A Proper Focus

"Whatever keeps me from the Bible is my enemy, however harmless it may appear to be. Whatever engages my attention when I should be meditating on God and things eternal does injury to my soul. Let the cares of life crowd out the Scriptures from my mind and I have suffered loss where I can least afford it. Let me accept anything else instead of the Scriptures and I have been cheated and robbed to my eternal confusion. The secret of life is theological and the key to heaven as well. We learn with difficulty, forget easily and suffer many distractions. Therefore we should set our hearts to study theology. We should preach it from our pulpits, sing it in our hymns, teach it to our children and make it the subject of conversation when we meet with Christian friends." --A. W. Tozer

Wonder-Full Mothering

"Mothers work wonders once they are convinced that wonders are demanded of them." --Charlotte Mason

What Animal Would You Be?

Our "Family Love Talk" question was really Barbara WaWa-ish tonight. It was this: "If you could be any animal, what would you be?"

Here were the answers:

DS6: "A turtle because they live the longest of any animal." (Who knew? Man, I'm glad that kid can read!)

DD2: "A tow-toe" (because she copies everything her siblings say!)

Dad: "An eagle so I could fly."

Mom: "A whale so I could see what goes on in the ocean."

And the sweetest answer of the night...

DD5: "A sheep, 'cause God is a Shepherd."

Yeah. Let's all be sheep.

What I Love About Upward

My son is participating in the Upward basketball program at our church. It is a terrific program, which focuses on teaching children skills, character, and God's Word all while playing a sport. After each game, there is a team meeting where the each player receives a star for what they did "best" in that particular game. So far, my son has received a defense star and an offense star. I figure the offense star would probably be the most coveted, right? Not so. This week on the way home, he said, "Man, I have just got to get that Christlike star! I've really been working on that one!" Gotta love it when your kiddo is striving to be Christlike, whether it's for a star or not. I'll take it.

It's Official...I Have Lost My Mind

I began pulling the laundry out of the washer and putting it mindlessly in the dryer. Then I spent time (or so I thought) filling the washer with a new load of clothes. I started the dryer. I put the soap and fabric softener in and started the washer. I left to go get dinner started. Then, I had an "aha" moment. I went to the washer to confirm if my "aha" moment was correct. And, sadly, indeed it was.

That "load" of laundry I had washed? It was one pair of socks.

A Request for a Field Trip

DD5: "Mama, are we going anywhere today?"

Mama: "No, why?"

DD5: "Why? (said with extreme whineyness) I wanted to go somewhere!"

Mama: "Well, we were out all day yesterday. We went to a movie. We went to Target. We went to the grocery. Where did you want to go?"

DD5: "The museum."

Mama: (thinking of a museum we visit quite often) We can't go to the Children's Museum today honey. It's too far to drive.

DD5: "No, not that museum. The Natural History Museum."

Okay, so let me change my position. This museum is close. And this museum is far.

Why One Should Keep Their Drinks VERY Far Back on the Counter

"Where is that baby?" I wondered to myself.

Not too long afterward, I hear the patter, patter, patter of chubby little feet running across hardwood floors.

She declares with glee, "Mommy, I wuv Coke!"

Oh, so that's where she was.

Fruit

As the ambulance and fire engine roared past, we began doing what we often do...praying for the one in need of such help. My son was praying from the back seat, "God, please heal the woman or man or child who is sick. And God, please don't just heal their body. Heal their hearts too."

Amen.

Sometimes I wonder if the things I say and do in the parenting journey bounce off my children's little ears --if they even penetrate their brains and hearts. And then, God smiles down at me, encouraging me with fruit that I can see in the hearts of my children. It overwhelms a tired mommy's heart with joy and gratitude.

Note To Self...

"Don't be alarmed when your children demonstrate inappropriate attitudes. Take that as an opportunity from the Lord to love your child in a very tangible way."
---Debbie Strayer

Fashion Sense for a Three-Year-Old

My middle dd (newly turned 5) and I are known to have some real "rows" (as they say across the pond) over clothes. Who knew when I was so happy to have given birth to a daughter a mere 5 years ago the battles that could ensue with such a young girl over what she deems appropriate to put on her body. I quite mistakenly thought that these kinds of dicussions only took place with pre-teen and teen daughters. I.was.so.wrong.

Anyhoo, this trend is now beginning with my youngest -- who is not quite THREE, people! Her new requirements for chosen clothing for the day --pockets. Oh, and skirts that twirl.

God help us all.

Pondering the Importance of Prayer with Spurgeon

This came in my inbox today from "Morning and Evening":

"We may be certain that whatever God has made prominent in his Word, He intended to be conspicuous in our lives. If He has said much about prayer, it is because He knows we have much need of it." -Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Got Spoiled this Christmas...

Here are the ways....

...So soft and it's PINK!

...got one of these for each child and I have all three of them hanging in my kitchen. Everytime I walk by them, I get happy!

Thanks, honey!

In Memory

Hubby's precious grandma died on Wednesday. This is ironically also our middle dd's birthday. What a loss this dear woman will be in our family! As I sat thinking about things during today's funeral, I remembered that she was the first one who accepted me unconditionally into hubby's family. I felt a natural affinity with her as if I were her very own granddaughter and not an "in-law". She certainly treated me as such. How many people came up to tell us that her my children, her only great-grandchildren, were the joy of her life and how often she bragged on them? Too many to count. She was a pastor's wife and was married to grandpa for 60 years. They were truly best friends. One of my favorite funny things she said to me years ago was this, "You know, in the Bible, it says a wife is supposed to be a helpmate. But I'm pretty sure I've been more of a hinder-mate." She was always self-effacing!

At her funeral today, a poem was shared.

Success (usually attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson, but not neccesarily his writing)
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.

The funny thing is as I listened to the pastor read this poem, every single phrase matched up with grandma. Every. Single. Phrase. But I would add one more line to that poem. To have been humble enough to accept the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and to spend one's life sharing it --this is to have succeeded. And a success Oneta Louiza Crites Noel most certainly was.

A Toddler's Prayer

Overheard at bedtime tonight:

"Jethus, thank you for mommy. And daddy. And mommy. And daddy. And mommy. And daddy. And mommy. And daddy. In Jethus name, amen."

Sweet!

A Big Ole Writing Slump

I'm in a real writing slump lately, in case you can't tell by my serious lack of posting. I mean, I am in such a writing slump that I'm not even journaling, which, if you know me, is really weird. I am not sure what it is, but mainly, I just feel as if I have nothing of worth to say (or write). I'm not saying that in a "poor, pitiful me" sort of way, but it's truly how I'm feeling. I suppose it's okay not to write sometimes, to let real life seep in. Living --really living -- my life allows me to have something worthwhile to share. So, I'll keep living in my day-to-day moments and hopefully soon, I'll be out of the slump and have more to share here.

Oh, and on a fun note, my son, who lost his front tooth at age 3 in an accident, is FINALLY getting his big boy tooth. He's so excited!