Ah, children...

Yesterday ended up being kinda crazy. I took the kids in to the doctor - they've had these colds for well over a month now, and on Sunday night our son started saying his ear hurt. Anyway, he DOES have an ear infection as well as a mild sinus infection. The pediatrician said that our daughter's symptoms looked more like allergies, so she's now on a twice daily Rx to see if that helps. Hopefully there will be less snottage and coughing at our house soon!!

On a funny note, this is how our daughter ended her day. She was wiped out, and asleep before 6:30. How on earth can someone fall asleep like that?!?

I've been reading the book Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture by Mary DeMuth. Wonderful book - I'm only halfway through but am already recommending it to friends. I was reading it yesterday, as I was sitting at the pharmacy, and started chapter 7, which is about how we are a "window" for our children. It begins with this quote:

"It is our children who serve as the doorway we pass through to meet God face to face."

-Dan Allender

I know there's not any great theological truth in that statement, but it really made me stop and think. Am I looking at our kids as a way to grow closer to my Lord, or just another commitment? I've recently joked with people about our kids, how I sometimes just have to grit my teeth and remind myself that they are "our blessings from the Lord." Now parenting isn't all shiny and happy, but I've been having a hard time finding joy, as I deal with these two little people who each have their own (strong) ideas about how things should happen.

The next subtitle in the text is Children: God's Sanctification for Parents. Another phrase that stopped me short. How true!! As I parent, I have become vividly aware of my shortcomings. I used to consider myself a rather patient person - but then I had kids. Holy toledo! I've also realized just how selfish I can be, and how that manifests itself when I lash out in anger. And here's the thing about a window: it goes both ways. Are the kids growing closer to God as they watch me in action? Yes, we attend church and they have wonderful age-appropriate lessons. Yes, we read Bible stories and pray before bedtime. But am I demonstrating a godly attitude in my daily tasks? That's where it really counts, what they see on a day to day basis and what they'll remember.

Are these new ideas? Certainly not. Did I already know this? Absolutely! Am I doing it? Well, sort of...

Always good to check one's perspective.

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Friday Funny

Ready for some laughs (with a bonus sad-but-true factor)? I'm so thankful that our church isn't represented by these posters!




If you like these, head over to the Pyromaniacs to see them all...

Happy Day!!

New Chris Rice album is in the house!!!!!!!! Get your own here.

My thoughts (added on Friday): Another good album that I'm happy to have in my collection, but definitely not his best. This album continues along on the somewhat sappy pop vein and has some schmoopy love songs. The song "Lemonade" appears again (also on his album Amusing). Fun listen, but the lyrics don't make me stop and think like his earlier stuff does. The one high point is the song "Sneakin' Into Heaven." It's the story of a person who borrows someone's halo, hoping no one will notice his broken wings. It ends when the person confesses to Peter, and Peter replies:

"Well, boy, haven't you noticed?

We've all been broken, but now we're doin' just fine!

'Cause nobody's good enough, and up here we're all the same

We all get to heaven under Someone Else's name"

I also like the song "Pardon My Dust." I think we as Christians can be all too quick to point out one another's flaws. I know it's a fine line - "grace and mercy" can be overused as an excuse not to deal with sin. But still food for thought.

Overall, I'd give it a B-. Anyone else heard it yet? Would love your thoughts.

Progress and more kid anecdotes...

The cabinets are now in - click here for a picture and details. I have a big to-do list for today, plus we'll have extra kiddos around tonight (the other couple's turn to go out, as part of our kid swap agreement), so probably won't be able to work back there until tomorrow.

As I mentioned yesterday, I needed to run to the grocery store. Well, the kids and I made our trek and filled the cart. As we were nearing the check-out, our son noticed a lady across the aisle with crutches (the metal type ones that have a cuff type top for the arm and a hand grip). As we reached the end of the aisle, our daughter asked the lady what her name was (her standard greeting for any breathing human being within 20 feet). Well, this led to a lengthy conversation during which our son repeatedly asked where her leg was, why the doctors had to cut it off and how they did it. He was fascinated, and just couldn't quite fathom that her leg was gone. In fact, he kept crouching down and looking for it! The lady was very friendly, and was really great about answering questions (I didn't want to make her uncomfortable, and was ready to whisk the kids down another aisle if necessary). But what's the proper way to handle stuff like that? I want the kids to be comfortable around people with physical disabilities, but they're not old enough to determine when quesions are inappropriate. Ah, more joys of mommydom!

In other motherhood news, as I was waking up this morning I noticed a sweet smell. Didn't think too much of it, and continued to lay in bed for a few more minutes. But then I suddenly realized that it was the scent of the kids' shampoo - and I immediately hopped out of bed. Our darling little girl had climbed onto the toilet, taken the extra bottle from the cabinet, and was pouring it onto the carpet in our bedroom. Lovely. That stuff really foams when you try to clean it up!!

Here's hoping that the remainder of the day is blissfully uneventful.

Tuesday Crack-Up

The kids were exploring in my crafty space (which will be looking all too swank this evening with the addition of cabinets!) when our son found a little bag with some Andes mints (I use quite a bit of candy to make little "gifty" samples). Our conversation went as follows:

"Mom, what are these?"
"Don't worry about it. They're not for you."
(Enthusiastically) "Wow, I've never had not-for-mes before!!"
(Snorts of laughter from me)

I'm telling you, this little boy never fails to make me laugh. Definitely a good thing today as the kids are still in super whiny/meltdown mode. Neither of them slept that well due to the coughing, and we also realized that our son ate some chocolate covered coffee beans last night. I already have a headache from their fighting. It's not good when both kiddos are in time-out before 7 am. I need to run out for some basic groceries, and then I think we'll be playing outside, followed by Play Dough (always a happy event around here!)

And can I just say that we are having some strange weather! Yesterday barely broke 70, and I made a batch of beef stew for dinner. Not usual late-July fare. It's supposed to be quite cool for the rest of the week, too. I think we've only run our A/C 3 or 4 days so far this summer. Wacky! (And my parents are sweltering out in Montana!) But I'm definitely NOT complaining. Quite refreshing to have summer electric bills under $200.

Have a great Tuesday!!

Monday Musings

The weather was just gorgeous this weekend! I finished painting the cabinets, but they won't be installed until tomorrow night (and my hubby will actually have help!) In not-so-great news, the kids have both picked up some sort of bug: wet cough, just general mopiness. Our daughter is actually running a fever this morning, too, so I know that it's not just my imagination. We kept them home from church yesterday, so they're now going stir crazy as they haven't seen any of their friends for several days now. Not happening today, either! I had stopped at the library when I ran some errands on Saturday, so at least they have some new books to keep them occupied.

Yesterday our pastor spoke on Acts 22:30-23:10. We've been working our way through the book, and are now to the point where Paul has been arrested and will be spending the rest of his life imprisoned. Yes, I know the basic stories, but it's been really good to revisit them and really study it. In this particular passage, we looked at how Paul responded to the circumstances, turning oppression into opportunity. He stood his ground, using Scripture to back himself up. Do I know the Word well enough that I can rely upon it during times of trouble? (I must admit that I'm more of a concordance girl) And can I say that I stand in good conscience? If not, how many opportunities have I missed because of my personal sin issues. Yes, there's that double-edged sword, piercing down to the very soul of the matter (Hebrews 4:12).

In other Sunday news, our worship team leader was away this week, and we totally managed to flub up our last song (Lord Reign in Me), but I want to end with these two lines:

Over every thought, over every word

May my life reflect the beauty of My Lord

Amen.