Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Watch out Turkey!
Thursday is Thanksgiving. Its a big day. It will be the first time I host Thanksgiving at my own home. It will also be the first time I roast a turkey.
I am a little intimidated.
Check out that red mound of holiday meat. I can hear it trash talking from the garage refrigerator. It taunts me as it slowly thaws.
"You better have plenty of gravy cause I'm gonna be one dry bird."
"You better have lunch and dinner plans cause I ain't gonna be ready til Friday."
"Your momma..."
Enough.
Better watch yourself turkey, your days are numbered. Taunt me if you wish, it ain't gonna change the outcome. I'm gonna roast you like there's no tomorrow...
Yum, Yum!
Friday, November 21, 2008
Happy Birthday to Me
"So I turned 30 today," she said quietly. Spoken matter-of-factly so as not to create a fuss, while secretly hoping a fuss would be made...
Yes, its true, I turned 30 today (aren't I brave broadcasting that number in this public forum). To some of you that sounds young. To others, it probably sounds old.
To me, well, I don't feel any different. I feel the same age I did yesterday... 24.
Although I don't feel any different, I am not crazy about the thought that I am in my 30s. It makes me a little sad. At least for the moment...
Mya was very excited that today is my birthday. That is something I miss about childhood. Birthday's were a big deal. They still are. But they seem to loose the magical feel and start to become a little more ordinary the older I get.
I remember not being able to sleep the night before my birthday when I was little. Definately not the case this time around.
My kids sang happy birthday to me this morning. Unprompted. On there own. It was fun. I told Mya it was a great birthday present. She quickly told me it wasn't a present.
I remember asking my mom what she wanted for her birthday when I was younger. She would usually ask for a clean kitchen, or something like that. I never understood her reasoning. Why would you ask for something that would be undone the next day or sooner. I am starting to understand a little better.
I will probably ask for the same thing some day.
Today I think I will ask the boys to play quietly without fighting. That would be a great present.
Probably not going to happen.
Actually, it didn't happen. But they are playing quietly without fighting at this moment.
Happy Birthday to me.
Yes, its true, I turned 30 today (aren't I brave broadcasting that number in this public forum). To some of you that sounds young. To others, it probably sounds old.
To me, well, I don't feel any different. I feel the same age I did yesterday... 24.
Although I don't feel any different, I am not crazy about the thought that I am in my 30s. It makes me a little sad. At least for the moment...
Mya was very excited that today is my birthday. That is something I miss about childhood. Birthday's were a big deal. They still are. But they seem to loose the magical feel and start to become a little more ordinary the older I get.
I remember not being able to sleep the night before my birthday when I was little. Definately not the case this time around.
My kids sang happy birthday to me this morning. Unprompted. On there own. It was fun. I told Mya it was a great birthday present. She quickly told me it wasn't a present.
I remember asking my mom what she wanted for her birthday when I was younger. She would usually ask for a clean kitchen, or something like that. I never understood her reasoning. Why would you ask for something that would be undone the next day or sooner. I am starting to understand a little better.
I will probably ask for the same thing some day.
Today I think I will ask the boys to play quietly without fighting. That would be a great present.
Probably not going to happen.
Actually, it didn't happen. But they are playing quietly without fighting at this moment.
Happy Birthday to me.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
The Dishwasher Humming
At my MOPS group the other day a friend made the comment that everytime she smells corn cooking she thinks of Tom Brokaw.
Or maybe it was everytime she hears Tom Brokaw she thinks of corn.
Here's why: Growing up her mom would have the nightly news on as she was cooking dinner. The smell of dinner and Tom Brokaw's voice are forever connected in my friend's mind.
That happens to me too.
The sound of the dishwasher at night (when the lights are dim) always takes me back to my Grandma's house.
I picture myself sitting at her table. The kitchen spotless. A game of scrabble spread out in front of us. Lights dim except the one above us. Periodic conversation. The dishwasher humming in the background.
Simple sounds, simple times and sweet memories from the past.
I'm curious...
What sounds, smells and experiences are connected in your mind?
Or maybe it was everytime she hears Tom Brokaw she thinks of corn.
Here's why: Growing up her mom would have the nightly news on as she was cooking dinner. The smell of dinner and Tom Brokaw's voice are forever connected in my friend's mind.
That happens to me too.
The sound of the dishwasher at night (when the lights are dim) always takes me back to my Grandma's house.
I picture myself sitting at her table. The kitchen spotless. A game of scrabble spread out in front of us. Lights dim except the one above us. Periodic conversation. The dishwasher humming in the background.
Simple sounds, simple times and sweet memories from the past.
I'm curious...
What sounds, smells and experiences are connected in your mind?
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Sigh of Relief
The election is finally over (can you hear the sigh of relief?). And while the outcome is not what I wished for, life does go on.
I read two posts yesterday filled with good advice. I want to encourage you to read them too.
The first one I found on Lysa TerKeurst's blog. I'll let Lysa speak for herself, because she does it so well. Just don't forget to insert my hearty Amen at the end of her post.
The second was written by Michael Hyatt, President and CEO of Thomas Nelson publishers. At the end of his post Mr. Hyatt encouraged his readers to make the following commitments. I am posting them on my blog because I am challenged by his words. He said:
"I want to do my part. Therefore starting today, I am publicly making four commitments to President-Elect Barack Obama:
I read two posts yesterday filled with good advice. I want to encourage you to read them too.
The first one I found on Lysa TerKeurst's blog. I'll let Lysa speak for herself, because she does it so well. Just don't forget to insert my hearty Amen at the end of her post.
The second was written by Michael Hyatt, President and CEO of Thomas Nelson publishers. At the end of his post Mr. Hyatt encouraged his readers to make the following commitments. I am posting them on my blog because I am challenged by his words. He said:
"I want to do my part. Therefore starting today, I am publicly making four commitments to President-Elect Barack Obama:
- I will pray for him and our country.
- I will assume his motives are good, giving him the benefit of the doubt.
- I will not speak ill of him, even if I don't always agree with him.
- I will cast off the spirit of cynicism, and be a positive force for good."
These posts remind me that regardless of who our leaders are... Regardless of whether we agree with them and the policies they put in place... our roles as Christians do not change.
We are called to show grace and mercy.
We are called to fight for truth.
We are called to make a difference.
We are called to be holy vessels used for the noble purposes of our God.
Earthly leaders change. God does not.
(sigh of relief)
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Monday, November 03, 2008
Why we should NOT Adopt - Reason #1
In a previous post I gave three reasons that were holding us back from pursuing adoption.
Today I'd like to talk a little about reason #1: We already have 4 children ages 5 and under.
Frankly, I wonder a little about our sanity. Maybe the kids are taking a greater tole on our mental health than we'd care to admit...
The other day I was listening to the radio (how's that for a transition!). Two young men were being interviewed for writing a book called "Do Hard Things." The authors of this book (Alex and Brett Harris) were 18 when they wrote it. They wrote it to challenge their generation to "do hard things" for the glory of God.
They were asked the question "What did your parents do to raise boys (their older brother has written books as well) who are doing these big, hard things at young ages?
They said their Dad gets this question a lot and gives this piece of advice to parents:
Today I'd like to talk a little about reason #1: We already have 4 children ages 5 and under.
Frankly, I wonder a little about our sanity. Maybe the kids are taking a greater tole on our mental health than we'd care to admit...
The other day I was listening to the radio (how's that for a transition!). Two young men were being interviewed for writing a book called "Do Hard Things." The authors of this book (Alex and Brett Harris) were 18 when they wrote it. They wrote it to challenge their generation to "do hard things" for the glory of God.
They were asked the question "What did your parents do to raise boys (their older brother has written books as well) who are doing these big, hard things at young ages?
They said their Dad gets this question a lot and gives this piece of advice to parents:
- Live your life
- Invite your children to live it with you
- If you need more steps, repeat 1 and 2
This hit home with me.
We have been feeling called to pursue adoption, but I kept thinking how restricting a large family can be. For example, the larger our family is
- the less vacations we will be able to take
- the more expensive babysitting will be
- the more chaotic our family will be now and then (imagine what family gatherings will be like once they are all married and have families of their own).
- Not to mention the kind of vehicle we would have to drive. I'm still not ready to go there!
The advice, "live your life" kept resonating with me. If God calls us to adopt and enlarge our family, we need to act. Yes, our children might not be able to take as many vacations, but if they see us living out God's call on our lives, isn't that better?
I hope my children will "do hard things" for the glory of God some day. But, if I am unwilling to do "live my life" and follow His lead, how can I expect them to?
It is encouraging to watch friends and family doing the "hard things" God has called them to. I have family who have left the states to follow God's call in other countries. I have a friend who gave up her growing business to "be there" as her children grow up. I have friends who are pursuing publication which inevitably means rejection because God is calling them to write.
Doing hard things come in many shapes and sizes. For us, at this time in our life, it means adoption.
What hard thing is God calling you to today? Remember, whenever God calls you out of your comfort zone He has a plan. And it will be worth it. It may not be easy, but it will be worth it.
I can't wait to see Him work!
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Trick or Treat
The queen (aka big sister) led the way as her cowboy brothers followed behind. One cowboy dragged way behind as the trick or treating wore on. Dad was a little unsure he would actually make it home, but he did with a pumpkin basket laden with sweet treats.
Our sweet little puppy dog made the rounds being pushed by Dad in the stroller while Mom sat outside reading a book (interrupted periodically by trick or treaters).
A good time was had by all.
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