It has been a long day in our house. (See previous post from this morning.) The boys have lots of energy and are on school break, and by the way, it's raining. With two energetic boys, enough said.
Tonight at bedtime, Jude prayed this:
"Dear God, Thank you for our day. Help me to change my attitude. If You do that, I bet I will bring you lots of joy! Amen."
I think I may whisper this exact prayer for myself tonight.
Friday, March 28, 2008
So Far Out of My League
...with Calvin.
This morning Jude and Calvin got into a little spat. Jude wanted Cal to be quiet, and Cal wanted Jude to hush up and listen to him. To end the discussion, Calvin walked over to Jude and pinched him. Hard.
I took Calvin and put him on "the bench" (a pew from my Swedish Lutheran church where I grew up - how fitting a spot for correction!). When I came back to talk to him, things went like this.
Me: Calvin, what did you do wrong?
Cal: I pinched Jude. I pinched him hard.
Me: We don't pinch. The next time you are frustrated with Jude, you come get mommy and I will help you. No pinching!
Cal: But he was BOTHERING me! (Big sigh, like I just don't understand anything.)
Me: (taking Cal's hands in mine so we can look at them while I talk, and anticipating a teachable moment) God made our hands to help other people and to be gentle.
Cal: (exasperated, and pointing to his fingernails) But God gave me claws!
I am so far out of my league.
This morning Jude and Calvin got into a little spat. Jude wanted Cal to be quiet, and Cal wanted Jude to hush up and listen to him. To end the discussion, Calvin walked over to Jude and pinched him. Hard.
I took Calvin and put him on "the bench" (a pew from my Swedish Lutheran church where I grew up - how fitting a spot for correction!). When I came back to talk to him, things went like this.
Me: Calvin, what did you do wrong?
Cal: I pinched Jude. I pinched him hard.
Me: We don't pinch. The next time you are frustrated with Jude, you come get mommy and I will help you. No pinching!
Cal: But he was BOTHERING me! (Big sigh, like I just don't understand anything.)
Me: (taking Cal's hands in mine so we can look at them while I talk, and anticipating a teachable moment) God made our hands to help other people and to be gentle.
Cal: (exasperated, and pointing to his fingernails) But God gave me claws!
I am so far out of my league.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Dog Vs. Gum
Gum wins.
While we were out tonight, Marshall the wonder dog found a random stick of gum and decided to give it a try.
He now has a wad of chewed up gum stuck (and when I say stuck I really mean matted) in his chin whiskers. Yikes.
Off to get the scissors...
While we were out tonight, Marshall the wonder dog found a random stick of gum and decided to give it a try.
He now has a wad of chewed up gum stuck (and when I say stuck I really mean matted) in his chin whiskers. Yikes.
Off to get the scissors...
Friday, March 21, 2008
A Show of Respect
I wish that all Americans, regardless of their political affiliations or opinion on the Iraq War, would show just a fraction of the respect to our military that you see in this video.
It may just look like obsessive-compulsive patriotism, but it is a powerful and meaningful display of utmost regard. I hope more Americans find a way to express thankfulness to our military in their own civilian way.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQtPkl88In8&feature=related
It may just look like obsessive-compulsive patriotism, but it is a powerful and meaningful display of utmost regard. I hope more Americans find a way to express thankfulness to our military in their own civilian way.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQtPkl88In8&feature=related
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
My Next 35 Years
There is a great country song sung by Tim McGraw (who is nearly as attractive as Yul Brenner, but I digress...) called "My Next Thirty Years". Tim sings about all of the crazy things he did in the past, and ponders what the next thirty years might hold. It is late, and I am tired enough to be vulnerable and admit that in a few short hours I will be 35. Wow. 35. (I swear the number looks bigger each time I type it.) So I thought I would take a moment and make a list of what I have learned in 35 years and what I hope I can learn in the years to come.
What I Have Learned in 35 Years...
* I have learned that I really didn't know it all although I was certain I did. I spent so much time and energy trying to always be right that I forgot it is OK to be wrong or to be uncertain. There is beauty and excitement in the unknown. Facing uncertainty isn't half as scary as running from it can be.
* I have learned that it is a good thing there are two sets of brakes in the modified driver's ed car.
* I have learned that it is OK to say no.
* I have learned that God's plans are always way better than mine. If I'll get out of the way, He'll hit it out of the park every time.
* I have learned that I am a redhead trapped in a brunette's body.
* I have learned that a dagger tattoo can end up looking remarkably like a spatula tattoo after two pregnancies.
* I have learned that a heart really can grow bigger in an instant just like the Grinch's did.
* I have learned that relationships take work. The more work you pour into them, the more valuable they become. There is nothing like an authentic relationship.
* I have learned that I don't have to be in relationship with everybody. I am called to love everybody, but I am not called to be in relationship with everybody. (Whew.)
* I have learned how to speak German (not well and with lots of spit flying), tap dance, shear a sheep by hand, sew, knit, crochet, landscape, paint trim, breastfeed, draft a decent fantasy football team, and reconcile being a woman who wears a nose piercing while driving a Kia minivan. (That last one took some work.)
* I have learned that God is the only One who has what it takes to fill that empty, scared spot I sometimes feel deep in my heart.
* I have learned that life is a process. Once I stop waiting for the "big finish", it is actually a pretty fun ride.
In my next 35 years...
* I hope to accept that God sends sun and rain on the good and bad alike. That can be a tough one for me.
* I hope to learn that it is OK to say no.
* I hope to learn that it is OK for people not to like me if I am being my real self.
* I hope to run a marathon.
* I hope to learn braille, play the piano, teach boys how to match their clothes (even the older "boy"), sing publicly again, write a book, and have a year round tan and fabulous, chip-free nails.
* I hope to be comfortable enough to bust out and dance like the shadow in the iPod commercials when I feel like.
* I hope to fall even more in love with my sweet husband, and see my darling and precious little men come to know the Lord.
* I hope to bring saddle shoes back in style. (I just think they are the cutest shoe!)
* I hope to forgive myself completely.
* I hope to handle with honesty and grace whatever life may throw at me.
* I hope to become bold about sharing what really knowing Jesus has done in my heart and life.
* I hope to remember that life is a process. Once I stop waiting for the "big finish", I can actually relax and have a pretty fun ride.
Tonight my prayer is that the next 35 years are generous in wisdom, but gentle in circumstance. Not to much to ask for a birthday, is it?
What I Have Learned in 35 Years...
* I have learned that I really didn't know it all although I was certain I did. I spent so much time and energy trying to always be right that I forgot it is OK to be wrong or to be uncertain. There is beauty and excitement in the unknown. Facing uncertainty isn't half as scary as running from it can be.
* I have learned that it is a good thing there are two sets of brakes in the modified driver's ed car.
* I have learned that it is OK to say no.
* I have learned that God's plans are always way better than mine. If I'll get out of the way, He'll hit it out of the park every time.
* I have learned that I am a redhead trapped in a brunette's body.
* I have learned that a dagger tattoo can end up looking remarkably like a spatula tattoo after two pregnancies.
* I have learned that a heart really can grow bigger in an instant just like the Grinch's did.
* I have learned that relationships take work. The more work you pour into them, the more valuable they become. There is nothing like an authentic relationship.
* I have learned that I don't have to be in relationship with everybody. I am called to love everybody, but I am not called to be in relationship with everybody. (Whew.)
* I have learned how to speak German (not well and with lots of spit flying), tap dance, shear a sheep by hand, sew, knit, crochet, landscape, paint trim, breastfeed, draft a decent fantasy football team, and reconcile being a woman who wears a nose piercing while driving a Kia minivan. (That last one took some work.)
* I have learned that God is the only One who has what it takes to fill that empty, scared spot I sometimes feel deep in my heart.
* I have learned that life is a process. Once I stop waiting for the "big finish", it is actually a pretty fun ride.
In my next 35 years...
* I hope to accept that God sends sun and rain on the good and bad alike. That can be a tough one for me.
* I hope to learn that it is OK to say no.
* I hope to learn that it is OK for people not to like me if I am being my real self.
* I hope to run a marathon.
* I hope to learn braille, play the piano, teach boys how to match their clothes (even the older "boy"), sing publicly again, write a book, and have a year round tan and fabulous, chip-free nails.
* I hope to be comfortable enough to bust out and dance like the shadow in the iPod commercials when I feel like.
* I hope to fall even more in love with my sweet husband, and see my darling and precious little men come to know the Lord.
* I hope to bring saddle shoes back in style. (I just think they are the cutest shoe!)
* I hope to forgive myself completely.
* I hope to handle with honesty and grace whatever life may throw at me.
* I hope to become bold about sharing what really knowing Jesus has done in my heart and life.
* I hope to remember that life is a process. Once I stop waiting for the "big finish", I can actually relax and have a pretty fun ride.
Tonight my prayer is that the next 35 years are generous in wisdom, but gentle in circumstance. Not to much to ask for a birthday, is it?
Sunday, March 16, 2008
The Best Christmas Party Ever
A month or so ago, Jude and I began the adventure known as "reading a chapter book". I wasn't sure he was ready to keep up with a continuing story night after night, but I shouldn't have been worried.
I have waited for the chapter book phase for a long time. I am not sure why, but I couldn't wait to snuggle up with Jude and read a chapter of a good book and guess together what would happen next. But I wanted to start sort of simple. And I wanted to know the book wasn't going to get all freaky-deaky on us the further we read. So I chose an old favorite of mine, a true classic. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.
I don't know if you've read it, but it is a fabulous story about six tough as nails siblings who invade a church and end up playing the lead roles in the Christmas pageant. It is dear to my heart, not just because it is so funny and well written, but also because my father had a role in the play version, and in high school I got to play the part of Gladys, the youngest (and might I say toughest?) of the Herdman kids. I loved the book, and hoped Jude would too. I wasn't disappointed.
We finished the book last week, and to celebrate we had our own little "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" party, complete with the movie version and a Christmas themed cake. The boys helped decorate the cake (and sneak licks of the icing as evidenced by Cal Henry's nose!) and we cuddled up to watch the story we love unfold.
It was the best Christmas party ever.
Monday, March 10, 2008
One More Nugget
How is it that God can motivate thousands upon thousands of Israelites to gather their belongings and the spoils of Egypt, organize themselves into clans, and get moving to freedom in no time, and yet I can barely pack two lunches, two totebags, and dress two children and get them out the door in the morning????
Reason #374 why He is God and I am not.
Reason #374 why He is God and I am not.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
10 Nuggets from The Ten Commandments
So I have the flu. I always thought I bore up well under unfortunate circumstances, but I am taking this like a man. (You know - whining, sniffling, begging for service, and bed-ridden...) Apparently I am contagious, so Mark has relegated me to the bedroom. Any time I venture out he covers his face and shoos the boys away. Heartwarming.
In between the aches, pains, difficulty swallowing, and general malaise I decided to watch some more of the classic movie The 10 Commandments starring Charleton Heston. I am in a "watch the classics" kick, and I have really enjoyed this movie. Along the way I have gleaned a few nuggets of wisdom I thought I would share with you.
(Keep in mind, I'm feverish.)
1. You just really shouldn't speak against God. Pretty obvious, right? Every time Pharaoh mocked God, I shivered inside, but deep down I think we have all become a bit desensitized to blasphemy. It happens all the time these days. We live in an age where there are little or no consequences for our actions and certainly no assumed consequences for our words or deeds beyond this life. This movie is a great reminder that God will not be mocked, and He responds to empty words with a mighty hand.
2. One thing never changes throughout history - how much mothers love their children. I know, I know - it sounds hokey, but sometimes I get caught up in this arrogant idea that my generation has "arrived" when it comes to loving our children. But carpools, packed schedules, and antibacterial hand soap don't communicate love any more than tucking a sweet baby in a basket to save his life.
3. Yul Brenner is hot. Doesn't matter if you are watching The 10 Commandments or The King and I - that man is hot. H-O-T. Timelessly hot.
4. Women should really, really not manipulate their men. Although I can't find it in the Bible (maybe it's in The Message version), there is a subplot in The 10 Commandments where Nefertiti is in love with Moses, but ends up marrying Pharaoh (played by Yul - see #3) when Moses' true heritage is discovered. While she still pines away for Moses, she uses her words to play on Pharaoh's fear and insecurities, and he ends up making terrible decisions based on those emotions. I'm not saying that we as women don't have good ideas. I'm just saying we probably shouldn't manipulate our men into walking out those good ideas.
5. We so quickly forget what God has done for us. That's why we have to praise Him so often. You know how many days it took the Israelites to start griping after they crossed the Red Sea? Three days! Once my self-righteousness passes, I humbly realize that I have seen God do the nearly-as-miraculous in my life, and yet I still find myself griping about my circumstances sometimes. I think this is why we are told over and over in the Word to praise God and to tell of His wonderful deeds. We have a terrible memory when it comes to what God has done, but we can recall immediately what we want Him to do in our prayer time. Ouch.
6. After Moses' encounter with the burning bush, he comes back with some pretty disheveled hair. I think there is even a line about it in the movie. So from now on when my hair looks bad, please assume I have had a major spiritual experience and not just a bad hair day.
7. Until we really trust God, we will always want to go back to what was familiar instead of believing God will lead us to what is best. Even after God had delivered them from the cruel hand of Egypt, the Israelites cry out to go back to what was familiar instead of believing God's promise to lead them to a better land. Can I tell you - that was the story of my life a decade ago. Instead of trusting God to lead me, I clung to what was familiar, even though it wasn't satisfying. While it wasn't 40 years in the desert, my twenties were spent learning the same lesson the Israelites finally learned - we shouldn't settle for what is familiar when God is ready to give us what is best.
8. Contrary to what I formerly believed, overacting didn't originate with Jim Carrey.
9. We need to sacrifice what God asks for, not just what we are willing to give up. In the infamous "golden calf" incident, there is a scene where a man throws an unwilling woman onto the statue as a sacrifice. God wanted to be their God, and for them to be His people. A woman at the foot of a golden calf isn't what He desired. It's not even close. How often I am willing to sacrifice what I won't miss without giving much thought to what God actually desires from me!
10. When we are wrong we need to run, not walk to what is right. One of my favorite scenes is right after Moses comes down from the mountain to find the people worshipping the golden calf. He commands those who are with God to stand at his side. Even though Aaron's own hands helped create the golden calf, he immediately hikes up his robe and sprints to stand by Moses in regret and sorrow. I have spent a tremendous amount of time standing in my sin, justifying my choice when I should have hiked up my robe and run to God in sorrow and regret.
I learned more than these 10 things from watching The Ten Commandments, and even greater lessons from reading the story in the Bible. I would love to blog some more about it (did I mention how attractive I find Yul Brenner? I mean he's no Mark, but he's got something going on...), but there is a Halls and a nap calling my name. Hopefully when the fever breaks and the Lysol clears, I can finish the movie.
In between the aches, pains, difficulty swallowing, and general malaise I decided to watch some more of the classic movie The 10 Commandments starring Charleton Heston. I am in a "watch the classics" kick, and I have really enjoyed this movie. Along the way I have gleaned a few nuggets of wisdom I thought I would share with you.
(Keep in mind, I'm feverish.)
1. You just really shouldn't speak against God. Pretty obvious, right? Every time Pharaoh mocked God, I shivered inside, but deep down I think we have all become a bit desensitized to blasphemy. It happens all the time these days. We live in an age where there are little or no consequences for our actions and certainly no assumed consequences for our words or deeds beyond this life. This movie is a great reminder that God will not be mocked, and He responds to empty words with a mighty hand.
2. One thing never changes throughout history - how much mothers love their children. I know, I know - it sounds hokey, but sometimes I get caught up in this arrogant idea that my generation has "arrived" when it comes to loving our children. But carpools, packed schedules, and antibacterial hand soap don't communicate love any more than tucking a sweet baby in a basket to save his life.
3. Yul Brenner is hot. Doesn't matter if you are watching The 10 Commandments or The King and I - that man is hot. H-O-T. Timelessly hot.
4. Women should really, really not manipulate their men. Although I can't find it in the Bible (maybe it's in The Message version), there is a subplot in The 10 Commandments where Nefertiti is in love with Moses, but ends up marrying Pharaoh (played by Yul - see #3) when Moses' true heritage is discovered. While she still pines away for Moses, she uses her words to play on Pharaoh's fear and insecurities, and he ends up making terrible decisions based on those emotions. I'm not saying that we as women don't have good ideas. I'm just saying we probably shouldn't manipulate our men into walking out those good ideas.
5. We so quickly forget what God has done for us. That's why we have to praise Him so often. You know how many days it took the Israelites to start griping after they crossed the Red Sea? Three days! Once my self-righteousness passes, I humbly realize that I have seen God do the nearly-as-miraculous in my life, and yet I still find myself griping about my circumstances sometimes. I think this is why we are told over and over in the Word to praise God and to tell of His wonderful deeds. We have a terrible memory when it comes to what God has done, but we can recall immediately what we want Him to do in our prayer time. Ouch.
6. After Moses' encounter with the burning bush, he comes back with some pretty disheveled hair. I think there is even a line about it in the movie. So from now on when my hair looks bad, please assume I have had a major spiritual experience and not just a bad hair day.
7. Until we really trust God, we will always want to go back to what was familiar instead of believing God will lead us to what is best. Even after God had delivered them from the cruel hand of Egypt, the Israelites cry out to go back to what was familiar instead of believing God's promise to lead them to a better land. Can I tell you - that was the story of my life a decade ago. Instead of trusting God to lead me, I clung to what was familiar, even though it wasn't satisfying. While it wasn't 40 years in the desert, my twenties were spent learning the same lesson the Israelites finally learned - we shouldn't settle for what is familiar when God is ready to give us what is best.
8. Contrary to what I formerly believed, overacting didn't originate with Jim Carrey.
9. We need to sacrifice what God asks for, not just what we are willing to give up. In the infamous "golden calf" incident, there is a scene where a man throws an unwilling woman onto the statue as a sacrifice. God wanted to be their God, and for them to be His people. A woman at the foot of a golden calf isn't what He desired. It's not even close. How often I am willing to sacrifice what I won't miss without giving much thought to what God actually desires from me!
10. When we are wrong we need to run, not walk to what is right. One of my favorite scenes is right after Moses comes down from the mountain to find the people worshipping the golden calf. He commands those who are with God to stand at his side. Even though Aaron's own hands helped create the golden calf, he immediately hikes up his robe and sprints to stand by Moses in regret and sorrow. I have spent a tremendous amount of time standing in my sin, justifying my choice when I should have hiked up my robe and run to God in sorrow and regret.
I learned more than these 10 things from watching The Ten Commandments, and even greater lessons from reading the story in the Bible. I would love to blog some more about it (did I mention how attractive I find Yul Brenner? I mean he's no Mark, but he's got something going on...), but there is a Halls and a nap calling my name. Hopefully when the fever breaks and the Lysol clears, I can finish the movie.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Extreme Makeover: Blog Edition
I was inspired. My sweet friend Aly's blog is waaaaay cool, and so I have spent an obscene amount of time trying to figure out how to spice mine up a bit. Remember, I am the chick who can't always get the spellcheck to work. But somehow, I think I did it.
There is nothing like a little makeover to perk things up!
Now if I could only figure out how to post a link to Aly's cool blog...
There is nothing like a little makeover to perk things up!
Now if I could only figure out how to post a link to Aly's cool blog...
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Oh. My. Gosh.
So this morning as we were all trying to get ready for the day, Calvin decided to play drummer. He took two wooden spoons from the kitchen drawer and began playing his invisible drums. (It was kinda impressive - boy's got rhythm!)
Then the "drumsticks" became a microphone. He said, "Mama, listen to my rock song I wrote!"
Well, alright.
He begins singing/screaming (in his Shrek underpants, of course) a lovely little ditty that goes something like this:
"MOMMY AND DADDY LOVE TO FIGHT IN THEIR UNDERWEAR!!!"
I almost fell out of my chair in horror.
Mark and I don't really love to fight, and we certainly don't love to fight in our underwear (but I bet it would end any "discussion" much quicker...). I can honestly say I have NO idea where he got these lyrics.
And then I remembered - today is a preschool day. And Cal may decide to go to preschool as a rock star.
OH. MY. GOSH.
I'm horrified.
Then the "drumsticks" became a microphone. He said, "Mama, listen to my rock song I wrote!"
Well, alright.
He begins singing/screaming (in his Shrek underpants, of course) a lovely little ditty that goes something like this:
"MOMMY AND DADDY LOVE TO FIGHT IN THEIR UNDERWEAR!!!"
I almost fell out of my chair in horror.
Mark and I don't really love to fight, and we certainly don't love to fight in our underwear (but I bet it would end any "discussion" much quicker...). I can honestly say I have NO idea where he got these lyrics.
And then I remembered - today is a preschool day. And Cal may decide to go to preschool as a rock star.
OH. MY. GOSH.
I'm horrified.
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