Not so random thoughts . . .

Well, it has been eons since I last wrote anything. Not because I haven’t wanted to, but because I haven’t sat down to do it. I have been preoccupied. First it was grading, then Caleb’s surgery, Halloween, then flu shots, Caleb’s fourth birthday and family in town. Not to mention I have a new hobby and have been reading a great series of books. I am into digital scrapbooking and I am reading the Yada Yada Prayer Group series. Both are a lot of fun, and very relaxing to me. All of this on top of cooking, cleaning, taking care of kids and preschool teaching. Oh, then there is Bryan. J And, I am grading again, as of Thursday. Ta dah . . . Lord, help me to put you first in all of this.

Today I went to our church’s Mom2Mom ministry luncheon. Our pastor’s wife, Liz Traylor, is doing a series based on the verse in Titus which says something like: older women should teach younger women to love their husbands, love their children, take care of their homes and live a modest, pure life . . . She started at the last meeting with loving God with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strength. Today was on loving our husbands. She is really great; down to earth and honest about real life. Her first point was, “You chose him, so remember why – then tell him.”

Secondly, he is “Wild at heart” (from the book by John Eldridge ?). He needs a battle to fight and a princess to rescue and an adventure to live. So let him and help him be the man God created him to be.

Thirdly, figure out his personality and yours and help him and yourself build strengths and recognize weaknesses; and don’t let strengths become weaknesses because they are overdone. Also, figure out one another’s love language. (Gary Chapman and Gary Smalley)

Fourthly, recognize the needs of men and women and meet them. (Willard Harley) Guys needs sexual fulfillment, recreational companionship, domestic support, an attractive spouse, and adoration and respect. Women need conversation, affection, financial support, family commitment, and I forget the last one (my notes are still in the car).

And, here are some tidbits: if the baby is crying when he gets home. Put that baby down. He won’t die, he has been crying all day and wouldn’t stop, why will he now? Let your husband know he is a priority in your life. Then let him rest a few before asking for him to help out – he’s been working hard too.

If you don’t feel like kissing him, getting into bed with him, whatever; ask the Holy Spirit to step up and do it for you. God cares even about these things. Just do it.

Simplify, simplify – wear an outfit twice or more before washing; stick to your routine, no need to follow the fads every year - and scrapbooking . . .your kids will not appreciate your work, just organize and label the pics (save yourself lots of time) (okay maybe, I don’t agree with everything. J

And family devotions – no where in the Bible specifically. Instead, it says as you go, as you lie down, etc. God should be in everything you do, not fifteen minutes of forcing your children to sit still and listen.

And she showed us several ads that are representative of the times and things we are being falsely taught.
- a watch ad that says the only thing easier to break than cold ice is a man’s ego (something like that)
- the fact that Shrek 3 has all the princesses (Cinderella , Snow White . .. standing in battle formations as if they are stronger than the men
- Everybody Loves Raymond - in which the wife says some of the most demeaning things to her husband and has forced him to be weak.
- Ads for labels, t-shirst, key chains, etc. that lift us up as selfish divas who need to be served.

I could go on and on. I wish I could have recorded her and let you all listen in. She is wonderfully wise, but she’ll admit it is from the many mistakes she has made throughout her marriage and life. I look forward to her comments on children in January. Maybe you could all travel to Pensacola to hear her. It is a great time.

Enough for you to dwell on.

Farm time

Saturday we took a drive over to a farm in Alabama, with friends. Both kids loved it immensely. Caleb loved the freedom to roam about and feed the animals. Riley loved talking to the animals. She sounded like many of them. I got some really cute pics and wanted to share them with you all. We rode a pony, went on a hayride to get a pumpkin from the patch, and fed many animals.

Enjoy the fall weather . . . we are.

Keep us in your prayers too – Caleb is having surgery to be circumcised on Friday. At 9 AM he will be under anesthesia for an hour. Then lots of recovery for Caleb and patience for mom and dad through the unknown. We didn’t make the decision when he was a baby, and wanted to make it now before he is much older. Hopefully he'll forgive us. :(

Until later,

sheree

Smiling times . . .

I don’t have much time to write, as I started online grading today. So – needless to say, almost every quiet, spare moment I have has to be spent reading essays online. But, I had to share this, even though Bryan said, “That doesn’t go on your blog!”

Caleb checked out a dinosaur library book, ABC Dinosaurs. At the bottom of each page is the pronunciation. As I read it at naptime, I pronounced each as best I could, and never corrected myself. (We all know how difficult dinosaur names can be.) The goal was to get through all 26 dinosaurs and get him to sleep, as we had to be asleep then up and out to church in 2.5 hours.

Reading at bedtime has always been my responsibility and privilege. I often joke with Bryan that Caleb doesn’t think daddies know how to read because Bryan doesn’t ever read to him.

Well, last night I volunteered Bryan to read the dinosaur book before bed. As I came in and lay next to them, Bryan was trying to pronounce one of the names. Caleb grabbed the book and handed it to me saying, “Mommy, could you teach Daddy to read this.”

I thought I would burst something laughing so hard. It was priceless.

So as not to leave Riley out, she is mimicking everything Caleb does these days. It is hilarious sometimes. The other day as we were getting ready to go somewhere, Bryan and I watched her walk up to the toilet, begin to lift the lid as she lifted her shirt to mock Caleb going pee pee. Of course, we tried to explain that she was a girl and didn’t go that way. But, really, we were laughing too hard.

Smile and look for the humor God blesses us with,
sheree

Well, my sister's wedding was successful: they are married. Caleb did a hundred percent better than we could have imagined - he even pulled Megan down the aisle. He smiled for pictures and then danced the night away. We had a fun time.

I know I could think of a hundred more things to write, but my two darling children have been a little rambunctious this afternoon. While doped up on cold medicine, I could hardly keep up with them. Caleb is doing his best to question every decision we make for him and test us at every turn. Didn't I just write about this not too long ago? Lord help us.

Riley had a lot of good moments today. She is trying to repeat everything she hears. Caleb will be chanting something, then you'll here Riley right after him in her version. It really is very cute. She also has a special thing for the scarecrow. They are exactly the same height; and their lips meet quite often. She danced with him today, then threw him down. I hope this isn't a foreshadowing of days to come . . . sixteen.

Oh, and at the wedding reception, she was holding her ears during some rap song, yes, I said rap song. Then she ran onto the dance floor and began to dance to it. We were laughing. It was one of those teenage moments - when they say, "Mom and Dad, I'd never do that!" Then they run off and do it. Lord, again, please help us.

Bryan and I keep wondering if we'll ever figure out how to do this parenting thing. I think not. Someone once said we had to have days like this, or we would never want them to leave. I know it is early and all, but boy was today a day to remember when empty-nest syndrome sets in. This ought to cure those feelings.

Anyway, I have really rambled here, but hey - I am updating. yea!!

Until next time,
sheree

random thoughts from the random thinker's son

This was our conversation in the car this afternoon:

Caleb - Do I have soccer practice today?
Mom - No

Caleb - When will it snow?
Mom - Probably not for a very long time?

Caleb - When am I getting married?
Mom - Hopefully not for a very long time?

Mom - Wow, look at that truck. . .

Seriously, I am not sure where the snow question came from. The wedding question comes from the fact that he was fitted for his tux on Saturday (for my sister's wedding). I think he wonders when the wedding will be. Just an odd combination while riding in the car. From silence to marriage in 3.3 seconds - only from a three year old.

Have a great night.
me

after the fact

Well, the pictures obviously didn't work the first time; but this time yes. I am just learning - be patient.

Trying something new

I thought I'd play around and see if I could put in a couple of pictures. We'll see.

After a tough weekend, I thought I'd ask Caleb's preschool teachers how he is doing behaviorally in school. Boy lunch. He is always making everyone laugh - apparently even the teachers.

Yesterday, they informed me, he tooted and everyone thougth it was hilarious, so he played it up. We have discussed the phrase, "Excuse me" many times. But, obviously, he thinks a laugh is better.

He also has been banned from playing with the ski mask in the dress-up area. Apparently he likes to pull it down and scare his friends. (I sure hope this thrill ends in early childhood and doesn't follow him into adulthood)

Well, that was enough news. He has been better behaved since then. Now his sister on the other hand . . . well, let's just say she has a growing passion for fingerpainting with food (not good timing as we are attempting to wean from the high chair).

Just a few notes on the pictures: Riley and Caleb at MeMe Glazier's house; Riley in the dog's cage (Riley's favorite place to be); Caleb at his first soccer practice; and Riley and Caleb on the first day of school (no, Mom, didn't work long on the hair).

until later,
sheree