BEING AN IMPRESSIVE MOM

It's fun having kids. They're new here. Sometimes I'll pull out some old little trick or game or craft, and they just look at me, like I'm a genius. I'm a pretty impressive mommy...at least in their sweet little new minds I am. Last night I pulled out a classic. Very simple, cost me nothing and if you're striving for a hipper approach, very green! We made milk jug ghosts for the porch. We have a lot of milk jugs in our recycling, it's ridiculous how much milk we drink. Everything else I used was already on hand, black paper, Christmas lights. I was even able to get them involved, I cut the little eyes and mouths out and then Henry would put the face on the jug. Then when we put the lights in them and let those little ghost glow...I think I heard someone gasp in awe (okay, it may have been in me), but still they were pretty impressed...

and now they sit on our little stoop, just waiting to greet little trick or treaters...

I must say...they are Boo-tiful at night! (a-har har)

 

Today's Reflection:

Do you remember in the story of David and Goliath, David is preparing for battle, and he puts on the armor and takes a sword? He takes these items, because well, it's what you would think you'd need when battling a Giant. But then, he realizes he doesn't know how to use these things, and so he removes them. He trades them for what he already has and 5 stones. With that, he completes his mission. With a staff, and a sling and 5 smooth stones, God gives him what he needs. 

 

Sometimes I think I need to have on some pretty cool 'armor' and amazing 'weapons' to be an impressive mother and tackle the Giant of motherhood. I need to be a little craftier than I am, a little smarter, more put together, a little more successful, maybe even a little healthier, etc. etc. These are things that great mothers have...right? But then, I try and it just doesn't work, and then I find stinky milk jugs in my recycling bin, and I do what I can and it works...they love it.

 

5 smooth stones, God doesn't need much, he can make me the mother he needs me to be to my little loves. 5 smooth stones...and I trust in him.

 

^"So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.” So David took them off.

Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine."
-1 Samuel 17:38-40 (NKJV)

MY TEAM

Last night the Giants won the first game in the World Series. Anyone who is a Giants fan knows how good that feels. Anyone who is a sports fan knows what a payoff it is when that team you've been routing for, for years gets a crack at being the champs you know they are.

 

I think about all the hard work they put in to get to these games, how good it must feel when they win. I love watching the slow motion celebration photos, the genuine emotion they capture is enough to make you want to pump your fist and shout "WOOOO" right along with them.

 

We all love to know, that hard work, devotion, sacrifice, or just plain sticking by your team was worth it.

 

This is my team...

 

I was thinking about this, 'my team', sometimes we don't always look like we'll be ready for the season, or we've got some tough 'games' ahead, but there sure is a payoff when we win. The things we do for our kids, the sacrifices we make (like our pride and anything that once made us cool) are well worth the payoff. I put my all in this team.

 

And if you thought you saw celebrating when Pablo Sandoval aka Panda hit three home runs, well we had a little home run of our own last night...

That's right..my girl's a walker, put that in the books!

 

Today's Reflection:

Some teams are built for championships. Some teams will win trophies and awards, they will have all stars on them and record holders. They make movies about these teams, hang banners in stadiums celebrating their success.

 

There is a really good chance that my team will never have a movie made about us, or a banner raised in our honor. I'm honestly okay if we're not even the best team out there.

 

I think one day, God will open the gates of heaven and for my team it will be like winning the world series. We will pump our fist and fall to our knees as we realize we just won the game. Everything has paid off.

 

"‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’"

-Matthew 25:23 

CALLING IN SICK

They say that laughter is the best medicine...I could use a little right now!

 

I've been a little under the weather the last couple of days. Sorry for my absence. My littlest love was sick all last week, so after a week of trying to keep everyone else healthy, I ended up being the one to get sick. What can you do? Thankfully my saint of a husband has been helping me with all my usual 'mommy' duties, while I slept off this bug.

 

Today, I was back on duty. The day was filled with cartoon watching, catching up on laundry, resting and most of all trying to get back to 100%. Not much to report my friends. Thankfully, the weather has been what one would hope for, if one wanted to lounge around the house in a blanket. I also made my favorite 'sick day' pick me up. Some home made abondigas...basically for those unfamiliar with this wonderful treat, it's a Mexican meatball soup. It's yummy, my mom makes it the best, my husband a very close second, but what I love about it is that I usually have the ingredients on hand.

 I hope your week is off to a much healthier start than mine dear friends!

 

Today's Reflection:

Thinking healthy!

"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers."

-3 John 1:2

SUPER POWERS

There is still a week and a half left until Halloween. A week and a half and then this little guy can unleash his super powers. He decided long ago that he would be Iron Man. He had to, his cousin is Captain America so it's only natural. We got him his costume for his birthday, so for the last couple of months he has been practicing. In the morning, at night, he puts it on charges up his 'lasers' (I'm sure a cooler mom would know what they're really called) and blasts everything in his path. Little sisters, dogs, mommies....no one stands a chance.

 I'm almost afraid for any other poor little boy daring to be Iron Man that night...I hope he's practicing too!

Today's Reflection:

I think I could learn a lesson from my son. That boy knows what he needs to do to become a super hero and he is working at it. If only I put on my 'uniform' everyday, charged my lasers, practiced my aim. Imagine what a better super hero I would be. Then when the day came that my super powers were called into action, I would be ready...just like I know he will be!

 

"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand"

-Ephesians 6:11-13

LESS OF ME

If there could be less of me.

Less of my jokes,

less of my stories,

less of what I'm wearing,

less of what I think.

Less of my insecurities,

and my fears.

oh how my heart is stirring.

If I could replace all of this with more of you.

How much more of an impact could I make?

Oh my Lord, how you lived so humbly and yet left such a beautiful legacy.

How you loved others more than yourself.

How I long to have just a fraction of that, just an ounce.

If I could give you my words, less of me, and trade them for your ways, more of you.

oh how my heart is stirring.

 

 

Today's Reflection:

"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many."

-Matthew 20:28

 

MY LITTLE PUMPKINS

I think a time comes in every parent's life when you have to make tough choices...

 

Do I grab them and love on them and tell them everything is okay?

 

Or do I risk scarring them for life, by desperately trying not to laugh out loud while snapping a picture?

 

I chose the latter...

 

Classic!

 

They were not feeling the sibling pumpkin patch photo.

 

However one day I think they'll laugh about this picture, or at the very least their future children and I will.

Today's Reflection:

^"And the Lord God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant. But as morning dawned the next day God prepared a worm, and it so damaged the plant that it withered."

-Jonah 4:6-7

 

I read this scripture and I laugh a little. If you're familiar with the story then you know that Jonah, complained about this. But God used the plant to prove a point. Is that a parenting technique Lord? Either way, it's pretty G. Sometimes they don't always like the choices we make for them and cry a little, but as parents we've got to show them because we love them.

 

Do you think he snapped a picture of Jonah whining too? I bet you he did!

FAMILY PORTRAITS. POSSIBLE.

You know, some things seem impossible.

 

For a mother with two little ones, both who can not stay clean for more than an hour or stay still for 5 minutes, a husband who only wears shorts, a busy schedule and a tight budget, the beautiful family portrait seems nearly impossible. I know some of you other moms are throwing your fist in the air shouting 'YEAH!' in agreement. I look at portraits of other families and think, who are these people and what did they eat for breakfast that made this picture possible? Although, I too want to be that family holding hands prancing in the meadow under the setting sun, a haze making my hair glow and both my children smiling on cue my husband and I heads thrown back laughing with joy (probably at something hilarious I said), but I know it's not going to happen anytime soon. So when Steve's sister called asking him to send a black and white family photo for my mother and father in-law's 50th anniversary I knew the impossible had to become possible. Thankfully we all dress up simultaneously once a week...Sunday! So in our Sunday best I stole 15 minutes of my Brother in-law's time (thanks Marv!), handed him my camera walked outside, found a fence and voila! With a little of my beloved editing we have...our own family portraits... 

Making the impossible, possible. Take that sun-filled meadow!

We even got a couple shots with my nephew, who always insists on being in our family photos. One day I may just have to include him in our Christmas card, like he's our own little 'Cousin Oliver' or the child we sponsor for $1 a month.


Today's Reflection:
I realize there are people facing more dire situations that seem impossible. As I write this I'm grateful, for messy kids, a husband who remains true to himself and wears shorts even in winter, a schedule that's full and a steady income to budget. I realize that there is nothing wrong with the pictures in the meadow, God blesses us and gives us beautiful sun-filled pictures that others admire. He also can satisfy us with just a simple black and white photo taken by another family member. He is the God that satisfies and supplies and blesses. He knows what I need and he takes care of it and I am grateful that he does.

"Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord;  may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!"
-Psalm 103:1-5 (NLT)

SIMPLE SUNDAY

Because God is there, when a boy faces his fear of snakes head on.

 

There is not always a need for many words or pictures, God can show his loveliness through the simple things.

THE WEEKEND, OH JOY!

I think there was a time in my life were I couldn't bear having no weekend plans. Now, I relish in the thought of a free weekend. I close my eyes and smile and let the laziness of Saturday pour over me and all the possibilities dance around me. I may wear a bun in my hair all weekend, I may take a walk or lay on the couch, the weekend is mine!

 

Still with me? We've had a busy last couple of weekends. Steve's band has played out of town two weekends in a row now, which is  good thing, just means this momma is putting in a little overtime wrangling in kids while the band plays.

 

I enjoy going to shows though. I especially enjoy taking my kids. I have fond memories of playing behind the stage or under seats at my dad's concerts as a little girl. I loved watching my dad perform and hanging around the band. My kids seem to share my same sentiments. Henry is even dead set on being a part of the band, bringing his drums to their practice and taking the stage when they do. It's an experience I'm glad we can share with my little loves.

 

 and of course I really just go because I've got a thing for the drummer... 

 

Today's Reflection:

"I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.
 I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High."

-Psalm 9:1-2

 

THESE FEET

Lord, bless these feet.

As they walk, as they discover new places.

Bless the places they enter and the places they leave.

Keep them safe.

Let them learn to stand on their own.

Let these feet run to happiness, run to love, run to where ever you are Lord.

Lord give these little feet the strength to carry whatever load you will one day give them.

Lord make these adventurous feet, let them see things that I could only imagine.

Let them walk in fields covered in your beauty,

Dance in streets filled with your praise

and stand still in all your grace and glory!

Let them always remember their way home.

and Lord, please please, don't let them grow up too fast.

Amen.

We are working on walking. She's getting close, and I'm beginning to see my baby, turn into a little girl more and more each day.

Let me take in these moments just a little longer. 

 

Today's Reflection:

"Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.”

-Genesis 28:15