Uh-oh.....

They were crawling around the side of the blue-faded sandbox that Nanny had found at a yard sale. She was talking so sweetly to them. I listened intently as she called them her friends.

The evening was beautiful! Sitting outside on our patio, I was reading (or at least trying to read) "A Place of Quiet Rest" by Nancy Leigh Demoss (sounds like I'm joking, right?). Little boys running everywhere...writing with sidewalk chalk....sliding down the big slide and scaring Momma...talking constantly. You can imagine the chaos! Big brother and Daddy practicing baseball before his game with the Rockies tonight. I soaked in the moment. Soft breezes blowing and hinting that rain was coming, Anna asked over her shoulder, "Mom, what are these tiny red bugs called?" Uh oh..... "Honey, it sounds like chiggers." "Awww, mom....they were my friends!" You could hear the shear disgust in her voice.

Nanny came around the corner. "Nan, are chiggers tiny and red?" I asked. "I believe so...yeah, they are." Uh oh.

Luckily, Anna didn't hang out with them a moment longer! ;)

It kinda brought me to a future, more serious concern...what will her friends be like? In her sheltered, little life here in our small hometown....will she have discernment? Will she choose wisely those that she emotionally embraces?

The chigger incident wasn't really dangerous. But it sure would have been aggravating! They like to 'bed up in your skin' and hang on! And the afterward itch......ewwww! Yeah, the wrong kind of relationships/habits/lifestyles can do that to someone.

The momma in me wants to shield her and protect my curly girl from any such incident. But I know, deep down in my heart, that ultimately the decision is hers. She will have to live with those choices.....good or bad. I can warn, worry and lecture...or I can pray. I can teach her by example and keep her heartstrings tied close to mine. And then, release her future into His hands.

I'm wondering right now....when she brings him home to us (May I remind you that she said a thousand times "I'm NOT getting married! I'm staying home to live with you, Momma...always."?) What will my first words...or thoughts be? Hopefully, it won't be...Uh oh.

Quiet....

"In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul." Psalm 94:19The house is very quiet and still this morning. No stirring of the covers...no voices whispering, "Momma".....no creaking hardwood as little feet pitter-patter toward my bedroom. Just quiet. All morning to myself....A very rare day. What to do with this time? So many things around this house needs my attention...

The Word draws me to read. Psalms speaks softly to my soul and renews my mind. Priority begins to shape and form my day. No interruptions. Just quiet. Just Word.

Psalm 103

Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

hmmmm......I really like this......
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities....those attitudes I displayed lately,

Who healeth all thy diseases......that fever that wracked my babies days ago,

Who redeemeth thy life from destruction.....how many times would I have headed the wrong way had it not been His guiding hand that redirected my steps?

Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies......His forgiveness is so tender and sweet! I lean so heavily on that mercy.

Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's......His Word drips with delight! It renews my mind, soul and body.

Sitting quietly with afghans thrown around me, just thinking about Jesus. Life is fulfilling. Peace overwhelms me as "the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight me soul."

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for Your visit of peace to me this morning.

"Memaw's 'ouse!"

The two famous and favorite words of my twin toddlers!! Their sweet little faces light up with excitement and anticipation as we near my momma's home. A simple, single wide trailer.....but, oh so much more! This beautiful, silver-haired lady I am privileged to call Momma has won the hearts of my four children, just as she has mine. Her house is loaded with anything and everything the mind of a child could desire. Nothing is too messy for her to allow! She is tidy, but doesn't let that slow her down from enjoying her family. At any time, you will find scraps of fun laying around proving that her guests are being treated like royalty. Her mind is sharp and keenly aware of the needs of those around her. She quickly responds with love and kindness to each child as if they were the only one! In her purse can be found a cure for anything, everything you need to entertain children, snacks on-the-go along with a port-a-potty! She was there when all four of my children were born......making sure that I was taken care of ;)

For the past 8 years, I have worn the badge of "Mother" and, other than receiving the Holy Ghost, I consider it the most fulfilling experience I've ever known. Although I seek to be better, I frequently and unfortunately pull out the old measuring tape and realize just how often I don't measure up to the high standards of love and patience I was raised by. We moved often growing up. My gracious momma never complained. She taught me lessons that not even the finest schools in our country could teach. Love is giving of yourself....Thankfulness will keep you from depression....A positive outlook and faith in God will bring you through anything....Prayer really does move mountains....A sincere smile and a kind word will brighten any one's day. I've decided that when I grow up I want to be just like my mom.

Over the past few days, my Granny Mary (my mom's mother) came for a visit. I saw those same traits in her....Amazing what we pass down. A little scary, too. Zooming into the future, I'm just wondering if......well, what will my children post about me? Will they remember those really frustrating moments I had with them? Or will they remember the picnics, stories and cookies we made? I hope my grandchildren will love me like mine love her. Will they carry the scars of hateful words spoken in haste? Ooh, parenting is such a refining of one's self! I am already seeing the reflection of my personality in my babies. Some that I'm really proud of....others that I'd rather not mention. More and more, I am realizing the need for grace.

The lights were dim tonight as we kissed each one of our four, tiny pairs of sweet, red lips. Saying a prayer and "night-night". Laying there watching him peek-a-boo between the railing of his crib with me. Softly, just before drifting off into la-la land, his sweet voice whispered his favorite two words and I knew what was on his mind....."Memaw's 'ouse." Yes, my precious baby, that's one of my favorite places, too.

Waffles and buttered windows....

The morning came before I was ready to get up. Laying beside my 2 year old Lincoln, snuggled deep in the quilted covers, I could hear some banging going on in the kitchen. Daddy was showering so I knew it had to be my favorite-little-boy-cook! Pretending to be asleep, I listened closely to hear the sound of Landon's homemade waffles being made from scratch. I lay there remembering all the mornings we had gone over the recipe as a "school math project" and I was quite impressed with how well he followed directions. I was pretty sure they would be soft and spongy this morning.

Sure enough, here he came with a smile the length of Texas and a plate, literally, dripping with pure maple syrup, fork and an extra large Belgian waffle. Bringing it to mommy! What a treat to receive this love-gift from my little 8 year old. I smiled and asked if I should eat this in bed? He said he'd rather me come to the table to eat. OK, that was fine with me! I took a quick bite on the way to the table and.......Ewww, it had a very heavy, unidentifiable taste! On the way to the table he casually mentioned that they didn't quite taste right this time. I inspected the kitchen (not as messy as I thought.....he really did remember to put the ingredients back after using them!) Back to the waffle, we discovered his hasty new ingredient...baking soda, instead of baking powder. "Oh, mom, we didn't have any eggs and I forgot to put flax seed in it. They seem a little heavy to me. How do you substitute eggs?" It was the LOVE that created the waffle that counted!!! :)

While in the kitchen preparing a new batch of waffles, I noticed my 2 year old, mischievous Luke sneaking the butter from the counter. Too busy to correct, I continued to finish my waffle mission. Soon after, I went looking for him (He always has a tendency to run and hide). Buttering the window pane and keeping a glance toward the kitchen to see if I was coming. Luke, in all his creativity, discovered that a stick of butter can also be used on a window pane like chalk on a sidewalk!

Thinking we may leave the butter paintings for daddy to see at lunch :) Life is sweet!!

The ebb and flow....

Have you ever been paralyzed by discouragement and fear? In life's kaleidoscope of emotions, how do we become immune from them? I find myself wanting to crawl into a cocoon and hide from the world when discouragement hits. Avoid it....forget it all.....run and hide is my mental motto! Only until recently have I truly discovered my "therapy".

My kiddies like to throw fits when they are upset! Especially one of my 2 yr old twins, Luke Solomon, the baby (by 2 minutes!). He throws himself on the floor, cries and then looks for something (or someone) to hit, bite or pinch! How childish!!! Until I am, personally, the one to experience disappointment or discouragement. Today was one of those times. I felt it sure as the world. Feeling the need to throw myself on the floor, cry and find someone to pinch! LOL While mentally carrying on this need for a tantrum, I was quickly reminded of what I told my older children to do during these times. As an adult our emotions do not change. We may mature, we may become more self-controlled in certain situations and we may not show any outward feelings....but inwardly we need to throw a fit! Get ready world, cause when I get alone I'm going to fume, vent, cry and maybe even scream of that injustice!!!

I stood by the old pine tree in our back yard, breathing in it's fresh, outdoorsy smell and remembering those words spoken to four little sets of listening ears: "When you become really frustrated and don't understand, don't have a temper tantrum to us. Turn that tantrum toward heaven and tell Jesus all about it! Let Him know how angry you are and all the injustices you are feeling. He knows and He cares. He will make you feel a whole lot better about it all." It hit me like a train.....suddenly, my heart began pouring out my frustrations to the Lord. I "spilled the beans" to Him! I felt like a little child climbing up on my heavenly Father's lap and crying on His shoulder. I stood there silently in prayer and fingered leaves from off the old twisted tree branch by our creek. Within a few minutes my heart felt like a load had been lifted off and thrown into that old creek. Wow!! My parental advice really worked.

Tomorrow is another day full of.....ebb and flow. Good and bad....happy and sad times. Fear, discouragement, sick babies, financial pressures...all those are a part of this wonderful thing called life. How we handle those times are up to us. I have found that only sweet communication with the Lord brings peace. That's why I'm posting this picture...it reminds me of the serenity His presence brings my life :)

Thankfulness is knowing you are loved by so many little people....

and showing your love in little, fun ways..... even when it gets messy! :)

My favorite attitude....Thankfulness

This month seems to be full of favorite things....Thankfulness is one of my favorite attitudes. All other really great attitudes seem to follow thankfulness: joy, love, kindness, etc. I've found that the more I show gratitude, it begins to rub off on my family! Here are a few things I'm especially thankful for:

An instant, on-call babysitter Nanny who's heartstrings are all entwined around my twins! A mother that lets me vent....anything....and still loves me. Little voices that say "mommy" full of love and sweetness. A husband that can truly be trusted in a population increasing in trashy women. A curly haired Bible quizzer that says she doesn't want to quiz...but loves to win! The grace and favor of God....who could want more?

Grace is the God-given ability to rise above or turn away from wrong, Mercy is the power of God to release and forgive us from wrong. Thankfulness is the result of knowing and understanding these things....