My Tuesday

We are having a wonderful day...everyone slept late, we've watched movies, cartoons, ate a picnic in the living room, stayed in the jammies, it's been so nice and relaxing. I am finally caught up on laundry, people! Do you know how major that is!?!?!?! You should have seen the mountain of clothes on the floor...it's taken me two days and about ten loads of washing to get it all to a manageable size.

So we're having this wonderful day, the kids are getting along, I even sat down to peace and quiet to read my Bible, but then I got a call from Mom. My sisters Lisa and Debi have a half sister named Angela who is 39 years old and has been both mentally and physically sick for a long time....as long as I can remember, almost. She died this morning. Their dad (Papa Jerry as so we lovingly call him) is in a really bad state right now. He talked to Angela every day of her life, and now here he is burying her. And Lisa, who takes on the weight of the world, is once again under tremendous pressure as she plans and organizes the whole funeral and burial. And Debi, who has experienced too many deaths to even count this year, is burying someone else.

It all goes back to the saying, "You think you've got it bad, but then you hear someone else's story." The grass is NOT always greener on the other side. Please pray for my family as you read this...my mom and I are scrambling to put together some meals for them for the next few days, since everyone will end up at Lisa's house at some time or another. Actually Mom is making the meals, I'm just giving her some ideas.

This will not be the same celebration of life that we celebrated when Mammaw passed away. Angela might or might not have been a Christian...only her and the Lord know that, but just having that doubt is going to really make this hard for everyone involved. Like I asked earlier, please pray for them all as they go through this difficult time.

On a brighter note, I'm listening to Jonah and Noah play with their sweet little friend, Ashleigh. Her older brother is Cameron, and him and Graham have been buds ever since they were 4 years old. I think it's cool that the little guys are following the friendship along with Ashleigh. Her mom Sharon is one of my very favorite people in the whole world. Sharon was the one that singlehandedly organized meals for my family after Todd had his surgery. We were well taken care of for 2 weeks. She's an amazing woman, one that I love dearly. I look forward to watching our kids grow up together. Anyway, we traded kids for the afternoon. Graham and Drew went to Cam's house, and Ash came over here to be with the twinks.

Well, I'm gonna go fold more laundry. Love to all...

An UpDaTe

Okay, well my day got a whole lot better...I wanted to just add that so that nobody would think I'm this horrible monster of a mom. I'm really not, I was just having a really bad morning. And mid morning, like when Dad and I had lunch at CiCi's pizza. I'm human, I've been trying to tell everyone that all along. Yes, there are days when my precious sons drive the sane right out of me.

I felt the need to write, I'm watching Milo & Otis at the same time, but to just tell you how different Jonah and Noah are, you had to hear this. First of all, Todd, Graham and Drew went to the Tiger's game tonight (Thank you Lisa & Jim!!!), but Jonah and Noah didn't want to go, so we were going to see Madagascar 2 at the movies. Well, it's not playing anymore. Bummer. So we decided to have our own private movie night in the comfort of our jammies!

They picked Milo & Otis, and opted to have popcorn and cookies while we watched. Noah was all excited...him and Drew are my movie buffs, and Jonah was too, at first. But right now, he is passed out on the couch. Yup, you heard me right. Every time, and I do mean EVERY TIME we've ever gone to see a movie, no matter how much money we dished out for the ticket, he's fallen asleep. Seriously. For almost eight bucks, he could sleep for free at home. Which is exactly what he's choosing to do right this very moment. He's out like a light, all comfy and cozy in his sweet little jammies, on the couch, covered up by his brand new fuzzy blanket just like mine, all tuckered out like a precious little angel. Not at all like the mini~monster he acted like today every time he failed to get his way.

It should be outlawed to be that stinking cute. I mean, he can turn it on, then right off, you know what I'm saying? I know if you've ever been around him for more than 5 and a half minutes, you have witnessed that yourself. But right this very moment, he looks like this precious little angel. And he really is, for the most part. I just but heads with him something awful because he's just like me. =) I know Mom, paybacks are awful. Well, keep on laughing, I can hear you all the way from Moscow.

Well, I'm going to stalk people on facebook. I've only seen this movie a hundred and twenty times. The cat and dog are cute, but come on, enough is enough. I am totally letting them have their own special night, since they never do. Graham and Drew's picks usually win and the little guys just have to deal with it. Okay, that's enough. Bon noir. (That means good night, Todd. =)

HaPpY MoNdAy...Or NoT So...

I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning, I think. Well, I don't think, I know. It's just one of those days. The clutter of my house is getting to me, and the boys had not done some things I'd asked them to do yesterday. As I was on the verge of losing my temper, I whispered, "Jesus, my nerves are shot." And just like that, this unspeakable peace washed over me.

I retraced my steps and apologized to the boys. I had lost it somewhat, and they were my easy target. I asked their forgiveness, and took that opportunity to tell them how my Father forgives me when I mess up. I told them that I mess up; that I have done it lots before and will probably do it lots again. I told them that the point I was trying to make still stood: that they were to be more responsible for their belongings. I told them that what came downstairs had to find its way back upstairs, that they still had to take care of their toys, closet and room. I told them that they had 'daily responsibilities' just like I did, and regardless of what we were doing, those things had to be taken care of first. I just said it all in a much nicer way.

It's amazing how quickly the Lord's peace washed over me. All I had to do was whisper that plea to Him, and He heard. I didn't even ask for it, but He knew I needed it and supplied it in abundance. My dad and I were just talking at lunch about God is there...all you have to do is just reach out to Him, and He will touch you. Just like He did me this morning, as I was on the verge of losing all sanity. (Not really, just trying to be funny.)

I got a new Bible for Christmas! I love it....it's my favorite of all so far. It's New Living Translation, and it's teal and brown....MY colors! It's called Sanctuary. For lots of reasons, I fell in love with this Bible and actually picked it out with Dad back in September. So, when I opened it up Saturday night, I turned to Psalms. You can always judge whether or not you'll like a new translation by reading through some of the Psalms. At least I can. Anyway, I turned it to Psalm 27:4, and 5. This is what it says:

4 The one thing I ask of the LORD~the thing I seek the most~is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the LORD'S perfections and meditating in His Temple. 5 For He will conceal me there when troubles come; He will hide me in His sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock.

Isn't that beautiful??? I really needed that today. I reread it again as I was having my morning meltdown. We had an incredible day at church yesterday, and this morning was the enemy's way of taking that away from me. But he didn't succeed at all...I caught onto what was happening, whispered my heartfelt plea, then spent some time reading in God's word. His living, breathing Word, the Word of Life, my shield against all life's heartaches, troubles and mistakes. And when I can't find where I want to read, or if I don't have a plan as to what I want to read, I simply turn to the book of Psalm. You can never go wrong there.

He truly is my sanctuary, my hiding place. When I have nowhere else to turn, He is there waiting on me, reaching out to me. If only I could remember that as I try to take on the world and all that goes with it on my own. All I have to do is ask, seek, knock, then believe. I like what Proverbs 2: 1~7 says about it:

1 My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. 2 Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. 3 Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. 4 Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. 5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD, and you will gain knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.

As I write this, I'm listening to six boys running and screaming upstairs playing hide and seek. I just asked them not to play that inside, they're all freaking Andy out, and he's hiding behind the kitchen table. Poor dog. I kicked them all outside...the six are my 4, and Graham and Drew each have a friend over. I'm trying to wear them all out and I'm hoping for six o'clock to hurry up and get here so they big boys can go to the Tiger's game!!! I love them, but they need some time with their daddy. And I need some quiet and peace with just me, Jonah and Noah! We're going to go see Madagascar 2, because they didn't want to go to the basketball game. I'm excited!!!

Well, now that I vented a little, I must say I feel better. I know it's really shocking to some of you that I actually have meltdowns every now and then~I know...I'm waiting on that lightning to strike just any moment! Well, I hope you all have a blessed Monday!!!

And just to end this even better: our favorite group, The Go Fish Guys...this song is awesome! I love them, but I love this message even better! Enjoy!

New!

I am tired of the Christmas decor. Tired of the blog done up in festive colors, and tired of it in my house. So I changed the blog and started un~doing my house. I love newness!!! Just had to write that...it's my hubby's bday, and we're off to dinner at Mom's and Bill's! Woohoo, leftovers! Love to all!

Morning Devotion

We all complain from time to time, and we all get in really bad moods (ahem me when I woke up this morning!), so I thought I would post this devotion that I got this morning. I have to remind myself to do these things...I have to remind myself to say, 'please' and 'thank you', and not make a demand to do something. I like the part where it quotes the Bible verse from James, "You do not have because you do not ask". I think we can all take something away from this! Enjoy!

How To Fight So Everybody Wins

Do all things without complaining.

Philippians 2:14 NKJV

He comes home flustered. "Honey, I'm late for a meeting and all my shirts are dirty!" Now, he believes he asked reasonably for a clean shirt. But she, hearing herself criticised, fires back, "If you'd fixed the washing machine like you promised, you'd have a cupboard full of clean shirts!" "I only asked for a shirt," he says. "You didn't ask, you complained!" she replies. Did he?

We complain, imagining we're asking reasonably that our partner change something we're upset about, then we're frustrated when it backfires. Why not adopt the Biblical principle, "You do not have because you do not ask" (James 4:2 NKJV). You'll be amazed how much you'll get once you learn to ask, instead of assuming, demanding or complaining.

Therapist and author Bill O'Hanlon calls this 'turning your complaints into action requests'. Instead of telling your husband or wife what you don't like about their actions, ask graciously and clearly for what you'd like them to do. Be solution-focused, action-oriented, concrete and specific. Instead of, "John, we've got guests in thirty minutes and you're still watching TV!" try, "John, they'll be here soon. Would you mind bathing the children while I finish cooking?" No complaint, just a request. Instead of, "Nobody lifts a finger around here but me," try, "Sweetheart, I'm really exhausted, would you help me clear up the dishes?" Accept responsibility for turning your complaints into action requests, then make them concrete and specific. Saying "I need you to be considerate" is much too vague. Ask yourself, "If he or she were being considerate, what would they be doing?" Then kindly request that behaviour - and always show gratitude when you get it!

What I Wish For

I think I've gotten better, over the years, at slowing down and making the most out of our family moments. I think one thing that is bad, is how I spend my spare time. I'm always so quick to jump up and re~organize everything, and clean the messes up, that I don't stop and take time to be with my Jesus.

I love Him so much, more than I could ever explain in this blog, and I am so humbled by all of His goodness. There are a couple of Christmas songs that get to me, one of which is a new one by Mandisa called, Christmas Makes Me Cry. I heard it on the radio yesterday, and just sat and cried. One of the things the song says is that she thinks of the humble birth our Saviour experienced, and the hope that He gives us. Here are the lyrics below:



Okay, so I couldn't find the lyrics, but instead embedded the song. It's gorgeous. A few weeks ago in choir practice, Music Man challenged us to pray that God would give us the heart of Jesus. He said that if we took on what He so wanted (the salvation of loved ones) that it would endear them to us more. That if we were passionate about the love of Jesus, that maybe, just maybe, someone would see His love in us and would wonder what it was about us that was so different. I admit, I have not done that. If I had done that, I would be on my knees more everyday. Or at all.

When we're first saved, that fire and passion that is in us is the most wonderful, exciting thing. As time goes on, I feel like my fire is burning out. I get in these ruts, these spiritual ditches, and can barely find the strength to climb back out. I tend to take on the world and all that goes with it, but when I do that, I let other things go. Like my relationship status with the King of Kings. Unfortunately, that seems to be the one thing that slips...the one thing that gets the least amount of my time. I hate that, and I sure don't mean to do it.

But as I write this, I think of that precious baby that was born on this night two thousand years ago. He was just an ordinary baby, or so it seemed. But that baby was sent to us as a gift, the ultimate gift~undeserving though we may be. Like me~how many times do I mess up in my personal time with the Lord? I'm not saying I'm not a Christian, I am...I just don't give Him my best...my time. It makes me cry....just like the song states! God is the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings! And as much as He loves us, He doesn't make us love Him and spend our time with Him. He wants us to want to spend time with Him...on our own, He wants us to be totally, wholly in love with Him. The least I can give Him is myself~my heart, my time, my reading of His word.

He came as that little baby, in the most humble of all births to save us. When I think about it, the humble birth fits Him perfectly. He doesn't force Himself upon us, He just kind of stays to the side we put Him on. Only when we put Him at our center, does He get all the limelight! And in a good way, I mean, not in a fake, superficial way.

As I end this, my prayer is that I take on the heart of Jesus as I think about all the loved ones around me that don't know the same Saviour that I know. They're more wrapped up in the things of life...but my prayer is that they will see Jesus in me. I pray that God uses me in a way to bring glory to His name. The Name above all names.

I pray that as long as I have the priveledge of mothering my four beautiful boys, that I always take the time to stop and enjoy them. I had so much fun with them today....it would have been even more perfect if Todd hadn't been home sick. Yup, home sick all day by himself. Poor baby! I cried, having to leave him this morning. It just didn't seem right at all, and I would have stayed home with him, but he insisted that the kids go ahead with the plans. He didn't want Christmas ruined for them. =( Isn't that sweet? And SAD?

We had such a blessed day...I love every part of Christmas, and am so sad that it's over now. I love the magical aspect of this season...all of it. But the most magical and amazing thing of all lasts every single day of the year....if only we each open up a part of our heart, and invite Him in to come and reside. Here's a really cool Scripture I found tonight in my brand new Bible!!!

Psalm 26:6~8 I wash my hands to declare my innocence. I come to your altar, O LORD, 7 singing a song of thanksgiving and telling of all your wonders. 8 I love your sanctuary, LORD, the place where your glorious presence dwells.

Love to all and once more this year, Merry CHRISTmas. May He be at the center of all that you do, of all that we do. And may you find His amazing grace, peace, and love this year and every year that follows. God bless you, in the precious, most Holy Name of Jesus.

Christmas Eve!!!

'Twas the Night before Christmas' Poem

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"