Gentle Reminders

Not too long ago Andy got in a little trouble at preschool for pushing. Of course I was not happy with my son. So, when he got in the car that day I asked him what happened and why. He told me that he wanted to play with this girl on the playground from another class. And she did not want him to play. She told him to go away. So, he took matters into his own hands and pushed her.

I will admit that this mama was not impressed with my child. However, I wanted so badly to say to him: "Thataboy!" That little girl deserved what she got in many ways. And if someone does not teach her she will continue in that elite-type behavior. And she will continue to hurt feelings for a long time. But, you know I could not encourage my own child to misbehave because of someone else's poor choices. And of course, he and I talked about better ways to handle people in those situations. And I DO know these kids are 4 and 5-years-old, so I am sure she did not really mean to make him so mad. Afterall, he is a BOY! And she did say: "No BOYS!"

I don't like bad behavior. Especially the kind of bad behavior that makes others feel left out or sad. I wish that type of stuff was just for preschoolers. But, sadly it isn't. And recently I have seen it among adults. It makes me sad. And even a little lonely. Some times I even feel like taking matters into my own hands just like my little man did. I am with him on this one. If adults are going to choose to leave others out, then maybe a little push might help. Thankfully though the push does not have to come from me. I pray that Jesus does some heart pushing. I know He has pushed me on this one. And He has gently reminded me that I too have been guilty of this poor behavior. I am thankful for His forgiveness. Even YEARS later. Sometimes we don't realize the implications of our decisions. And many times it is not even a conscience decision.

Grace does cover ALL of our sin and for that I am relieved. But, I hope that I can treat others in a way that does not require me to need grace so badly. I also hope that God's tender prompts speak loud enough so that I am not the only one that hears.

(I thought the sad behavior picture would be appropriate here!! I like a post with pictures!! But, I can not leave her sad either....so I attached two! By, the way, Adam's wonderful and generous Aunt Moi (Marilyn) made this precious hat for my baby girl. We LOVE it. I am sure you can see why.)

Time to De-Clutter!!

I decided to sign up for a class through the Women's Ministries at our church. This is a class on De-cluttering and Organization. I have always considered myself a fairly neat person. But, I am not a TYPE A person. And I don't fancy myself as organized! Especially now that I have brought three little people into this world.

Anyway, I started this class last night. And I am SO excited!!! The class is actually entitled: "Being a Woman of Joy. Simplify Your Life by De-Cluttering/Organization." And the first lesson knocked me straight to my knees. I felt shame as I was so convicted.

The facilitator brought 3 Biblical principles that really inspired me to change things in my home. They were as follows:

1. "All we have is from God (our time, talents, and possessions), and we are to be faithful and wise stewards of it."

2. "Our God is a God of order."

3. "We can not serve the Lord with the joy we were intended to if we are living in clutter and chaos and hoarding things of this world."

In addition to these three principals she basically told us to "Let Go." There are many people that can use things that are in my home that I am not using. And I need to let go of so many things. I get caught up in thinking I MIGHT use it later. What about the here and now? And what about that simple principal of sanity? You know...too much stuff might eventually cause me to go insane?

And I have heard it said many times before...you simply don't see the hearse with a trailer behind it. She also told us to get over saving stuff for our kids. Unless something is specifically ASKED for or TALKED about....you can't expect your kids to take everything in your home when you move on to glory. Where would they put it all?

So, here I go! Off to de-clutter! Organization is next week's topic!

A New Year

I haven't ever been a fan of the month of January. I have always felt the big let-down after the celebration of Christmas. But at this stage in my life I am trying to look for the new in the new year. And so far here are some of the things I have found...

1. A New Date to get used to writing! 2010 that is weird to me.

2. A New Bedspread for my bed. Christmas gift from my parents!! LOVE. IT.

3. A New (refreshed) look to my living room since the Christmas tree is down.

4. New sleds so a bigger wish for snow!! (thanks to Mimi and Popi for these Christmas gifts)

5. New plans for some minor home renovation projects! Exciting! (funny how some plans always birth new plans!!)

6. A new devotional to do each day.

7. A new work-out plan...well not new...but just finally doing it!! For OVER a month now!!

8. A new basketball season for Nate. (and the last season with only one child playing at a time!!)

9. New toys to play with. (sometimes the DS gets more playing time from me than them!! ;o)

10. An exciting new year waiting for me to live each moment to the fullest!!!

I remember years ago thinking 2010 was SO far away. And here we are IN it!

Here it is almost mid-month and I am trying to savor life's moments and take a new perspective on things. Sometimes I am guilty of not looking at things in the correct way. And I am praying that as I face each new day I will see the opportunities in front of me. Even in the dead of winter! (a COLD winter!!--which by the way I LOVE!)

Happy New Year!! (Yes, I am 10 days late here! But, to my 3 readers---this is proof I AM still here!)

This was taken on New Year's Eve!

Busy, Busy.

Life is BUSY! But, not the bad kind of busy. The abundant kind! So that is why there has been a great lack of posting in the past month.

But, here is a quick synopsis of what the last month has looked like!!

After Nate turned 7 he lost both of his front teeth! And he looks adorable. I haven't ever seen teeth hold on like his do. The first top one he pulled while he was at school. YES, he pulled it! And finally as the second one held on with one little thread, he allowed his daddy to pull it out!!

This was the rotation year to spend Thanksgiving at my family's house. So we spent almost a week in Granite Falls. We did have to cut the trip short to come back for the finale of the NC State football season. It was my first actual game of the season. I did tailgate with the family once or twice before this year, but I actually went into the stadium to see the Wolfpack's win!! (thanks to Mimi for keeping the baby!)

My dollbaby was a little surprised at the big win, especially since she wasn't invited! (this is her surprised face---she has learned a few new tricks!)

She is now 18-months-old and is as busy as a beaver! Moving all the time and into everything! She puts her brothers to shame. She loves to RUN and climb and investigate. She does still love "babies" and girly stuff, but she is too busy for much of that! At least I get to dress her in pink as she runs from me! Just this weekend she told me "No" for the first time. So, here it goes with her! Another strong-willed child! Pray for me! They REALLY out-number us now!! And they are all much more determined than their mommy! But, Miss Priss is enjoying the season of Christmas. She loves the tree and all of its ornaments. And she frequently brings them to us. So far she doesn't get that we don't want her to touch it!!

My little middle man is good too. He also bounces around like a pin-ball! But at least now he does that at preschool 3 mornings a week. He is always saying something cute! At preschool the other day they had chapel. The pastor there was speaking to them about Gideon. And Andy said out loud: "I know him, he is in my Bible." I think his teachers enjoyed it! And I think they enjoy having him in their class!

We are ready for CHRISTmas and celebrating the birth of our Savior! Emotionally ready that is. Still working on the physical readiness! But, despite how ready we might be, Christmas is coming. And the paper chain-link count-down began at our house tonight!! I am hoping that as we continue to prepare our home for Christmas that we will prepare our hearts for a celebration of JESUS! Because that is what it is all about!

I hope I get to post again before Christmas, but I am not making any promises!

7

Seven years ago today I became a mommy! My precious first-born son was born on this day. It is so hard for me to believe that he is 7. I have learned a lot about mothering in 7 years. And I know I have a LOT more yet to learn.

On behalf of Nate's 7th year, I am going to share 7 things about my little boy.

1. Nate likes to take things slow. He was slow to nurse. (6 months later) Slow to warm-up to anyone but me. Slow to like school. Slow to like dogs. He likes to ease into things. And once he does, all is well!!

2. He is ALL-boy, ALL the time. The rougher the play the better. And the more he falls down when he is playing the more boy-like he feels! I have cleaned more grass-stains than I ever dreamed.

3. In line with being all-boy, he is a little guy after his dad's heart. I haven't ever known a child his age to be as knowledgeable about sports as he is. He loves sports and it THRILLS his daddy. He will even sit and watch games with Adam. Usually not to completion though, because he would rather be playing a game than watching one any day!!

4. He is a homebody. This little guy enjoys being home. Especially at night. And he has even told me that when he grows up and moves out he will come to see me every day. (yes, I know the difference between fantasy and reality)

5. He enjoys learning. And is doing wonderfully in school.

6. He is a perfectionist. He likes things to be just right. Even when he is playing his sports games...the more authentic the better.

7. Nate cares about trying to do what is right. And he thinks things through. Especially when he is at school.

Of course, I could tell you many more things about my son. But, the one last thing I will tell you won't come as any surprise. I love this guy. He is all I ever dreamed my first-born would be and more. And I am so thankful he is my little boy. I look forward to every day I have with him.

How do we Make Memories?

With LIZARDS!!



Yes, lizards. My boys and I have been playing a "gotcha last" type game with my mom for some months now. And the boys LOVE it. I started it on our trip to the lake this summer. I happened to pack a container of lizards for the kids to play with while we were there. (yes, it was just by chance--no pre-conceived intention at all) Real lizards love the lake...and it gave me an idea. I proceeded to hide a bunch of these cheap, plastic lizards all over the place so my mom would find them. Coffee pots, silverware drawer, her make-up bag, next to her toothbrush. And after a few days, the boys caught on and started playing along. These little characters love it and we have spent a lot of time coming up with new places and ways to get Nana!! And don't be fooled by my ever-sweet and genteel mother...she plays right along with us!!


Making memories is a part of life. Some memories are so much fun and some we would rather leave behind. My mom has tried to teach me that everything has memory-value. Even those things that do not seem fun at the moment. She has said to me in moments of complete disgust: "We are making memories." So, I strive to make as many happy memories with my kids as I possibly can. I am not always very good at it. Because I have found I am not very creative. But it doesn't take much. Sometimes all it takes is a little plastic lizard.


I will even stop here and share a very fond memory from my childhood/teenage years. All it took then was some oddly placed, cheap waterguns. My middle brother decided he was going to start something. Instead of screaming and hollering that the house was going to get drenched, my mom chose to join in! At the time there were only 4 of the 5 of us at home. My oldest brother must have already gone off to college. But the rest of us played water-gun-war in my house that day!!! It was simply a blast. I don't think it lasted a very long time. And I personally don't remember a huge mess. (but I probably wasn't the one that did much of the cleaning either) But the simple fact that my very orderly and good-housekeeping mom was able to let down her clean-house guard and have some real light-hearted fun with us was precious!!! And I will not ever forget it.


I hope that I will remember it enough that it will make a positive difference in my children's lives.

"Don't sweat the small stuff." And go out and make some sweet and fun memories with your children!!





And by the way, mama, we got you last!!!!

Thoughts from A Big Brother

I know I have spoken before about the challenges of sibling rivalry! I face this issue every day. Mostly, of course, between my boys. They (the boys) are still pretty enamored with their sister. And they LOVE to watch her grow and change. It is exciting to them to see the new things she is learning every day. It is fun to watch the three of them interact when there is peace involved!!

Earlier this week Nate and I were talking about his sister. Sometimes we have really neat conversations. But, I asked him what he would do if anyone (a boy) ever hurt his little sister. You know, like made her sad. And without a second thought he immediately said: "I would punch him in the face." It surprised me that he was so quick to answer with such violence!! And of course I told him that that probably wouldn't be the best reaction. But, wow! Still made me smile to think I won't ever have to worry much about my little girl. She has two big brothers that will come to her rescue in a flash! And as girl with two big brothers that is a refreshing thought. I don't think I was ever scared of much of anyone. I knew the "heavies" had my back! And I know I have told you before my brothers never have loved me as much as my boys do their sister!!

So for any of you future potential suitors for my daughter (or at least the parents of those suitors) BEWARE! Her brothers are watching!!!!