Gotta Chuckle...

So, my little Brynn... The youngest of the family... The one my 17 year-old son predicts will be a Navy Seal because she's the toughest one of them all... Just won a Family SURVIVOR Contest at the County Fair!

And her big brother, Jack? He won a Hawaiian lei for being the only one who knew how to Hula dance. I have no idea where he learned how to do that.

Still laughing...

"Proud" Doesn't Even Come Close...

My daughter just graduated from Army Basic Training at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO.

My son just passed all of his tests and is officially enlisted in the Air Force.

"PROUD" is a word that doesn't even come close to the emotion that is flooding my heart.

Good Day, Picasso!

I need you to close your eyes for a moment. Close your eyes and picture this...

• rainbow striped tights
• purple corduroy skirt with embroidered flower
• pink and green cotton shirt covered with little strawberries
• salmon and turquoise striped sweater
• old tennis shoes

Add these altogether, and put them all on an adorable, little six year-old girl.

Now, had this been my first child, I would never have let her go to school dressed like that. She was, after all, a reflection of my abilities as a mother! What would this say to her teacher? What would people think? They might think she was a poor orphan in the morning with nobody to take care of her! (I know... It's a stretch, but what if?)

This little girl happens to be my fourth child. I have actually acquired some bits of wisdom through the years, thankfully!

My reaction to this colorful concoction?

1. Take her picture before she heads out the door for school.

2. Say with a huge smile on my face, "Have a great day.... Picasso!"

Honestly, she looked like a walking Picasso painting!

Starting Over

Jack: You put your calendar on January?
Brynn: Yeah, I know. I'm starting over. I didn't want to wait so long, so I just put it on January.

Maybe she's onto something... I think I'll put mine BACK to January. I need more time!! :)

Dinner Serenade

So, in the middle of dinner, I belted out, "I am, I said," along with Neil Diamond. I really gave it gusto... Used motions and all.

My kids didn't even flinch.

They just kept on eating and talking.

They didn't even acknowledge that it was a bit awkward.

That's kind of funny.

(I guess they're used to their mom making a fool of herself... That's a good thing.)

Achoo!

Jack just informed me that he fit everything into his backpack, except for the sneeze box. I am doubtful that I'll ever be able to call it a box of Kleenex, again.

Jack.

Jack just put his toy handcuffs on.

Jack just remembered the key is in Grandma's car.

Jack is crying.

...Jack is free!

"Thank you, Mom!!"

(I'll take off my super-hero cape now.)

Actually, my niece, Jami, said, "You never take it off when you become a mom, it just gets really worn out."

I think she's right.

Wings

There are two lasting bequests we can give our children.

One is roots.

The other is wings.

~Hodding Carter, Jr.

My little girl flew into her new life of college and the Army Reserves. Soar, my child, the world is waiting for you.

The Rooster

My seven year-old son seems to think that suddenly, after all of these years of being my son, living in my house, obeying my rules, he now rules the roost.

I am plucking his feathers.

It's That Time of Year...

It's that time of year again... Time for the school Christmas concerts and programs. (I refuse to refer to them as Winter Concerts. Christmas is alive and well, and I'm not giving in to the political correctness of shunning my Savior!)

So, as the concert week began, I suddenly paused long enough to realize that I have not one, not two, or even three, but FOUR concerts this year. What's that? Did I hear a gasp? Those of you who have sat through screeching clarinets and violins will sympathize. Before you put me on the ballot for worst mom of the year for even thinking this way, please hear me out.

As I was envisioning four concerts squeezed into a busy work week, something suddenly dawned on me. Kings and Queens would hire musicians and court jesters to entertain them. Hmmm.... Think about it. I have three evenings and one afternoon of musicians, along with some court jesters thrown in, especially in the Kindergarten and first grade musical troupes, whom have spent hours and hours preparing their concerts for the Court.

I am honored,

for I am the

Queen

in this scenario.

Thank you, my dear musicians. Your entertainment blesses my soul, and helps us all to take a moment to sit back, to breathe, and to relish the joyful noise that is played and sung for the Savior's birth.

One more thing...

Long live the Queen!

Proof

Proof that we are not quite ready for winter...

I caught my 5 year-old putting the leaves back ON the tree.

Just makes you smile, doesn't it?

Wings

One of the stages of motherhood I am currently in, is the one where I am having to let go, and allow wings to spread, and souls to fly. It is not an easy stage, but like to think I am handling it well. I learned many years ago that worry does not keep my kids any safer, and it certainly wreaks havoc on me, so I hand them over to God. Of course, that also means I do all I can to prepare them for the many adventures in life. You see, I truly believe that my children are God's first; He has given them to me for a time, and I am not allowed to know how long that will be. I pray it will be for my entire life on this planet, but I know that He can call them home at any time. Any amount of worry will never change that, so I choose to trust that God will keep them safe, and if anything should happen, Jesus will carry me through.

Having said that, let me share Alexa's story. Picture a junior in high school heading for a day of shopping with her friend. I'm sure the car is filled with music, talk, and laughter. They were heading to a town that actually has a mall, unlike our little town. It is an hour and a half away, on winter roads. I wasn't totally worried, but wanted to make sure she made it to her destination. So, this hip chick texted her daughter... "Did you make it to the mall?" Then came her reply... "Well, yeah, but were in Eau Claire." Eau Claire?!?! You now need some information. The town she was in was in the OPPOSITE DIRECTION of the town she was going to! She went south instead of north, and the scary thing is, she didn't realize she was going the wrong way until she was over an hour from home!!

Now, I fully realize the humor in all of this. My own mom was laughing so hard she could barely speak. Especially when I revealed the information Alexa revealed to me.... this wasn't the first time she has done this! The last time, she realized she was heading the wrong way out of town about 10 minutes after she left. That information did not make me feel any better! Does she not read signs? Does she not have a plan in her head before she leaves town? I guess she doesn't. I think she will now though, since she has sat through lectures form both my husband and me!

This all happened a week ago. Yesterday, she had to drive to the cities, three hours away. I was more nervous about that than I was about the trip she was going on! Let me tell you, she had plenty of detailed maps and directions, and I made sure she had a picture in her head of what direction she would be heading out of town!

I was feeling strong about it all, until about 20 minutes after she left. Suddenly, I was taken back to the day she had to ride a bus in kindergarten. That twinge of panic weaved its ugly way through my body. I remember that day well. It was 12 years ago, in the morning. I knew Alexa would have to ride a bus after school, and be dropped of at the preschool I was working at. Fearful thoughts, and "What if's" swept through my mind. As I was standing in the laundry room, I suddenly felt peace being poured over me. I could literally feel it, as if there was a pitcher above my head. It started at the top of my head, and made its way down to my toes. It was a feeling I will never forget. Later that day, I found out it was at the same time that dear friends of mine were praying for me! They knew my fears, and prayed for peace. Wow!

I am happy to say that Alexa called last night from her destination!! It was her first time driving in the cities, on freeways, and she loved it. She's my city girl.

Her wings grew a little longer last night, and although I had the scissors in my hands the entire time, and the authority to clip them, I chose not to. I gave her to God, and together they flew.

Cure for Crime

The cure for crime is not the electric chair, but the high chair.

~ J. Edgar Hoover

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For all of you tired moms and dads out there...

Never underestimate the importance of being a parent. ~Lisa

Oops

We got a "new to us" car today. My daughter is thrilled because, heaven forbid should a 16 year-old, with a driver's license, ever be caught dead riding the bus to school! I am happy to report that no, she has not actually died of embarrassment.

She got to take the car out for the first time by herself tonight. (That was after I showed up at school, with the windows down, and Crank Dat Soulja Boy jammin'. This chick tries to be cool for her kids!) So, she was all set to go. She started the car, put her right arm behind the passenger's seat, looking back as she stepped on the gas to back up. She went forward! Let me just say, I am relishing in the sight of that one! Yes, I was there watching, and laughing my head off!

I now have some new ammunition.

Ammunition is a good thing to have when dealing with teenagers.

I am still laughing.

A Light Bulb Moment

So, there was a gathering at my son's school yesterday. Games, food, the works; sounded like a good time. After a day at Middle School, Blake came home. I was expecting to take him, along with my little ones to the event at his school. Being the 13 year-old that he is, he decided he didn't feel like going, but assured me that I could go along with his younger brother and sister. He wasn't sure which friends were going, and wasn't really in the mood anyway.

He kept asking me if I was going, and I wasn't sure if I wanted to or not since he mentioned that the games probably wouldn't be for little kids. Two more times, he asked me if I was going. I said, "Blake, I'll gladly go if you want to." He didn't show much interest. Finally, after the third or fourth time asking me if I was going, a little light bulb went off in my head.

"Ooohhhh.... I get it! It's not that you don't want to go... it's that you want to go, but not with me!!"

Ouch!

I've always celebrated along with my kids when they are able to spread their wings and fly. I get excited for them and for the experiences they will have. But I must say this one hurt. Why was this one different, you ask?

The event was Family Night.

(Don't worry... I am able to laugh about it. He went without me, and escaped any embarrassment a mom and little siblings could possibly cause.)

Vroom!

My daughter got her license today!!

I am so excited for her, and am also excited that I will now get to hang up my Taxi keys for a while.

Am I nervous? Not really. I know that I need to put her in God's hands. If I fill myself with doubt and worry, that means I am not trusting God. Does that mean nothing bad will never happen? No. But I know this... He gave me everything I need to be her mom, and I have done, and will continue to do my best. My days or nights full of worry will not add a single day to my life, or my daughter's.

I will choose to trust.

Tick, Tock

My 5 year-old was waiting for his turn to play video games. He sat on the ottoman, patiently waiting for the big hand to reach the top of the large clock above the fireplace. He waited, and waited, never taking his eyes off of that clock.

Finally, he could stand it no longer. He turned to me and said with exasperation, "Mom, can't we just go out and buy a faster clock?!"

That would be nice, wouldn't it? I would most certainly buy a clock that would allow me to speed it up, or slow it down!

Listen to This...

Wise words from a sweet, little cowboy...

http://ktisblog.skylightradio.org/main/2007/12/21/logan-the-nebraska-cowboy/

Little Discoveries

My little boy, who is four, has been quite vocal lately about his anatomy, and just what it is up to... much to the horror of my teenagers. As embarrassing as it is however, they must admit it is usually quite funny.

After his latest observation, I decided that I needed to address an issue. "Son, when you are at preschool, you cannot talk about your penis."

In a sing-songy voice full of attitude, he replied, "I know Mom! I don't! No one even knows I have one because I hide it in my pants!"

All righty then... who can argue with that? As far as I am concerned, he can keep it hidden... until he is 30!

ABC's

Last night at the dinner table, my 3 year-old was asked if she could say the ABC's backwards, such as ZYX, and so on. Without any hesitation, she said, "Yes!," and quickly got off of her chair. She started walking backwards, "ABCDEFG...." We all burst out laughing. I asked my kids if they had taught her that. No, they hadn't... you just have to be quick witted when you're the youngest of four!