You know that phrase, "While the cat's away, the mice will play?" We girls ain't exactly playin' just yet. Tony and Nick flew to Guatemala earlier than normal people crack their eyes open on Friday. Their mission: to serve in a children's home playing with children and completing other projects as needed. Our mission while the boys are on such a self-sacrificing trip: to par-tay and have girl fun which of course includes shopping!
Unfortunately, we haven't fulfilled our mission just yet because we have embarked on a painting project in Alix' bedroom and bathroom. My aching muscles are telling me to stop, but there are more walls screaming for color. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now, however. The hot pink walls have been replaced with a nice soft medium blue faux look, and all that remains is slapping yellow on the bathroom walls. I'll let Alix transform her trashed bedroom back into some semblance of order.
Meanwhile, for Maddie, Daddy away means..."sleepover" with mommy. Not a problem with a king-size bed usually. I typically like have the girls take turns spending the night with me, but last night, I was a softie. Alix' bed is covered with various wall decor, stuffed animals and other girly items and thus, completely uninhabitable. And, poor Maddie, who lost her 3rd tooth last night, looked so pitiful and was just begging to have a ginormous sleepover in the big king-size bed. So, I caved, and we all snuggled into the big bed. Maddie rattled on about the tooth fairy and how the tooth fairy knows Jesus just like Santa does and therefore, would be able to find her in my bed instead of her own bed, etc, etc. She placed her tooth underneath the pillow in the middle. I had stashed a dollar on the side table next to me in preparation for the sneaky trade at midnight. (I have forgotten to replace the tooth with a dollar before and have had to do some quick thinking and perhaps even a little truth-stretching. Thus, enter the morning tooth fairy.)
Truth fairy aside, a king-size bed is NOT a comfortable spot for three girls...one who snores (Alix), one who riggles and suffocates her mom (Maddie), and one who is hugging the edge of the bed with no where else to go (me)! From this point forward, only one child at a time will enjoy a sleepover with mom because we all know that mom's need their beauty sleep.
Today also marks the last day of painting which means that tonight the girls can being par-taying! Is it significant that it also just happens to be New Year's Eve as well? Tonight, we will bring in the new year by pigging out on good food, watching IU play in the Insight Bowl, staying up until midnight, making resolutions, and par-taying only to start our diets the next day and break our resolutions in the weeks to come. Resolution number one after painting...go shopping! See you at the mall...
Speaking of resolutions, I don't know if you are a resolution-maker, goal-setter or whatever you want to call it, but I am fickle from year to year. Last year, my goal was to reduce my cholesterol level which I did through eating a grotesque amount of beans and huge amounts of fruit and vegetables. This year, I haven't been that introspective. Must be the paint fumes getting to my brain. In fact, the only plan in place for 2008 is for our family to read the One Year Bible. Perhaps that's enough. If the 4 of us readers can daily be in the word, allowing the alive and active Word to penetrate our hearts and minds, our roots in Christ will be that much deeper and stronger by the end of the year. Yep, that's a most worthy goal indeed.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Reflective Reading
I am a huge reader. In fact, I begin to get the shakes when I am nearing the end of a book and realize that I don't have one ready to go on the shelf. Not only that, but I am sad as I close the last page because my life has become intertwined and intimately involved with the characters of the story. Most of the time I read Christian fiction, choosing to check the books out at my local library, simply because my book budget isn't quite large enough to accommodate my addiction.
Lately, however, I've read several biographies that have been most interesting. Because I am a fanatical American Idol watcher, I recently read Mandisa's IdolEyes, which gave me insight not only into her path to the American Idol show but also her great faith as a follower of Jesus. A friend loaned me a biography of C.S. Lewis called Jack, which was written by his stepson. While I've read the Narnia books and several others by Lewis, I had never really read about his life and what made him the man and writer that he was. It was a fascinating story which caused me to appreciate Lewis and his writings all the more. His life was full of pain and sorrow, yet he was determined to live for God. Last but not least, I just finished the book, Mosaic, by Amy Grant which totally enraptured me.
I grew up on Amy Grant's music. I hadn't realized until reading her book that she began singing and song writing at a young age and thus, while I was listening to her as a teen, she was only about 3 years older than I. I have followed her music all my young life, purchasing every tape/CD she has cut so far. Although I knew about her divorce from Gary Chapman, I hadn't realized until reading her story how her life has paralleled mine...except for the singing of course! About the same time she was experiencing her separation and divorce, I was going through mine. And, her second chance at love with Vince Gill occurred during the same time frame as my remarriage to Tony. I connected with her on many levels because of our similar circumstances.
Mosaics is extremely thought-provoking. Amy doesn't claim to have her life all together and admits her failings. She is also not an ex-basher, nor does she air any of her previous marriage's dirty laundry. In fact, she doesn't go into any specifics about why it ended. I appreciate that she talks openly about it, yet not with details. It's certainly a lesson to me about transparency without the dirty details!
In one chapter of her book, Amy discusses her shortcomings in regard to a consistent quiet time with God, yet she shares some specifics on how she greets the day by going outside each morning and emphasizing different words in the phrase, "This is the day the Lord has made." After this "wake-up call", she says the Lord's Prayer. This was so poignant to me that I am including it in my blog, so here it is. I pray this means as much to you as it has to me.
"Our Father who art in heaven."
Our Father. All of us, everyone who's ever lived or died ~ we share him. We are his. Whether we are lovable or unlovable, whether we agree or disagree, saint or reprobate ~ all of us have the same Father, our Father who art in heaven.
"Hallowed be thy name."
Holy. Set apart. The Great Other. I can't even say "Hallowed be thy name" without thinking of all the times in the course of a day when I inadvertently say, "Oh my God." This is my time to say, "I'm sorry for throwing your name around."
"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done."
What do I know about God's kingdom? The first shall be last, the greatest is the servant of all. Whoever loses his life for Jesus' sake will find it. This all seems upside down to me. Here my prayer becomes, "Help me see my world the way you do, to look at the heart and not the exterior."
"Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
I can assume that at any given moment what's happening in heaven is exactly what God wants to be happening. But here on earth, with all of us roaming around with our loads of free will, we have the option of saying either, "I think today I'll just be about what I want to do," or, "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done." It makes me take a deep breath and consider my to-do list, the things that I find important, the ways that I plan to invest myself.
By myself, all I have is my own knowledge, my own experience, my own vantage point. How narrow. If I am on an eternal time line with things of eternal significance happening all around me, why would I want to be confined by my limited perspective? How much better to speak these words: "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Let me be a part of your plan. I'd rather not be limited to just my own."
"Give us this day our daily bread."
My daily bread. Whatever I need this day. God sees it better than I can. Maybe my daily bread includes rest, maybe peace, patience, direction, creativity, work, wisdom. Even more, he can see what I don't need, the things I wander after; the things that swallow up the hours and leave me empty. "Whatever you know that I need today, I'm asking for it."
"Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."
This sounds like a black-and-white equation. Forgive me the way I forgive. Yikes. Is Jesus teaching me a lesson even in the prayer he taught me to pray?
What do I feel I'm owed? Where have I invested myself with no return? From whom do I honestly believe that I deserve an apology or a thank you? What tally sheet am I hanging on to? Can I react to any expectation ~ anything that I think I'm owed ~ with the same ocean of mercy that's been poured over me? I need grace to see the entire debt that I have been forgiven, so that I can extend that same mercy to someone else. Burn the tally sheet. Mercy doesn't keep score. "I forgive my debtors. Thank you for forgiving me."
"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."
I don't understand the mystery of how God works, but I pray how Jesus told me to. "Lead us not into temptation. Don't take me somewhere that's dangerous for me. Don't give me what I'm asking for if I can't handle it."
"Deliver us from evil."
I think about a baby being delivered ~ pushing and shoving and womb walls squeezing in. Then it is delivered into the hands of a waiting family. Is that how we are delivered from evil? Am I coming through this world pushed in on every side, and it's messy and crazy and sometimes looks as much like death as life? "Deliver us from evil. Find us safe passage. See me safely through."
"For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever."
All of this is God's. It's his to rule. He alone is capable of finishing this thing he started. "God, you deserve endless gratitude and celebration from all your creation. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."
Amen."
Woven throughout thoughts like this are poetry and songs Amy has written. Full of stories from her childhood and adult life, this book gives the reader just a glimpse into her life so far. While her reminiscences are an entertaining read, she also relates to the reader in a way that is real. Need something to read that will cause you to reflect? You won't be disappointed if you stay up late reading Mosaics!
Lately, however, I've read several biographies that have been most interesting. Because I am a fanatical American Idol watcher, I recently read Mandisa's IdolEyes, which gave me insight not only into her path to the American Idol show but also her great faith as a follower of Jesus. A friend loaned me a biography of C.S. Lewis called Jack, which was written by his stepson. While I've read the Narnia books and several others by Lewis, I had never really read about his life and what made him the man and writer that he was. It was a fascinating story which caused me to appreciate Lewis and his writings all the more. His life was full of pain and sorrow, yet he was determined to live for God. Last but not least, I just finished the book, Mosaic, by Amy Grant which totally enraptured me.
I grew up on Amy Grant's music. I hadn't realized until reading her book that she began singing and song writing at a young age and thus, while I was listening to her as a teen, she was only about 3 years older than I. I have followed her music all my young life, purchasing every tape/CD she has cut so far. Although I knew about her divorce from Gary Chapman, I hadn't realized until reading her story how her life has paralleled mine...except for the singing of course! About the same time she was experiencing her separation and divorce, I was going through mine. And, her second chance at love with Vince Gill occurred during the same time frame as my remarriage to Tony. I connected with her on many levels because of our similar circumstances.
Mosaics is extremely thought-provoking. Amy doesn't claim to have her life all together and admits her failings. She is also not an ex-basher, nor does she air any of her previous marriage's dirty laundry. In fact, she doesn't go into any specifics about why it ended. I appreciate that she talks openly about it, yet not with details. It's certainly a lesson to me about transparency without the dirty details!
In one chapter of her book, Amy discusses her shortcomings in regard to a consistent quiet time with God, yet she shares some specifics on how she greets the day by going outside each morning and emphasizing different words in the phrase, "This is the day the Lord has made." After this "wake-up call", she says the Lord's Prayer. This was so poignant to me that I am including it in my blog, so here it is. I pray this means as much to you as it has to me.
"Our Father who art in heaven."
Our Father. All of us, everyone who's ever lived or died ~ we share him. We are his. Whether we are lovable or unlovable, whether we agree or disagree, saint or reprobate ~ all of us have the same Father, our Father who art in heaven.
"Hallowed be thy name."
Holy. Set apart. The Great Other. I can't even say "Hallowed be thy name" without thinking of all the times in the course of a day when I inadvertently say, "Oh my God." This is my time to say, "I'm sorry for throwing your name around."
"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done."
What do I know about God's kingdom? The first shall be last, the greatest is the servant of all. Whoever loses his life for Jesus' sake will find it. This all seems upside down to me. Here my prayer becomes, "Help me see my world the way you do, to look at the heart and not the exterior."
"Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
I can assume that at any given moment what's happening in heaven is exactly what God wants to be happening. But here on earth, with all of us roaming around with our loads of free will, we have the option of saying either, "I think today I'll just be about what I want to do," or, "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done." It makes me take a deep breath and consider my to-do list, the things that I find important, the ways that I plan to invest myself.
By myself, all I have is my own knowledge, my own experience, my own vantage point. How narrow. If I am on an eternal time line with things of eternal significance happening all around me, why would I want to be confined by my limited perspective? How much better to speak these words: "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Let me be a part of your plan. I'd rather not be limited to just my own."
"Give us this day our daily bread."
My daily bread. Whatever I need this day. God sees it better than I can. Maybe my daily bread includes rest, maybe peace, patience, direction, creativity, work, wisdom. Even more, he can see what I don't need, the things I wander after; the things that swallow up the hours and leave me empty. "Whatever you know that I need today, I'm asking for it."
"Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."
This sounds like a black-and-white equation. Forgive me the way I forgive. Yikes. Is Jesus teaching me a lesson even in the prayer he taught me to pray?
What do I feel I'm owed? Where have I invested myself with no return? From whom do I honestly believe that I deserve an apology or a thank you? What tally sheet am I hanging on to? Can I react to any expectation ~ anything that I think I'm owed ~ with the same ocean of mercy that's been poured over me? I need grace to see the entire debt that I have been forgiven, so that I can extend that same mercy to someone else. Burn the tally sheet. Mercy doesn't keep score. "I forgive my debtors. Thank you for forgiving me."
"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."
I don't understand the mystery of how God works, but I pray how Jesus told me to. "Lead us not into temptation. Don't take me somewhere that's dangerous for me. Don't give me what I'm asking for if I can't handle it."
"Deliver us from evil."
I think about a baby being delivered ~ pushing and shoving and womb walls squeezing in. Then it is delivered into the hands of a waiting family. Is that how we are delivered from evil? Am I coming through this world pushed in on every side, and it's messy and crazy and sometimes looks as much like death as life? "Deliver us from evil. Find us safe passage. See me safely through."
"For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever."
All of this is God's. It's his to rule. He alone is capable of finishing this thing he started. "God, you deserve endless gratitude and celebration from all your creation. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."
Amen."
Woven throughout thoughts like this are poetry and songs Amy has written. Full of stories from her childhood and adult life, this book gives the reader just a glimpse into her life so far. While her reminiscences are an entertaining read, she also relates to the reader in a way that is real. Need something to read that will cause you to reflect? You won't be disappointed if you stay up late reading Mosaics!
Friday, December 28, 2007
A Little Anecdote or Two
Anecdote 1
A couple of weeks ago I noticed a towel placed underneath our silk ficus tree. "What's that towel doing under the silk tree, Tony?" "Oh, Maddie tried to water it."
Anecdote 2
Maddie came home from school on the last Friday before Christmas break, saw me vacuuming her room and asked me to turn it off because she had something exciting to tell me. I, not wanting to break my cleaning rhythm, asked her to tell me with the vacuum running. "Look what I got!" she said showing me a tube of mini M&M's. "I won all the tests today!" It seems she's confused between taking tests and "earning" a good grade and "winning" something.
Anecdote 3
Tony and I were ordering food at a deli in town when he asked about the soups. He settled on the Chicken Tortilla soup, then promptly asked the server if it contained any meat. I looked at Tony, saying, "Yeah, it has 'chicken' in it." I guess it had been a stressful day for him, and it was too much for him to grasp. I'm wondering if he's been coloring his hair dark to cover up the blonde. I'm so glad that I have someone I can relate to in my family besides my daughter, Alix.
A couple of weeks ago I noticed a towel placed underneath our silk ficus tree. "What's that towel doing under the silk tree, Tony?" "Oh, Maddie tried to water it."
Anecdote 2
Maddie came home from school on the last Friday before Christmas break, saw me vacuuming her room and asked me to turn it off because she had something exciting to tell me. I, not wanting to break my cleaning rhythm, asked her to tell me with the vacuum running. "Look what I got!" she said showing me a tube of mini M&M's. "I won all the tests today!" It seems she's confused between taking tests and "earning" a good grade and "winning" something.
Anecdote 3
Tony and I were ordering food at a deli in town when he asked about the soups. He settled on the Chicken Tortilla soup, then promptly asked the server if it contained any meat. I looked at Tony, saying, "Yeah, it has 'chicken' in it." I guess it had been a stressful day for him, and it was too much for him to grasp. I'm wondering if he's been coloring his hair dark to cover up the blonde. I'm so glad that I have someone I can relate to in my family besides my daughter, Alix.
It Doesn't Feel Like Christmas, Day 5
Similar to a trilogy, this is the third and final excerpt in my thrilling Christmas saga. I'm confident many tears will be shed as the last sentence of this fast-paced drama is read. Unfortunately, the ending of this story is quite anti-climactic.
Aside from saving three presents for Maddie to open on this special day, it felt nothing like Christmas. Santa came Friday night, if you recall. Nick and Alix had flown to California. With three people left behind, it was hardly worth it to have a big Christmas dinner. Sigh! I had been complaining (yes, it's true...me...complaining) to Tony early in the week that I WAS NOT looking forward to Christmas Day. It's just not the same without my entire family here. It's way too quiet, even with my loudest child still at home.
So, we slept late; we ate cold cereal for breakfast; we made the traditional Christmas morning hot cocoa. That was about the only tradition we kept. After Maddie opened her last gifts, we did something we never have done before but might become a new tradition every other year when the older kids are away on Christmas. We traipsed out on an unusually warm day in December for Indiana to a movie, Alvin and the Chipmunks. I never realized how many people actually go to movies on Christmas Day. It was a great way to get over my pity party.
It would've been an even more perfect ending to Christmas if a restaurant would've been open to feed us after the movie, but alas, not a car was parked nor a light on at any establishment we drove by. It was home to leftover ham for us...again.
The grand finale to our night was our Wii bowling tournament. Maddie tried to coax us into playing Barbie's with her, but we absolutely and most adamantly refused. She compromised by putting on a fashion show with her Barbie's modelling their new clothes. She bowled in between outfits and actually placed 2nd in our tournament. Guess who was the big loser?
So, Christmas felt like any other normal day in our lives with all the excitement of the season happening days before. But, you know what? Although it was different from what I desired it to be, it was a good day nevertheless. It was definitely more quiet than what I'm currently blogging to...Alix and Maddie performing karaoke to High School Musical 2! Oh, for some peace and quiet...
Aside from saving three presents for Maddie to open on this special day, it felt nothing like Christmas. Santa came Friday night, if you recall. Nick and Alix had flown to California. With three people left behind, it was hardly worth it to have a big Christmas dinner. Sigh! I had been complaining (yes, it's true...me...complaining) to Tony early in the week that I WAS NOT looking forward to Christmas Day. It's just not the same without my entire family here. It's way too quiet, even with my loudest child still at home.
So, we slept late; we ate cold cereal for breakfast; we made the traditional Christmas morning hot cocoa. That was about the only tradition we kept. After Maddie opened her last gifts, we did something we never have done before but might become a new tradition every other year when the older kids are away on Christmas. We traipsed out on an unusually warm day in December for Indiana to a movie, Alvin and the Chipmunks. I never realized how many people actually go to movies on Christmas Day. It was a great way to get over my pity party.
It would've been an even more perfect ending to Christmas if a restaurant would've been open to feed us after the movie, but alas, not a car was parked nor a light on at any establishment we drove by. It was home to leftover ham for us...again.
The grand finale to our night was our Wii bowling tournament. Maddie tried to coax us into playing Barbie's with her, but we absolutely and most adamantly refused. She compromised by putting on a fashion show with her Barbie's modelling their new clothes. She bowled in between outfits and actually placed 2nd in our tournament. Guess who was the big loser?
So, Christmas felt like any other normal day in our lives with all the excitement of the season happening days before. But, you know what? Although it was different from what I desired it to be, it was a good day nevertheless. It was definitely more quiet than what I'm currently blogging to...Alix and Maddie performing karaoke to High School Musical 2! Oh, for some peace and quiet...
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Christmas Fun and Festivities, Days 2,3,4
I scanned the entryway of our home. Duffel bags of all shapes and sizes were scattered haphazardly about. Shoes from little and big folk were strewn across the area rugs. Hmmmm...Bella could sure have some fun chewing up and hiding some of these shoes. I inwardly sighed (if that is possible) as I briefly thought about the days I spent cleaning our home and the seconds it was already being trashed. Oh well.I have this thing, this issue of my house being absolutely perfect for guests...clean
ed, vacuumed, dusted...not at all like I normally live. I've realized lately that the only time I REALLY clean is when company is coming! A couple of times a year isn't so bad, is it? I hope I haven't caused some of you dust bunny freaks to go into shock, but that's the way it is around here. In fact, I probably shouldn't go into great detail about the grotesque things growing in my daughter's bathroom before I transformed it. I gently had to tell her that perhaps she should begin cleaning her bathroom a little more often. And, perhaps you can tell me why instead of throwing trash in the trashcan, Alix uses it to decorate her room?
ed, vacuumed, dusted...not at all like I normally live. I've realized lately that the only time I REALLY clean is when company is coming! A couple of times a year isn't so bad, is it? I hope I haven't caused some of you dust bunny freaks to go into shock, but that's the way it is around here. In fact, I probably shouldn't go into great detail about the grotesque things growing in my daughter's bathroom before I transformed it. I gently had to tell her that perhaps she should begin cleaning her bathroom a little more often. And, perhaps you can tell me why instead of throwing trash in the trashcan, Alix uses it to decorate her room? In essence, I spruce up the house for 2 1/2 days while it takes approximately 30 seconds for total destruction to take place. Mind you, I'm really not complaining. Heavens no! I actually enjoy entertain
ing the Stonger family for Christmas. Cousins play nonstop for two days, open gifts for each other, and actually get along. Siblings play vicious ping pong tournaments, engage in strategic games like Blokus and Spades, and war each other in the Dirty Santa gift exchange. Besides feasting on the best food this side of Lake Monroe, we dialogue in discussions of theology, politics, and whether plastic cups with the family's names on them should be recycled for next year. I seemed to be the object of derision on that topic since I have issues with reused plasticware.
ing the Stonger family for Christmas. Cousins play nonstop for two days, open gifts for each other, and actually get along. Siblings play vicious ping pong tournaments, engage in strategic games like Blokus and Spades, and war each other in the Dirty Santa gift exchange. Besides feasting on the best food this side of Lake Monroe, we dialogue in discussions of theology, politics, and whether plastic cups with the family's names on them should be recycled for next year. I seemed to be the object of derision on that topic since I have issues with reused plasticware. Everyone apparently finds pleasure in having a big slumber party at our house, so they all spend the night and leave some time the next day, which happened to be Christm
as Eve. After a big breakfast casserole, fruit salad and homemade Christmas coffee cake, the last Wii boxing games are sparred, the final ping pong games decided and the Spades games are endured. (I say this because I was on the losing team.) For some reason, a few stragglers purposely wait until after the leftover ham lunch is served before trekking back to various points in Indiana. For me, this reduces the number of days I have left with absolutely no cooking. We may have to revisit the check-out time from the Stonger hotel for next year.
as Eve. After a big breakfast casserole, fruit salad and homemade Christmas coffee cake, the last Wii boxing games are sparred, the final ping pong games decided and the Spades games are endured. (I say this because I was on the losing team.) For some reason, a few stragglers purposely wait until after the leftover ham lunch is served before trekking back to various points in Indiana. For me, this reduces the number of days I have left with absolutely no cooking. We may have to revisit the check-out time from the Stonger hotel for next year. By 2:30 pm Christmas Eve day, all was calm and quiet, not a creature was stirring, not even me! In fact, I believe I was on the couch passed out from too much excitement. Either that or I fainted after viewing the disaster in the basement. Still, I picked myself up by my bootstraps and began putting the house back together while Tony and Maddie boxed, bowled and played tennis on Wii.
A perfect ending to a memorable family Christmas culminated in attending the Christmas Eve service. Amid the hustle and bustle of the past few days, cooking and cleaning, giving and receiving gifts, enjoying food and conversation, I was reminded again about the Reason for the season. The baby born at Christmas took on human skin just for me. He was the ultimate gift and for that, I am eternally blessed.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Christmas Festivities, Day 1
Our Christmas celebration began Friday evening, lasting for 5 days! We enjoyed feasting at Applebee's compliments of Great Grandma's gift card. Somehow during that meal, Santa and his reindeer landed early at our house, dumping our stockings full of presents. How could he possibly know that Nick and Alix were leaving for California before dawn even breaks the next morning? He is so smart! There were even gifts in my stocking which is extremely uncharacteristic of Santa. Most years I help Santa with filling my beautiful sock because he's not quite on the ball. However, this year he surprised me! I just love my Santa baby...
Before we commenced with opening gifts, we planned to read the Christmas story in Luke 2. Maddie became a little confused as evidenced by the beginning of her version of the story, "It was the night before Christmas and all through the house..."
Nick, playing Santa, passed gifts to each person one by one until Alix took over his job, not satisfied with his organizational skills! There was a lot of oohing and ahhing over the gifts, hugs and kisses and Maddie hovering like a bee with a flower over whomever happened to have a gift she could assist them in opening. Each of us kept shooing the bee away, but it kept returning. The big gifts this year were a karaoke machine for Maddie, a digital camera for Alix and the big tamale Wii for Nick. That Nick had a Wii to open is a miracle story.
The Wii, like its cousins the XBox and Playstation, have been in such great demand that fanatics had been resorting to waiting in long lines for hours and even spending frigid nights outdoors just to "maybe" obtain one of these. Tony and I waited in one line the day after Thanksgiving at 7 am in hopes of purchasing the "Wii". I guess we should have brought our sleeping bags and spent the night! With 14 left at Gamestop and holding our place in line at number 16, we were doomed to be disappointed, yet we still waited "just in case". We tried Target, Best Buy, and Wal-Mart. I prayed a silly little prayer, "God, I know this is pretty trivial, but I also know that you care about the little things in our lives. All Nick wants is a Wii. Please help us find one." Sappy, I know. Even a little weird.
But, you are not going to believe what happened. I knew how God was going to answer this. He was going to allow me to be at the right place at the right time. As Christmas drew closer, I began to come up with other alternatives in case we didn't get one of these coveted items. We'll just wrap a picture of a "Wii" in a box, give it to Nick and tell him we'll get one after Christmas. This was plan B. I never had to carry out this plan because of how God orchestrated the next events. A friend of mine was also looking for this game. We had made a pact that if one of us ever came across two Wii's, we buy them both and settle up with each other later. Nope, that is not how we obtained our Wii! Actually, another friend, not even remotely desirous of this grand gift, was standing at the return counter at Target when another woman returned two Wii's. My friend, thinking they were just possibly games, enquired about them. When she discovered that they were in fact the official "Wii's", she asked, "Well, can I buy them?" After the clerk answered affirmatively, she purchased them, quickly toted them to her car and promptly called me, telling me what she had done.
To call me ecstatic would be an understatement. While traveling to Hobby Lobby to exchange money for the "gift", I called my husband, my mom and anyone who cared about this amazing answer to prayer. It certainly was not the way I had planned it to happen, but God always works in mysterious ways and usually not according to how I have it all worked out. God used a friend to answer my prayer.
Before we commenced with opening gifts, we planned to read the Christmas story in Luke 2. Maddie became a little confused as evidenced by the beginning of her version of the story, "It was the night before Christmas and all through the house..."
Nick, playing Santa, passed gifts to each person one by one until Alix took over his job, not satisfied with his organizational skills! There was a lot of oohing and ahhing over the gifts, hugs and kisses and Maddie hovering like a bee with a flower over whomever happened to have a gift she could assist them in opening. Each of us kept shooing the bee away, but it kept returning. The big gifts this year were a karaoke machine for Maddie, a digital camera for Alix and the big tamale Wii for Nick. That Nick had a Wii to open is a miracle story.
The Wii, like its cousins the XBox and Playstation, have been in such great demand that fanatics had been resorting to waiting in long lines for hours and even spending frigid nights outdoors just to "maybe" obtain one of these. Tony and I waited in one line the day after Thanksgiving at 7 am in hopes of purchasing the "Wii". I guess we should have brought our sleeping bags and spent the night! With 14 left at Gamestop and holding our place in line at number 16, we were doomed to be disappointed, yet we still waited "just in case". We tried Target, Best Buy, and Wal-Mart. I prayed a silly little prayer, "God, I know this is pretty trivial, but I also know that you care about the little things in our lives. All Nick wants is a Wii. Please help us find one." Sappy, I know. Even a little weird.
But, you are not going to believe what happened. I knew how God was going to answer this. He was going to allow me to be at the right place at the right time. As Christmas drew closer, I began to come up with other alternatives in case we didn't get one of these coveted items. We'll just wrap a picture of a "Wii" in a box, give it to Nick and tell him we'll get one after Christmas. This was plan B. I never had to carry out this plan because of how God orchestrated the next events. A friend of mine was also looking for this game. We had made a pact that if one of us ever came across two Wii's, we buy them both and settle up with each other later. Nope, that is not how we obtained our Wii! Actually, another friend, not even remotely desirous of this grand gift, was standing at the return counter at Target when another woman returned two Wii's. My friend, thinking they were just possibly games, enquired about them. When she discovered that they were in fact the official "Wii's", she asked, "Well, can I buy them?" After the clerk answered affirmatively, she purchased them, quickly toted them to her car and promptly called me, telling me what she had done.
To call me ecstatic would be an understatement. While traveling to Hobby Lobby to exchange money for the "gift", I called my husband, my mom and anyone who cared about this amazing answer to prayer. It certainly was not the way I had planned it to happen, but God always works in mysterious ways and usually not according to how I have it all worked out. God used a friend to answer my prayer.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Crybabies are Cool
I am a big crybaby. Always have been. I recall moments watching Little House on the Prairie as a child when tears would begin to well up in my eyes and roll down my cheeks. I could always count on my dad crying with me. It was a big joke in my family. My dad and I were sobbers while the rest of the family remained hardened to whatever trauma was occuring on the television screen. This condition has worsened over the years because I not only have become a sympathy crier, but I now also weep at the silliest things...a school program, a gymnastics meet, even helping in my daughter's class. No trauma or pain has to be remotely involved.
This morning I cried watching my friends' children getting baptized. They were making the most important decision of their lives...meaningful moment. I teared up as the children's musical program began. All of the kids were speeding down the aisles and down the stairs to clamor up the risers as the music played. No one fell down and got hurt. No one was even singing a beautiful song, and I was dabbing at my eyes to keep the tears from seeping. Of course, this was my daughter's first musical as a big kid. And, I watched as she placed herself smack dab in the middle of her best friends. They looked like the 4 musketeers singing and dancing...all in a row...a tearful moment as I could fast forward in my mind already to the time when they'd be 5th graders standing on stage for their very last musical. I can even imagine them fighting for parts!
Watching Maddie belt out the words to the songs while she managed to swirl her hands or sway her little hips to the beat brought more wet spots, more dabbing, more sniffling. Tony kept looking at me like I was nuts. Nick was oblivious. As I actually listened to the words, "God so loved the world, that he gave his only son...that everyone who believes in him would have eternal life...", you can imagine what happened again. More crying. What moment in life could even begin to equate itself with this one? I was watching my tiny 6-year-old sing the most powerful words with absolute belief and passion. These moments are precious. They are but a blink, and they are over. I know because I have watched my two older children pave the way before her. They were the benefit of my first batch of tears.
The worst part about being a sap like me is that I never know when the tears are going to hit. They just suddenly show up. There's no warning like the siren signalling a tornado on its way. I can be at the grocery store, at a sporting event or watching a commercial when my eyes just start to water. It's a little embarrassing to try to explain this to those who see me in a public place in this condition. It's not like my life is falling apart. How do I explain to someone that the reason tears are coursing down my cheeks is because my daughter just did the most amazing vault and stuck it...and then she looked at me to see if I saw what she did? Or, something Beth Moore said in her Bible study resonated with my soul? Or, friends of mine from years ago sent an amazing amount of money to help my son raise his support for Guatemala?
So, I have just resigned myself to becoming more of a crybaby over the years and have decided that the way I'll deal with this phenomenon is to always carry tissues. After all, I must keep my face on through all the tears! If you happen to see my eyes a little wet, don't assume the worst. Why, I might've just consumed the most delicious nonfat decaf Peppermint Mocha I have ever ordered at Starbucks! The possibilities are endless.
This morning I cried watching my friends' children getting baptized. They were making the most important decision of their lives...meaningful moment. I teared up as the children's musical program began. All of the kids were speeding down the aisles and down the stairs to clamor up the risers as the music played. No one fell down and got hurt. No one was even singing a beautiful song, and I was dabbing at my eyes to keep the tears from seeping. Of course, this was my daughter's first musical as a big kid. And, I watched as she placed herself smack dab in the middle of her best friends. They looked like the 4 musketeers singing and dancing...all in a row...a tearful moment as I could fast forward in my mind already to the time when they'd be 5th graders standing on stage for their very last musical. I can even imagine them fighting for parts!
Watching Maddie belt out the words to the songs while she managed to swirl her hands or sway her little hips to the beat brought more wet spots, more dabbing, more sniffling. Tony kept looking at me like I was nuts. Nick was oblivious. As I actually listened to the words, "God so loved the world, that he gave his only son...that everyone who believes in him would have eternal life...", you can imagine what happened again. More crying. What moment in life could even begin to equate itself with this one? I was watching my tiny 6-year-old sing the most powerful words with absolute belief and passion. These moments are precious. They are but a blink, and they are over. I know because I have watched my two older children pave the way before her. They were the benefit of my first batch of tears.
The worst part about being a sap like me is that I never know when the tears are going to hit. They just suddenly show up. There's no warning like the siren signalling a tornado on its way. I can be at the grocery store, at a sporting event or watching a commercial when my eyes just start to water. It's a little embarrassing to try to explain this to those who see me in a public place in this condition. It's not like my life is falling apart. How do I explain to someone that the reason tears are coursing down my cheeks is because my daughter just did the most amazing vault and stuck it...and then she looked at me to see if I saw what she did? Or, something Beth Moore said in her Bible study resonated with my soul? Or, friends of mine from years ago sent an amazing amount of money to help my son raise his support for Guatemala?
So, I have just resigned myself to becoming more of a crybaby over the years and have decided that the way I'll deal with this phenomenon is to always carry tissues. After all, I must keep my face on through all the tears! If you happen to see my eyes a little wet, don't assume the worst. Why, I might've just consumed the most delicious nonfat decaf Peppermint Mocha I have ever ordered at Starbucks! The possibilities are endless.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Nothing to Blab About
Ok, so it took me 10 minutes just to create my creativeless blog title. Why? Because, frankly, I have nothing to blab about. This is why I've given my blog a new makeover. Perhaps, it will fool the numerous people (I think I'm up to 4 now) who visit my blog into thinking that I've actually written something new, amazing, life-changing. One person actually wrote a comment on one of my older blogs that I needed to write something new. Hmmmm.....wish I could think of something to write about.
It's an overwhelmingly busy time for me as well as several hundred million other people during the holiday season, so I've been taking the time to take care of my "to do" list items such as bake cookies, write the traditional Christmas letter that everyone dreads getting from me, Christmas shop and mail all the gifts to family that live far away from me (which is absolutely everyone...that's depressing), attend Christmas concerts, Christmas parties, gymnastics meets and surf the internet looking for a gift for my husband. I've decided that I'm not getting the $960 Colts tickets after all. It's a good thing that blogging is not on my "to do" list these days because I have nothing to say. You've probably figured that out by now.
I'll just provide those who care with an update on our lives in the last month since I've blogged:
Nick has his first girlfriend, Kyla. He's ga-ga over her. (Let me know if you need a definition of "ga-ga". When he mentioned to me about going to the prom with her in the Spring and I sort of replied with something like, "What if you aren't going out with her then? Aren't you a little premature?" He scoffed at me, "It's not like junior high, mom, where people go together for just a couple of weeks." Excuse me! I didn't realize the level of maturity I was dealing with. You'll see what I mean when you read below how junior highers deal with relationships. I'm completely aghast at the immaturity.
Alix "went" with a boy (they don't go anywhere at 13) for 2 weeks (might be the longest time yet), broke up with him and promptly "went" with another boy for a week. She broke up with him because she didn't like him anymore. Her likes don't last long. I suggested she just "be friends" with boys for awhile. When Alix was in 7th grade, I chronicled her first boyfriend. I stopped doing this after the 3rd one in 3 weeks. She's in and out of love faster than I can write.
Maddie was "Blue Ribbon Student of the Week" this week because she's been doing so well in getting her work done. During the week, she didn't get her morning work done twice and brought it home for homework and lost her homework on the bus and had to re-do it. She's only in 1st grade. We have a long road ahead of us, and I'm definitely going to be too old to deal with all this. After discussing with her the importance of setting an example since she's the Blue Ribbon Student, she prayed, "God, thank you that I am the Blue Ribbon Student. Help me to "be" it." So precious and sincere.
Tony and I were sitting at a gymnastics meet last weekend which happens to be the kind of sport in which we sit for 4 hours in order to watch our daughters compete for 1 minute each on 4 different events. Tony commented on how "sedementary" this sport is. "You mean "sedentary", right? Because, this sport isn't at all dirty." Guess we know where Maddie gets her little mix-up on words, don't we?!
And, me? Well, I have nothing to blab about.
It's an overwhelmingly busy time for me as well as several hundred million other people during the holiday season, so I've been taking the time to take care of my "to do" list items such as bake cookies, write the traditional Christmas letter that everyone dreads getting from me, Christmas shop and mail all the gifts to family that live far away from me (which is absolutely everyone...that's depressing), attend Christmas concerts, Christmas parties, gymnastics meets and surf the internet looking for a gift for my husband. I've decided that I'm not getting the $960 Colts tickets after all. It's a good thing that blogging is not on my "to do" list these days because I have nothing to say. You've probably figured that out by now.
I'll just provide those who care with an update on our lives in the last month since I've blogged:
Nick has his first girlfriend, Kyla. He's ga-ga over her. (Let me know if you need a definition of "ga-ga". When he mentioned to me about going to the prom with her in the Spring and I sort of replied with something like, "What if you aren't going out with her then? Aren't you a little premature?" He scoffed at me, "It's not like junior high, mom, where people go together for just a couple of weeks." Excuse me! I didn't realize the level of maturity I was dealing with. You'll see what I mean when you read below how junior highers deal with relationships. I'm completely aghast at the immaturity.
Alix "went" with a boy (they don't go anywhere at 13) for 2 weeks (might be the longest time yet), broke up with him and promptly "went" with another boy for a week. She broke up with him because she didn't like him anymore. Her likes don't last long. I suggested she just "be friends" with boys for awhile. When Alix was in 7th grade, I chronicled her first boyfriend. I stopped doing this after the 3rd one in 3 weeks. She's in and out of love faster than I can write.
Maddie was "Blue Ribbon Student of the Week" this week because she's been doing so well in getting her work done. During the week, she didn't get her morning work done twice and brought it home for homework and lost her homework on the bus and had to re-do it. She's only in 1st grade. We have a long road ahead of us, and I'm definitely going to be too old to deal with all this. After discussing with her the importance of setting an example since she's the Blue Ribbon Student, she prayed, "God, thank you that I am the Blue Ribbon Student. Help me to "be" it." So precious and sincere.
Tony and I were sitting at a gymnastics meet last weekend which happens to be the kind of sport in which we sit for 4 hours in order to watch our daughters compete for 1 minute each on 4 different events. Tony commented on how "sedementary" this sport is. "You mean "sedentary", right? Because, this sport isn't at all dirty." Guess we know where Maddie gets her little mix-up on words, don't we?!
And, me? Well, I have nothing to blab about.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Guilty of the Gimmies
This is an article I recently wrote for our women's newsletter, Divine Lines. You can check out the entire newsletter at SOCC.org.
It was a huge mistake to venture into the brand new Build-A-Bear store with my daughter Maddie present. “Oh mommy, can I have this bear? No, I want the pink puppy dog. I want the bunny, too. Mommy, look at this cheerleading outfit! I want that. Oh, and I want that little bed for my new dog. Can I get those pajamas for my bunny?” The whining and wanting droned on and on as we viewed the other displays of outfits and accessories for cute little stuffed animals. The “gimmie” disease has latched onto my child and taken over her entire attitude. Even while browsing through the Samaritan’s Purse catalog to choose an item to donate, Maddie thought it was all about her. “Oooo, I want that little lamb and that blanket.” Ugh!
After experiencing a glorious Thanksgiving full of gratitude toward a Savior who loves us and has redeemed us, we turn the page on the calendar and very oftentimes, instead of focusing on the baby who took on human skin for us, we are bombarded with and distracted by a very different message. Children aren’t the only ones who catch the “gimmie” disease. I caught it just last week as I was browsing through stores in Nashville. Beautiful Christmas décor displayed in windows called to me to enter through the doors enticing me to purchase items I fancied adorning my home. I have to admit that I was reeled in like a fish on a line.
And what do we as parents communicate to our children during the Christmas season
? Make a list, so we know what you want. We actually give our children permission to get the gimmies. The rest of the year I chant this mantra whenever I enter a store with my 6-year-old. “You are not getting anything from this store. Please do not ask.” Now I am asking, begging, pleading with my three children to tell me what they want because I am marching to the store to buy what their hearts’ desire. In case you think that I am a bit “scroogish” (if that’s a word), I certainly am not. I love to buy my children things. I delight in seeing their faces light up when they open a present that they asked for. I am simply pointing out that at Christmas it seems as if I am actually promoting selfishness, wanting and gimmie-itus by encouraging them to compile long lists of gift ideas.
How do we stop this madness? How do we promote giving instead of getting? Luke instructs us in Acts to remember that Jesus said that it is better to give than to receive. Most of us do not prefer that our children become selfish little imps at Christmas; rather, our greatest desire would be that they focus on the birthday of Jesus, the baby who changed the world by giving up heaven and putting on human skin. I want my children to really experience the joy of Christmas…giving not getting. A few ideas listed below may help our families concentrate more on giving than receiving this Christmas:
1. Adopt a family in need this year. Let your children help you shop for gifts.
2. Put together shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Even though it’s too late for this year, plan to participate next Christmas.
3. Help your children “shop” in the Samaritan’s Purse or another organization’s catalog. You can choose an item to give such as a cow, a meal or a blanket for a needy child or family.
4. Every time you pass a Salvation Army bell ringer, give your child some money to drop in the bucket.
5. Participate as a family in any service opportunities Sherwood Oaks or another organization provides at Christmas.
While this is not an exhaustive list, it’s a start on our journey to help our children find the joy in giving, not receiving. My Savior gave up his home in heaven to take on human flesh so that I might receive the ultimate gift, salvation. This Christmas, may we as followers of Christ, demonstrate the attitude of giving so that those we cross paths with, whether at work, the mall or at home, catch “giving-itus”. Let’s get rid of those “gimmies”!
It was a huge mistake to venture into the brand new Build-A-Bear store with my daughter Maddie present. “Oh mommy, can I have this bear? No, I want the pink puppy dog. I want the bunny, too. Mommy, look at this cheerleading outfit! I want that. Oh, and I want that little bed for my new dog. Can I get those pajamas for my bunny?” The whining and wanting droned on and on as we viewed the other displays of outfits and accessories for cute little stuffed animals. The “gimmie” disease has latched onto my child and taken over her entire attitude. Even while browsing through the Samaritan’s Purse catalog to choose an item to donate, Maddie thought it was all about her. “Oooo, I want that little lamb and that blanket.” Ugh!
After experiencing a glorious Thanksgiving full of gratitude toward a Savior who loves us and has redeemed us, we turn the page on the calendar and very oftentimes, instead of focusing on the baby who took on human skin for us, we are bombarded with and distracted by a very different message. Children aren’t the only ones who catch the “gimmie” disease. I caught it just last week as I was browsing through stores in Nashville. Beautiful Christmas décor displayed in windows called to me to enter through the doors enticing me to purchase items I fancied adorning my home. I have to admit that I was reeled in like a fish on a line.
And what do we as parents communicate to our children during the Christmas season
? Make a list, so we know what you want. We actually give our children permission to get the gimmies. The rest of the year I chant this mantra whenever I enter a store with my 6-year-old. “You are not getting anything from this store. Please do not ask.” Now I am asking, begging, pleading with my three children to tell me what they want because I am marching to the store to buy what their hearts’ desire. In case you think that I am a bit “scroogish” (if that’s a word), I certainly am not. I love to buy my children things. I delight in seeing their faces light up when they open a present that they asked for. I am simply pointing out that at Christmas it seems as if I am actually promoting selfishness, wanting and gimmie-itus by encouraging them to compile long lists of gift ideas.How do we stop this madness? How do we promote giving instead of getting? Luke instructs us in Acts to remember that Jesus said that it is better to give than to receive. Most of us do not prefer that our children become selfish little imps at Christmas; rather, our greatest desire would be that they focus on the birthday of Jesus, the baby who changed the world by giving up heaven and putting on human skin. I want my children to really experience the joy of Christmas…giving not getting. A few ideas listed below may help our families concentrate more on giving than receiving this Christmas:
1. Adopt a family in need this year. Let your children help you shop for gifts.
2. Put together shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Even though it’s too late for this year, plan to participate next Christmas.
3. Help your children “shop” in the Samaritan’s Purse or another organization’s catalog. You can choose an item to give such as a cow, a meal or a blanket for a needy child or family.
4. Every time you pass a Salvation Army bell ringer, give your child some money to drop in the bucket.
5. Participate as a family in any service opportunities Sherwood Oaks or another organization provides at Christmas.
While this is not an exhaustive list, it’s a start on our journey to help our children find the joy in giving, not receiving. My Savior gave up his home in heaven to take on human flesh so that I might receive the ultimate gift, salvation. This Christmas, may we as followers of Christ, demonstrate the attitude of giving so that those we cross paths with, whether at work, the mall or at home, catch “giving-itus”. Let’s get rid of those “gimmies”!
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