God according to Thad

Here was today's revelation:

(...random discussion of David and Goliath...)

Thad: Yeah Hudson, because God is...He's just everything! He can make a lamp to His feet. Dude, He can make His feet LAMPS!!!

Now that's one powerful God my friends!

Can a girl get a break?

Taking the ok from my friend Christy and I'm gonna complain a minute about food...

You know those super convenient bagged salads? The ones you just dump out and, provided the date on the bag is accurate, you have a lovely salad in, oh say, 15 seconds? Well, I love them. Really love them. Eat-them-several-times-a-week love them. I've been trying to avoid eating the typical "toddler lunch" at my house and have been throwing all kinds of yummy things into those super handy, super convenient, super tasty (can ya tell I think they're SUPER) salads into a bowl and having at it.

To make them even more super, I've discovered they come in flavors. You heard me. Flavors. With all of the really cool add ins right in the bag! Feta cheese, sesame seeds, soy nuts, crasins, low fat dressing - your mouth watering yet?! Couple that with the fun little sales at Harris Teeter and you've got your self a SAHM's dream lunch!

With one big "but..."

They give me mouth ulcers. Big, yucky, long-lasting mouth ulcers. Hard to brush your teeth or eat anything acidic mouth ulcers. I discovered this years ago in high school when those really nifty little bags first came out but had completely forgotten until my mouth randomly exploded with ulcers 2 days ago.

Sad. Really sad I tell you. What's a girl to do?

Quick as a wink

I've been hesitant to post this due to the fear of hate mail, but I need to share my excitement:

Hudson is potty trained!

Just like that. All on his own. My sweet little 2 year old. He has done it! No more diapers, no pull ups, (not even the swell diaper covers sweet Holly let me borrow!) just ole fashioned undies for him.

This should do wonders for the grocery envelope!

The clothing envelope is another story...clothes don't fit quite the same without diapers and one pieces aren't very potty friendly. Never fear, the clothing exchanges and our MB outlet trip are just around the corner!

For now, the sweet bliss of diaper free living - at least for a while :)

Confessions of a sleepy mom

It's no secret that I am a lover of sleep. It's almost funny that the Lord has blessed me with a child who appears to need none. I posted before (click here) about our clock rituals for Thad, which have been a saving grace for me. As of late, I can't seem to shake the grumps at 7AM. Last night, I had an idea...

Thad loves the feeling of independence. Being the boss. Running the show. Ok, you get the picture. He also has a pretty predictable morning routine. I decided to use that to my advantage. I set up the proposition as I was tucking him in last night.

Hey Thad, wanna try a really cool big boy thing when you wake up in the morning?!

Sure Mom!

Ok, here's the deal. I'm gonna make your chocolate milk and brother's juice and put it in the fridge tonight. Before I go to bed, I'll set the TV to ___________ (an unnamed, appropriate kids channel). When you wake up, you and brother can camp out in the den and let Mom get a little more rest. It'll help me be sweeter in the morning for sure! Whatcha think?

Ok Mom. Sounds good!

With only a small interruption from Hudson, all went as planned! They quietly hung out and let Mommy rest - beautiful! I indeed woke more cheery and feeling more refreshed. This may become a Saturday morning ritual.

Potty training woes

Upon our return from our recent missions trip, our little one made the first move towards using the potty. He has been interested for a while, but I have been dragging my feet. It is just easier to go out in public with him in a diaper. Not cost effective, but easier.

No more. "Tee tee potty Mommy" is the new mantra at our house.

That's cool. I'm game. We tackled that task rather quickly and painlessly with kid #1, so I'm ready, right?

WRONG!!!

Thad was an equal opportunity accident haver. Anytime, any place, any attire. If he was gonna wet, he wet. We just set a timer for every 15 minutes (crazy, I know) and carted him off to the throne. Most accidents were cleared up within a week.

My sweet, precious dimpled Hudson is totally different. His little brain has quickly registered the bathroom signals and he relays the message to us, usually in time. With one large exception...if he has on any type of clothing, all bets are off. Diaper, undies, and training pants alike have all fallen victim to this exception.

The result? A stark naked baby. He is parading around the house and yard (back yard, of course) sans clothes and loving every minute of it!

Perhaps this is just a ploy to be naked...hmm...is he playing me? Am I being duped? Has my two year old constructed a masterful plan and succeeded?! AHH!!!

I digress...

We are praying potty training comes quickly, but in the mean time, don't stop by unless you are prepared to see our precious Streaker!

Leaving on a jet plane

As you may know, we are heading to Brazil on mission. Pray for Pa and me. Pray for our team. Pray that the Lord will go ahead of us and soften hearts for the Word.

Visit Pa's blog for updates over the coming days.

Ciao!

First things first

Don'tcha love it when God uses your kids to teach you a lesson? I mean to smack you right in the face with truth - that kind that makes you feel rotten and useless and undeserving of God's love.

Don't worry, this is not a pity party.  But it is a conglomeration of weeks worth of putting the pieces together, so bear with me! There is a pretty picture in the end.

(The great thing is that in His love and mercy, we aren't left to wallow in the mud. Nope He lifts us out, helps clean us off, and offers the opportunity for us to try again.  And again.  And again.)

There has been much spiritual talk around our house lately. I mean, we talk about God a lot, but some pretty deep thinking and mulling over has been going on. Pa is praying hard about his ministry to the youth and the church as a whole - what God's purpose is for him here. I've been praying hard about my role in his ministry - am I only supposed to be a mother during this season or has God carved out something more for me? We've been brainstorming, sharing ideas, dreaming of the "perfect" ways to reach out and touch the church for Christ; it's been pretty cool.  I have been doing some reading (I know, ME?! Reading and writing!  God MUST be moving in my life!)  and have gotten some great ideas about girls' ministry, moms' ministry, and ministry to parents of youth.   I have allowed myself to stay up at night and run through plans in my head.  I toss things out at Jason going 100 MPH just to try to process it all.  

But, it has been just that. Talk. Lots and lots of talk. No feet to the thoughts.

And it's driving me nuts.  You see, I'm a doer. Well, delegator really - I like to tell other people what to do and watch them do it.  Anyway, I like to see things DONE not just talked about.  

As of late, we have been in a period of waiting.  

Waiting for the green lights.  

Waiting for affirmation.  

Waiting.  

Waiting.  

Waiting.

So what's the hold up?  "I am so eager Lord.  I'm ready to do this thing.  Let's get on with it!"  

In true God-fashion, He answers me with a smack in the face. (He knows I'm stubborn too, so He leaves no room for questions or interpretations.  Just shy of writing it in the clouds...) And what better way to do that than with my beautiful children, right?

My boys are driving me nuts!  There are fighting one minute, laughing the next, and screaming at me moments later.  They have a very distinct love-hate relationship with each other (and me for that matter).  Thad is proving to be particularly testy, challenging everything from dinner plans to the underwear I've grabbed out of the basket.  No answer is simple.  No obedience is immediate or comes without a tussle.    I find myself yelling and speaking harshly.  Grumbling under my breath.  Arguing with a 4 year old!  I am indeed weary and heavy laden.  I am grumpy and complaining and have little time for positive interaction with my boys. Most of my time is eaten up with correction and redirection.  I'm plumb exhausted.

Now, what does this have to do with anything about ministry?

In my hurry to get something good going at church, I have let something better slip by at home.  I've been to the Word and other resources on behalf of my "public" ministry, but have totally neglected the most important - the ministry in my own house.  

The hold-up has been me.  I have been in God's way.  My self-sufficiency in parenting has all but blown up in my face.  My reliance on self has meant that God had to slow down my plans to get me back on track.  Praise Him for desiring to do so!

He's gotten my attention and is realigning my priorities.  Though I still have big dreams for the girls at our church and hopes of living them out soon, I am working on nurturing my own kids first.  I am studying a book called Equipped to Love by Norm Wakefield (WARNING: do not read it unless you are prepared to be radically changed) and praying that God will allow the truths from that book, (truths from God's Word pulled apart by the author of the book) to penetrate and change my heart.  

Will you join me in praying for a changed heart?  That the Lord will teach me to love my family with His love and not that of the world?  That I will stop looking for what I can get out of my loved ones and begin searching for what I can give?  That I will not seek fulfillment from anywhere other than my Creator?