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Monday, July 23, 2012
AKD through the years...
Friday, July 20, 2012
Silver Refined
Argh! It has been...way too long...since I posted a Blogging for Books review. I'm a little surprised they haven't kicked me out of the program yet. So, without further ado (and with fervent wishes that they will still be willing to give me actual paper copies of books), here ya go.
I was super excited to receive my review copy of As Silver Refined: Answers to Life's Disappointments by Kay Arthur. I love the premise of this book, that what we regard as disappointments in life may really be God's appointments, that he's using those disappointments to make us more like Christ. The idea is that our circumstances are actually the flames of God's grace, intended to burn away the sin and undesirable elements in our lives, leaving us pure, just like refined silver.
You see, silver doesn't just come out of the ground all shiny and beautiful--it's buried in rocks, mixed with imperfections. To purify the silver, a refiner first crushes the ore into smaller pieces, and places them in a crucible. He places the crucible over a fire and the ore softens. The temperature of the fire must be kept exactly right--not too hot, not too cool. The silver melts first, and the solid impurities rise to the surface and are skimmed away. As the crucible continues to heat, more imperfections rise to the surface and are skimmed off. The refiner continues this process, heating and skimming, never leaving the fire, but constantly watching and tending the silver.
After a while, he builds the fire even hotter, still skimming impurities away as they rise to the surface. After many hours of careful tending, the silver is pure--the refiner can see his reflection in the molten silver.
Kay Arthur equates this process of refining silver to our lives. She asserts that God allows trials in our lives to expose our imperfections and purify us, but that even in the heat of the flames, God is always there, always in control, always watching, always caring for us. And when we have come through that refining fire, we are pure, reflecting God's image to the world. I love that analogy.
The author also suggests that, because we know that these circumstances in our lives are allowed to bring us closer to God, we should stop fighting against them, that we should allow these circumstances to accomplish what God wants them to, and that when we face trials, we should be asking God what he wants to teach through the situation.
Like I said, I love the premise of the book--it is so spot on for my life, for all of our lives, and makes so much sense. I did not, however, enjoy the book. It was a very slow read because of its repetitiveness. Long after I thought the author should have moved on, she was still hammering away at a previous point. This book could easily be shortened to 1/3 its length without losing its message.
I do like the study guide at the back. There are additional scripture readings and several questions about each chapter of the book, and with 13 chapters, this would work well for a Bible study group.
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review.
Did you like this review? Please take a minute to rank it below:
If this is the first time you've ranked one of my reviews, you will need to click on the link in the verification email that WaterBrook Multnomah sends you--just to verify that you're not a spam-bot or making up random email addresses or anything.
I was super excited to receive my review copy of As Silver Refined: Answers to Life's Disappointments by Kay Arthur. I love the premise of this book, that what we regard as disappointments in life may really be God's appointments, that he's using those disappointments to make us more like Christ. The idea is that our circumstances are actually the flames of God's grace, intended to burn away the sin and undesirable elements in our lives, leaving us pure, just like refined silver.
You see, silver doesn't just come out of the ground all shiny and beautiful--it's buried in rocks, mixed with imperfections. To purify the silver, a refiner first crushes the ore into smaller pieces, and places them in a crucible. He places the crucible over a fire and the ore softens. The temperature of the fire must be kept exactly right--not too hot, not too cool. The silver melts first, and the solid impurities rise to the surface and are skimmed away. As the crucible continues to heat, more imperfections rise to the surface and are skimmed off. The refiner continues this process, heating and skimming, never leaving the fire, but constantly watching and tending the silver.
After a while, he builds the fire even hotter, still skimming impurities away as they rise to the surface. After many hours of careful tending, the silver is pure--the refiner can see his reflection in the molten silver.
Kay Arthur equates this process of refining silver to our lives. She asserts that God allows trials in our lives to expose our imperfections and purify us, but that even in the heat of the flames, God is always there, always in control, always watching, always caring for us. And when we have come through that refining fire, we are pure, reflecting God's image to the world. I love that analogy.
The author also suggests that, because we know that these circumstances in our lives are allowed to bring us closer to God, we should stop fighting against them, that we should allow these circumstances to accomplish what God wants them to, and that when we face trials, we should be asking God what he wants to teach through the situation.
Like I said, I love the premise of the book--it is so spot on for my life, for all of our lives, and makes so much sense. I did not, however, enjoy the book. It was a very slow read because of its repetitiveness. Long after I thought the author should have moved on, she was still hammering away at a previous point. This book could easily be shortened to 1/3 its length without losing its message.
I do like the study guide at the back. There are additional scripture readings and several questions about each chapter of the book, and with 13 chapters, this would work well for a Bible study group.
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review.
Did you like this review? Please take a minute to rank it below:
If this is the first time you've ranked one of my reviews, you will need to click on the link in the verification email that WaterBrook Multnomah sends you--just to verify that you're not a spam-bot or making up random email addresses or anything.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
A Day Off
The other day, my little guy asked me when we were going to have a day off. I kind of laughed and responded that every day is a day off during the summer (laughing mostly because mommies never get a day off). "No," he insisted, "I mean the kind of day off where we stay home and just play. You play with me, Daddy plays with me, you know!"
It has been a busy, busy summer here in the Bluefield household. I don't understand people who say they look forward to summer because it's less busy and more relaxing. During the summer we are on the go. All the time. I can count on one hand the number of days we have just stayed home this summer. Just to give you an idea, we have had plans every weekend this summer, and about 3/4 of those weekends we have been out of town. We don't have a free weekend until after Labor Day, and even then we still have soccer and karate on the weekends.
We have so much fun together! Camping, summer adventures, other day trips and longer trips. We work so hard to provide for our children, physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally, and it is so easy to get caught up in the act of providing and to never stop and simply be with them. In the midst of all this busy-ness, it is easy to forget that what our children crave most is...us.
One look at our calendar convinced me that a day off, a real day off, as defined by Roger, would be a long, long time coming. But his simple question reminded me how easy it is to incorporate a little bit of that day-off feeling Roger has been missing every day. It's that feeling of Mommy's-got-nothing-more-important-to-do-than-spend-time-with-me-doing-something-I-enjoy, because that is the most important thing.
This week we have stayed home as much as possible. We built block towers. We jumped on the trampoline with the sprinkler going underneath. We swam in the pool together. We read books. We played with trucks. We drew pictures. We played board and card games. We sat on the porch swing together. I got up early and stayed up late to do what needed to be done to keep the house running, making these "days off" possible. And it has been worth every moment.
It has been a busy, busy summer here in the Bluefield household. I don't understand people who say they look forward to summer because it's less busy and more relaxing. During the summer we are on the go. All the time. I can count on one hand the number of days we have just stayed home this summer. Just to give you an idea, we have had plans every weekend this summer, and about 3/4 of those weekends we have been out of town. We don't have a free weekend until after Labor Day, and even then we still have soccer and karate on the weekends.
We have so much fun together! Camping, summer adventures, other day trips and longer trips. We work so hard to provide for our children, physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally, and it is so easy to get caught up in the act of providing and to never stop and simply be with them. In the midst of all this busy-ness, it is easy to forget that what our children crave most is...us.
One look at our calendar convinced me that a day off, a real day off, as defined by Roger, would be a long, long time coming. But his simple question reminded me how easy it is to incorporate a little bit of that day-off feeling Roger has been missing every day. It's that feeling of Mommy's-got-nothing-more-important-to-do-than-spend-time-with-me-doing-something-I-enjoy, because that is the most important thing.
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| Photo courtesy of AKD |
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Finding Rainbows
I was disappointed. I had tears in my eyes as I told MC that none of his friends could come over because they were all busy doing other things that day.
MC was devastated.
This isn't the first time we've had this conversation. No one is ever able to come play with him*. I don't know how MC feels about this whole business (because I don't want to plant thoughts in his head by bringing it up), but I'm beginning to wonder if it's me or him or if I'm just paranoid (I'm leaning toward paranoid because the alternatives are just too sad to contemplate). What's wrong with us? Do they just not like us?
* Technically not true, however, it is true that more than half the time we can't get any of his friends to come over.
Anyway, no one could play, and MC dissolved into tears. Messy, noisy, the-world-is-ending tears. He had been so looking forward to hanging out with a friend. You know how a little piece of your heart dies when your child experiences disappointment? Yeah. That.
I told him I would play with him. I would be his friend. I won't say he perked right up, but at least he stopped crying.
You know how, after it rains, the sun comes out, and there's a rainbow? And even sometimes, the sun will be out while it's still raining and you can spot a rainbow then?
I always, always look for the rainbow. Because to me, rainbows are not only God's promise to never destroy the world by flood again; to me, rainbows are God's promise that even after the darkest storm, the bleakest night, the most hopeless devastation, the sun will return, and it'll be OK. Everything will be OK, because all things work together for good for those who love the LORD.
{I feel like I should mention that God's idea of OK is sometimes radically different than ours}
Today, as I was jumping with my boy on a sprinkler-soaked trampoline, I saw the rainbow. Yes, an actual real-live rainbow right there in the trampoline, reminding me that everything is going to be OK. I don't know how. I don't know what OK will look like, but I do know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God's got this covered. He's got it all covered. All of our dashed hopes and dreams, all of our disappointments and failures--they'll all be OK.
Maybe you are going through a storm right now, a storm that seems endless and dark and void of hope. Maybe you need a rainbow today, a reminder of God's endless love and providence. My friend, this is for you.
I don't know when, I don't know how, I don't know what it will look like, but the storm will pass, the sun will return, and everything will be OK.
Look for the rainbow, my friends. It might not be where you expect, but it's there.
MC was devastated.
This isn't the first time we've had this conversation. No one is ever able to come play with him*. I don't know how MC feels about this whole business (because I don't want to plant thoughts in his head by bringing it up), but I'm beginning to wonder if it's me or him or if I'm just paranoid (I'm leaning toward paranoid because the alternatives are just too sad to contemplate). What's wrong with us? Do they just not like us?
* Technically not true, however, it is true that more than half the time we can't get any of his friends to come over.
Anyway, no one could play, and MC dissolved into tears. Messy, noisy, the-world-is-ending tears. He had been so looking forward to hanging out with a friend. You know how a little piece of your heart dies when your child experiences disappointment? Yeah. That.
I told him I would play with him. I would be his friend. I won't say he perked right up, but at least he stopped crying.
 |
| {Image Source} |
I always, always look for the rainbow. Because to me, rainbows are not only God's promise to never destroy the world by flood again; to me, rainbows are God's promise that even after the darkest storm, the bleakest night, the most hopeless devastation, the sun will return, and it'll be OK. Everything will be OK, because all things work together for good for those who love the LORD.
{I feel like I should mention that God's idea of OK is sometimes radically different than ours}
Today, as I was jumping with my boy on a sprinkler-soaked trampoline, I saw the rainbow. Yes, an actual real-live rainbow right there in the trampoline, reminding me that everything is going to be OK. I don't know how. I don't know what OK will look like, but I do know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God's got this covered. He's got it all covered. All of our dashed hopes and dreams, all of our disappointments and failures--they'll all be OK.
Maybe you are going through a storm right now, a storm that seems endless and dark and void of hope. Maybe you need a rainbow today, a reminder of God's endless love and providence. My friend, this is for you.
I don't know when, I don't know how, I don't know what it will look like, but the storm will pass, the sun will return, and everything will be OK.
Look for the rainbow, my friends. It might not be where you expect, but it's there.
And we know that all things work together
for good to those who love God,
who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 NIV
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| Another rainbow--one of MC's friend's plans changed :) |
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Mad Camping Pics
It was sort of an odd Independence Day for a lot of folks this year due to the holiday's falling on a Wednesday. We took the opportunity to head out for a camping trip a little farther away than we would normally go for a weekend--we headed to Madeline Island, which is one of the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior near Bayfield, Wisconsin.
Have I mentioned that I love Lake Superior? I went to school near Superior, and my favorite camping trips have involved the lake. Hubby even popped the question at Lake Superior. I love the rocky cliffs, the sea caves, and the sandy beaches. I love the lighthouses and the stories of storms and shipwreck. I love Superior's vast expanse.
But enough about my love affair with the best great lake...you came for the pictures, right?
Our trip began at Boy Scout camp, where AKD was just finishing up a week being a boy, earning merit badges in Lifesaving and Climbing.
The next day we headed to the ferry in Bayfield, which delivered us to the town of La Pointe on Madeline Island.
We set up camp...
and then got busy swimming...
and burying each other in the sand.
True story: Lake Superior is much warmer on the south shore. The next morning, Sawblock and AKD headed out for an early morning paddle...
through the sea caves along the shoreline.
But they're not the only ones who kayaked!
One day most of the boys rode their bikes the 7 or so miles into town, and Bubby and I met them for a picnic lunch and swim at this beach.
You already know about the cliff jumping. We also swam through sea caves and underwater tunnels.
And there was more swimming and more kayaking and more biking and more hiking. And relaxing by the fire with some s'mores.
At the end of our time on Madeline Island, we packed up our stuff (and AKD did a little truck surfing) and headed back toward home.
Oh, what a great time we had! I hope you enjoyed your holiday celebrations, too :)
Have I mentioned that I love Lake Superior? I went to school near Superior, and my favorite camping trips have involved the lake. Hubby even popped the question at Lake Superior. I love the rocky cliffs, the sea caves, and the sandy beaches. I love the lighthouses and the stories of storms and shipwreck. I love Superior's vast expanse.
But enough about my love affair with the best great lake...you came for the pictures, right?
Our trip began at Boy Scout camp, where AKD was just finishing up a week being a boy, earning merit badges in Lifesaving and Climbing.
The next day we headed to the ferry in Bayfield, which delivered us to the town of La Pointe on Madeline Island.
We took a hike along the shoreline, stopping at beaches along the way. This one had lots of rock cairns, so of course we had to build our own.
And Bubby found this itty-bitty froggy.
At this beach, the boys made a "raft" out of driftwood.
And Bubby learned to skip rocks.
Oh, what a great time we had! I hope you enjoyed your holiday celebrations, too :)
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Summer Fun To Do List: the new pool
You know, the one with the zipline and the climbing wall.
This was my activity choice, and we had a great time :)
So there was lots of fun stuff at the pool--I didn't get a whole lot of pictures, because I was busy playing...but, in addition to the climbing and jumping cliff, there were 4 slides in the play area, including one that was wide enough for our whole family to go down at one time (and we did), a zipline that MC and AKD both zipped on,
and a lazy river, along with lots of sprinkling and spraying things.
The best part?
This was my activity choice, and we had a great time :)
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| AKD doing his Spiderman impression on the climbing wall |
 |
| Cliff jumping |
and a lazy river, along with lots of sprinkling and spraying things.
 |
| Playing in the sprinkles |
The best part?
 |
| MC jumped. Lots of times. Told you he was brave. |
*********
Here's the updated Summer Fun To-Do List. With a little less than half of the summer gone, we are a little more than half done with our listthe new pool--the one with a zipline and a climbing wall you can jump off of into the waterDone. Zippily.- cave (ahhh, 50* F year-round)
- take a picnic lunch and bike along the river in the city, play in the fountain, and watch the barges
- indoor waterpark
mountain biking with friendsDone. Exuberantly.kayaking (perhaps in Colorado)Done, but not the Colorado part.trampoline placeDone. Flyingly.inflatable jumpy placeDone. Boingingly.- big zoo
hike to the waterfallDone. Beautifully.take a train rideDone. Chuggingly.- beach--the one at the man made lake, with the really cool play structure nearby
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Big J, Little j, what begins with J?
Why Jerry Jordan's jelly jar and jam begin that way, of course.
That little rhyme from Dr. Suess's ABC was running through my head this morning as I successfully completed my first ever jam-making experience. It was my own little jam session...ha ha {groan}.
That's right: I am now the proud owner of 9 half-pint jars (plus a leftover 1/2 cup) of strawberry jam.
Yummy!
I used this recipe from my Ball Blue Book of Preserving. Just FYI, 2 qt of strawberries equals about 3 pounds of strawberries, and it's equivalent to about 5 cups of crushed strawberries.
Oh, and use a really big pot. Trust me on this.
I just love the little popping sound that lets me know the jars are sealed. :)
That little rhyme from Dr. Suess's ABC was running through my head this morning as I successfully completed my first ever jam-making experience. It was my own little jam session...ha ha {groan}.
That's right: I am now the proud owner of 9 half-pint jars (plus a leftover 1/2 cup) of strawberry jam.
Yummy!
I used this recipe from my Ball Blue Book of Preserving. Just FYI, 2 qt of strawberries equals about 3 pounds of strawberries, and it's equivalent to about 5 cups of crushed strawberries.
Oh, and use a really big pot. Trust me on this.
I just love the little popping sound that lets me know the jars are sealed. :)
Now I just need to keep the family stocked with yummy homemade honey-whole wheat bread to eat spread with the jam...
Monday, July 9, 2012
Deadheading and Weeding
On Thursday and Friday, I deadheaded. On Saturday I weeded. As you can imagine (or maybe not, if you're not a gardener), there was quite a bit of deadheading and weeding to do after I had been absent for a week. And actually, I haven't really weeded the garden all season, so it was kind of a jungle out there.
Just in case you're thinking that deadheading is a task that involves heavy metal music and sharp implements, you're half right. Deadheading is the process of cutting dead flowers off of plants so that new flowers will grow. You see, the purpose of flowers is to attract pollinators so that the plant can produce seeds. Once a flower has been pollinated, the plant diverts its resources into producing seeds, rather than producing more flowers. By removing the distraction (if you will) of developing seeds, the plant is able to focus on flowers.
Weeds are another story. Weeds grow up and choke useful plants, diverting resources they need to produce fruit. With the removal of the weeds, the plants are then able to use the limited resources of soil, light, and water to grow and produce food.
As I worked, I was reminded how this is something that must be done continually. You can't just do it once and be done, it's a constant renewal of effort. The blooms are always fading, the weeds are always growing, and if I want to have beautiful flowers and yummy vegetables, I must deal with the weeds and the faded blooms.
It's the same way in my spiritual life--I need to put forth a constant daily effort to clear away the distractions and barriers to living in Christ--to deadhead my soul and weed around my heart. Each new day I must recommit myself to following Christ, to continually choose the ways that lead to life. I can't just do it once and be done. I cannot slide into complacency, because the blooms continue to fade, distracting me away from my purpose, and the weeds continue to grow, choking my spirit and stealing my resources.
No, if I want to bloom in Christ, if I want to produce spiritual fruit, I must choose every day to follow Christ.
Just in case you're thinking that deadheading is a task that involves heavy metal music and sharp implements, you're half right. Deadheading is the process of cutting dead flowers off of plants so that new flowers will grow. You see, the purpose of flowers is to attract pollinators so that the plant can produce seeds. Once a flower has been pollinated, the plant diverts its resources into producing seeds, rather than producing more flowers. By removing the distraction (if you will) of developing seeds, the plant is able to focus on flowers.
Weeds are another story. Weeds grow up and choke useful plants, diverting resources they need to produce fruit. With the removal of the weeds, the plants are then able to use the limited resources of soil, light, and water to grow and produce food.
As I worked, I was reminded how this is something that must be done continually. You can't just do it once and be done, it's a constant renewal of effort. The blooms are always fading, the weeds are always growing, and if I want to have beautiful flowers and yummy vegetables, I must deal with the weeds and the faded blooms.
It's the same way in my spiritual life--I need to put forth a constant daily effort to clear away the distractions and barriers to living in Christ--to deadhead my soul and weed around my heart. Each new day I must recommit myself to following Christ, to continually choose the ways that lead to life. I can't just do it once and be done. I cannot slide into complacency, because the blooms continue to fade, distracting me away from my purpose, and the weeds continue to grow, choking my spirit and stealing my resources.
No, if I want to bloom in Christ, if I want to produce spiritual fruit, I must choose every day to follow Christ.
Inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
2 Corinthians 4:16b
When you bear (produce) much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified,
and you show and prove yourselves to be true followers of Mine.
John 15:8 (AMP)
This is the day the Lord has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24 (NLT)
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Courage
So we went camping on Lake Superior last weekend. Have I mentioned how much I love Lake Superior? When we retire, perhaps Hubby and I will have to live there. That is, when we're not traveling around the country pulling our travel trailer, visiting all of the national parks.
Anyway, there was a bit of cliff jumping going on in the state park where we stayed. Actually, there was a lot of cliff jumping going on. As in scores of people flinging themselves off of 20 or 30 foot high rocks and plummeting into the water. Multiple times.
Hubby did it.
AKD did it.
MC did not do it.
He tried, probably 5 or 6 times, but he chickened out every single time.
I made him an offer: if he jumped off the medium rock (maybe 10 feet?), I would jump off of the low rock (about 3 feet). It wasn't enough. Honestly, I don't think it would have been enough if I had promised to jump off the medium or high rocks, either, even though he would have loved to see me jump. It was just too scary for him.
To tell the truth, I was relieved that MC couldn't gather the courage to jump. Because I didn't want to jump either. What if I didn't jump out far enough? What if I landed wrong? What if I misjudged the distance?
And that got me thinking. When did I become so fearful? Fifteen years ago, I would have just done it. Fifteen years ago I did do it. Well not on that particular rock, but a rock just as high. I used to do all kinds of (not so) crazy stuff that I'm too much of a scaredy-cat to do now. When did my courage desert me?
I think my children have stolen my courage (just like my brain cells). It just went right out of me and in to them. They are so amazingly brave, every single one of them. If there is a rock or mountain or tree to climb, they'll climb it. And then jump down. A waterslide or snowy hill, they'll slide down it. A roller coaster to conquer, bring it on. Flips on a trampoline, wading through waterfalls, performing jumps on bikes, jumping from high places. My incredibly brave children do things every day that could kill or injure them. They have yet to discover their immortality. And me? Not so much anymore.
Or, perhaps my courage has transformed into a different sort of courage. It's no longer the thrill-seeking courage of a cliff jumper, but being a mommy requires me to be just as brave, if not more so. I am responsible for the care and well-being of three complete human children. I am their greatest advocate, their biggest fan, their confidant, their confessor, their encourager. I am the person who will always love them, and always believe in them. Without me, where would they be? The responsibility is staggering, but even in the face of all that, I carry on. And that takes guts.
Anyway, there was a bit of cliff jumping going on in the state park where we stayed. Actually, there was a lot of cliff jumping going on. As in scores of people flinging themselves off of 20 or 30 foot high rocks and plummeting into the water. Multiple times.
Hubby did it.
AKD did it.
MC did not do it.
He tried, probably 5 or 6 times, but he chickened out every single time.
I made him an offer: if he jumped off the medium rock (maybe 10 feet?), I would jump off of the low rock (about 3 feet). It wasn't enough. Honestly, I don't think it would have been enough if I had promised to jump off the medium or high rocks, either, even though he would have loved to see me jump. It was just too scary for him.
To tell the truth, I was relieved that MC couldn't gather the courage to jump. Because I didn't want to jump either. What if I didn't jump out far enough? What if I landed wrong? What if I misjudged the distance?
And that got me thinking. When did I become so fearful? Fifteen years ago, I would have just done it. Fifteen years ago I did do it. Well not on that particular rock, but a rock just as high. I used to do all kinds of (not so) crazy stuff that I'm too much of a scaredy-cat to do now. When did my courage desert me?
I think my children have stolen my courage (just like my brain cells). It just went right out of me and in to them. They are so amazingly brave, every single one of them. If there is a rock or mountain or tree to climb, they'll climb it. And then jump down. A waterslide or snowy hill, they'll slide down it. A roller coaster to conquer, bring it on. Flips on a trampoline, wading through waterfalls, performing jumps on bikes, jumping from high places. My incredibly brave children do things every day that could kill or injure them. They have yet to discover their immortality. And me? Not so much anymore.
Or, perhaps my courage has transformed into a different sort of courage. It's no longer the thrill-seeking courage of a cliff jumper, but being a mommy requires me to be just as brave, if not more so. I am responsible for the care and well-being of three complete human children. I am their greatest advocate, their biggest fan, their confidant, their confessor, their encourager. I am the person who will always love them, and always believe in them. Without me, where would they be? The responsibility is staggering, but even in the face of all that, I carry on. And that takes guts.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged,
for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
Monday, July 2, 2012
Confessions
Did y'all notice I changed my name? Well, not my name, but the blog's name? {Actually, I think I'm going to change my name, too} It's been several months since I decided I needed to change the blog's name to more accurately reflect its content.
Go ahead. Ask me why it's taken so long to get around to it. I'll give you an answer...right after I finish rolling around on the floor laughing. Because if you know anything about me, you know that housekeeping, of any kind, even bloggy housekeeping, is not a priority for me.
I have a new tag-line, too. It goes a little something like this: "confessions of a (not quite) super-mom."
See, today someone accused me of being super-mom. It happens with surprising frequency. I mean honestly, people, you think this is super? My cape's in the laundry. Permanently.
So anyway, I figure, since I'm advertising confessions, I'd better deliver.
So here's one for you. I yell at my kids.
Yes, it's true. I get fed up, lose my temper, and scream at the little darlings. I keep trying to tell y'all that I'm not perfect. In fact, I would go so far as to say that I am seriously flawed. Damaged goods. Broken. Just about as non-super as you can get.
You have no idea what goes on around here. Well, OK, you know what I'm willing to show you. You know what happens in those brief glimpses through the window of my blog. But believe me, even though what you see is real and true and authentic, it is far from the whole story.
I mean, would super-mom e v e r yell at her kids? Absolutely not. Because super-mom never loses her temper. And super-mom has perfect kids, who never give her reason to yell at them.
No, I'm just your plain old regular run of the mill mommy, who is imperfect, but trying her best, and who often fails.
But you know what? Even in this fallen, broken world, the God I serve has the power to redeem my imperfections, to use them for His glory. In fact, the God I serve delights in using my shortcomings to point the way to His kingdom.
Go ahead. Ask me why it's taken so long to get around to it. I'll give you an answer...right after I finish rolling around on the floor laughing. Because if you know anything about me, you know that housekeeping, of any kind, even bloggy housekeeping, is not a priority for me.
I have a new tag-line, too. It goes a little something like this: "confessions of a (not quite) super-mom."
See, today someone accused me of being super-mom. It happens with surprising frequency. I mean honestly, people, you think this is super? My cape's in the laundry. Permanently.
So anyway, I figure, since I'm advertising confessions, I'd better deliver.
So here's one for you. I yell at my kids.
Yes, it's true. I get fed up, lose my temper, and scream at the little darlings. I keep trying to tell y'all that I'm not perfect. In fact, I would go so far as to say that I am seriously flawed. Damaged goods. Broken. Just about as non-super as you can get.
You have no idea what goes on around here. Well, OK, you know what I'm willing to show you. You know what happens in those brief glimpses through the window of my blog. But believe me, even though what you see is real and true and authentic, it is far from the whole story.
I mean, would super-mom e v e r yell at her kids? Absolutely not. Because super-mom never loses her temper. And super-mom has perfect kids, who never give her reason to yell at them.
No, I'm just your plain old regular run of the mill mommy, who is imperfect, but trying her best, and who often fails.
But you know what? Even in this fallen, broken world, the God I serve has the power to redeem my imperfections, to use them for His glory. In fact, the God I serve delights in using my shortcomings to point the way to His kingdom.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV
So please, so I don't have to try to live up to your perceptions, keep in mind that I am not perfect, and I am definitely not super-mom, but that is as it should be.
Friday, June 29, 2012
A Minor (Shoe) Miracle
Remember back in March when I showed y'all my problem area? You forgot, didn't you? You can click the link if you need to refresh your memory. The plan is to overhaul the laundry/mud room next month (isn't that exciting?), so I've started gathering ideas. If you'd like to get an idea of what I'm thinking, feel free to check out my Laundry Room board on Pinterest (you don't have to be a member to look).
But in the meantime, you may recall that one of my biggest issues with the laundry/mud room is the boots and shoes. My boys (remember, I love 'em) walk in the door, take off their shoes, and either leave them wherever they fall, or chuck 'em under the utility sink. There is no neat lining up of shoes in straight rows.
Idealistically, I instituted a no-more-than-three-pairs-of-boots-or-shoes-per-person rule, which was blantantly ignored by one and all, my husband being the worst offender. And, you know, even with only 15 pairs, this area would still look cluttered and messy.
So the other day I was in the Bullseye store, and spotted these nifty metal bins. I've been on the lookout for something to put under the utility sink for shoes and boots, so I bought four.
And we have experienced a minor miracle in our household. Since the bins arrived, the shoes have stayed corralled in them. I can't believe how easy that was, or how well it's working.
It's not perfect. Because of other fixtures in the room, four bins don't really fit. Well, they fit, but they don't fit neatly in a row (and by now, you probably know me well enough to know that this makes me very unhappy). I'm also worried that when the bins shift around (and they will), the floor will get scratched. And just look at all that wasted space between the bins.
I would love to have someone build a custom piece to put under there, to accomodate for the sink drain and other complications, but unfortunately, my main builder-person doesn't seem to want to take on the project. And I'm not sure if my other main builder-person will be visiting soon enough. Friends, I might just have to learn how to use a nail gun. And brave the table saw (yikes).
And, of course, it isn't winter, so we don't have boots, and I don't have a whole lot of confidence that the children (or husband) will realize that if their bin is full they need to find another room (like their bedrooms) for the overflow, but for now, I'm happy that our shoe explosion has been contained.
But in the meantime, you may recall that one of my biggest issues with the laundry/mud room is the boots and shoes. My boys (remember, I love 'em) walk in the door, take off their shoes, and either leave them wherever they fall, or chuck 'em under the utility sink. There is no neat lining up of shoes in straight rows.
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| Keep in mind that on this day, there were 4 pairs of shoes and 2 pairs of boots out for the day. |
Idealistically, I instituted a no-more-than-three-pairs-of-boots-or-shoes-per-person rule, which was blantantly ignored by one and all, my husband being the worst offender. And, you know, even with only 15 pairs, this area would still look cluttered and messy.
And we have experienced a minor miracle in our household. Since the bins arrived, the shoes have stayed corralled in them. I can't believe how easy that was, or how well it's working.
It's not perfect. Because of other fixtures in the room, four bins don't really fit. Well, they fit, but they don't fit neatly in a row (and by now, you probably know me well enough to know that this makes me very unhappy). I'm also worried that when the bins shift around (and they will), the floor will get scratched. And just look at all that wasted space between the bins.
I would love to have someone build a custom piece to put under there, to accomodate for the sink drain and other complications, but unfortunately, my main builder-person doesn't seem to want to take on the project. And I'm not sure if my other main builder-person will be visiting soon enough. Friends, I might just have to learn how to use a nail gun. And brave the table saw (yikes).
And, of course, it isn't winter, so we don't have boots, and I don't have a whole lot of confidence that the children (or husband) will realize that if their bin is full they need to find another room (like their bedrooms) for the overflow, but for now, I'm happy that our shoe explosion has been contained.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Craft of the Month--July
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| {Image Source} |
Well friends, it's July and summer is in full swing. It's time to celebrate with some fun activities that can be done indoors or out.
July crafts of the month include: sidewalk paint fireworks, blow paint monsters or fireworks, and bike decorating.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Adventures (in Mommy-hood)
So, y'all heard about our little adventure last week, mountain biking with the boys. Some might question my sanity, agreeing to take not just my own three boys, but three whole extra boys (that makes six, just in case you're mathematically impaired) on this type of outing. Or any type of outing.
In fact, that's just the type of thing that makes me question my own sanity. What was I thinking? Honestly. I've got my hands full enough without adding any thing or any body extra.
But I am so glad I did it. I am so glad I was able to do it.
Let me tell you a story.
Several years ago, I was helping out with Vacation Bible School, and I happened to overhear a conversation between two 7 year old boys. One of the boys, H, had a stay at home mom; both of T's parents worked full time.
T was telling H about the day camps he went to, about all the fun activities they did, and H said, "you're so lucky you get to go to camp and do all that stuff!" To which T replied, "you're lucky you don't have to."
Such a telling response, don't you think? This little boy was so wise to realize the advantage his friend had, just in having his mom around.
I'm not saying that mommies shouldn't work, or that having two full-time working parents in a family is wrong. I just wonder if it's worth it, both in terms of the emotional cost to the children and of the missed opportunity for shared memories. I wonder if the sacrifice is worth the pay-off.
Being there for my children, being present with my children--that's priceless. These long summer days of childhood, we will never get them back. There won't be any do-overs. Time marches relentlessly forward, and when my boys are grown, I want to know that I did my very best for them.
Don't get me wrong--being a mom is so very, very hard. Sometimes I wish I could be doing anything other than this. But in the end, I know that what I'm doing is better, is more important, is more satisfying and fulfilling, than any paid job could ever be.
Missionary to the Auca people in Ecuador, Jim Elliot, wrote this in 1949: "he is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." I have to say I agree.
I am so thankful; I am so blessed to be my kids' mom.
In fact, that's just the type of thing that makes me question my own sanity. What was I thinking? Honestly. I've got my hands full enough without adding any thing or any body extra.
But I am so glad I did it. I am so glad I was able to do it.
Let me tell you a story.
Several years ago, I was helping out with Vacation Bible School, and I happened to overhear a conversation between two 7 year old boys. One of the boys, H, had a stay at home mom; both of T's parents worked full time.
T was telling H about the day camps he went to, about all the fun activities they did, and H said, "you're so lucky you get to go to camp and do all that stuff!" To which T replied, "you're lucky you don't have to."
Such a telling response, don't you think? This little boy was so wise to realize the advantage his friend had, just in having his mom around.
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| Lil' Peanut (AKD) July, 2000 |
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| Our little Chalupa (MC) April, 2003 |
Being there for my children, being present with my children--that's priceless. These long summer days of childhood, we will never get them back. There won't be any do-overs. Time marches relentlessly forward, and when my boys are grown, I want to know that I did my very best for them.
 |
| Sweetie Pumpkin Pie (Roger) December, 2007 |
Don't get me wrong--being a mom is so very, very hard. Sometimes I wish I could be doing anything other than this. But in the end, I know that what I'm doing is better, is more important, is more satisfying and fulfilling, than any paid job could ever be.
Missionary to the Auca people in Ecuador, Jim Elliot, wrote this in 1949: "he is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." I have to say I agree.
I am so thankful; I am so blessed to be my kids' mom.
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