It's Sunday...time for church. I can remember longing for the day that I could walk into church with my family. You know, hand in hand, all smiles and ready to worship my Abba. The children get ready so dutiful and quickly. Once they crossed the threshhold of the church they would enter a state of awe and worship of the Risen King.
Of course I had these wackey thoughts when I was single and I would often arrive early to church because I had plenty of time in the mornings. I also enjoyed seeing everyone and hearing all the blessings of the week.
Today, however, Jesus met me in a very real place. I'm tired, exhausted is more like it. I've heard the chatter, whinning, laughing (oh the joyful laughing!!), and demands of little voices all week. My body aches from leaping over baby gates blocking us from the free world at every turn of our house. I have voices in my head. Not the call-my-shrink kind of voices...my brain is about 12 hours behind in processing everything said in my house so I'm still hearing Sarah discuss the reasons why she should stay in her bed last night.
I've fallen asleep on my Jesus's lap more times than I've visited with him lately. So when I woke up today feeling completely unable to crawl out of the bed I looked up and saw Him. When the guilt of telling my 4 yr old that I was going to stay home with Jesus today felt too big...He calmed me. Better to have 2 hours of silence with Him, than 2 hours of chaos trying to get to Him.
I treasure my days of singleness. I was blessed to know that the uninterrupted time I spent with Him would not last forever. I always felt like I didn't have enough wells to fill up with the Living Water He poured on me and I was aware enough to try to gather. I knew one day it would be all I could do to crawl in His lap for just a few minutes and stay awake to say "thank you, Lord". And He would say "Drink, my child."
I am at the feet of Jesus today...in silent worship to a God who hears my heart.
I am thankful for every aching bone in my body, and for that which caused the aches.
I am thankful for every word and sound coming out of my babies' mouths.
And I am thankful to Ceadermont Kids and Jesus for being my House Church lately. :)
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
Defending her title...."Biggest Fish"
Father's Day weekend. It was time for the 2nd annual Father/child fishing tournament. Sarah won "biggest fish" last year and brought home all kinds of goodies, including a brand new "real" fishing pole.
So the stakes were high this time. She opted to use her lucky Barbie pole. And she won again!!! (although I don't think the competition was exactly a large field of players.) But still, she brought home another pole so now the whole family can go fishin'! Actually, I only cast and reel. But so what.
Here is a picture of Sarah holding one of her catches...a cat fish, I think. It's the first time she has held one. (which is ahead of me, by the way). And the other picture is the "giant" prize-winning fish. I'm afraid losing next year could be a major let down. :)
So the stakes were high this time. She opted to use her lucky Barbie pole. And she won again!!! (although I don't think the competition was exactly a large field of players.) But still, she brought home another pole so now the whole family can go fishin'! Actually, I only cast and reel. But so what.
Here is a picture of Sarah holding one of her catches...a cat fish, I think. It's the first time she has held one. (which is ahead of me, by the way). And the other picture is the "giant" prize-winning fish. I'm afraid losing next year could be a major let down. :)
Let's discuss child-proofing....
What I've learned is that the definition of child-proofing changes from child to child. And most of the gadgets are born out of some parent saying "I can't believe you thought to play with that." or when "watch where you are going" falls on deaf ears.
I put one measly cabinet lock on for Sarah and only did that because "they" told me to. After 1 I decided we'd just wait and see where her wandering eyes took her and be proactive that way. I never did any other child-proofing after that. She never showed interest in the light sockets, never went to the cabinet with cleaning products, never thought to stand on anything to get up anywhere. Never considered the fireplace as a play area...the blinds were always what kept the sun out...and the driveway was what we walked on. Never climbed out of the crib no matter how mad she was (which, considering how many times an hour she gets out of bed now, is a miracle). You get the picture. "Easy" is the last word I would use to describe Sarah, but she's practical if nothing else.
Enter Sophie.
Buy stock in SafetyFirst...we're about to buy them out.
Sophie has shown amazing interest in a career in electrical engineering. (Must buy outlet covers.)
Or perhaps a rather Monk-ish technique in quality control. (I can't seem to convince her not to lick the bricks on the fireplace or put her tongue on the driveway.)
She might dabble in deep-sea diving as a hobby. (She lunges into the deep water in pools and doesn't believe water in her lungs is a problem to be solved by keeping her head above the water.)
If it looks to heavy to pick up it should at least be attempted.
Window blinds? oh my. Let's see...she's tried to climb them. Eat them. Stick her head in them. And of course, chew on the strings with the little choking hazard attached at the end. (See illustration below)
Yes...each child is indeed different. It's not like I wanted to rest or anything. :)
I put one measly cabinet lock on for Sarah and only did that because "they" told me to. After 1 I decided we'd just wait and see where her wandering eyes took her and be proactive that way. I never did any other child-proofing after that. She never showed interest in the light sockets, never went to the cabinet with cleaning products, never thought to stand on anything to get up anywhere. Never considered the fireplace as a play area...the blinds were always what kept the sun out...and the driveway was what we walked on. Never climbed out of the crib no matter how mad she was (which, considering how many times an hour she gets out of bed now, is a miracle). You get the picture. "Easy" is the last word I would use to describe Sarah, but she's practical if nothing else.
Enter Sophie.
Buy stock in SafetyFirst...we're about to buy them out.
Sophie has shown amazing interest in a career in electrical engineering. (Must buy outlet covers.)
Or perhaps a rather Monk-ish technique in quality control. (I can't seem to convince her not to lick the bricks on the fireplace or put her tongue on the driveway.)
She might dabble in deep-sea diving as a hobby. (She lunges into the deep water in pools and doesn't believe water in her lungs is a problem to be solved by keeping her head above the water.)
If it looks to heavy to pick up it should at least be attempted.
Window blinds? oh my. Let's see...she's tried to climb them. Eat them. Stick her head in them. And of course, chew on the strings with the little choking hazard attached at the end. (See illustration below)
Yes...each child is indeed different. It's not like I wanted to rest or anything. :)
Sunday, June 15, 2008
I never want to forget...
Sarah has a blankie and she has the sweetest way of holding it between her fingers just right so that the corner of the silky part is....well, it's hard to explain. And that's why I realized I should have gotten a picture 3 yrs ago. She still does it the same way...but she finds the spot sooner (it's usually the corner by the picture) and she notices the camera now too. :)
So, when I noticed Sophie had her "thing" too I got a picture. She prefers the fuzzy (oh so soft) side of her blankie (sarah likes the silky side of hers) and she holds the same spot each time.
Before we got her but after realizing the bond a girl (and her mom) can have to a blankie, I spent countless bucks on finding the perfect blankie. I think I had about 6 that went to China with me to see which one "clicked". It's funny, I can't even remember right now which one she used most...because we actually found "blankie" at our hometown WalMart in a moment of desperation.
We were home a week or so...Sarah was at school and Sophie and Mommy were at WalMart. Let's just say, Sophie doesn't seem to have that natural bent towards strolling around WalMart that her mommy does. Anyway...we hadn't even hit the "grocery side" yet (I do tend to tarry every where else) when she was ready to go! She was tired. I was too, just too numb to feel it. So I rushed to the baby section and grabbed a yummy feeling blankie, yanked off the tags, and soothed a tired new American to sleep in the cart. About a week later, same situation, same location...grrrrr...didn't bring the blankie! Aggghhhh, but it's WalMart! Back to the same section and grab the identical blankie and oooooo la la...HAPPY BABY. Blankie was born.
Now we had one that never left the crib and one that stayed in the car. I have always had a comfy feeling knowing that Blankie was in the baby section if anything ever went wrong. One day, I even sprang for the "full size" version. (Blankie is about 10"x10") Now, she won't fall asleep in her crib without both. I just found that out today though, when the full-size version was in the dryer. She was in there chattering like a mad Chinese woman (it's a very distinct sound, if you've never heard it), so I thought "could it be the big blankie is missing?" (she had the smaller one). Sure enough, I brought it in and she sighed (also a very distinct sound of Sophie's to indicate life is good). And she fell asleep.
Oh yeah....here's where I was going with this...I was in WalMart (alone finally) yesterday and was cruising through picking up formula when what to my startled eyes did appear!!!!!??? AAAGGGGGHHHHH Blankie on CLEARANCE!!!! Desperation overtook me...I fah-reaked out...no, not blankie! I grabbed one, you know, just in case. I tried to move. I couldn't. I grabbed another one. CLEARANCE, PEOPLE, CLEARANCE. Price was not the issue here...any mom knows what I mean. I left the isle, only to turn around and grab, yes, another! Ok..chill mom. I have 3 extra blankies in my cart and I'm still paralyzed in fear that I'll never see them again. I check the remaining. Geezzzzz Louise...there are 4. I seriously can not buy 7 blankies...that's just insane. Sarah has survived with her 1 precious Carter's blankie. I did it, I left 4 hanging there. But I admit, I'll check again when I go next week.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Let's travel back in time, shall we?
I have no idea how to catch you all up to speed! Although I see that my youngest has given it a try! *wink*
I can't believe I haven't even posted Sophie's birthday yet! It was only a month ago, but it seems like forever. Even the differences in her in a month are amazing.
Here she is enjoying her first piece of cake.
And this is all the damage she did to her piece...stunning really...she's actually quite a fan of yummilicious sugary stuff now....
(grrrrrr...I have no time to mess with formats of pictures...forgive the mess)
She had her favorite meal for dinner (pastaanything...but we call it Mom's Best Lasagna) and then had cake and ice cream. The ice cream was a bit shocking at first, but now that she understands cold=good...she won't let ice cream go untouched by her hands.
She got a car...picture the Flinstones...you know where your feet make you go...she'll either learn to go forward on her own or get her ankle broken while we teach her. I think she's just distracted by that cool horn. Oh, and fyi...her gas is cheaper than your gas. teehee
And she also got some more Signing Times videos. Let me just say...this sign language thing has been SOOOOOOO fun!!! She is able to ask for stuff I would have never EVER known she was asking for. And her whole world cracked open when she learned the sign for "shoes". To her, if you have shoes on you are going outside. This morning she woke up and her first sign to me was "shoes"...and made a bee-line for them. I would have been a little hurt that it was my usual kisses greeting me, but I was so blown away by her being able to tell me something like that...I took the kisses later!
And she also signed "Mama" a couple of times...it was like hearing Mama for the first time! Sooooo cool! So Nicki, if you are reading this....get Signing Times!!
She knows about 20 signs, but consistantly uses those common to her world. Dog, cat, bird, please, milk, water (she's trying anyway...but I always recognize her version of it...I guess like any baby talk, you know how they "say" it.), more (her most common word!), and once told me she was sleepy. I tell you, I'm sold! All 3 of us girls have had so much fun with it that we hope to keep learning.
Here are some other Mayish pics I thought you'd enjoy...of Sophie, Sarah is next.
At the time this was taken we hadn't started signing yet...so now it's an even more telling picture. This was taken on her first walk across the living room...all to bring me my shoe! Who knew how significant shoes would be to her!?
This is her in her early days of pigtails. :) They've come a long way in a month...just wait and see.
I can't believe I haven't even posted Sophie's birthday yet! It was only a month ago, but it seems like forever. Even the differences in her in a month are amazing.
Here she is enjoying her first piece of cake.
And this is all the damage she did to her piece...stunning really...she's actually quite a fan of yummilicious sugary stuff now....
(grrrrrr...I have no time to mess with formats of pictures...forgive the mess)
She had her favorite meal for dinner (pastaanything...but we call it Mom's Best Lasagna) and then had cake and ice cream. The ice cream was a bit shocking at first, but now that she understands cold=good...she won't let ice cream go untouched by her hands.
She got a car...picture the Flinstones...you know where your feet make you go...she'll either learn to go forward on her own or get her ankle broken while we teach her. I think she's just distracted by that cool horn. Oh, and fyi...her gas is cheaper than your gas. teehee
And she also got some more Signing Times videos. Let me just say...this sign language thing has been SOOOOOOO fun!!! She is able to ask for stuff I would have never EVER known she was asking for. And her whole world cracked open when she learned the sign for "shoes". To her, if you have shoes on you are going outside. This morning she woke up and her first sign to me was "shoes"...and made a bee-line for them. I would have been a little hurt that it was my usual kisses greeting me, but I was so blown away by her being able to tell me something like that...I took the kisses later!
And she also signed "Mama" a couple of times...it was like hearing Mama for the first time! Sooooo cool! So Nicki, if you are reading this....get Signing Times!!
She knows about 20 signs, but consistantly uses those common to her world. Dog, cat, bird, please, milk, water (she's trying anyway...but I always recognize her version of it...I guess like any baby talk, you know how they "say" it.), more (her most common word!), and once told me she was sleepy. I tell you, I'm sold! All 3 of us girls have had so much fun with it that we hope to keep learning.
Here are some other Mayish pics I thought you'd enjoy...of Sophie, Sarah is next.
At the time this was taken we hadn't started signing yet...so now it's an even more telling picture. This was taken on her first walk across the living room...all to bring me my shoe! Who knew how significant shoes would be to her!?
This is her in her early days of pigtails. :) They've come a long way in a month...just wait and see.
A letter from Sophie
Dear viewing public,
This is Sophie. I am supposed to be in bed sleeping but I had to tell you what happened to Mommy!!! You may be aware that I turned 1 a month ago...I'm 13 months old now, but who's counting, right? Well, I started walking the day before my birthday and do you know what? Man! It really cuts down on travel time. Just this week I started doing a light jog to try to work off some of this baby fat off of my legs and holy cow! I had no idea how that could speed things along!
What happened to Mommy? Oh, yeah. Well, I think my sister and I are running her ragged...what ever that means. She says that a lot though.
Sarah talks a lot...maybe that's why Mommy is teaching me sign language. hmmmmmmm
Ugh oh...Mommy's on the move...just wanted to let everyone know that I didn't eat her...yet. teehee And if the computer doesn't freak out again, Mommy has a lot to tell you.
Like:
Sarah meeting the Prima Ballerina at ballet camp.
Sarah defending and reclaiming her title of "Biggest Fish" at the fishing tournament.
Me and Little Bear having a snack.
Giggles
Child Safety
You know...stuff.
Hugs and kisses!
Sophie
This is Sophie. I am supposed to be in bed sleeping but I had to tell you what happened to Mommy!!! You may be aware that I turned 1 a month ago...I'm 13 months old now, but who's counting, right? Well, I started walking the day before my birthday and do you know what? Man! It really cuts down on travel time. Just this week I started doing a light jog to try to work off some of this baby fat off of my legs and holy cow! I had no idea how that could speed things along!
What happened to Mommy? Oh, yeah. Well, I think my sister and I are running her ragged...what ever that means. She says that a lot though.
Sarah talks a lot...maybe that's why Mommy is teaching me sign language. hmmmmmmm
Ugh oh...Mommy's on the move...just wanted to let everyone know that I didn't eat her...yet. teehee And if the computer doesn't freak out again, Mommy has a lot to tell you.
Like:
Sarah meeting the Prima Ballerina at ballet camp.
Sarah defending and reclaiming her title of "Biggest Fish" at the fishing tournament.
Me and Little Bear having a snack.
Giggles
Child Safety
You know...stuff.
Hugs and kisses!
Sophie
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