I have never been a huge fan of the story of Samson. I mean it seemed more like a story for guys - big strong man, fighting battles and defeating enemies with his bare hands, falling in love with a woman he shouldn't, etc. And it was always a kind of sad story about how he was deceived, didn't realize that the Spirit had left him, and was finally captured by the enemy. He had his eyes put out and was ridiculed by the people he had previously caused to tremble just by saying his name. (Side note, this reminds me of the hyenas in The Lion King movie.....Mufasa!). Samson's final act was to destroy the enemy but he lost his life in doing so. What a story, right?
However, several months ago when the story of Samson was being taught in Sunday School, something jumped out at me like it never has before. In two or three different places in the story of Samson before he begins his role as "judge" it speaks of the Spirit of God moving in him or stirring within him. Before it was time for him to actually step into his destiny, his place, his purpose in God's will, the Spirit began to work in his life. It began to stir within him. What did this feel like?
Well, I've often pondered if it felt like the restless feeling I've had within me for months now. A restless...can't quite put your finger on it....a yearning of the heart and soul....a longing to do something more. Is that what Samson felt? Did he feel like the Nazarite vow had some more purposeful meaning? Had his mother told him the story of the angel appearing to them foretelling of Samson's birth and how he was to be raised? Did he often lay awake at night trying to figure out why he was called to this life? And wonder when he might know why he was called?
This restless feeling in the Spirit could be worrisome if I dwelt on it. However, I'm choosing to keep my thoughts re-focused so that it is not about me and who I am in God's plan and when I'm supposed to take my destined spot in His plan or where that might be exactly. I'm choosing to focus on Him as my Father who is teaching me, Him as a Potter who is molding me, Him as a Faithful Friend who is always with me. I choose to focus on Him as Creator, Designer, and Sovereign God who knows how to raise up kings and kingdoms and bring them down at the exact times they should be. I accept this restless feeling as a way to keep me from being too comfortable where I am so that I will be ready to move when He calls. If I get too comfortable then I will hesitate even more to be obedient. And my greatest desire is to obey Him with all of my life.
Samson....he is one of my new favorite stories. I feel ya, man.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Jonah
Yesterday my oldest child turned seven. It is hard to believe that seven years ago that I was in labor in a hospital room not knowing if I was going to have a little boy or a little girl. And hours later a beautiful baby boy with lots of dark hair weighing 10 lbs 1 oz was put in my arms. He was the most amazing thing I had ever laid my eyes on.
Now, I had the name Jonah picked out since I was in high school. If you don't remember, Jonah is the name of the Tom Hanks' son in the movie Sleepless in Seattle. When Jason and I started dating and knew we would marry, I decided to use Jason's middle name which was also his grandfather's name if we had a son. So, the name Jonah Argo for a little boy was a given as soon as I found out I was pregnant. So, when they told me it was a little boy and brought him to me, laid him in my arms, then I had the little Jonah Argo that I had always dreamed of having.
Jonah was such a happy baby. He smiled all of the time and laughed so easily. He loved to be rocked and at times I wondered if the child would ever learn to go to sleep on his own without being rocked. Jonah loved cartoons - Veggie Tales and Wiggles ranked among his favorites. I guess because there was so much singing and he loved to dance. Jonah has had a ball in his hand from the time that he could sit up. There were hours spent with Jonah propped up against the couch and one of us sitting across from him rolling the ball back and forth. And he loved to play with tractors. We had a small toy tractors and lawn mowers that went everywhere with us. He would play with them constantly. I guess it had to do with his daddy having tractors and lawn mowers that Jonah was completely fascinated with them. He loved to ride the tractor or lawn mower with his daddy. He would sit there contentedly forever. It was almost as bad having a tractor for him to play with as it was to have a pacifier.
He has brought so much joy to our lives. He laughs alot and enjoys playing games. Competitive but more with himself than anyone else. Jonah is very family oriented. He loves his parents, grandparents, aunts & uncles, cousins and enjoys spending time with them. And he is such a smart boy. I can remember when he was just a little over 2 years old and he could tell us the directions to go from our house to Pa and Nanny's house or from church back home. He's always loved to color, draw and write. Last year he learned about the internet and how we can get on there and play games. He loves to get on webkinz and play games to earn money and take care of his pets. And in school he just seems to soak up all of the learning. I'm already amazed at the things he can read and how creative he is with his imagination.
Jonah is a very responsible 7 year old. Of course at times he thinks he is much older than he is and believe he can do things without asking. Such as making sandwiches for him and his brother the other afternoon in the kitchen before dinner or going out to the shop to "work" on something for dad. One day he volunteered to mow the yard because he said he knew how to drive the lawn mower already. He is such a great help. You can give him multiple tasks to do and know that he will do it. Remind him to ask the teacher something at school and he certainly will.
Now, I had the name Jonah picked out since I was in high school. If you don't remember, Jonah is the name of the Tom Hanks' son in the movie Sleepless in Seattle. When Jason and I started dating and knew we would marry, I decided to use Jason's middle name which was also his grandfather's name if we had a son. So, the name Jonah Argo for a little boy was a given as soon as I found out I was pregnant. So, when they told me it was a little boy and brought him to me, laid him in my arms, then I had the little Jonah Argo that I had always dreamed of having.
Jonah was such a happy baby. He smiled all of the time and laughed so easily. He loved to be rocked and at times I wondered if the child would ever learn to go to sleep on his own without being rocked. Jonah loved cartoons - Veggie Tales and Wiggles ranked among his favorites. I guess because there was so much singing and he loved to dance. Jonah has had a ball in his hand from the time that he could sit up. There were hours spent with Jonah propped up against the couch and one of us sitting across from him rolling the ball back and forth. And he loved to play with tractors. We had a small toy tractors and lawn mowers that went everywhere with us. He would play with them constantly. I guess it had to do with his daddy having tractors and lawn mowers that Jonah was completely fascinated with them. He loved to ride the tractor or lawn mower with his daddy. He would sit there contentedly forever. It was almost as bad having a tractor for him to play with as it was to have a pacifier.
He has brought so much joy to our lives. He laughs alot and enjoys playing games. Competitive but more with himself than anyone else. Jonah is very family oriented. He loves his parents, grandparents, aunts & uncles, cousins and enjoys spending time with them. And he is such a smart boy. I can remember when he was just a little over 2 years old and he could tell us the directions to go from our house to Pa and Nanny's house or from church back home. He's always loved to color, draw and write. Last year he learned about the internet and how we can get on there and play games. He loves to get on webkinz and play games to earn money and take care of his pets. And in school he just seems to soak up all of the learning. I'm already amazed at the things he can read and how creative he is with his imagination.
Jonah is a very responsible 7 year old. Of course at times he thinks he is much older than he is and believe he can do things without asking. Such as making sandwiches for him and his brother the other afternoon in the kitchen before dinner or going out to the shop to "work" on something for dad. One day he volunteered to mow the yard because he said he knew how to drive the lawn mower already. He is such a great help. You can give him multiple tasks to do and know that he will do it. Remind him to ask the teacher something at school and he certainly will.
And he is a very friendly child. It amazes me that he knows so many teachers and children from his school and he is only in first grade. It is nothing unusual for us to go to Walmart or the grocery store and see someone that speaks to Jonah or that Jonah speaks to. And if he has met them once, then he will forever remember them.
I am so blessed with this wonderful son. What a kid! Happy Birthday Jonah!
I am so blessed with this wonderful son. What a kid! Happy Birthday Jonah!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Moving
Moving is a very interesting process. Each move for us has consisted of three phases.
The first phase in the process is the Cleaning/Selling phase. It consists of going through closets and drawers, totes and boxes looking for items that need to be thrown away or could be sold at the yard sale. Looking at each item asking questions such as- When was the last time I used this? Does this still work? Does this still have all the pieces? Is it still valid (coupons, etc.)? Once you sort through all the places in your house, closet, garage then you look to see what you've accumulated and labeled as "junk" that someone else might find useful and pay you for. Granted, they aren't going to pay you but one-fourth of the price that you paid for it, if you're lucky. However, the yard sale motto is "something is better than nothing".
Once the Cleaning/Selling phase is complete, then you can move on to Packing. This packing phase is typically organized and consists of packing items that you still use but not necessarily on a daily or maybe weekly basis. This is seasonal clothing and holiday decorations. It consists of photo albums, books, pictures, and movies. It is the stuff in the closet that was not deemed junk but remains in the closet. It gets packed neatly in a box. That box is taped and clearly labeled.
However, the closer the moving day comes the quicker you move to the third phase which is PACKING. Now PACKING is different than packing. This is crunch time. Everything must be moved and it must be moved NOW. It does not matter that you are putting books in the same box with your pots and pans. It was all in the kitchen, right? It doesn't matter that part of the box has kids toys and the rest of the box has adult clothing. It all belongs to someone that lives in the house, right? Yep, PACKING is the final phase...the most stressful phase....the phase that almost puts people over the edge and starts them thinking "Why are we moving again?"
Apparently, if I'm typing a blog about moving then I'm obviously in the packing phase and not the PACKING phase. Yes, the boxes I packed last night are taped up, they are like items, and it is clearly labeled. I have about five more weeks to be moved and I'm trying to get things organized and spaced out. I know that the PACKING phase will come but I'm hoping to minimize the effects for me, Jason, and the boys.
The first phase in the process is the Cleaning/Selling phase. It consists of going through closets and drawers, totes and boxes looking for items that need to be thrown away or could be sold at the yard sale. Looking at each item asking questions such as- When was the last time I used this? Does this still work? Does this still have all the pieces? Is it still valid (coupons, etc.)? Once you sort through all the places in your house, closet, garage then you look to see what you've accumulated and labeled as "junk" that someone else might find useful and pay you for. Granted, they aren't going to pay you but one-fourth of the price that you paid for it, if you're lucky. However, the yard sale motto is "something is better than nothing".
Once the Cleaning/Selling phase is complete, then you can move on to Packing. This packing phase is typically organized and consists of packing items that you still use but not necessarily on a daily or maybe weekly basis. This is seasonal clothing and holiday decorations. It consists of photo albums, books, pictures, and movies. It is the stuff in the closet that was not deemed junk but remains in the closet. It gets packed neatly in a box. That box is taped and clearly labeled.
However, the closer the moving day comes the quicker you move to the third phase which is PACKING. Now PACKING is different than packing. This is crunch time. Everything must be moved and it must be moved NOW. It does not matter that you are putting books in the same box with your pots and pans. It was all in the kitchen, right? It doesn't matter that part of the box has kids toys and the rest of the box has adult clothing. It all belongs to someone that lives in the house, right? Yep, PACKING is the final phase...the most stressful phase....the phase that almost puts people over the edge and starts them thinking "Why are we moving again?"
Apparently, if I'm typing a blog about moving then I'm obviously in the packing phase and not the PACKING phase. Yes, the boxes I packed last night are taped up, they are like items, and it is clearly labeled. I have about five more weeks to be moved and I'm trying to get things organized and spaced out. I know that the PACKING phase will come but I'm hoping to minimize the effects for me, Jason, and the boys.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Family Weekend
This being our last weekend before football season starts and every Saturday is booked from now until November, we decided to head out for a night and have some family time. It seems that the only time we are able to really have family time is if we get away. So, we loaded up and headed out of town as soon as Jason got off work on Saturday at noon.
The boys were glad to be away and truthfully so was Jason and I. We've basically been going nonstop for weeks now between football practices, Vacation Bible School, church website meetings & Bible studies, school starting back, Fair Board committee, PTO member for the school, work, home, laundry, selling a house, buying land, yard work, getting ready to build a house, planning a move. What is that old saying, "If you want something done, then give it to someone who is busy." Well, that has been our motto lately.
So, we headed out to just have some family time, some fun with each other and to put everything else out of our minds. And we were pretty successful. We made it to Pigeon Forge and went to the Comedy Barn. It's been many years since the last time that Jason and I went there. We really enjoyed it...laughing until it hurt. The boys weren't all that impressed. It is however as I explained to them - sometimes you do things that you don't necessarily enjoy because someone else in the family does enjoy it. Being the parents, we do that often. I think it was good for our kids to do it once for us. They did think it was silly when Jason got picked to go on stage and be part of a skit. (Got that on DVD by the way!).
After the Comedy Barn we went and rode go-carts. That got rained out but the tickets we purchased are good for any day. Perhaps we'll make it back up there this fall and be able to use them then. On to a lovely dinner where we played Tic-Tac-Toe and other games on the Kids menus. We had a great night sleep then up yesterday morning for a day of fun. While Jason and I got ready as well as bags packed up, the boys played their Nintendo DS games. Then on to breakfast and to Splash Country. This is Riley's most favorite place on earth. Yesterday was not the best day to go to Splash Country from a weather perspective. The sun never really did break through the clouds and it didn't get hot temperature wise either. However, from a crowd perspective it was perfect. We were able to go on the rides without hardly any wait in line. We enjoyed time with the boys talking and being silly. I got lots of pictures of them as they played and swam in the water.
We headed back to Sparta and each napped at different times on the way home. And only one fight in the car....towards the end of a trip....over a DS game. I would like to insert that Jonah took his nap after this fight (must have needed it, huh?). We also stopped in Knoxville and ate at the Mellow Mushroom. I'd eaten there once before but none of them had. It wasn't busy and it was something different for us.
The best thing was the time that we enjoyed just the four of us. All in all...a perfect family weekend.
The boys were glad to be away and truthfully so was Jason and I. We've basically been going nonstop for weeks now between football practices, Vacation Bible School, church website meetings & Bible studies, school starting back, Fair Board committee, PTO member for the school, work, home, laundry, selling a house, buying land, yard work, getting ready to build a house, planning a move. What is that old saying, "If you want something done, then give it to someone who is busy." Well, that has been our motto lately.
So, we headed out to just have some family time, some fun with each other and to put everything else out of our minds. And we were pretty successful. We made it to Pigeon Forge and went to the Comedy Barn. It's been many years since the last time that Jason and I went there. We really enjoyed it...laughing until it hurt. The boys weren't all that impressed. It is however as I explained to them - sometimes you do things that you don't necessarily enjoy because someone else in the family does enjoy it. Being the parents, we do that often. I think it was good for our kids to do it once for us. They did think it was silly when Jason got picked to go on stage and be part of a skit. (Got that on DVD by the way!).
After the Comedy Barn we went and rode go-carts. That got rained out but the tickets we purchased are good for any day. Perhaps we'll make it back up there this fall and be able to use them then. On to a lovely dinner where we played Tic-Tac-Toe and other games on the Kids menus. We had a great night sleep then up yesterday morning for a day of fun. While Jason and I got ready as well as bags packed up, the boys played their Nintendo DS games. Then on to breakfast and to Splash Country. This is Riley's most favorite place on earth. Yesterday was not the best day to go to Splash Country from a weather perspective. The sun never really did break through the clouds and it didn't get hot temperature wise either. However, from a crowd perspective it was perfect. We were able to go on the rides without hardly any wait in line. We enjoyed time with the boys talking and being silly. I got lots of pictures of them as they played and swam in the water.
We headed back to Sparta and each napped at different times on the way home. And only one fight in the car....towards the end of a trip....over a DS game. I would like to insert that Jonah took his nap after this fight (must have needed it, huh?). We also stopped in Knoxville and ate at the Mellow Mushroom. I'd eaten there once before but none of them had. It wasn't busy and it was something different for us.
The best thing was the time that we enjoyed just the four of us. All in all...a perfect family weekend.
Growing
My boys are growing. Literally. And I don't mean just growing up as in Riley starting Kindergarten and Jonah going into the first grade. I mean physically they are growing. And I am seeing signs of it everywhere. Personally, I am just not that happy about it either.
The other morning, Riley was reaching up to a shelf in the bathroom for the toothpaste. I was about to say the words, "Wait a minute and I'll help you" when I realized that Riley was reaching the toothpaste without standing on his toes and leaning. He could reach it by himself.
While shopping for some new school clothes, we bought Jonah a shirt and shorts outfit in a bigger size. I was sure that it would be too big and he would wear it next summer. I was wrong. He wore it last week to school and it fit just fine.
The other morning, Riley was reaching up to a shelf in the bathroom for the toothpaste. I was about to say the words, "Wait a minute and I'll help you" when I realized that Riley was reaching the toothpaste without standing on his toes and leaning. He could reach it by himself.
While shopping for some new school clothes, we bought Jonah a shirt and shorts outfit in a bigger size. I was sure that it would be too big and he would wear it next summer. I was wrong. He wore it last week to school and it fit just fine.
Last weekend while we were at Splash Country Jonah was able to go on two rides that he's not been able to ride before because he wasn't tall enough. And on the tube ride he was tall enough to ride by himself. He even carried his own tube while in line. While Jason and Jonah stopped for a snack, Riley and I went down the Lazy River. He splashed and swam around me. Then he decided to get in a tube and float a little while. He pulled himself in the tube all on his own and laid across it. Then we floated along the river.
Wow.....how did they grow so fast??? And when???
I can only imagine how much they are going to grow this next year!!!
Wow.....how did they grow so fast??? And when???
I can only imagine how much they are going to grow this next year!!!
First Warriors Game
Well, the first Warrior game was last Friday night. And boy were we ready for it! We've been eagerly reading the newspaper all during the off season workouts, the scrimmages, the football camps, etc. to find out how the team was doing. However, the first game is a big test.
Jason, the boys, and I loaded up for dinner at El Tapatio and then off to the first game of the season. Excitement filled the air. We all had on maroon and gray clothing, our Warrior stadium seats, and our parking pass & season passes. We are true Warrior fans! Made it to the stadium about 10 minutes before kick off and was able to talk to some friends. When we walked through the gate, we were handed a card roster along with a full season schedule that was made by a local bank. Very nice. This I can keep up with until I know which number goes with which name.
Jason and I made our way up to our seats. This was the first game that we let both Jonah and Riley go down to another area of the bleachers and sit with some of their friends. Luckily they were in our section just at the bottom. They kept coming up to see us to ask to go to the bathroom, to get something from the concessions, etc. We did have one minor incident. Riley picked up a bottle of the body paint on his way to the concession stand and got it all over the side of his game jersey. So, we had to take off his game jersey and wash it out in the sink. I was so aggravated that he picked up trash off the ground. Why would you pick up trash? Did not get a satisfactory answer on this. Thank goodness that he had on another shirt underneath the jersey. And thank God that the paint came off the jersey. And of course you know that the only time that the Warriors scored, Riley and I were just coming out from under the grandstands. We missed it. Oh well....they will score again this season.
It was showing rain on the radar and the wind was picking up so Riley and I headed to the Tahoe during the third quarter. I had not packed ponchos or an umbrella and was not in the mood to get wet. We listened to the game on the radio and Riley played the Nintendo DS. Jason and Jonah endured and it ended up just barely sprinkling. The location of our parking spot was enough that I could still see the scoreboard and part of the field. I will have to say that the radio announcers did a great job with the game.
This game was the first chance to see what the new head coach and his staff had been working on with the team. Definitely caught glimpses of greatness! I believe it is going to be a good season and we'll watch some exciting games. Go Warriors!!!
Jason, the boys, and I loaded up for dinner at El Tapatio and then off to the first game of the season. Excitement filled the air. We all had on maroon and gray clothing, our Warrior stadium seats, and our parking pass & season passes. We are true Warrior fans! Made it to the stadium about 10 minutes before kick off and was able to talk to some friends. When we walked through the gate, we were handed a card roster along with a full season schedule that was made by a local bank. Very nice. This I can keep up with until I know which number goes with which name.
Jason and I made our way up to our seats. This was the first game that we let both Jonah and Riley go down to another area of the bleachers and sit with some of their friends. Luckily they were in our section just at the bottom. They kept coming up to see us to ask to go to the bathroom, to get something from the concessions, etc. We did have one minor incident. Riley picked up a bottle of the body paint on his way to the concession stand and got it all over the side of his game jersey. So, we had to take off his game jersey and wash it out in the sink. I was so aggravated that he picked up trash off the ground. Why would you pick up trash? Did not get a satisfactory answer on this. Thank goodness that he had on another shirt underneath the jersey. And thank God that the paint came off the jersey. And of course you know that the only time that the Warriors scored, Riley and I were just coming out from under the grandstands. We missed it. Oh well....they will score again this season.
It was showing rain on the radar and the wind was picking up so Riley and I headed to the Tahoe during the third quarter. I had not packed ponchos or an umbrella and was not in the mood to get wet. We listened to the game on the radio and Riley played the Nintendo DS. Jason and Jonah endured and it ended up just barely sprinkling. The location of our parking spot was enough that I could still see the scoreboard and part of the field. I will have to say that the radio announcers did a great job with the game.
This game was the first chance to see what the new head coach and his staff had been working on with the team. Definitely caught glimpses of greatness! I believe it is going to be a good season and we'll watch some exciting games. Go Warriors!!!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
The First Days of School
It's really amazing how less than one week of school and already my boys seem to have grown up so much! First grade and Kindergarten....how can that make such an impact in just a matter of a few days? However, in this short amount of time they seemed to have just "grown up".
Jonah is reading things all of the time, everywhere - signs and papers. And this morning I asked him to write "cheese" on our shopping list. He is quite responsible and very naturally falls into the "big brother" role now that Riley is at school. I was so happy when I pulled up the other day to pick them both up and they were playing together....by choice. Of course they were digging in the dirt but that is completely besides the point.
And Riley....I think he's grown two inches taller in the past week. He already is "getting" school - where to go, when to go, etc. By the second day he told Jason that he didn't have to walk him down to class from the cafeteria. He knew where it was and could go alone. And he is up pretty much first every morning and ready quickly and that has never happened.
As we drove home yesterday afternoon the boys were falling over each other to talk about their day. I learned this, we did this, I made that, we read this, we counted, we played, etc. I hope this enthusiasm continues. Of course the best parts of the day still revolve around recess, lunch and snack time. Jonah thinks that is funny that his teacher posts what they did each day on a webpage. But it makes for more detailed conversations we have about what he is learning and the activities they are doing.
We enjoy packing lunches together in the morning - choosing snacks and drinks, talking about the upcoming day. Thankfully the boys' schedules are similar this year - PE, Library, and Music are all on the same days just different times. This will be a great source of help to mom and dad to make sure tennis shoes are worn on PE days and books are returned to the Library on Wednesday.
We need all of the help we can get.
Jonah is reading things all of the time, everywhere - signs and papers. And this morning I asked him to write "cheese" on our shopping list. He is quite responsible and very naturally falls into the "big brother" role now that Riley is at school. I was so happy when I pulled up the other day to pick them both up and they were playing together....by choice. Of course they were digging in the dirt but that is completely besides the point.
And Riley....I think he's grown two inches taller in the past week. He already is "getting" school - where to go, when to go, etc. By the second day he told Jason that he didn't have to walk him down to class from the cafeteria. He knew where it was and could go alone. And he is up pretty much first every morning and ready quickly and that has never happened.
As we drove home yesterday afternoon the boys were falling over each other to talk about their day. I learned this, we did this, I made that, we read this, we counted, we played, etc. I hope this enthusiasm continues. Of course the best parts of the day still revolve around recess, lunch and snack time. Jonah thinks that is funny that his teacher posts what they did each day on a webpage. But it makes for more detailed conversations we have about what he is learning and the activities they are doing.
We enjoy packing lunches together in the morning - choosing snacks and drinks, talking about the upcoming day. Thankfully the boys' schedules are similar this year - PE, Library, and Music are all on the same days just different times. This will be a great source of help to mom and dad to make sure tennis shoes are worn on PE days and books are returned to the Library on Wednesday.
We need all of the help we can get.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Quotes
Quotes.... I love quotes. I love finding a good quote. It is like finding a treasure. And it is amazing the places you can find them. I have found great quotes on Starbucks cups and in the newspaper. I have found great quotes at the bottom of emails and in the newspaper. I have found great quotes in books and in magazines, even Sports Illustrated. And since joining Twitter, I have read some of the most amazing quotes. Some of them are from my favorite authors and some are from the motivational quotes that I follow.
Here are a few of my favorites right now:
Worship is focusing my attention on God, expressing my affection to God, using my abilities for God and placing my trust in God. - Rick Warren
The church needs fewer commentators and more innovators. fewer critics and more creators. fewer imitators and more dreamers - Mark Batterson
The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. - Franklin D. Roosevelt
Disconnecting from change does not recapture the past. It loses the future. - Kathleen Norris
Not to forgive is like drinking a glass of poison and waiting for your enemies to die. - Nelson Mandela
You never know how much you believe in the strength of the rope until you're hanging by it over a cliff. - C.S. Lewis
God created us for excellency, not mediocrity. (I Cor 15:58). - Joyce Meyer
Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
No one would ever have crossed the ocean if it were possible to get off a ship in the middle of a storm. - Charles F. Kettering
When we compare ourselves with someone else, we can never measure up because we compare our insides with their outsides. - Unknown
The best effect of fine persons is felt after we have left their presence. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
We must stop regarding unpleasant or unexpected things as interruptions of real life. The truth is that interruptions are real life. - C.S. Lewis
Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives, is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see. - Corrie ten Boom
If you judge people, you have no time to love them. - Mother Theresa
I have held many things in my hands and I have lost them all. But whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still posses. - Martin Luther
The thing that makes a quote great is if it inspires you, motivates you, makes you think. Not all quotes are great. Some I have read just make me scratch my head and wonder, "Why did they say that?" and "Why did someone write it down?". However, good quotes roll around and around in my head and give me reason to do some self-examination. Or it may be the encouragement I need to continue moving forward in spite of a situation or how things look at the moment. Or it may make me smile and realize how much I have to be thankful for.
Don't you just love a good quote?
Here are a few of my favorites right now:
Worship is focusing my attention on God, expressing my affection to God, using my abilities for God and placing my trust in God. - Rick Warren
The church needs fewer commentators and more innovators. fewer critics and more creators. fewer imitators and more dreamers - Mark Batterson
The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. - Franklin D. Roosevelt
Disconnecting from change does not recapture the past. It loses the future. - Kathleen Norris
Not to forgive is like drinking a glass of poison and waiting for your enemies to die. - Nelson Mandela
You never know how much you believe in the strength of the rope until you're hanging by it over a cliff. - C.S. Lewis
God created us for excellency, not mediocrity. (I Cor 15:58). - Joyce Meyer
Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
No one would ever have crossed the ocean if it were possible to get off a ship in the middle of a storm. - Charles F. Kettering
When we compare ourselves with someone else, we can never measure up because we compare our insides with their outsides. - Unknown
The best effect of fine persons is felt after we have left their presence. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
We must stop regarding unpleasant or unexpected things as interruptions of real life. The truth is that interruptions are real life. - C.S. Lewis
Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives, is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see. - Corrie ten Boom
If you judge people, you have no time to love them. - Mother Theresa
I have held many things in my hands and I have lost them all. But whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still posses. - Martin Luther
The thing that makes a quote great is if it inspires you, motivates you, makes you think. Not all quotes are great. Some I have read just make me scratch my head and wonder, "Why did they say that?" and "Why did someone write it down?". However, good quotes roll around and around in my head and give me reason to do some self-examination. Or it may be the encouragement I need to continue moving forward in spite of a situation or how things look at the moment. Or it may make me smile and realize how much I have to be thankful for.
Don't you just love a good quote?
Friday, July 24, 2009
A Few Of My Favorite Things
In the movie "The Sound of Music", Julie Andrews sings a song called A Few Of My Favorite Things.
Here are a few of my favorite things -
Here are a few of my favorite things -
- A date night with Jason
- Doing something new with the boys like going to the zoo last weekend
- Watching the boys play ball (games not so much the practices....)
- A cook out with friends
- A Saturday with no plans
- Time to read a book
- Holidays with the family
- University of Tennessee football
- Girls Nights (or just lunch!)
- A new friend request on FaceBook
- Time just to browse at a bookstore
- Going for a new hair cut and color
- A family members birthday (or my own!)
- Hearing from an old friend
- Getting something in the mail that isn't junk or a bill
- Having a pedicure
- Sitting on the beach and listening to the waves
- Finding a good deal or something on sale
- Auctions
- A great worship song
- Sleeping in late
- Singing Christmas carols
- Holding a newborn baby
- Getting a great picture (so hard to do with very active boys!)
Well....I said it was just a few of my favorite things....
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
The Girls
Each week I go to lunch with three of my friends. They are affectionately known as "the girls". These are friends that I have had for several years now. It's actually kind of funny how we all became friends.
My friend Lora and I went to school together. She was a couple of years ahead of me though and when she graduated she went off to college. We didn't keep in close contact although we did attend each other's weddings, see each other occasionally and keep up with each other through other friends. However when I came to work at Averitt, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Lora had come to work at Averitt just a few short months before I did.
At this point in the story, my next friend enters - Chasity. Chasity was in my training class when I began working at Averitt. I remember her from Orientation Day. She already seemed to know so many people and if she didn't know them then it wasn't long before she would. One of the friendliest people I have ever met. And she is the first person to introduce me to Salads and More as well as City Square Cafe in Cookeville. When our time in training was complete, we were actually separated to other teams. I would occasionally see her in the breakroom, going to/from work, or via email. But that was about all.
At this point in the story, my next friend enters - April. When I came out of training, April was my neighbor. Working in a call center, there is no way to get trained on all the possible calls you might receive. There were many times that I put a customer on hold to pop out of my chair and ask April a question. April had been working at Averitt just a few months herself but she was very kind and helpful. After about nine months, I was transferred to another group in the customer service department. It wasn't but a couple of months later that we had an opening in our group. The leader was asking if we knew someone in customer service who would be a good addition to our team. My first thought was April so I made the suggestion. And in a couple of weeks April was a member of our team. We've worked together now for nine years.
About seven years ago our team was integrated into another department. This was towards the end of my pregnancy with Jonah. I went on maternity leave in September and returned in December. When I returned, there had been two people leave our department. And you can guess who filled their places - yes, Lora and Chasity. For the next few years all four of us worked together. We made it a weekly habit of going to lunch each Tuesday at City Square Cafe until it closed. A short time later, Lora's husband Jody who was in the National Guard was called up to serve in the war in Iraq. During this time she left Averitt and was working part-time at a store as well as giving private piano lessons. She was also very involved in the family group for the National Guard that her husband was deployed with. However we continued with our weekly lunch dates.
Then about two years ago my friend Chasity left Averitt to pursue a new opportunity in the world of insurance. However, the weekly lunch dates continued. And to supplement the lunch dates we instituted a girls night. Our birthdays are almost exactly and very conveniently three months apart. So every three months we enjoy a girls night to honor a friend's birthday. We've been on boat rides on the lake, four wheeler rides in the woods, a lovely dinner and a movie in Knoxville, walked around downtown Nashville.
We've also enjoyed some girl weekends. Our first trip was obviously very exciting - New York City. Wow....what a way to start. We enjoyed Times Square, the Today show, the Lion King on Broadway, food, laughter and tons of memories. We also took a weekend trip to the Smoky Mountains last year. We visited Dollywood, ate, talked, laughed, and made lots more memories.
Our friendships have seen births and deaths, laughter and tears, highs and lows, wins and losses, fear and hope. The most important thing is that we have had friends to share it with.
My friend Lora and I went to school together. She was a couple of years ahead of me though and when she graduated she went off to college. We didn't keep in close contact although we did attend each other's weddings, see each other occasionally and keep up with each other through other friends. However when I came to work at Averitt, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Lora had come to work at Averitt just a few short months before I did.
At this point in the story, my next friend enters - Chasity. Chasity was in my training class when I began working at Averitt. I remember her from Orientation Day. She already seemed to know so many people and if she didn't know them then it wasn't long before she would. One of the friendliest people I have ever met. And she is the first person to introduce me to Salads and More as well as City Square Cafe in Cookeville. When our time in training was complete, we were actually separated to other teams. I would occasionally see her in the breakroom, going to/from work, or via email. But that was about all.
At this point in the story, my next friend enters - April. When I came out of training, April was my neighbor. Working in a call center, there is no way to get trained on all the possible calls you might receive. There were many times that I put a customer on hold to pop out of my chair and ask April a question. April had been working at Averitt just a few months herself but she was very kind and helpful. After about nine months, I was transferred to another group in the customer service department. It wasn't but a couple of months later that we had an opening in our group. The leader was asking if we knew someone in customer service who would be a good addition to our team. My first thought was April so I made the suggestion. And in a couple of weeks April was a member of our team. We've worked together now for nine years.
About seven years ago our team was integrated into another department. This was towards the end of my pregnancy with Jonah. I went on maternity leave in September and returned in December. When I returned, there had been two people leave our department. And you can guess who filled their places - yes, Lora and Chasity. For the next few years all four of us worked together. We made it a weekly habit of going to lunch each Tuesday at City Square Cafe until it closed. A short time later, Lora's husband Jody who was in the National Guard was called up to serve in the war in Iraq. During this time she left Averitt and was working part-time at a store as well as giving private piano lessons. She was also very involved in the family group for the National Guard that her husband was deployed with. However we continued with our weekly lunch dates.
Then about two years ago my friend Chasity left Averitt to pursue a new opportunity in the world of insurance. However, the weekly lunch dates continued. And to supplement the lunch dates we instituted a girls night. Our birthdays are almost exactly and very conveniently three months apart. So every three months we enjoy a girls night to honor a friend's birthday. We've been on boat rides on the lake, four wheeler rides in the woods, a lovely dinner and a movie in Knoxville, walked around downtown Nashville.
We've also enjoyed some girl weekends. Our first trip was obviously very exciting - New York City. Wow....what a way to start. We enjoyed Times Square, the Today show, the Lion King on Broadway, food, laughter and tons of memories. We also took a weekend trip to the Smoky Mountains last year. We visited Dollywood, ate, talked, laughed, and made lots more memories.
Our friendships have seen births and deaths, laughter and tears, highs and lows, wins and losses, fear and hope. The most important thing is that we have had friends to share it with.
Home and the Zoo
Well we all survived the week that the boys were gone to Kentucky visiting their Uncle Brian and Aunt Ashley. The boys had a wonderful time. They went to an outdoor park and an indoor playground/arcade. They went swimming. They played games. They went to church and got lots of attention which of course they needed because they are absolutely starved for attention.
To cap off such a big week, we decided to meet up at the zoo in Knoxville. I drove up to the zoo and met the boys, Brian & Ashley, and Ashley's parents, Kevin & Pam. It was absolutely gorgeous weather - not too hot, not humid and fairly cloudy skies. This equals enjoyable time for the people and more active animals than would normally be seen during a typical July day in Tennessee. It wasn't too crowded either. We started off with the black bear and then to a red Panda. We then went off to see some river animals as well as the amphibians and reptiles. There were a variety of turtles. We saw a mama turtle and little baby turtle walking beside her.And then to the reptiles which I have no desire to see. What I am curious about is the fact that there seemed to be every type of snake that exists on the planet at the zoo but only two types of bears? Why? I don't know because I couldn't find anyone to ask.
We then made our way to Kids Cove. There was a barn to walk through with mice and an owl naturally. Then we went through the petting area and brushed some goats and sheep. One goat attempted to eat Ashley's camera bag but we made it out safely. We did get to see one goat poop but the staff managed to clean it up quickly before there was any type of incident. There was a play area with climbing and slides. The boys spent some time there but then we headed out to see the raccoons, beavers, rabbits, and skunks. Unfortunately the skunks were not in their exhibit but we were still able to smell some of their scent that they left behind.
There was also a play area with lily pads and water but we didn't stop there. Riley would have spent the rest of the day there but we had to move on to look at the turkey. And we wanted to make sure we made it to the chimp area before 2:00 so that we could see the baby chimp, George, at his birthday party. He turned one on Saturday and there was a special celebration.
Before we made it to the chimp area though, we stopped to see the birds of Central America. They were so amazing. For there to be so many kinds of birds they were each so different. Then we saw a prairie dog. He popped his head up and stayed up looking around for a long time. There was a small area where the kids could run in and pop their heads up like a prairie dog. We walked through the butterfly garden to look at....butterflies and the beautiful flowers.
The elephants, zebras, and giraffes were next. We spent a long time at the elephants. They are such an amazing creature. We also benefited from seeing an elephant poop. Probably there is a better way to phrase it but after you've had two kids and more specifically boys, this seems like the best way to phrase it. One elephant was apparently in some type of trance because he seemed to dance the whole time. And when I mean the whole time, I mean the whole time. Even when we came back from looking at the monkeys, lions, and the bird show....the elephant was still dancing.
The zebras were in the shade the first time we walked through. Except for one zebra who was partially laying down but had his head up. Brian (brother) gave a narration to the crowd as the zebra laid his head down. It was pretty funny and of course Brian drew an audience to himself. He's been doing that since he was a toddler. In between the giraffes and monkeys, we stopped for lunch. Apparently this was the same time that everyone else decided to stop for lunch too. It wasn't too bad of a wait though. Ashley and the boys found a table for us and rested. The boys called Jason to give dad the up to date information about the zoo.
The monkeys were amazing. Again, several different species of monkeys but only two bears. One of the gorillas was eating a piece of fruit and stopped to look at us through the glass several times. Gorillas have such huge heads and hands. I'm glad there was a thick piece of glass between us. Next and finally, we made it to the chimpanzees. We saw baby George who was just waking up from a nap. He was rubbing his eyes...so sweet. And there were bags laying everywhere from the time that he opened his presents. He walked around and then found mom to cuddle. There were some more chimps in an open area. One came down to the glass and was eating lemons and limes. Jonah and Riley got right up next to the glass and were literally head to head with the chimp. The chimp would spit out the seeds from the lemon and when he did that he would stick out his tongue. And Jonah would stick out his tongue back.
Ashley's favorite part were the lions. The cheetahs were resting in the shade but were very visible. The lioness' were all laying down as well but you could see the lion on the other side of the cage. The tiger however was up and moving around. Although he didn't roar you could hear him making noises. They all were truly amazing.
We walked back through and many of the animals had moved around so we got another good look at them, except for the dancing elephant. He was in the same spot still dancing. The giraffes had come up closer probably because someone had stuck some branches out there for them to eat. The boys stopped for ice cream to help them cool off. We watched part of a bird show as well. They had a bird called Einstein and although I can't remember what kind of bird it was, he was amazing. I can not believe all the words they taught and various sounds they taught him. And the fact that the bird could remember the cues for those words and sounds.
The main highlight of Riley's day was at the end of the day when the two of us rode the camel. Yes, we rode a camel. And prior to us getting on the camel, the baby camel who was in the open area pooped and peed. Riley said that camels just don't know any better to "go and find some privacy". And he's exactly right. We got on this camel and my first thought, It is going to hurt if we fall off. Of course after we started moving, I was trying to figure out why people would ever willingly choose camels as their source of transportation for any length of distance. But I guess if the choice is between your two feet and their four feet, then you'd probably choose theirs too. However when you did start walking on your two feet again, there would definitely be some stiffness and bowing of the legs.
And the boys were asleep before we left Knoxville.....
To cap off such a big week, we decided to meet up at the zoo in Knoxville. I drove up to the zoo and met the boys, Brian & Ashley, and Ashley's parents, Kevin & Pam. It was absolutely gorgeous weather - not too hot, not humid and fairly cloudy skies. This equals enjoyable time for the people and more active animals than would normally be seen during a typical July day in Tennessee. It wasn't too crowded either. We started off with the black bear and then to a red Panda. We then went off to see some river animals as well as the amphibians and reptiles. There were a variety of turtles. We saw a mama turtle and little baby turtle walking beside her.And then to the reptiles which I have no desire to see. What I am curious about is the fact that there seemed to be every type of snake that exists on the planet at the zoo but only two types of bears? Why? I don't know because I couldn't find anyone to ask.
We then made our way to Kids Cove. There was a barn to walk through with mice and an owl naturally. Then we went through the petting area and brushed some goats and sheep. One goat attempted to eat Ashley's camera bag but we made it out safely. We did get to see one goat poop but the staff managed to clean it up quickly before there was any type of incident. There was a play area with climbing and slides. The boys spent some time there but then we headed out to see the raccoons, beavers, rabbits, and skunks. Unfortunately the skunks were not in their exhibit but we were still able to smell some of their scent that they left behind.
There was also a play area with lily pads and water but we didn't stop there. Riley would have spent the rest of the day there but we had to move on to look at the turkey. And we wanted to make sure we made it to the chimp area before 2:00 so that we could see the baby chimp, George, at his birthday party. He turned one on Saturday and there was a special celebration.
Before we made it to the chimp area though, we stopped to see the birds of Central America. They were so amazing. For there to be so many kinds of birds they were each so different. Then we saw a prairie dog. He popped his head up and stayed up looking around for a long time. There was a small area where the kids could run in and pop their heads up like a prairie dog. We walked through the butterfly garden to look at....butterflies and the beautiful flowers.
The elephants, zebras, and giraffes were next. We spent a long time at the elephants. They are such an amazing creature. We also benefited from seeing an elephant poop. Probably there is a better way to phrase it but after you've had two kids and more specifically boys, this seems like the best way to phrase it. One elephant was apparently in some type of trance because he seemed to dance the whole time. And when I mean the whole time, I mean the whole time. Even when we came back from looking at the monkeys, lions, and the bird show....the elephant was still dancing.
The zebras were in the shade the first time we walked through. Except for one zebra who was partially laying down but had his head up. Brian (brother) gave a narration to the crowd as the zebra laid his head down. It was pretty funny and of course Brian drew an audience to himself. He's been doing that since he was a toddler. In between the giraffes and monkeys, we stopped for lunch. Apparently this was the same time that everyone else decided to stop for lunch too. It wasn't too bad of a wait though. Ashley and the boys found a table for us and rested. The boys called Jason to give dad the up to date information about the zoo.
The monkeys were amazing. Again, several different species of monkeys but only two bears. One of the gorillas was eating a piece of fruit and stopped to look at us through the glass several times. Gorillas have such huge heads and hands. I'm glad there was a thick piece of glass between us. Next and finally, we made it to the chimpanzees. We saw baby George who was just waking up from a nap. He was rubbing his eyes...so sweet. And there were bags laying everywhere from the time that he opened his presents. He walked around and then found mom to cuddle. There were some more chimps in an open area. One came down to the glass and was eating lemons and limes. Jonah and Riley got right up next to the glass and were literally head to head with the chimp. The chimp would spit out the seeds from the lemon and when he did that he would stick out his tongue. And Jonah would stick out his tongue back.
Ashley's favorite part were the lions. The cheetahs were resting in the shade but were very visible. The lioness' were all laying down as well but you could see the lion on the other side of the cage. The tiger however was up and moving around. Although he didn't roar you could hear him making noises. They all were truly amazing.
We walked back through and many of the animals had moved around so we got another good look at them, except for the dancing elephant. He was in the same spot still dancing. The giraffes had come up closer probably because someone had stuck some branches out there for them to eat. The boys stopped for ice cream to help them cool off. We watched part of a bird show as well. They had a bird called Einstein and although I can't remember what kind of bird it was, he was amazing. I can not believe all the words they taught and various sounds they taught him. And the fact that the bird could remember the cues for those words and sounds.
The main highlight of Riley's day was at the end of the day when the two of us rode the camel. Yes, we rode a camel. And prior to us getting on the camel, the baby camel who was in the open area pooped and peed. Riley said that camels just don't know any better to "go and find some privacy". And he's exactly right. We got on this camel and my first thought, It is going to hurt if we fall off. Of course after we started moving, I was trying to figure out why people would ever willingly choose camels as their source of transportation for any length of distance. But I guess if the choice is between your two feet and their four feet, then you'd probably choose theirs too. However when you did start walking on your two feet again, there would definitely be some stiffness and bowing of the legs.
And the boys were asleep before we left Knoxville.....
Sunday, July 12, 2009
A Week Without Kids
So....I haven't blogged lately....not because there is nothing going on. Perhaps it is just the opposite. There is too much going on. We're in the process of selling our house and have inspections, people working at the house, looking for a new house or the possibility of building a house. Then there is the daily life stuff including work each day, keeping up with a home and family, church work which includes teaching Sunday School, planning for Vacation Bible School and welcoming a new pastor. However, this blog isn't meant to be about how busy my life is.
Over the 4th of July holiday, the boys went and spent a weekend with my parents. My parents have just recently moved from Sparta (our hometown) to a small town just outside of Chattanooga TN. Granted, it's only about an hour drive however as we get used to them not living within five minutes from my house, it seems like they are an entire continent away. Thus the need for the boys and for the grandparents to have a weekend together. They had the best time, behaved well for the grandparents and came back behaving well. While they were visiting Nanny & Pa, they were treated to Chuck E. Cheese and ice cream, swimming with some of their second and third cousins and a cook out, fireworks over the lake and time being the center of Nanny & Pa's attention. Absolutely perfect, huh?
Yesterday I packed the boys up again and drove them to Kentucky where they are going to spend an entire week with my brother Brian and his wife Ashley. The boys have been looking forward to this for months. We've been talking about it since Christmas and had them in the understanding that they would go stay after "school was out". Naturally, the first week that school was out the boys insisted on going to Kentucky. My sister-in-law is in her last year of school at the University of Kentucky and has some classes that she has to take over the summer in order to graduate in December. Thus we explained to the boys that they would go visit in July after the holiday. And here we are....the boys have counted down all week. They are now at the point that they are asking if they are leaving first thing in the morning (breakfast time) or in the afternoon (lunch time).
This got me to thinking about the trips I made when I was younger visiting my family. I loved trips to stay with Mema and Papa. It was even better when there were some of the other cousins around to play with too. I think of the times that Mema would set up a play kitchen for us and we'd pretend to cook and serve her and each other. I remember when Papa first got a computer and we went to his house and he had the coolest game of "Wheel of Fortune". And he let us play it! I remember the time when Mema taught us some of the "dances" from when she was a teenager. I will never hear the song about the Bugle Boy without thinking of her. It was at my grandparents house sitting in the rocking chair with Mema that I learned to blow a bubble with my bubble gum. And no one could make a peanut butter and honey sandwich like she could.
Many times we spent a few days or a week at our aunt's house. My mom has four sisters and we've alternately stayed with each of them at various times. I remember spending a week with my aunt out in Houston TX and visiting a zoo as well as a the biggest mall I'd ever seen at the time. I remember playing in the living room with Lego's. We left them in the floor of the living room the entire week. And I remember staying with my aunt in Cleveland TN and playing outside by the creek with my cousins. We pretended all kinds of games and scenarios and played in the water. I remember my aunt taking all of us camping, having car trouble and spending hours on the side of the road. Even that is fun when you are with your family. Then there was the times of dressing up and dancing in my cousins room. We were so cool. And I remember the Thanksgiving holidays we spent with my aunt in Lexington TN. The first time I remember making a mud pie was at their house. We had mud all over us and it was the most fun ever! And I remember times staying with my aunt in Chattanooga TN and going out on their boat. It was the first time I'd been tubing and since I was the oldest kid, my uncle went a little faster when I was on the tube. And it was also the first time anyone got thrown off the tube. And the time that we went with them on vacation to Florida. It was so much fun....enjoying the beach and playing in the pool. My uncle got sun burnt the first or second day we were there. I will never forget it.
And these are just a very few of the memories I have of the times I've visited with family. I'm thankful that my children are able to have these same opportunities with their grandparents and family. I hope they make the kind of memories that you never forget.
Over the 4th of July holiday, the boys went and spent a weekend with my parents. My parents have just recently moved from Sparta (our hometown) to a small town just outside of Chattanooga TN. Granted, it's only about an hour drive however as we get used to them not living within five minutes from my house, it seems like they are an entire continent away. Thus the need for the boys and for the grandparents to have a weekend together. They had the best time, behaved well for the grandparents and came back behaving well. While they were visiting Nanny & Pa, they were treated to Chuck E. Cheese and ice cream, swimming with some of their second and third cousins and a cook out, fireworks over the lake and time being the center of Nanny & Pa's attention. Absolutely perfect, huh?
Yesterday I packed the boys up again and drove them to Kentucky where they are going to spend an entire week with my brother Brian and his wife Ashley. The boys have been looking forward to this for months. We've been talking about it since Christmas and had them in the understanding that they would go stay after "school was out". Naturally, the first week that school was out the boys insisted on going to Kentucky. My sister-in-law is in her last year of school at the University of Kentucky and has some classes that she has to take over the summer in order to graduate in December. Thus we explained to the boys that they would go visit in July after the holiday. And here we are....the boys have counted down all week. They are now at the point that they are asking if they are leaving first thing in the morning (breakfast time) or in the afternoon (lunch time).
This got me to thinking about the trips I made when I was younger visiting my family. I loved trips to stay with Mema and Papa. It was even better when there were some of the other cousins around to play with too. I think of the times that Mema would set up a play kitchen for us and we'd pretend to cook and serve her and each other. I remember when Papa first got a computer and we went to his house and he had the coolest game of "Wheel of Fortune". And he let us play it! I remember the time when Mema taught us some of the "dances" from when she was a teenager. I will never hear the song about the Bugle Boy without thinking of her. It was at my grandparents house sitting in the rocking chair with Mema that I learned to blow a bubble with my bubble gum. And no one could make a peanut butter and honey sandwich like she could.
Many times we spent a few days or a week at our aunt's house. My mom has four sisters and we've alternately stayed with each of them at various times. I remember spending a week with my aunt out in Houston TX and visiting a zoo as well as a the biggest mall I'd ever seen at the time. I remember playing in the living room with Lego's. We left them in the floor of the living room the entire week. And I remember staying with my aunt in Cleveland TN and playing outside by the creek with my cousins. We pretended all kinds of games and scenarios and played in the water. I remember my aunt taking all of us camping, having car trouble and spending hours on the side of the road. Even that is fun when you are with your family. Then there was the times of dressing up and dancing in my cousins room. We were so cool. And I remember the Thanksgiving holidays we spent with my aunt in Lexington TN. The first time I remember making a mud pie was at their house. We had mud all over us and it was the most fun ever! And I remember times staying with my aunt in Chattanooga TN and going out on their boat. It was the first time I'd been tubing and since I was the oldest kid, my uncle went a little faster when I was on the tube. And it was also the first time anyone got thrown off the tube. And the time that we went with them on vacation to Florida. It was so much fun....enjoying the beach and playing in the pool. My uncle got sun burnt the first or second day we were there. I will never forget it.
And these are just a very few of the memories I have of the times I've visited with family. I'm thankful that my children are able to have these same opportunities with their grandparents and family. I hope they make the kind of memories that you never forget.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Taking Up For Mom
Sunday afternoon as we ate lunch with friends, I tossed out an idea I had for a get together at our house with our new youth Sunday School class. My idea......have the teens over to watch Monday Night Football and have a devotional time during half time.
The teens at the table were like "yeah - that would be cool." Got a couple other funny comments from the adults including my husband. I tried to be louder than them saying that it was my dream to have this....it would be so fun....all the class talked like they liked football....and not to mess with my dream.
My youngest son Riley turns, looks at Jason and says, "Stop it dad! It's mom's dream!" No one said a word....they all about died laughing but they didn't say another word.
Way to go Riley - way to take up for mom's dream!
The teens at the table were like "yeah - that would be cool." Got a couple other funny comments from the adults including my husband. I tried to be louder than them saying that it was my dream to have this....it would be so fun....all the class talked like they liked football....and not to mess with my dream.
My youngest son Riley turns, looks at Jason and says, "Stop it dad! It's mom's dream!" No one said a word....they all about died laughing but they didn't say another word.
Way to go Riley - way to take up for mom's dream!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Becoming More Independent
It's an amazing, interesting, scary and exhilarating thing to watch your children become more independent. Realizing that this once tiny little person who could do nothing for themselves now has all of these abilities is unbelievable. And it's interesting seeing them try, struggle and then succeed at something. And scary to realize that you are no longer as necessary as you were before. And exhilarating to see that your child is growing, learning, and will one day be able to be on their own as they should be.
As Riley prepares for kindergarten, we've been working even harder to help become more independent. Since he is the baby of the family, he tends to ask for help to do things that he can most definitely do for himself. However, he likes you to "help" him or better yet just do it for him. Just this week we had a major ordeal in the bathroom over him hanging the towel on the towel rack rather than dropping it in the floor or throwing it in the sink. Granted, the towel rack is on the wall but he could throw it over the rack and pull it over. How do I know this? Because he does it on the shower door and it is just slightly lower than the towel rack. He resisted and I insisted. And do you know what he did this morning? He put the towel on the towel rack without asking for any help. And do you know what I did? I told him "Good job, I knew you could do that!"
On Wednesday afternoon, we had quite a schedule. Get off work, pick up Riley, stop at the house to get Jonah's clothes & Gatorade, pick up Jonah, take Jonah to work outs at 5:30, get dinner for Riley and myself, get to church for VBS planning meeting at 6:00 and then have Bible study at 7:00. This took some organization and planning to make sure everyone was where they should be at the appropriate time, clothed and fed. Jason's part of the plan was to get off work at 5:00 and make it over to the football field for Jonah's work outs about the time it was to start at 5:30. However, if I was going to get Riley and myself fed before we had to be at the church for the VBS meeting at 6:00 then I needed to leave the field before 5:30. So.....I had to leave Jonah at the work out with the coach by himself. It is the first time I've ever just dropped him off for a practice. Either Jason or myself have always been at every practice from beginning to end for every sport he's played. You wouldn't think that is too much but considering we started with soccer at age three and Jonah turns seven in September and that he's already played four different sports (soccer, basketball, tball, and this fall is football), we're already racking up the miles for practice and game attendance. And although Jason did end up making it to the work out about the time it started, it was the fact that Jonah opened the door of the car, grabbed his bag and his drink and ran to the field to meet up with the coach and I drove away.
Amazing, interesting, scary, exhilarating.....my boys are growing up.
As Riley prepares for kindergarten, we've been working even harder to help become more independent. Since he is the baby of the family, he tends to ask for help to do things that he can most definitely do for himself. However, he likes you to "help" him or better yet just do it for him. Just this week we had a major ordeal in the bathroom over him hanging the towel on the towel rack rather than dropping it in the floor or throwing it in the sink. Granted, the towel rack is on the wall but he could throw it over the rack and pull it over. How do I know this? Because he does it on the shower door and it is just slightly lower than the towel rack. He resisted and I insisted. And do you know what he did this morning? He put the towel on the towel rack without asking for any help. And do you know what I did? I told him "Good job, I knew you could do that!"
On Wednesday afternoon, we had quite a schedule. Get off work, pick up Riley, stop at the house to get Jonah's clothes & Gatorade, pick up Jonah, take Jonah to work outs at 5:30, get dinner for Riley and myself, get to church for VBS planning meeting at 6:00 and then have Bible study at 7:00. This took some organization and planning to make sure everyone was where they should be at the appropriate time, clothed and fed. Jason's part of the plan was to get off work at 5:00 and make it over to the football field for Jonah's work outs about the time it was to start at 5:30. However, if I was going to get Riley and myself fed before we had to be at the church for the VBS meeting at 6:00 then I needed to leave the field before 5:30. So.....I had to leave Jonah at the work out with the coach by himself. It is the first time I've ever just dropped him off for a practice. Either Jason or myself have always been at every practice from beginning to end for every sport he's played. You wouldn't think that is too much but considering we started with soccer at age three and Jonah turns seven in September and that he's already played four different sports (soccer, basketball, tball, and this fall is football), we're already racking up the miles for practice and game attendance. And although Jason did end up making it to the work out about the time it started, it was the fact that Jonah opened the door of the car, grabbed his bag and his drink and ran to the field to meet up with the coach and I drove away.
Amazing, interesting, scary, exhilarating.....my boys are growing up.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Decisions, Decisions
You know there are days when I would love to step back in time and not have to decide anything. Really....when you are young there are very few decisions. Some choices...maybe...sometimes...if your parents allow you. But not many decisions. But when you become an adult you have to make decisions. And your decisions have consequences, not just for you but for your family and those within your circle of influence.
I keep thinking about a verse of scripture that I've heard a lot lately and spoke to myself a lot lately....the steps of good man are ordered by the Lord (Psalms). When I was young I was so excited about being an adult and making my own decisions. Now that I am an adult I am thankful for the "ordering of steps by the Lord". I will take being guided by Him any day over having to make all the decisions myself.
I keep thinking about a verse of scripture that I've heard a lot lately and spoke to myself a lot lately....the steps of good man are ordered by the Lord (Psalms). When I was young I was so excited about being an adult and making my own decisions. Now that I am an adult I am thankful for the "ordering of steps by the Lord". I will take being guided by Him any day over having to make all the decisions myself.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
The very first time
Well, we had our very first.....our first friend to sleep over and our first trip taking friends with us. I was SO excited. Really....I know that some people might not be excited about such but I was. Growing up in my house, I can remember having friends spend the night often. I remember friends wanting to spend the night at our house. It was fun there. My mom would often cook brownies or cookies at night as a special treat and then cook breakfast the next morning. And I can remember many trips with friends. Now usually this was a church activity and there was quite a group but my parents being the pastors were always chaperones as well. So, I think that kind of counts as a family trip.
One great memory is my Senior Trip. I know that typical senior trips don't include the parents going. However, I attended a Christian school and in order for us to have fundraisers during the school year for our trip we had to follow certain guidelines. That included having a chaperone. My parents weren't the first choice. Actually during our entire junior and senior years as we raised money, planned our trip, etc. we had a couple of teachers who were going to go with us. But on the day before graduation and one week before we were to leave on our trip, both teachers backed out. Can you say traumatic???? What were we going to do? Well....the senior class looked at me and said "Will your parents go?"
I asked and they said yes. So that's how my parents and brother ended up going on my senior trip to Virginia Beach to a house known as Sand Pearl. Wow.....I was so proud that they were my parents at that moment. They came through and didn't just drive and "chaperone" but they sacrificed and helped us to have an awesome senior trip. All the seniors and mom piled into a 15 passenger van for the long trip to VA beach. My dad drove our personal mini-van loaded down with all of the luggage. We made it there to the house and spread out into rooms. Mom and dad got a room on the bottom floor with their own balcony - they would need a break from all of us at some point! We went to the grocery store with mom who helped not only figure out the budget for food but shopped getting good deals so we would have snacks, breakfast, and a dinner or two at the house. We played on the beach, enjoyed the sun, mom got together a trip to Busch Gardens (great budget work again). We had some dinners out but then cooked at the house as well. Mom again being head chef. And we do what teenagers do best...we "hung out". And everyone was comfortable because they'd all been around my parents from the times hanging out at my house or spending the night.
And that is just one of the awesome memories that I have. I hope that I can recreate that same thing for my boys.
One great memory is my Senior Trip. I know that typical senior trips don't include the parents going. However, I attended a Christian school and in order for us to have fundraisers during the school year for our trip we had to follow certain guidelines. That included having a chaperone. My parents weren't the first choice. Actually during our entire junior and senior years as we raised money, planned our trip, etc. we had a couple of teachers who were going to go with us. But on the day before graduation and one week before we were to leave on our trip, both teachers backed out. Can you say traumatic???? What were we going to do? Well....the senior class looked at me and said "Will your parents go?"
I asked and they said yes. So that's how my parents and brother ended up going on my senior trip to Virginia Beach to a house known as Sand Pearl. Wow.....I was so proud that they were my parents at that moment. They came through and didn't just drive and "chaperone" but they sacrificed and helped us to have an awesome senior trip. All the seniors and mom piled into a 15 passenger van for the long trip to VA beach. My dad drove our personal mini-van loaded down with all of the luggage. We made it there to the house and spread out into rooms. Mom and dad got a room on the bottom floor with their own balcony - they would need a break from all of us at some point! We went to the grocery store with mom who helped not only figure out the budget for food but shopped getting good deals so we would have snacks, breakfast, and a dinner or two at the house. We played on the beach, enjoyed the sun, mom got together a trip to Busch Gardens (great budget work again). We had some dinners out but then cooked at the house as well. Mom again being head chef. And we do what teenagers do best...we "hung out". And everyone was comfortable because they'd all been around my parents from the times hanging out at my house or spending the night.
And that is just one of the awesome memories that I have. I hope that I can recreate that same thing for my boys.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Completely Unexpected
You wake up one morning expecting one thing and then BAM something completely unexpected happens. I woke up last Friday morning expecting a busy day at work, going to the youth Bible Study, home to bed. Not a completely typical day since it has been a while since I've been to a "youth" function but it was what I was expecting. What I wasn't expecting....to get a call from a realtor who wanted to show our house to a couple from Texas today and then an offer from them to buy our house! Hello....this is not usually how it is done. Typically you have your house listed on the market and someone calls to show it, on and on.
To back up a little, our house was listed in realty for six months in the fall and winter. It came off the market in March. We had several realtors call about listing our house for us but we decided to wait, hope the markets pick back up some and re-list this fall. With my husband owning a lawn care business, selling a house and packing up our home and business during the middle of a mowing season just doesn't make sense. Thus our plan to wait until the end of mowing season was in sight and re-list.
However, a realtor was showing this couple from Texas some homes in the area and drove them by our property and let them know it had been listed, didn't sell, but the owners had not re-listed yet. This couple was planning to leave on Friday morning to head back home and called the realtor asking if there was any way she could get in touch with the owners of "that house" so they could look at it today.
Well.....they did get a hold of us. They called a salon (yes, that is still the way to find out who knows who, etc.) where a lady worked that was best friends with a lady who works at the day care where Riley goes. Follow? Anyway, after about three phone calls, the realtor had our cell numbers and called and lined up a showing. I "happened" to be on my way back from Sparta to Cookeville transporting Riley from PreK summer school to daycare when Jason called me. I turned back and headed home to straighten up and unlock the door. About three hours later, Jason calls and says he met the people and they were really nice. AND....they put an offer in on our house!
WHAT???? I was so shocked. My mouth dropped open. I laughed, cried, ran over telling some of my close friends at work. I couldn't believe it. I could not get all of the details from Jason over the phone because I was still at work and expected to be productive those last couple of hours. I did try to be productive but my mind was racing a million miles a minute.
So, we came to arrangements on Saturday and signed the papers. As long as the inspections come through without any problems then we are good to go. And I figure that if God sent some people from Texas to buy our house without a For Sale sign in the yard, then He can make sure all the inspections are alright. And get this....remember the difficulty of moving a home and business in the middle of mowing season....well we were able to make arrangements with the couple for closing in 30 days but the ability to rent from them and stay here until the end of October.
Sometimes we think that we can make such good plans. However, I am learning to take God's unexpected plans, the ones that seem immediately good to me and even the plans that don't, over "my" plans any day.
To back up a little, our house was listed in realty for six months in the fall and winter. It came off the market in March. We had several realtors call about listing our house for us but we decided to wait, hope the markets pick back up some and re-list this fall. With my husband owning a lawn care business, selling a house and packing up our home and business during the middle of a mowing season just doesn't make sense. Thus our plan to wait until the end of mowing season was in sight and re-list.
However, a realtor was showing this couple from Texas some homes in the area and drove them by our property and let them know it had been listed, didn't sell, but the owners had not re-listed yet. This couple was planning to leave on Friday morning to head back home and called the realtor asking if there was any way she could get in touch with the owners of "that house" so they could look at it today.
Well.....they did get a hold of us. They called a salon (yes, that is still the way to find out who knows who, etc.) where a lady worked that was best friends with a lady who works at the day care where Riley goes. Follow? Anyway, after about three phone calls, the realtor had our cell numbers and called and lined up a showing. I "happened" to be on my way back from Sparta to Cookeville transporting Riley from PreK summer school to daycare when Jason called me. I turned back and headed home to straighten up and unlock the door. About three hours later, Jason calls and says he met the people and they were really nice. AND....they put an offer in on our house!
WHAT???? I was so shocked. My mouth dropped open. I laughed, cried, ran over telling some of my close friends at work. I couldn't believe it. I could not get all of the details from Jason over the phone because I was still at work and expected to be productive those last couple of hours. I did try to be productive but my mind was racing a million miles a minute.
So, we came to arrangements on Saturday and signed the papers. As long as the inspections come through without any problems then we are good to go. And I figure that if God sent some people from Texas to buy our house without a For Sale sign in the yard, then He can make sure all the inspections are alright. And get this....remember the difficulty of moving a home and business in the middle of mowing season....well we were able to make arrangements with the couple for closing in 30 days but the ability to rent from them and stay here until the end of October.
Sometimes we think that we can make such good plans. However, I am learning to take God's unexpected plans, the ones that seem immediately good to me and even the plans that don't, over "my" plans any day.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Friendly
I've always said that I'm not friendly. I've had many of my close friends who have tried to dispute it but when faced with the clear facts even they have had to admit, I am not friendly. For example, if I go to the grocery store or to Walmart, I do not find it necessary to make conversation with the check out clerk. Now I am not saying that I am rude. I walk up and say hello, smile, nod, whatever. But I don't see the point in carrying on a chit-chat conversation with a total stranger. I just don't feel obligated to carry on a conversation about nothing important with whomever happens to be sitting close by. If a meaningful conversation starts or there is an important observation to make, then I will jump right into it, get to know them and have a new friend. But I don't enjoy having useless conversation about nothing at all with a person I don't know just because we happen to be in close proximity of each other. Now, I have worked really hard in the last few months to be more friendly. To put myself out there and try to get to know people. However it is completely out of my comfort zone to be friendly.
It seems though that my children are going to take more after their dad than me. It absolutely amazed me how many people Jonah met as a kindergarten student this past year. He knew almost every teacher, the office staff, the principal, and so many students in all grades. I know it made a difference knowing the variety of students since he stayed each afternoon for the After School program. However, if it would have been me, I probably would have had my certain group of friends and that would have been all. Again, I'm not a snob and I don't think I'm better than anyone. I'm just not real comfortable with that "get to know you" type conversation. I wasn't comfortable even when I was his age.
We go through Walmart at times and kids and adults alike will say hello to Jonah and smile at me. They will walk by and I turn and ask him who they were. Most of the time he knows their name but if not their name then he knows what grade they taught, where they worked, who they were related to, etc. Completely amazing to me. And I'm so proud that he is easily able to make friends and get to know new people. This summer we decided to send him to the school's summer daycare program rather than his old daycare with all children that would be younger than him. The first day he only knew one other boy in the program and that was from playing basketball and not even on the same team. Now, he knows all of the kids and most of them actually attend different schools. And since they've been going to Summer School each morning, he has met even more people. He probably knows more people right now than I do!
This morning my husband Jason called and said, "Well, we have another Mr. Popularity on our hands." I, of course, needed more explanation. He said that when he dropped Riley off this morning for Summer School, they walked down the hallway to his class. They passed a few students and teachers and each one spoke to Riley and knew his name.
It looks like I will end up being known as Jonah and Riley's mom. I just won't know who they are.
It seems though that my children are going to take more after their dad than me. It absolutely amazed me how many people Jonah met as a kindergarten student this past year. He knew almost every teacher, the office staff, the principal, and so many students in all grades. I know it made a difference knowing the variety of students since he stayed each afternoon for the After School program. However, if it would have been me, I probably would have had my certain group of friends and that would have been all. Again, I'm not a snob and I don't think I'm better than anyone. I'm just not real comfortable with that "get to know you" type conversation. I wasn't comfortable even when I was his age.
We go through Walmart at times and kids and adults alike will say hello to Jonah and smile at me. They will walk by and I turn and ask him who they were. Most of the time he knows their name but if not their name then he knows what grade they taught, where they worked, who they were related to, etc. Completely amazing to me. And I'm so proud that he is easily able to make friends and get to know new people. This summer we decided to send him to the school's summer daycare program rather than his old daycare with all children that would be younger than him. The first day he only knew one other boy in the program and that was from playing basketball and not even on the same team. Now, he knows all of the kids and most of them actually attend different schools. And since they've been going to Summer School each morning, he has met even more people. He probably knows more people right now than I do!
This morning my husband Jason called and said, "Well, we have another Mr. Popularity on our hands." I, of course, needed more explanation. He said that when he dropped Riley off this morning for Summer School, they walked down the hallway to his class. They passed a few students and teachers and each one spoke to Riley and knew his name.
It looks like I will end up being known as Jonah and Riley's mom. I just won't know who they are.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Moving
It is amazing the stuff you find when you move. I'm not the one moving right now though, my parents are. However it is amazing all of the stuff of mine that has been found. Things from my childhood that my parents have been keeping, things from my school days, things from when I first got married and didn't have room to bring them with me just yet. Of course there were some things that I knew were at their house but other things I had completely forgotten about or didn't realize that mom had kept. I say mom....actually mom and dad. They are both sentimental and dad purposefully kept some things for me as well.
Childhood toys such as my Barbies (along with their house and car) and my favorite baby dolls (along with their baby furniture). There was an entire family that I had (The Heart family) with a mom and dad, baby girl and baby boy. Mom had kept all of the little pieces in little bags or containers. Of course I don't have a daughter but there are some things that I will hang on to just in case there someday is a granddaughter. Of course that will be a long time from now but I can still plan, right?
Then there was things from school - report cards, papers, annuals, special certificates and trophies. At one point I had tossed most of the trophies because I reasoned that there was no where to store them. However, dad spared them from the trash. And now I'm actually glad I'll have them to show the boys now that they are in school and can appreciate them. The annuals were so funny to look through - my, oh my, how we have changed. We thought we were so grown up back then and when I look at those pictures I realize how young we really were. There were also book reports I had written, notebooks with my notes from class and otherwise, as well as some of my old books. Why did my parents kept my health book from Junior High? Still not sure.
I found birthday cards, Christmas cards, and friendship cards from Junior High and High School. I had forgotten about some of the dramatic things that seemed really important back then. A good lesson in "this too shall pass". I hope I learned it! I found graduation cards as well as my cap and gown. One of the graduation cards was from my Memaw who passed away eight years ago. It was good reading those words again that she was proud of me. I remember the feelings of graduation day....such freedom and excitement about the future. Although I am eleven years past that point, I have to admit that I still have anticipation and excitement for what God has planned in my future.
I found journals from the times that I went on mission trips. I had forgotten some of those experiences but reading through the journals brought back so many memories. I read through journals and Bibles I had written in from sermons that my dad or other evangelists had preached. I am sure all that writing helped seal those Biblical lessons into my heart and mind. I found cards and letters that Jason had given to me when we first started dating. I found the little cards that came with the flowers that he sent me on our first date, our first Valentines, etc. I am so thankful that with everything we've been through in almost eleven years of marriage that we still have that friendship and love. And it is so much stronger.
It makes me think of the times in the Bible, specifically in the Old Testament, when something BIG would happen and the children of Israel would build an altar and name the place so that they could remember. There are many important things for us to remember. Sometimes it is the good times, good experiences, good relationships that make us smile at the remembrance. Sometimes it is the difficult times, the hard experiences, the lost relationships that we can look back and thank God that he helped us through or taught us something important. And maybe the moving helps us to dust all that off and remember.
Childhood toys such as my Barbies (along with their house and car) and my favorite baby dolls (along with their baby furniture). There was an entire family that I had (The Heart family) with a mom and dad, baby girl and baby boy. Mom had kept all of the little pieces in little bags or containers. Of course I don't have a daughter but there are some things that I will hang on to just in case there someday is a granddaughter. Of course that will be a long time from now but I can still plan, right?
Then there was things from school - report cards, papers, annuals, special certificates and trophies. At one point I had tossed most of the trophies because I reasoned that there was no where to store them. However, dad spared them from the trash. And now I'm actually glad I'll have them to show the boys now that they are in school and can appreciate them. The annuals were so funny to look through - my, oh my, how we have changed. We thought we were so grown up back then and when I look at those pictures I realize how young we really were. There were also book reports I had written, notebooks with my notes from class and otherwise, as well as some of my old books. Why did my parents kept my health book from Junior High? Still not sure.
I found birthday cards, Christmas cards, and friendship cards from Junior High and High School. I had forgotten about some of the dramatic things that seemed really important back then. A good lesson in "this too shall pass". I hope I learned it! I found graduation cards as well as my cap and gown. One of the graduation cards was from my Memaw who passed away eight years ago. It was good reading those words again that she was proud of me. I remember the feelings of graduation day....such freedom and excitement about the future. Although I am eleven years past that point, I have to admit that I still have anticipation and excitement for what God has planned in my future.
I found journals from the times that I went on mission trips. I had forgotten some of those experiences but reading through the journals brought back so many memories. I read through journals and Bibles I had written in from sermons that my dad or other evangelists had preached. I am sure all that writing helped seal those Biblical lessons into my heart and mind. I found cards and letters that Jason had given to me when we first started dating. I found the little cards that came with the flowers that he sent me on our first date, our first Valentines, etc. I am so thankful that with everything we've been through in almost eleven years of marriage that we still have that friendship and love. And it is so much stronger.
It makes me think of the times in the Bible, specifically in the Old Testament, when something BIG would happen and the children of Israel would build an altar and name the place so that they could remember. There are many important things for us to remember. Sometimes it is the good times, good experiences, good relationships that make us smile at the remembrance. Sometimes it is the difficult times, the hard experiences, the lost relationships that we can look back and thank God that he helped us through or taught us something important. And maybe the moving helps us to dust all that off and remember.
Friday, June 5, 2009
So Funny
Why is it so funny when a person falls? I think I have had more of the gut wrenching, tears flowing, can't breathe kind of laughs when a person falls than anything else. A friend of mine told a story yesterday about a fall she took in the Subway parking lot. She fell right in the path of traffic so a car ended up having to wait for her to move in order to go forward. She scraped her knee. She was so embarassed that she had to get in her and go somewhere else to get food. Then she was so traumatized from her fall that she honked at a lady who was sitting still at a traffic light which was red at the moment because she "thought" it was green. When she realized the lady was stopped at the red traffic light, she burst into tears.
What do I do when my friend relays this story to me? I laugh. I mean the can't breathe, tears streaming down my face, bending over kind of laugh. I couldn't help it. I am picturing the events in my mind and just laughing. It helps that I've been witness to some of her other falls therefore my imagination didn't have to do too much work.
I have another friend who has had some funny things happen to her. But the one story I remember the most - her falling in the parking lot of a grocery story. There is a small hill by the little league ballfields in Sparta that every time I go by it I think of this guy at work who told a story of falling and then sliding down that hill. Hilarious! Another friend told a story of falling when her heel got caught in her pants, right in front of the John Deere store. I remember being a kid and watching the old Jerry Lewis movies, old slap stick comedy movies and TV shows and laughing so hard until my stomach hurt.
One of my most embarassing moments was a fall. In Junior High chorale, we were practicing for a presentation. We'd practicing a song about some river rolling on as well as a couple more songs. It is the day before and we're practicing how to enter, line up on the stairs of the stage and then exit. I am the lead in person for the top row. I come in and walk up the stairs and then start to walk across to the far end. In my dress shoes on the carpeted stairs, tragedy strikes. I slip and fall and then begin to roll down the stairs. As I look up, I see the chorale director coming to try and catch me. Oh no....this is bad but in Junior High, it is really bad. He fails to make it to me before I actually land on the floor. And what can you do after a fall like that? Laugh with everyone else that is laughing! And you know the song they were playing as I took my tumble - yep, the one about the river rolling on. Geez. And on the day of the performance, I prayed the entire time I walked up and across the steps and I wore different shoes.
Still...something about falling just makes me laugh.
What do I do when my friend relays this story to me? I laugh. I mean the can't breathe, tears streaming down my face, bending over kind of laugh. I couldn't help it. I am picturing the events in my mind and just laughing. It helps that I've been witness to some of her other falls therefore my imagination didn't have to do too much work.
I have another friend who has had some funny things happen to her. But the one story I remember the most - her falling in the parking lot of a grocery story. There is a small hill by the little league ballfields in Sparta that every time I go by it I think of this guy at work who told a story of falling and then sliding down that hill. Hilarious! Another friend told a story of falling when her heel got caught in her pants, right in front of the John Deere store. I remember being a kid and watching the old Jerry Lewis movies, old slap stick comedy movies and TV shows and laughing so hard until my stomach hurt.
One of my most embarassing moments was a fall. In Junior High chorale, we were practicing for a presentation. We'd practicing a song about some river rolling on as well as a couple more songs. It is the day before and we're practicing how to enter, line up on the stairs of the stage and then exit. I am the lead in person for the top row. I come in and walk up the stairs and then start to walk across to the far end. In my dress shoes on the carpeted stairs, tragedy strikes. I slip and fall and then begin to roll down the stairs. As I look up, I see the chorale director coming to try and catch me. Oh no....this is bad but in Junior High, it is really bad. He fails to make it to me before I actually land on the floor. And what can you do after a fall like that? Laugh with everyone else that is laughing! And you know the song they were playing as I took my tumble - yep, the one about the river rolling on. Geez. And on the day of the performance, I prayed the entire time I walked up and across the steps and I wore different shoes.
Still...something about falling just makes me laugh.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Love to Learn
Both of my kids are in summer school. It's interesting when you say this to people because their initial reaction is usually shock especially since Jonah just finished Kindergarten and Riley is set to just start Kindergarten this fall. "Isn't summer school just for kids having trouble?" is the initial words or the look on their face. Well, summer school is not just for that reason. It can be a time of fun and learning during the summer when lots of kids are hitting the brick wall called "I'm Bored". And it's not like a normal school day. It's only half a day and they are able to learn a variety of things and in a fun way.We had planned for Jonah to go to his old daycare during the summer. However, we found out about an opportunity for him to go to the daycare program through the school and opted to go that route. There were a variety of reasons that played into that decision: (1) playing with children his age or older vs. interacting with younger children or babies all day, (2) plenty of interactive activities inside and outside vs. playing the Nintendo DS inside or shooting basketball outside by himself, (3) opportunity to go to summer school vs. only follow up to kindergarten is at home with mom.So far Jonah has enjoyed the school daycare program. He's looking forward to the days they will get to go swimming at the YMCA but enjoys playing on the playground, kick ball, dodge ball, board games, etc. And he is enjoying summer school. He has been learning Spanish, enjoying story time at the library, and music classes. He's come home in the first two days and is counting to ten in Spanish, told me his assigned Spanish name (Ezra) and is telling me colors in Spanish. And he loves story time. Currently Dr. Seuss is his favorite author. And music time is filled with singing action songs such as the famous "Chicken Dance." Riley is also enjoying summer school. He enjoys story time and the play doh center. It's hit or miss whether he enjoys music time or not depending on if he knows the songs already. He enjoys playing outside and snack time. He likes all of the teachers he says but has decided that it's not necessary to learn everyone's name in his class. He'll settle for learning a couple names of the ones he really likes. Last night as I was talking to a few friends after church, we were discussing books we have read, are reading, or want to/should read. I love to read. I have always loved to read. I haven't always had time to read but I think there is nothing better than curling up on the couch with a good book. It is one of the most relaxing things for me. One memorable time was the boys had spent the night with someone so Jason & I went out to eat and then to Books-A-Million. We browsed books and magazines for over an hour. Then I settled on a couple of purchases. I went home and started reading until I got sleepy. The next morning I got up after Jason went to work and I did my few things around the house. When those things were finished, I settled in to finishing my book. And I did. I finished it that day, in peace and quiet, without interruptions or distractions. I only stopped reading when I decided it was time for lunch. And when my family all got back home that night....I was one relaxed mom and wife. Now granted not all books are "learning" books. However I have found that although the book may not be specific to teaching me something, the fact that I was reading has helped me to become a good speller, improved my grammar skills, and expanded my vocabulary. And it's an amazing thing when someone is relating something to you and you can respond, I've read that before. Or if you are disputing/validating a point, you can reference reading it in a book, magazine, article, etc. It just makes you sound more intelligent!I hope my kids always love to learn. I hope that I will be able to show them that learning is fun. Learning is something you can do wherever you are or whatever you are doing. You don't have to set out to learn but if you'll be open to it, then it will happen. There's no need to turn off our brains just because it's summer, or because we graduated, or because we're thirty (almost). Every day is a great day to learn something. And I love it
Monday, June 1, 2009
Small Town
It's a neat thing to live in a small town. Now granted there are times when you don't appreciate it as much. However, tonight is a night when I am appreciating it. The boys had another tball game tonight. Jason helped coach so I sat over to the side, watching and taking pictures. Two young boys from church (twins, John & Henry) came and kept me company. We left the tball field and went over to El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant. This is a restaurant that we should be part owner. We eat there at least once a week and often times two to three times a week. And we've been known to visit more than one time in a day.
Going into El Tap we always see someone we know. We went in and sat down enjoying our meal. There in the restaurant was an old friend of my husband's. He was just starting to work at UPS when Jason was working there part-time when we first got married. Man...seeing him took me back to the days when Jason & I were dating and engaged. He worked evenings so at his break time I would take him something to eat or drink. And then I would hang around for a while. I would talk to him while he would wash those big brown UPS trucks. Crazy, huh? Anyway, this guy reminded me of those days.
Then we see other friends - ones older than us with a son that just graduated high school, one friend that is on the fair board committee with Jason and tried to give us his ticket to pay, one friend that had a son that played on Jason's basketball team for a couple years, and then someone that might distantly be related or could just be friends, whichever. That one happens a lot to us.
However, the best part was the couple that we sat down and talked to for about forty-five minutes after we were finished eating - Justin & Tatum. Actually, they were my brother's friends long before they were ours. They went to school and graduated with my brother so they are younger than us. But once you get out of college, are married, working, having kids, etc. the age gaps don't really seem so big. We sat and talked about nonsense really and laughed mostly. And it was nice just enjoying a surpise visit with friends at the hometown Mexican restaurant. Yeah...I like a small town.....tonight.
Going into El Tap we always see someone we know. We went in and sat down enjoying our meal. There in the restaurant was an old friend of my husband's. He was just starting to work at UPS when Jason was working there part-time when we first got married. Man...seeing him took me back to the days when Jason & I were dating and engaged. He worked evenings so at his break time I would take him something to eat or drink. And then I would hang around for a while. I would talk to him while he would wash those big brown UPS trucks. Crazy, huh? Anyway, this guy reminded me of those days.
Then we see other friends - ones older than us with a son that just graduated high school, one friend that is on the fair board committee with Jason and tried to give us his ticket to pay, one friend that had a son that played on Jason's basketball team for a couple years, and then someone that might distantly be related or could just be friends, whichever. That one happens a lot to us.
However, the best part was the couple that we sat down and talked to for about forty-five minutes after we were finished eating - Justin & Tatum. Actually, they were my brother's friends long before they were ours. They went to school and graduated with my brother so they are younger than us. But once you get out of college, are married, working, having kids, etc. the age gaps don't really seem so big. We sat and talked about nonsense really and laughed mostly. And it was nice just enjoying a surpise visit with friends at the hometown Mexican restaurant. Yeah...I like a small town.....tonight.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
What a week....
Well....this has been an interesting week. A wave of emotions associated with big changes. My parents who have lived and pastored in Sparta TN for 16 years are moving. They are taking another church about an hour away in Chattanooga TN. This is so complex that it's been hard to wrap my mind around it all.
First, there is a personal level for my parents. They are about 6 years from retirement and already have bought a house in Sparta. So, they are moving back here in a few years. But, I am excited for them and this new change in their lives - they are such wonderful people and have so much love to give to people. They have built on a great foundation at this current church but I believe they have lots to offer in building on the foundation at their new church. I'm excited to see what God is going to do with them for His kingdom.
Second, there is a personal level for me and my family. My parents have never lived more than just five minutes away from me. This has meant so much as I got married, experienced job adjustments, gave birth to children, and now have kids starting school. They have been back up baby sitters when day care was closed or the kids were sick and couldn't go to day care. But even more then that is the ability to call them at the last minute to meet for dinner. Or to plan a spontaneous Saturday last summer for mom to go with me and the boys to Splash Country. Or for dad to call me at work and suggest eating lunch since he will be in Cookeville to pick up his suits from the cleaner. On a personal level....this is a HUGE loss.
Third, there is a level for us as church members. Our leadership will be changing. We have peace since we know that God is in control. And if He is leading mom and dad to a new place then we know that He has been working to bring the right person to our church. There is some fear associated with these changes.
So.....what does a person like me dealing with all of these changes do? Well, a person like me with a melacholy personality, an administrative spiritual gifting, and a little obsessive/compulsive disorder....I cry, I laugh, I remind myself constantly of the Word, I pray, I encourage myself, I surround myself with encouraging people AND I go to the book store yesterday. So, I went to the book store and bought three books. Two of the books I planned on purchasing and one was a spontaneous buy. First, I bought the book recommended by a friend called "Who Moved My Cheese". Now this is not a spiritual book. It was actually written by the same man who wrote "The One Minute Manager" and his books are read by many people in the business world. But it was given to them to read as church office staff when they experienced a pastoral change. I read it this morning and found it very insightful. I will probably re-read it again several times within the next few weeks and also give it to a few others to read. Short and easy but very insightful. The other book I purchased was "In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day". Now that is a title that just jumps out at you. What? Well, it is written by Mark Batterson who pastors a church in Washington DC. I came across his blog (http://www.evotional.com/) while reading Beth Moore's blog (http://www.livingproofministries.blogspot.com/). I've been reading it for a couple of weeks and have really enjoyed his perspective. So, had to go get the book. He has another book called "Wild Goose Chase" but being a person with slight OCD (no comments!) I had to read the first book written first. I read the back cover and LOVED it. I've skimmed the first chapter and am ready to dive right in but this morning hasn't allowed for me to read two books and blog.
And the last book, the spontaneous one, is called "Velvet Elvis". It is by a man named Rob Bell who also pastors a church called Mars Hill. Don't know too much about him actually but I know my brother has read this book and watched some of his videos. I thought, why not?
So....here I am in the midst of big changes...and knowing that the process is not going to be over in a matter of a few days or even weeks. But, I'm prepared. I know the Lord is with us. And after reading "Who Moved My Cheese" this morning....I am reminded that change is constant and it's all about our perspective to change.
First, there is a personal level for my parents. They are about 6 years from retirement and already have bought a house in Sparta. So, they are moving back here in a few years. But, I am excited for them and this new change in their lives - they are such wonderful people and have so much love to give to people. They have built on a great foundation at this current church but I believe they have lots to offer in building on the foundation at their new church. I'm excited to see what God is going to do with them for His kingdom.
Second, there is a personal level for me and my family. My parents have never lived more than just five minutes away from me. This has meant so much as I got married, experienced job adjustments, gave birth to children, and now have kids starting school. They have been back up baby sitters when day care was closed or the kids were sick and couldn't go to day care. But even more then that is the ability to call them at the last minute to meet for dinner. Or to plan a spontaneous Saturday last summer for mom to go with me and the boys to Splash Country. Or for dad to call me at work and suggest eating lunch since he will be in Cookeville to pick up his suits from the cleaner. On a personal level....this is a HUGE loss.
Third, there is a level for us as church members. Our leadership will be changing. We have peace since we know that God is in control. And if He is leading mom and dad to a new place then we know that He has been working to bring the right person to our church. There is some fear associated with these changes.
So.....what does a person like me dealing with all of these changes do? Well, a person like me with a melacholy personality, an administrative spiritual gifting, and a little obsessive/compulsive disorder....I cry, I laugh, I remind myself constantly of the Word, I pray, I encourage myself, I surround myself with encouraging people AND I go to the book store yesterday. So, I went to the book store and bought three books. Two of the books I planned on purchasing and one was a spontaneous buy. First, I bought the book recommended by a friend called "Who Moved My Cheese". Now this is not a spiritual book. It was actually written by the same man who wrote "The One Minute Manager" and his books are read by many people in the business world. But it was given to them to read as church office staff when they experienced a pastoral change. I read it this morning and found it very insightful. I will probably re-read it again several times within the next few weeks and also give it to a few others to read. Short and easy but very insightful. The other book I purchased was "In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day". Now that is a title that just jumps out at you. What? Well, it is written by Mark Batterson who pastors a church in Washington DC. I came across his blog (http://www.evotional.com/) while reading Beth Moore's blog (http://www.livingproofministries.blogspot.com/). I've been reading it for a couple of weeks and have really enjoyed his perspective. So, had to go get the book. He has another book called "Wild Goose Chase" but being a person with slight OCD (no comments!) I had to read the first book written first. I read the back cover and LOVED it. I've skimmed the first chapter and am ready to dive right in but this morning hasn't allowed for me to read two books and blog.
And the last book, the spontaneous one, is called "Velvet Elvis". It is by a man named Rob Bell who also pastors a church called Mars Hill. Don't know too much about him actually but I know my brother has read this book and watched some of his videos. I thought, why not?
So....here I am in the midst of big changes...and knowing that the process is not going to be over in a matter of a few days or even weeks. But, I'm prepared. I know the Lord is with us. And after reading "Who Moved My Cheese" this morning....I am reminded that change is constant and it's all about our perspective to change.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Reach for the Stars?
In the past week many young people graduated high school or college. I personally had a son who graduated from Kindergarten. Very exciting! However, the high school graduation ceremony I attended got me thinking as I flipped through the program and saw their theme, "Reaching for the Stars". As I listened to the Salutatorian and Valedictorian give their speeches encouraging the graduates to reach for the stars....it left me feeling empty.
What if you reach and reach and reach and still can't get there? What if you reach and get your star and it ended up being not what exactly what you expected or wanted when you got it? What if the sky all the sudden became black and you couldn't even see the stars?What if instead of reaching for the stars, we reached for the Star Maker? The One who knows the entire universe inside and out and yet can still keep count of the numbers of hairs on my head. The One who formed us in our mother's womb and sees our every hope, dream, struggle, failure, and loves us through them and in spite of them. The One who gave everything for the ability to have a relationship with us. Yes, I believe if we reach for the Star Maker instead of the stars then He can give us the stars and so much more
What if you reach and reach and reach and still can't get there? What if you reach and get your star and it ended up being not what exactly what you expected or wanted when you got it? What if the sky all the sudden became black and you couldn't even see the stars?What if instead of reaching for the stars, we reached for the Star Maker? The One who knows the entire universe inside and out and yet can still keep count of the numbers of hairs on my head. The One who formed us in our mother's womb and sees our every hope, dream, struggle, failure, and loves us through them and in spite of them. The One who gave everything for the ability to have a relationship with us. Yes, I believe if we reach for the Star Maker instead of the stars then He can give us the stars and so much more
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Riley
Well, my baby has turned five years old. Wow...it is hard to believe Riley is already five and we are doing the preparation for school. I remember when we found out we were going to have another baby. My oldest had just turned 13 months old. Yes, I had a one year old and we were going to have another baby. It was just a little overwhelming. I remember wishing it would be a boy. We hadn't really cared with the first one and we didn't find out before hand if it was going to be a girl or a boy. But with the second baby and them being so close together, we told them that if they were 100% percent certain of the gender during the ultrasound then to go ahead and tell us. And they were 100% and it was another boy. I think I literally breathed a sigh of relief. Having two boys would certainly make it a little easier since we already have boys clothes and toys. And we kind of know what to expect with a boy, right?
Wrong....these two boys are night and day different. Jonah came out a very smiley baby however Riley, well, I think he saved his smiles for the first two years of his life for just a very few special people. He would go to various family members or friends and sit in their lap and watch others with a very somber face. He wasn't a baby who just laughed and smiled alot. About the two year mark though he must have decided that he had soaked in enough of the world and his personality begin to burst out. He is one of the smilingest (that's a word in blog land, right?), loveable, funny kids you will ever meet. He is friendly and never meets a stranger. If no one is around to talk to, well he will just talk to himself. I've watched him many times in his bedroom or on the porch, pretending to "work" on something and carry on complete conversations with himself. I do believe that his imagination is endless.
Riley loves to help. He loves to help daddy when he is mowing the grass; he loves to help mom cook in the kitchen, wash dishes (this would equal putting them in/out of the dishwasher), even clean up the house. He enjoys helping because that means there is someone to keep company and of course conversation. And as you know from my second blog post, the conversations can be quite interesting.
Riley is a home body too. One of his favorite things to do is to make brownies or cookies and then watch a movie in mom & dad's room. He loves water. He would spend hours in the bathtub if he could. And Splash Country in Pigeon Forge TN is his favorite place on earth. Even better than Disney World.
Riley loves to make me people laugh. And if he knows that something is "funny" then he will keep doing it or saying it as long as you continue to laugh. He love to tell a joke. Two of his favorite - one that Pastor Mike Campbell taught him about Pete & Repeat sittin' on a fence and the other one from the Madagascar 2 movie about good news and bad news. This enjoyment of making people laugh will probably lead him to being the class clown in school and getting in trouble. He will probably have hundreds of friends though. He's not normally one to get in trouble. However there are many times that he fails to listen to the instructions or warnings because he's making someone else laugh or talking. Lord help us!
Another neat thing is that Riley loves to be held. Still. My oldest son, Jonah, rarely wanted to be held at five years old. Even now, he doesn't spend much time sitting in your lap. He likes to sit beside you and is great at giving hugs. But Riley loves nothing better than to crawl in your arms, lay his head on your shoulder and be held. He thinks nothing of laying his head over on your lap in the restaurant booth and going right to sleep knowing that you're going to carry him to the car too. And when he looks up at you and asks to be held it makes you want to hold him. He has the most precious little face.
Wow....what a gift to be Riley's mom and enjoy him every single
Wrong....these two boys are night and day different. Jonah came out a very smiley baby however Riley, well, I think he saved his smiles for the first two years of his life for just a very few special people. He would go to various family members or friends and sit in their lap and watch others with a very somber face. He wasn't a baby who just laughed and smiled alot. About the two year mark though he must have decided that he had soaked in enough of the world and his personality begin to burst out. He is one of the smilingest (that's a word in blog land, right?), loveable, funny kids you will ever meet. He is friendly and never meets a stranger. If no one is around to talk to, well he will just talk to himself. I've watched him many times in his bedroom or on the porch, pretending to "work" on something and carry on complete conversations with himself. I do believe that his imagination is endless.
Riley loves to help. He loves to help daddy when he is mowing the grass; he loves to help mom cook in the kitchen, wash dishes (this would equal putting them in/out of the dishwasher), even clean up the house. He enjoys helping because that means there is someone to keep company and of course conversation. And as you know from my second blog post, the conversations can be quite interesting.
Riley is a home body too. One of his favorite things to do is to make brownies or cookies and then watch a movie in mom & dad's room. He loves water. He would spend hours in the bathtub if he could. And Splash Country in Pigeon Forge TN is his favorite place on earth. Even better than Disney World.
Riley loves to make me people laugh. And if he knows that something is "funny" then he will keep doing it or saying it as long as you continue to laugh. He love to tell a joke. Two of his favorite - one that Pastor Mike Campbell taught him about Pete & Repeat sittin' on a fence and the other one from the Madagascar 2 movie about good news and bad news. This enjoyment of making people laugh will probably lead him to being the class clown in school and getting in trouble. He will probably have hundreds of friends though. He's not normally one to get in trouble. However there are many times that he fails to listen to the instructions or warnings because he's making someone else laugh or talking. Lord help us!
Another neat thing is that Riley loves to be held. Still. My oldest son, Jonah, rarely wanted to be held at five years old. Even now, he doesn't spend much time sitting in your lap. He likes to sit beside you and is great at giving hugs. But Riley loves nothing better than to crawl in your arms, lay his head on your shoulder and be held. He thinks nothing of laying his head over on your lap in the restaurant booth and going right to sleep knowing that you're going to carry him to the car too. And when he looks up at you and asks to be held it makes you want to hold him. He has the most precious little face.
Wow....what a gift to be Riley's mom and enjoy him every single
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Thoughts about heaven.....from an almost 5 year old
In our current daily routine, I leave work and pick up my almost five year old son (next week), Riley, from day care and then drive less than fifteen minutes and pick up my six year old son, Jonah, from school. In the few minutes that we have in the car together alone before we pick up Jonah, there is usually a discussion about how the day went, if you went outside and what you did outside, who was there and who wasn't, and how many "feet" you had left and why. For those who haven't heard about the "feet" system, let me explain.
At our day care, everyone starts the day with 3 feet. These 3 feet have your name on them and are hanging on a string on the wall. Now, if you misbehave then you have to remove one of your feet and put it in the boot. Cute, huh? If at the end of the day you have at least one foot remaining, then you get a prize from the treasure box. Literally, some days there are kids just hanging by a toe.
So....you can imagine that the entire ride from daycare to school pick up is full of conversation....especially if you have met Riley. He enjoys talking. Last week we quickly covered all of the normal topics of afternoon conversation very quickly in our ride. And there were a few moments of quiet and then the discussion began....
Riley: Mom, do you know that you don't have to have money in heaven?
Me: Really, why?
Riley: Because Jesus will just give you whatever you ask for. If you ask for something, He'll just ok, here it is.
Me: Wow, that's pretty cool. (few moments of silence)
Riley: Mom, you know that you don't have to cook in heaven.
Me: Really....that's cool.
Riley: Yeah, if you get hungry, you just ask Jesus and He'll say, ok, here it is. And it's already cooked. That's kind of magical.
Me: Yeah, that is awesome.
Riley: But, if you're bad you get kicked out of heaven and have to go live with the devil. You only get one chance you know.
(Theological discussion begins....)
Me: Well, I don't think that we will want to do bad things when we get to heaven. You see, when we go to heaven, we're going to get new bodies and in those bodies we will not want to do bad things anymore.
Riley: New bodies...oh....then we won't have to get kicked out.
Me: That's right. Once we get to heaven then we never have to leave.
(Few moments of silence)
Me: Riley, what do you think heaven looks like? Do you think it has green grass, a sun and clouds?
Riley: No...it's gold.
Me: Wow, that is amazing.
Riley: Yeah, so it's really sparkly. And silver. That's sparkly too. And you know, that when you get to heaven....you can touch the sun?
Me: Yeah, I guess you can touch the sun because you'll have that new body.
Part of this conversation, I'm sure is his imagination - how he pictures Jesus in his imagination cooking his food in seconds and just giving it to him. He may be thinking that when he asks Jesus for something to eat, that he won't get the response "No, you don't eat that for breakfast" or "No, you can't have that before dinner". However, his idea of the closeness of Jesus and how beautiful heaven will be....now that is right on.
At our day care, everyone starts the day with 3 feet. These 3 feet have your name on them and are hanging on a string on the wall. Now, if you misbehave then you have to remove one of your feet and put it in the boot. Cute, huh? If at the end of the day you have at least one foot remaining, then you get a prize from the treasure box. Literally, some days there are kids just hanging by a toe.
So....you can imagine that the entire ride from daycare to school pick up is full of conversation....especially if you have met Riley. He enjoys talking. Last week we quickly covered all of the normal topics of afternoon conversation very quickly in our ride. And there were a few moments of quiet and then the discussion began....
Riley: Mom, do you know that you don't have to have money in heaven?
Me: Really, why?
Riley: Because Jesus will just give you whatever you ask for. If you ask for something, He'll just ok, here it is.
Me: Wow, that's pretty cool. (few moments of silence)
Riley: Mom, you know that you don't have to cook in heaven.
Me: Really....that's cool.
Riley: Yeah, if you get hungry, you just ask Jesus and He'll say, ok, here it is. And it's already cooked. That's kind of magical.
Me: Yeah, that is awesome.
Riley: But, if you're bad you get kicked out of heaven and have to go live with the devil. You only get one chance you know.
(Theological discussion begins....)
Me: Well, I don't think that we will want to do bad things when we get to heaven. You see, when we go to heaven, we're going to get new bodies and in those bodies we will not want to do bad things anymore.
Riley: New bodies...oh....then we won't have to get kicked out.
Me: That's right. Once we get to heaven then we never have to leave.
(Few moments of silence)
Me: Riley, what do you think heaven looks like? Do you think it has green grass, a sun and clouds?
Riley: No...it's gold.
Me: Wow, that is amazing.
Riley: Yeah, so it's really sparkly. And silver. That's sparkly too. And you know, that when you get to heaven....you can touch the sun?
Me: Yeah, I guess you can touch the sun because you'll have that new body.
Part of this conversation, I'm sure is his imagination - how he pictures Jesus in his imagination cooking his food in seconds and just giving it to him. He may be thinking that when he asks Jesus for something to eat, that he won't get the response "No, you don't eat that for breakfast" or "No, you can't have that before dinner". However, his idea of the closeness of Jesus and how beautiful heaven will be....now that is right on.
Monday, May 11, 2009
My name
When I finally decided to make the leap from putting thoughts in emails to actually trying a blog, I had to come up with a name. I thought about when my mom named me. She said that she searched hard for a name that wouldn't have a nick name. She went through college year books and found the name Melanie. Try as she might, she could not come up with a nick name. However there ended up being a show on television just a few short years after I was born about a restaurant called "Mel's Diner" and you guessed it....my nickname became Mel. My mother hated it at the time because Mel was a man. But....it didn't bother me. And now my own mom calls me Mel.
Throughout the years there have been a few other nick names added. My dad calls me MG (short for my full name Melanie Gean). My best friend in high school called me Mellie. One of the guys at work calls me Melvin. I've also been called Smelly Melly, Water "mel" on, Melanie Felony (this one doesn't make any sense since I've always been a goody two shoes.). My brother's nick name for me was "Princess" but he used that mainly when he was mad because I was going somewhere and he wasn't. I believe the words were "The Princess always gets her way!"
When my husband Jason and I started dating most people called him by his name. However there were some friends that used his middle name, Argo, and another group of friends that called him Ray Ray. Still not sure where that came from? And after we'd been to a couple of family gatherings, I had to ask why some of his uncles called him Jake instead of Jason. No good answer....they just always did.
Now...I have two sons - Jonah and Riley. I never did think about whether they would have nick names or not. I assume at some point everyone has a nickname. However, I don't think that my oldest son Jonah has ever had a nickname. He's always called Jonah. Sometimes he mistakenly is called Noah since it is a more common name than Jonah and sound similar. But, it is not a nick name. But my youngest son Riley has had many nicknames for his young five years. We started out with the nick name Rooster. This came from the fact that he was up at the crack of dawn ready for the day. That name was eventually shortened to Roo. From there we added Ri. Since we've started playing sports and there are either multiple Riley's (boys and girls) or Briley, Bailey, Kylee, etc. we either use Ri or use his full name, Riley Austin. The other day he decided that he wanted to add a second name which I informed him was known as a nick name. He said that he wanted to be called Piglet. This actually is very appropriate since he can sometimes remind you of Piglet - he is a little small, cuddly, and has a lot to say but sometimes gets all tongue tied trying to say it all.
So...maybe some names are prone to nick names....or maybe some personalities are. Not sure which one is the case but either way....you can call me Mel.
Throughout the years there have been a few other nick names added. My dad calls me MG (short for my full name Melanie Gean). My best friend in high school called me Mellie. One of the guys at work calls me Melvin. I've also been called Smelly Melly, Water "mel" on, Melanie Felony (this one doesn't make any sense since I've always been a goody two shoes.). My brother's nick name for me was "Princess" but he used that mainly when he was mad because I was going somewhere and he wasn't. I believe the words were "The Princess always gets her way!"
When my husband Jason and I started dating most people called him by his name. However there were some friends that used his middle name, Argo, and another group of friends that called him Ray Ray. Still not sure where that came from? And after we'd been to a couple of family gatherings, I had to ask why some of his uncles called him Jake instead of Jason. No good answer....they just always did.
Now...I have two sons - Jonah and Riley. I never did think about whether they would have nick names or not. I assume at some point everyone has a nickname. However, I don't think that my oldest son Jonah has ever had a nickname. He's always called Jonah. Sometimes he mistakenly is called Noah since it is a more common name than Jonah and sound similar. But, it is not a nick name. But my youngest son Riley has had many nicknames for his young five years. We started out with the nick name Rooster. This came from the fact that he was up at the crack of dawn ready for the day. That name was eventually shortened to Roo. From there we added Ri. Since we've started playing sports and there are either multiple Riley's (boys and girls) or Briley, Bailey, Kylee, etc. we either use Ri or use his full name, Riley Austin. The other day he decided that he wanted to add a second name which I informed him was known as a nick name. He said that he wanted to be called Piglet. This actually is very appropriate since he can sometimes remind you of Piglet - he is a little small, cuddly, and has a lot to say but sometimes gets all tongue tied trying to say it all.
So...maybe some names are prone to nick names....or maybe some personalities are. Not sure which one is the case but either way....you can call me Mel.
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