Mothering Matters and More!

New logo/header

2011-09-07T12:06:00.002-04:00

Here's the new logo/header for the new blog. Whatcha think? Head on over to mothering-matters.com to check it out!

We've moved!

2011-07-07T10:06:00.002-04:00

Hello there!!

Did I tell you? We've moved!

No - not the West family . . . but Mothering Matters!

Check out the new "place" - mothering-matters.com

If you had been an email subscriber to this blog - please head on over to the new one to sign up again. This subscription will be canceled soon.

Can't wait to chat with you over at our "new place"! Let me know that you've joined me over there - as I love hearing from you!!

Blessings!

Mom guilt?

2010-11-08T12:31:00.004-05:00

Ok - so I have to admit, I don't know if I've ever had "mom guilt". Maybe I did . . . once . . . when I was a younger mom . . . but since much of my memory seems to have left through my breastmilk given to my 4 precious kids, in addition to adding on one more child (via adoption)- to an already crazy and busy household, that younger me quickly vanished amidst my wrinkles, sagging skin and C.A.A.D.D (Child Activated Attention Deficit Disorder). This leaves me in ignorant bliss (or contented apathy?). :)

Seriously though - Have you ever had "mom guilt"? You know - that guilty feeling that creeps up and invades every mom cell in your body when you first go back to work after having a baby? Or maybe it was when you finally decided to go out on a date with your hubby again . . . 5 years after that baby of yours was born?! :) Or the time you went out with your girlfriends - but you couldn't go out till 7 (gotta help feed the kids). . . no . . .8 (I really should give them their baths) . . . no 9 (I don't "trust" my hubby to put the kids in bed correctly, or safely, or at all . . .) . . . Shoot - just forget it. Let's plan a girl's night out in about 18 years!

I am a FIRM believer in mom's taking time for themselves! Now - I am not a lazy mom who only thinks about myself and is just constantly doing what I want to do regardless of my maternal responsibilities. No, I pour my life into my kids in many ways. But I know (and my hubby knows . . . and my kids know) that I am a MUCH better mom when I have had a "break" from time to time! As the old adage says "When momma ain't happy - ain't nobody happy!" It's so true!

I guess my question would really be - Where does this guilt come/stem from? Who told you that you had to feel guilty for taking time for yourself?

Think about it! As a child we are naturally self-centered people (and many adults are still!). When a child comes along - our mother instincts kick in to nurture, protect, manage, feed, etc. (and even change a few hundred dirty diapers! Though, I think that's an instinct I wish we didn't have!) - and suddenly we feel like we cannot think of ourselves anymore. Why? Where did "we" go? Did the "self" part of us just vanish once "mom" came into the picture? Do we have whispered words in our head planted there from others, media, our own mothers, mother-in-laws, well-meaninged (or not-so-well-meaninged) friends - saying "you're not a 'good mom' if . . . "? Where is this guilt coming from? Do we have a hubby that we just don't think is "capable" of handling HIS child by himself? Have we encouraged, empowered and enabled that myth to continue in someway so that it continues to be a reality? Are we being a little too perfectionistic in our mothering? Does a mom not have a support system (hubby, family, friends)? Why not? There are mom's groups out there - there are other moms who could use a support group too, or just a friend . . . so go support each other! We are all in need of a break, support, encouragement - and to hear the words "It's ok to be YOU and to enjoy some things JUST FOR YOURSELF! Your kids will be better off for it!"

Guilt is not something anyone can make you feel. It is a choice you make - to accept and hold onto those feelings of guilt or not. I once heard someone describe it this way. Guilt is like a rock. Someone hurls it at you - "Man - I can't believe you would do that. . . . I would never do something like that . . . you really should have done this . . . I would never parent my kids that way . . . etc." You feel that rock hit you. Ouch! You now have a decision to make - but unfortunately, many people do not know they can even make this decision.

"What decision? Someone just made me feel horrible! What decision do I have to make . . . hurt them back or not hurt them? Throw insults at them about their firstborn child?"

No - the decision you have to make has nothing to do with the other person. You cannot control anyone else but yourself. The decision is - do you hold onto that "guilt rock" or do you drop it to the ground and say "No thanks. I'm not going to accept that guilt rock from you today."

Remember - this is not your rock. It's not your problem that the other person doesn't like what you do/say, how you parent, that you are not following "the norm" of what a mom should do, etc. You do not have to accept that guilt they are passing on to you (whether intentionally or unintentionally). Drop it. Choose not to accept it. Don't carry it around. Let it go. And know that, YOU are the best mom for your child . . . but to be the best mom - you need to BE the best YOU (and not just "Sam's mom")!

So the real question is . . . Who are you? What are you passionate about? What do you enjoy? Who are your friends? What support do you have during these challenging years of raising little ones? Start taking some time for yourself (even if it's just 10 extra minutes in the shower . . . with the door LOCKED and loud music playing so you don't hear the kids trying to bang down the door!). :) Go out to eat with your hubby or your girlfriends. Take up a pottery, painting, or photography class if that's something you like or are passionate about. You need it! You will be a better mom because you will be a better you!

I've been a stay-at-home mom for the last 6 years. The 1st year that I was home 24/7 was really hard (especially since I quit work at the beginning of June - when school ended, my MOPS and Bible study groups ended for the summer, etc. UGH! Dumb timing!) . My 1-2 days out of the house a week to work (and use my "adult" brain and college knowledge and degree) was my sanity break. :) People would always ask me - "How can you work with 4 kids?" I was a better mom because I was working just a couple days a week. It was the breather I needed to refresh my mind (and get it out of the diapers and tantrums!). I enjoyed my job - so it definitely was my sanity break. I didn't neglect my maternal duties - and my husband and I worked out a way to limit the amount of time we needed a babysitter. It also enabled my husband to become a better father! He learned that he really could handle raising his kids! Some teeth might not have been brushed to a mother's standards, and the kids may have worn their clothes to bed from time to time, or eaten cereal for dinner . . . but they are still alive, healthy and happy! :) And so am I!

But what has kept the "me" part happier these last 6 years at home - was being involved in a mom's support group called MOPS (that encouragement and support was crucial!), Bible study and Women's groups at my church, taking a photography class, other classes, traveling to see my sister in NYC and even Switzerland and and Paris (breastpump in tow as my son was 5 months old!), as well as the date nights with my hubby, going out with girlfriends or family members, etc.

So - go get involved in something you enjoy! Even if it's only for 10 minutes a day, or 2 hours a week . . . find something! I used to buy my favorite magazine (a non-parenting magazine!!) as I didn't think I had time to read a book. When I was breastfeeding, or just for 10-20 minutes after the kids were napping, I would flip through my magazine. It wasn't much -but it was something . . . just for me!

After 6 years at home 24/7 - it did feel good to go back to work seasonally this fall giving flu shots. Wow - there's a real world out there! :) I realized I had been home too long, when I accidentally called a patient and a fellow nurse "Babe"! :) Hey - no guilt here! Maybe it's been awhile since anyone called them that! :)

Enjoy being a mom and being YOU . . . guilt free!

It takes a village to make money from home!

2010-09-14T00:23:00.005-04:00

What the heck am I talking about? A village? You thought the saying was "It takes a village to raise a child".

Yes - I've heard that too . . . and I agree (in many ways). And, come to think of it - THIS village could help you raise your child(ren) as well!

What I am talking about is a new way to make money from home. I know way too many moms who complain to me that they just wish they knew a way to make some extra money (even before our economy became so bad). Are you one of them? I know I am. Well . . . read on!

Do you hate watching the ads on tv, hearing them on the radio, etc?
What if you were paid to watch a few of them a day? What if you were paid when your friends watched a few of them a day (and their friends, and their friends, and their friends)? Hmm . . . I might just actually enjoy those commercial ads after all. I do enjoy the superbowl ones (usually) - and I'm not even getting paid to watch them!

So - here's the scoop . . .

Check out this quick 2 minute video to get a taste for what this is all about.

After your interest has been peaked - then watch the easy, fun and informative 12 minute presentation that explains it in more detail (the link is just above the 2 minute video. If you can't find it - let me know and I'll send you a link!). Trust me - it's way more fun than reading an FAQ page! :) And don't even try to tell me you don't have 2 minutes (or 12 minutes to watch it)! Umm . . . how many minutes have you spent today reading blogs, going on Facebook, checking your emails?? :) mmm-hmmm . . . I'm right there with you girl! :)

After you have checked it out - Let me know what you think! I love hearing people's opinions - and I also love new adventures (and making money from home while I take care of my kiddos!)!

Have a BLESSED and ABUNDANTLY JOYFUL day! :)

Slashing your Grocery bills with Coupons!

2010-09-09T08:08:00.004-04:00

Do you love to use coupons?

Think you know everything about using them?

Want to save more on your grocery bills?

I have to admit . . . I do pretty good at keeping our food budget low for a family of 7. I have used coupons for years (and even bought a course 18 years ago that helped me alot!). But I also have to admit that the last several years I have not used coupons the best that I could (out of laziness . . . and possibly some lack of knowledge).

Are you like me? What is your reason for not using coupons? Not really sure how to use them - or use them for your advantage (and not the company's - who is trying to get you to buy things you might not normally buy!)? Don't have access to any coupons? Don't want to take the time?

There is help!! :)

Welcome to Grocery University! This looks like a GREAT resource of information - covering it all! It tells you just about everything you ever wanted to know about couponing - from menu planning, budgeting, coupon terminology, combining coupons and sales, and alot more! :) Check it out!

What’s Included?

The Grocery University course includes 139 minutes of audio MP3 files and a 40-page student workbook (PDF) with more tips, visual aids, example scenarios, and more.

Plus, you’ll also receive a BONUS: the 10-page Grocery University Rock Bottom Price Database PDF, a $10 value on its own, for free! All information is delivered digitally so you can start learning right away!

I never regretted spending money on a couponing course early in my marriage to help us make ends meet. Back then I only spent $20/week on groceries for the 2 of us (though - I think in those college years we were lovin the Top Ramen and Kool Aid still!). Now, if you factor in the increase in prices - I'm probably spending a similar amount per person in our family, maybe just a little more. But if I worked coupons even better - there may be extra money to save for a cruise or something fun . . . . hmm . . . I think I'm getting inspired!

Let me know what you think about it!

One Million Arrows

2010-08-23T13:03:00.002-04:00

Hello!! It's been too long!

I am sorry!!

It's not that I have forgotten about you . . . but I've just been busy (5 kids, taking a ministry class, missions trip, summer craziness . . . ). It's not an excuse - I know. But I have missed chatting with you. :)

This morning I listened to a blog radio broadcast (1st time I've done that!). Julie Ferwerda was being interviewed on the Communicating with Power Blog Talk Radio show. Who is Julie Ferwerda? I just found out about her and her latest book a few months ago, signed up for her blog newsletter . . . but have to admit, I haven't taken the time to read them. However, today I did.

Julie is not only a mother, but a passionate author, speaker and orphan advocate - and her latest book is called "One Million Arrows - Raising your Children to Change the World". As I listened to the radio broadcast, I could feel the passion within me being stirred up by the passion that is in Julie - to be more intentional and proactive in teaching our kids, not only about God (and memorizing scriptures, etc), but how to really change the world - how to have an impact on the world around us. It might mean ministering in Africa or China - or it might mean making a difference in your local city, schools, church and neighborhoods. We CAN teach our kids that they CAN make a difference in this world . . . even when they are young!

I could go on and on about this - but I would rather have you check out Julie's book, website, and the BlogTalkRadio broadcast (near the end is an amazing story of one kid who has a passion to be a doctor in Africa. You've GOT to hear that story! As a mom - it made me cry!).

Be intentional about how you can take the reigns in your teaching and training your children to be an "arrow" - shot out into the world to change it for the better. We can't leave this to the church, school teachers, the media or others. As parents - WE are the ones who will impact our children the most and who have the ability to mold, shape, sharpen, and train our "arrows" into the full destiny that God has designed for each of them! Go for it! :) Let's ALL be WORLD CHANGERS! Empower your kids - and keep (or start) calling out the "gold" in them (the treasures inside of them that make them who they are!!). Sometimes that "gold" is hidden and hard to find - but it's there. . . . . .But I'll talk more about that another time! My girls are home and it's time to go swimming!

Bedtime Parenting technique. . . FAIL

2010-02-17T08:27:00.003-05:00

Ok - so I have to share one of my other attempts at parenting with honor and love - and teaching my kids how to make their own wise choices.

Last week the kids had been sent to bed, but they were doing their usual - running between rooms, laughing, talking, and goofing off (we have 2 bedrooms upstairs - with 2 girls in one and 2 boys in another). I am totally over the whole routine of yelling up the stairs "Be quiet and go to bed! No talking! No playing! It's bedtime!" and then just getting more and more mad as they continued to disobey (and as I continued to not want to have to go up and punish them. Laziness - I know!)

So I decided to try a different scenario at bedtime the other night. We put them to bed and told them we didn't want to hear them or see them. However, immediately they were talking and getting out of bed, running around giggling. I went upstairs calmly and with a smile on my face I said - "Oh - I'm so glad you guys are not tired - because I need you to clean up your rooms!" (which they were supposed to do before bed - but never did). The boys were instantly tired and pretending to be asleep! :) (smart boys!)

But the girls were different. My 9-year-old quickly cleaned up, but my 5-year-old just whined that she couldn't do it. "It's too hard! . . . I can't . . . do. . .it!" I lovingly told her that was totally fine - if she was tired, then she could go to bed (but she just continued to roll around on the floor and whine and fuss). When my older daughter was done I said goodnight and said - "If I hear more talking or running around then I'll assume you are not tired and you can come help me with something else." To which Meghan replied - "I'm still not tired - what else can I do?"

I was trying to think of something that she really wouldn't like so that she would suddenly "become tired" - so I said "oh great! I really need the kitchen floor mopped!" I was expecting a disgusted face and extreme fatigue to set in quickly - but instead I got "ooo - ooo . . . I LOVE to mop!!" as she jumped up and down clapping her hands! :( uh oh.

But the funniest was - that my youngest daughter all of a sudden was sitting on her bed, bouncing up and down saying "I love to mop too! I want to mop!" Dang it! My plan backfired! I couldn't have them both mopping (because they would just play) - so I told my youngest daughter - "Oh hon, you are so tired. I'll let you mop tomorrow. It's ok."

Our mop ended up being broken, so Meg did a few other chores. Wendy all of a sudden appeared downstairs saying she had cleaned her room (Wow -where did that energy come from?!) and she wanted to mop still. In the end, I sent her back up to bed, which resulted in her crying and sobbing because she couldn't mop! :)

I laughed as I told my husband - "I can't believe I have a daughter upstairs so upset because she can't do chores! And I can't believe I'm not letting her!" :) It was too funny. I think next time the chore will be to clean the rat cage or kitty litter box. I know no one likes cleaning those! :) It's best to be prepared for any and every possible scenario that they throw back at me (Dr.'s Cline & Fay would agree - Parenting with Love and Logic). I really didn't think that one through all the way! :)

Do you have a funny parenting story? Please tell me and post it below! I'd love to hear it!

Perfection or Excellence? Obedience or Honor?

2010-02-17T00:24:00.003-05:00

What constitutes a dinner? Meat, vegetables, bread, dairy, possibly even some fruit or nuts? So if I’ve met all those requirements – will it be a good meal? What about a “great” or even “excellent” dinner?

Tonight my kids were presented with dinner. I met all the requirements (health-wise). I had meat, a couple veges, some fruit, dairy and even nuts. So why did my kids tell me I was mean, horrible, and that this was the worst day of their lives? Why were they complaining, upset, running off to their rooms, returning briefly to tell me how they would rather starve to death – and it would be ALL my fault?

Why? Because this was the dinner menu:

Meat – pepperoni slices

Veges – cold leftover beans and mashed potatoes

Bread – Ritz crackers

Dairy – slices of American cheese

Fruit – boxes of raisins

Nuts – salted almonds.

No plates. No silverware. No napkins. No cups or drinks even (though – they could have water if they wanted – I just wasn’t setting out any dishware). It was an easy dinner for me to prepare . . . . or should I say – pull out off the shelves. (My husband and I had a delicious dinner though – leftover London broil with Hunter’s sauce, green beans, mashed potatoes, and leftover chocolate fondue for dessert!)

Why was I so mean? Why was I presenting my kids with such unusual fare? Was I mad at my kids? Was I bent on torturing them and endangering their lives? Not in the least. In fact, it was just the opposite. It was out of love, honor and a desire to see the best for them.

Excellence. Honor. Love. Respect. Integrity. Wise decisions. These are some of the qualities and character traits that we are striving to impart to our children – to do everything with excellence (“as unto the Lord, not for men”), to treat everyone with honor, love and respect, and to be a person of integrity who can make wise choices. We are not trying to set standards that are unachievable, nor are we seeking perfection from our kids. We are not even expecting them to obey our every command and do only what they are told to do. We are raising leaders. We are raising the next generation – the future of our neighborhoods, businesses, city, country and world. I am not going to be around to always tell them what to do. When they are 18 and in college – I don’t want them to just be another statistic – another drunk college student failing in class and in life, experiencing the harsh consequences of their poor choices. I won’t be there to tell them not to get drunk, not to skip class, not to cheat on an exam. I won’t be there to remind them to do their work or job with integrity and excellence, not just so that they will get promoted. I won’t be there - but in a way, hopefully, I will.

My goal . . . is to let my kids fail as much as they can while they are young and in my house, under my watching eye and guiding heart and hands. Yes, that’s right - I WANT them to FAIL! Why? . . . I want them to learn. I want them to make choices – wise choices. But how are they going to make wise choices as an adult, if they never learn to make wise choices as a child – if they are never given an opportunity – except – “do as I say . . . or else”? I will not be there to dish out the “or else” when they are adults (nor do I want to). They will feel the consequences themselves – and it won’t be pretty. Failing when they are a child will carry much less severe consequences than when they are an adult, but it carries greater benefits throughout their lifetime – as a child and an adult.

Yesterday I left after dinner to attend a meeting. My kids had assured me that they had cleaned their rooms and done their chores before dinner. I didn’t go check, as we are teaching them about honor and integrity. They are not working for me or for their dad - but for God. We were made to be excellent – we were made to do excellent things – we were made to not only honor people, but to be worthy of honor. How do I know? Because we were made in the image of God. He is worthy of honor. He does everything with excellence, and He IS excellent. So – I didn’t “check to make sure” that my kids were being excellent in all they did. However, when I came home and went to say goodnight to them, I saw the results of their efforts to clean. It wasn’t that it wasn’t perfect – it just wasn’t even close – and they knew it. They had excuses – but they all admitted that they “thought” it was “good enough” – but not excellent.

We’ve been teaching our kids about our family working as one body – that we are all part of the same body. If my foot decided not to work one day, to just take a day off, then it would affect the rest of the body. My other leg would have to work hard at walking (or hopping) to get the body where it needed to go. It might give up after becoming exhausted from doing all the work. The arms and hands would then have to take over the function of the legs – something they were not designed to do. The body would wear out quickly and not function well at all.

Our family is the same. If one person decides that he doesn’t want to do his part in the family – it doesn’t just affect him – it affects the whole family. Other parts of the body will have to step in and make up for what he’s not doing. If they don’t, then the body doesn’t get anywhere, or might not eat, or it might even hurt itself. It will fall apart quickly.

So how does all this relate to the delicious meal I prepared so lovingly for our kids?

After the whines, complaints and loud reactions of disbelief and anger from our kids, I sat them down and explained why they were being fed such a delightful meal. I decided that tonight I would NOT cook with excellence. I would still “meet all the requirements” for a meal – just as my kids tell me “but I did my chore”, or “but I picked up all the things off the floor” (and put them on top of the desk or shelf where they don’t belong), or my favorite – “but you didn’t tell me to do that. . . I didn’t know” (even though it’s listed on their chore chart), etc. I wanted my kids to not only hear about excellence – but to see it – or in this case – to see the lack of it. Sometimes you don’t value something, or really understand a concept until it’s taken away or not there. No one can truly know what it’s like to be hungry, unless they’ve gone without a meal or two. No one can truly know what it’s like to be tired, unless they’ve been without sleep. I wanted my kids to see, feel and taste what mediocrity (or really, in this case, sub-standard) was like – and how it affected the whole family. It definitely benefited me – I didn’t have to cook or work hard. But it negatively impacted 5 others. Would they starve? No. Would they be undernourished? No. Would the food be offensive to their taste buds? Possibly. Would they survive? Yes! Would they learn a valuable lesson? Definitely!

With 5 kids, the reactions varied – with most of them throwing a verbal fit, and a couple of them throwing a physical fit – either yelling or running off to their room “to starve”. My youngest child (5 yrs old) decided to look for the best in things and said “mom – this is an excellent meal. Thank you.” And she ate it right up – cold green beans and all! My oldest (14 yrs old) made do – saying the meal was “fair”. My 7 year old eventually came to his senses and heartily ate up his creative homemade “pizzas” (Ritz, pepperoni and American cheese). My 12 year old disappeared up to his room telling me that he was going to starve because he “wasn’t” going to eat this food! He didn’t buy into the “theory” that this food was better than what some starving kids in Africa were eating today.

The most interesting response, to me, was my 9-year-old daughter. Once she realized that this experiment wasn’t a joke, or just a visual lesson – that this really WAS their dinner – she promptly stomped off to her bedroom yelling all sorts of things: “You’re mean! I’m going to starve! You CAN’T make me eat this!” To which I calmly and lovingly responded. “I’m sorry you feel that way. You definitely won’t starve – there will be breakfast in the morning. . . . That’s fine if you don’t want to eat it. That’s your choice. You can choose to eat this or nothing.” She returned from her room a couple minutes later, buried in a blanket with an evil eye peeking out from behind it. “I am NOT going to basketball practice tonight!” and off she stormed again.

“That’s fine hon. You don’t have to go if you don’t want to. I’ll be happy to take you, but if you don’t want to go – that’s your choice. No problem.” I lovingly replied.

Again, a couple minutes later she reappeared from upstairs. In response to my question about whether this dinner was excellent, good, fair, poor or really bad, she mumbled out - “This dinner sucks.” That was quickly followed up by – “And Mom – I am NOT going to basketball practice – and it will be ALL YOUR FAULT!” (stomp, stomp, stomp – back upstairs). I calmly reiterated that it was totally fine if she didn’t want to go – that it was her choice. If she changed her mind, I would be happy to take her – and that we would need to leave in about 20 minutes.

5 minutes later she had changed into her practice clothes and was sitting at the table attempting to make dinner with some extra ingredients she had found in the fridge. “Oh, I’m sorry hon. Those are not part of dinner. You can feel free to make something out of the food on the table.” Another round of complaints – something about how mean I am and how gross the food was. But within a couple minutes she was making her own homemade “pizzas” like her brother. I even heard 3 “Mom, I love you”-s – from my 5, 7 and 14 year olds. Right on time, my 9-year-old daughter joined me in the van, cheerfully eating her pizza sandwiches and chatting my ears off as we headed off to basketball practice.

As I write this – I am sitting at my 9-year-old’s basketball practice – and she just came up and gave me a kiss on the cheek. J

I guess my mean mom status has been upgraded. J

I think we are on our way to seeing more wise choices from our kids. I never did see my 12 year old emerge from his room before we left for practice. But one thing is for sure – he won’t “starve to death” – and just possibly he will remember what excellence, honor and integrity really “tastes” like.

For more ideas on how you can train your kids to make wise choices - check out these books:
Parenting with Love & Logic - Fay & Cline
Loving your kids on purpose - Danny Silk

Just to tickle your funny bone!

2010-01-30T19:50:00.002-05:00

True story!

I was in the Target bathroom a few days ago. I came out of the stall and heard some loud fart noises coming from another stall. I couldn't tell if they were real or not - but they were loud. A mom at the sink said "Miles, is that you making those noises?" A sweet little voice from behind one of the stalls said "noo". A look of relief showed up on the mother's face as she said "oh good." Within a second or two, that sweet little voice then continued on . . . "It was my buuutt!"
Relief turned to pure embarrassment as the mom looked my way. I just smiled at her as if to say "Girl - I've been there one too many times! No worries!" She just smiled back and silently chuckled to herself!

Sorry I haven't been writing much this past year. I started another blog called Drink from the Deep. I have spent more time writing there (though, still not as much as I would like). With 5 kids in 4 schools this year, a bunch of sickness this fall, and other things, I haven't had as much time to write in general as I would like.

So - I may stop by from time to time to share with you. I do still think about all my fellow mothers and all we struggle with, have to juggle, have questions about and more. I love sharing with you what I've learned, what I am still learning, and hearing from you about what's on your heart. Feel free to send me a message if you want. I'd love to hear from you!

Just to let you know where I am at this year with mothering (and life) - my word for the year is Simplicity! I am in the process of purging, reorganizing things that haven't been working well - in the house as well as in raising our children (I am REALLY excited about that!), and more. So keep me in your prayers as we are doing some changing around here! :) But it's for the best!

Blessings!

6 year old proverbs

2009-03-27T18:18:00.002-04:00

My sister sent these to me today and they gave me a good chuckle! I can just see my 6 year old saying many of these! I should do the same with him and see what he comes up with!

Enjoy!

A 1st grade school teacher had twenty-six students in her class. She presented each child in her classroom the 1st half of a well-known proverb and asked them to come up with the remainder of the proverb.

It's hard to believe these were actually done by first graders. Their insight may surprise you..

While reading, keep in mind that these are first-graders, 6-year-olds, because the last one is a classic!

1
Don't change horses until

they stop running.

2
Strike while the

bug is close.

3
It's always darkest before

Daylight Saving Time.

4
Never underestimate the power of

termites.

5
You can lead a horse to water but

How?

6
Don't bite the hand that

looks dirty.

7
No news is

impossible

8
A miss is as good as a

Mr.

9
You can't teach an old dog new

Math

10.
If you lie down with dogs, you'll

stink in the morning.

11.
Love all, trust

Me.

12.
The pen is mightier than the

pigs.

13.
An idle mind is

the best way to relax.

14.
Where there's smoke there's

pollution.

15.
Happy the bride who

gets all the presents.

16.
A penny saved is

not much.

17.
Two's company, three's

the Musketeers.

18.
Don't put off till tomorrow what

you put on to go to bed.

19.
Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and

You have to blow your nose.
20.
There are none so blind as

Stevie Wonder.

21.
Children should be seen and not

spanked or grounded.

22.
If at first you don't succeed

get new batteries.

23.
You get out of something only what you

See in the picture on the box
24.
When the blind lead the blind

get out of the way.

25.
A bird in the hand

is going to poop on you.

And the WINNER and last one!
26.
Better late than

Pregnant

Spirit Airlines - crashing for flying too "low"

2009-03-18T17:50:00.003-04:00

Have you seen this video?
("What video?" you ask . . . you don't really want to know. The picture will link you to another article - not the video. I don't want to link to that trash.)

Did you get the email from Spirit about their latest contest?

Have you ever even heard about Spirit Airlines?

I found out about Spirit Airlines a couple years ago when we were going through our adoption process. I was looking for a low-fare way to go visit our daughter. I was so excited to find Spirit Airlines and the ridiculously low fares that they offered from time to time! However, I was sad to find out that Spirit Airlines didn't fly to our airport. I even wrote the city leaders (as suggested by Spirit) to request that our airport be a destination for Spirit. I don't know if they ever got that email . . . . and frankly, right now, I am ashamed I was ever interested in having this company service our area. Why??

I received an email telling about their latest contest in which someone would a year's worth of free airline tickets if they submitted the winning video.

The topic - it was supposed to be related to their "low" fares.

Their slogan - "How low can you go?"

Didn't sound too bad at first. But read on. . .

"As you know, our fares are famously low. But we want to know what you think is even lower. Something crude, lewd and just plain low down. Ever taken money from a church offering basket? Spit in someone's drink when they weren't looking just because they were rooting for another team? Whatever it is, we want to know. . . . . Show us just how low you'd go." They were encouraging video submissions - SHOWING just how low you would go to win these tickets!! The videos would be shown online (and possibly tv), and the most views would win.

Hunh?? What?? They've got to be kidding . . .right??

I was shocked and found it highly offensive. Is this what we want (or should) be promoting?? Instead of ranting and raving more to you - let me just post my emails to Spirit Airlines(and the one response I've received back so far) . They say most of what I would say (but I tired to say it in a nicer tone than what I wanted to. :) . . . . I tried.)

I encourage you to email them as well. They obviously have not received enough negative comments - based on their email back to me. (BTW - I used the "other" tab on their comment page instead of the "offended by ad" tab - as it wasn't letting me even send it once I typed it out. . . . .coincidence?? I don't think so. )

Dear Spirit Airlines -

LOL - I can't believe you actually have a sub-tab under advertising called "offended by promotional ad". Man - how many complaints do you get? Doesn't that say something?? I am writing to comment on your latest email promotional ad/contest to win a year's worth of free flights. I love great deals and, of course, contests/sweepstakes. But I was quite shocked to see what kind of contest you guys are running. This is unbelieveable. My view of Spirit Airlines was just "low"ered. :( I don't find this contest in good taste at all. It's offensive. I will be unsubscribing to your emails. I would encourage you to come up with a different promotion that uplifts and promotes good things . . . I definitely will not be promoting Spirit Airlines to my friends anymore.

Sincerely,

Lori West

Dear Lori West,

Thank you for writing in and letting us know your feelings and thoughts about one of our new marketing campaigns. I apologize that you find this campaign of concern. There are a lot of edgier campaigns out in the marketplace and in popular culture today. We've received a lot of positive feedback and people are taking advantage of our low fares for our many destinations.

Thank you again for taking the time to write us and we look forward to serving you on a future flight.

Sincerely,

Sylvia J.Silva

Corporate Consumer Relations Spirit Airlines

Dear Sylvia Silva,

Thank you for your response to my comment/complaint. I am glad that Spirit Airlines takes it seriously to personally address the issues brought to them by their customers and the public in general. In rereading not only your response to me, but also the ad in question - I guess one of my main issues is the sentence "Show us just how low you'd go". . . . to encourage people to "show . . . how low" they'd go . . . that's offensive and wrong. It's encouraging the wrong things/behaviors/actions in life.

Your reasoning - "There are edgier campaigns out in the marketplace and in popular culture today" - reminds me of my kids saying "But mom - everyone else is doing worse stuff than me. What I'm doing isn't nearly as bad as everyone else!" . . . . but it's still not right (on many levels). Just because the culture accepts something, or because many or most of the people around us are doing things, doesn't make it right. But that is what we have been taught to believe (in some ways and on some levels).

I am raising my kids to have integrity in all they do. That means, that even when all their friends around them are cheating on tests, that they will, instead, study hard and do their best. When all the kids around them are wanting to take something from a store and shoplift ("C'mon man - it's only a soda . . .or a piece of candy . . or a (whatever) . . . Everyone does it. It's no big deal. The store won't even miss it!"), that they will be honest and pay for the items they are taking out of the store. That no matter what life (or the culture around them) throws at them - that they will maintain their integrity, honesty and reputation . . . even if it means that they do not have the chance to win a year's worth of airline tickets, or a trip to Disney, or an I-pod, or a million dollars, etc. Our integrity and reputation are worth far more than anything materialistic out there. You can't buy them back once they are gone.

Our nation's economic troubles right now are due, in part, to people's willingness to "go with the crowd" and do "whatever it takes" - to go as "low" as they can to earn a buck, to get that house, to sell a mortgage, to receive a bigger bonus, to make their company look like it's doing great when it's sinking fast. And what was the end result? . . . . Catastrophe! Who are people able to trust now? Who do they want to turn to? Those that maintained their integrity throughout all the greed and pressure from the culture when "everyone was doing it". Those are the banks, businesses and institutions that will be blessed during these tough economic times and that will still be standing when this is all over.

Lastly, I would expect a controversial and "edgy" ad campaign from certain types of businesses, but I definitely did not (and would not) expect it from an airline - a business that services all kinds of people - especially families and kids (as I'm sure you get alot of business from that population as their wallets are tighter than the business men and executives - since you offer such low fares. As a mother of 5 kids - I know how expensive it is to travel anywhere with kids!). This is not a family-friendly campaign. But maybe you are not a family-friendly airline/business. ??

Thank you again for taking the time to read my comments/complaint and for addressing it appropriately. I do pray and hope that your ad department (and company in general) will take my thoughts and concerns into true consideration. I do believe that you offer a great service for a great price - something that people definitely need in this day and age. But I would love to see it done with just a little more integrity in the future. I hate knowing that you are "rewarding" someone for being or doing the most despicable (low) thing they could think of. Is that really where we want our society to end up - even worse off than it is now? I, for one, want to positively affect my children, community, schools, city, and nation - to encourage integrity, honesty and greatness! America is an awesome country with awesome people living in it . . . but it could be even better! That's what I want to encourage! We need to teach and encourage not only our children, but those around us, to strive to see how "high" they can go (not only in honesty and integrity, but in good works, helping others, giving of ourselves, getting a good education, taking care of this planet and the people on it, etc). Obama wasn't elected to office because he said he would go "as low as he could" (though I don't necessarily agree with all his policies and agendas) - but because he wanted to bring change . . . positive change. That (obviously) is what people want! I don't think anyone would truly elect someone to public office because they did something "low"er than all the others. Usually they are kicked, forced or otherwise removed out of that position or campaign. Yes - I know this is not about politics - but it is about the human race, and the responsibility we have to live with decency, honesty, integrity and within the law.

Thanks again.

Sincerely,

Lori West

"My Favrit Book . . ."

2009-03-11T15:38:00.004-04:00

I just had to post this! My 6 year old, 1st grader, had to write (in public school) about his favorite book. The above pictures are what he wrote! You go son!! :)

Here is what it says:

"My favrit book is the Bible. It tells abot holy stuf. It has a old tesment and a new testment. It shows a part of a glob(e) at the back of the book. This book is holy."

Who says you can't talk about God or the Bible in school?! :)

And he sure is right . . . it IS holy and it DOES talk about holy stuff! :)

Oh - the word "David" and the arrow is pointing to the arm of the person holding the Bible. I asked him why it says David. "That's the only person in the Bible I could think of." Hmmm . . . what about Jesus?? :) Guess we need to be reading the Bible a bit more. :) Though - out of many of the other people in the Bible - I do love David! He was such a screw-up . . . but yet God said he was a man after His own heart! Why? Because he was always going back to God and seeking forgiveness and then praising the Lord for what He did in his life!!

Why don't you get out your Bible today too and read a few of the awesome stories (holy stuff) to your kids (or just to yourself) today! Ask God what He wants you to learn from it today? The Bible really is full of great information on how to live a better, more peaceful, joyful life full of love. . . . .IF we do what it says (and not just read it). :) I challenge you to do that today!

Enjoy God's "Holy" words!

Your Father's Love

2009-03-11T09:37:00.003-04:00

(I posted this on my other blog - Drink from the Deep - and felt I should post it here as well.)

I can't begin to explain or tell you how much I desire for each of you to fully know and understand the love that our heavenly Father has for each of you . . . all His children! His true and overwhelming love! If you do not know or understand what I am talking about - I encourage you to take the time today to watch/listen to THIS WEBCAST of James Jordan talking about the Father's love (put on by CBN.c0m). It just may change your life!! It was the love of the Father - understanding it and experiencing it - that totally changed my life (in many ways and on many levels) and my spiritual walk with the Lord! It changed my faith from a religion and a bunch of head knowledge, to a relationship and a bunch of experiential knowlege!!

PLEASE watch it today!!!!!!! You won't regret it!!

And if you live in the Virginia Beach area - go to New Life Ministries International to find out more info about the Father's Love Conference by James Jordan starting tomorrow (thursday - 12th) through Saturday! You won't regret going!! (Picture above is the flyer for it)

Go deeper in your Father's love today!

Spiritual Cavities?

2009-02-26T12:32:00.007-05:00

I HATE going to the dentist!

First there's the fear of having cavities - (which is really a fear of the Novocaine and drill to take care of the cavities . . . but that's another story to tell you! Plus - I don't think there's any more room in my mouth for cavities to form! I had "soft" teeth as a kid. :( No fun.)

But what I really hate is the scraping that the hygienist has to do with her metal torture tools!

However, I choose to endure it every six months to keep my teeth healthy and clean - and boy do I love how they feel after they've been poked at, scraped and polished shiny! I go home with a renewed determination to make sure no plaque EVER gets on my teeth again! Dental floss . . . here I come! :)

It seems though, that no matter how much I floss and brush, there's always some little hidden crevice that likes to hold onto and hide bits of the yummy food I've been eating. (I don't blame my teeth! I would love to hold onto it too. . . . just not in my teeth . . . or on my hips! Hmm . . . where can I store it then??)

So, yesterday, as I was doing my Lamaze breathing techniques to get through another anxious hour at the dentist - I decided to check in with the Lord. :) (what else is there to do? I had counted all the ceiling tiles, the water spots on the tiles, read all the labels on the light above me and any other appliance or tool that was in my limited view!)

The Lord asked me - "How are your spiritual "teeth"? How are your kids' spiritual teeth?" What have we been "eating" lately that could have turned to plaque . . . and potentially cause harm to us - death to part of us - ie. cavities? What sweet things have we enjoyed eating - only to later find out that it wasn't so good for us after all (despite how sweet it tasted going down)? What am I even talking about, you ask?

My friend Bree posted a similar blog post this week - Don't let your guard down. I encourage you to read it!

We need to not only be careful about what we "eat" (watch, listen to, engage in, think about, etc) - but we need to make sure we are daily "cleaning" our spiritual teeth (going to God for forgiveness).

None of us are perfect. We all "eat" things we shouldn't from time to time. But, what do we teach our kids about their physical teeth - "Go brush them. Get them clean and get all the sugar off your teeth so it won't cause cavities". We need to do the same spiritually . . . immediately! The longer we wait - the greater chance that that "food" will settle in and start to harden - almost looking like and becoming like our "teeth" - but it is secretly and slowly causing death (disease, sickness, etc)!

So today I challenge you to watch what you "eat". What have you been allowing in your own life or your children's lives that could potentially cause damage.

I know it's hard to say no to some things. They seem harmless. They are fun. They are "sweet". But in the long run - are they really good for you or your kids?

We have had to do away with alot of the "popular" and "sweet" things that "ALL the kids" are doing/have/etc. It's because I love and care about my kids and their health - physically, emotionally, and spiritually! I tell them that's the reason. "I love them too much" to allow some things. One day they will understand and be thankful. One day they see all the problems their friends have (the "cavities" in their lives) - and realize that they were spared that trouble because we loved them enough to be tough (or as they say "mean!").

So be a "mean mom" or dad today! Watch what you guys "eat" and make sure you all brush and get "clean" immediately (or at least daily!) - washing in Christ's forgiveness!

Phillipans 4:8
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

Red Envelope Day

2009-02-26T12:20:00.004-05:00

I learned about this from and event page on Facebook.

You can also find out more on their website - www.redenvelopeday.com

What:
Get red envelopes or postcards (http://www.zazzle. com/RedEnvelopeD ay) and mail them on March 31st to the White House

When:
March 31st, 2009

Get a red envelope. You can buy them at Kinkos, or at party supply stores. On the front, address it to

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington , D.C. 20500

On the back, write the following message.

This envelope represents one child who died because of an abortion.
It is empty because the life that was taken is now unable to be a part of our world.

We will mail the envelopes out March 31st, 2009.

Forward this event to every one of your friends who you think would send one too. I wish we could send 50 million red envelopes, one for every child who died [in the U.S. ] before having a chance to live.

It may seem that those who believe abortion is wrong are in a minority. It may seem like we have no voice and it's shameful to even bring it up. Let us show our President and the world that the voices of those of us who do not believe abortion is acceptable are not silent and must be heard.

Together we can change the heart of The President and save the lives of millions of children.

Barack Obama spoke at a Planned Parenthood Action Fund event, uttering the now infamous line, "Well, the first thing I'd do as president is, is sign the Freedom of Choice Act. [Applause.] That's the first thing that I'd do."

An empty red envelope will send a message to President Barack Obama that there is moral outrage in this country over this issue [The Freedom of Choice Act, which will essentially “undo” every law currently in place to limit abortion in the U.S. (i.e., parental consent laws, parental notification, waiting periods, prohibition of transporting a minor girl across state lines to obtain an abortion, etc.)]. It will be quiet, but clear.

Please read more about The Freedom of Choice Act here:

http://www.lifenews .com/nat4359. html

http://www.barackob ama.com/2008/ 01/22/obama_ statement_ on_35th_annive. php

http://www.jillstan ek.com/archives/ 2008/07/one_ year_annive. html

Butt Dust

2009-02-25T13:44:00.004-05:00

"BLESSED BE THE LORD, WHO DAILY BEARS OUR BURDEN" (PSALMS 55:22)

BUTT DUST

What, you ask, is "Butt dust?" Read on and you'll discover the joy in it!

These have to be original and genuine. No adult is this creative!!

JACK (age 3) was watching his Mom breast-feeding his new baby sister. After a while he asked: "Mom why have you got two? Is one for hot and one for cold milk?"

MELANIE (age 5) asked herGranny how old she was. Granny replied she was so old she didn't remember any more. Melanie said, "If you don't remember you hafta look in the back of your panties. Mine say five to six."

STEVEN (age 3) hugged and kissed his Mom good night. "I love you so much that when you die I'm going to bury you outside my bedroom window."

BRITTANY (age 4) had an earache and wanted a pain killer. She tried in vain to take the lid off the bottle. Seeing her frustration, her Mom explained it was a child-proof cap and she'd have to open it for her. Eyes wide with wonder, the little girl asked: "How does it know it's me?

SUSAN (age 4) was drinking juice when she got the hiccups. "Please don't give me this juice again," she said, "It makes my teeth cough."

DJ (age 4) stepped onto the bathroom scale and asked: "How much do I cost?"

MARC (age 4) was engrossed in a young couple that were hugging and kissing in a restaurant. Without taking his eyes off them, he asked his dad: "Why is he whispering in her mouth?"

CLINTON (age 5) was in his bedroom looking worried. When his Mom asked what was troubling him, he replied, "I don't know what'll happen with this bed when I get married. How will my wife fit in?"

JAMES (age 4) was listening to a Bible story.! His dad read: "The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city but his wife looked back and was turned to salt." Concerned,
James asked: "What happened to the flea?"

TAMMY (age 4) was with her mother when they met an elderly, rather wrinkled woman her Mom knew. Tammy looked at her for a while and then asked, "Why doesn't your skin fit your face?"

The Sermon I think this Mom will never forget.... this particular Sunday sermon..."Dear Lord," the minister began, with arms extended toward heaven and a rapturous look on his upturned face. "Without you, we are but dust." He would have continued but at that moment my very obedient daughter who was listening leaned over to me and asked quite audibly in her shrill little girl voice, "Mom, what is butt dust?"

You know you are too busy when . . .

2009-02-08T12:15:00.003-05:00

OK - This one is just for fun!

"You know you are too busy (stressed/tired/etc) when . . . . "

Fill in the ". . . " for me!

I'll start.

. . . I sprayed white board cleaner in my hair thinking it was my leave-in conditioner spray! (maybe subconsciously I thought it would erase the "white" IN my hair!)

Video Game Troubles?

2009-02-03T10:09:00.005-05:00

OK - so when I originally set up this blog - the very first topic I wanted to talk about was this - Video Game Addictions. As you can see . . . . I'm not only a busy mom of 5 . . . but a procrastinator who gets easily distracted by other interests! :) It's a battle I fight daily! So . . . no more procrastination today. After talking with a friend of mine this weekend about all this - I have to let you know too! It looks long . . . but it's worth reading!

I have 3 boys and 2 girls ranging in age from 4 up to 13. I love my kids and want to see them happy (as I'm sure you do with your own kids). I want to see them grow up healthy (physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, etc). I want to see them succeed in life - in relationships, in careers, in marriage and more.

I also want my kids to "like me". :) Who doesn't. However, "liking me" comes last on my list. I've been told many a time "You're such a mean mom! I have the meanest mom in the world!"

"Man - what a bummer. It stinks to be you! I'm sorry you got stuck with such a mean mom . . . but that's my job!" :) (all said with a smile of course)

Now - I'm not REALLY a mean mom . . . but from their perspective- it does seem that way. What I am is a loving mom - who is willing to make the hard choices for my kids - to teach them and train them up so that they can make the hard choices for themselves and their loved ones one day. That is my goal. To work my way out of a job! :)

For our family - one of those hard decisions was what to do about video games.

Oh if I could turn back time . . . . to the day my husband said "I think I'm going to sell our Playstation". Our oldest was only 2 1/2 years old, and my husband had grown bored of the Playstation I had bought him a year or so before.

I remembered the fun in junior high when my family got our first Atari! My dad had sworn we would never have one - but we did! I enjoyed playing with it . . . but I could easily turn it off and go play something else. Of course, the choices of games (and the types of games) to play back then was limited.

I pleaded with my husband to not sell the Playstation - that our sons might enjoy playing it one day. Our 2 1/2 year old had already learned how to turn on the computer and start up his favorite games, and liked watching his dad play on the Playstation. My husband agreed to keep it.

Oh, if I could turn back time.

Fast forward 5 years or so. Birthday time! Oh the excitement to be getting a Game Boy! Now my son could play games on the long trips to see grandparents, or stay entertained in the doctor's office, etc. What a great invention! Or so my son thought. I thought it "might" be good. Plus - everyone had one!

However, I was beginning to become more hesitant about video games as I found that we had to restrict my son's game playing time each week. He had no "off" button of his own. His younger brother was following suit - but not to the same degree. And then there was the fighting between them as to whose turn it was to play, who had more time to play, etc.

The solution?

GM & GD bought another Game Boy . . . so now they both could play! :)

For awhile, it was nice to have video games to use as a reward for various things (ie - good behavior, doing their chores, finishing homework in a timely manner, etc). But I still had my doubts and concerns. I didn't like the attitudes that were starting to emerge from the boys - the fighting between them (not even just about video games). It wasn't even that they were playing violent games - but if they did play even a mild "shooting" type game vs. a racing type game - I did notice the frustration and anger escalated.

Hmm . . . . we need to do away with these games.

But what will I use as a reward (or a punishment)? What will the kids do with their time? It's so nice to be able to get some things done for an hour or two while they are playing their games. Plus - they really do love playing them!

I knew we had an increasing problem when I told my 2 sons and their friend to go outside and play instead of playing video games in the house! It was a beautiful day. They agreed. A few minutes later I looked out front to check on the 3 of them. They were all sitting in a circle on the front walkway. . . . . playing? Yes. Playing what? . . . . . . VIDEO GAMES!! They had brought their Game Boys outside to play! "But you said - 'Go play outside' mom!" :) That's not quite what I meant! :)

Fast forward a couple years, and the adventures of RPG's (Role Playing Games) has become the desired source of fun. Runescape, Adventure Quest, Club Penguin, etc. At first glance, some of the RPG's seem harmless . . . cute . . . fun. Some don't. Some I had a problem with the evil nature - the casting of spells, killing people, ghosts, zombies, etc. We banned those. But what could be wrong with Club Penguin and other ones like it?

Addiction! That was it! It was becoming an addiction.

Can you really be addicted to video games? And is it really a bad thing? I mean - it's not like they are out there doing drugs, smoking or drinking. There are a lot of worse things to be addicted to - right?

I received a Focus on the Family magazine in the mail one day. The front cover said "Are your kids video-game junkies?" (Oct. 07 issue) I began to read the article, and I swear they were talking about our family!! . . . . Finding my son up at 2am playing his RPG online, lying about video game use, playing games he knows he's not supposed to, not turning the consoles off when told to - begging for more time or to "just finish my level so I can save my game", hearing my sons talk about nothing other than their video games, etc.

They literally thought and talked about them morning, noon and night! Their whole life revolved around when they could play video games again . . . which at this point was down to only on Fri, Sat and Sundays - 1 hour each day. Yet they obsessed about it all week long!

In the article I learned that I had committed all the mistakes that had actually led to my children's video game addiction.
1. Starting young
2. Creating easy access
3. Using video games as a reward
4. Allowing "just one more level"
5. Ignoring your gut.

I learned that the chemicals triggered in the body by 30 minutes of video game playing can be just like an amphetamine high - and that eventually the brain is rewired to create a physiological dependence ("habitutation") on it similar to that of a cocaine addiction! There is even a detox center in the Netherlands for video game addicts!!

The article was written by Olivia and Kurt Bruner - authors of "PlayStation Nation". I immediately ordered the book! It answered so many questions and was the push that I needed to follow my "gut" (or most likely - the Holy Spirit) in getting rid of video games. I read portions of the book to my older kids and husband . . . stories from college age kids who had wished that their parents had taken away their video games because now they are so addicted and can't seem to stop playing and thinking about video games. It has taken over their lives.

As a family we all decided to sell the games and consoles and use the money to buy something that the kids could do together with their father . . . airsoft guns! :) Games for Guns! Sounded strange . . . but it was great! The kids love playing airsoft with their dad, uncle and friends. They are outside making memories (of shooting each other! Ahhh . . . good memories! :) hee,hee.).

They are being creative, analytical, tactical, relational, etc. They are out of the fantasy world that held them enslaved.

We still have more hurdles to overcome though - and after talking with a friend this weekend - we need to do it.

We got rid of the Playstation console and games just before my son's 10th b-day - after we had already planned a sleep-over b-day party where he could play video games with his friends. So - we decided to keep the Game Cube and just take it out for b-day sleep overs. Yah right. The b-days seem to last for a week afterwards too! We tried it for a year . . . but when we bring it out, it's all the kids can think and ask about for weeks and weeks afterwards. It's like giving a drink to an alcoholic who has been trying to stay sober. It's not healthy. I wish it would have worked, but it doesn't . . . not for my boys (esp. my oldest and youngest).

I had given my friend (who I had talked with this weekend) the book to read last year sometime. She read it at first and thought - "oh - I'm not as strong as Lori to be able to take away my kids games. They will hate me for it. Plus, I kind of like playing them some myself - especially the Wii." But after some time went on, and she saw some of the same addictive behaviors in her son - she decided she had had enough. They decided to sell their Wii and all their games. Her worst fears were soon addressed . . . . with a pleasant consequence! Her 10 year old son came up to her and said "Thank you mom for loving me so much and getting rid of the video games. I feel like a weight has been lifted off of me. I am so much happier now." And he really meant it! The stress and anxiety of the addiction had been affecting him - without him knowing really what it was or how to deal with it. Isn't that true with most all addictions?

I am so proud of my friend! The battle isn't over though.

We live in an entertainment saturated society where the "only" game kids want to play is a video game. They don't know how to play anything else - to be creative - to be inventive - to be relational (in the real world - not the online/fantasy one). It will take time for her son to figure out how to play - what to do with his other toys that have been gathering dust in the closet - to figure out how to live in this digital world in a healthy way. We have to be patient and stand firm. We also have to teach and encourage them in what to do now.

We as parents will still have to deal with the questions about "why" they can't play video games (as the enemy will still try to work a number on their minds . . . or ours), why other parents let their kids play games - especially the violent ones - rated T or M and above, etc.

I actually had one mom whose husband was not only severely addicted to computer games, but she didn't have a clue that video games even had ratings or what the ratings were for (or that there can be a huge discrepancy in the labeling/rating of games)! For her son's 10th b-day he was having a LAN party (where they connect up several computers to play an online game together) - and they were going to be playing games that were well above my tolerance level for my kids. I had to tell her my son couldn't come because of it (and she was shocked to find out what her son was really playing). Her son valued my son's friendship so much that he decided to change what they were going to do at the party so he could come! :) It doesn't always work out like that (and I didn't expect them to change for our son's sake), but I do have to do my part to protect my children - even at b-day parties (unfortunately).

Parenting is tough. But it's ok to be a "mean" mom or dad if it means your kids will grow up to be healthy and happy - and that they will be able to make those same hard decisions in their lives later on - when it's really important (ie - with drugs, drinking, pre-marital sex, etc).

I encourage you to go visit the Bruner's website - www.videogametrouble.org and find out more about video game addiction and if it's something you should be concerned about with your own children. Not all children will become addicted. And not all video games are made to be as addictive (RPG's are the MOST addictive though!).

So do your research. Educate yourself. That way you will be informed and will be able to stand firm in whatever your decision is and be able to teach your children to stand firm as well. (I wish they would have classes about this for our youth and parents like they have the D.A.R.E. programs in school!)

Be a "Mean" Mom today!! Love your kids!!

Lori :)

Here are some things to think about if you suspect there is a video game addiction going on in your house - with the kids, hubby, or yourself! (taken from the Bruner's website)

RISK ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS: A 2002 survey sampling 223 adolscents conducted by the Society for the Study of Addiction to Alcohol and Other Drugs posed the following situations to help determine patterns of video game addiction.

PREOCCUPATION: When I am not playing with the video games, I keep thinking about them (i.e. remembering games, planning the next game, etc.)
TOLERANCE: I spend an increasing amount of time playing video games.
LOSS OF CONTROL: I have tried to control, cut back or stop playing, or I usually play with the video games over a longer period than I intended.
LOSS OF CONTROL: When I lose in a game or I have not obtained the desired results, I need to play again to achieve my target.
WITHDRAWAL: When I can't use the video games I get restless or irritable.
ESCAPE: When I feel bad, etc. nervous, sad, or angry, or when I have problems, I use the video games more often.
LIES AND DECEPTION: Sometimes I conceal my video game playing to my parents, friends, teachers, etc.
DISREGARD FOR CONSEQUENCES: In order to play video games I have skipped classes or work, or lied, or stolen, or had an argument or a fight with someone.
LIFE DISRUPTION: Because of the video game playing I have reduced my homework, or schoolwork, or I have not eaten, or I have gone to bed late, or I spent less time with my friends and family.

Riding the Waves

2009-01-19T00:11:00.002-05:00

Check out my post today on my other blog - Drink From the Deep.

Just want to encourage you not only in mothering, but in life in general!

Blessings!

A POEM ABOUT OUR GIRLFRIENDS

2009-01-16T14:13:00.002-05:00

My mother-in-law sent this to me, and I thought I would pass it on as it is a good reminder for us ladies! My favorite part is in red! :) I think that will be my new motto this year!

A POEM ABOUT OUR GIRLFRIENDS
Someone will always be prettier.
Some will always be smarter.
Some of their houses will be bigger.
Some will drive a better car.
Their children will do better in school.
And their husband will fix more things around the house.
So let it go,
and love you and your circumstances.
Think about it!
The prettiest woman in the world can have hell in her heart.
And the most highly favored woman on your job
may be unable to have children.

And the richest woman you know,

she's got the car, the house, the clothes~~~~
might be lonely.
And the word says, "If I have not Love, I am nothing."
So, again, love you.
Love who you are.
Look in the mirror in the morning and smile and say,
"I am too blessed to be stressed and too anointed, to be disappointed!"
"Winners make things happen ,
Losers let things happen."
Be "blessed" ladies and pass this on to encourage another woman.
"To the world you might be one person,
but to the one person you just sent this to,
it could mean so much."

I am grateful beyond words for all my girlfriends - especially the ones who keep me grounded and love me even at my ugliest (IF that's even possible! :) hee,hee. . . . . . yes . . . it is! Trust me.). :)

THANKS!

The ONLY Resolution you need to make!

2008-12-31T11:01:00.004-05:00

In 2008, I resolve to . . . .

What did you resolve to do in 2008? Did you write it down? Make a list? Was it longer than your grocery list? Did you make any resolutions or goals at all?

In years past I have had goals and resolution lists longer than the Constitution and all it's amendments. . . . . ok . . . maybe not quite that long . . . but close! And each year I felt like a big fat loser in looking at how many resolutions and goals I actually kept or obtained in the 12 months God gave me that year. So last year I decided to do things differently. . . .

I didn't make any goals or resolutions! I figured - if you don't make 'em, you won't fail at keeping them! :)

It worked! :) I am happy to report that I didn't fail at keeping any sort of resolutions this year. And I am still the same weight as last year, my house is just as messy, I saw the same amount of friends, and my spending habits didn't change. :)

Is that good? . . . . yes and no.

I do have to say though - it is nice to not feel like a failure at the end of the year. :) But I also would have loved to have felt a little toner, had a few more dollars in my savings account, seen a few more friends, and had my house a little cleaner (but not done by me! hee,hee) - amongst other things.

However, God has been teaching me a lot the past couple years about learning to just "BE". Be in- the moment, the situation, the day, the presence of friends or family, the happiness, the sadness, the good times and bad, etc.

And above all - He has been reiterating to me the importance of the only resolution and goal I ever need to have - not just each Jan. 1st - but every day -

Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

as well as . . .

Matthew 22:36-40 - "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

My only goal and resolution in 2009 and everyday of my life is to be a Lover of God - to seek Him first - His kingdom and His righteousness - and let Him take care of the rest! He can do it! He does it all the time! We just have to trust Him to follow through with His promises when we follow through with ours!

If I am loving God with all my heart - the rest will come . . . I will love myself more (because I will know WHO I am in Christ and how God sees me) - which may lead to taking care of myself more - toning up the gravity-induced sagging areas, resting more, etc. It will lead to loving others more (as I have learned to love myself) - so more time will be spent with family and friends. It will lead to a more balanced approach to how I spend my money (which I've done fairly well at - but there's ALWAYS room for improvement!). It may even lead to a cleaner house . . . . . maybe . . . maybe not. :) It may just take off the stress that I feel about it - realizing that people and God are so much more important than a clean house!! A friend may pass away tomorrow . . . but the messes never will!! They will only continue! So . . . choose people over cleaning any day! That's my philosophy! :) (so - come visit me . . . but expect to be able to write me a note in the dust on my furniture! . . . . ok . . . it's not always that bad!)

I hope you have a wonderful New Year's Eve and New Year's Day!

I know that God LOVES new beginnings! He invented them! If 2008 hasn't been the best year for you . . . look forward with anticipation to a new beginning in 2009! Seek God first and foremost - and you can't go wrong!! Give Him your worries, your resolutions, your goals and ask Him for His! They are always MUCH better than anything we could dream up!!

Blessings!!

Return to Sender - Final news!

2008-12-18T16:15:00.003-05:00

Well - check it out on the ACLJ's website!!

We will "not be prohibited" from passing out our candy canes this year! It only took the school's lawyers a year to get back to us! :) But at least they came to the right decision. I would still love to see some sort of memo or information sent out to the staff, administration and teachers of the schools here to let them know just what the Constitution (and their own school policies) says about their students rights to express their religious views, etc. But for now - I'll take this. :) We will be passing out our candy canes tomorrow!

For those of you that do not know what happened - please read my previous posts:

Return to Sender
Return to Sender - Part 2
One Nation under God & Return to Sender update
Signed Retainer . . . . will win! (R to S update)

And for another Christmas post - Happy Holi-Hanua-Kwanza

Merry CHRISTmas!!!

Mom's Christmas Wish List

2008-12-16T09:22:00.005-05:00

I'm not sure who wrote this, but I love it! As a mom (or dad) I'm sure most of us can relate!

Dear Santa,

I've been a good mom all year.

I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my children on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my doctor, sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground and figured
out how to attach nine patches onto my son's boy scout uniform with staples and a glue gun.

I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find anymore free time in the next 18 years.

Here are my Christmas wishes:

I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (in any color, except purple, which I already have)and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze; but are strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the candy aisle in the grocery store.

I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy.

If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd like fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music; a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals; and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.

On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, "Yes, Mommy" to boost my parental confidence, along with two kids who don't fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools.

I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting "Don't eat in the living room" and "Take your hands off your brother," because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog.

If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container.

If you don't mind, I could also use a few Christmas miracles to brighten the holiday season.

Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely.

It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family.

Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is ringing and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door.

I think he wants his crayon back.

Have a safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the door and come in and dry off so you don't catch cold.

Help yourself to cookies on the table but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.

Yours Always, MOM...!

As funny as this is - many times we come to God with our own "laundry list" - especially during the holidays with all the stress, tight budgets, family get-togethers (or encounters!) and all the over stimulation.

Let me ask you a question. When was the last time you gave your husband, friend or child a list of requests (or a "honey-do" list) for/on their birthday?

Have you done it to Jesus?

This year - instead of coming to God with all you need, want or desire (which He already knows about anyways!) - why not come to Him to just BE with Him - to enjoy His company - His presence - and to celebrate His birth on Earth and all that HE has already done for you - for me - for mankind! We have so much to be thankful for - despite (or because of) the daily craziness at our homes!

Let this season be one filled with thanksgiving, joy and giving (of yourself, your time and love) instead of grumbling, complaining, busyness, stress, depression and all your wants, needs and desires.

Merry CHRISTmas!!

Luke 2:10-11
"But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."

P.S. -

What does God desire of YOU this Christmas? . . . What present does He want from You?

Just YOU!

But I'm warning you . . . . He wants ALL of you! Are you ready to give it all?!

I hope so. :) . . . . It's worth it!

Santa Baby

2008-12-14T22:11:00.003-05:00

Ok - I just died laughing tonight!!!

My 13 year old son Tyler and I were in the kitchen together as he was making juice and I was doing the laundry. As usual, I had music from the radio playing . . . .Christmas music of course! The fun and cute song - Santa Baby - came on. This is the convesation that ensued. Let me preface it by saying that my son has Asperger's and sees things very literally and from a point of view I would never expect!

Ty - "Mom . . . is this song being sung by Mrs. Claus?"
Me - "What? . . . .No . . .I don't think so."
Ty - "It's not? Then who is singing?"
Me - "I guess it's someone else."
Ty - "Well if it's not Mrs. Claus, then it's adultery."

LOL!!!!!!!!!! :)

Me - "Well Ty . . . I guess it could be Mrs. Claus wanting her hubby to hurry and come home after passing out the presents to the kids." :) (she probably has a wish list too!)

I couldn't stop laughing!!

I needed a good laugh . . . but now I'll never be able to listen to that song again without chuckling! :)

Here's an older version of it.

Tragedy in Adopting

2008-12-09T10:30:00.004-05:00

I have to share this with you all. I am sitting here snuggling with my little Guatemalan girl - crying and trying to explain this all to her - all the while, grateful that I have the chance to snuggle with her!

My good friend Kelly (who I met through my adoption agency . . . we both have similar families and adopted about the same time) posted some info on her blog about a friend's adoption from Guatemala - of little Josi. She was just about to come home (after over a year waiting) - but was just found murdered in a home invasion (along with the foster family). :( Kelly has posted the info and a link to help raise money to help cover the remaining costs THEY STILL HAVE TO PAY in their adoption ($13,000) - that will never be completed. :(

Thanks for praying for them! I can't even imagine their grief! I just read the book "The Shack" and that has helped somewhat to put a different perspective on all of this. You want to just go into the "why's" and the "if only's" and the "what if's" . . . what if they had gotten through PGN or other parts of their adoption sooner, what if they had gone down to foster her themselves, what if . . . .why . . . why . . . why?? They literally were only a couple weeks from picking her up. They had just gotten her new birth certificate in GT and were just waiting for their pink slip saying they could come down to get her and her visa!! What a sad c-mas it will be at their house. :(

Here's my friend Kelly's blog

Here is the Azhderian family's blog
(there a video on here about Josi . . . grab your tissues first!)

Here's where you can donate through ChipIn

Please pass on this info to those you know who can pray for them or bless them financially with the rest of their adoption costs.

Blessings

I Feel Like A Parent!

2008-11-18T08:14:00.004-05:00

I’m not sure I will ever get any grandkids! No – I am not old enough to be a grandmother . . . yet . . . thankfully! Nor are my kids old enough to produce any for me (PTL!), but I’m starting to wonder if any of my children will want to reproduce and take on the job of parenting.

One day my 12 year old son came up to me in the kitchen. He was moping around, and with a big sigh said, “I feel like a parent”.

Hunh? “What do you mean you feel like a parent?” I asked him, a bit confused.

His classic response . . . “I’m just not handling life well right now.”

Oh boy. Besides the great urge to giggle at that statement, I was suddenly saddened to think that the only way he would correlate the two – being a parent and not handling life well – is that someone was showing him that – living it out, or saying it to him frequently. . . . . hmmmm . . . . . must have been his father! :) hee,hee.

Ok, ok. I’m sure it was me (too). I know it was me. I know that there are many days that I am not handling life very well. Parenting is hard. No one really tells you that before you have kids. I swear, the second I got a boyfriend the question was “is he ‘The One’?”. When we were engaged, it was “When are you getting married?” As soon as we tied the knot we heard “So, when are you going to have kids?” And, of course, after baby number one pops out, everyone wants to know “Are you having any more kids? . . . . .When? . . . . So, do you want a girl next time? . . . . How are things going with being a mommy? Don’t you just LOVE it?”

When my first son was 3 days old I was asked that question – “Don’t you just love being a mommy?” My candid and shockingly honest response was “No. I just want to sleep for about 3 days and THEN I think I might like it!” I was exhausted. I hadn’t slept for days. I had just birthed a bowling ball after 30 hours of panting and counting and rocking and swaying, in addition to a hallucinogenic drug, a needle in the back, more pain as it felt like I was passing the biggest bowel movement of my life, and then later on - someone sucking the life out of my breasts! And then there was the little fact no one told me about - that I would have to deal with things leaking from several places on my body (some of which had never had anything leaking from them before) – and not knowing which to take care of first as I was getting out of the shower each day – dripping . . . sore . . . exhausted . . . engorged . . . emotionally unstable . . . . . You get the picture? :) Have you been there?

I sat on the bed and started crying one morning . . . for no reason at all. I was stressing over the fact that I was never going to get the hang of breastfeeding, much less everything else a new baby brings . . . baths, what to do when they are sick, how to get out the door in less than 3 hours in the morning, how to pump my breasts so they don’t explode when it was time to go back to work, when to start feeding him “real” food . . . . . . and on and on and on. I probably continued with the fears and worries all the way up to where we would send him to college! My darling husband sat at my bedside with his arm around me and said – “Don’t worry honey. I will take care of it. You just focus on breastfeeding and I will do the rest.” I knew that wasn’t entirely true – but at the time, I took the lifeline he was throwing me! It did calm me down.

Now – four additional kids later, and I still have my weepy days, my days where I, too, cry out to God and say “I feel like a parent! . . . . I’m not handling life very well today!” But, I’ve learned over the years to not end it there – to not continue in my slobbery pity party wondering how and why I ever got into this “job” in the first place. My next response is always “God help me! :) I CHOOSE to accept your supernatural strength, energy, wisdom, peace and love today! I give you all of myself (take it – it’s yours!), and I choose to take all of you!” There were years when the kids were really young and I was still quite sleep deprived, that my saving grace was making sure to say this right after my eyes opened in the morning and before my feet hit the floor - “Help me to be a good mother and wife today. I choose to accept your supernatural strength and energy today!” And do you know what? . . . . . God DID help me. I am still here today! I’m still (somewhat) sane. My kids are still all alive and healthy (and mostly unharmed . . . emotionally :). ). And the great thing is – in the areas that I have totally messed up as a mother – God can restore and fix things! I know it’s not the easiest way to do it (it’s much better to do it right the first time), but don’t beat yourself up if you didn’t do it right the first time. There is power in prayer, and if your kids are still young – you still have a lot of time to make it right!

I do have to say that there is a glimmer of hope that I will actually have grandkids one day. My adopted daughter (who came into our family last year when she was 3 and a half – after God had done some desparate work on our parenting skills!!) is always saying that when she grows up she wants to be . . . “A mommy”! That is her passion and her greatest desire! . . . Oh yeah – and at times she says she wants to be a teacher. “Can I be a teacher AND a mommy?” she asked one day. Of course honey! “Well – I want to be a Mommy FIRST and THEN a teacher!” She definitely has the right attitude about how the statement “I feel like a parent” should be . . . full of joy and anticipation – that it is the greatest job anyone could ever have!

And it truly is!

22 Weeks

2008-11-03T20:57:00.003-05:00

Please see my other blog - Drink from the Deep - to see the trailer for this movie based on a true story of one woman's experience with delivering her baby alive during an abortion at 22 weeks. I hope and pray that you are able to see the movie too! Demand a screening in your area (see the link on the right of this blog).

Born Alive

2008-10-26T23:34:00.002-04:00

Amazing! Take the time to watch this!

I know how you feel

2008-10-23T12:20:00.002-04:00

I couldn't decide which blog to put this on as it relates to mothering, but really is also a word for the church - for me and my brothers and sisters in Christ. Please go to my other blog Drink from the Deep to read it. Be encouraged and be challened today. Above all . . . go deeper!

Out of the mouth of babes!

2008-10-20T08:12:00.002-04:00

I just had to share this! This was an email from my sister-in-law with her daughter (my niece).

Out of the mouth of babes!

Last night, I was reading through one of my theology books (Karl Barth's - God Here And Now) and Gracie was snacking at the table across from me. She paused and asked me what I was reading and if I would read it to her:

Mommy: "Oh, it's a book about God - for grownups. You wouldn't understand it. You'll have to wait until you grow up a little bit more."

Gracie: "Don't you remember that story you told me about the mommies who took their babies to see Jesus and they wanted Him to pray for them and He said, 'Let the little children come to Me'?'"

Mommy: "Yes."

Gracie: "Well? Are you going to read that book to me now?"

I was speechless.

We tend to forget that our kids are like sponges - they haven't had the chance to feel "dried up" . . they are like new sponges - ready to soak up and hold more than we can imagine. Without you even knowing it you are already pouring into their little sponge minds. My question for you is . . .

What are you pouring into it?

I need to do a deeper examination here today.

Our kids have more faith than we do many times. So give them the truth of God - not watered down - but the truth of God's love, healing power, forgiveness, and more! They won't doubt like we do. Point out God's word in action - ie. answers to prayers, blessings, protection, etc. You will be pouring the best "water" into them to give them LIFE . . and life more abundantly! :) ( I love it when my kids point out to me the ways God took care of them or blessed them during the day! Their eyes and ears are being trained to "see" and "hear" God!)

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."
Proverbs 22:6

Drink from the Deep

2008-10-04T23:22:00.005-04:00

I just wanted to let you know that I have finally started a new blog (YES - another one!) that I have felt like I was supposed to start for awhile. It's called "Drink from the Deep". God has been telling me to "say what I tell you to say Lori". So I am. I'm not sure what all will be on the site . . . just whatever God wants me to put there. :)
He's also been expanding the visions that He has been giving me lately . . . . not just for my family, or for my church . . . . but for the nation. I'm not exactly sure what He's doing or planning on doing with (in and through) me . . . but I know it's something good! :) I know He wants me to "speak" and say what He's telling and showing me . . . but I'm not sure exactly where or how He wants me to share the "bigger" visions. I guess He'll show me. :) Who knows . . .there may yet be another blog in my future. :)

God bless you guys!

House Maintenance

2008-09-26T10:11:00.005-04:00

What a week!

Normally I look forward to when my husband has a business trip. . . . . . . now, that didn't sound right! :) Let me explain . . .

I have 5 kids - ages 4 through 13 - I have 1 husband - and thankfully we are down to just 3 pets. :) I am on the Steering Team for our church's MOPS group, on the board of an adoption group, have my hand in and eye on several other things, and generally tend to go above and beyond in waaay too many things that interest me (and there are waaaay too many things that interest me . . . I need a few lifetimes to do them all!)! Let's just say - I am way too busy!

So, when my husband says he is going away for a few days, it's not that I won't miss him or don't want him to go or don't love him . . . . it just opens up a couple hours each day where I can be by myself. I am an introvert by nature. . . . .bmeaning - I get reenergized by being alone! So with a house full of people and pets (and chores and messes, and unfinished projects, and projects I WANT to start - but know I probably won't finish . . . .) - those few hours in the week to myself can be quite energizing and refreshing.

Not this week.

I didn't really see those hours. Where did they go? I know I had them somewhere . . . maybe. But they are definitely dwindling down with my oldest (now a teenager) staying up later and later (he has his parent's "night owl" gene) and feeling quite chatty during that time.

This was just a rough week - emotionally, spiritually, physically, mentally and more. I won't bore you with all the details - but suffice it to say I have felt our house being under attack (spiritaully) all week. And without my husband here to support me and "fight" in this battle (I'm sure he was from his hotel room . . . I hope) - I stayed pretty weary and drained all week.

Today I was laying on my bed - half trying to take a nap this morning (as I've had about 5-6 hours sleep a night - while ususally waking up 2-4 times during those few hours) - and half trying to talk with God.

"How am I supposed to handle this all? What am I supposed to do about (these certain issues)? Did I miss your will/leading in something? Should we change what we are doing? . . . . . God - I am exhausted and all I REALLY want to do each day is to spend hours with you! But if I did that - then nothing would get done around here!"

"Yes it would" I heard God say. And I knew . . . I knew what He meant.

It wasn't the cooking, cleaning, chores, MOPS agendas, projects, etc that would get done . . . . it was the "house cleaning and maintenance" that needed to be done within my family - spiritually, relationally, emotionally, etc. It was the spiritual battles that would be fought and won, and the promised land that would be taken as promised. THAT is what really is so much more important!

I know that. I do. I know it deep down in my core. Then why do I chose to clean up the house instead of spend that precious time "cleaning up my house" spiritually?!

I did throw up alot of prayers this week. It's not like I didn't pray or spend some time with God. It's that I didn't really send time resting/soaking in His presence - being rejuvenated and refreshed . . . strengthened. I didn't fully listen (I guess) to this great military strategist on how to fight the battles that came (and will still come). I said alot of "HELP ME LORD!" and "Forgive me God" prayers this week. Those are good - and they do work. But in a week like this - that was not enough and not what I (or my family) really needed.

I am sorry Lord. I DO want to spend time each day - cleaning and maintaining my "house". Help me to not only do that every day - but to do it effectively . . . with power, strength, peace and love!

PSALM 127

Unless the LORD builds the house,
its builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain.
In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat-
for he grants sleep to those he loves.
Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
children a reward from him.
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are sons born in one's youth.
Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

They speak with other tongues

2008-08-10T12:49:00.002-04:00

OK - Here's another book I just read from cover to cover. If you don't know me that well - that's pretty amazing! I rarely read any book in it's entirety - or even half of the book. And I never (ok - VERY rarely) read any fiction books. Too much to do than to sit around and read fiction. :)
So - I just had to share this book with you . . . .

"They speak with other tongues" by John L. Sherrill is an older book (wasn't at the library - so I just ordered a cheaper copy at www.half.com).

It was a bestseller in it's time, and it will really open your eyes and help those of you that struggle with the whole concept of speaking in tongues (or other manifestations of the Holy Spirit - or even the baptism of the H.S.). It can even help those of you that currently are baptized in the HS and do speak in tongues, to be able to help and explain to others what it's all about and why it's beneficial. It is a super-easy book to read as it is in a story format - but full of great history of the Pentecostal movement, etc. The author takes you along on his own journey of trying to figure out just what this strange phenomenon is and if it's of God (and if he should be a part of it).

I highly encourage you all to read it!

Adventures in Mothering

2008-08-10T12:30:00.002-04:00

I sent this to my fellow MOPS (Mothers of PreSchoolers) group, and thought I would share it with you!
Bring on the Adventures!
Lori :)

Are you guys ready for more adventures in mothering? . . . . well . . . you better be (if you still have kids!). Everyday holds the opportunity for all kinds of adventures . . . some are not so pleasant, but they leave you with a funny or great story to tell your toddler one day (preferably when they are teenagers!) . . . and some adventures are just absolutely amazing - you wouldn't trade them for the world!

Motherhood is full of surprises, and if you came into this "job" thinking it would be easy, or that if you followed all the "rules" that everything would work out the same for each child . . . . HA! . . . think again. :) I know you all know what I mean! :)

This fall, we are going to be celebrating "Adventures in Mothering". I, for one, LOVE a good adventure - even if it comes in the form of things not going just as I had planned. :) That's what an adventure is . . . expecting the unexpected to happen, and enjoying it when it does!

MOPS International has a great website, dedicated to you Mothers of Preschooolers. If you haven't checked it out yet - I encourage you to. Go to www.mops.org. Not only will you will find great information about MOPS International, but there are forums to ask questions or discuss things that affect us a moms of little ones, great articles to read, contests to enter, and even MOPS University - a place to take online courses (FREE!!) about the Bible, your Christian walk, moving out into ministry and more. I am excited to explore the courses offered through the university website myself! For many of us we cannot afford, or do not have the time (or babysitters) to be able to go and take college classes (or even some classes at church) - and this is a great way to learn and grow right from your own home! I encourage you all to check it out. I know there are many more great websites with some free (and some pay) classes, courses, or articles to help you learn. I encourage you to seek the Lord this month (since it's the month of prayer!) and ask Him what HE would like to teach you this fall or what you should learn more about. He has a great plan for each and every one of you - and part of that plan is to be a great mom, friend, sister, daughter, and above all - a lover of Jesus!

Keep doing what you are doing moms. You are doing a great job - even when it doesn't feel like it many days! As our Women's Ministry leader at church always says . . . we are in "leadership development". We are training and developing the leaders of the next generation. What an awesome "job" we have?!! Our goal at MOPS is to help you develop your own leadership training capabilities . . . through encouragement, fun, fellowship, prayer and mentoring.

I look forward to seeing you all again soon! Let the "Adventures" continue (I know they have already begun!)!

Blessings today!

Who are you?

2008-08-04T18:35:00.004-04:00

Who are you? . . . Do you know?

Are you a mom? A nurse or doctor? An accountant? A saleswoman? A grocery clerk? . . . . . Who are you? . . . . Let me ask that again . . . . WHO are you?

I am not really asking what you do. I'm not asking what your position, title or even your family lineage is. I want to know WHO you are?

Do YOU know Who you are?
Do you ever feel like no one really knows who are you . . . the true you . . . on the inside?
Do you ever wonder if YOU really even know who you are? You see the outside, but something just doesn't seem right or you don't like what you see?

Would you like for me to tell you who you are? :) . . . . Well, for 50 bucks I'll do just that! :) hee,hee. Just kidding of course. But I do know someone who CAN tell you who you are - what your REAL identity is . . . your Kingdom Identity!

God! Our heavenly Father! (if you don't know Him yet - please read my post - Cleaning up Messes).

Just as we are all created with unique physical characteristics (wonderfully designed and planned by God), we are all created with a unique Kingdom identity. It is WHO we are. It is WHO God created us to be. It encompasses more than just our physical traits, but also the gifts and talents he put in us as He lovingly knit us together in our mother's womb. Some of you don't even know WHAT gifts and talents you have. Some of you may think that you have messed up too much to really ever be used by God or to be who you really are or want to be. Well, the truth is . . . you DO have talents, gifts and abilities . . . and you are NEVER too far gone to discover your TRUE identity and be used by God!

I just read an amazing book - "Your Destiny - Unlocking the impossible promises of God" by Ivan and Isabel Allum.

You have GOT to read it! It has opened my eyes once again, to the promises of God in my life and how He wants to fulfill them. Part of what they talk about is knowing your Kingdom identity (and Kingdom destiny). We may think we have a handle on who we are . . . but to really know the truth, you have to ask the person who created you! Just like an artist knows everything about the art that he creates - God knows us even more intimately than we do! He designed us! He created us! And He has GREAT plans for each and every one of us!

If you are struggling right now - not feeling like you are doing what you should be doing with your life . . . like something just isn't right. If you don't really know who you are, what you are talented or gifted at, what God could possibly do with you here on earth. . . then PLEASE read this book!

If you are struggling with previous promises that you felt God had given you that just haven't "come to pass" . . . then read this book!

If you have struggled with prophecies given to you (or others) or want to know what to do once you get a prophecy over you . . . then read this book!

You can order at their website - www.ivan-isabel.com
You can also read some the amazing story of how they ended up marrying each other (and more) on their website (and in the book)! Their book is full of awesome, faith-inspiring stories! You won't want to put it down!

So . . . after reading the book . . . let me know . . . WHO you are!

Blessings!
Lori :)

"Miscellaneous" Parenting tips

2008-06-19T14:26:00.004-04:00

This is what I found 5 mintues before having to leave for school! I caught him (and his sibling) just before they were going to turn his face into a Tiger!! It was Picture Day at school!! We had to put on a long-sleeve shirt even though it was warm!
Who is this masked boy? The black didn't want to come out of his eyebrows. So we had a mini-Groucho Marx for awhile!

Darth Vader on his way to take a shower. :)

Because we don't live in an area where there might be a frozen window or flag pole - my son purposely tried sticking his lips to this ice-cube! Guess he didn't want to be left out of the frozen appendage/body part experience!

Some things just are not in the parenting handbook . . . you know - the one you received at the hospital when you delivered your baby . . . . . . . What? You didn't get one?? . . . . oh wait . . . neither did I! No wonder. And even if someone did take it upon themselves to actually write out a full and complete parenting handbook, it would certainly fill up all our libraries in the US! And each year - they would have to make new editions to cover all the newest technology, fads, etc. So . . . to save space on our precious library shelves - I guess there should just be one main category in this parenting handbook . . . . "Miscellaneous! . . . what to do about anything and everything that you encounter in parenting". I think the simple answer would be . . . . "just laugh - but maybe to yourself at first, so you don't hurt your children's feelings, and then you can tell them about it when they are older and they will think it is funny then! OR - you can use it as blackmail, or tell it to the wanna-be boyfriends and girlfriends when they hit their teenage/young adult years."

I have encountered many of these "Misc." events in our household. With 5 kids - it's almost a daily happening. :) I just had to share 2 of the most recent events with you (well - my hubby said I HAD to share them with you!!!).

After many weekends of announcing to the boys (especially my 5 and 10 year old boys) that I am no longer going to be cleaning their bathroom because of all the pee that seems to "accidentally miss" the actual water in the toilet and ends up on the walls, on the seat and around the basin, I was once again reminding them to PLEASE put up the seat and actually WATCH where they are peeing so that it goes in and not all over and around the comode . . . not to stand against the far wall and "aim high" to see if they could "make it", but to actually stand right next to the toilet when doing number 1! I know that their complaint is "but the seat won't always stay up and we would have to touch it and hold it up the whole time while we are peeing. That's just gross and too hard!" ??? Hunh ??? However, I assumed that THIS time they MUST have heard and fully understood my rationale for WHY I wanted them to use the toilet in this manner. With that said, I told them to go upstairs and get a shower.

As is usual, there was a lot of giggling, stomping, laughing, and screaming (in fun) going on upstairs. I was glad to hear the two of them were getting along.

My happiness was short-lived when my 8 year old came down and said "Mom . . . . you have to see what the boys are doing."

I sent my husband up to deal with it. I was not expecting the scenario he described when he came down.

Our 10 year old was up against the far wall across from the toilet (it's about 5 feet away), buck-naked (as he should be for taking a shower). However, he was once again "aiming high". But that's not what cracked me and my husband up! It was the fact that our other completely naked 5 year old son was doing the limbo UNDER the yellow stream that wasn't quite making it to the toilet!! Covered in pee on his chest and laughing away, they both seemed to be oblivious to the fact that this was the complete opposite to what I had been telling them to do for weeks! ??They can't touch the toilet seat because it's "gross and too hard to hold up the whole time", but they are willing to risk being showered by urine in a game of buck-naked limbo??!! . . . . What was it that I learned once about boys being "brain-damaged" because of some hormone released in the womb?? :) LOL!!

We just died laughing! Once we got our serious faces back on - it was back up to tell them to clean up the mess and to NEVER do that again! . . . . I don't think they have . . . but they sure haven't been faithful in getting all their pee in the toilet. The good news is . . . . for the most part - I really have stuck to my promise to not clean their bathroom (or at least around the toilet) ever again. So if you ever need to use our restroom . . . . you might want to use mine! :)

The other event happened just last night.

We sent the kids up to bed and I was busy downstairs responding to some emails. I could hear giggling, talking and goofing off upstairs, and I hollered for them to be quiet and stay in their beds. We have 2 bedrooms upstairs with 4 kids in them, and I am just about ready to get a bigger house where everyone can have their own room! That way they might actually fall asleep at 8:30 (when we put them to bed) instead of 10pm! Anyways . . .

Shortly after yelling up to them I heard another type of yelling - but this time it sounded like someone was in alot of pain. Now - did I jump up to rush and see what happened? Judge me as a bad mom - but I didn't. That's because I've heard this same scream when a stuffed animal has fallen out of the bed (that's a whole 'nother story to tell one day . . . "The Boy who Cried (duckie)" . . . ). I also heard my son running downstairs to me, and in no time he was piercing my ears with his high-pitched screams.

Man. He must really be hurt. . . . . But then again . . . if he could run all the way downstairs that fast - maybe he's not. ????

"What's wrong, bud? You sound like you got hurt? Where did you get hurt?"

What I really wanted to say was "If you had been in bed like I had said, you wouldn't have gotten hurt!" . . . . actually - I think I may have said that later on anyways . . . . oops.

Amidst emotional sobs and screams, while doubled over in pain holding his stomach, my 10 year old proceeded to tell me that his 8 year old (but only 49 pounds) sister had punched him "really hard" in the stomach! ?? I couldn't imagine why she would do this? So I needed to investigate further. I showed my son some comfort, looked at his "wound", assessed that he would be ok, and then sent him back to bed. I then found his sister - in our room talking to my husband. Again - I wasn't expecting this scenario . . .

"Why did you punch your brother in the stomach? That wasn't very nice. Were you mad at him for something?"

"He hurt my leg first." she replied.

It always amazes me how I never get the full truth from the one who comes running with wounds.

"But that's not why I punched him. I did it because he told me to." she said.

?? Hunnh?? "Why would he tell you to punch him? And why would you do it?" I asked.

"He said he was in Ninja training and that it was ok to punch him in the stomach." :)

LOL!! Oh my . . . . what do you do with that?! How do you punish someone when they were just doing what they thought their brother wanted them to do. He obviously thought he was a bit tougher than he found out. I just sent her to bed and told her not to punch anyone again - even if they are in Ninja training! :)

Let's hope that that was the last "Ninja training class" for any of my kids!

Hunger Banquet

2008-05-22T16:41:00.003-04:00

Have you ever been to one? Have you ever hosted one? Have you ever heard of one? Doesn't sound very appetizing, does it? Hunger Banquet. I would love to attend one sometime (I just found out a school locally hosted one a couple months ago and I missed it!). I would love for my kids to go to one. What is it?

(taken from OxFam America.org)
Unique and memorable, an Oxfam America Hunger Banquet event allows organizers and participants alike to experience firsthand how our decisions affect others in the world.

How it works
Guests draw tickets at random that assign them each to either a high-, middle-, or low-income tier and receive a corresponding meal. The 15 percent in the high-income tier are served a sumptuous meal. The 35 percent in the middle-income section eat a simple meal of rice and beans. The 50 percent in the low-income tier help themselves to small portions of rice and water. (High-, middle-, and low-income statistics used in the Oxfam America Hunger Banquet event are based on the World Bank Development Indicators 2007.) Guests can also assume characterizations that describe the situation of a specific person at the income level to which they've been assigned. Finally, all guests are invited to share their thoughts after the meal.
After an Oxfam America Hunger Banquet event, few participants leave with full stomachs, but all possess a greater understanding of the problems of hunger and poverty and will hopefully be motivated to do something about them.

I have thought, from time to time, about having our family eat the kind of food that people in some of the poorer countries eat - for at least a week . . . and no snack foods available. Well . . . maybe at least for 2 or 3 days (I don't want Social Services knocking on my door thinking I'm a negligent mother because I'm feeding my kids beans and rice all week!). But I really want my kids to see and understand what it must be like for kids in other parts of the world. You can see a picture, but until you live it - it doesn't really affect you. I would love to take them on some mission trips - to REALLY experience other cultures. But until that time, I will use the resources that I have available.

Here is one that I like for my older kids especially. Oxfam America has an online, "Interactive Hunger and Poverty Educational Experience". It is called "A Seat at the Table" It can really open your eyes (and that of your kids) as to the kind of issues that people in other countries have to face regarding their finances, food, health, etc. It humbles me every time. I encourage you to check it out. Maybe it will encourage you or your kids to host a Hunger Banquet in your area (or something similar).

Here's another great Charity doing great things . . . started by a rich young man from NY who had an experience - as a photojournalist aboard the Mercy Ships and a trip to Africa. It forever changed his life and the lives of countless others with what he decided to do! You can read all about his story and what they are doing at Charity:water. My sister briefly volunteered in their office in NY after meeting this man in a coffee shop (I believe).

Well folks . . . speaking of food and water . . . it's about dinner time here and I am going to get creative with the leftovers I have in my pantry. I've been putting off going to the store for a while . . . so we'll see what I can come up with. :) I like doing that from time to time. You'd be amazed at how long the food in your pantry can feed you . . . though the combinations might not be that delicious or that nutritious . . . but it's better than rice and water!!

Blessings to you all!!

I'm SICK . . . Are you?

2008-05-19T11:25:00.004-04:00

Lately I have been aching inside. . . . more than usual. No - it is not from the fact that I have actually been exercising this past week (for the first time in years!) . . . . It's not because I am sick. Well - maybe it is a "sickness". . . . . I am sick of the self-serving lifestyle I am surrounded by constantly. I am sick of falling into the temptation to want MORE and more. I am sick of feeling sorry for myself because we never seem to have anything "extra" . . . just enough to meet our needs. . . . .

And then I get an email from a friend telling me that the orphanage where my precious daughter was living just 8 months ago - barely has enough food to feed the kids and is running out of gas for their stoves! It humbles me to think about my daughter's friends down there - possibly eating a "soup" made out of water, a few noodles, leaves and a few spices in it . . . and if they are lucky - some tiny bits of chicken or meat - and to think that my daughter has possibly experienced the same "dinner" in her 2 years there. I know that at times they have plenty, but donations are not always steady, and so there are some tough times. I know that God provides . . . .but He does that through US . . . you . . . me . . . your neighbors. . . your family!

How many Venti Vanilla Lattes or Grande Caramel Machiatos have you had this week? . . . . This month? . . . . TODAY? :) How many fast-food runs have you made as well? How much of that would you be willing to give up to help out someone else? . . . .You do know that you can make your coffee at home? . . . and your lunch for that matter! They have these handy things called a "thermos" and a "lunch box" that you can take them in! :) hee,hee. All kidding aside . . .

Please watch this video. It will sober you. It just might change your mind the next time you want to stop into Starbucks or McDonald's . . . . or go to see a $10 movie and get a $10 soda and popcorn. Wait for the movie to come out on DVD - and put a hold on it at the library (for FREE!) - and make your own homemade popcorn at home (cheaper than microwave and tastier)! Yes - you will actually have to "wait" a while . . . but I promise it won't kill you! Yes - renting the movie (from Netflix or Blockbuster) is a bit cheaper than going out to see the movie in a theater (or alot cheaper if you have a big family like mine!) - but just see if you can be creative in trying to see it for free! Do that with many things in life. You'd be surprised at how much you can really do without . . . and how much money you will save over time! :) (Can you go a year without buying anything new? Check out what some people in San Francisco did - The Compact. Here's their yahoo group.) Then take that money and make a difference in your neighborhood . . . your community . . . your state . . . nation . . . or the world! AND . . . It feels so much better than having to exercise twice as hard to burn off all those calories that you ate at Mc-D's and drank at Starbucks! :) Just give it a shot!

This video was sent to me by a friend. She found it at UNSTAINED - a blog by another guy who is "sick" and doesn't want to have a wasted life! Check out his journey as he strives to live a life unwasted!

“I tremble at the prospect of living a trivial, self-serving, comfortable, middle-class, ordinary, untroubled American life.” (John Piper)

ps - If you want to donate to a wonderful orphange and help out some beautiful kids - check out Casa Bernabe (House of Comfort) at www.foce.org . You can make a one-time donation or even monthly sponsorships for a certain child - or a whole family (ie - the houses the kids live in). Please pray about how God wants you to be involved. . . . because He DOES want you involved! I hope you are "sick" today . . . and every day from now on!

James 1:27

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Happy Mother's Day!

2008-05-11T18:32:00.007-04:00

I just had to wish all you moms a HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY today!!

I hope it was a wonderful day with family or friends. If you didn't have someone to be with, then I hope you were at least able to call someone . . . your kids . . . your mom . . . a mom you know . . . a mom-to-be . . . a spiritual mom to you . . . Just go call a special woman in your life and wish them a Happy Mother's Day!! :)

I had an emotional day today. Not exactly sure why. Some of it was probably pent-up tears that didn't get released last week during my monthly hormonal craziness . . . If I don't cry at least once a month, the tears will start to flow at the most inopportune times! :) Actually, I do believe some of it was the enemy (Satan and all his evil cohorts) trying to ruin this day . . . trying to remind me of all the areas where I have failed as a mother. . . . where I don't feel like I measure up to the Super-Mom status we are all led to believe we should and can achieve. . . where I wish I had done things differently and am praying that God is just able to super-glue the things I have broken (my children's hearts, minds, emotions, relationships, etc) . . . where I want to do things differently, but am not sure if I am really going to change (due to laziness, procrastination, bad habits, etc). . . . . etc, etc, etc.

I did receive the most precious cards from my 5 kids today - some sweet, some funny, but some of what they said I still had a hard time digesting. Was I really all those wonderful things, or are they just saying them because it's Mother's Day and that's what they are supposed to say? One part of my kindgergartener's card was hilarious . . . but at the same time, poignantly true and sad. He was given a few pages with sentences to fill in the blanks about his mom. Here is what he wrote:

Happy Mother's Day 2008
My Mom's name is Loire (Close . . .it's Lori)
My mom is 38 years old (no I'm not! . . . . the kids always say I'm older than I am!)
My mom is as pretty as a flowr.
My mom makes the best cocees (cookies).
**My mom's favorite thing to do is BE ALONE (caps added by me.)**
My mom thinks it is funny when I be silee (silly)
My mom doesn't think it is funny when I don't cleen my room. (he's right - I don't!)
My mom loves me.
I love to play with my mom.
I love my mom because she is my mom.
Happy Mother's Day!
Love,
Jacob
2008

So . . . my favorite thing to do is not . . . scrapbooking . . . being on the computer . . . photography . . . or even playing with my kids . . . no . . .it's to "BE ALONE"! I just died laughing when I first read it. He knows me too well! But today it did make me sad.

I do have 5 kids (ages 3-12), and for most of the time, every day, I have most of them home (a few go to school in the mornings some . . . it's complicated). And there are many a night when daddy has to come home and scoop all the kids out of the house "to give mommy some alone time" (what an awesome hubby I have!!!). So Jacob is really right when he said that. But I got to thinking today . . . is that really what I want my kids to say or remember about me. . . ."Mom sure couldn't wait till we were all out of the house and she could be alone!" I don't really want to be alone all the time! I am just an introvert by nature and the way I rejuvenate/re-energize is to be by myself . . . to get some time with God, to be able to think without interruption every 5 minutes, to relax and watch a show, read a book or even blog . . . .you know what I mean? I don't get much of that this year. But I don't really want that to be my legacy. It just made me realize that I need to be more careful with what I say and do. I LOVE my kids A TON - and whenever I am not with them and I come home - I LOVE seeing their smiling faces and hearing their sweet voices (when they are not screaming!). I do LOVE being a mom and I do cherish the little things - the snuggling, giggles, playing games, etc. I need to show that more . . . .verbalize it more to them. I used to tell them that my favorite book is one called "Five Minutes Peace" (I do still love it as it describes what most moms go through with little ones around) - but I don't want my kids to think that I feel that way ALL the time. There are just moments that we ALL need 5 minutes (or 10 . . .20 . . . or maybe an hour) of peace! :)

To reassure you, my day wasn't a washout of sadness and tears. I had my good cry, and then wiped my wet face, reapplied my makeup, welcomed my parents, brother and his wife and daughter, and had a wonderful lunch with them - celebrating Mother's Day and one of my daughter's B-days. I played a game, chatted, took some pictures, giggled, and now am getting a few minutes of time to "be alone" while daddy gets dinner for all the kids (and even brought me some food!). After I finish this post - I will be rejuvenated to go back and finish off this Mother's Day with snuggles, back scratching, stories and more (and hopefully no tornadoes! The weather is looking scary!). And tomorrow . . . I have another chance to change things for the better!

So - what would your kids say about you? What do you want them to remember about you - that you were always loving, angry, stressed out, on the computer, tired, happy, fun??? I think I will be doing more soul-searching and being more intentional about the legacy and memories that I am creating for my children. I know I cannot ever attain "Super-Mom" status . . . but to my kids - I do want to be the best Mom that I can be for them!

God bless all you Mother's and all you do!! I know someone has said that if we were actually paid for all we do we would be making over $116,000 a year . . . .though - like my sweet friend Lynae said "I would probably be fired from many of those jobs" (ie - house cleaning, cooking, etc)! :) Hey - we can't be perfect at everything!! :) Just do your best "as unto the Lord"!

Live a LIFE of LOVE today!

The least of these . . . continued.

2008-05-07T15:12:00.004-04:00

I wish I had this song to show you when I originally posted "The least of these . . ." .
This is for all those days you feel like "just being a mom" is tough . . . .tiring . . . not getting you closer to God . . . etc. Hang in there and be encouraged! You are worshiping God by obeying what He has called you to do! He sees and He knows!
Blessings!

Song: "If Ever You Worshiped" - by Danny Oertli

The Mom Song

2008-04-30T16:23:00.003-04:00

OK -Here's another thing I love about moms (and parenting)!! If you haven't seen this, be prepared to watch it over and over and be tempted to memorize the lyrics! :) My kids can repeat quite a few of them . . . .though, I wish they would actually listen and obey them! . . . . They'll understand when they become parents!

"The Mom" song, sung to the William Tell Overture, by Anita Renfroe.

What a mom says in 24 hours, condensed into 2 minutes and 55 seconds! Hilarious and talented!
I will post the lyrics below.

Check out her website - Anitarenfroe.com. She is a Christian speaker and comedian. Click on "What's new" and you will hear her newest video with her "Dad sense" song - what dads say to their kids in 24 hours! (sorry dads).

"The Mom Song"

Get up now
Get up now
Get up out of bed
Wash your face
Brush your teeth
Comb your sleepyhead
Here's your clothes and your shoes
Hear the words I said
Get up now! Get up and make your bed
Are you hot? Are you cold?
Are you wearing that?
Where's your books and your lunch and your homework at?
Grab your coat and gloves and your scarf and hat
Don't forget! You gotta feed the cat
Eat your breakfast, the experts tell us it's the most important meal of all
Take your vitamins so you will grow up one day to be big and tall
Please remember the orthodontist will be seeing you at 3 today
Don't forget your piano lesson is this afternoon so you must play
Don't shovel
Chew slowly
But hurry
The bus is here
Be careful
Come back here
Did you wash behind your ears?
Play outside, don't play rough, will you just play fair?
Be polite, make a friend, don't forget to share
Work it out, wait your turn, never take a dare
Get along! Don't make me come down there
Clean your room, fold your clothes, put your stuff away
Make your bed, do it now, do we have all day?
Were you born in a barn? Would you like some hay?
Can you even hear a word I say?
Answer the phone! Get off the phone!
Don't sit so close, turn it down, no texting at the table
No more computer time tonight!
Your iPod's my iPod if you don't listen up
Where are you going and with whom and what time do you think you're coming home?
Saying thank you, please, excuse me makes you welcome everywhere you roam
You'll appreciate my wisdom someday when you're older and you're grown
Can't wait till you have a couple little children of your own
You'll thank me for the counsel I gave you so willingly
But right now I thank you not to roll your eyes at me
Close your mouth when you chew, would appreciate
Take a bite maybe two of the stuff you hate
Use your fork, do not burp or I'll set you straight
Eat the food I put upon your plate
Get an A, get the door, don't get smart with me
Get a grip, get in here, I'll count to three
Get a job, get a life, get a PHD
Get a dose of,
"I don't care who started it!
You're grounded until you're 36"
Get your story straight and tell the truth for once, for heaven's sake
And if all your friends jumped off a cliff would you jump, too?
If I've said it once, I've said at least a thousand times before
That you're too old to act this way
It must be your father's DNA
Look at me when I am talking
Stand up straighter when you walk
A place for everything and everything must be in place
Stop crying or I'll give you something real to cry about
Oh!
Brush your teeth, wash your face, put your PJs on
Get in bed, get a hug, say a prayer with mom
Don't forget, I love you
And tomorrow we will do this all again because a mom's work never ends
You don't need the reason why
Because, because, because, because
I said so, I said so, I said so, I said so
I'm the mom, the mom, the mom, the mom, the mom!!
Ta da!!!

Just a Mom?!

2008-04-29T09:56:00.003-04:00

Many of you have seen this before - but I just had to reprint it here. If you haven't read it before . . .

Enjoy!

JUST A MOM?

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk 's office,
was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

"What I mean is, " explained the recorder,
"do you have a job or are you just a ..?"

"Of course I have a job," snapped the woman.

"I'm a Mom."

"We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it," Said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, "Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar."

"What is your occupation?" she probed.

What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out. "I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations."

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in mid air and looked up as though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you do in your field?"

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply,
"I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't)
In the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out).
I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family)
and already have four credits (all daughters).
Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).
But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers, and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money."

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program,
testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just another Mom."

Motherhood!
What a glorious career!
Especially when there's a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers "Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations"
And great grandmothers "Executive Senior Research Associates?" I think so!!!
I also think it makes Aunts " Associate Research Assistants."

Spring Fever . . . for 20 years!?!

2008-04-25T13:02:00.002-04:00

This is an email that was sent to me from VacationsToGo.com
I just HAD to share it because it describes me to a "T"! Yes . . . I have had Spring Fever for over 20 years! It all started with YWAM (Youth With A Mission) and my 8 months with them - in Switzerland, Germany, Holland and Ethiopia! I wanted to keep on travelling . . . forever! I wanted (and STILL do . . . everyday!) to see the WHOLE world. . . . and not on some 1 month quick tour . . . but to really spend some time in each place - getting to experience the culture, the people, learn a little of the language, try the food, etc. Instead - God told me to go home and become a nurse. . . . which led to meeting my wonderful husband . . . which led to 5 kids, a mortgage, bills, kids schooling, etc . . . . . .
One day . . . . maybe . . . .one day. . . . .

Or maybe I should change careers and work in the travel industry! :)

Dear Mrs. West,

I have a confession to make--I want to go everywhere.

If I've been hesitant to say it before now, it was only because it seems sinful somehow, in the same vein as gluttony or greed, as if one day a new commandment might be added to cover it:

"Thou shalt not want to go everywhere."

Until then, I want to go everywhere.

Last month, I journeyed to Berlin to attend what is billed as the world's largest business-to-business travel show, ITB.

Under one roof--well, more like 30--virtually every country on Earth was represented with great, colorful displays showcasing their very best tourist destinations, accommodations, activities and modes of travel.

I was there to visit travel companies that Vacations To Go already represents and to look for new ones, but I felt more like a kid in a candy store. I want THAT one...and THAT one...

From the familiar to the exotic, from the tame to the adventurous, one tempting vacation opportunity after another presented itself. I realized how lightly I have skimmed the surface of possibilities, and how much work I have to do to scout them all for my readers!

So vast is the Berlin convention complex that by the last of the three days I had budgeted for the show, I still had not seen all of the 11,000 exhibitors.

Each day was analogous to travel itself--so many places to see and so little time.

I discussed mountain gorillas with the Rwandans, polar bears with the Canadians, red sand dunes with the Namibians and Arctic icebreakers with the Russians.

Count me in!

A nice lady from Madagascar mapped out an itinerary that would take me from the lemurs (primates with large, reflective eyes) of the eastern rain forests to the tropical, volcanic island of Nosy Be.

Can't wait!

The Maldivians brought their own thatched-roof village to the show to complement the photos of fabulous beaches and over-water bungalows.

Let's go!

Headline-hogging Dubai was there, resplendent and ostentatious as always. The centerpiece of their exhibit was a two-story-high rotating globe that held dozens of people. I've heard mixed reviews about this booming, desert oasis in the Persian Gulf, so I'm afraid I'll have to schedule a personal visit to get to the truth.

Nearby, one could preview the new first-class pods of Emirates Airlines, including flat-bed seat, personal mini-bar, vanity desk, 23-inch flat-screen TV, walls and a sliding door, for absolute privacy.

I'm not sure what I'd do with all that privacy, but those pods might make getting there more fun than being there.

The Tanzanians told me their safari business had been boosted by the civil unrest in neighboring Kenya (fortunately, things have calmed down recently). Standing in their exhibit reminded me of my family's Tanzanian safari and made me feel as if their tourism ambassadors were somehow old friends.

Jambo! Can I hitch a ride back to East Africa?

At times, it seemed that ITB was a microcosm of the entire world. The conference halls were laid out in geographic order, and stepping from one exhibit to the next was akin to crossing the border to a neighboring country.

I could not help but notice some interesting combinations. The Israelis were next to the Palestinians, the Indians near the Pakistanis, the Serbs beside the Croats.

A few thousand miles away, Venezuelan soldiers were massing on the border with Colombia over an incident in Ecuador, but in Germany, tourism officials and native dancers from all three countries peacefully coexisted in the same lively exhibit hall.

I was reminded of something I've believed for a long time: Travel alone can't solve a conflict, but it does increase understanding, which is a huge step in the right direction.

I have to admit some disappointment with the exhibits of the U.S. and Canada, neither of which was up to the task of illustrating the beauty and diversity of North America's vacation opportunities.

With the dramatic fall of the U.S. dollar, America is cheaper than it has been in decades for most international travelers. Note to U.S. tourism folks--we might as well make the most of it and show the world what we've got!

It was my first visit to Berlin, and I enjoyed the friendly people, good restaurants and my stops at the Brandenburg Gate and what remains of the Berlin Wall.

On the flight home, I had time to reflect on all the interesting people I'd met and the fascinating places they represent. I realized that I am particularly fond of jungles and deserts, of tropical islands and snow-covered mountains. I like hot-air balloons and overnight trains, and ships of all sizes. I'm happy as long as I'm headed for a big city, a small village or a tented camp.

Most of all, I prefer beaches, hills, plains, lakes, rivers, savannahs, deltas, tundras and, of course, the open sea.

So where on Earth are you headed next?

That sounds good to me.

To send one sample copy of this newsletter to a friend, click here.

Sincerely,

R. Alan Fox
Chairman & CEO
Vacations To Go
5851 San Felipe Street, Suite 500
Houston, TX 77057

Application for Permission to Date my Daughter

2008-04-16T14:05:00.003-04:00

Here is my laugh for the day! Thanks Stephanie for passing this on! I will have to print it up (in triplicate) and have them ready for my girls' future suitors!

APPLICATION FOR PERMISSION TO DATE MY DAUGHTER

NOTE: This application will be incomplete and rejected unless accompanied by a complete financial statement, job history, lineage, and current medical report from your doctor.

NAME_____________________________________ DATE OF BIRTH_____________

HEIGHT___________ WEIGHT____________ IQ__________ GPA_____________

SOCIAL SECURITY #_________________ DRIVERS LICENSE #________________ <>
BOY SCOUT RANK AND BADGES__________________________________________

HOME ADDRESS_______________________ CITY/STATE___________ ZIP______

Do you have parents? ___Yes ___No
Is one male and the other female? ___Yes ___No
If No, explain: _____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

Number of years they have been married ______________________________

If less than your age, explain
____________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________ __________

ACCESSORIES SECTION:

A. Do you own or have access to a van? __Yes __No

B. A truck with oversized tires? __Yes __No

C. A waterbed? __Yes __No

D. A pickup with a mattress in the back? ; __Yes __No

E. A tattoo? __Yes __No

F. Do you have an earring, nose ring, __Yes __No
pierced tongue, pierced cheek or a belly button ring?

(IF YOU ANSWERED 'YES' TO ANY OF THE ABOVE, DISCONTINUE APPLICATION
AND LEAVE PREMISES IMMEDIATELY. I SUGGEST RUNNING.)

<>ESSAY SECTION:

In 50 words or less, what does 'LATE' mean to you?

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

In 50 words or less, what does 'DON'T TOUCH MY DAUGHTER' mean to you?

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

In 50 words or less, what does 'ABSTINENCE' mean to you?&n bsp;

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

REFERENCES SECTION:

Church you attend ___________________________________________________

How often you attend ________________________________________________

When would be the best time to interview your:

father? _____________

mother? _____________

pastor? _____________

SHORT-ANSWER SECTION:

Answer by filling in the blank. Please answer freely, all answers are confidential.

A: If I were shot, the last place I would want to be shot would be:

______________________________________________________________

B: If I were beaten, the last bone I would want broken is my:

______________________________________________________________

C: A woman's place is in the:

______________________________________________________________

D: The one thing I hope this application does not ask me about is:

______________________________________________________________

E. What do you want to do IF you grow up? ___________________________

______________________________________________ ________________

______________________________________________________________

F. When I meet a girl, the thing I always notice about her first is:

______________________________________________________________

F. What is the current going rate of a hotel room? __________________

I SWEAR THAT ALL INFORMATION SUPPLIED ABOVE IS TRUE AND CORRECT TO
THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE UNDER PENALTY OF DEATH, DISMEMBERMENT,
NATIVE AMERICAN ANT TORTURE, CRUCIFIXION, ELECTROCUTION, CHINESE
WATER TORTURE, RED HOT POKERS.

_________________________________________________________
Applicant's Signature (that means sign your name, moron!)

_______________________________ ; ________________________________
Mother's Signature Father's Signature

_______________________________ ________________________________
Pastor/Priest/Rabbi State Representative/Congressman

Thank you for your interest, and it had better be genuine and non-sexual.
Please allow thirteen years for processing. ;

You will be contacted in writing if you are approved. Please do not try to call or write (since you probably can't, and it would cause you injury). If your application is rejected, you will be notified by two gentleman wearing white ties carrying violin cases. (you might watch your back)

To prepare yourself, start studying Daddy's Rules for Dating.

Daddy's Rules for Dating
Your dad's rules for your boyfriend (or for you if you're a guy) :

Rule One:
If you pull into my driveway and honk you'd better be delivering a package, because you're sure not picking anything up.

Rule Two:
You do not touch my daughter in front of me. You may glance at her, so long as you do not peer at anything below her neck. If you cannot keep your eyes or hands off of my daughter's body, I will remove them..

Rule Three:
I am aware that it is considered fashionable for boys of your age to wear their trousers so loosely that they appear to be falling off their hips. Please don't take this as an insult, but you and all of your friends are complete idiots. Still, I want to be fair and open minded about this issue, so I propose this compromise: You may come to the door with your underwear showing and your pants ten sizes too big, and I will not obje ct. However, in order to ensure that your clothes do not, in fact come off during the course of your date with my daughter, I will take my electric nail gun and fasten your trousers securely in place to your waist.

Rule Four:
I'm sure you've been told that in today's world, sex without utilizing a 'Barrier method' of some kind can kill you. Let me elaborate, when it comes to sex, I am the barrier, and I will kill you.

Rule Five:
It is usually understood that in order for us to get to know each other, we should talk about sports, politics, and other issues of the day. Please do not do this. The only information I require from you is an indication of when you expect to have my daughter safely back at my house, and the only word I need from you on this subject is: 'early.'

Rule Six:
I have no doubt you are a popular fellow, with many opportunities to date other girls. This is fine with me as long as it is okay with my daughter. Otherwise, once you have gone out with my little girl, you will continue to date no one but her until she is finished with you. If you make her cry, I will make you cry.

Rule Seven:
As you stand in my front hallway, waiting for my daughter to appear, and more than an hour goes by, do not sigh and fidget. If you want to be on time for the movie, you should not be dating. My daughter is putting on her makeup, a process than can take longer than painting the Golden Gate Bridge . Instead of just s tanding there, why don't you do something useful, like changing the oil in my car?

Rule Eight:
The following places are not appropriate for a date with my daughter: Places where there are beds, sofas, or anything softer than a wooden stool Places where there is darkness. Places where there is dancing, holding hands, or happiness. Places where the ambient temperature is warm enough to induce my daughter to wear shorts, tank tops, midriff T-shirts, or anything other than overalls, a sweater, and a goose down parka - zipped up to her throat. Movies with a strong romantic or sexual themes are to be avoided; movies which feature chain saws are okay. Hockey games are okay. Old folks homes are better.

Rule Nine:
Do not lie to me. I may appear to be a potbellied, balding, middle-aged, dimwitted has-been . But on issues relating to my daughter, I am the all-knowing, merciless god of your universe. If I ask you where you are going and with whom, you have one chance to tell me the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I have a shotgun, a shovel, and five acres behind the house. Do not trifle with me.

Rule Ten:
Be afraid. Be very afraid. It takes very little for me to mistake the sound of your car in the driveway for a chopper coming in over a rice paddy near Hanoi . When my Agent Orange starts acting up, the voices in my head frequently tell me to clean the guns as I wait for you to bring my daughter home. As soon as you pull into the driveway you should exit the car with both hands in plain sight. Speak the perimeter password, announce in a clear voice that you have brought my daughter home safely and early, then return to your car - there is no need for you to come inside. The camouflaged face at the window is mine

1st day of Spring . . . Are you blooming?!

2008-03-20T12:28:00.007-04:00

Last summer I watched as several precious daffodils continued to bloom where they had been planted years before by my neighbor. Right at the water's edge, there had been dozens of beautiful, proud, sun-yellow daffodils that had cheered us up and spoke of spring as we sat on the bench by the community "lake" (really a man-made drainage area) behind our house. A few years ago our neighbors moved, and the meticulously cared for area soon was overcome with weeds. Along came a few hurricanes and tropical storms that flooded our little lake and the edge started to grow closer and closer to the bench. Many daffodils were lost in the erosion, and so the last 2 summers I have rescued those few that were left . . . still trying to do their job as they hung almost sideways over the water's edge, unknowingly about to perish.

Last year I removed the final ones and planted them in my front yard near my mailbox. Their blooms were gone for the season, and so I was mainly planting the bulbs and stems. I was looking forward to the sunny flowers popping up next year to welcome the warm weather of spring! However, I was a bit surprised this year when they did. I planted them, expecting them to face the street - welcoming our mailman and other guests who came to visit. However, they decided to continue to face the lake . . . which can't even be seen from our front yard! :) I'm sure it probably has something to do with how I planted them or with the sun, but I just get a chuckle out of seeing my "rebellious" flowers facing the wrong way! It made me think . . .

I drove by a sign at a church last week. It always has some cute or corny saying on it - reminding and encouraging us in some aspect of our Christian walk, like "What is missing from this CH_RCH? . . .U are!" You know the signs I mean! This time it said "Bloom where you are planted". In our American society, we are so accustomed to having a choice . . . of what to eat, where to live, what kind of job to have, who to be friends with, where and when to go to church, etc. In many countries, men, women and children do not have that luxury. They cannot physically get up and move when the going gets tough or just because they feel like it. They can't just go down to the store or pop into McDonald's when the mood strikes or their pantry doesn't have their "favorite" foods. They may not even have a choice as to whether they will even eat that day! We are so blessed here in America!

What spoke to me though, was that I know I have spent many a day complaining about where God has "planted" me in life right now . . . . raising 5 young kids who are home with me almost all day every day, cleaning my house (over and over and over again!), making meals, intervening in fights/arguments, etc! I was a L&D nurse and Childbirth Educator (and part-time doula) for 10 years - and I LOVED it! It was my identity . . .what I did . . .who I was . . . my passion. When God called me to stay home full-time (I had 4 kids at that time). . . I fought it tooth and nail for years. I slowly, slowly weaned myself down from working so much - and then finally took the plunge and obeyed God. He was changing where I was to be planted - much like my flowers. However, just like those flowers . . . I kept looking back . . .waiting for the chance to get back to the water . . . wondering when (and if) God would ever let me go back to being a nurse . . . or doing SOMETHING outside of this house. I was blooming in the sense that I was "doing my duty" . . .but I wasn't really doing it right (with the right attitude) or to the best of my ability. I was definitely depressed the whole first year of being at home 24/7. Then I allowed God to change my heart!

God showed me a vision one day while praying. I was going across a river - stepping on large stones/rocks to get to the other side. I knew where I was going and I could see the spot I was aiming for. But then a HUGE rock stood in front of me. . . . too large to even see over it or go around it. This is what God said . . .

"You CAN do it on your own strength. You CAN climb over it, or struggle to go around it Lori. But What I would rather you do, is to stand where you are and let the water rise around you. Let it rise and then float with it down stream. You can trust me. Will you trust me?"

I wasn't so sure I wanted to go "downstream". What was down there? I KNEW what was across the water (I was going to be a midwife) . . . but I didn't have a clue what was downstream. That part scared me. After struggling with it, and then realizing that I was miserable the way I was, I decided to take the risk . . . . I let go and started to float . . . with God . . . not knowing where it would lead or what would happen to me. And do you know what? . . . . . It led me to actually enjoying being at home more (not every day though. :) You know what I mean!) . . . and it brought me to the place where I felt that I could definitely handle bringing one more child into the house through adoption. That was HUGE for me - as I was a card-carrying member of the "Four-no-more" Club! :)

So I've been home for 3 or 4 years now, and lately my heart has been stirring again. . . . wanting there to be more . . .wanting to know "what's next, Lord?" . . . ready to get out of the house and "doing the Lord's work". Then that sign came along . . . It's not that I had turned back around to look at the water . . . I was facing forward . . .but just wanting more. There are seasons for everything in life. A time to live, a time to die. A time to plant, a time to reap. A time to have all my kids home, and a time to see them go off to school (and eventually work, college, marriage . . .). But am I "Blooming" where God planted me? Unlike my plants, I do have a choice . . .I could disobey, uproot and replant somewhere else (in what I do each day) . . . but I won't be where God wants me. I won't be able to greet those that He brings down my path. I won't be able to cheer on and cheer up those that live at my house like I should. I need to learn "how" to bloom where God has planted me for this season.

My "world" is relatively small here . . . 5 kids, a husband, several pets, and a few neighbors who might venture outside during the day. Then once a week - church, once a month - our adoption group, and twice a month - MOPS. Pretty much the same people each day, each week, each month. I was a bit jealous of my sister in NYC and all the people she comes into contact with each day! What opportunities she has!! But wait . . . what about my trip to Walmart every 2 weeks? What about the people I email, who read this blog (all 2 of you!) . . . even the business men and women I might talk with while we refinance, or look for new windows, etc? God has slowly been showing me that I CAN bloom where He's planted me and REALLY make a difference in people's lives . . . . EVEN as a SAHM! I don't have to have a big ministry like Joyce Meyers, or Joel Osteen . . . but I CAN influence my little world around me . . . brighten up the days by blooming where I've been planted. It may be through a scripture at the end of my email, a kind word or offer of help to someone at the store, or some of my ramblings on this blog. It might be by bringing food to a new mom, or an injured neighbor. It's also by loving my kids and raising them to love God, then love themselves, and finally love others.

Maybe that Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness,and Self-control that blooms from me will be able to not only impact those in my "world", but in the world around us as well! You never know!!

I'm going to bloom anyways!

How about you?

Invisible Mom

2008-03-19T13:26:00.004-04:00

In our MOPS group today, we were reminded of this story by a seasoned mom in our church. (I think this was originally printed in our MOPS magazine.) It was just a nice reminder and a confirmation of what God has been saying to me lately when I ask Him over and over again . . ."What do you have NEXT for me? What do you want me to be doing right now? Isn't there something else (besides "just being a mom")?" He told me that He is preparing me (for whatever He has for me in the future) through raising my kids now. It is in being a Mom, and raising 5 godly Christian men and women that I will be "trained" for what lies ahead. This IS my ministry! He showed me a picture of 5 pillars (not sure if they were lighthouses or not - but they were huge!) all along the eastern seaboard - facing the Atlantic Ocean. These were my kids - all grown up - standing tall and strong - facing the ocean, the waves, the wind, whatever might come their way. They are so strong, that they will not fall - no matter what. That made me want to work even harder - to build these strong towers - towers of faith, of love, of peace, of gentleness, of joy and more! So . . . for today . . .I am continuing on in laying foundations, securing the rods that will support the cement walls. I'm in the construction business right now. :) I can live with that!

What has God called you to do?

-Lori :)

The Invisible MOM

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, "Can't you see I'm on the phone?" Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. The invisible Mom.

Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, "What time is it?" I'm a satellite guide to answer, "What number is the Disney Channel?" I'm a car to order, "Right around 5:30, please." I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she's going, she's gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a hair clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, "I brought you this." It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: "To Carol , with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees."

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything. A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, "Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it." And the workman replied, "Because God sees."

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, "I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become."

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my daughter to tell the friend she's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, "My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table." That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want her to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to her friend, to add, "You're gonna love it there."

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

Great Job, MOM!

Share this with all the Invisible Moms you know ..... I just did

Locks of Love

2008-03-17T12:56:00.004-04:00

I'm sure that most of you have heard of Locks of Love . . . but have any of you ever been brave enough to grow your hair for a long time to be able to donate it? I keep thinking about it . . . . but once my hair gets to "that stage" . . . you know . . . the uncontrollable-all-you-can-do-is-put-it-in-a-ponytail stage . . . well . . . I give in and start chopping! I just can't do it . . .yet. I think the best time to grow it would be during the summer as I usually just wear it in a ponytail for 3 months anyways (we are always at the pool . . . and I am too hot to wear it down . . . and it just frizzes anyways in the humidity here!). Maybe this summer. . . . we'll see. :) I am proud of several of my fellow MOPS moms who have grown their hair out and donated 10-13 inches of hair each!! Way to go ladies!!

My daughter, however, was a brave soul. In fact, I learned that 80% of the hair donated to Locks of Love comes from kids! Way to go kids!! We really can learn alot from them!

How and why did my daughter decide to do this?

A couple years ago (at 6 years old), she started praying every night (and still does) for "everyone who is sick or has broken a bone to get better" (ever since she had broken her arm during her 3rd week of gymnastics! She thought she could do a flip already! She's a brave . . . or crazy . . . soul!). We started talking one day about how she could actually DO something for people who were sick . . . and I told her about Locks of Love. She didn't seem too interested at the time and quickly changed the subject. However, to my surprise, at dinnertime she announced to her dad that she was going to grow her hair for Locks of Love! She told everyone and anyone who wanted (or didn't want) to know! Little did she know it would take over a year to a year and a half for her hair to grow the required minimum length of 10 inches (from the bottom of her ear - the shortest she wanted it cut).

In December and Jan she was measuring her hair more frequently as it was getting closer to the 10 inches and she was very anxious to be able to cut it and mail it off! Finally, the week of Valentines day - we measured and it was over 10 1/2 -11 inches! Yeah! She was not going to let me put off cutting it any longer!

Here are the pics of the grand occasion!!

There are other organizations that will accept your donated hair as well. Locks of Love does make wigs mainly for kids who have alopecia areata (where they lose all their hair). Here are a few other organizations to consider as well. Some do not require as

Angel Hair for Kids
Wigs for Kids - Need at least 12 inches.
Pantene Beautiful Lengths - Hair only has to be 8 inches!
Canadian Cancer Society

And here's a good page that gives just a little more info for you.

Love to Know - Hair

So why don't you go for it?! My friend Andi who recently passed away (at the age of 35), had a beautiful wig that she wore while going through Chemo. I'm sure she was so thankful for the generous people who donated their hair to help her feel more beautiful during such a trying time! And this isn't just a thing for girls . . . boys have donated their hair as well (especially with the long-hair hairstyles that are around these days)! And if your hair is already VERY long . . . can you spare at least 10 inches . . . or more . . . to help out these kids and adults?! It's an easy thing to do!

God bless you all today!

Lori :)

Home schooling illegal?!

2008-03-12T10:00:00.017-04:00

Now - I am only a "part-time" homeshooling mom (I really call myself a "Homework Helper"), but I have a ton of friends who are wonderful homeschooling moms who are doing an awesome job with their kids! I could not imagine being told that I could NOT homeschool my own kids . . .that it was actually ILLEGAL! Of course - I don't do well when anyone tells me I can't do anything! :) I guess that's the rebel in me. :)

Please read the article below and then go to hslda.org to sign the petition objecting to this ruling if you have a moment. If it takes root, this kind of control could spread to other states as well. Sign the Petition here: http://hslda.org/ . Listen to the full broadcast here: http://www.oneplace.com/Ministries/Focus_on_the_Family/Default.asp

California Ruling Banning Home Schooling

by Jennifer Mesko, managing editor

Focus chairman calls it an 'all-out assault on the family.'

A state appeals court has decided California parents without teaching credentials do not have a right to home-school their children.

The 2nd District Court of Appeals ruling could affect up to 200,000 home-schooled students in the state.

“The court is guilty of an imperious assault on the rights of parents,” said Dr. James Dobson, founder and chairman of Focus on the Family. “How dare these judges have the audacity to label tens of thousands of parents criminals — the equivalent to drug dealers or pickpockets — because they want to raise and educate their children according to their deeply held values?

"The case before them involved one couple — the ruling should have been confined to that one couple, not used to punish an entire class of people, the vast majority of them religious conservatives.”

According to the Home School Legal Defense Association, California is set to become the only state to deny the vast majority of home schooling parents their fundamental right to teach their children at home. The group will file an amicus brief in the case.

Dr. Dobson said Focus on the Family will do whatever it can to get the ruling overturned and to restore the basic rights of parents in California to determine how their children are educated.

“This is an all-out assault on the family, and it must be met with a concerted effort to defend parents and their children,” he said. “We will team with key allies and use every means at our disposal to make sure that not just every Californian, but every American, is aware of this miscarriage of justice. We will encourage them, by the hundreds of thousands, to make their voices heard on this matter.

"And we’re hopeful that, in the end, common sense and legal sanity will prevail.”

Dr. Dobson will discuss the ruling on his Friday radio broadcast.

Candi Cushman, education analyst for Focus on the Family Action, said the court's timing is horrible.

"This takes away recourse from thousands of parents in California who want to escape the government-enforced indoctrination in public schools," she said. "The Legislature recently passed a law that basically ensures that students get a one-sided, positive portrayal of homosexuality and same-sex 'marriage.' "

TAKE ACTION
We are asking concerned citizens across America to sign a petition asking the state Supreme Court to "depublish" the case, which means to apply the case to the family involved — not to all California families.

LISTEN TO THE BROADCAST
Dr. Dobson will discuss the California ruling on his Friday radio broadcast. Find a station or listen online.

Parenting with Love and Logic

2008-03-11T11:32:00.002-04:00

Some of you may have heard of this - but I just wanted to pass it on just in case. This parenting style/technique has done wonders for our family - especially with my little "CEO's in the making" (aka - my strong-willed children)! :) We are not always consistent with it - but when we are, there is a huge decrease in the amount of anger, frustration and yelling that goes on around our house! AND my kids are learning to make wise choices for themselves! A double bonus!!

Check it out!

I also have a link on the right to the Parenting with Love and Logic website where you can get emails (encouraging advice, bits of info on how to succeed at this parenting stuff!), read articles, see video clips, download audio clips,etc.

Lori :)

Dr. Foster Cline (Love & Logic) will be on radio show/podcast tomorrow

Tue Mar 11, 2008 6:22 am (PDT)

Hi everyone. Dr. Foster Cline, of "Love and Logic" fame, will be my
guest on this week's show, Wed. March 12. Dr. Cline is a child
psychologist and the co-author of the immensely popular Parenting with
Love and Logic series of books and parenting workshops. We will talk
about how to raise responsible children.

You can listen live from 12-1:00 Eastern Time on March 12 by going to
www.findingyourchild.com, click on radio and then click play. Call in
your questions for Dr. Cline at (347) 215-8510 or email me your
questions at dawn @ findingyourchild.com.

You can listen after it airs, by going to this same page on the
website and clicking on this show. And, my favorite, you can download
it as a podcast and listen whenever and wherever you want. You can
download it be clicking on the iTunes button on the radio page of
www.findingyourchild.com.

Please pass this information on to any group that might have an
interest, including any parenting groups you belong to.

Dawn Davenport
The Complete Book of International Adoption (Random House)
Host of the weekly internet radio show/podcast, blogger, and mom
www.findingyourchild.com

Thinking of Having Kids?

2008-03-10T14:54:00.003-04:00

OK - I just had to pass this on! Thank you Linda for bringing a chuckle and smile today! The sad thing is . . . I really do relate to it all! :) And I know there are many more steps I could add . . . . like trying corralling 5 cats, who do not always like each other, and peacefully get them out of your house (church, store, etc), into your car and buckled up. . . . and then pray that they don't scratch each other (or you) to death while you drive (and are trying to get them in the car). . . . or launch things at the back of your head. One day the mini-van companies will create a wonderful van for parents! It will include one of those windows that you see in limos that goes between the driver and the back passengers! It would effectively drown out the incessant whining, crying, and screaming, as well as protect the parents from foreign objects pummeling their heads or seats. :) I mainly want it for the noise. :) . . . Ahh . . . . . one day . . . . Am I asking too much? Who here wouldn't buy one?! :)

Enjoy!

Lori :)

Thinking of Having Kids?

Do this 15 step program first!

Lesson 1
1. Go to the grocery store.
2. Arrange to have your salary paid directly to their head office.
3. Go home.
4. Pick up the paper.
5. Read it for the last time.

Lesson 2
Before you finally go ahead and have children, find a couple who already are parents and berate them about their...
1. Methods of discipline.
2. Lack of patience.
3. Appallingly low tolerance levels.
4. Allowing their children to run wild.
5. Suggest ways in which they might improve their child's breastfeeding, sleep habits, toilet training, table manners, and overall behavior.
Enjoy it because it will be the last time in your life you will have all the answers.

Lesson 3
A really good way to discover how the nights might feel...
1. Get home from work and immediately begin walking around the living room from 5PM to 10PM carrying a wet bag weighing approximately 8-12 pounds, with a radio turned to static (or some other obnoxious sound) playing loudly. (Eat cold food with one hand for dinner)
2. At 10PM, put the bag gently down, set the alarm for midnight, and go to sleep.
3. Get up at 12 and walk around the living room again, with the bag, until 1AM.
4. Set the alarm for 3AM.
5. As you can't get back to sleep, get up at 2AM and make a drink and watch an infomercial.
6. Go to bed at 2:45AM.
7. Get up at 3AM when the alarm goes off.
8. Sing songs quietly in the dark until 4AM.
9. Get up. Make breakfast. Get ready for work and go to work (work hard and be productive)
Repeat steps 1-9 each night. Keep this up for 3-5 years. Look cheerful and together.

Lesson 4
Can you stand the mess children make? To find out...
1. Smear peanut butter onto the sofa and jam onto the curtains.
2. Hide a piece of raw chicken behind the stereo and leave it there all summer.
3. Stick your fingers in the flower bed.
4. Then rub them on the clean walls.
5. Take your favorite book, photo album, etc. Wreck it.
6. Spill milk on your new pillows. Cover the stains with crayons. How does that look?

Lesson 5
Dressing small children is not as easy as it seems.
1. Buy an octopus and a small bag made out of loose mesh.
2. Attempt to put the octopus into the bag so that none of the arms hang out.
Time allowed for this - all morning.

Lesson 6
1. Take an egg carton. Using a pair of scissors and a jar of paint, turn it into an alligator.
2. Now take the tube from a roll of toilet paper. Using only Scotch tape and a piece of aluminum foil, turn it into an attractive Christmas candle .
3. Last, take a milk carton, a ping-pong ball, and an empty packet of Cocoa Puffs. Make an exact replica of the Eiffel Tower .

Lesson 7
Forget the BMW and buy a mini-van. And don't think that you can leave it out in the driveway spotless and shining. Family cars don't look like that.
1. Buy a chocolate ice cream cone and put it in the glove compartment. Leave it there.
2. Get a dime. Stick it in the CD player.
3. Take a family size package of chocolate cookies. Mash them into the back seat. Sprinkle cheerios all over the floor, then smash them with your foot.
4. Run a garden rake along both sides of the car.

Lesson 8
1. Get ready to go out.
2. Sit on the floor of your bathroom reading picture books for half an hour.
3. Go out the front door.
4. Come in again. Go out.
5. Come back in.
6. Go out again.
7. Walk down the front path.
8. Walk back up it.
9. Walk down it again.
10. Walk very slowly down the sidewalk for five minutes.
11. Stop, inspect minutely, and ask at least 6 questions about every cigarette butt, piece of used chewing gum, dirty tissue, and dead insect along the way.
12. Retrace your steps.
13. Scream that you have had as much as you can stand until the neighbors come out and stare at you.
14. Give up and go back into the house. You are now just about ready to try taking a small child for a walk.

Lesson 9
Repeat everything you have learned at least (if not more than) five times.

Lesson 10
Go to the local grocery store. Take with you the closest thing you can find to a pre-school child. (A full-grown goat is an excellent choice). If you intend to have more than one child, then definitely take more than one goat. Buy your week's groceries without letting the goats out of your sight. Pay for everything the goat eats or destroys. Until you can easily accomplish this, do not even contemplate having children.

Lesson 11
1. Hollow out a melon.
2. Make a small hole in the side.
3. Suspend it from the ceiling and swing it from side to side.
4. Now get a bowl of soggy Cheerios and attempt to spoon them into the swaying melon by pretending to be an airplane.
5. Continue until half the Cheerios are gone.
6. Tip half into your lap. The other half, just throw up in the air.
You are now ready to feed a nine- month-old baby.

Lesson 12
Learn the names of every character from Sesame Street , Barney, Disney, the Teletubbies, and Pokemon. Watch nothing else on TV but PBS, the Disney channel or Noggin for at least five years. (I know, you're thinking What's 'Noggin'?) Exactly the point.

Lesson 13
Move to the tropics. Find or make a compost pile. Dig down about halfway and stick your nose in it. Do this 3-5 times a day for at least two years.

Lesson 14
Make a recording of Fran Drescher saying 'mommy' repeatedly. (Important: no more than a four second delay between each 'mommy'; occasional crescendo to the level of a supersonic jet is required). Play this tape in your car everywhere you go for the next four years.
You are now ready to take a long trip with a toddler.

Lesson 15
Start talking to an adult of your choice. Have someone else continually tug on your skirt hem, shirt- sleeve, or elbow while playing the 'mommy' tape made from Lesson 14 above. You are no ready to have a conversation with an adult while there is a child in the room.

This is all very tongue in cheek; anyone who is parent will say 'it's all worth it!' Share it with your friends, both those who do and don't have kids. I guarantee they'll get a chuckle out of it. Remember, a sense of humor is one of the most important things you'll need when you become a parent!

You are valued as a SAHM!

2008-03-07T15:36:00.003-05:00

For other SAHM's (Stay at home mom's) like me - here's the latest from Dr. James Dobson and Focus on the Familiy. It's a wonderful, funny and encouraging podcast with Jill Savage helping to "raise motherhood to a higher level in everyone's mind." It will encourage you if you have been struggling with this "job". :) Listen to both parts!

The Value of Full-Time Moms 1
The Value of Full-Time Moms 2

Blessings!

Lori :)

Giveaways!

2008-03-06T11:58:00.000-05:00

Gotta love a Giveaway! I know I do! I've been entering sweepstakes and giveaways off and on since I was 9 and won my first prize - a bright yellow - Mello Yello T-shirt (is that how you spell it?). I was hooked! Since then I have only won a couple other T-shirts and hat and $35 worth of nasty lip gloss! :) I did enter my hubby's name in a contest too and HE won (and he didn't even know I had entered him!). He told me "Yes baby . . . you married a man who is 1 in a million here!" :) hee,hee. But that's another story I'll have to tell you later . . .of God's wonderful blessings and the way He loves to surprise us! God is good!

So here are a couple giveaways I thought I would let you know about. PLUS there's just some good advice, wisdom, and insight into being a Christian mom and woman - aka. Princess to our great King - on these sites! Read away!

Visit Mugs of Truth

Dust if you Must!

2008-03-06T09:29:00.001-05:00

I love spring! This morning a bird was chirping outside my window (though I do have to say that I didn't enjoy it waking me up so early!), the sun is shining, the daffodils are blooming, and we enjoyed a gorgeous day in the 70's yesterday! Today's a bit colder, but I know the warm weather is coming to stay soon! I can't wait to get out and enjoy it all!

One day, years ago, I was outside digging in the dirt, planting flowers to beautify the landscape of our newly purchased house. As a multi-tasker, I was also watching my little ones run around outside and talking to my best friend on the phone. She asked me what I was doing.

"Planting flowers."
"HOW do you have time to be outside gardening?!?" she asked, sounding surprised.
"Why? What are you doing?" I asked back.
"Cleaning my house! I'm always cleaning my house! I would never have time to do any gardening. You are amazing! How do you have time?"
Ha! I was giggling at that thought of what she would think of my house at that moment . . . ."Oh . . . my house isn't clean at all. It's a wreck!" I replied.
"And yet you are outside gardening?" It sounded as if she couldn't believe someone could do anything else before cleaning up the house. :)
"Yep! I would rather spend my time doing something that will create beauty tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day, than to spend my day cleaning up something that I will just have to clean up again tomorrow, and the next day, etc!"

To me - cleaning your house while you still have kids running around in it all day long, is like trying to shovel snow while it is still snowing! It's useless. You will spend ALL day at that task . . . and at the end of the day you will be frustrated because there has been no progress. Why NOT spend the day gardening, or scrapbooking, or making lasting memories with your kids? You can clean when they are gone! :) OK, ok . . . I know we do have to clean some before then . . . but what I'm saying is that it's all about priorities - something I know I have struggled with (and still do) for many, many years. I started scrapbooking 12 years ago . . .and I probably have 12 pages done. :) Why? Because I was waiting till I was done with my chores to be able to play! It's not working.

In MOPS one year we had a speaker talk about friendship. I will never forget what she would say to her friends . . . "If you want to come over to see ME . . . stop by any time! If you are coming over to see my house . . . make an appointment!" :) AMEN sister! My house is never fully clean! There are piles of papers to go through, toys under the tables and couches, dust on most (ok . . . ALL) surfaces, and probably a few cheerios and fruit snacks crushed into the carpet from time to time. And to tell you the truth . . . I don't mind going to my friend's houses that are the same! It's refreshing! I feel so intimidated at people's houses that are spotless and always put together like a showcase house. :) I will never attain that without either spending all my days "shoveling snow" or hiring a live-in housekeeper (oh to be like Carol Brady of the Brady Bunch!)! And since we can't afford number two, and I don't want to do number one . . . . you'll just have to come over to see ME (and not my house)! :) And we can have some FUN together!

My mother in law sent me a wonderful email shortly after that conversation with my friend years ago, and I have had it posted on a slip of paper attached to my computer ever since . . . to remind me of just what is important in life.

I don't know who wrote it, but - Enjoy!

Dust if you Must

Dust if you must but wouldn't it be better
To paint a picture or write a letter,
Bake a cake or plant a seed,
Ponder the difference between want and need.

Dust if you must but there's not much time,
With rivers to swim and mountains to climb!
Music to hear and books to read,
Friends to cherish and life to lead.

Dust if you must but the world's out there
With the sun in your eyes, the wind in your hair,
A flutter of snow, a shower of rain.
This day will not come around again.

Dust if you must but bear in mind,
Old age will come and it's not kind.
And when you go and go you must,
You, yourself, will make more dust.

Remember, a house becomes a home when you can write "I love you" on the furniture!

Diagnosed with C.A.A.D.D.

2008-02-25T10:10:00.000-05:00

This was sent to me by a friend a couple years ago - but I always think about it when I start feeling that I must have ADD. . . . . .Ok, Ok! It really happens every day! :)

If you have been wondering recently if you are losing your mind, are exhausted from being busy all day long with nothing to show for it, or am feeling that Alzheimer's might be coming on very early in life . . . then this article is for you! There is a diagnosis for you! I'm not sure about a cure though. :) hee,hee. I'm still trying to figure that one out. I think it may have something to do with getting all my kids in school full time! :) Maybe in a few years. I hope the damage isn't permanent by then! :)

-Lori :)

Recently, I was diagnosed with C. A. A. D. D. – Child Activated Attention Deficit Disorder. This is how it manifests:

I decide to do the laundry. As I start toward the basement, I notice that there are cheerios all over the floor and my car keys are in the cereal bowl. I decide to pick up the cheerios before I do the laundry. I lay my car keys down on the counter, put the cheerios in the trashcan under the counter, and notice that the trashcan is full. So, I decide to take out the trash. But then I think, since I'm going to be near the mailbox when I take out the trash I may as well pay the bills first. I take my checkbook off the table, and see that there is only one check left, my extra checks are in my desk in the office/playroom, so I go to my desk where I find a sippy cup full of juice. I'm going to look for my checks, but first I decide I should put the sippy cup in the refrigerator to keep it cold. As I head toward the kitchen with the sippy cup, a vase of flowers on the counter catches my eye--they need to be watered. I set the sippy cup on the counter, and I discover baby wipes that I've been
searching for all morning. I decide I better put them back in the bathroom, but first I'm going to water the flowers. I set the wipes back down, fill a container with water and suddenly I spot the TV remote, one of the kids left it on the kitchen table. I realize that after school when they go to watch TV, I will be looking for the remote as they fight over who lost it, but I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table, so I decide to put it back in the den where it belongs, but first I'll water the flowers. I splash some water on the flowers, but most of it spills on the floor. So, I set the remote back down, get some paper towels and wipe up the spill. Then I head down the hall trying to remember what I was planning to do. At the end of the day: the laundry isn't washed, the bills aren't paid, there is a warm cup of juice sitting on the counter, the flowers aren't watered, there is still only one check in my checkbook, I can't find the remote, I can't find the wipes, and I don't remember what I did with the car keys. Then when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all day long, and I'm really tired. I realize this is a serious problem, and I'll try to get some help for it, but first I'll check my e-mail. Do me a favor, will you? Forward this message, because I don't remember to whom it has been sent. Don't laugh -- if this isn't you yet, your day is coming!

It's not personal

2008-02-25T09:39:00.000-05:00

Today and tomorrow are definitely somber days. There will be a viewing for Andi tonight and her "going home" party tomorrow. I woke up somber, and the more I thought about it all . . . her family, the kids, the tragedy of it all . . . the sadder I was becoming. I know that Andi would not want that. I know that she would want us all to be rejoicing with her and praising God for the life He has blessed us with. I know that she would want us to enjoy our day, our kids, our families and our friends. So I started thinking about some of the funny things my kids have said or done over the years. My husband has urged me for almost 12 years to write all the funny things down so we can remember them. I meant to. I mean to do alot of things. :) But - time has flown by way too fast and I realized I have only written down just a handful of them. I'm going to try and start writing them out more. I know the kids love hearing all the funny things they have said and done in the past (even if they didn't think it was funny at the time). :) So here's one from over a year ago - December 1st, 2006.

My daughter Meghan had faithfully read book after book as a 1st grader to earn a free personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut as part of a school incentive program. We decided to go out to eat as a family on our typical Fun Family Friday - which also happens to be pizza night at our house. This definitely was a special treat for the kids as we rarely went out to a restaurant all together (too expensive for our family of 6). Meghan ordered her personal pan cheese pizza while the older 2 boys, myself and my husband all ordered the buffet. Jacob didn't eat much at the time and we figured he could share a piece of Meghan's pizza. Her pizza took forever to arrive. When it did, we shared a piece with her younger brother and then gave her the rest of her pizza.

"Here's your personal pan pizza Meghan." I said cheerfully.

With a typical "Meghan look" of seriousness and frustration, her reply was . . . . . "It's not a personal pizza. I had to share it with Jacob!" :)

We laughed so hard!

She didn't see the humor in it. :)

The blessing of the night was that, because her pizza was so late in coming (well after we had finished our pizza), they gave us one of the buffet meals and drinks for free! Plus we had already had a coupon for a "buy one, get one free buffet". So I think our total bill came to about $10!! God is good!

Just one more day

2008-02-21T14:35:00.000-05:00

The sun was shining. The air was crisp and clean. A refreshing breeze blew in the unusually warm February air. There may have even been a few birds chirping their sweet spring song as one of the daffodils along my front walkway was beginning to bloom. It is the first I had seen this year - but not surprisingly early considering the warm winter we have had.

I went about my dreaded morning routine – setting out the breakfast bowls, making lunches for school, reminding my kids over and over and over to “get your shoes on, brush your teeth and comb your hair. You have to leave for in a few minutes!”, and trying to fight the callings of my bed to return for a few more minutes of peace and rest. I was secretly hoping (as I do most every day) that my busy and talkative 3 year old would actually sleep in today instead of rising with my other 4 monkeys so early in the morning. But with kids fighting to get to the toothpaste, and hollering that they can’t find their shoes or that they are “COLD” but won’t put on a sweatshirt, my precious preschooler was awake and ready for the adventure that lies within each day for her. “That’s ok” I thought. “It’s not like I could really climb back in my bed today anyways. I have MOPS this morning. . . . . .Oh shoot! I forgot I am supposed to bring snacks today!” No time to run to the store. Scrounging around, I found some red apples for our Valentine’s theme, some orange juice and Pumpkin Pie coffee creamer. That will have to do. Last year was to be my last year as a “MOPS” (Mother of a Preschooler) as my youngest was going into kindergarten. However, God blessed us with our adorable 3-year-old daughter from Guatemala in Sept! Yeah! I definitely was not quite ready to be a “mentor mom” yet. :) But I had forgotten just how busy and tiring it is to raise a preschooler!

We made it to MOPS, a little later than normal, but still arriving on time. I dropped my daughter off at her “class” and then strolled down to the beautifully decorated and inviting MOPS room. Here is where I engage in a cherished routine of chit-chatting with my tired-and-in-desperate-need-of-caffeine-snacks-and- fellowship-without-kids friends, complimenting them on their new clothes, commenting on how they miraculously managed to get their skinny bodies back so soon after giving birth, dipping into the delicious and “calorie-free” (yeah right!) snacks, and plopping into my chair for a blissful 2 hours of “mommy time”! Twice a month is definitely not often enough to do this. Everyone agrees. As we ate, laughed and traded the latest news, our MOPS coordinator moved to the front of the room and quieted us down with a look on her face that none of us wanted to see.

For the last year and a half, we have been praying for and ministering to a young MOPS mom (Andi) who was diagnosed with a very rare form of ovarian cancer. So rare, the doctors were not really sure what her prognosis was or how best to treat it. Because of many factors – one of which was the chemo and how weak it left her – she was not able to attend MOPS this year. She was definitely in our hearts each time we gathered. She was truly a Godly woman and lover of God, and had a beautiful family with her two preschoolers and husband. She loved to Scrapbook and was an “email junkie” (I can identify with that!). :) I never saw her with anything other than a smile on her face and a tremendous faith in God and HIS plans and love for all of us.

The recent chemo treatments had not worked as expected and the many tumors in her abdomen had continued to grow, causing a lot of pain. Just this week she had switched to a new pain medicine that had helped her to feel better without as many side effects, and she was on her 2^nd round of treatment with a new chemo drug. She emailed us on Monday after her treatment, sounding encouraged that the doctor did not think the biggest tumor had grown any more! Praise the Lord! It was stabilizing with this new drug! She was being proactive in her pain and nausea medication and fluids, as she had experienced a rough couple of weeks after the last dose of chemo. Some of the side effects that she had been experiencing before were lessening (like trembling of her hands) and she sounded very optimistic! I was thrilled to hear that! She expressed thanks for all the ladies that had joyfully come together and had spent a day scrapbooking her precious photos of her children and family for her, as well as praying over her. That had meant the world to her.

So many times, I would have a sore throat or slight upset stomach and would start to complain. I would then get an email from Andi, praising God that she was able to drink her smoothie that day without nearly as much pain in her mouth or gut! Boy how foolish I felt! For months, she could hardly even swallow her saliva without being in massive pain all throughout her mouth and throat (a side effect from a certain combination of chemo drugs). Yet we never heard her complain. She was always praising God. Letting us know that God had not healed her yet, but that she still had faith. Above all, she had faith that what she was going through and how she was handling it would be a testimony to the unsaved members of her family. Yes, she wanted to be healed and live a long life here on earth, but even more than that, she wanted to see her whole family guaranteed to be together forever in heaven! There is nothing greater!

Wednesday morning, before my children had even risen, Andi’s husband was dealing with anyone’s worst nightmare – performing CPR on his wife after her heart had stopped beating. She was rushed to the hospital and placed in the ICU – it was not looking too promising. As our coordinator relayed the information, we all stopped our now seemingly selfish chit-chatting at MOPS and prayed for her and her family. Silence and heaviness filled the room. However, as we prayed I was filled with immense peace, and saw a vision of Jesus standing on the left side of Andi’s bed – holding her hand with his right hand. He was just standing there patiently. At one point, He leaned down and put his other hand on her abdomen, and I sensed that a warm peace flowed from him into Andi. He then went back to standing calmly and lovingly beside her. He was not going to leave her. He never had and never would. He loves her too much!

The day dragged on as we waited for more news. I felt trapped at my house with all my kids – wanting to be there to comfort and pray with Andi’s friends and family at the hospital. However, I was, at the same time, wanting to love on my own kids and was so very thankful for the time I had been blessed with to spend with them. My kids and I prayed throughout the day. At 6:30 pm, I was debating whether to go to the hospital or to a local prayer service. I wished I had gone to the hospital. I was afraid of intruding. How silly, eh? I prayed and cried over Andi’s family and their situation at the prayer meeting. God filled me with His peace again and showed me another beautiful vision. This time it was of God ushering Andi on his left arm, down an aisle – as the bride of Christ that she is. She was entering the most beautiful and peaceful place imaginable. She was very happy and free from pain and thrilled to be walking with God! Little did I know that at this time the family had to make a tough decision.

“Andi has severe brain damage from lack of oxygen”, the doctor said. Amidst tears and sorrow, her husband and family painfully honored Andi’s written wishes, and around 8:30pm on Wednesday, they took her off the ventilator. She actually was breathing on her own for several hours, but by 1:30 am she was walking with her King, her Daddy, the greatest love of her life! Those of us left behind are dealing with our own grief – of losing a wife, mother, daughter, friend, encourager and more. But the one thing I am most grateful for right now, is that Andi has reminded me that I have been graciously given just one more day – to laugh, to love, to live, to cherish, to grieve, to mourn, to witness, to pray, to giggle, to play, to hold, to kiss, and yes – to even make lunches, set out cereal bowls and find lost shoes. I cannot take those things for granted today – and I hope that I never do. I am glad that I can walk and talk with my God here on earth – but I do long for the day to be just like Andi – holding my heavenly Daddy’s arm and entering into a glorious eternity!

May you all enjoy the “one more day” that you have been given today as well!

Blessings,

Lori :)

The least of these . . .

2008-02-08T12:21:00.000-05:00

I LOVE to spend time with the Lord! I long for the days (in YWAM) that I used to spend 2 and 3 hours with Him - talking, listening, reading His Word, crying, rejoicing, learning and more. . . . . . . of course - that was B.C.!! Before Children!! :) Heck -that was B.H. . . . . . Before Husband! Now how do I find time to get my fill each day with the Lord?

I know what some of you are thinking . . . 2-3 hours??? I can barely pray for 5 minutes and the Bible is so boring to read some times. I totally understand. I was the same way till the Holy Spirit got ahold of me! Ever since then - I can't get enough. Yes I go through "dry" spells, but lately God has been calling me back - to a deeper place with Him - a deeper place of refreshing, of healing, of learning. That's why I've been so frustrated lately at not being able to spend quantity and quality time with the Lord.

Every day - 7 days a week - I have between 2 and 5 kids at home - on different schedules, at different schools, some homeschooled, some in public school, etc. About every 1 1/2 - 2 hours I have to pick someone up, drop someone off, make a meal, etc - and then squeeze in the laundry, housework (which I put off as much as possible already), bills, grocery shopping and just paying attention to my very busy, newly adopted 3 year old (and her siblings)! My brain never has much longer than 2 -30 minutes to think about anything before being interrupted. (So far I have been interrupted 5 times just writing this much. :) . . . but I press on!) We made a rule a long time ago that there would be no TV or video games on Monday -Thursdays . . . . . . . ugh. No - it really is a good rule - but one that I have had to break lately with my 3 year old just to get some things done (rationalizing, of course, that she hasn't had the opportunity to see all the wonderful educational American TV shows that her siblings watched at her age). If I put in a movie I could even possibly get an hour to myself . . . but then I feel guilty about ignoring my child who just came home from Guatemala. I've done it a few times to spend time with the Lord - but that just makes me crave even more time with Him - and there just never seems to be enough hours in the day (or enough of mommy/wife to go around) to do it all.

So - the other day I was complaining to God that I just wanted to spend more time with Him - that I was sorry I wasn't getting up super-early (I'm already up at 6:45 each day - which, for a night owl - is waaay tooo early). I do talk to God all day long as I'm doing the chores, helping with homework ("GOD HELP ME . . . and my child!" is usually that prayer!), driving my "taxi" . . . . and I even get a whole 15-20 minutes to talk to God in the shower each day . . . .usually. :) I have had some great "chats" with God in my shower! But I long for more.

So after complaining/apologizing for not spending much one-on-one time with God lately because I am always taking care of my kids , I heard God gently remind me . . . "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." (Mt. 25:40 - read verses 35-39 too) "When you spend time with your children - pouring into their lives - you are spending time with Me Lori." :) Wow! What a refreshing word that lit up my soul! God knows! He knows all about our busy lives. He knows that we can't possibly spend hours and hours alone, one-on-one with just Him - and so He gives us an opportunity to minister to Him by taking care of the precious treasures He entrusted to us! He's still calling to you - to come deeper . . . .but it may not be in the way that you had once known. He is calling us deeper in ALL areas of our life with Him - including parenting!

I still long for the long periods of solitude with God each day - and I'm still on a quest to be able to find the time to do that. Maybe I should be praying to become a "morning" person. :) . . . .NAHHH! . . . . But I am not going to overlook the time I AM spending with the Lord when I am "doing unto the least of these".

God bless you today!

Cleaning up Messes

2008-01-27T13:36:00.000-05:00

Ugh . . . . if there's one thing I hate - it's having to clean up other people's messes all day long. By "other people" - I mean my children. It seems like it's a never ending battle. I look around the house at all the clutter and messes and realize . . . hardly any of it is mine! :( My hubby tells me to hire a maid, but #1.) I am waaay too frugal to even think about spending money on something like that, and #2.) Isn't that what we are supposed to be teaching our kids to do?! So - number 2 is my goal! It's getting better, especially now that the kids are a little older and can actually do their chores ALMOST the way I like them done. :) hee,hee. Especially when my husband is out of town, I am much more strict about getting those chores done. It keeps me sane!

The last 2 days it seems there have been more "accidental" messes than usual . . . poop in my 3 year old's undies 3 times this week, mud tracked through the house by 4 happy, dirt-loving and playful boys, spilled cereal all over the living room (thankfully there was no milk!), etc. - and then today - a steaming hot bowl of Ramen noodles that my 10 year old just made. Not only did he spill it over 1/3 of the kitchen, but he broke 1 of my favorite 4 Snowmen bowls (that I've been meaning to put back in the attic since C-mas), and managed to burn his legs in the process slightly (thankfully he had jeans on . . . but it still soaked through! I could see the steam rising off his pants!). I didn't get upset about the bowl, because really . . . I can always buy other dishes . . . but my son is irreplaceable!! I learned a long time ago to not get too attached to my "things". They are not what is important in life. People are! My 12 year old did the crying for me though. He was so sad that my favorite bowl was broken. Bless his heart. :)

As I was on my knees trying to get the slimy, wet noodles and sticky chicken broth off the cold tile kitchen floor, I thought . . . "Sometimes it feels like all I do is clean up other people's messes!" . . . oops . . . did I just say that out loud?! I heard God's tender reply in my heart . . ."I know how you feel."

Wow. . . . . . how humbling. . . . . . how many times has God had to clean up my "messes" (and all the messes of ALL His kids . . . .billions of them!)? And not only that - how many times have I begged Him to clean them up for me . . . promising NEVER to do it again?! . . . and of course . . . I did do it again . . . and again . . and again . . . . wow. . . . . I am so sorry God. I will try to clean up my own messes from now on. In fact, I will try to not make any more messes (or at least - very few).

However, I can hear God gently and lovingly saying . . . . "I don't mind Lori. I LOVE to take care of my children! I am your Daddy. It's my job to help you. Yes, I do want to teach you how to avoid making messes and how to clean them up - but I will still help you. I will never leave you, nor forsake you. You are my child and I am honored to be called your Dad! I will always help you whenever you call out! Don't feel like you can't come to me with your messes. I love taking that which is dirty and making it clean! I love the transformation! I love the restoration! I love to work along side and with you my child in turning your 'lemons into lemonade'! Just come and ask! I'll always be here . . . waiting to help!"

Can you accept His help today? Do you have any "messes" that need cleaning up? How about the biggest mess of all . . . . being a "mess-maker" (sinner)? Have you told the Lord all about your messes (sins) and then asked Him to clean them up - forgiving you - FOREVER - and asking Him to be the Lord of your life now? Your Daddy? Your Savior? If not . . . . PLEASE do! If you don't know how - ask me . . . or ask your pastor, or someone at a good church. If you are not sure if you really NEED God to clean up any of your messes - or don't think you really have "that many" messes to be cleaned up (ie - you are a good person!) - please check out this video at www.wayofthemaster.com - click on the blue box that says "Are you a 'good' person? Try the ultimate test . . ." on the right side about 1/2 way down. Let me know what you think of it and how it affected you!

I know my kids will continue to make messes . . . even thought they are MY kids (and kids are always "perfect" in their parents eyes . . . right?!) . . .and even though I have taught them over and over and over again about what not to do and what to do. . . . . they will still mess up. Will I love them any less? No! Will it sadden me to see them fall, mess up, or make messes in their lives? Yes. Will I help them - even if they don't ask? Most likely. But not if it will hinder them from learning how to grow up. Always rescuing your kids will do more harm than good. God is the same way with us. There ARE consequences to our actions, but God CAN redeem that which the enemy meant for evil - into something good!!! Praise the Lord!!

For some awesome resources on how to help our children to grow up to be responsible adults who don't make as many "messes" (in their lives) when they are older . . . .check out www.loveandlogic.com They have some great books on "Parenting with Love and Logic" that has helped us out sooo much - especially with our "Future CEO's in the making" (ie - our strong-willed children)!! You won't regret looking into it!

God bless you today and I hope it is a Mess-Free day! But even if it is messy . . . it can still be a "Good Messy Day" as my friend's 7 year old proclaimed at the end one particularly messy day! :)

Lori :)

Signed Retainer . . . will win! (R. to S. update)

2008-01-20T16:16:00.000-05:00

Yes folks . . .I have signed a retainer with the ACLJ in regards to our Candy Cane incident! The school's legal counsel was not getting back to us. So - we will see what becomes of all this now that I've got the lawyers talking to each other (soon). I don't know how much I can say about it all now that the lawyers are involved . . . . but hopefully I can keep you guys updated. We are not suing the school (as of right now) - but am trying to help them to understand what the student's rights are in regards to the distribution of religious literature and "religious" talk/conversations, etc. within the school setting - whether the student is a Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Jew, etc. All the teachers I have spoken to (and a principal) all have said that they know very little about what the student's rights are. They know what they (the teachers) can and cannot say and do . . . but they don't have any idea about the kids. They have never had an inservice, instructions, or even a memo regarding this. Sounds strange to me - especially in today's day and age! I was shocked to find this out!

Well - keep it all in your prayers as we definitely do not want to see MORE freedoms taken away here in the US!

Blessings
Lori :)

My Rock of Peace!

2008-01-12T17:45:00.000-05:00

This week I have been carrying around a small rock in my pocket. Now, that's not unusual for me in the past - especially when my kids seemed to hand me new little pebbles, medium sized stones, and some large rocks each and every day. Eventually those stones would secretly make their way back into my garden or backyard. My pockets (and countertops) just couldn't hold onto them all!

I do know why they felt compelled to give me these rocks. How do I know? Because I asked them. Their response . . ."because we know you LOVE rocks mom!" :) ??? Hmmm . . . how did they know that? I don't recall saying that I loved this part of God's creation.

I did have a polished rock collection from my years of scouring the ground and quarries in rural Minnesota when I was in grade school. I would use my own rock polisher machine to make my agates, amythists, and other precious stones shine and sparkle. It was my own private gem collection! I was hooked! I couldn't help but look down everywhere I went - seeing what kind of rocks I could find. Occasionally I would find other treasures . . . coins, broken toys, candy wrappers and more. It was awesome!

So why have I been carrying around a small rock in my pocket all week now? No - it's not from my kids. Thankfully my kids outgrew (or forgot about) their habit of giving me such lovely stone gifts. This rock is a small smooth river rock that I had written "God's peace" on it during a MOPS craft activity last year. Here's how it ended up in my clothing.

This past Tuesday I was spending some time with the Lord. It had been awhile since I had some quality one-on-one time with Him without too many interruptions. I had alot on my mind to discuss with Him - so I started in. . . . . "What should we do about the kid's schooling next year? What should we do about . . . . What about this? . . . . and this? . . . . " etc - you get the picture. My mind was FULL! I had been feeling overwhelmed with life - not being able to get things done, trying to give my 5 kids and hubby all the attention they needed, getting frustrated at all the things in our house that need fixing - not to mention the fact that it always seems to be a mess and I'm tired of cleaning it . . . . . . . . . I'm just feeling discontent and overwhelmed lately.

I started walking along a dirt path with the Lord (in my mind as I was praying). I was talking to him about all the little stones around us on this path that I felt the need to pick up and do something with. It was so overwhelming as there were soooo many rocks - too many to hold in my hands (or pockets for that matter!). I asked God for what HE wanted to give me. He turned and picked up something - then placed it in my empty arms. It was a HUGE rock to carry! This was His "burden" (yoke) - but I realized that it really wasn't as heavy as it looked like it would be. It actually was quite comfortable to carry, kept my hands and arms completely full, and was really satisfying.

I continued to worry, however, about all the little stones we were passing that I still felt like I should be tending to (ie - all my daily tasks, family issues, my schedule, etc). He said to just focus on the rock that I was carrying instead. I looked at it closer and it had the word "PEACE" on it. I am to carry it for awhile. I continued to ask Him about the other stones (can you tell I'm stubborn??!) - but He showed me that I cannot pick them up without first putting down the PEACE rock. I cannot carry both right now. Maybe later we can deal with the little stones - but for now He wanted me to focus on this big rock. He then showed me a HUGE pile of other large rocks.
"Lori - I have all these to give you." God said.
It did seem really silly to me to want to pick up all the little one now. He said the big ones (which had the words - JOY, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, etc on them) are what He is giving me to use to build my altar/memorial glorifying Him (or foundation stones even). It is for my kids and grandkids to be able to see and say "Look at what the Lord has done." - just like in the OT when Joshua and the Israelites crossed the Jordan River. God had them take 12 stones from the riverbed and set them up at Gilgal. "Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean?' tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever." (Josua 4:5-7)
God went on to tell me that the little stones (ie - worries of the day - the non-essentials in of true/eternal life) will not make good memorial stones. It would take forever to build with those little rocks! It would not be impressive. I would just be a pile of little stones.

PLUS - God also showed me that by carrying around His large "burdens" - the little stones would seem really easy to carry afterwards! :)

So . . . starting this past Tuesday, and for however long God deems necessary, my burden is to carry PEACE with me - in my life and in my family's life. That night I noticed that I had a good sized rock in my bathroom that I had bought at a store . . . and wouldn't you know it - the word "PEACE" was carved into it! :) I had forgotten about that! Then I found the small stone on my bedside table in a candle holder (with other stones). I have kept it in my pocket since then. Each time I notice my mind wandering down the path of picking up the little stones - I just feel the rock in my pocket and remind myself that I am already carrying PEACE! It has helped alot this week! :)

Some awesome scriptures about PEACE:

Psalm 34:14b - "Seek PEACE and pursue it."

Psalm 29:11 - "The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with PEACE."

Psalm 37:37b - "there is a future for the man of PEACE."

Psalm 119:165 - "Great PEACE have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble."

Proverbs 14:30 - "A heart at PEACE gives life to the body. . ."

Isaiah 26:3&4 - "You will keep in perfect PEACE him whose mind is steadfast, because he trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the ROCK eternal."

Isaiah 48:18 - "If only you had paid attention to my commands, your PEACE would have been like a river . . ."

Isaiah 57:2 - "Those who walk uprightly, enter into PEACE; they find rest as they lie in death."

Romans 15:13 - "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and PEACE as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (this verse got me through our adoption journey!)

Phillipians 4:6&7 - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everthing, by prayer and pettion, with thansgiving, present your requests to God. And the PEACE of God which transcends all understandning will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

And for all of you . . .

"Now may the Lord of PEACE himself give you PEACE at all times and in every way . . ." (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

Blessings,
Lori :)

Rice Nuggies?

2008-01-08T15:09:00.000-05:00

nuggie
A form of punishment used to assert dominance in a social structure, usually given when a lower person does or says something stupid or annoying. It consists of rubbing of the knuckles hard against the skull to cause moderate pain. Usually the head is held stable with the weaker arm, and the nuggie is given by the stronger arm.

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"Lauren, have I given you a nuggie yet today?" my husband jokingly asked our 4 year old niece during our Christmas vacation. I was expecting her to giggle as most kids would and reply with "nooo. . . . but I don't want one either!" Instead I heard her reply quickly and matter-of-factly . . . . . .

"No. But I can only have rice ones cuz I can't have gluten or corn."

She was dead serious! My husband tried to keep a straight face as we silently chuckled together.

"Oh really?" he said in a serious tone back. "You can only have Rice nuggies?"

"Yes - only rice nuggies." Lauren replied.

"You sure you can't have regular nuggies?" he asked again.

"No - only rice nuggies - not regular ones." she reiterated.

"Oh, that's too bad. Maybe you can ask your parents if you can have a regular nuggie later" he encouraged.

She was busy at the moment so she didn't ask. We told her parents (my sister and her husband) - who also thought it was hillarious - and theydecided to tell her it was ok to have a regular nuggie and to go ask her uncle for one. She was soooo excited (jumping around in glee)! . . . . I know, I know . . . how mean!! . . . I agree! I was only an observant in all this - I have to say! :)

So she runs up to her uncle with a huge smile on her face and says excitedly in her sweet 4 year old voice, "My dad said it was ok for me to have a regular nuggie. Can I have one?" she continues to jump up and down around him.

"Are you sure you want one?" my husband asks.

"YES!" she can't contain herself.

"Okay . . . . here you go" as he promptly grabbed her head with one arm and lightly rubbed his knuckles on the top of her head.

"There you go!" he said.

The look on her face was priceless . . . and heartbreaking. . . . it was a mix of excitement turning into confusion.

"Nuh--unh! I want a real nuggie" she begged, as she didn't believe that was really a nuggie.

"That was it Lauren" he tried to convince her. You could see she was very slowly realizing that she had been duped . . . tricked . . . by her own uncle . . . and parents . . .

But hey . . . . . . at least it wasn't a Rice Nuggie! :)

One Nation "Under God" & Return to Sender update

2008-01-08T14:14:00.000-05:00

With all the craziness surrounding my daughter's candy cane gifts - I just had to pass this on! Thank you B for sending it to me!! :)

SOMEBODY IS RAISING THEIR KID RIGHT!

One Nation "Under God"

One day a 6 year old girl was sitting in a classroom. The teacher was going to explain evolution to the children.

The teacher asked a little boy: Tommy do you see the tree outside?
TOMMY: Yes.
TEACHER: Tommy, do you see the grass outside?
TOMMY: Yes.
TEACHER: Go outside and look up and see if you can see the sky.
TOMMY: Okay. (He returned a few minutes later) Yes, I saw the sky.
TEACHER: Did you see God up there?
TOMMY: No.
TEACHER: That's my point. We can't see God because he isn't there. Possibly he just doesn't exist.

A little girl spoke up and wanted to ask the boy some questions.

The teacher agreed and the little girl asked the boy: Tommy, do you see the tree outside?
TOMMY: Yes.
LITTLE GIRL: Tommy do you see the grass outside?
TOMMY: Yessssss!
LITTLE GIRL: Did you see the sky?
TOMMY: Yessssss!
LITTLE GIRL: Tommy, do you see the teacher?
TOMMY: Yes
LITTLE GIRL: Do you see her brain?
TOMMY: No
LITTLE GIRL: Then according to what we were taught today in school, she possibly may not even have one!

(You Go Girl!)

"FOR WE WALK BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT"

II CORINTHIANS 5:7

As for an update . . . I spoke with the Principal again today (she didn't call me back last week as promised). She is waiting for the lawyers and school system to have their "meet and confer" about this issue and get back to her. She contacted several people yesterday - but no decision has been made yet. I also spoke briefly with legal counsel from the ACLJ today and sent them the National Dept of Education's "Guidelines concerning Religious Activity in the Public Schools" that the VA Dept. of Education had adopted in 1995. They will get back to me once they have read over the info.

My brother (who worked in the schools here) said that the teachers in his school have never been taught/in-serviced on what the rights of the students really are - what is acceptable and not acceptable, etc. in regards to religious expression in school. The principal here also agreed that that issue has never really been highlighted - so it seems that it's pretty much a guessing game for the teachers and administration as to what the kids can and cannot do. :) Lovely. That is definitely one thing that I want to see changed through all this!! EDUCATION of the teachers and administration on what their actual guidelines/policies are - and on what the LEGAL rights are of the students that they are entrusted to care for and teach! Let's get a clue here people!!

Lori :)

Return to Sender - part 2

2008-01-02T17:18:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful CHRISTmas vacation! We did! But now it's back to everyday life, and the continuing saga of the Candy Canes! :)

During our vacation, I was able to get ahold of a friend who is a lawyer for the ACLJ (American Center for Law and Justice), and she confirmed what we already knew . . . . . we are the ones in the right and the school is wrong! :) It's just nice hearing it from someone who deals with Constitutional laws all the time. She is putting me in contact with someone else at the ACLJ who can help us in resolving this matter. Hopefully all it will take is the ACLJ contacting the school (or school's legal cousel) and explaining the actual law. But I do want to see some sort of follow up at the school - inservices or something along those lines - so that no more of these "misunderstandings" occur again.

Seeing as today is the first day back at school for my public school kids, I fully expected a call from the Principal to address this issue. And guess what?! She actually called. . . . .several times (I was out most of the day). She is actually a nice woman to talk to, and I was in a better frame of mind (and mood) in talking with her today than with the Assistant Principal on Friday December 21st. I'm not sure I will deal with him anymore as I felt very patronized, disrespected and did not enjoy talking to someone who couldn't answer my questions without a defensive (or patronizing) tone in his voice.

The Principal explained to me that she had not called before as she thought I had worked things out with the A.P. and was sorry that things have turned out as they have. She was told that the teacher (and I guess the AP) felt the cards on the candy canes were "a little over the top" in regards to their religious nature and that they could not distribute them in school. I'm sure that "THEY" cannot distrubute such religious literature - but I informed her that my daughter actually has a Constitutional right - as is even stated in their own Dept of Education guidelines (which are the Nat'l guidelines they adopted over 12 years ago) - to distribute religious literature, pray with her friends or talk to them about Christ/religious things during "non-instructional" time at school. She agreed with me that lunch was not an "instructional" part of the day (which the AP tried to tell me it was!). She also told me that the teacher said there were only about 6 kids who actually had their candy canes and cards left to be able to take off the cards. It doesn't matter if there were 100 or 1 - the school still had no right to take them back at all!

We talked about the silliness that surrounds the Christmas/Holiday season - and how, even 20 years ago at her kids school - they couldn't even decorate with red and green!! I did mention to her how ridiculous it was that our school had "Happy Kwanza" and "Happy Hanukkha" but no "Merry Christmas" signs up. We talked about other things slightly related to all this - like how I was offended when my kids teachers brought in Yu Gi Oh cards and a Harry Potter movie on the last day of school last year to keep the kids entertained; how the kids are bringing home menorrahs, Hanukkha and Kwanza projects - but my daughter can't pass out candy canes that say "Jesus" on them; and much more. All in all, it was a descent conversation (though there was plenty more I could've said) and I did keep my cool through it all (yea!). It ended with the Principal saying that she would contact the school's lawyer about it all tomorrow and get back to me in the afternoon. I reminded her several times that I have already spoken with the ACLJ and that I would be happy to have them contact her or the school's lawyer as well if need be. I didn't mention "lawsuit" or anything of that nature as I am still hoping this can be resolved in a peaceful way. We'll see. As long as I don't have to talk with the A.P. again - I will probably remain calm while talking about it. :)

I will update you as more info comes along. But for now . . . dinner is done cooking and my oven buzzer won't stop reminding me! :)

Happy New Year!

Happy Holi-Hanua-Kwanza!

2007-12-23T08:45:00.000-05:00

My friend Terri sent me a link to this poem on another blog - The Potter's Hand ! It fits in perfectly with my post from yesterday!!

Enjoy!

Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.
Why the Politically Correct Police had taken away,
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people’s feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a ‘Holiday ‘.
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.
As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe’s the word Christmas - was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny’s and Sears
You won’t hear the word Christmas;it won’t touch your ears.
Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-tyAre words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace.
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate ‘Winter Break’ under your‘Dream Tree’
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday !

Return to Sender

2007-12-22T22:52:00.000-05:00

Our "Merry Christmas" Candy Cane gift

"Merry Christmas!" said 7 year old Meghan as she handed her classmate a present.

"Thank you Meghan!"

"You're Welcome" she replied as she continued to pass out candy canes to each of her classmates during her lunch period at school.

Her teacher had given her permission to pass out her Christmas gifts at lunch, and Meghan was enjoying blessing her friends. She was so excited to give them to her friends and teachers this year that she just couldn't wait till the "Winter Party" 2 days later. She had even reminded her mom a few weeks earlier to "not forget" to get candy canes this year to pass out like she did the previous years.

Lovingly attached to each cane with bright red ribbon was a handmade note. It was the same note that has been attached to candy canes given out by Meghan and her siblings for over 8 years . . . . . a reminder of what Christmas is all about and a Holiday greeting from Meghan.

A Gift for You

I hope you enjoy this candy cane.
As you take it in your hand, turn it upside down and you will see the "J" that reminds us of Jesus who was born on Christmas Day.
Turn it back upright and you will see the crook that reminds us that He is the Good Shepherd.
The stripes are a reminder that He was beaten for us.
The red color reminds us how He shed His blood for us on Calvary.
The white tells us how He can wash our sins white as snow.
As you taste this candy cane be reminded that fellowship with Jesus is ever so sweet.

Merry Christmas!
From Meghan

As lunch was ending, Meghan's teacher returned to collect her students and take them back to class. She saw one of the cards on a student's tray and read it. The kids went back to class after a bathroom break, and the day would go on as each and every day has so far this year. . . . . with one exception. . . .

---------------------

Meghan arrived home on Wednesday, happy as usual and excited to see her Grandmom and Aunt who had just come over to visit. I was sitting on the couch, trying to enjoy the visit despite my pounding headache, sore throat and exhaustion. I greeted Meg as usual, she got her snack, and then got out her backpack to do homework. She handed me a note. I assumed it was from her teacher explaining why Meghan was "off task" today or some other issue. Her teacher has been very patient and creative in trying to find what will "work" for Meghan in the area of attention and focusing on the work she needs to do. It's been a frustrating year as I see so much potential in my intelligent daughter, but she day-dreams the days away many times. This would not have been the first note that has been sent home.

Imagine my surprise to read instead -

"Mrs. West,
Thank you so much for the treats.
But the administration has kindly asked that the cards be returned.
Thank you again!
Mrs. 'Teacher' "

Attached to the note were 4 of the handmade cards that had been attached to the candy canes! Meghan told me that once they were back at class the teacher had asked the kids to remove the cards from the candy canes and give them to the teacher so she could return them to me. No explanation was given as to why.

I could feel it deep inside . . . my blood was starting to churn. . . . . I tried to remain calm (and looked that way on the outside) but my insides were burning! I was sad and hurt as we had made those gifts to bless people and the teacher had the audacity to ask the kids to remove part of their "gift" and return it! And I was especially frustrated as I knew that it was only because it was "religious" - ie. CHRISTIAN - in nature.

I couldn't concentrate on "chatting" anymore. I had to do something. So I looked up information from the ACLJ (Amercian Center for Law and Justice - they fight for Constitutional rights - especially religious freedom of speech) regarding whether we had done anything wrong with mentioning Jesus on our Christmas card/gift. I found an almost identical case back in 2004 in Oregon - and the school system decided to "change their mind" (and policies) about it all and settled out of court. I looked up some more info, called the ACLJ - and then made a call to the teacher.

I won't go into the whole conversations with the teacher and then the Assistant Principal (who I was passed off to) as they were not pleasant. I tried to remain calm (but probably wasn't) and not say things I would regret later, and I just tried to let them know that I was hurt, that it was rude and disrespectful to myself and my daughter, and that it was my daughter's Constitutional right to give a card with the word "Jesus" on it. There had been no wrong-doing on my daughter's part. They told me it was done because they were not allowed to send home things of a religious nature! Hmmm . . . what about all the Hanakah menorrahs and Kwanza cups and Muslim projects the kids have been bringing home all week?! Are those not "religious"????!!!

I didn't get an apology. Instead the Assistant Principal was going to contact the legal dept and let me know - but he didn't think they did anything wrong. I felt very patronized by him and that he was just wanting to push this under the rug, but was willing to do a little research for me.

I sent an email to the principal - trying to state our position and what happened in an intelligent, hopefully non-threatening way and saying that - "overall we have enjoyed our kid's excellent teachers at "this school". We were hesitant at first when we were rezoned here a couple years ago from "another school". But the staff, administration, and kids have all been wonderful. I hope that our remaining years at "this school" will be just as good."

On Thursday my husband talked with CBN News about airing the story on Friday (12-21-07) - but asked them to withhold all names - the school's, teacher's, ours, etc - as we were not out to smear the school or teacher, but wanted to get the word out to people that we DO have a Constitutional RIGHT to be able to pass out Christian Christmas cards/gifts!!! It was aired today.

Here are 3 different versions depending on how fast your connection is to the internet.

High quality

Medium quality

Low quality

This should play correctly in Windows Media Player on your PC.

The story is about 12 minutes and 23 seconds into the video. You can drag the play slider in the player to get to that section without having to watch the first 12 minutes.

They did a pretty good job summarizing the incident and Gordon had some good commentary about it afterward.

------------------

So - today the school had a "Winter Party" for youngest son's kindergarten class. . . . . . and YES! I did send his candy canes to school!!!! And his teacher LIKED them! :) She even commented about the button I was wearing that said "It's OK - Wish me a Merry Christmas!". She said she liked it! :) I knew she would! The kids even sang the song "Silent Night" (all about Jesus' birth!). My camera batteries kept dying on me - but miraculously it stayed on throughout that WHOLE song (and shut off right as it ended)!!

2 funny things about this week - on Wed. my kindergartener's class had a Polar Express Day at school and got to come in his PJ's, drink hot cocoa, read the story and make a craft. They made little trains out of candy. Now this is a CHRITMAS story - right? Well, the train had a tag on it that said - "A Happy Holiday Train"! ????? Hunh? Do the Jewish people get on trains to light their menorrahs? What about the Kwanza or Muslim celebrations? As far as I know, the last time Jews all got on trains was when they were being transferred to concentration camps. So why bother calling this a "Holiday" train? What other Holiday do we have stories about riding on a trian? (if anyone knows - let me know!) Here's a picture of the train and tag!

The other funny thing was the entryway display at my kid's school! Smack in the middle of the entryway is a Christmas tree with 2 HUGE sign displays (text and pictures) on either side. One side said "Happy Kwanza!" The other side - "Happy Hanakah!" My 10 year old son asked - "So, where is the Merry Christmas sign?!" Oh - I wish I had taken a picture of it!! I didn't think to do that till I got home. It was kind of comical considering what's happened this week! :)

So I was at peace today - expectantly waiting for a call from the Principal or Assistant Principal (or even the teacher . . . .Heck! Even a note from the teacher!) saying they were sorry for what happened and that they were wrong.

HA!!!!

Instead I got a call (from the A.P.) stating that they were right! Another very patronizing call that lacked real evidence - other than "I'm just a policy-keeper and doing what the Assistant Superintendant told me to do." He couldn't even point me in the direction of the specific policy - but said that they just couldn't pass out things of a religious nature (it might offend someone else!) - and that my daughter couldn't pass it out in a way that would "interfere with the instructional day"! Hmmm. . . . . I don't think she hindered the instructional day in any way (it was during lunch!) . . . AND she had permission to pass it out . . . AND the teacher was not the one passing it out . . . AND it said Meghan's name on it - not the school's or teacher's . . . .AND Meghan was not trying to get anyone to convert to Christianity right then and there or forcing the kids to take the candy or cards . . . AND . . . .. Ok - don't get me started again! :)

It's a shame that giving a simple Christmas gift and card would end up like this. With all the stressors of the season and the busyness in our house right now - I was tempted to let the whole thing slide. . . . . . . .but then what would happen next year? What would happen to other kids trying to give Christmas cards? Would they ban me from passing out cupcakes with the name Jesus on it (for HIS Birthday?!)? . . . . . I know it's a huge fight - but for some reason I have to fight it. My Mama Bear instincts have kicked in! Don't mess with my cubs!! :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!