Things That Are Little Can Actually Be BIG

Today Juliana's class put on a little performance for parents. It was nice...they sang a couple songs, did a little play, gave parents some gifts.

Tracking back a little bit, when I got to the school I was amazed because there was NO parking. Every space was full and cars were lining the streets and I figured something else had to be going on. Turned out it was 5th grade graduation and picnic. Ugh, I didn't want to get to her room late. I was going to have to park down the block and hike to the office to sign in and then get to her room before this thing started. Chris got there right after me and actually got a closer parking space...grrr. We walked in together and as we got to her hall, her class was standing in line outside the room. I think I heard a classmate tell her that her mom and dad were there...and I'm pretty sure I saw a sigh of relief on her face when she saw us for herself. Oh...the stress of wondering where mom and dad are as the performance is getting ready to begin...it can just be too much for a child.

Today was early out at school, so the children had the option of leaving with their parents. Juliana said she signed up for lunch and was going to stay, but then changed her mind. So we all went to Burger King (minus Ryan--which Juliana thought was kind of special). After BK I took the girls to target. I bought Juliana a pen that writes, stamps and blows bubbles and a Camp Rock notepad. We picked out insect capsules for Ryan. As we were riding to pick up Ryan, Juliana wrote in her notepad, "Dear Diary, Today was a great day with mom!" Such little things that made a special day for a little girl...it's like it erases all the tough days.

By the end of this week both kids will be home for summer break. Hopefully the balance of our summer will tip the scale toward more special days.

Today after church we went to the home of a couple in our church. Oh my...the nicest house I've ever been in. I can't even believe I went there with my children. As we were let past the entry to the gated community, I looked around and the "threats" to my children were heaped on even more than normal: do not run in the house, do not yell, do not jump on the furniture, do not sit on the furniture with your knees, eat whatever they serve us, do not belch, do not fight with each other, do not touch each other, don't say you don't like something, smile, be polite, say "thank you". Sheesh. Honestly, it was REALLY pleasant...the kids behavior was great and little correction was required. The added bonus was there was a lovely pool surrounded by the most beautiful desert I've seen in arizona yet (and just so you know I think the mountain in my backyard is pretty nice). I realize the pool helped. If we would have had to sit and "visit" in the home for that length of time, the kids would have been bored sooner, but we all swam and Chloe floated in her baby tube. Fun, fun...good food too.

I'm Losin' It

The other day I decided to start the Weight Watchers diet (at home). I've done it twice before, never enrolling in a program...I just used info I received online and from relatives who were part of the program and attending meetings. Anyway, both times before it was successful for the purposes I needed it...to drop 10 pounds quick.

Anyway, I still haven't lost all my weight from being preggers with Chloe. I was down to only needing to lose about 6 pounds, but then I had my muscle injuries last May which depleted my ability to work out for a while. After moving to Arizona, I've been enjoying all the lovely restaurants around and not paying attention! SO...here's my deal. My "realistic" goal is to lose 14 pounds. My dream goal is to lose 24 pounds. I'll let you know when I get there.

Now I'm going to go eat lunch at Paradise Bakery! And I'm going to watch my points! I'm sad I won't eat the cookie, because it is 7 points. :) I will give it to Chloe.

Monday’s Commentary: How are you shaping?

If you are a woman, quite possibly you have looked into the mirror and thought, “I think I’m turning into my mother”. Or, maybe you’ve heard yourself say something to your children and thought, “That sounded just like my mother!” The truth is, we all pick up traits from our mothers and fathers that we carry with us into our own adulthood.

Yesterday was Mother’s Day, and Chris’s message focused on the mother’s very critical and important job, to shape the heart of a child. I don’t even think our qualifications for such a task were checked before we were given this portfolio!

The point that stood out to me was, “A child becomes a mirror of your spiritual heart.” Yikes. How am I doing when it comes to shaping the hearts of the three children God entrusted to me? Am I passing on a desire to pursue Jesus? Do I show them how to search out God to find His plan for their life, or do I display an independent nature that says I will do what interests me? Am I modeling how to be generous with money, time and gifts?

Whether I like it or not, I will reproduce myself in my children…the good, the bad and the ugly. And sometimes the ugly is really ugly. Your children (and mine) are smart. They know what you are passionate about. They know how much you care about your looks, your possessions, and your status. They know if you love your hobbies and entertainment. They know if you are passionate about knowing Jesus and making him known.

If you are not a mother, you are not off the hook! Actually, if we are Christ-followers, we are commanded to also be disciple-makers. If you are discipling someone, you are a spiritual parent to them.

So, what will it look like when your finished shaping?

Monday Commentary: You Wanna Know a Secret?

I'm not sure about you, but I love secrets. (I don't like it when people are keeping secrets from me)...but if I can be in on one, oh yeah, that's the stuff. I think as a child it was fun when a friend would tell me a secret and then I'd tell everyone about it...just so that THEY would know that I knew. However, after that it wasn't a secret anymore, and of course the major byproduct was the loss of trust from a friend. Now that I am an adult, I understand and value trust better. When someone shares something personal with me, as a "secret", I see it more as a gift and honor that they trusted me enough with something so valuable.

After marrying Chris, we became each other's "secret keepers". It's nice to share a secret between just us. I think three favorite secrets that we have shared together were each time I was pregnant with one of our children. We loved to keep the secret between us for as long as possible. It was always fun to know that we were the only ones who "knew". There is something special about having a person you are close to and can confide in.

Yesterday in our new series, Where the Water is Deep, I learned that God has secrets too...but not the kind of secret that he wants to keep from me. God wants me to be "in" on his secrets. (Yay!) As we become dissatisfied with just getting our toes wet, and we jump into the deep water with God, it is there he shares his secrets. In Psalm 25:14 it says, "The secret of the Lord is for those who fear him, and He will make them know His covenant." The Message Bible says it this way, "God-friendship is for God-worshipers; they are the ones He confides in."

I would never expect a stranger or mere acquaintance to share their inmost secrets with me. (Unless they were lying on a couch and paying me an hourly fee.) Secrets are between close friends, and I see now that if I want God to whisper his secrets in my ear, then I must have friendship with Him. I hope you want to be his friend too...He has lots to talk to you about.

Puke and Snakes

As I parked the car in the lot at church this morning, the girl in the back seat (my daughter's friend, Anna) said, "I'm nauseous. I think I'm going to throw up". So I replied, "Well, get out of my car!" So she did, she tried to feel better, but I think she just didn't want me to take her home. 8 minutes later she was puking on the patio of the church! So we found a pail and off I went to take her home!

We saw a snake today. The boys in the "hood" came running down the cul-de-sac announcing the snake. It wasn't a rattler...so we just let it go. Don't know what it was, it just looked like a normal snake.

Carnival and Jokes

Last night our family enjoyed a great time together at Juliana's school Carnival. This event was HUGE. Rock climbing wall, 10+ inflatables, and lots of games that our kids really didn't play. They were too interested in the inflatables.

There was easily 1500 people who attended this event. 1 child wore a face mask...due to the Swine Flu scare I'm presuming.

Our kids have picked up on a new joke that they enjoy telling me everyday.

Juliana: What is your name?
Me: Mommy
Juliana: What color is the sky
Me: Blue
Juliana: What is the opposite of down?
Me: Up
Juliana: Mommy Blew Up! (hahahaha...lots of laughter)

Next:
Ryan: What is your name?
Me: Mommy
Ryan: What's this (pointing to nose)
Me: Nose
Ryan: What's in my hand (holds together empty hands)
Me: Nothing
Ryan: Mommy knows nothing! (hahaha...more laughter!)