The Walk

Tonight Kory got home from work early and we decided to take the kids on a walk.

You know, cause that's what families do. And in my mind, it is a very family-bonding and togetherness kinda thing.

Any guesses where this is heading...

We enjoyed the idealistic, family-bonding type walk for approx a 1/2 block. Then came

• the yelling to slow down and stay close by the parents
• tears from one child because she wanted to be first
• tears from another child because the other child ran into him
• tears from the third child because he got in trouble for going too far ahead

We ended our lovely walk by yelling at our kids to RUN as we were assaulted by a group of crazy hungry mosquitoes. They were coming at us from all directions and hungry enough to bite through denim jeans.

We barely escaped with our lives.

So, reality didn't match my ideal, It rarely does, but hey that's okay.

Because even though the ideal makes a great mind-picture, it really doesn't make a great story.

Wordless Wednesday - Remembering... Mommy, Read to Me

A Trip to the Lilbrary

We made a trip to the library today. For two reasons.

1. Story hour (or Tuesday's Tales as they called it) was today. The boys listened in awe as the librarian read them books. Seriously, they sat on their red bean bag and stared at the book with their mouths slightly opened.

I don't think I saw them move during the reading of the first book. You would have thought they had never seen a book before (although maybe they had never seen a book read with that much enthusiasm before).

And when the librarian sang songs and did hand motions...

They sat in awe and did not move. By the end of the third song Twin A started to catch on to the hand motions and got a few in before the song was over. Twin B not so much.

2. The second reason we went to the library was to get books. The boys picked their own books, which involved running up to shelves and randomly grabbing whatever caught their fancy.

I vetoed a few. For example, any Dora the Explorer book gets an automatic no. I cannot think of another book more excruciating to read.

And then, it was my turn to pick out a book.

I LOVE picking out my own library books (do I sound like a 5 year old?). And what made today's pick extra fun...

I had no idea what book I wanted to read. It was a surprise!

I just finished reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. In it, the main character Francie reads a book a day. She goes through the books alphabetically with her goal being to read all of them.

I have no desire to do this. BUT, I thought it would be fun to tweak this idea and use it in my own way. So I decided to pick a book whose author's last name starts with A (and maybe the next time I go I will pick a book whose author's last name starts with B).

All that to say, I started Mansfield Park by Jane Austen today!

I love the library *contented sigh*.

Remembering Ukraine

Five years ago Kory and I made our first trip to Ukraine. A part of my heart will forever be attached to that country and the people we met.

Lifesong for Orphans sponsored the trip. Our purpose was to minister to orphans. We helped run a camp of sorts (you can read about last year's trip here). I don't know if our purpose was fulfilled. I have a feeling the American team were the ones truly ministered to.

Since that first trip, 4 teams have returned to Loubetein orphanage. Kory has been a part of two of those teams. I have been a part of one.

Last Sunday, we had a reunion. I knew some of the people who attended. Others, I knew of by name only. Regardless, we all shared a love for a group of kids living in Ukraine.

During the reunion we shared memories of our time at Loubetein. I shared a story about a girl I met on the very first trip. Her name is Valya. You can read that story here.

I still pray for Valya. I know seeds of truth were planted in her heart because of the presences of Lifesong staffers at Loubetein. I also know she has made heartbreaking choices since leaving the orphanage.

But I will always pray for her. I feel like God placed her in my heart for a purpose.

I believe my Heavenly Father knows Valya intimately and He loves her regardless of the choices she makes. I think He connected my heart to Valya's because He wants her to be remembered and prayed for. I get to partner with Him (in a small way) in Valya's life.

My connection with Valya strengthens my belief in a God who cares.

I suppose you could argue that if God really cared, Valya would not live in an orphanage. Orphans would not exist. I don't want to get into that kind of debate in a blog post.

But let me share this thought: We are a broken people living in a broken world. Despite our brokenness, the God of the Universe reaches down and touches lives in personal ways. Sometimes he uses other people to fulfill this purpose. Regardless, He makes himself known and available to those who seek Him. He cares.

He cares about me. He cares about Valya.

I will probably never hear what happened to Valya in this lifetime. But I pray that someday in Heaven I will run into a small girl with long blond hair and brown eyes. She will tell me her story and I will tell her mine and we will rejoice together because we serve a God who cares.

For Peanuts

It happens every year in my home town.

The local Kiwanis Club recruits its members to stand at corners and collect money for peanuts. Literal peanuts. Beer nuts to be exact.

I've noticed this phenomenon over the years and wondered about the lucidity of it.

It is supposed to be a fundraiser.

It must be somewhat effective. Why else would they send their members to man the street corners?

Frankly I don't get it. Whenever I see them, I have no problem driving by guilt free. Giving cash to sweaty people on a street corner just doesn't seem right. And who carries cash anymore?

I know, I know, its for a good cause. They seem somewhat friendly. You've got to give them props for taking time to stand in the middle of the street as cars drive by.

But seriously, would you want to buy peanuts from this guy?

A Few Firsts

9 blogger free days. Do you know how many blog posts ran through my head in that amount of time?

Neither do I, but it was a lot.

Some posts you will see in the days to come, most are lost forever in the recesses of this overloaded, loosing brain cells by the day,hour, second mommy brain of mine.

Moving on...

Over the past week, the boys have experienced a few firsts. Last Sunday they had their first day of Sunday School. They have attended the nursery in our church, but the nursery has very little structure (which is to be expected when you are dealing with 1 and 2 year olds) as well as different "teachers" each week.

Last Sunday was official, more structured, same Sunday School teachers every week, sing, color, put a sticker on your name, listen to a Bible story Sunday School.

He wouldn't admit it, but Twin B was a little nervous. Suddenly everything was wrong with the world. He didn't want to drive past preschool. He wanted to go to Grandma's church, not this one. The sun was too bright.

But once we got to his room, he was fine. They both had a great time!

Yesterday was the other first - the first day of preschool!

They were both excited - I think.

Twin A talked big about how excited he was, but the moment we got out of the van and his big kid buddy came to get him he decided he didn't want to go to preschool. So I followed them in the building (and was able to leave quickly without any dramatics once their teachers distracted them - yay!) .

Twin B, on the other hand, started to get negative again, BUT once we got out of the van seemed to have no problems and was ready to go.

Both boys had a great time and are looking forward to next week.

Do you know what the best part about preschool was? I am giddy as I write this. I had an hour and a half with ONE small child. We were in and out of stores like you wouldn't believe. I was crossing things off of my list like a crazy woman.

It was a grand moment.

I don't think the boys will be the only ones looking forward to preschool next week.

I can't wait!

I'm Back (insert evil laugh... or not)