SURVIVING THE SWINE

WARNING!!!This is going to be a really bad post. I am so sleep deprived I can't think straight. I have been up every nite doing some form of caretaking...whether it be cold rags on a hot brow, holding a bucket for someone, mopping up spilled gatorade, administering medication, or swiping the temporal atery thermometer across someone's forehead for the FIVE THOUSANDTH PARANOID time.

YES!!! My two babies have the dreaded H1N1 virus. I can't believe it. There are no weapons that have proven strong enough to hold back this nasty flu. We couldn't hold out long enough for the vaccine to be available but I have this sick glass half full thought running through my head. Whew! I'm glad it happened early on...we will have immunity this winter when everyone else if falling prey..its over with..one of my fears came true...I can now get on with my life! (I told this post was going to be bad).

We took Tamiflu. It took 7 days, but my youngest is back to school. My first grader is still fevering on but is doing pretty well. She is bummed to miss her Johnny Appleseed Festival but is sure thriving on a steady diet of Disney Channel and video games.

Mama R is on the other side of frantic worry now, and is already envisioning her jail break. The gym has never looked so good. The need for aimless wandering in the mall and senseless spending is becoming overwhelming. I have devoted myself to the munchkins but am now ready to devote myself to selfish pursuits.

But seriously, I am thanking my Lord that he is all powerful and that he protects my family and keeps them In His Hands. I know that he is the Great Physician. He knew that my babies would get sick and that my babies would get well. It incovenienced me...I had to cancel a much awaited trip to Orlando..I had to cancel appointments and school and extracurricular activies..and I had to stay in my house for more than a week...BUT there is a reason and a purpose for all of this. I can rest in the peace that my God is sovereign and my God is in control.

God is in control but it is up to me to exercise the free will he allows in each of our lives. In this case, it is up to me to take care of myself and exercise my free will to go to bed on time. Go to sleep R..get off the computer R...rest up R..tomorrow may prove to another wild ride!

Good Night!!!

BIBLE PRESENTATION

Beans got her first real bible this week! Up until now she has had bible storybooks but when you enter the first grade two milestones happen. You are now old enough to sit through "big church" and you receive your first NIrV (New International Readers Version) bible. This past Sunday, in front of the congregation, Pastor Tim presented Beans with her bible. She was so excited and proud.


She has been practicing looking up Chapter and Verse all week. She is trying out all the names of the Bible and the pronunciations are downright hysterical. I believe my favorite was "Germy" for Jeremiah. When I can't find her in the house and I ask her where she's been she just says, "Oh, I was reading my bible. I needed some quiet time." I think its great. I hope she keeps her heart for Jesus.

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

NEVER TO BE OVERLOOKED

I was thinking today that alot of my posts have been about Beans and I have another little precious angel that can never be overlooked. We call her Binks and she is very sensitive, smart, articulate, inquisitive and well.....just plain......BEAUTIFUL. Take a look...



This little girl is a special blessing that God gave to me 12 months after her sister came into the world. It was God's perfect timing because he knew that my husband would get cancer a year and a half later and we would no longer be able to have kids. I thank God for her everyday...How did I get so lucky??

IMITATION IS THE SINCEREST FORM OF FLATTERY.

I just have to say for the record...I HEART SCRAPBOOKING!! Anyone who knows me well knows that it is my favorite thing to do of all my various hobbies (sorry bloggy world!). I love to buy patterned paper, read scrapbook magazines and take pictures. A relaxing night is sitting down to "the table" after the kiddies are in bed and cutting and pasting and chatting (usually with Miss T). I don't go to the designer scrapbook stores or to social crops. I shop at the 50% off sales at Hobby Lobby and I usually scrap alone or with one good friend (hint..hint..Marianne!)

Speaking of Marianne at http://familyamericanstyle.blogspot.com. I have to dedicate this particular page to her, as I ended up shoplifting the title from her blog. I think it works...





Anyway...just wanted to give out a shout out to my good friends in this pic and encourage anyone out there to take up this awesome hobby. Bye For Now...So little time..so much to scrap!

AND THE WINNER IS....

We were having a nice relaxing Labor Day at home. I had been playing with the girls all day but my energy and interest were beginning to wane. They sensed this, and therefore began an all out competition to see who could get Mama's attention. They pulled out all the tricks...funky dances, messing up their hair, stripping their clothes, shreiking, fighting with each other, jumping on me, etc.....but Beans was ultimately the winner when she jumped up on our trailer, bent over with her cute little booty sticking out, and said, " Hey, Mama...Smack my Cymbal !!!" I burst out laughing...to her this was better than any blue ribbon or trophy.
Where in the world did she come up with that?

I'LL TAKE THAT "STEP"

I'm technically a Grandma...a "step" Grandma. The title doesn't come with all the access and privilege that most Grandma's have but I'll take it. My 21 year old stepdaughter, K , had a baby last year. She is a cutie patootie. I don't see her often but she is a sweet little girl. She may not have the advantages that Beans and Binks have had but she carries the same innocent spirit that all childeren start off with. This is a spirit that God cherishes and that we should strive to protect fervently. I hate that the world has to intervene and blemish such purity. Here is a picture of (The Babe):



She stayed just long enough to eat a cheese quesadilla, some Mandarin oranges and put more than one Fisher Price Little People in her mouth. My girls were thrilled to have her over and couldn't understand why she didn't stay longer. I am excited to see her grow. I hope some day she will feel comfortable enough to come see me, sit at my kitchen table and talk to me about what's going on with her. I hope that we can take that "step" towards a great relationship that both of us will treasure.

TO SPIN OR NOT TO SPIN...

Who else out there got the sudden urge to "get their workout on" now that the kiddies have returned to school? I don't know how long it will last but I am going with this new found enthusiasm I have.

Well..I was so enthusiastic that I found myself accepting a girlfriends invitation to a spinning class at our local gym. (For those of you who are conjuring up all kinds of weird images when you think of the term spinning...it is just a quirky name for cycling..on stationary bikes that is.)

Anyway, naive little dough girl that I am..I went to spinning class..in the pitch dark, with Guns-n-Roses blaring. I actually enjoyed the whole atmosphere thing. It kind of made me feel youthful, in a rebellious sort of way. The thing I didn't like, was the very real and non-youthful muscle pain that came with this, oh-so-interesting sport. Okay...I have to be Frank and Ernest here..yes, my quads were burnin' so bad I wanted to scream..BUT, the thing that hurt the most was (excuse the terminology), my BUTT!! The seat is too small and hard and tilted for anyone of adult size and weight but I am assuming the whole point is to get us off our backsides and into various other awkward and excruciating positions.

To sum it up. I came, I pedaled and I built up enough lactic acid to keep me hobbling for the next couple of days...BUT...I will go back. I have to go back. I cannot pass up the opportunity to profusely sweat, cringe with pain and practice my best head banging moves while going absolutely nowhere.

SHE'S FIGURED IT OUT!!

Thought I would participate in Marianne's blog carnival over at http:\\familyamericanstyle.blogspot.com .

Beans has officially figured it out!! She has tried many tactics over the past 6 years in order to get what she wants. She has been scratching her head lately...hmmm she thought.."I have to pull out the big guns..it seems Mama is developing a backbone and my whining and fits don't work anymore".....and then....she did it.....she laid on the GUILT. Why wouldn't she? She sees it working on Mama everyday of her life in different aspects. Well, she thought she would try it on for size. Here is what happened:

I have to preface this story be saying that I have been spending more time away from the kids than I ever have before. I have more obligations outside of the home and they have been noticing it. They have even noticed that Mama had the audacity to actually go away for a weekend with her girlfriends. MAMA'SGIRLSWEEKEND was one filthy word to them.

Anyway, I had to go to a church leadership meeting one night and Beans was pleading with me not to go. She wanted me to do books and tuck in (sometimes her older sister can rush through these processes). She kept telling me not to go, over and over and over again, until finally.....

She says to me "Mom, you do not need to take care of other people. You need to take care of me!". Then....for the grand finale....she turned around and said, "Hey Mom! Its them....or me. Which one?"





Nuf Said....the girl has learned the age old art of GUILT.

NEW KID ON THE BLOCK

Miss T has found herself a wonderful young man. He has been on the scene now for about 3 months and he is proving to be a genuinely godly man with a great personality ....and a gorgeous smile. Don't you think??

BOUND FOR BETH !!!

This is Miss T and I on Friday night before we left for our Beth Moore Simulcast. We were so excited. Beth is THE BEST AND MOST ANNOINTED bible teacher we have ever encountered.
http://www.lproof.org/ and http://livingproofministries.blogspot.com/

The simulcast ended on Saturday afternoon and needless to say we came home inspired and revived. It was such a blessing that over 90,000 people in 516 different locations received the live feed from Green Bay, Wisconsin. The lesson was awesome and the praise and worship was phenomenal. I could not get the songs out of my head and I hummed them so much that Beans and Binks were humming them by bedtime that night. Travis Cottrell is a great praise and worship leader. Check out his new CD-Travis Cottrell Live!! http://www.traviscottrell.com/

I will post more about the message preached but I want to study it, meditate on it and fully receive all that God has for me before I relay it.

Miss T and I are going to Orlando on Sept. 18 and 19th for the Deeper Still Conference with Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer and Kay Arthur. We are anxiously awaiting the weekend and expect that it will be an event we never forget!

FIRST DAY!!!!

I sent my two baby girls to the first day of school yesterday and although that is noteworthy...what is more absolutely unbelievable is that I sent them on the....BUS!!!! I have been taking care of these chickadees 24/7 since they weighed less than 10 lbs.. How in the world did I work up the courage to watch them drive away with no child safety seat-no seat belt-no one to make sure they keep their wits about them-no one to worry about their every move? I cried when the bus pulled away. I couldn't help it. It just happened. A mother's love is the most indescribable thing and I feel privileged to have gotten to experience it.

Needless to say it all worked out. They had a great day and couldn't wait to go back. I had a hard time explaining to Binks that she had to stay home for the next four days while Beans went to school. The stagger start theory is wonderful but try explaining it to a 5 yr. old who loves her teacher and her new found indepence. Oh well!

I had a lovely day today with Binks. I woke up dying to spend time with her since I would be losing her for good come Friday. We did household chores together and then we went to the library. My patience was inexhaustable. I was just loving being with her. We spent the rest of the day reading books and playing around the house.

I treasure my children and although they do not need me as much anymore, in the physical sense, I know that in the coming years I will be needed ten times more to aid in shaping their inner character and world view. I am preparing for these years because I know I have to be up to this huge responsibility.

Glad to know I'm not unemployed........yet!

DEFCON- H1N1

Does anyone get the title of my post? It was my attempt at being humourous...personally it made me giggle when I thought of it.
So when there is a security threat against our country, and the alert status is heightend to DEFCON-1, our country might begin to mobilize weaponry such as this:

BUT when a school superintendant calls and leaves a message on a Mom's voice mail explaining the threat of the new H1N1 virus (aka....swine flu) a Mom's paranoia status is raised to "DEFCON-H1N1"...and she begins to mobilize weaponry such as this:

Anyway, I bought these little germ blasters just last week, and seeing as I have already used half the bottle I am thinking that I am going to first buy stock in the company...and second, find a way to dip my little darlings in a vat of this stuff before sending them into the war zone (aka.....school). I have come to hate the phrase...."should your child begin to exhibit flu-like symptoms". My kids have learned to dart away from my hand as it reaches for their forehead. I can't help it...how else will I know if they are "exhibiting flu-like symptoms"?????? I am just going to have to go ahead and pray for their protection but in addition I think I might make a suggestion about an addition to the school's curriculum....such as Coughing and Sneezing Into the Crook of Your Arm or Hand Washing 101. What do you think? Anyone?

GREAT READ

I know I am probably a latecomer to this book. I certainly have been hearing about it for a very long time...maybe even over a year....but there is a reason it is still on the bestseller list. It is an awesome book. Not a trivial trashy novel mind you. It takes some focus and brainpower but it is so worth it. By now anyone reading my blog knows I take introspection to the max and this book feeds right into my personality. It really was a very thought provoking and enlightening book. It is based on principles that I have know for many years but it gave my a new fresh perspective. I wanted to encourage...no...challenge anyone who has not read a book in a while to take a leap and read this one. If you're curiousity is peaked please stop by www.theshackbook.com and take a look.

P.S. The first four chapters are a bit disturbing but hang in there and the remainder will put your mind at ease! Happy reading!

FOREVER FRIENDS

I just had to post about a reunion I had with two of my best friends. Both of these girls were in my wedding party with one of them being a twenty year friend and my maid of honor. We have seen each other through so many phases in our lives. From silly college girls frequenting bars and dance clubs, to serious career women staying late at work. to recomitted Christians growing in our faith and finally wives and new mothers. It is incredible the depth of feelings I have for these friends.

They are kooky, gossipy, loving, practical, trustworthy gals who I have missed so much. We spent a girls only weekend in Orlando and we shopped like fiends, played games, hung out, tried each others clothes on and talked. And talked some more. And then talked some more. It was great!!!

Love you guys!

DO NOT BE JUDGEMENTAL

Easier said than done...am I right? The Lord has been speaking to me in this area lately. He has been urging me not to judge others for the choices they make or the sins they commit.

In the past couple of months I have encountered Christians who have chosen to divorce their spouse or look at pornography or even leave the scene of an accident. Appalling...right? Yet, when you can appreciate the fact that these people are no different than you and I, it put things into perspective.

Are you 100% sure that you are fully aware of what you are, or are not, capable of? Whether our sins are "small" or "big" or "seen" or "unseen", we ALL have areas that are not bathed in the light of Christ. We ALL are capable of making a snap decision while under pressure, or in a moment of panic, that we are deeply ashamed of.

Christians are all sinners saved by grace through the death of Jesus on the cross. Not that we have in any way earned this grace but that it is given to us as a free gift from the heart of our Saviour Jesus Christ. The penalty of sin is death but Jesus paid our penalty by dying on the cross. What greater act of love? Jesus chose to be the substitutionary sacrifice for our sins; therefore, God does not deal with us by making us feel guilt or by manipulating us. We are already justified in the eyes of God because of Jesus' death on the cross. God does not put labels on us but readily accepts us as we are.

We are therefore called to accept one another in love.

Matthew 7:1-3 says "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others you will be judged and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"

ABSENCE MAKES THE HEART GROW FONDER

My blog...oh how I have missed thee. What have I been doing you ask? Well,let me see...I have been:
*teaching and reaching (Vacation Bible School)
*and swimming and socializing (Fourth of July at familyamericanstyle.blogspot.com)
*and wrapping and hiding and planning and celebrating(5th&6th b-days at Disney)
*and packing and unpacking
*and sunning and funning (Family Vacation in Fort Lauderdale)
*and snapping and scrapping
*and reading(www.paperbackswap.com)and studying(ladies summer bible study-Me, Myself and Lies by Jennifer Rothschild)
*and talking and laughing (girls weekend at the Gaylord Palms Hotel in Orlando!)
*and eating and trying not to eat
*and playing Scrabble and Sorry and Trivial Pursuit and Bananagrams and Rummicube
*and shopping and returning
*and cooking and cleaning
*and smiling and sighing
*and hugging and kissing
*and telling stories and tucking in
*and arguing and making up
*and praying and praising (sunday school and church)
*and picking and choosing (paint colors that is)
*and working and lounging
*and texting and typing (got a new iphone!)
*and dating (9th Anniversary)and babysitting(grandbaby came to visit!)
*and stressing and striving
*and thanking the Lord for each and every day!!

It has been a truly fun summer and I have enjoyed being "fully present" during all the times spent with my precious family....but alas SCHOOL IS STARTING!! and that just means one thing.."Hello blog..long time no see. Its great to be back! Let me tell you what I have been thinking.."

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

YO YO YO!

I've always said if it weren't for the morning sickness, maternity clothes, sore back, weight gain, loss of bladder control, endless OB appointments, anxiety and worry I would just keep having babies year after year just to see God's handiwork and how he creates each child in his own likeness yet so completely different from every other person on earth.

Checkout this wonderful, curious combination of two people's DNA. She resembles her mommy in the face but has her Daddy's cornflower blue eyes and curly hair. She mirrors her mommy's personality in that she is studious, orderly and a perfectionsist yet....she's got her Daddy's social ease and leadership abilities.

Where she got "da funk"?? I have no idea.

R

ON A PATH

Today was a thought provoking day...a productive day... a lovely day. I can't always say that after a day is done, which is what makes today all that more satisfying. I woke up today craving a quiet time with God but knowing that I was not going to have time to sit and find that peaceful place. But God knew my heart and He provided. Time spent over Starbucks coffee with a good Christian friend and mentor proved to be (albiet not quiet) still a time spent with God.

God can use people close to us to speak to us. They can be trusted friends (Christian and non-Christian alike) or they can be people who we may not even care for. He can use anybody to further our "walk" with him. I use the term walk because it is a day by day and sometimes a minute by minute dependancy which in hindsight usually proves to ultimately be our "journey".

I know I'm on a journey towards my kingdom purpose and that God is molding and making me into the person He wants to use to accomplish His willl. My friend confirmed that today, and gave me such encouragement and insight that I knew she was being used by God to minister to me. God is not always so obvious (infact most times he is way too subtle). Sometimes we miss him at work in our lives and we often need to gain some perspective in order to see what is really happening.

My friend provided that great perspective today. She told me about a devotional she had read:

A woman had a 6 year old child that fell into a pool during a party at a friends house. The little girl panicked and needed to be rescued from the water. Her mother was so shaken by the incident that she immediately signed the child up for swimming lessons to prevent any such potentially fatal accident again. She loved the child and wanted to do anything she could do to protect her from harm. Well, the little girl did not understand what the swimming instructor was doing during the lesson. She was confused as to why he would again put her in the deep end of the pool where she was likely to once again fall under the water. The little girl became frightened and began to struggle and flail. She became so distraught at one point that she shouted out, "Why do you keep trying to drown me !!??" She of course did not understand that the instructor was not trying to drown her but was in fact trying to teach her the skills she needed to be successful and to one day be able to save her own life or somebody elses' life.

This is a good picture of what happens in our lives. God keeps throwing us into what feels like the deep end. It is here that we struggle and flail. We may even shout out to the Lord, " Why are you trying to drown me!" He is not. He is like that little girls Mother. He loves of so much that He provides us with lessons that will allow us to survive. He is like the instructor who teaches us the skills we need to know to help ourselves and others. It is necessary for us to go into the deep ends of life because that is where God grows us and teaches us and equips us with the knowledge we need to accomplish His will.

I just thought it was such a neat story. It makes the deep ends of life a bit less scary. Don't you think?

R