Long day...

Today was a rough day. Let's just say that between caring for my little "charge", unnecessary "drama" at work, and sorting through other issues, I was emotionally drained by the afternoon & still had several hours to go before the end of my work day. I put my little guy down for his nap & thanked God once again that I have that hour away from everything else to "regroup" & refocus. I popped in my earphones & soon this song was playing. I played it again & again...

How Can I Keep From Singing
- by Chris Tomlin

There is an endless song
Echoes in my soul
I hear the music ring
And though the storms may come
I am holding on
To the Rock I cling

How can I keep from singing Your praise?
How can I ever say enough?
How amazing is Your love
How can I keep from shouting Your name?
I know I am loved by the King
And it makes my heart want to sing!

I will lift my eyes in the darkest night for I know my Savior lives
And I will walk with You, knowing You'll see me through
And sing the songs You give

How can I keep from singing...

I can sing in the troubled times
Sing when I win
I can sing when I lose my step
And I fall down again
I can sing 'cause you pick me up
Sing 'cause You're there
I can sing 'cause you hear me, Lord,
When I'm calling You in prayer
I can sing with my last breath
Sing for I know that I'll sing
With the angels and the saints around the throne

How can I keep from singing...

Kudos to Saxon...

When asked how many kids are in his class, Noah replied, "There's eleven kids in my class...counting me. There's TEN kids in my class NOT counting me."

So glad to see him using his math skills.

Sacrifice?

Our pastor has been preaching a series of messages on Lent, encouraging his congregation to consider sacrificing something that is meaningful to them, in order to focus on what Christ sacrificed for us.

This afternoon after fighting with his sister, Noah declared to Grammie,

"I'm giving up my sisters for Lent!"

Antiquated...

I beginning to wonder if "playing pretend" is a thing of the past. These days kids watch movies that are imaginative and "pretend", but they don't often have opportunities to use their imaginations. When the girls were little they played "Mommy" and "teacher" and "ballerina". I love eavesdropping on my boys as they play "cowboys" or "pirates" or "builders". The conversations are often hilarious and the moments, priceless. But it's not often that I'm willing to go out of my comfort zone to be silly with them...

Several years ago, my Mom started a fun tradition. She dressed up in a miss-matched outfit and came for tea. She changed her name to Noni & spent an hour playing pretend with her granddaughters. And she didn't just do it once & call it "good". She's done it many times & it has become a tradition my daughters look forward to...even though they're 12 & 9!

This visit was no different. It was a little longer for Abbie to let loose, but after some nervous giggles and eye-rolling, she plunged into her "character".


They set the table & pulled out the best china. They discuss their lives and their children. And they practice their manners. Well, they try... ;)

I hope someday my girls won't be too grown up & mature to be "childish" and play pretend...

Locks of Love...

Today we decided it was time.

Time to cut off these beautiful locks of long, lucious hair.

Time for a little change and a gift of love.

I'm proud of my sweet girl for sacrificing her precious hair for a child who has none.

Vacation

I tend to consider "vacation" with mixed emotions.

Although I look forward to the time we get to spend together as a family, making memories & enjoying the moments, there are aspects that I dread. With vacation comes planning, packing, and laundering. During vacation there are still meals to be made/eaten, dishes piled high, clothes that need cleaned, arguments resolved, activities instigated, all responsibilities a Mom can't seem to get a "vacation" from. Then there is the packing & unpacking, and the inevitable "catching up" that occurs upon our return.

Don't get me wrong. It's not that I mind the work so much. The work is the reality of what it takes to make a fun trip happen. And there is a break from the urgency of house work that often seems to scream at me when I'm here. I get to read more and stress less.

It's just that I often come home feeling like I need to GO on vacation when we've just RETURNED from one!

But for this last trip, that was not the case. I got to have my own little vacation within our vacation.

And it was wonderful.

I didn't make my bed. I didn't pick up any one's dirty underwear but my own. I didn't have to be the referee. I got to swim all by myself without little minions latching on. I got to go to a museum, and listen to the tour guide, AND browse over the items, and it was wonderfully devoid of stress brought on by supervising curious hands. I got to spend time with a great friend & have "adult conversation" for 48 hours, without interruptions!

It was a vacation I won't soon forget.

What did we forget?

We had a fun trip to IL & I enjoyed a relaxing 48 hours with my best friend from college (more on that later). We packed up the van & were all ready to head home. The kids were sad to say "good bye" to Grandpa & Grammie. As we drove down the road, Phil turned to me & said, "What did you forget? You always forget something!" We soon had giggling kids when we told them that we had forgotten Grammie! They were excited that she will be able to spend another week with us here in Oklahoma. Grace said she didn't even mind having to sit in between her brothers for the bulk of the trip! ;)