You Can't Take It With You

I have been officially tagged for the very first time by Tina. I have never done this before, but I decided to give this a try. So, here it is!

The LOOK AT THIS STUFF! ISN'T IT NEAT? meme

1. Find five things around your house that say something about the person you are and snap a

a picture of them.
2. Tell us about them.
3. Link back to me in your post.
4. Tag five (if you feel like it) folks via their comments and tell us who you tagged.

This first picture is of our newly (last March) remodeled living room. If you can picture it pre-remodel, the only thing on this wall was the fireplace with mantle. We had bookshelves built on each side of the mantle and then an enclosure created for the big screen television. As you can see, lights come on at the touch of a button to highlight some beautiful pieces we've picked up on our travels. It has totally transformed our living area, and it has become our favorite room in which to hang out.

Another favorite of mine are these pictures that one of my all-time favorite artists drew...my dad. These are pen and ink drawings he gave us several years ago that after much procrastination on my part, are now framed!! The middle picture is of Aslan from The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. As you can probably tell, this picture is not hanging on the wall yet as we can't decide where exactly it's home will be. Obviously, these pictures hold great sentimental value to me, not only because of who created them but also because I believe they are quite good.

My dining room is another of my favorite rooms because of its color...merlot, and it manages to remain clean. You won't find any clutter in this room. Tony and I pretty much painted every room in our house using the wall-magic system, which is an easy way to faux paint. It's a great room for us to host the annual family Christmas. It doesn't get used much, but it sure comes in handy when the family descends from all points in Indiana.

We have an outrageously, unreasonably, out-of-control gargantuan bedroom which doesn't make sense at all considering the amount of time we spend in there. Again, wall-magic peachy colored walls with green accents. The colors make it a very warm room. I don't like it in the very early mornings of spring, however, when the woodpeckers tap into the side of our house mistaking it for a nice big tree. I'd rather not have that 5 am wake-up call.

Okay, yeah, I know this isn't a "thing", but isn't she the cutest mangy dog you've ever seen?! Meet Bella, our 3 year old baby girl. She's wearing some cool shades on top of her head. Bella Reena is a registered AKC Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier with whom I have a love-hate relationship. Bella has this propensity to find trouble when she's bored or desires attention. Hmmm, sounds like my kids. I can't even begin to count how many flip-flops or other shoes she's destroyed at this point in her young life. Still, I wouldn't trade the family dog for anything...yet!

It's only taken me about a week to get this done! What I noticed about this little project for me is there's not really anything in my house that I consider myself particularly attached to...aside from the pictures that my artist dad gave me. I guess this is a good thing since you can't take it with you! I'm officially tagging anyone who reads this post and desires to put forth the effort. Let me know if you git r done!

Silence IS Golden

You know, I never could understand until recently why my mom continually kept the radio volume low in the car. I mean, you could barely hear it! As teenagers, my siblings and I enjoyed loud music, so we could sing. We'd turn the volume up; she'd turn the volume down. It was a battle which she eventually won since she was driving. During my high school and college years, I studied and slept with the music playing. When I drove, music resonated from the radio the entire time. Today, I can drive across town before I realize I can barely hear the CD that's playing.

I have finally figured out this strange phenomenon. SEVERAL years older and three kids later, two of which are teenagers with blaring music blasting in their own rooms and one who consistently uses her outdoor voice indoors, noise abounds all.the.time. Even I have been known to boom some Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir or TobyMac from time to time. However, I must now admit to belong to the crowd who enjoys more serenity, stillness, peace.

A few days ago, the 24 hour creeping crud attacked, and I spent some time before the golden white throne and laying on the couch. I know, too much information. The school bus whisked the noisemakers off to school, and quiet abounded. I dozed, caught up on my One Year Bible reading and sipped Sprite. Despite being sick, it was glorious. No TV, no radio, no noise except the sound of my breathing. My husband called around lunch time to inform me he was coming home to take care of me. So sweet, so kind. Gee, I hope he doesn't expect me to talk 'cause for once (everyone take note because this NEVER happens), I don't feel like conversing. He bebops in the door, begins heating up the Chicken Noodle soup and flips the radio on! My low blood pressure began to rise. Alas, my perfectly, quiet day broken by the push of a button.

Fast forward to last night. Our youngest, who is always with us like the poor Jesus talks about in the Bible, attended her first birthday party sleep-over. Believe me when I say that ALL of us were excited for her night out! She kept telling us that she would miss us. Yeah, right! At dinner that evening, with Tony, the teens and Nick's girlfriend, it was unusually quiet. No outbursts, no interruptions, no incessant talking during dinner. We enjoyed normal, pleasant conversation. What a difference that one loud child makes. The family movie? No child hopping from person to person's lap, no talking during the movie, no asking for ice cream in the middle of if. And, bedtime? What a delightfully, silent experience. No cajoling, bribing, threatening those teens to get some shut-eye. No begging and pleading for them to hurry up and get their teeth brushed and go potty. Everyone, just simply hugged, performed their nightly rituals and went to bed.

Today, 9:30 am, Maddie burst through the door, fresh from the party, in all her glory ready to divulge all the delights of the birthday celebration. Silence flees. Stillness ceases. Quiet escapes. Noise reigns once again! And, right this very second as I click this keys? Blessed peace lives again. Tony whisked Maddie away to a bowling fundraiser. As he left, he remarked, "Well, you have the day to yourself!" I can almost hear a pin drop...Oh, how I love the quiet.

Moms Just Wanna Be Fun

I have a new goal...to be more fun! Apparently, I used to be fun, and now I've lost my fun-ness...according to the Drama Queen, aka Maddie.

After church on Sunday, with just DQ (drama queen) and Alix in tow, I had to swing into the gas station since we were running on fumes. Immediately, DQ badgers, "Can we go to Subway? I'm hungry!" Allow me to interject at this time that ANYTIME Maddie sees a fast food joint, she is instantly hungry, EVEN if she just ate.

Me: No, we are not going to Subway.

DQ: (whining) Please???? I'm REALLY hungry.

I ignored her, got out of the car, set the gas to pumping and slid back in the car to stay warm. These Indiana temperatures are way to frigid for me to stand in the cold waiting for the tank to fill. While waiting in the car, incessant pestering continues.

DQ: MOM, look there's China Wok, Subway and Wendy's. We can go to any of those places.

Me: What about grilled cheese and ham at home?

DQ: NO, I don't want to go home to eat. C'mon, we can go to Wendy's. Mom, you're not fun anymore. You used to be fun.

Apparently, fun is equated with taking your children to eat unhealthy fast food. Well, that was all it took for me. I finished pumping gas, climbed back in the driver seat and promptly headed for the Wendy's drive thru. I NEVER want to be accused of not being fun.

Stirred Hearts

I am a church girl...practically born and raised on the second row pew of an Assemblies of God church. Actually, my parents began their relationship with Jesus when I was two-years-old, but ever since that time, they took us kids to church pretty much every time the doors were open. These were the days of revival meetings...as my 7-year-old would say, "Back in the day." She's always curious if certain things occurred "back in the day".

Our family would plant ourselves in our pew, specially reserved for the Weston family during evangelistic meetings and missionary meetings from Sunday through Wednesday nights. Altar calls were definitely an integral part of the evening when many would venture forward to begin a relationship with Jesus, recommit their lives to Christ or answer a call upon their lives. Of course, I felt "called" at every meeting to be a missionary, whether it was to Europe or South America. I do remember specifically asking God NOT to call me to Africa. It was my greatest fear that God would somehow make me go to that scary place.

The special offering for the evangelist or missionary was also imperative. As a teenager and young adult, this offering time pulled at my heart strings. I was always stirred to give in order to help whatever project for which they were raising money. Perhaps this was partly due to the influence of my parents. No matter who was preaching, even the most boring speaker (yes, some of those sermons caused a few eyes to shut), my mom and dad always gave something. They desired to be part of something larger than their sphere of influence. This act of generosity prompted in me the same desires to have an impact on a grander scale. While I'm not in Africa or another country, God can still use the gifts I give to reach out to those who need His touch in their lives.

Last week, I had one of these "aha" moments as I read some verses in Exodus that convey God's instructions to Moses regarding the building of the tabernacle. Not exactly action-packed passages, but I saw things in a different light than ever before. Exodus 35:21 states, "All whose hearts were stirred and whose spirits were moved came and brought their sacred offerings to the LORD..." The verses following that state, "Both men and women came, all whose hearts were willing..." "All the women who were willing used their skills to spin the goat hair into yarn..." And, "So the people of Israel--every man and woman who was eager to help in the work the LORD had given them through Moses--brought their gifts and gave them freely to the LORD." Finally, "Their contributions were more than enough to complete the whole project."

God has not gifted me in the area of spinning goat hair into yarn; although, I don't mind at all shopping for anything made out of goat hair. Actually, I can't think of anything currently in my closet created with goat hair. YET, God does stir my heart to give. Sometimes, however, I don't act upon that Holy Spirit nudge. And, guess what? It goes away. I ignore it, and the desire leaves. Have you ever had that occur in your life? A time in which you felt prompted to give money or use your gifts and ignored it?

Tony and I have pounded this conversation to death. He wants to mull it over, chew on it, ponder it...whether to give to a certain project, and I want to write a million dollar check right now! Of course, I don't have a million dollars to give, but my desire is that strong. Tony wants to consider the needs around us and make a prayerful decision regarding where our dollars are best used. There's no right or wrong here. In fact, I believe there's room for both actions. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, Paul says, "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

God seems to use more than one means to accomplish his work. He moves our hearts to give as we see the needs around us, and he desires us to choose to give certain decided amounts joyfully! Perhaps this is the difference between the tithe and other special offerings. Tony and I have made a conscious decision regarding our tithe amount; however, other gifts we can give as we see the immediate needs around us. I don't know about you, but almost every day we get requests in the mail for donations to various needy organizations. I desire to help many of them, but I also want to be a good steward of the money God has given us. We find ourselves caught in a crossfire of local, national and international pleas for help.

What's the answer? God will direct you differently than he does our family. However, a couple of things crop up in my mind as I consider this. First, I must not ignore the stirring of my spirit to give. I need to act on what is most likely the Holy Spirit prompting me. The amount is insignificant; that I give...is. Secondly, God does urge me to carefully consider what I give. I need to make choices where to give on all levels. As a husband and wife, Tony and I decide together the people or organizations we should support. This is challenging because we both have strong opinions about where our dollars can best be used. We do agree that we want to support the outreaches in our local community first and foremost.

Praying about where to give is essential. I can't claim to have heard an audible voice from God on this, but I do know that many times, His answers to our "where shall we give" prayer are the needs right in front of our faces. In addition, God wants us to be generous givers with whatever he has given us. I can't help but relate back to the Israelites in Exodus. When they gave, their contributions were MORE than enough to complete the whole project. In fact, Moses commanded them to stop giving. "And so the people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work." Just think what could be accomplished if our hearts were stirred and our spirits moved to give, and we actually brought our gifts to the LORD!

A Love Worth Celebrating

Not everyone loves Valentine's Day. For many who are single or in unhappy relationships, this day is not on their top ten list of holidays to celebrate. At one point, I was in that same boat...before Mr. Pancake Man entered my life! He's brought joy, laughter and fun, obviously. Even more, this love of my life is my best friend with whom I share everything...my joys, my sorrows and my longings.

Things I love about my man:

1. He loves me for who I am, flaws and all (and I have many).

2. He loves to hang out with me (even just sitting on the couch to watch the Colts or IU play).

3. He loves all our kids (including his two stepkids). Oh, I admire him so much on this one!!

4. He loves his Savior and is constantly working on being a better man of God. There's nothing better than seeing him reading his Bible!

5. He loves to travel.

6. He looks good in a tank top (I know that's more shallow, but he is one good-lookin' hunk).

7. He plays on my blondeness often (this isn't difficult to do).

8. He cries with me during movies. (what a manly thing to do.)

9. He cares about what I think about everything (and I mean e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g.)

10.He's always happy to see me at the end of the day!

Most days I count my blessings at having this unbelievable man in my life. That may sound incredibly sappy, but you'd have to know my history...you know, BEFORE Tony and AFTER Tony. For many years, I was so envious of other couple's relationships. They had something I didn't have and longed for. When God brought Tony into my life, I experienced true love beyond what I ever imagined. In fact, I remember one day asking my mom if she saw any red flags to please tell me. "No, Annette, he's your soulmate," she responded. Wow. That was so big to me coming from my mother.

(Niagara Falls)

Sure, we argue. Yes, we don't always agree. Many times I do get aggravated when he leaves the jelly jar out or forgets to tell me that he has a meeting and won't be home until late. But, in the big scheme of things...our love and commitment to one another...those things don't matter a hill of beans. He tells me every day how much he loves me and often says to the kids, "Isn't your mother beautiful?" To which they roll their eyes and murmur, "Whatever." If I happen to be cooking, he's always complimentary. When I try new recipes that he's not fond of, he gently asks, "Do you like this?" The kids just gripe and say, "Oooo, what is this? Have we eaten it before?" I would honestly have to say that he is much nicer than I am.

So on this lovey dovey (mmm...makes me think of dove dark chocolate) day, I celebrate my wonderful, crazy Mr. Pancake Man who loves me inspite of myself!

Unbelievably Scandalous Behavior

Remember that little book I was reading to Maddie? The one about s.e.x? If you are totally confused, scroll down a couple of posts to get the gist of what I am about to relay next.

Maddie, apparently, decided it was "share" day at Sunday School yesterday. As I was attempting to put her name tag on for her class, she would not take her coat off so I could apply it to her shirt. I mistakenly thought she was cold and wanted to keep her coat on longer. So, I told her to just open up her coat, so I could slip on her name tag. She didn't want to. "I'll just take it and put it on myself." I insisted on putting it on her, and lo and behold...if she wasn't hiding the book, Where Do Babies Come From?, underneath her coat! My little, sneaky daughter was preparing to share with her friends, Hope, Ashley AND Daxton, all about the birds and the bees. And, yes, the book does contain pictures of a boy's and girl's body parts. Not a good thing to share in Sunday School. I believe she realized that it was inappropriate since she was sneaking the contraband in her coat.

You know that security line you stand in at the airport? Perhaps we need to have a security checkpoint before entering Sunday School so that any questionable material can be confiscated. I can just picture children having to remove everything from their pockets...rocks, gum wrappers, toy rings, coins...before they can come through the doors. Suspicious looking kids like Maddie will get patted down and have to remove their shoes and coats just in case they've stashed inappropriate objects in order to influence innocent children.

In any case, I'm so thankful to have avoided the scandal Maddie could've caused had she succeeded in her endeavors. Is it possible that she might have been kicked out of Sunday School? I'm not quite sure what sort of punishment one gets for bringing an s.e.x. book to the Kindergarten/First grade class. I hope to never find out, either. You can be sure that I'LL be patting her down before we get in the car each week!

Drama Queen Turns 7!

Seven years ago today, Maddie entered this universe with a "take over the world" mentality, an energy that outruns the energizer bunny and an "all the world's a stage and I'm in the center of it" attitude. She's still going, and we're all running to keep up with her! If I was lulled to sleep by my older two compliant children, I am wide awake now attempting to stay one step ahead of this spunky, life of the party last born.

Maddie was born in Silverdale, Washington, although we wisked her out of there to Indiana when she was 5 weeks old. So, basically, she's a true red-necked Hoosier girl! Although, we're teachin' her to talk right proper English! No offense to our former neighbors who "growed up" here in Indiana! (Not jokin' about that one either.)

(Maddie...days old!)

It's amazing to me that Maddie is now the same age that Alix was (7) when she was born. Nick was 10, and both kids were ecstatic to be at the hospital when Maddie arrived. Since I had an emergency C-section, they couldn't be in the room, but as you can see...they loved her from the beginning and spoiled her with attention nonstop. Perhaps that's why she believes the world revolves around her!

Madisen Jolynn, unlike big sister Alix, could play dolls and Barbies for hours. The Barbies would always get married or have boyfriends; the dolls were her children and seemed to always have a babysitter watching them so mommy could go to meetings. Don't know why the mommy was always going to meetings! Almost every single night for years, she would marry her daddy after he arrived home from work. After donning her Cinderella dress, Maddie and Tony would march downstairs for the wedding ceremony, get hitched and come back up the stairs as my mom! It was all a little like Freaky Friday every night.

(Maddie...1 1/2 years)

This strong-willed, "knows what she wants" girl has thrown her fits, but she also lives life to the fullest...full of affection, fun and mega-energy. I'd love to bottle that energy up and drink it, so I could make it through the afternoon sleepies! Maddie's sensitivity to God and pleasing Him gives me so much joy. Even when she gets into trouble, which happens quite often, and loses self-control, which is a huge issue, she is quick to ask for forgiveness before we "officially" discuss her poor behavior. It never fails to happen that while we are seriously engaged in a discussion that she begins cracking jokes and attempting to be funny. Her philosophy must be "life's too short to be serious".

(Maddie at Grandpa and Grandma Weston's house...summer 2007)

Maddie started gymnastics when she was 4 1/2, largely influenced by her big sister, and loves to compete. She doesn't really understand much about the scoring of the sport, so currently her goal is to have fun chatting with the other gymnasts while waiting her turn! At one of her first meets, she was in the bathroom between events and said in front of all the girls present, "Mom, I think I'm going to get 1st place all-around!" Nothing like a little humility. It would've been nice to be an invisible mom at that point! Perhaps she thought if she was the first to claim it, the place was hers.

(Maddie competing on floor, January 2008)

I heard Maddie's teacher say one day as I was helping in her class, "Maddie, that's enough drama!" Yes, THE drama queen resides at my house...singing, acting and loudly misbehaving. One night I actually banned her from talking during dinner because Tony and I could not have a conversation without her interjecting something or talking loudly to herself. Her attempts to distract and annoy were foiled. A few times she tried making some small squeaks, but mean mommy gave her the look! And, I threatened her with not being able to come with me to watch Alix cheer, and that was the final ticket. Her life is socializing, flitting about, talking with anyone who will give her the time of day. Not go to the basketball game where there might be friends to hang out with? She didn't dare lose that opportunity!

(The 7-year-old Birthday Girl)

Celebrating Maddie's birthday has been a true feat this year. While I won't go into the nitty gritty of our schedule, I will relate that there was not one single night we could find near her big day that all 5 of us could be together. Between sports and other outside activities, we worked out a party in stages. Yesterday, schools were closed for a staff work day, so we planned a birthday lunch at Applebee's. The night before, Tony remembered that he had a big luncheon to attend in which he sponsored a table. Thus, he bagged out on us, and the 3 kids and I partied alone. That evening, we allowed Maddie to open her presents with a different set of four people present. Today, after I took cookies and juice to her 1st grade classroom, Maddie opened grandma and grandpa's presents with another combination of four. And, on the evening of her birthday? Well, it's just Maddie and me. The others had people to see and places to be. In a little bit, I'll put together a gourmet birthday meal of macaroni and cheese or hot dogs, whichever nutritious meal Maddie chooses.

(Maddie and her special request 'ice cream cake')

Two birthday traditions we established long ago were the birthday person gets to choose the restaurant in which they would like to eat and the type of cake they desire. Our family is not a huge fan of the traditional cake. Typically, we all eat one piece and the rest of the cake rots. We are avid fans of ice cream around here. Most nights, a bowl of Moose Tracks or Cookie Dough or Cookies and Cream or any other chocolately concoction is consumed by all...except for Tony, who is boring and enjoys plain old Vanilla Bean. Occasionally, I've purchased an ice cream cake for birthdays, which pretty much ensures complete consumption by everyone. This year, however, I created my own delectable ice cream cake dessert. I'm certainly not counting, but I believe Nick had three helpings. The recipe is listed below in case you'd like to try it for your own celebrations!

Easy Celebration Ice Cream Cake

24 Oreo Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

1 pt. strawberry ice cream, softened

2 c. thawed Cool Whip Whipped Topping, divided

1 pt. chocolate ice cream, softened

2 T. chocolate fudge sauce

Line 9-inch round cake pan with plastic wrap. Place 14 whole cookies around edge of pan Crush remaining cookies; place crumbs on bottom of pan, reserving 1/2 cup. Spread strawberry ice cream over crumbs; top with 1 cup of the whipped topping and remaining crumbs. Top with chocolate ice cream.

Freeze 4 hours or overnight. Remove from pan by lifting plastic wrap; carefully peel off plastic wrap. Let stand 10 minutes. Top with remaining 1 cup whipped topping and drizzle with chocolate sauce. Makes 14 servings.

Though this momentous golden birthday...7 on the 7th...is almost over, the years of celebrating Maddie will continue. We may have our days (and sometimes weeks on end) of challenge with this headstrong child, but I would not trade one of them for a million compliant children. First of all, I'd be insane with a million kids no matter how obedient. Secondly, the spark that Maddie brings to any situation, the humor that pours forth from her lips, the humongous arms-and-legs-wrapping hugs, the sweet and honest prayers to her Savior outweigh any spontaneous thoughts of boarding school. I believe we're going to keep her!

Happy birthday to God's marvelous, magnificent, masterpiece...Maddie.

All About the Birds and the Bees

Recently, I begin reading to Maddie the book Where Do Babies Come From?, which is one book from the new Learning About Sex series. Each Christian-based book is geared towards different ages. This particular book is for 6-8 year-olds. Maddie saw a picture of a pregnant mommy which showed the baby inside of her and displayed the area where the baby comes out. I watched her face grow more and more confused as she compared the size of the baby's head with the size of the birth canal. Finally, she blurted out, "Uh, Mom, that baby's head is too big to come out there!" I then had to explain that it does get bigger when it's time for the baby to be born.

Me: But, that's not how you were born, Maddie. I had a C-section with you.

Maddie: What's a C-section?

Me: That's when you have a surgery and the doctor takes the baby out. I didn't have a C-section with Nick and Alix.

Maddie: I know...they came out the pipe!

Hmm...I guess in the book, it DOES sort of look like a pipe. We may need to have a few more discussions about this topic, I'm thinking. Just as long as she doesn't go to school and start telling her friends about the "pipe", we'll be ok.