Thursday, February 25, 2010

Themes

I've been noticing many themes running through my life lately.  One of which I mentioned the other day life's tiny miracles.  Just incase I was about to forget to notice the miracles this song was in the Olympic opening ceremonies and I can't forget, I am clinging to these miraculous blessings each and every day. 



I've loved Sarah McLachain since college and as her music has shifted and changed over the years it has in ways paralleled many changes in my own life.  She is someone I'd love to have a few good conversations with over coffee.
Love the Olympics, the energy, the camaraderie, the inspiration, the cheering for our country, and so much more…including extra snuggles.
During the opening ceremonies (wide awake boy and tired mommy)

Mens figure skating with Granny

Speed skating and ski jumping with Grampy

Daddy is the most comfy seat in the house!


Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Forgiven

Growing up I was always very confused about lent.  Ok, so we give something up for lent.  Candy? Mouthing off to our parents? Meat on Fridays?  Lying? Yelling?  Alcohol? So what? Then six weeks later we just go back to living the same life we were living before.  It never made any sense to me whatsoever.  I gave up giving up for Lent in all of my adult life.

Today I read How a Lent that Fails Actually Succeeds at Holy Experience and now I understand.  How this preparation time proves that we cannot do it at all, for any length of time on our own. 

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 8-10 NIV


Forgiven by Sanctus Real

Well the past is playing with my head
And failure knocks me down again
I am reminded of the wrong that I have said and done
And that devil just won’t let me forget

In this life I know what I’ve been
But here in Your arms I know what I am
I’m forgiven I’m forgiven
I don’t have to carry the weight of who
I’ve been ’cause I’m forgiven

And my mistakes are running through my mind
And I relive my days in the middle of the night
And I struggle with my pain
And wrestle with my pride
Sometimes I feel alone and I cry

When I don’t fit in and I don’t feel like I belong anywhere
When I don’t measure up to much in this life
Oh, I’m a treasure in the arms of Christ ‘Cause ….

In this life I know what I’ve been
But here in Your arms I know what I am
I’m forgiven I’m forgiven
I don’t have to carry the weight of who
I’ve been ’cause I’m forgiven


Five year old wisdom

Stated through frustrating tears, "I don't want ever be a grown up, I want to be a kid forever because we get to play with toys." 

Bossily to his baby sis, "No. The fireman's name is not Julia ooooorr Julianna.  His name is Jake-Anakin-bododo."

Sweetly to me, "Mommy I love you, your hug makes me forget my bad dream."

I love you my sweet, sweet five year old.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Life is a Highway

Groggily we drove my husband to the airport at 5:20 this morning; it was my second early morning airport run of the week. My parents spent last week visiting and left early Sunday. Not only are we all still going through Granny and Grampy withdrawals, now Daddy is off until Thursday or Friday.

After spending a good chunk of time at the library we headed to Wal-Mart for some retail therapy. Half way through the parking lot with a chilling wind at our faces my son suddenly blurts out, "Save money. Live better. Wal-Mart."

Ah, yeah. Perhaps the TV is on a bit more than normal this week due to the Olympics. However, I can't recall seeing a Wally world commercial myself and putting this thought aside there is the fact that we mostly tape it and fast forward through the commercials, I have no excuses.

After finding the few essentials on my list we pause for a look at the fabric isle because when my husband is gone I cannot stop eating chocolate or biting my nails.  Ok, so you might not think a cute little hawaiian print bathing suit is an essential. How about one with Lego batman guys? No more necessary?  Ah, well as my son said, "After winter is done, we can buy a pool and use them right?"

Anyway, back to the fabric aisle. My five year old meets a boy taller than him and seemingly the same age. Immediately they become superhero enemies complete with pseudo kicks and many details of their powers. Next they are both 'good guys' milling about the metal cabinets.

All the while his mom and I peruse through the fabrics giving the boys a few knowing glances as they stray too far pushing our boundaries. Sharing encouraging nods and words with each other about how boys might as well be aliens because they are, at times, beyond the realms of a Moms understanding.

I find a cute little print and one to coordinate with it and I debate. Not really debate, more of a millisecond pause before I continue my purchase.  I'll find something to do with it and my husband won’t notice the extra yard and a half of fabric surely it will fit in the two bins of fabric I already own right? I've got the sewing machine out and ready to go so I am motivated.

While we meander through the rest of the store I think about my husband who is in my favorite American city, well ok, he is sitting in JFK airport waiting for his connecting flight, but still he's there. In my town, I'm a bit envious until I am awoken by my daughter standing up in the cart almost tipping over the side. Sternly and quietly I tell her to remain seated and sheepishly she smiles at me. I'm suddenly grateful that we are not with my husband awaiting our third flight of the day even if he is headed to Boston, only to be there for the shortest of times before heading back to us, the long way.

On our drive home I contemplate how much freer life will be when he arrives back home with our new to us car. We've been living the single car lifestyle for just shy of a year and a half. I'm not used to having a car around to just pick up and go unless I've dropped him at work. Suddenly it occurs to me, yesterday was the last time I'll have to drive him and pick him up.


A level of spontaneity will return that has been lost for awhile. Not that it was all bad having just the one vehicle. We got to spend a bit of time together in the mornings and evenings talking, singing even sleeping. We were all together.  Now we’ll make up that time together at home and I won’t get to blame a late dinner on traffic anymore.  Maybe I’ll even use that extra 45 minutes to finish all my sewing projects *GRIN* instead of driving.


Saturday, February 13, 2010

Earthquakes

A local learning center that we love has an event every second Saturday of the month and the kids and I usually try to go after dropping Adam at work.  They always have a theme and this month's was earthquakes

I've talked to my son a bit about what happened just over a month ago and we've prayed for the people in Haiti quite often but some of these hands on learning activities really gave me a much deeper understanding of what happens in the earth. 


First experiment.  Seeing how the damp ground changes when shaken.  Our building began to fall after my son shook the earth.  It was a very clear illustration of how easy it was for buildings to fall due to eathquake liquefaction.

There were many other fun demonstrations but the favorite was one that made a tsunami.

We made a sea shore and placed a people to see where they would stay safe. 

Creating a wave with the plastic lid we watched the erosion.  They stayed safe for only so long until...

...they went for a swim. 

Very effective learning for all of us and a ton of fun.  The most fun is always the hike afterward and today was no exception.  I always wish for my real camera (not my phone) when we are here but never think to bring it, or bring it but never on the hike because it's big and clunky.  So pardon the picture quality...



One hour of excited energy burned off!  Granny and Grampy are arriving soon! One of us will be going to the airport at midnight to get them :) Kids are beside themselves excited, me too. :)

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

A Brain Glitch

If you ever say to yourself after filing your taxes, "Oh I'm not going to print it out this year because it's always here on the computer if I need it." Do NOT listen to yourself, do it anyway. Print it and put it in the box with all the others, k?

This will save you (and your loving spouse) hours of time on hold with the IRS and waiting for them to fax it to you in the event that your trusty computer decides it has had enough of this life and goes to a better place…

Monday, February 08, 2010

Tiny Miracles

Do you ever look back over your day to find them there? Maybe your week, as mine, seemed unending. Perhaps you, like me, were overwhelmed by some of life's craziness. Yet, remembering these moments of desperation, still I find those miracles snuggled in the inbetween that kept me going.

All the big life stuff can be going haywire but under close examination the seemingly small stuff is a nicely sewn seam connecting moment to moment, day to day and our lives together.

The only catch, I have to remember to look, lest these miraculous moments be whisked away from my memory, leaving only the stress and none of the beauty the day held. The treasures lie in these small daily miracles. I hope you see them too.

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Feeling the love

This morning Beth from Her Majesty's Throne showered me with a little bit of bloggy love by giving me this award!  Thanks! :-)

 Now, I'm supposed to:


1) Put the logo within my blog or on my post
2) Pass the award onto 12 fellow bloggers
3) Link the nominees within my post
4) Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog
5) Share the love and link to the person whom you received this award from.
***** 
My picks have a few similar themes tonight and you all inspire and enourage me!  Thanks!

Crunchy Christian Mom @ A Homegrown Life
Blackeyedsue @ For Better or For Worse
Tulip Girl @ Tulip Girl

Many Hugs!

Monday, February 01, 2010

To the person who came to my blog from typing "Huge Prego Belly" into google.  I thank you for the chuckle.