Mom....I just threw-up

When our kids were babies, we swore we had the BEST sleepers.  They all 3 slept through the night in a very short time frame.  Never a peep, oh how we bragged :)  Then something happened, my dad came and spent the night and he heard Stone crying at  2AM.  Strange, because I (even with monitor two inches from my head and on the highest volume) never heard him.  Basically after that night we realized our babies probably weren't the best sleepers, we were.  Luckily no baby has ever died from crying.  I know we will be the house where all the sleepovers occur because our kids will quickly realize we hear NOTHING in our sleep (that is why the alarm will always be set and the code will be shared with ZERO of our kids).  Poor Makayla last night woke me up in the middle of the night to tell me she had thrown-up.  I felt bad because I did not hear her (and I know when I am sick I want the entire house sitting there consoling me) and she was so sweet and sad all at the same time.  In the morning when I called my sister, we figured out that her son, too had thrown-up and ironically enough they threw-up the same thing-chocolate peanut butter ice cream.  So with our best medical engine search, we determined slight case of food poisoning (who needs medical school when you have web md).

"Didn't you know that I had to be in my Father's house?"  Luke 2:49

This verse was in my bible study yesterday and oh how it applies to me (in more than one case).  If I am EVER lost, find my dad-he will either be with me or know where I am.  Not much in my life happens that he does not know about.  I know, Jesus just had to feel that way, too.  God knew where he was at all times.  And now he knows where I am at all times; reading people magazine (when I should be reading the bible), talking to my sister (when I should be reading the bible), day dreaming at church (when I really should be paying attention...you get my drift.  God knows, even if you don't tell him, he knows.  How nice to know I can talk and share with someone, who already knows exactly what I am going through :)  Lucky for me, being with my dad is a shining example of being with Christ.   

Ewwwww Gross

What happens when I have no babysitter and I am home alone on a Friday after the kids go to bed, I get on the computer and see things like Miley Cyrus' new video.  Before I go any further, I must say I understand that entertainers, athletes, musicians, movie stars, etc do not ask to be role models, but let's face it, they are. Like it or not, they chose their profession and the knew what came along with it.  A platform to change, inspire, and motivate hundreds and thousands of kids.  Or they can waste it away.  Sadly, the only ones we ever hear about are the bad.  I remember clear as day when Makayla was 4 and she came home from preschool and said she loved Hannah Montana.  I knew she had never seen the show but I did a little research and she seemed harmless enough.  So we bought in, music videos, cd's, make-up kits, dolls, pajama's, we even scored great concert tickets to see her in Cleveland.  So I know that she is now 17 and in Hollywood that must be like 30 but her new video is more like something men pay for on one of those XXX sites (at least I am assuming).  I was stunned and sad all at the same time.  Sad because I know hundreds and thousands of teenage girls will now think that sort of behavior is okay.  My heart aches for her as she is growing up way too fast and my heart aches for Makayla as she will never again be allowed to watch her show :)

With eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you my brothers, as an act of intelligent worship, to give him your bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to him and acceptable by him.  Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity.  Romana 12:1-2

I am still working out, not losing any weight but losing my breakfast after I run around for 20 minutes :)

Gray?

Sisters are great, right?  If you have an older sister (like me) your relationship probably went a little something like this; You were born, they were mad at you.  You got a new toy, they destroyed it.  You wanted to play with them, they asked you to be the goalie then drilled balls at you.  You asked them to do your hair, they shaved your bangs off.  You "borrowed" their favorite sweater (accidently got ketchup all over it), they got you in trouble.  You followed them around, they walked faster.  She leaves for college, you suddenly become the oldest.  You have major dilemma, she has advice.  You meet boy, she thinks he's weird, but still agrees to be maid of honor :)  You have baby (and have NO idea what you are doing), she takes your call at 2AM.  You need help, she's the first one there.  You are looking at your dark hair in the mirror, she points out your first gray hair.....

"And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou are careful and troubled about many things; But one thing is needful; and Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. "
Luke 10:41

So sometimes I am Mary and sometimes my sister is Martha, we switch, which is good because really who needs two Mary's in one family?

GO TO BED

I am wondering why when these words are spoken, my kids look at me like I am speaking German.  You would think after the same routine for their entire lives, they would know what to expect.  We even have a coo-coo clock so they know when it chirps a certain number of times, it's time for bed, but regardless each and every night, I put them in bed then sit in the room below the boys and listen to them play, giggle and talk.  I must say that although I would like for them to fall fast asleep, some of my favorite memories are from the bed time routine (or lack there of).  Stone is the best, regardless if it is nap or bedtime, it never fails that he needs something at least 5 times (does that count for exercise since I have to go up and down the steps each time he yells for me?...hmmmm I am adding that to my operation get rid of jiggle).  Tonight for example, he had to tell me, "David threw a giant rock at Gargamell and knocked him over but that wasn't nice", then he called me two minutes later to tell me, "Mom, Kanon keeps laughing at me and that's why I can't sleep", and the best one was "Mom, I need to tell you that Quinn brought snack today to preschool".

Saul said to David, "Go, and the Lord be with you"  1 Samuel 17:37

When I prayed tonight with Makayla we asked that God always be in her heart and that she knows with him she can do anything but without him she can do nothing.  As I was praying with her, I realized I need to remind myself of that.  Sometimes the world gets in the way of what I have on my to-do list but isn't it funny how nothing ever gets in the way of your to-don't list....hmmmmm...does anyone have a to-don't list?  I am starting one right now....