterday, we were watching Little Einstein. There's a part where you pat your legs to rev up Rocket...patting faster and faster...ending with raising your arms into the sky and shouting "Blast off!" Elijah has patted his legs for a long time at that part; but yesterday at the end, he raised his arms and said "Yast aaawww!" Too cute!
This next one is of a more sensitive nature, but since I'm pretty sure my current readers are all women...
Today, after lunch, I had to have a little talk with Judah about some behavior. After our successful talk, he looks at my shirt and asks, "Mommy, what's in there?" It took me a moment to figure out he was wondering what was "in" my shirt. I tried to keep it simple and just said, "It's just Mommy in my shirt." He pried again, "What's in there?" I said, "It's just Mommy -- it's my body."
Judah: Can I see it?
Me: No, we wear clothes...because...that's just what we do. [Oh dear.]
Judah: looks at himself "Where's mine?" [LOL LOL]
Me: Um, Judah, you're a boy. Mommy is a girl. Boys and girls are different.
Judah: Elijah is a boy.
And that's where he ended the conversation. :-P
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Chilly Morning
What a beautiful morning. ::sigh:: :-)
We're sitting at breakfast, and Judah all of the sudden says, "Seven hundred dollars."
Judah's had some trouble with congestion/plugged up nose lately. This morning, I was getting a "boogy" out of his nose...and it was like an iceburg. It was 90% bigger than what I thought -- it surprised me so much, I actually gasped loudly and scared Judah. :-P
I'm so excited! I get to order the family pictures for the living room today!
The high on Friday is supposed to be 24. Brrr!
Why is finding a dentist that has a good reputation and accepts both your primary and secondary insurance so stinkin' hard???
I have no idea what to do with Elijahh's hair. It's getting long, but we don't really want to cut it. It's a very "Elijah" style. I just don't want him to look too sloppy.
Let me take a moment to praise God again that we are renting. It's been a good lesson to prove that having an emergency fund for an owned home is important! A couple weeks ago, Matt discovered a natural gas leak in the backyard. So BGE came and dug up/replaced what they needed to. Then, a couple days ago, I was getting something out of the dining room closet to sew, and there was water all over the floor. It wasn't the water heater, thank goodness, but there is a steady leak from one of the pipes in there. So Matt and Justin rigged up the vacuum hose to cause the trickle to flow towards the drain in the floor...which is higher than the rest of the floor. [???] Go figure. Someone is supposed to come by to look at it, though Matt thinks it needs a real plumber.
Judahisms
bi-nin: vitamin
heh-beh-dah-ter: helicopter
Looks like I'll be doing something new on February 15th. I'm going to SKI! Aaah! I'm very excited, and a little nervous. I get to add something to my Done It Just to Say I've Done It list. :-) Our youth retreat is down in NC, and part of it involves skiing/snowboarding. I'm sad that Matt isn't going so we can experience it together (he's been boarding before). But, it should still be fun!
Alrighty, off to do some laundry.
We're sitting at breakfast, and Judah all of the sudden says, "Seven hundred dollars."
Judah's had some trouble with congestion/plugged up nose lately. This morning, I was getting a "boogy" out of his nose...and it was like an iceburg. It was 90% bigger than what I thought -- it surprised me so much, I actually gasped loudly and scared Judah. :-P
I'm so excited! I get to order the family pictures for the living room today!
The high on Friday is supposed to be 24. Brrr!
Why is finding a dentist that has a good reputation and accepts both your primary and secondary insurance so stinkin' hard???
I have no idea what to do with Elijahh's hair. It's getting long, but we don't really want to cut it. It's a very "Elijah" style. I just don't want him to look too sloppy.
Let me take a moment to praise God again that we are renting. It's been a good lesson to prove that having an emergency fund for an owned home is important! A couple weeks ago, Matt discovered a natural gas leak in the backyard. So BGE came and dug up/replaced what they needed to. Then, a couple days ago, I was getting something out of the dining room closet to sew, and there was water all over the floor. It wasn't the water heater, thank goodness, but there is a steady leak from one of the pipes in there. So Matt and Justin rigged up the vacuum hose to cause the trickle to flow towards the drain in the floor...which is higher than the rest of the floor. [???] Go figure. Someone is supposed to come by to look at it, though Matt thinks it needs a real plumber.
Judahisms
bi-nin: vitamin
heh-beh-dah-ter: helicopter
Looks like I'll be doing something new on February 15th. I'm going to SKI! Aaah! I'm very excited, and a little nervous. I get to add something to my Done It Just to Say I've Done It list. :-) Our youth retreat is down in NC, and part of it involves skiing/snowboarding. I'm sad that Matt isn't going so we can experience it together (he's been boarding before). But, it should still be fun!
Alrighty, off to do some laundry.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Cookieism
I was going to treat Elijah and Judah to one cookie each after lunch today. I pulled out two cookies from the package and set them down on the counter. Judah asks, "Where's Elijah's cookie, Mommy?"
They do learn indulgence early, don't they?
They do learn indulgence early, don't they?
Friday, January 09, 2009
Kidisms
I think we may be entering the "Kids Say the Silliest Things" stage. I've been waiting for this! I will write in correct English so nothing is lost in translation. ;-)
Yesterday when we arrived at the mall's carousel, Judah pointed and exclaimed, "Look at that! That's clever!"
Today at lunch...
Judah: Mommy, I want to go to the store with you for granola bars.
Me: We'll see. I don't know when we are going to the store.
Judah: Uuummm...in thirty seconds.
After lunch while we were all doing our own thing, I explained to Judah that our friends Mrs. Michelle and Mrs. Tara were going to have babies...
Judah: Mommy's going to have a baby.
Me: No, I'm not. We'll have to pray and ask God to give us a baby.
Judah: Mommy's going to have a baby.
Me: No, sweetie, I'm not. Mrs. Michelle and Mrs. Tara are having babies.
Judah: I'm going to have a baby!
Me: No, boys can't have babies.
Judah: I'm going to have a baby!
Before nap time while changing Judah's diaper..."Mommy, I want to play faster"...which I figured out meant that he wanted to play longer before I layed him down.
The other day at dinner, Judah was telling Matt and I something and used the phrase "I'm serious"...correctly!
While sitting here doing my usual afternoon computer things waiting for Judah to fall asleep in his room, I heard him get up. He opened his door, came to my door, threw his socks in my room, ran in his room, shut the door, and got back in bed. Random! (still giggling over this one...)
Elijah is currently perfecting a few words:
Moh-ee (while pointing): more
Dah-dtoo (while signing please once...not sure why): thank you
Peesss (while signing please several times): please
Bah-boh: Bible
Ma-ma: Momma
Da-da: Daddy
No-no: no
sss (while nodding head): yes
Still working on:
sssss (while signing drink in his own little way): drink
Elijah is evermore the mischievious child. He has gotten to the point where when Judah calls to me that Elijah is touching the DVDs, Elijah immediately runs away before he even sees me coming. (I'm trying to teach him that his sin will find him out by the example of Momma knowing when he's touched the DVDs because some are moved out of place.) Or when he's standing on the coffee table and sees my body even move that direction, he tries to get down as fast as he can. He's strong willed but sensitive in spirit -- fancy that. Sounds like his mother. :-P
Yesterday when we arrived at the mall's carousel, Judah pointed and exclaimed, "Look at that! That's clever!"
Today at lunch...
Judah: Mommy, I want to go to the store with you for granola bars.
Me: We'll see. I don't know when we are going to the store.
Judah: Uuummm...in thirty seconds.
After lunch while we were all doing our own thing, I explained to Judah that our friends Mrs. Michelle and Mrs. Tara were going to have babies...
Judah: Mommy's going to have a baby.
Me: No, I'm not. We'll have to pray and ask God to give us a baby.
Judah: Mommy's going to have a baby.
Me: No, sweetie, I'm not. Mrs. Michelle and Mrs. Tara are having babies.
Judah: I'm going to have a baby!
Me: No, boys can't have babies.
Judah: I'm going to have a baby!
Before nap time while changing Judah's diaper..."Mommy, I want to play faster"...which I figured out meant that he wanted to play longer before I layed him down.
The other day at dinner, Judah was telling Matt and I something and used the phrase "I'm serious"...correctly!
While sitting here doing my usual afternoon computer things waiting for Judah to fall asleep in his room, I heard him get up. He opened his door, came to my door, threw his socks in my room, ran in his room, shut the door, and got back in bed. Random! (still giggling over this one...)
Elijah is currently perfecting a few words:
Moh-ee (while pointing): more
Dah-dtoo (while signing please once...not sure why): thank you
Peesss (while signing please several times): please
Bah-boh: Bible
Ma-ma: Momma
Da-da: Daddy
No-no: no
sss (while nodding head): yes
Still working on:
sssss (while signing drink in his own little way): drink
Elijah is evermore the mischievious child. He has gotten to the point where when Judah calls to me that Elijah is touching the DVDs, Elijah immediately runs away before he even sees me coming. (I'm trying to teach him that his sin will find him out by the example of Momma knowing when he's touched the DVDs because some are moved out of place.) Or when he's standing on the coffee table and sees my body even move that direction, he tries to get down as fast as he can. He's strong willed but sensitive in spirit -- fancy that. Sounds like his mother. :-P
Friday, January 02, 2009
Egads!
The 9 Most Fattening Foods of Winter
::bug-eyed:: It's no wonder I feel a touch more plump from belly button to knees. :-P
::bug-eyed:: It's no wonder I feel a touch more plump from belly button to knees. :-P
Monday, December 29, 2008
Noo-Nuhls
I've crossed off another food on my "I've never made..." list. Noodles (aka "noo-nuhls" in Judah-speak). I had stuff to make a basic spaghetti sauce today, but only egg noodles. We don't think the two go well together, so I opted to try making homemade noodles. A little over an hour and a severly boiled over pot later, I had bonifide basil-seasoned noodles. Mix a little shredded parm in with some good garlic/herb canned spaghetti sauce, and bingo! A yummy pasta bowl! But, I will pay for the convenience of store bought noodles any day. At a buck a box, it is MUCH cheaper than homemade noodles after you consider the ingredients, electricity, time, and muscle power that goes into it! Sheesh! But they were yummy -- I love basil!
Who knew that play dough could hold little guys' attention for such a good chunk of time? Included in the boys' stockings this year were four little cans of the colorful squishyness. To my knowledge, today was the first time they have ever played with it. Elijah, of course, immediately tried to eat some. (Thank you, play dough makers, for producing nontoxic dough!) He didn't like it, but it made it's way to his mouth a few more times over the course of 45 minutes. We made balls, bars, Saturn, circles, a butterfly, a fish, bowling ball and pins, a snowman, used a couple cookie cutters, handprints...it was great fun! And not really that messy either. :-)
I borrowed a machine from a friend and got crafty last night. I finished three garters I've been working on for a friend who will be married soon. I also sewed Judah a new travel blank since his other one is LONG gone (lost it sometime back in June on our trip to AR). :-( The new one is bright blue soft fleece with a bright green trim...matches the monkey/lion mural. If I find a cute lion patch and get my brand new sent-back-for-repairs machine back, I'll add that and his name to the blanket. It's fun to be crafty!
This picture represents what I'm coming to love more with each passing Chrsitmas/winter -- snowflakes in white and silver. For just $10 at Michael's Dec 26th sale, I was able to get three types of decor to fill out our new tree. It was so much fun! I never would have thought I'd be a ribbon person; but the more I saw it this season, the more I loved it. I even put a pretty bow at the top of the tree (so not like me, usually). And the little snowflakes (30 total!) are only about an inch wide. So cute! I also noticed the little ball clusters alot this season; and again, the more I saw them, the more I liked them. They add such a subtle but beautiful detail, especially the cranberry looking ones on trees that have a red foundation. I also liked the trees that have red poinsettias on them!Thursday, December 18, 2008
Judahisms, an Elijah Story, and My Brain
egg node: egg nog
fatch-er: tractor
cwoshay cook: crochet hook
Header: Heather
pweh-zence: presents
----------------------------
Yesterday I had to start correcting Elijah for touching the ornaments on the tree so that he would know we really do mean business when we say "no." Every time there is silence in the living room, I know he's at the tree. When I walk in there, he runs away with a gleam in his eye and a mischevious smile -- and hides behind the chair. I caught him twice after his nap touching Judah's paper star ornament. The first time, I reminded him that it was a no-no and he needed to obey. The second time, I had to give him a [love pat]. I got down on his level and gently told him that Jesus says to obey Mommy and Daddy and that when he disobeys, he gets a [love pat]. He listened very intently up until the word [love pat]. Once that reached his ears, his worried eyes shot up to me and he shook is head no vigourously. I continued to say, yes, he did need a [love pat] so that he would learn to obey..........and he put his hand to my mouth and pushed a little as if to say "If you don't say it, you don't have to do it!" It was precious, but it also stands as an example that even young toddlers know and understand when they have done wrong and what discipline is. It is so amazing to watch children's obedience levels change if we as parents are consistent in our OWN obedience to God's way of parenting.
----------------------------
Autumn took an online brain test, so I did as well. :-) It is SCARY how well the summary describes me. Who else agrees with me??? I was going to bold what was really really true, but I realized I'd be bolding pretty much the whole thing. So I bolded what is really really really scary right on about me. :-P
Your Brain Usage Profile:
Auditory : 50%
Visual : 50%
Left : 55%
Right : 45%
Dawn, you are somewhat left-hemisphere dominant with a balanced preference for auditory and visual inputs. Because of your "centrist" tendencies, the distinctions between various types of brain usage are somewhat blurred.
Your tendency to be organized and logical and attend to details is reasonably well-established which should afford you success regardless of your chosen field of endeavor, unless it requires total spontaneity and ability to improvise, your weaker traits. However, you are far from rigid or overcontrolled. You possess a degree of individuality, perceptiveness, and trust in your intuition to function at much more sophisticated levels than most.
Having given sufficient attention to detail, you can readily perceive the larger aspects and implications of a situation or of learning. You are functional and practical, but can blend abstraction and theory into your framework readily.
The equivalence of your auditory and visual learning orientation gives you two equally effective sensory input systems, each with distinctive features. You can process both unidimensionally and multidimen- sionally with equal facility. When needed, you sequence material while at other times you "intake it all" and store it for processing later.
Your natural ability to use your senses is also synthesized in your way of learning. You can be reflective in your approach, absorbing material in a non-aggressive manner, and at other times voracious in seeking out stimulation and experience.
Overall you tend to be somewhat more critical of yourself than is necessary and avoid enjoying life too much because of a sense of duty. You feel somewhat constrained and tend to sometimes restrict your expressiveness. In any given situation, you will opt for the rational, and learning of almost any type should be easy for you. You might need certain ideas explained to you in order to fit them into your scheme of things, but you're at least open to that!
fatch-er: tractor
cwoshay cook: crochet hook
Header: Heather
pweh-zence: presents
----------------------------
Yesterday I had to start correcting Elijah for touching the ornaments on the tree so that he would know we really do mean business when we say "no." Every time there is silence in the living room, I know he's at the tree. When I walk in there, he runs away with a gleam in his eye and a mischevious smile -- and hides behind the chair. I caught him twice after his nap touching Judah's paper star ornament. The first time, I reminded him that it was a no-no and he needed to obey. The second time, I had to give him a [love pat]. I got down on his level and gently told him that Jesus says to obey Mommy and Daddy and that when he disobeys, he gets a [love pat]. He listened very intently up until the word [love pat]. Once that reached his ears, his worried eyes shot up to me and he shook is head no vigourously. I continued to say, yes, he did need a [love pat] so that he would learn to obey..........and he put his hand to my mouth and pushed a little as if to say "If you don't say it, you don't have to do it!" It was precious, but it also stands as an example that even young toddlers know and understand when they have done wrong and what discipline is. It is so amazing to watch children's obedience levels change if we as parents are consistent in our OWN obedience to God's way of parenting.
----------------------------
Autumn took an online brain test, so I did as well. :-) It is SCARY how well the summary describes me. Who else agrees with me??? I was going to bold what was really really true, but I realized I'd be bolding pretty much the whole thing. So I bolded what is really really really scary right on about me. :-P
Your Brain Usage Profile:
Auditory : 50%
Visual : 50%
Left : 55%
Right : 45%
Dawn, you are somewhat left-hemisphere dominant with a balanced preference for auditory and visual inputs. Because of your "centrist" tendencies, the distinctions between various types of brain usage are somewhat blurred.
Your tendency to be organized and logical and attend to details is reasonably well-established which should afford you success regardless of your chosen field of endeavor, unless it requires total spontaneity and ability to improvise, your weaker traits. However, you are far from rigid or overcontrolled. You possess a degree of individuality, perceptiveness, and trust in your intuition to function at much more sophisticated levels than most.
Having given sufficient attention to detail, you can readily perceive the larger aspects and implications of a situation or of learning. You are functional and practical, but can blend abstraction and theory into your framework readily.
The equivalence of your auditory and visual learning orientation gives you two equally effective sensory input systems, each with distinctive features. You can process both unidimensionally and multidimen- sionally with equal facility. When needed, you sequence material while at other times you "intake it all" and store it for processing later.
Your natural ability to use your senses is also synthesized in your way of learning. You can be reflective in your approach, absorbing material in a non-aggressive manner, and at other times voracious in seeking out stimulation and experience.
Overall you tend to be somewhat more critical of yourself than is necessary and avoid enjoying life too much because of a sense of duty. You feel somewhat constrained and tend to sometimes restrict your expressiveness. In any given situation, you will opt for the rational, and learning of almost any type should be easy for you. You might need certain ideas explained to you in order to fit them into your scheme of things, but you're at least open to that!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Tears of Encouragement
My mom recently sent me two forwards from a blog she keeps up with -- A Holy Experience. I waited a while to read them. Now I want to make time to read them often. They both made me cry.
Those who know me past the surface know that all I ever wanted to truly be was a wife and mother. And they also know that I highly value and enjoy being one. But over my short years in this occupation, I have discovered that there are many people that think I have it all down in perfect working order. Danger! ...and far from the truth.
A couple weeks ago, a friend sent me a thank you note for a wedding gift I gave her. In it, she blew my socks off with her heartfelt thanks, not for the gift only, but for a book review I gave on Passionate Housewives Desperate for God. She said that my honesty let her know that I am indeed not perfect, but she still believes she could learn alot from me. That was extremely encouraging, exciting, and humbling all at the same time.
Being a wife and mom is H.A.R.D.
Not only do you have to care for your own basic needs, but you have to care for the needs of another adult (and one that isn't a woman like you) as well each child (who aren't girls like you were).
You have to cook food for all of them for every meal (and there's no guarantee everyone will like what you make).
You have to clean the kicthen and the potties to keep people healthy (and they never stay clean).
You have to wash the clothes so no one goes naked (though your kids would love too...and then you get to clean up the pee-pee off the ottoman...while wondering how a little bladder can hold that much).
You have to make sure that they learn survial skills like putting food in their own mouths (which requires enormous amounts of clean up...especially after yogurt or rice).
You also have to make sure they learn educational skills so that they will have some measure of success in life (and then you get to worry about them being TOO smart for their own good...or yours).
You have to keep the schedule for the family running smoothly without double booking or over booking (or else you get to deal with emotional and physcial burn out...for everyone).
You have to......
But on TOP of all those things on that snippet of a Mother's Daily Life List, there is a whole spiritual realm that pervades every second of the day. You have to introduce your children's brains to the entire concept of God. You have to teach them truths from the Bible and how to pray. You have to share the Gospel with them and pray that they will know Christ someday and live for Him. In this process, much discipline is needed for the cranky toddler(s), the fighting brothers, the temper throwing first born, the mischeviously disobedient second born...............the angry mother, the impatient mother, the selfish mother....the angry wife, the impatient wife, the selfish wife.
And I'd say that last part of that list is what makes being a wife and mother so hard. Me. It is all too easy to forget that what I do when I do and for Whom I do is not me. Not my husband. Not my children. It should all be done for God who has given me these precious people and all these good things to care for. It doesn't matter if others think I'm perfect or a failure. It doesn't matter if I have to write "homemaker" on the Occupation line of forms I have to fill out. It doesn't matter that I don't get paid (with money) for what I do.
I do get paid. With invisible things. With things that will not ever burn.
Two quotes that struck me from the blog posts I read:
"Could there be more meaningful work than co-laboring with God in the sculpting of souls?"
Really? Is there anything more meaningful or LASTING than that?? Then why don't I remember this BEFORE I get angry or impatient?
"Tonight, I'll finally linger at the last light switch. I'll have worked today but no one will have paid me a cent. Real work rises above the necessity of mere money. Tonight, I'll have more than money. I'll have a bouquet of words, mumbled words from around the table from mouths too full. Words He too will say at the end of time to the faithful servants. Like the words He said in the beginning, when He began His work, when He finished each task."
It hit me that God speaks to us through our children. When Judah so sweetly says "Dank you for making dinner, Mommy. It's so dee-yish-us," that is God offering me encouragement that my work is good and it is not done for myself or my family. It is done for Him because my end purpose is to glorify Him -- and raising children who will hopefully one day glorify Him will only multiply my life's purpose.
Praise be to Him. I need this reminder every day.
Those who know me past the surface know that all I ever wanted to truly be was a wife and mother. And they also know that I highly value and enjoy being one. But over my short years in this occupation, I have discovered that there are many people that think I have it all down in perfect working order. Danger! ...and far from the truth.
A couple weeks ago, a friend sent me a thank you note for a wedding gift I gave her. In it, she blew my socks off with her heartfelt thanks, not for the gift only, but for a book review I gave on Passionate Housewives Desperate for God. She said that my honesty let her know that I am indeed not perfect, but she still believes she could learn alot from me. That was extremely encouraging, exciting, and humbling all at the same time.
Being a wife and mom is H.A.R.D.
Not only do you have to care for your own basic needs, but you have to care for the needs of another adult (and one that isn't a woman like you) as well each child (who aren't girls like you were).
You have to cook food for all of them for every meal (and there's no guarantee everyone will like what you make).
You have to clean the kicthen and the potties to keep people healthy (and they never stay clean).
You have to wash the clothes so no one goes naked (though your kids would love too...and then you get to clean up the pee-pee off the ottoman...while wondering how a little bladder can hold that much).
You have to make sure that they learn survial skills like putting food in their own mouths (which requires enormous amounts of clean up...especially after yogurt or rice).
You also have to make sure they learn educational skills so that they will have some measure of success in life (and then you get to worry about them being TOO smart for their own good...or yours).
You have to keep the schedule for the family running smoothly without double booking or over booking (or else you get to deal with emotional and physcial burn out...for everyone).
You have to......
But on TOP of all those things on that snippet of a Mother's Daily Life List, there is a whole spiritual realm that pervades every second of the day. You have to introduce your children's brains to the entire concept of God. You have to teach them truths from the Bible and how to pray. You have to share the Gospel with them and pray that they will know Christ someday and live for Him. In this process, much discipline is needed for the cranky toddler(s), the fighting brothers, the temper throwing first born, the mischeviously disobedient second born...............the angry mother, the impatient mother, the selfish mother....the angry wife, the impatient wife, the selfish wife.
And I'd say that last part of that list is what makes being a wife and mother so hard. Me. It is all too easy to forget that what I do when I do and for Whom I do is not me. Not my husband. Not my children. It should all be done for God who has given me these precious people and all these good things to care for. It doesn't matter if others think I'm perfect or a failure. It doesn't matter if I have to write "homemaker" on the Occupation line of forms I have to fill out. It doesn't matter that I don't get paid (with money) for what I do.
I do get paid. With invisible things. With things that will not ever burn.
Two quotes that struck me from the blog posts I read:
"Could there be more meaningful work than co-laboring with God in the sculpting of souls?"
Really? Is there anything more meaningful or LASTING than that?? Then why don't I remember this BEFORE I get angry or impatient?
"Tonight, I'll finally linger at the last light switch. I'll have worked today but no one will have paid me a cent. Real work rises above the necessity of mere money. Tonight, I'll have more than money. I'll have a bouquet of words, mumbled words from around the table from mouths too full. Words He too will say at the end of time to the faithful servants. Like the words He said in the beginning, when He began His work, when He finished each task."
It hit me that God speaks to us through our children. When Judah so sweetly says "Dank you for making dinner, Mommy. It's so dee-yish-us," that is God offering me encouragement that my work is good and it is not done for myself or my family. It is done for Him because my end purpose is to glorify Him -- and raising children who will hopefully one day glorify Him will only multiply my life's purpose.
Praise be to Him. I need this reminder every day.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Judah-isms
"I don't even know dat."
I have no idea where he picked up this phrase, intonation included; but it drives me nuts. It's so cute but SO annoying! I think he tries to use it when he means "Oh, I didn't know that." Gah! I need to get some video of it.
A conversation from yesterday as we were going over some of Judah's verses...
Me: In every thing...
Judah: Give thanks! Firs Teslonians 5:18
Me: We should be thankful, huh, Judah?
Judah: Yeah.
Me: And who are we to be thankful to?
Judah: No. (meaning I don't know)
Me: Are we to be thankful to God?
Judah: Yeah. pause I'm God.
Me: No, Judah isn't God.
Judah: I'm God.
Me: No, Judah isn't God. God created Judah.
Judah: looks down at the picture of blue fish in his book Fish are God.
Me: No, fish aren't God. God made the fish.
And then we went on our merry conversational way. It was too cute how matter-of-fact he was in saying he was God.
I have no idea where he picked up this phrase, intonation included; but it drives me nuts. It's so cute but SO annoying! I think he tries to use it when he means "Oh, I didn't know that." Gah! I need to get some video of it.
A conversation from yesterday as we were going over some of Judah's verses...
Me: In every thing...
Judah: Give thanks! Firs Teslonians 5:18
Me: We should be thankful, huh, Judah?
Judah: Yeah.
Me: And who are we to be thankful to?
Judah: No. (meaning I don't know)
Me: Are we to be thankful to God?
Judah: Yeah. pause I'm God.
Me: No, Judah isn't God.
Judah: I'm God.
Me: No, Judah isn't God. God created Judah.
Judah: looks down at the picture of blue fish in his book Fish are God.
Me: No, fish aren't God. God made the fish.
And then we went on our merry conversational way. It was too cute how matter-of-fact he was in saying he was God.
Monday, December 08, 2008
Prayer Milestone
Every kid in a home that prays reaches that particular milestone where the prayer goes something like Judah's did at breakfast:
Momma: Thank you, Jesus, for our breakfast and help us to be obedient at the grocery store. Amen.
Judah: And tank you for Mommy and Daddy and Yijah and Judah. Amen.
...and tank you for my cheerios and banana and milk. Amen.
...and tank you for my bowl. Amen.
Momma: Thank you, Jesus, for our breakfast and help us to be obedient at the grocery store. Amen.
Judah: And tank you for Mommy and Daddy and Yijah and Judah. Amen.
...and tank you for my cheerios and banana and milk. Amen.
...and tank you for my bowl. Amen.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Words
So much to post, so little time...and health.
Today, I want to at least update you all on some cute little words being said around here.
Judah
heh'-beh-dah-ter: helicopter
nyuh'-nyups: music
dum'-pent: trumpet
liddle stah-stine: Little Einstein
quwis-mus: Christmas
noo-nools: noodles
*What's really cute is when Judah talks with the accent he invented for himself. He contorts his lips and tongue to make himself sound really funny.
Elijah
ah-dah: all done
bah: ball
dah: down
ssss or pssss: please
ah-men: amen
bah-bah: breakfast
Funny Judah Story
While my parents were here, I had to get some gunk out of Judah's nose so he could breath better. It was not going well, so I resorted to bribery. "Let me get the boogies out, and you can have ice cream," I said. And that's just what happened. I think it was the very next night as dinner was ending, Judah pipes up and says with a very excited smile, "Get my boogies out, and den I have ice cream!" He's said this several times since then. And no, we haven't given in. Then, today, he says to me, "I have two breaths and den I have chocolate chip"...meaning he would do two breaths of inhaler and then I would give him a chocolate chip cookie. It doesn't work like that, son. First, you have to NEED the inhaler to do it. Second...well, second, maybe Momma should think twice about using food as bribery for you. ;-P
Future Food Budget Busters
Judah and Elijah.
Judah better prove to me that he is about to grow...otherwise this new appetite of his will be the new norm. And it's huge! He had two waffles, yogurt, banana, and juice for breakfast. Grahm crackers and milk for snack. Chicken, corn bread, and applesauce for lunch. And then asked for "something else" (which is now the official after-meal statement: "I want sumthing else, Mommy..."). And today is just an example of how much he's been eating for a couple weeks now!
Elijah still just loves food. The End.
Today, I want to at least update you all on some cute little words being said around here.
Judah
heh'-beh-dah-ter: helicopter
nyuh'-nyups: music
dum'-pent: trumpet
liddle stah-stine: Little Einstein
quwis-mus: Christmas
noo-nools: noodles
*What's really cute is when Judah talks with the accent he invented for himself. He contorts his lips and tongue to make himself sound really funny.
Elijah
ah-dah: all done
bah: ball
dah: down
ssss or pssss: please
ah-men: amen
bah-bah: breakfast
Funny Judah Story
While my parents were here, I had to get some gunk out of Judah's nose so he could breath better. It was not going well, so I resorted to bribery. "Let me get the boogies out, and you can have ice cream," I said. And that's just what happened. I think it was the very next night as dinner was ending, Judah pipes up and says with a very excited smile, "Get my boogies out, and den I have ice cream!" He's said this several times since then. And no, we haven't given in. Then, today, he says to me, "I have two breaths and den I have chocolate chip"...meaning he would do two breaths of inhaler and then I would give him a chocolate chip cookie. It doesn't work like that, son. First, you have to NEED the inhaler to do it. Second...well, second, maybe Momma should think twice about using food as bribery for you. ;-P
Future Food Budget Busters
Judah and Elijah.
Judah better prove to me that he is about to grow...otherwise this new appetite of his will be the new norm. And it's huge! He had two waffles, yogurt, banana, and juice for breakfast. Grahm crackers and milk for snack. Chicken, corn bread, and applesauce for lunch. And then asked for "something else" (which is now the official after-meal statement: "I want sumthing else, Mommy..."). And today is just an example of how much he's been eating for a couple weeks now!
Elijah still just loves food. The End.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
In Keeping With the World
So, what's on the world's mind today? Obama of course. He'll be the headline for a while, I'm sure. Everyone is offering their reactions to last night's landslide election -- both Obama supporters and McCain supporters. In keeping with the rest of the world, I will offer my thoughts.
Did I vote for Obama? No. It took me a long time to come to a conclusion between Obama and McCain. I admit that I went back and forth several times. But in the last couple weeks, there were a few things that surfaced about Obama's policies and ideals that caused me to land in the McCain camp. Am I disappointed he didn't win? Sure. So what now?
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. (Hebrews 13:17)
Obedience and submission involve respect and honor. I was frustrated when I heard people in the McCain crowd booing when McCain was graciously conceding to the rightful winner of the Presidency. Very immature, in my opinion. Do we not all agree that whoever gets the most votes wins? People seem to think that method is fair...until their man doesn't win.
And as Christians, it doesn't matter if "our man" loses. God has known from ages past who was going to be the 44th President of the USA. Our responsibility was to do our part in seeking His will and voting according to our consciences. God has everything all worked out -- for our good and for His glory. We have no right to malign the one He has placed in authority over us. We are to obey Obama, respect him, and pray for him. Being President is no easy job, and we should not make it more of a burden than it already is. Even if you might consider him and enemy, Jesus said...
You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (Matthew 5:43-45)
But who are we to judge who is righteous and unrighteous? God is the only rightful Judge of men's hearts. On that note, there's been talk about whether or not Obama could be the Antichrist. This is dangerous talk! No one can know who that man will be until God chooses for prophecy to play itself out into history. Not to mention that would be perhaps the worst character attack on any human who ends up NOT being Antichrist! But regardless, even IF Antichrist did come from the USA and held a high office, Scripture does not give Christians room to disobey and dishonor any authority, unless asked to do something directly against God's Word. Every person in history and who is to come has been chosen by God to play a specific role -- whether righteous or unrighteous -- in His grand plan for this world. Our job is to focus on God and follow His Word and the path He has given to us individually without exception, comparison, or judging.
And to those who think the world is going to pot or that the USA is coming to ruin just because Obama was elected to be the next President, here's a word for you. I Corinthians 13:7 says that love always hopes and perseveres. We are called to love others. We are to hope for the best, not wallow in despair for a future that hasn't even come to pass...and may not. Just because I don't agree with all that Obama plans to do does not mean that Obama is going to send our country down the tube. Who knows but that he might improve our country on various fronts? Only God does! All we need to do is obey God by loving others -- hoping for the best in others -- and persevering if things do not go well.
Again, I'm not saying I think Obama was the best for this job (apparently he is or God would have elected otherwise) or that our country will see grand days ahead. What I'm saying, especially to Christians, is that we need to focus on our responsibility as God's children. We need to thank Him that He is in control and has our good and His glory in mind. We need to obey Him by respecting and submitting to the authorities He has placed over us. We need to love our authorities and pray for them. We need to hope for the best, taking joy in knowing our God has no limits to His sovereignty. We need to be prepared to persevere, no matter if the future is bright or dim. Our hope is in the Lord, not in any man! Frankly, I'm kind of excited to see how things are going to change and what God has in store for this world in the coming years! Not a happy excited, but an anticipatory excited...if that makes sense.
On a more personal note, I think the one thing that has touched my heart about this election stems from my recent epiphanies (see previous posts). Obama is a human being with a whole life story behind him. He's not untouchable. The man has emotions and memories just like we do. Throughout Obama's speech last night, I kept getting choked up and even cried once because I kept thinking about how his grandmother JUST missed seeing her grandson become the President Elect. And not just any President...the first African American one! To be any man just elected and know that one of the dearest women of your life missed the moment would be heartbreaking. To be any woman and think that you might miss your grandson become President would be heartbreaking.
And to be Michelle, seeing your very own husband become the next President...and you the next First Lady...and your daughters now spending a good chunk of growing up years in the White House...mind blowing!
And to be me, old enough to finally care about paying attention to my governing authorities. To see the first African American President elected. Yet another moment (like 9/11) that will go down in my history just like JFK's assassination and the moon landing did for my grandparents.
And to be my sons, whose first election of their lifetime was so incredibly historical.
Certainly a day we all will never forget.
Did I vote for Obama? No. It took me a long time to come to a conclusion between Obama and McCain. I admit that I went back and forth several times. But in the last couple weeks, there were a few things that surfaced about Obama's policies and ideals that caused me to land in the McCain camp. Am I disappointed he didn't win? Sure. So what now?
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. (Hebrews 13:17)
Obedience and submission involve respect and honor. I was frustrated when I heard people in the McCain crowd booing when McCain was graciously conceding to the rightful winner of the Presidency. Very immature, in my opinion. Do we not all agree that whoever gets the most votes wins? People seem to think that method is fair...until their man doesn't win.
And as Christians, it doesn't matter if "our man" loses. God has known from ages past who was going to be the 44th President of the USA. Our responsibility was to do our part in seeking His will and voting according to our consciences. God has everything all worked out -- for our good and for His glory. We have no right to malign the one He has placed in authority over us. We are to obey Obama, respect him, and pray for him. Being President is no easy job, and we should not make it more of a burden than it already is. Even if you might consider him and enemy, Jesus said...
You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (Matthew 5:43-45)
But who are we to judge who is righteous and unrighteous? God is the only rightful Judge of men's hearts. On that note, there's been talk about whether or not Obama could be the Antichrist. This is dangerous talk! No one can know who that man will be until God chooses for prophecy to play itself out into history. Not to mention that would be perhaps the worst character attack on any human who ends up NOT being Antichrist! But regardless, even IF Antichrist did come from the USA and held a high office, Scripture does not give Christians room to disobey and dishonor any authority, unless asked to do something directly against God's Word. Every person in history and who is to come has been chosen by God to play a specific role -- whether righteous or unrighteous -- in His grand plan for this world. Our job is to focus on God and follow His Word and the path He has given to us individually without exception, comparison, or judging.
And to those who think the world is going to pot or that the USA is coming to ruin just because Obama was elected to be the next President, here's a word for you. I Corinthians 13:7 says that love always hopes and perseveres. We are called to love others. We are to hope for the best, not wallow in despair for a future that hasn't even come to pass...and may not. Just because I don't agree with all that Obama plans to do does not mean that Obama is going to send our country down the tube. Who knows but that he might improve our country on various fronts? Only God does! All we need to do is obey God by loving others -- hoping for the best in others -- and persevering if things do not go well.
Again, I'm not saying I think Obama was the best for this job (apparently he is or God would have elected otherwise) or that our country will see grand days ahead. What I'm saying, especially to Christians, is that we need to focus on our responsibility as God's children. We need to thank Him that He is in control and has our good and His glory in mind. We need to obey Him by respecting and submitting to the authorities He has placed over us. We need to love our authorities and pray for them. We need to hope for the best, taking joy in knowing our God has no limits to His sovereignty. We need to be prepared to persevere, no matter if the future is bright or dim. Our hope is in the Lord, not in any man! Frankly, I'm kind of excited to see how things are going to change and what God has in store for this world in the coming years! Not a happy excited, but an anticipatory excited...if that makes sense.
On a more personal note, I think the one thing that has touched my heart about this election stems from my recent epiphanies (see previous posts). Obama is a human being with a whole life story behind him. He's not untouchable. The man has emotions and memories just like we do. Throughout Obama's speech last night, I kept getting choked up and even cried once because I kept thinking about how his grandmother JUST missed seeing her grandson become the President Elect. And not just any President...the first African American one! To be any man just elected and know that one of the dearest women of your life missed the moment would be heartbreaking. To be any woman and think that you might miss your grandson become President would be heartbreaking.
And to be Michelle, seeing your very own husband become the next President...and you the next First Lady...and your daughters now spending a good chunk of growing up years in the White House...mind blowing!
And to be me, old enough to finally care about paying attention to my governing authorities. To see the first African American President elected. Yet another moment (like 9/11) that will go down in my history just like JFK's assassination and the moon landing did for my grandparents.
And to be my sons, whose first election of their lifetime was so incredibly historical.
Certainly a day we all will never forget.
Friday, October 31, 2008
A Few Tidbits
I have lots of pictures to post and no time...yet. Several are from my phone, too. After we return our computer to normal working order (after getting rid of irritable Vista and going back to XP), hopefully I'll get all the pics in one place -- here!
Elijah is having an explosion in social interaction skills. He's quite the little ham, loves to be chased, and is starting to communicate more. He now uses the sign for "please" at any time rather than just meal time. He even did it in Target the other day when he wanted to hold something. He knows how to take you by the hand and show you where he wants you to go. He speaks "all done" to tell you he is really finished with his food -- a blessing I've been waiting for! Elijah is also becoming a little helper. Yesterday, he helped me shut two doors. Today, he helped me put a load of clothes in the washer and shut the washer door.
Judah's new favorite thing is to call things "naked." One of the cutest things he says (repeating Momma and Daddy of course) is "Cum ear nakeh boy!" in a sing song fashion. But today, I heard him saying "Hi, naked trees...hi naked bunny rabbit..." while looking out the back door. Oh dear. :-P Judah is such a big helper when he wants to be. He's even started helping with Elijah on occasion (hat, jacket). He also is wanting to do more things "by myself." He tries to put his socks on, and he succeeds most of the time in putting his shoes on (even if they are sometimes on the wrong feet). He's very good at taking off his jacket and the top part of his pajamas. And he's an excellent tooth brusher!
My new favorite thing about myself is this weird new-found energy I seem to have lately. I have no idea where it's coming from, but I like it! Perhaps part of it could be the few days of freedom each week when Nathan takes Matt to work thereby leaving me the car to go do errands or take the boys to play with the Thomas the Train set at Barnes & Noble. Sure makes the need to stay home and work on the house a fun need rather than a monotonous one. Perhaps another part is the excellent sermon series our pastor is doing on I Corinthians 13. Such a well-known passage and taught on alot, but really...it is worthy of all the attention it gets. I want to paint it on a wall in my home someday. To have a Biblical description of love before your eyes daily really puts perspective on how you should behave towards your family which then extends to your behavior to others.
Matt's new favorite thing is getting better and better at playing guitar. When his parents were here last week, he and his dad played their guitars together. Tony showed Matt the simple technique of just listening to a song over and over (and over) with the chords in front of you so you can pluck along until you get the right chords and rhythm. I love having a hubby who plays the acoustic. The sound of that instrument just relaxes my whole being.
I suppose I could have waited to post this tiny tidbit update until AFTER the boys pending check-up this afternoon. Can't wait to see what percentiles Elijah is in for height and weight! Until then....have a beautiful fall day!
Elijah is having an explosion in social interaction skills. He's quite the little ham, loves to be chased, and is starting to communicate more. He now uses the sign for "please" at any time rather than just meal time. He even did it in Target the other day when he wanted to hold something. He knows how to take you by the hand and show you where he wants you to go. He speaks "all done" to tell you he is really finished with his food -- a blessing I've been waiting for! Elijah is also becoming a little helper. Yesterday, he helped me shut two doors. Today, he helped me put a load of clothes in the washer and shut the washer door.
Judah's new favorite thing is to call things "naked." One of the cutest things he says (repeating Momma and Daddy of course) is "Cum ear nakeh boy!" in a sing song fashion. But today, I heard him saying "Hi, naked trees...hi naked bunny rabbit..." while looking out the back door. Oh dear. :-P Judah is such a big helper when he wants to be. He's even started helping with Elijah on occasion (hat, jacket). He also is wanting to do more things "by myself." He tries to put his socks on, and he succeeds most of the time in putting his shoes on (even if they are sometimes on the wrong feet). He's very good at taking off his jacket and the top part of his pajamas. And he's an excellent tooth brusher!
My new favorite thing about myself is this weird new-found energy I seem to have lately. I have no idea where it's coming from, but I like it! Perhaps part of it could be the few days of freedom each week when Nathan takes Matt to work thereby leaving me the car to go do errands or take the boys to play with the Thomas the Train set at Barnes & Noble. Sure makes the need to stay home and work on the house a fun need rather than a monotonous one. Perhaps another part is the excellent sermon series our pastor is doing on I Corinthians 13. Such a well-known passage and taught on alot, but really...it is worthy of all the attention it gets. I want to paint it on a wall in my home someday. To have a Biblical description of love before your eyes daily really puts perspective on how you should behave towards your family which then extends to your behavior to others.
Matt's new favorite thing is getting better and better at playing guitar. When his parents were here last week, he and his dad played their guitars together. Tony showed Matt the simple technique of just listening to a song over and over (and over) with the chords in front of you so you can pluck along until you get the right chords and rhythm. I love having a hubby who plays the acoustic. The sound of that instrument just relaxes my whole being.
I suppose I could have waited to post this tiny tidbit update until AFTER the boys pending check-up this afternoon. Can't wait to see what percentiles Elijah is in for height and weight! Until then....have a beautiful fall day!
Friday, October 17, 2008
Emilee & Cookies
Judah now associates our friend Emilee with cookies. She's bringing snickerdoodles tonight.
Judah calls them "nicker-noonles."
CUTE!
Judah calls them "nicker-noonles."
CUTE!
Give Me Your Eyes
Brandon Heath
This song goes perfectly with what I've been learning lately. And I recall it may have even been an airport when I heard the words from my friend, "So many people, so many stories." Listen and make it your prayer.
(And can I just say that I LOVE this kind of music...a nice combo of pop, rock, and hip-hop.)
This song goes perfectly with what I've been learning lately. And I recall it may have even been an airport when I heard the words from my friend, "So many people, so many stories." Listen and make it your prayer.
(And can I just say that I LOVE this kind of music...a nice combo of pop, rock, and hip-hop.)
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Beltway Epiphones II
If you haven't read the previous post, read that before reading this one.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As I lay down for my catnap yesterday afternoon, my mind once again went to the man on the corner, his need, and his condition. I prayed for him, though I wasn't exactly sure of what words to use. I started to think about this man, this human being. There is a woman out there, whether living or in a grave, that carried him in her womb. She birthed him. There's also a man out there that fathered him. This man used to be a baby, a toddler, a boy, a teen, someone my own age, and now an older man. He grew up. He learned how to walk, eat, and talk just like me. Did he ever have a family he called his own? Was he given to an orphanage? Is he even originally from this country? If not, then how did he come to be here and on that corner at that same moment I was there? Someone once said something that was so profound to me I haven't been able to forget it. "So many people, so many stories." This man with the wobbly gate and money cup has a whole story just like I do, years under his belt and no one to share them with.
What makes me EVER think I am better than someone else? We're all broken. We all need help in one way or another. And we all need Christ if we ever hope to rise above the ugliness this world drowns us in.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As I lay down for my catnap yesterday afternoon, my mind once again went to the man on the corner, his need, and his condition. I prayed for him, though I wasn't exactly sure of what words to use. I started to think about this man, this human being. There is a woman out there, whether living or in a grave, that carried him in her womb. She birthed him. There's also a man out there that fathered him. This man used to be a baby, a toddler, a boy, a teen, someone my own age, and now an older man. He grew up. He learned how to walk, eat, and talk just like me. Did he ever have a family he called his own? Was he given to an orphanage? Is he even originally from this country? If not, then how did he come to be here and on that corner at that same moment I was there? Someone once said something that was so profound to me I haven't been able to forget it. "So many people, so many stories." This man with the wobbly gate and money cup has a whole story just like I do, years under his belt and no one to share them with.
What makes me EVER think I am better than someone else? We're all broken. We all need help in one way or another. And we all need Christ if we ever hope to rise above the ugliness this world drowns us in.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Beltway Epiphones
I'm going through a phase when I feel God softening my heart and causing me to be more sensitive to those who are hurting or in need. I love these phases because I know it is teaching me to have more compassion like Christ. But they are also sobering. Today, I had the opportunity to drive down to DC to pick up my aunt and her friend to take them to the airport. In that traffic-ridden 30 minutes, God gave me two moments of precious, sobering epiphone.
There's a point on the 495 when the Mormon temple bursts onto scene, rising tall above the trees. It is truly spectacular in both the day and the night. A thing of achitectural power and beauty. Very pristine and regal looking. Gorgeous.
Minutes after that epiphone came a more personal one. I was sitting at a light waiting to get off the 495 and noticed a man with a money cup on the side of the road. When I had been coming to a stop and noticed there'd be a man on the corner, I immediately locked my doors. But now, stopped, I was able to see more of who he was. This was not the typical "homeless, want food" sign holder who was dressed decently, looked well enough, had other belongings around, and maybe even a cigarette in hand. He was dressed in clothes that looked worn and too big for his body. His cup was definitely not in good shape. He needed a shave. Then he started walking down the curbside. This man has some sort of problem that causes his whole body to wobble while walking. He had a cane that desperately tried to hold him up. The only picture I can think of to describe it is that his bones must be made of jello. My heart was softening whether I wanted it to or not.
Typically, I brush off ANYONE standing on the road asking for money. I've heard too many skeptics assume they all are pretending or don't REALLY need the help. My mind fought my heart. Was he pretending all of this? Or was he really like that but didn't really need money? Or was this man truly in need? Did he really need money to help him live what existence he has? My mind wandered to the chunk of change, mostly pennies, that I knew was in the ash tray. We never use it for anything. We often forget it is even there. But now I remembered. It was just pennies. If he didn't need money, it wouldn't matter to lose the pennies. If he did need money, every little bit counts. If he did need money, I wish I could give more than pennies! When was the light going to turn green? Would he have time to wobble over to my car? Would I call out to him and then have to drive on before I could give him the change?
Would Jesus have sat here this long debating about whether or not to help someone who appeared to be in need? Or would He immediately act in His good, kind compassion?
I can't see this man's heart. I can't judge him. My responsibility is to be like Jesus regardless of what this man will do with the money.
So I grabbed the change, picked out the nail clippers, and rolled down my window and called out. I don't remember what I said. But the man immediately started working his way towards my car. It took what seemed like an eternity, but he made it. He started saying "God bless you" several times as he held out his cup and I dropped the change in. I said "God bless you, too" as he continued to say thank you and "God bless you." Then he said he would pray for me. I'm not sure which god he will pray to, hopefully even the one true God! I replied with "I'll pray for you, too" and before I knew it, my hand was patting the hand that gripped the money cup. It shocked me that I did that, but then it hit me. I might have just given that man something he hasn't had in a long time, maybe if ever: unhindered compassionate human touch. Christ not only provided for others out of His compassion. He touched them, too. Even the lepers.
As soon as that happened, the light turned green and I had to drive on. I choked back tears the rest of the way to the hotel as my heart melted. Why have I for years been part of the skeptics corner. Every John Doe on the corner is not a con artist. There are thousands of people who really do NEED help. I have been thinking and acting opposite of Christ when it comes to strangers. I've judged, stood aloof, and not extended my hand to those who just might really be poor and in need.
It breaks the heart to show compassion to those in need because it reveals how broken this world is. But that kind of broken heart feels good -- because you know it is the very heart of Christ.
There's a point on the 495 when the Mormon temple bursts onto scene, rising tall above the trees. It is truly spectacular in both the day and the night. A thing of achitectural power and beauty. Very pristine and regal looking. Gorgeous.And then it hit me. All of this power and beauty on the outside, while inside it is harboring a religion that twists Truth and leads people away from the only One that can truly save them. This temple is the epitome of an analogy for "white washed sepulchres."
Minutes after that epiphone came a more personal one. I was sitting at a light waiting to get off the 495 and noticed a man with a money cup on the side of the road. When I had been coming to a stop and noticed there'd be a man on the corner, I immediately locked my doors. But now, stopped, I was able to see more of who he was. This was not the typical "homeless, want food" sign holder who was dressed decently, looked well enough, had other belongings around, and maybe even a cigarette in hand. He was dressed in clothes that looked worn and too big for his body. His cup was definitely not in good shape. He needed a shave. Then he started walking down the curbside. This man has some sort of problem that causes his whole body to wobble while walking. He had a cane that desperately tried to hold him up. The only picture I can think of to describe it is that his bones must be made of jello. My heart was softening whether I wanted it to or not.
Typically, I brush off ANYONE standing on the road asking for money. I've heard too many skeptics assume they all are pretending or don't REALLY need the help. My mind fought my heart. Was he pretending all of this? Or was he really like that but didn't really need money? Or was this man truly in need? Did he really need money to help him live what existence he has? My mind wandered to the chunk of change, mostly pennies, that I knew was in the ash tray. We never use it for anything. We often forget it is even there. But now I remembered. It was just pennies. If he didn't need money, it wouldn't matter to lose the pennies. If he did need money, every little bit counts. If he did need money, I wish I could give more than pennies! When was the light going to turn green? Would he have time to wobble over to my car? Would I call out to him and then have to drive on before I could give him the change?
Would Jesus have sat here this long debating about whether or not to help someone who appeared to be in need? Or would He immediately act in His good, kind compassion?
I can't see this man's heart. I can't judge him. My responsibility is to be like Jesus regardless of what this man will do with the money.
So I grabbed the change, picked out the nail clippers, and rolled down my window and called out. I don't remember what I said. But the man immediately started working his way towards my car. It took what seemed like an eternity, but he made it. He started saying "God bless you" several times as he held out his cup and I dropped the change in. I said "God bless you, too" as he continued to say thank you and "God bless you." Then he said he would pray for me. I'm not sure which god he will pray to, hopefully even the one true God! I replied with "I'll pray for you, too" and before I knew it, my hand was patting the hand that gripped the money cup. It shocked me that I did that, but then it hit me. I might have just given that man something he hasn't had in a long time, maybe if ever: unhindered compassionate human touch. Christ not only provided for others out of His compassion. He touched them, too. Even the lepers.
As soon as that happened, the light turned green and I had to drive on. I choked back tears the rest of the way to the hotel as my heart melted. Why have I for years been part of the skeptics corner. Every John Doe on the corner is not a con artist. There are thousands of people who really do NEED help. I have been thinking and acting opposite of Christ when it comes to strangers. I've judged, stood aloof, and not extended my hand to those who just might really be poor and in need.
It breaks the heart to show compassion to those in need because it reveals how broken this world is. But that kind of broken heart feels good -- because you know it is the very heart of Christ.
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