One day recently, Judah needed his diaper changed, so he exclaimed to his Papi (daddy), "I have an okie dokie poopy!"
(He was just informed today that his New Year's resolution is to be potty trained!)
Taking a walk with the kids a few days ago, my son, Tucker, came upon some dog poopy that wasn't cleaned up but rather smeared a bit on the sidewalk. Inspecting it, he declared, "It's a la luna poopy" as it was in the shape of a crescent moon. (To appreciate this funny, you must know that the Spanish word for moon is 'luna'.)
Monday, December 31, 2007
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Christmas Funnies
Entering the sanctuary at our church to enjoy a Christmas cantata, my son, Tucker exclaimed, "Mommy, I'm so excited to see the pinata!"
I've been trying to sing Christmas carols to the kids throughout the week to familiarize them with the sounds and words of these cherished songs. A friend and her kids were over to play with us and asked the boys what their favorite Christmas carol was. Their reply: "Row, Row, Row Your Boat".
I'm thinking they might have repressed the Christmas carols I've sung due to the less than melodious voice I have! :)
I've been trying to sing Christmas carols to the kids throughout the week to familiarize them with the sounds and words of these cherished songs. A friend and her kids were over to play with us and asked the boys what their favorite Christmas carol was. Their reply: "Row, Row, Row Your Boat".
I'm thinking they might have repressed the Christmas carols I've sung due to the less than melodious voice I have! :)
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Having a Little Elfin' Fun
I know this has been around for a while, but I had to do it. ENJOY!! I know I did. :)
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1301722128
This elfin' greeting brought to you by OfficeMax®.
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1301722128
This elfin' greeting brought to you by OfficeMax®.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Jesus
Jesus:
Name of wondrous love, name all other names above,
Unto which must every knee bow in deep humility.
Jesus:
Name decreed of old to the maiden mother told---
Kneeling in her lowly cell---by the angel Gabriel.
Jesus:
Name of priceless worth to the children of the earth
For the promise that it gave, "Jesus shall his people save."
Jesus:
Name of wondrous love, human name of God above;
Pleading only this, we flee, helpless, O our God, to Thee.
As quoted in Preparing for Jesus by Walter Wangerin Jr. (Words William W. How, 19th century)
Name of wondrous love, name all other names above,
Unto which must every knee bow in deep humility.
Jesus:
Name decreed of old to the maiden mother told---
Kneeling in her lowly cell---by the angel Gabriel.
Jesus:
Name of priceless worth to the children of the earth
For the promise that it gave, "Jesus shall his people save."
Jesus:
Name of wondrous love, human name of God above;
Pleading only this, we flee, helpless, O our God, to Thee.
As quoted in Preparing for Jesus by Walter Wangerin Jr. (Words William W. How, 19th century)
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Clementines
This morning, my son was showing me a scratch on his finger. I was looking at it and wondered aloud if it was a splinter. Tucker said, "No, mom, I think it's a scratch."
Me: "How did you get it?"
Tucker: "I was reaching for the lemon limes."
Me: (Not knowing what he was talking about) "Where were you reaching for these?"
Tucker: "Up on the counter."
Me: "Oh..you mean the clementines, sweetie?"
Tucker: "yeah, lemon limes"
Me: "How did you get it?"
Tucker: "I was reaching for the lemon limes."
Me: (Not knowing what he was talking about) "Where were you reaching for these?"
Tucker: "Up on the counter."
Me: "Oh..you mean the clementines, sweetie?"
Tucker: "yeah, lemon limes"
Monday, December 03, 2007
Think of All the Good
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
There have been many times while going through a trial that I have felt like a needy burden to others. Lawrence and I have often found ourselves in need of others' help, particularly since the arrival of our children. At times, I can feel like the neediest among my peer group and wrestle with why that is the case. But, today as my friend, Heather, took my boys for a little while from me for oh, the 100th + time, I was able to get a Godward perspective on it instead of my typical self focused perspective.
I thought of the kindness of God that my boys have so many "2nd momma's" and other places that feel so much like home for them. I saw the kindness of God to give my children so many opportunities to see how other godly homes function, how other godly parents treat their children, reinforcing to them the approach we are aiming to take in raising them to know and love God. I saw the kindness of God in giving them friends who are becoming more like brothers and sisters to them because they end up having to spend so much time with them due to all our "trials" that have created those opportunities.
And, then God kindly began to show me just a glimpse of His good purposes in this most recent affliction: my being put out of commission from back pain for nearly a week. My husband has been on full parent duty and then some. I can choose to give into the temptation to feel guilty about making him bear the full load of our responsibilities as parents or I can choose to believe that God is at work in his life, too...perhaps growing him in empathy for the load I bear as a wife and mother. Perhaps, God is helping Lawrence grow in God dependence vs. self sufficiency.
What about all those folks who have cared for my children or made us a meal? I can feel a sense of indebtedness to them, or I can choose to believe that God is working for their good as well, perhaps growing them in generous giving or self sacrifice for the good of another or maybe just giving them an opportunity to store up one more treasure in Heaven by providing for the needs of a needy family!
Lastly, I have been tempted in the midst of our trials to think I have no evangelistic impact because of how much we seem to be inward focused, sometimes out of necessity, due to the various trials He's taken/taking us through. Again, God graciously reminded me that He is more committed to advancing His kingdom than I am. I can trust that He is working out His perfect plan for His redeemed, the ones that are already and the ones that have yet to be so. I may not often be able to engage in lengthy, spiritual conversations with my neighbors because I'm chasing three kids around or invite folks to church that often because it's hit or miss whether we make it ourselves with how often the kids are sick. I may not be able to frequent a local "third place" because of budget constraints, but I know that God is able to use our circumstances for His glory and to advance His kingdom.
He just may be doing it in a more silent way: by the observations others make of how we are handling our trials...they may see the grace my son receives during his laser treatments or the steady flow of foot traffic through our door lately, people bringing meals and taking our children for us. They see my husband making sacrifices in his career advancement for the sake of caring for his wife and family. This runs so counter to our culture, and I pray is a strong witness for the power of the Gospel in our lives. For truly, it is only the power of God's redeeming love in our lives that allows us to have any impact at all.
I know I do not see all the good that God is doing in my life or in others' lives through trials and suffering simply because I am finite and my mind could not possibly comprehend all the good He is about. But, I am learning to be guided by this scripture found in Proverbs 3:5-7a:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes...
If I choose not to be wise in my own eyes, but rather trust in the Lord and lean not on my own understanding of things, I begin to see all (or at least a part) of the good God might be bringing about through my trials and sufferings.
There have been many times while going through a trial that I have felt like a needy burden to others. Lawrence and I have often found ourselves in need of others' help, particularly since the arrival of our children. At times, I can feel like the neediest among my peer group and wrestle with why that is the case. But, today as my friend, Heather, took my boys for a little while from me for oh, the 100th + time, I was able to get a Godward perspective on it instead of my typical self focused perspective.
I thought of the kindness of God that my boys have so many "2nd momma's" and other places that feel so much like home for them. I saw the kindness of God to give my children so many opportunities to see how other godly homes function, how other godly parents treat their children, reinforcing to them the approach we are aiming to take in raising them to know and love God. I saw the kindness of God in giving them friends who are becoming more like brothers and sisters to them because they end up having to spend so much time with them due to all our "trials" that have created those opportunities.
And, then God kindly began to show me just a glimpse of His good purposes in this most recent affliction: my being put out of commission from back pain for nearly a week. My husband has been on full parent duty and then some. I can choose to give into the temptation to feel guilty about making him bear the full load of our responsibilities as parents or I can choose to believe that God is at work in his life, too...perhaps growing him in empathy for the load I bear as a wife and mother. Perhaps, God is helping Lawrence grow in God dependence vs. self sufficiency.
What about all those folks who have cared for my children or made us a meal? I can feel a sense of indebtedness to them, or I can choose to believe that God is working for their good as well, perhaps growing them in generous giving or self sacrifice for the good of another or maybe just giving them an opportunity to store up one more treasure in Heaven by providing for the needs of a needy family!
Lastly, I have been tempted in the midst of our trials to think I have no evangelistic impact because of how much we seem to be inward focused, sometimes out of necessity, due to the various trials He's taken/taking us through. Again, God graciously reminded me that He is more committed to advancing His kingdom than I am. I can trust that He is working out His perfect plan for His redeemed, the ones that are already and the ones that have yet to be so. I may not often be able to engage in lengthy, spiritual conversations with my neighbors because I'm chasing three kids around or invite folks to church that often because it's hit or miss whether we make it ourselves with how often the kids are sick. I may not be able to frequent a local "third place" because of budget constraints, but I know that God is able to use our circumstances for His glory and to advance His kingdom.
He just may be doing it in a more silent way: by the observations others make of how we are handling our trials...they may see the grace my son receives during his laser treatments or the steady flow of foot traffic through our door lately, people bringing meals and taking our children for us. They see my husband making sacrifices in his career advancement for the sake of caring for his wife and family. This runs so counter to our culture, and I pray is a strong witness for the power of the Gospel in our lives. For truly, it is only the power of God's redeeming love in our lives that allows us to have any impact at all.
I know I do not see all the good that God is doing in my life or in others' lives through trials and suffering simply because I am finite and my mind could not possibly comprehend all the good He is about. But, I am learning to be guided by this scripture found in Proverbs 3:5-7a:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes...
If I choose not to be wise in my own eyes, but rather trust in the Lord and lean not on my own understanding of things, I begin to see all (or at least a part) of the good God might be bringing about through my trials and sufferings.
Saturday, December 01, 2007
A Judah Funny
We recently got some hand me downs from ever generous sister, and the boys have been sporting "new" shirts for about a week now. Today, Judah had on one of his new shirts and I was complimenting him on it.
Me: Judah, that's a nice shirt you've got on.
Judah: Thanks.
Me: You know Conner (the boys' cousin) gave that to you.
Judah: Yeah, he's a servant.
:)
Me: Judah, that's a nice shirt you've got on.
Judah: Thanks.
Me: You know Conner (the boys' cousin) gave that to you.
Judah: Yeah, he's a servant.
:)
Muscle Spasm
These four days of waiting for a doctor to see me have felt like forever. Tonight, I was finally seen by my primary care physician. After her examination and looking over my x-ray and MRI, she concluded that I had (or am having) muscle spasms. Admittedly, I was a bit shocked. "Muscle Spasm" doesn't sound as painful as it was/is. Don't get me wrong; I'm very grateful that it is just a muscle spasm and there is a hopeful outcome for me after a bit of time, TLC and physical therapy. I just thought for the amount of pain I was in and am in still that it surely had to be a slipped disc or a tumor or something BIG like that. Little did I know something like a muscle spasm could cause so much pain.
Our family has been so well served this week with dinners every night, our children being cared for by Lawrence's mom and some great friends, cards, calls and emails of encouragement along with your prayers. Thank you so much.
I have to say that while I never would have asked for this pain or anticipated God using something like this to teach me so much, I am grateful for the last week. I was able to see God at work in my life and in others' lives. God used it as just another part of His refining process, making me more like His Son, imparting more of a Godward focus in my life and speech, giving me the gift of a more God-centered perspective on my suffering and the sufferings of others.
I believe I'll have more to write about regarding what God's done in my heart this week and what He revealed to me about Himself, but it is now time for some physical therapy!!
Our family has been so well served this week with dinners every night, our children being cared for by Lawrence's mom and some great friends, cards, calls and emails of encouragement along with your prayers. Thank you so much.
I have to say that while I never would have asked for this pain or anticipated God using something like this to teach me so much, I am grateful for the last week. I was able to see God at work in my life and in others' lives. God used it as just another part of His refining process, making me more like His Son, imparting more of a Godward focus in my life and speech, giving me the gift of a more God-centered perspective on my suffering and the sufferings of others.
I believe I'll have more to write about regarding what God's done in my heart this week and what He revealed to me about Himself, but it is now time for some physical therapy!!
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