It occurred to me Sunday afternoon, after I had watched Alyssa play with her food (literally), that we had all the makings of a great movie.
Scene One: Green Pea in left hand talking to Green Pea in right hand while balancing on a bent knee mere inches from her nose.
(Dilemma here though...what genre would it fall under? Action/adventure or maybe Drama...oh I know....Family/Comedy. )
Scene one continues on for some little time until I tell her to to quit playing and eat.
And that was the end of it.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Saturday, January 26, 2008
grocery shopping
OK, I'm sure I've said it before but it bears repeating...I really, REALLY dislike grocery shopping.
I had to go again today..it was that time again. The cupboards were bare and it really had been two weeks. I go first to the salvage store...which is actually the good part. I like seeing the deals I can get and feeling like I'm saving alot of money too. But then I still have to go to Walmart and brave the crowds and put 3-4 items in the cart and see $20 pop up on my calculator. Of course, I have way more than that to get so I just get it all done as fast as I can while grumbling to myself over eggs being $2 a dozen, and although milk has gone " down" to under $4 I know it's only for today, and the price of meat and vegetables makes up for that anyway.....etc.
You get the picture.
By the time I get home I'm tired, and grouchy about having spent all that money, and Ed has to leave for work and the kids are ready for supper, and I still have to put everything away, and even though I have plenty of food I have no idea what to cook. So we settle for PB&J s (supplemented with dried fruit and carrot sticks so I feel better about it),...then I get everyone through the bath and put on a video for them and crash for a bit.
Anyway, I'll probably rant about it all for a day and then I'm over it until next time to go.
OK, I feel better now. Don't you?=)
I had to go again today..it was that time again. The cupboards were bare and it really had been two weeks. I go first to the salvage store...which is actually the good part. I like seeing the deals I can get and feeling like I'm saving alot of money too. But then I still have to go to Walmart and brave the crowds and put 3-4 items in the cart and see $20 pop up on my calculator. Of course, I have way more than that to get so I just get it all done as fast as I can while grumbling to myself over eggs being $2 a dozen, and although milk has gone " down" to under $4 I know it's only for today, and the price of meat and vegetables makes up for that anyway.....etc.
You get the picture.
By the time I get home I'm tired, and grouchy about having spent all that money, and Ed has to leave for work and the kids are ready for supper, and I still have to put everything away, and even though I have plenty of food I have no idea what to cook. So we settle for PB&J s (supplemented with dried fruit and carrot sticks so I feel better about it),...then I get everyone through the bath and put on a video for them and crash for a bit.
Anyway, I'll probably rant about it all for a day and then I'm over it until next time to go.
OK, I feel better now. Don't you?=)
Monday, January 21, 2008
The House covered with snow
I was awakened on Sat morning by the telephone ringing...it was my brother asking if he could wake the kids...it was snowing. Being groggy with sleep (and knowing that snow in Mississippi usually is a few flurries that never stick) I said no it wasn't worth it. But Ed immediately rolled over and checked the window and said "Oh yeah I'm getting up". I reluctantly nudged aside the curtain and then sat up in a hurry....it was REALLY SNOWING! I have never seen that much snow in Mississippi in my life. The rooftops were covered, the cars were covered, the yard had a couple of inches and the snowflakes were falling thick and fast.
We woke the kids and they pulled on shoes, and sweaters over their p.j.s, and ran outside. We were afraid it would quit any minute, but the snowflakes were really coming down hard. It didn't take long and everyone was back inside for warmer clothes. I layered them up as best I could with what I could find (this is Mississippi after all) and then they all went back out. Warm and mismatched.
They were so excited, they were squealing and shouting as they scooped snow off the cars and began to throw it at each other. It didn't take them long to realize that snow is cold and wet and slippery and after several slips on the sidewalk they ,one by one, retired to the porch to watch. I was surprised to see that the snow continued to come down pretty thickly for awhile and then again at different times all day. The kids kept exclaiming how they were so glad they FINALLY got to see snow, and how it was "the first time in their whole life to make a snowball". =) It was fun to see them so excited.
Being so cold I didn't stay outside for very long and neither did the kids...except for Aaron. He was outside as much as he could stand it all day. He was trying to make a snowman.
Later that evening, we were talking about how much fun it had been getting to see and play in the snow when I suddenly remembered a conversation I had had with Aaron back before Christmas.
He came to me one day and said "You know what, Mama, I'm praying that God will give us snow this Christmas cause I want to make a snowman. I've never made a snowman before." I sat there for a few minutes trying to think of the best way to answer him. His faith is so real and so simple ( and so convicting to me) and I don't want to discourage that in anyway, but I did want to try to explain that we don't always get the answers to our prayers that we expect. So I launched into this whole "sermon" on how God doesn't always answer our prayers they way we want Him to, etc. And then went on to explain that it didn't snow in Mississippi because the conditions here were just too warm....blah blah blah.
Anyway, needless to say, when that conversation flashed into my mind, I was blown away that my 7 year old had the faith to pray and have his prayers answered and ashamed that I had tried to talk him out of it.
I called him over to me and asked him about it and he confirmed that he had prayed for it and God had answered his prayers. Then I apologized for sort of laughing it off. He just hugged me and in childlike simplicity said "that's OK Mama, I'm so glad we got have some snow and play in it and I made half a snow man...just the bottom part."
Can I learn to have faith like that?
We woke the kids and they pulled on shoes, and sweaters over their p.j.s, and ran outside. We were afraid it would quit any minute, but the snowflakes were really coming down hard. It didn't take long and everyone was back inside for warmer clothes. I layered them up as best I could with what I could find (this is Mississippi after all) and then they all went back out. Warm and mismatched.
They were so excited, they were squealing and shouting as they scooped snow off the cars and began to throw it at each other. It didn't take them long to realize that snow is cold and wet and slippery and after several slips on the sidewalk they ,one by one, retired to the porch to watch. I was surprised to see that the snow continued to come down pretty thickly for awhile and then again at different times all day. The kids kept exclaiming how they were so glad they FINALLY got to see snow, and how it was "the first time in their whole life to make a snowball". =) It was fun to see them so excited.
Being so cold I didn't stay outside for very long and neither did the kids...except for Aaron. He was outside as much as he could stand it all day. He was trying to make a snowman.
Later that evening, we were talking about how much fun it had been getting to see and play in the snow when I suddenly remembered a conversation I had had with Aaron back before Christmas.
He came to me one day and said "You know what, Mama, I'm praying that God will give us snow this Christmas cause I want to make a snowman. I've never made a snowman before." I sat there for a few minutes trying to think of the best way to answer him. His faith is so real and so simple ( and so convicting to me) and I don't want to discourage that in anyway, but I did want to try to explain that we don't always get the answers to our prayers that we expect. So I launched into this whole "sermon" on how God doesn't always answer our prayers they way we want Him to, etc. And then went on to explain that it didn't snow in Mississippi because the conditions here were just too warm....blah blah blah.
Anyway, needless to say, when that conversation flashed into my mind, I was blown away that my 7 year old had the faith to pray and have his prayers answered and ashamed that I had tried to talk him out of it.
I called him over to me and asked him about it and he confirmed that he had prayed for it and God had answered his prayers. Then I apologized for sort of laughing it off. He just hugged me and in childlike simplicity said "that's OK Mama, I'm so glad we got have some snow and play in it and I made half a snow man...just the bottom part."
Can I learn to have faith like that?
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Thoughts
Usually, I blog about the kids and everyday stuff...but I've been thinking about this lately and wanted to just share some thoughts on marriage.
First being...I have an amazing husband. He is so sweet and steady, even when I'm all up and down and emotional. It sounds cliche' to say " God really knew what He was doing when He put us together" but He did. I think we underestimate the extent of His caring for us sometimes. The fact that He cares about every tiny and not-so-tiny detail of our lives.
I don't know about any of you but it seems to me I go through phases (if that's even the right word) in my life, spiritually as well as emotionally. Sometimes I feel so "on-track"(OK, I know, it's been awhile..but still) and focused and then other times it seems all I can do just to keep things going much less get anything accomplished. I've really thought about this, and I wonder if maybe the key is my focus. You know, God gives us priorities for a reason. When those priorities get out of whack nothing else goes right.
My biggest priority should be my husband (Ed). The Bible shows me this so clearly, and I know it, but sometimes I lose sight of that in practice and I haven't even realized until I look back later and see what has been happening. (And no it's not because Ed says anything to me, it's because I see myself where I've messed up.) It's so easy for us as women, with our responsibilities as mothers and daughters and sisters and friends, to get caught up it "the tyranny of the urgent" and allow ourselves to put our husbands in second or third place. But that is something we have to really make a conscious effort to not do.
I have this really great book called "Created to Be His Help Meet" and I've read it probably 2 or 3 times.. but I could read it several more and still not be "there". It's one of the best books on the subject that I know of and would recommend it to anyone. It's actually a really fun read but also VERY convicting. I've been refreshing myself with it lately and I guess that is one of the reasons all of this has been on my mind. Boy do I have some work to do.
Anyway, just wanted to share some of these thoughts with all of you.
P.S. My schedule is not really "sticking" yet. I guess that's why I started analyzing all this.=)
First being...I have an amazing husband. He is so sweet and steady, even when I'm all up and down and emotional. It sounds cliche' to say " God really knew what He was doing when He put us together" but He did. I think we underestimate the extent of His caring for us sometimes. The fact that He cares about every tiny and not-so-tiny detail of our lives.
I don't know about any of you but it seems to me I go through phases (if that's even the right word) in my life, spiritually as well as emotionally. Sometimes I feel so "on-track"(OK, I know, it's been awhile..but still) and focused and then other times it seems all I can do just to keep things going much less get anything accomplished. I've really thought about this, and I wonder if maybe the key is my focus. You know, God gives us priorities for a reason. When those priorities get out of whack nothing else goes right.
My biggest priority should be my husband (Ed). The Bible shows me this so clearly, and I know it, but sometimes I lose sight of that in practice and I haven't even realized until I look back later and see what has been happening. (And no it's not because Ed says anything to me, it's because I see myself where I've messed up.) It's so easy for us as women, with our responsibilities as mothers and daughters and sisters and friends, to get caught up it "the tyranny of the urgent" and allow ourselves to put our husbands in second or third place. But that is something we have to really make a conscious effort to not do.
I have this really great book called "Created to Be His Help Meet" and I've read it probably 2 or 3 times.. but I could read it several more and still not be "there". It's one of the best books on the subject that I know of and would recommend it to anyone. It's actually a really fun read but also VERY convicting. I've been refreshing myself with it lately and I guess that is one of the reasons all of this has been on my mind. Boy do I have some work to do.
Anyway, just wanted to share some of these thoughts with all of you.
P.S. My schedule is not really "sticking" yet. I guess that's why I started analyzing all this.=)
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
New Year...new beginnings
One of my goals for this year is to get and keep more of a schedule than we have now. This past year has been spent just trying to keep my balance on what seemed like a roller coaster ride, and I'm hoping 2008 will be a little calmer. (I'm not holding my breath though.) In any case, things seem to have temporarily allowed me to catch my breath and get my house clean, for which I am truly thankful.
So far, my house is maintaining a semblance of sanity and my laundry (otherwise known as Mt. Saint Neverdone) is, for once, staying caught up. We have had 3 good days of school so far and I'm feeling optimistic.
I'm sure these sound like silly things to most of you, but for me to have all of this accomplished at the same time is nigh to a miracle and I'm thanking the Lord for it.
Some of the more fun things that I've been doing lately are reading up on pottery making ( I'm getting myself prepped) and learning to play the guitar. Ed surprised me with a post-Christmas gift of a beautiful guitar and I found a great book at the library to help me get started. It has been so much fun! I've been praying for one for awhile now. It will be great in helping the kids learn music too. They all can carry a tune really well and I'm hoping for violin lessons for some of them one of these days, but for now, this is a dream come true.
To all of you friends and family out there, I'm still hoping to get out a family picture soon. It will just be a New Year's picture now. =)
The kids really enjoyed our holiday celebrations this year and we had the chance to start some new traditions of our own. They are all growing and changing so fast, it amazes me. Kyla is changing the most right now, I guess. She is wiggling and squirming and blowing spit bubbles and "talking" so much. She seems to know everything that is going on around her and is such a contented baby for the most part. Unless, of course, she is hungry or needs changing.
Levi is, to say the least, a little busy-body. His curiosity gets him into almost more trouble than his big brown eyes can get him out of. Too smart (and cute) for his own good.
The other all never cease to surprise us with new accomplishments and make us laugh with their pranks (even if we have to hide our smiles while we spank). We are so blessed!
Praying this new year is bringing you lots of blessings and things to look forward to.
So far, my house is maintaining a semblance of sanity and my laundry (otherwise known as Mt. Saint Neverdone) is, for once, staying caught up. We have had 3 good days of school so far and I'm feeling optimistic.
I'm sure these sound like silly things to most of you, but for me to have all of this accomplished at the same time is nigh to a miracle and I'm thanking the Lord for it.
Some of the more fun things that I've been doing lately are reading up on pottery making ( I'm getting myself prepped) and learning to play the guitar. Ed surprised me with a post-Christmas gift of a beautiful guitar and I found a great book at the library to help me get started. It has been so much fun! I've been praying for one for awhile now. It will be great in helping the kids learn music too. They all can carry a tune really well and I'm hoping for violin lessons for some of them one of these days, but for now, this is a dream come true.
To all of you friends and family out there, I'm still hoping to get out a family picture soon. It will just be a New Year's picture now. =)
The kids really enjoyed our holiday celebrations this year and we had the chance to start some new traditions of our own. They are all growing and changing so fast, it amazes me. Kyla is changing the most right now, I guess. She is wiggling and squirming and blowing spit bubbles and "talking" so much. She seems to know everything that is going on around her and is such a contented baby for the most part. Unless, of course, she is hungry or needs changing.
Levi is, to say the least, a little busy-body. His curiosity gets him into almost more trouble than his big brown eyes can get him out of. Too smart (and cute) for his own good.
The other all never cease to surprise us with new accomplishments and make us laugh with their pranks (even if we have to hide our smiles while we spank). We are so blessed!
Praying this new year is bringing you lots of blessings and things to look forward to.
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