The Things Kids Say

Sometimes it's not such a good thing when your 6 year old spouts off with a culturally relevant comment that actually fits the situation.

Last night, I was listening to a new song by Marvin Winans Jr and dancing a little. Yes, I'm a Southern Baptist, and I admit to attempting to dance on occasion.

It's ok. Really.

Anyway, I was in the kitchen and had just given C his nightly dinner staple, a Grilled Cheese, when I decided to let loose a little. C's sitting at the bar, he looks up from his food and at me and proceeds to say, "Ummmm, AWK.WARD!!"

Yeah, it's those kind of things that do a Mama's heart good.

I might have told him to just close his eyes and eat his dinner. And to not ask for any dessert, because he was not getting any.

Yep, probably something like that.

A Winter Tale

Now that we're in the throes of a bitterly cold winter, we're dealing with an onset of nose bleeds among the males in the house. The two females are tougher and not prone to them. Hey, it's my story, and I'll tell it like it is.
Consequently, I saw the need to pull out the humidifier. The only problem is that it was tucked away in the laundry room, and I never could remember to pull it out. Yesterday, I had made a comment to C that I needed to get it up and running and put it back in his room. For quite awhile, the boys used it at nap and bedtime for white noise, and they couldn't sleep without it. I guess that must have been winter before last, because T had no memory of it.
Anyway, last night when we returned home from Church, C asked me again if I could get it out. By this time, it was way late and past his bedtime. I told him I'd get it out and see how bad of shape it was in and if I had a filter for it. Of course, it was extremely dusty, and I was all out of filters. I honestly didn't think I could even find the filters anymore. I told him to go on to sleep and that I'd try to fix it tomorrow. I, then, left it on the kitchen counter.
This morning, after taking M and C to school, T and I came home for him to get breakfast. He decided he needed to sit in his "hitachair", which I swear I'm going to toss in the garbage every week and somehow don't. I'm sure it has nothing at all to do with the fact that all 3 of my babies have used it, and that would mean no other babies will ever have need for it.
While sitting there, he said, "Cold, Mama, turn fire on." I thought he was referring to the fireplace and told him that since we were in the kitchen, turning the fireplace on wouldn't help him get warm. Admittedly, it was a great idea, since it was a balmy 5 degrees this morning, and I was still wearing my coat.
He repeats it again. And I, again, tell him that I'm not going to turn the fireplace on while we're in the kitchen, and that I'll do it later, when we're in the living room.
By this point, he's getting really frustrated with me. "No, Mama, the white one!"
This completely confuses me. Then I think that he's referring to the white oven, because I leave the oven door open after it's been on. So, I tell him no, I'm not going to turn the oven on either.
This is where he loses all patience with his Mama. He says in a very frustrated scream while pointing, "No, Mama, the WHITE one!"
Fortunately, I had turned around to face him and saw where he was pointing. I believe I saw the light bulb go on.
He was pointing to the humidiFIRE on the kitchen counter!! He had remembered me saying what it was called, but he couldn't remember what it did.

A Quick List to Start Off 2009

I've seen this list on a couple of different blogs and decided to give it a whirl. You know, because it's 6 days into 2009, and I've yet to post anything.
Enjoy!



Just boldface the items that you HAVE done, and leave the rest normal….



1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band or musical

4. Visited Hawaii(not yet)

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity(yes and no, depends on how you look at it)

7. Been to Disneyland/world

8. Climbed a mountain.

9. Held a praying mantis(don't know, but I see them all the time)

10. Sang a solo(you've got to be kidding me!)

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea(well, on a boat in the middle of the lake)

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch(only the art of scratching)

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked(are you kidding me? do you know my parents? i wouldn't be here today, if i had.)

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill(sad, but true)

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping(can't recall)

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29 Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33 Seen Niagara Falls in person(not yet)

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors(not yet)

35. Seen an Amish community(yes, and i was recently rescued by the Amish)

36. Taught yourself a new language(every time I step on legos)

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41 Sung karaoke(not in THIS lifetime)

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant

44. Visited Africa(not yet)

45 Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris(100 ans)

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60 Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies(no, going to Girl Scout camp when I was 8 or 9 cured me)

62. Gone whale watching(not yet)

63. Gotten flowers for no reason

64 Donated blood, platelets, or plasma(ummm, no! I pass out at the SIGHT of needles)

65. Gone sky diving(no thank you)

66 Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67 Bounced a check(another unfortunate incident)

68. Flown in a helicopter(would love to as long as it's not a medi-vac)

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy(Fred)

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar(not a fan)

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone(knocking on wood)

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79 Seen the Grand Canyon in person(not yet)

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem(not yet)

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House(but not the Oval Office ;) )

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating(hope i never have to)

88. Had chickenpox(and Zoyster)

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one(too many)

94. Had a baby (lol)

95. Seen the Alamo in person(at LEAST, 3 times)

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a lawsuit(currently there)

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

Oh, the irony!

We've been married 13 years, this past September, and in all those years, I've never thought ahead enough to get a "Christmas card" picture taken.
Until, this year.
In May, we went to Jamaica. Before we left,I surprised myself by remembering the people we saw at the beach, 7 years ago, with their Santa hats on taking Christmas card pictures in the sand.
Of course, I thought, this would be the perfect time to do that. So, in the last few minutes before our departure, I secured white shirts and khakis for all.
I was ever so proud of myself.
Because, truthfully, I almost always remember these kinds of things, AFTER the fact. Like when we're already in a 3rd world country without a Target or Wal-Mart within a 3 hour flight of us.
Upon arriving, we found out a free photography session was included. BINGO! We have the clothes, and now, we have the photographer.
Things were looking good, I tell you. My plans were falling perfectly into place.
I scheduled a shoot for our last day there; thinking that we'd all be toasty brown and relaxed, by then.
After experiencing rain EVERY afternoon we were there, I began praying that our shoot wouldn't be rained out. Because I had made the appointment for the absolute last minute.
In hindsight, not my brightest move.
However, the Lord answered my prayers and not a drop of rain fell that day.
Good thing, too, because our ONLY excursion? Yeah, that afternoon, as well!
Boy, was I gambling.
We had our shoot and took several pictures that would be perfect for our cards.
Now, fast forward to today. It's the middle of December, and our finances? Not good. Therefore, no Christmas cards this year!
UGHHHH!!
Why, this year?
The first year I'm PREPARED with a picture.
That, my friends, is IRONY at its best.
Do you think anyone will notice if we use the picture NEXT Christmas?



(The picture at the top is one of those pictures, but not the best one. ;))

It's My Birthday!

Today is my birthday.
I shan't say which one, but let's just say that I might re-use T's last birthday candle on my cake tonight. Because it's the number 3, and that's the most important part of my age!
Yes, 3 and not yet, 4!
It's been a good day, albeit somewhat low keyed. It started off very wintery looking, but the clouds are gone, for now, and the sun is, actually, shining on me while I type.
I took the boys to school. T had Speech this morning at his "old cool". Yes, he has an "old cool" and a "new cool". His "old cool" is where he goes for Speech, and it's in the back of C's. His "new cool" is where he goes for PAT, and it's at the school next door.
Anyway, I dropped him off and ran to town to pay a bill. I decided that since it was my birthday and all, I'd run through the Golden Arches drive thru and pick up a sausage biscuit. I inhaled it on the way back. But, in my haste, I failed to dispose of the "evidence".
Yes, I know, being the "experienced" Mother of 3, I should've known better.
Let me just say BIG MISTAKE!
Because T had no more got buckled in, when he spied it!
Let the wanting begin!
"Want somethin' else to eat! Donald's!"
(And that's what he says. Not "I'm hungry", but "Want somethin' else to eat"! I hear it all the live long day, because that kid can eat!)
Now mind you, he'd already had his breakfast, but that matters not to a 3 yr old who's staring at an enticing, but empty, bag.
I calmly told him he had already had breakfast, and I wasn't going back into town right then.
Well, hold your ears, because this kid has learned how to scream! And kick the back of Mama's seat!
"WANT SOMETHIN' ELSE TO EAT! DONALD'S! NO, GO HOME!"
Boy, was he NOT happy.
I continued driving and repeating in a calm manner, "No, not right now, maybe later!"
Not even a phone call to Daddy could calm the screaming banshee.
I finally told him that if he'd calm down and be good, we could go to Sonic after we picked Bubba and Sissy up from school.
But let's be real here for a second. That was really going to be a reward for Mommy and her ears for having to listen to him! Just don't tell him, ok?
Well, that was the trick.
Who knew that the cure for a Donald's craving was a promise of Sonic?
And guess what he said right before he fell asleep at naptime?
"After nap, get Bubba and Sissy and go to Sonic?"
That kid's got a memory to go along with those lungs!

A Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Post

Yesterday morning, our Pastor invited all of us to think past the typical Thanksgiving list of thanks and find other things we are thankful for. So, here's my list, not exhaustive, by any means, but I pray that it gets you thinking about ALL the things we have to be grateful for.

I'm THANKFUL for:

having my laptop back. Nine days is a LONG time. ;)

generous family members.

the sunshine shining through my window.

Facebook and the ability to contact and connect with old and new friends and family.

Blogs. Yes, I am grateful for laughter. It is good like medicine.

my children's laughter.

a 3 yo boy who, occasionally, manages to pee IN the potty and not around it nor on the toilet seat!

my Mom's oven to bake the Chocolate Chess pies in a few days.

Chocolate Chess pie.

Cheesecake.

The Cheesecake Factory. ;)

chocolate covered pretzels.

lower fuel prices.

unsolicited hugs and kisses from my Hubby and kids.

the "Ringer Off" setting on the phone.

peace and quiet during naptime.

clean clothes and sheets.

haircuts.

jobs, even the small ones.

the BIG sets of blueprints that I have no place to store. Because, hopefully, they'll mean BIG jobs come Spring.

meals I don't have to prepare.

someone else cleaning the kitchen up.

grass stains on the knees of a 6 yo little boy, because it means he is able to run around and fall down.

Shout and Oxi Clean spray.

Guardian Angels.

pictures to remind me of great times.

Speech Therapists.

wireless mice.

wireless phones.

wireless internet.

games of Scrabble with the one I love, even if he almost always beats me!

a dog's love.

music that speaks to my soul.

my Mom's library and borrowing rights.

a call from a friend just to say Hi and I'm thinking of you.

my nieces and nephew.


This is just a short, off the top of my head list. Obviously, I'm feeling hungry! ;)
I pray that everyone would have a Blessed Thanksgiving.

What We Must Do

As most of you know, the man I wanted to be our next President gave his concession speech last night, and I cried! My heart is deeply saddened. I'm most upset that God's children are so divided right now. It troubles me. As I'm sure it does our Lord.
Today, I'm still sad, but the verse that has come to my mind several times is

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord.
"As the heavens are higher than the
earth,
so are my ways higher than your
ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts..."
Isaiah 55:8-9

I know that my hope is not in man but in the Lord. I don't know why God has placed him in this position, but I know that HE did. It didn't surprise Him, and He did it for a reason.

And another verse that keeps coming to mind

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:28

Although, I know that my decision had nothing to do with race, I realize that people are going to be making it a big deal, one way or another. I have talked to my children about this and am confident that they know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that color played no part in my decision. I vote for a person's character, morals, and integrity, above all else.

I have peace that I did all I could by voting and trying to educate people about what I believe to be the real reasons one should vote for someone. The final outcome was in God's hands. And knowing that, brings me peace. He's still on His throne and this is all part of His plan.

So, join me in prayers for our Nation, because we're more divided now than ever before. Pray for revival. Pray for our President Elect and his family. Pray that he would seek God and His wisdom. And pray that the world could see a difference in Christians, and that they would desire it, too.

And because Beth Moore says it way better than I, here's a link to her post for today.

http://livingproofministries.blogspot.com/2008/11/united-house.html

It's a good read and what I needed to hear this morning.

Praying for our great country and our next President.