So Much to Say, So Little Time

Ok, so, well...there are quite a few things that I need/want to blog about, but I just haven't gotten around to doing it. This will be a random thoughts blog covering an array of items.

First, I'm glad I voted today. I waited until election day to vote because of my quandry over the candidates. I did not feel that either of the candidates were an adequate representation of any kind of change. I also was sick of all the political insanity that Christians were circulating. Kelvin Page at Westmore gave a great sermon on Sunday about Christians response after the election and the issue of authority. For some reason, this message inspired me and actually gave me a peace about voting. I have no expectations for how this election will wind up. Either way, I'm excited about the process and the way it has people dialoguing about our country and about the problems within the church. Isn't it funny how these two things keep coming up in conjunction with one another? I think it will be fun to watch it all play out, and I will be watching intently all night long.

Second, I have really been working on my thesis and my Apocalypse paper, as well as thinking about all the things we have talked about in Wholistic Mission. It is all rolling around in my head. I'm beginning to make some concrete formulations, which I hope to write about soon. I'm contemplating what the ENTIRE Bible has to say about the fatherless, orphan, widow, the poor and the immigrant. I'm also looking at what Revelation has to say about systems (economic, political, social constructs), and all of this in light of what the church is doing or hasn't done. I will throw you a bone though, I have said that Wesley had a system of radical discipleship, a call to social justice and life as an accountable and growing community. If we can't get following Wesley right, it might be a little much to think we can actually follow the mandates of Christ.

Third, I'm very excited to have been able to spend more time with my friend Angeline (and Mike too) at various points. I am thankful for their friendship and loving support during this time of transition in our lives. I would also like to say a big thank you to Emily Stone. Her efforts to include Belle and Ashton in activities have really helped my children to transition well.

Fourth, we have been enjoying various fall events. We painted pumpkins, we did pumpkin arts and crafts and enjoyed the night of tricks and treats. I will have pictures coming soon. We also have 2 pumpkins to carve, but considering that thanksgiving is upon us, we may just try to make a true from scratch pumpkin pie. Belle keeps asking to make one and the dried pumpkin seeds would make a great snack!

While this is not the exact maze, we also visited the corn maize in Anderson with Nana and Papi. As usual, it was a fun visit.

We have also been playing with chalk of late. I have some great photos of the kids that I hope to get up on the blog soon.

We have done so much work at my parent's new place. The transition has been amazing. I am so thankful that they are here.

Finally, I am really enjoying my internship. I'm actually starting to get attached to the people there. They have been extremely kind and gracious to me. I love the conversations we share and feeling like we are actually making a difference in the world. I could tell you stories of how things each one of them has said has impacted my life. Each of them have tremendous stories of God's grace and faithfulness in their life. I look forward to continuing to get to know them.

I guess that is all for now. I feel better that I've at written something here, even if it isn't as polished and perfected as I would like. I suppose blogging has now become important to me, and I don't want it to be as sporadic as in the past. I will do my best to get pictures up soon.

I look forward to the dialogue that future posts may bring. By the way, does anyone else feel hopeful about tonight's outcome no matter what it is? I just can't help thinking that no matter what happens, we are still His children, He still loves us and wants to see us all redeemed. Will the outcome of this election really change that? I think not. Que sera, sera.

New Drama - Here's the Cast...Literally

So, my baby boy is in a cast for the next 4 weeks. As a mother, I'm heartbroken and probably in much more pain than he is. His leg is not broken. The bone is bent. A simple way of explaining the details is to say that the cast will make sure that it doesn't get broken and heals properly. For some reason, they think toddlers don't know how to stay still! ;)
Anyway, the tech who put on Ashton's cast said that from what he saw of his personality, the cast would not hold him back at all. One evening has proven that to be true. Within an hour of being home, he was up and running (as best he could) and climbing around as if nothing was wrong.

We are trying to make the best of it. The doctor explained it to him. We've always just talked to our kids as if they understood everything we were saying anyway. He has this new little "walker" to help him get around. It's basically a very wide velcro shoe that goes over his cast. We've told him this is his new sock and shoe for the next 4 weeks. He was fine with it until bedtime. Then Dad had to explain why this one doesn't come off.
Honestly, the most distressing part of this whole ordeal is that Ashton will miss his nightly bath. Every night in the middle of dinner Ashton begins his spiel about the "big, big, big bath tub". It is a nightly ritual that usually last 30 minutes or more. It is full of bubbles and boats, and just Saturday he got a new Leo and Rocket (from the Little Einsteins for those of you who are toddler challenged) bath tub toy. Needless to say, I'm sure we will be counting the nights until bath time can begin again. At least Brian won't be cleaning up poop! (Please see "Life is Messy" for the full details).
As part of the ritual, we took pictures. I have included most of them. Belle and I also took pictures of our "not in casts" feet. To which Belle concluded that we all have "not pretty" feet...except for her!
Let me close with an apology. This blog is certainly not in my usual style of writing. But, I've had a day. And, at this point, being coherent is just not an option.
If you are coherent, then say a prayer for my little man. We'll keep you posted!

My Body is a Masterpiece

A little over a week ago, I was working on support letters for the people at church who are taking missions trips this summer. I had put Belle down for her nap about 30 minutes earlier. Normally, she drifts off to sleep. It's like a picture perfect story from the tale "Night Before Christmas". I'm thinking that visions of sugar plums are dancing in her head (more like visions of Ariel, Aurora and Belle), when what to my wondering eyes should appear but a naked little girl full of great cheer. She was colored with marker from head to toe - mustache around her lips, dots on her nose. But that is not the end of this tale you see, she had colored her feet, her bum and her boobies. So much composure I tried to retain, but alas I could not - laughter and tears fell like rain. I put up the markers and chastised her well, put her back to bed and all was well. She drifted off to sleep, my laughter remained and one day she'll read this story with disdain. Why do you ask? I'll tell you why. These are great stories to tell all the guys!

PS - This photo is another one of her coloring days. It's obvious...she loves lipstick.

I Miss My Kid!

I wanted to think of some witty, creative title to catch your attention. But, alas, no title seemed right except the one I chose. I want to shout it from the rooftops! It is funny the way God equips us to love our children.
Things have been really busy and stressful lately. During times like these, for most of us, our children bring a joy and welcomed relief to the heaviness of day to day living. So, being without them takes away a little of the sunshine. I'm convinced that God intended it that way. It sort of turns the tables a little and makes us dependent on those little bits who can do relatively little without our assistance. I'm also certain of this one thing...that I am missing her so much more than she is missing me. Still, I look forward to the weekend when I will see her smiling face and flopping piggy tales. And, hopefully, she will come running to me while shouting "Mommy, Mommy".
If you have no kids, maybe your dog licking you brings you similar joy. I wouldn't know. I've never had a pet. I do know one thing...I MISS MY KID!

Mushy Mommy Stuff

Today I took my daughter to Hollywood and Vine's Play'N'Dine with some of the characters from Playhouse Disney. We were there to eat breakfast. In fact, we were paying to eat breakfast. But, who cares about breakfast when June, Leo, JoJo and Goliath are around, right? Certainly not Belle, and certainly not her Mommy. She was entranced. I was enamored with her fascination. Even Ashton was giggling and smiling after he woke up. He knew something fun was happening.
So, my question today is this. How many times do we let the sweetest moments of life pass us by? What is really important? Even as little as she is, Belle knew that eating was irrelevant. We were there to hang out with June, and hang out with June we did (check out my new slide show for all the fun!). We followed her around the restaurant ~ dancing with her, hugging her, just touching her dress every chance we could. We must have blown her a hundred kisses. And the dancing...we danced to all the Playhouse Disney songs.
I'm not trying to be super spiritual here or pull something out of the air. But, I want Belle to love God this way. For that matter, I want to love God that way. Don't you? My friend says on her page, "I love God, poorly, but I do". I feel that way so many times.
We would all do well to watch the intriguing ways of a child. Belle took it all in. I couldn't take enough pictures or video. I thought I couldn't care less about the characters, but I did because Belle did. I was happy because she was happy. In that moment I couldn't have cared less about any want or desire of my own. People are always watching. I can't count how many waiters, waitresses and other actors in the show came to talk to her and check her out. It was contagious!
So now, you can take this as you want. You can enjoy the fun and the story. You can be spiritual and make some application if you dare. All I know is that I learn more from my daughter sometimes than she is learning from me.
Don't be jaded. Don't be so set in your ways. Don't lose the wonder of childhood. Don't eat so much. Don't starve. Smell the roses. Don't be so worried about housework and spend time cherishing moments with those you love (this is not an excuse to not clean the toilet ~ just remember there is a time and place for everything!). Don't spend your days pining away for what is not or ever will be.
Call an old friend. Be nice to the cashier at Wal-Mart. Take a chance and actually enjoy living for once. Be you. Love God, poorly if you have to, but love Him. And, if you ever need a lesson in any of the above, you can come hang out with Belle!

So This is Love...

I was going to begin blogging with something grand and theological, but the events of the day have brought me to a different place. If you don't recognize the title, it is from Disney's Cinderella. Cinderella sings the song as she dances with the prince. My daughter is completely enchanted with the princesses right now, especially Ariel and Cinderella. So, if you don't know me very well, I'll let you in on a secret - this blog is about my dear children.
This afternoon my daughter says that she wants to snuggle with Mommy (what a pleasant surprise) and watch Little Einsteins (no surprise there!). So, with one child nursing and a little cutie tucked in the other arm, we watch Little Einsteins. It was a delirious moment filled with joy that only another parent could really ever understand, and one that I never want to forget. For those of you who aren't parents, please indulge me a little.
As I relish in the joy that my daughter is actually sitting still long enough to let me love on her and be loved back, the moment ends as quickly as it began. I move Ashton to the swing and try to convince her to sit to no avail. She is up and down crawling all over me, smashing parts of my body that were not intended to touched much less mauled by little feet.
The kid in me decides to play back. I begin to tickle her. We have fun at first. Then, it happens. My daughters precious little feet take it too far. Her heel meets the bridge of my nose. No big deal, right. WRONG!!!! I hear a crack, push her away and fight back the tears. In my emotion, I shout, "I think she just broke my nose". I fall to the floor, and despite my best efforts to fight back tears, I begin to cry. The snot comes, only it's not snot at all. Beautiful, adorable Belle has given me a bloody nose!
Brian is poking at it, making sure it's not broken. I'm trying to remember how to hold my head to make the bleeding stop. And, Belle, though she knows something isn't exactly right, is oblivious for the most part. Are you laughing yet?
I thought about stopping here to make some deep theological comparison between the events of the evening and our relationship with God, but I'll leave that for you to explore on your own blog spot. What is deep and theological about this evening is the great love that I still have for both my children. Eventually my tears and bleeding stopped, but the headache and slight swelling still remain as I write.
I thought that being pooped on, peed on and thrown up on numerous times was true initiation into motherhood, until tonight. The initiation to parenthood just comes in stages.
As I put my children to bed, we said our prayers, and I told them that I loved them. I said my own quick prayer, as I always do, that they would be safe through the night so I could hear their sweet voices and see their little faces again in the morning. In my mind, I couldn't help but think how precious every moment with them is - even the ones that are painful. I want to somehow tuck this day away in a treasure box of memories that I can recall when I am 90 and walking down the aisle at my granddaughter's wedding.

(Now just imagine Cinderella's tune playing in the background)

So, THIS is love...

So I Had a Bad Day

We all have bad days. I had one on Friday. I made it through though. In the midst of it, I wanted to wallow in self pity and the woes of my life. Of course, it didn't last for long because God ever so gently reminded me that most people would give almost anything to have my woes, and I certainly did not want anyone elses woes. I suppose the grass is always greener on the other side. Life just wasn't feeling as adventurous as I thought it would be (or at least in the areas I wanted it to be ~ HA!HA!) Then, I was reminded of this great quote from one of the Peter Pan movies. Wendy Lady says to Pan, "So, your adventures are over?" Pan replies, " No, Wendy Lady. To live, to live would be a grand adventure". So, I will live. And, don't fret. I'm sure you will hear all about in some blog I write in the wee small hours of the morning.
Why am I writing about having a bad day? I'm not really sure. I suppose because I wanted to explain my wonderful headline, or because I wanted to have the opportunity to say how thankful I am for my husband, my children, my family and friends. I am thankful for life. It may not always be perfect. It may not always be the way I enivisioned it my mind. But, in the end, I am where God intended me to be for the moment. That one thing I can say with confidence.
Mostly though, I think just wanted the chance to say...

SO, I HAD A BAD DAY!

It happens to the best of us.