Noodle is five years old today!
And, again, no pics. I have them on my phone but cannot figure out how to download them onto the computer.
For her birthday, Noodle requested a mani-pedi and a movie. So yesterday, that's exactly what she got. She looked so cute and way too grown up for her own good as she sat in a cute little pink chair with butterfly wings on it. She was totally into getting pampered as her feet, legs, hands, and arms were massaged and her nails painted. She even got cute little designs on her nails. Too adorable. She thought she was a princess. Well, she IS!!!
Then we went to see Monsters vs. Aliens, which was really cute. She was so happy to go to the real movies. It was Noodle's perfect day.
And she is the best Noodle in the whole wide world!
When Noodle was born, she cried and cried and cried. I was so worried about her. It broke my heart to hear that little cry. But as soon as the nurses handed her to me, she stopped. Chicken Nugget and Noodle are five years apart, so I was a little bit scared that maybe I had lost my baby touch. But Noodle and I became close right away. I remember once when she was just about five or six months old, I had to leave her with a babysitter for a few hours. I hugged and kissed and cuddled little Noodle before handing her off, and I told the babysitter, "I'm not used to being away from her. She is just my little friend!"
The babysitter said she could tell that we were like a team. :o)
Now my little Noodle will be going off to big school next year. I can't believe it. Let me tell you, Noodle is really something special. She is very selective about handing out affection, and you know that it is really a treasure when Noodle gives you hugs and kisses. I've had to get used to that, since I'm an affectionate person, but it has just made me appreciate Noodle all the more.
Noodle loves to draw and paint and do any kinds of art. She also loves to sing. She is so talented, and she hangs a new picture on our bedroom door every other day. Noodle is very generous with her artwork, and when you come to visit us, you will not leave without about five pictures she has made for you.
Noodle, we love you so much and I am so glad you are part of our family! You are amazing! Happy birthday!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Relationships
I have been thinking (a dangerous past time, I know . . .) a lot about so many things as I've been on this journey of . . . uncertainty, I suppose you'd call it. This morning, my thoughts are about relationships.
Last night, I had dinner with a friend. We talked, had a nice time. Some of the things we talked about were important; other things weren't. But I left with the feeling that I was important to her.
It has occured to me that when it comes to relationships, no one wants to be someone else's agenda. Do you know what I mean? And while I've heard that concept many times while preparing for the ministry, I don't know if I was ever really taught it. (Maybe I was, and just don' remember . . .) Nor did I understand how to put it into words until just this morning.
A friend of mine recently told me that he has a problem with the concept of "missions trips." He said it's like going to a group of people and saying, "My God is better than your God." I had never really thought about it like that. And since I am in this process of rethinking pretty much everything in relation to God and faith, I've been rethinking the concept of missions trips as well. If I ever go on another one, I think I'd rather call it a relationship trip, or perhaps a friend-making trip. Not that I won't have convictions (I hope!) and a good message, but didn't Jesus even form relationships first? And won't there be real people to encounter, and won't the people be just as important as the message? Am I making sense?
The best friendships I have had through the years have been those in which I can laugh and talk a mile minute with the person, but also be able to sit in silence for a long time without feeling any need to talk. That is to say, there is such a comfort level that it doesn't matter what the other person is doing; there's no need for a schedule, there's no need to be something that we are not. The best relationships I have had have also been those in which just the sight of the person brings joy to my heart. Do you understand what I am saying? There's comfort in our likeness and our differences, there's beauty in our conversations, there's love whether we agree or not, and we both feel important to the other when we leave. No matter what is at the end of this path that I'm on, I do really know one thing: I want to show authentic love to other people.
Last night, I had dinner with a friend. We talked, had a nice time. Some of the things we talked about were important; other things weren't. But I left with the feeling that I was important to her.
It has occured to me that when it comes to relationships, no one wants to be someone else's agenda. Do you know what I mean? And while I've heard that concept many times while preparing for the ministry, I don't know if I was ever really taught it. (Maybe I was, and just don' remember . . .) Nor did I understand how to put it into words until just this morning.
A friend of mine recently told me that he has a problem with the concept of "missions trips." He said it's like going to a group of people and saying, "My God is better than your God." I had never really thought about it like that. And since I am in this process of rethinking pretty much everything in relation to God and faith, I've been rethinking the concept of missions trips as well. If I ever go on another one, I think I'd rather call it a relationship trip, or perhaps a friend-making trip. Not that I won't have convictions (I hope!) and a good message, but didn't Jesus even form relationships first? And won't there be real people to encounter, and won't the people be just as important as the message? Am I making sense?
The best friendships I have had through the years have been those in which I can laugh and talk a mile minute with the person, but also be able to sit in silence for a long time without feeling any need to talk. That is to say, there is such a comfort level that it doesn't matter what the other person is doing; there's no need for a schedule, there's no need to be something that we are not. The best relationships I have had have also been those in which just the sight of the person brings joy to my heart. Do you understand what I am saying? There's comfort in our likeness and our differences, there's beauty in our conversations, there's love whether we agree or not, and we both feel important to the other when we leave. No matter what is at the end of this path that I'm on, I do really know one thing: I want to show authentic love to other people.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Chicken Nugget
She is TEN today. TEN years old. Double digits. When did this happen?
Oh, yeah. Today.
I've been thinking about her birth a lot today. I had been having contractions for a week before the doctor decided to get things rolling. I was put in the hospital on Tuesday, the 19th, about 4pm. I began the induction process, and I remember a lot of friends and family coming in and out all that night and the next day. I remember watching the Columbine tragedy on TV while laboring. I remember pushing till I thought I could not push anymore, and at one point saying, "I cannot do this!" I remember finally hearing her cry and being overwhelmed with several emotions, and also being exhausted. They handed her to me; she was so tiny and as soon as she heard my voice, she looked right at me and stopped crying. Later that night, she and I were alone in the hospital room, and I held her and wept. I told her over and over how much I loved her and that I was so glad she was mine. I was overcome, and crying was all I knew to do. I didn't think I could ever love anyone that much.
The years have been crazy for the two of us. Being divorced from her dad before she was even a year old, then moving three times before she was four years old; getting remarried and watching she and BW have ups and downs, then moving once more before she was six. Then add three more people to the mix - but she's taken it all with grace and stride.
I have not always done right by her, but she is always gracious to accept my apologies and offer quick forgiveness. She is so special, and everyone who has ever known her says how wonderful she is. And, well, she is! I may have made many mistakes these past ten years, but thankfully, I have many more wonderful years with her to learn and grow and become better and better. She has taught me so much, and I am humbled by the amazing person that she is. I do not know what I'd do without her.
I love you, sweetie! Happy 10th!
Oh, yeah. Today.
I've been thinking about her birth a lot today. I had been having contractions for a week before the doctor decided to get things rolling. I was put in the hospital on Tuesday, the 19th, about 4pm. I began the induction process, and I remember a lot of friends and family coming in and out all that night and the next day. I remember watching the Columbine tragedy on TV while laboring. I remember pushing till I thought I could not push anymore, and at one point saying, "I cannot do this!" I remember finally hearing her cry and being overwhelmed with several emotions, and also being exhausted. They handed her to me; she was so tiny and as soon as she heard my voice, she looked right at me and stopped crying. Later that night, she and I were alone in the hospital room, and I held her and wept. I told her over and over how much I loved her and that I was so glad she was mine. I was overcome, and crying was all I knew to do. I didn't think I could ever love anyone that much.
The years have been crazy for the two of us. Being divorced from her dad before she was even a year old, then moving three times before she was four years old; getting remarried and watching she and BW have ups and downs, then moving once more before she was six. Then add three more people to the mix - but she's taken it all with grace and stride.
I have not always done right by her, but she is always gracious to accept my apologies and offer quick forgiveness. She is so special, and everyone who has ever known her says how wonderful she is. And, well, she is! I may have made many mistakes these past ten years, but thankfully, I have many more wonderful years with her to learn and grow and become better and better. She has taught me so much, and I am humbled by the amazing person that she is. I do not know what I'd do without her.
I love you, sweetie! Happy 10th!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Easter Pictures . . . Oh, Wait . . .
Yeah, I don't have any. That's because our stupid digital camera is, well, stupid. And dead. But let me try to paint the picture:
Chicken Nugget - satin-esque, sleeveless, white with diagonal blue stripes, wide waist of white ribbon with blue ribbon making a bow and a lovely blue jewel in the middle of the bow. White headband with flat bow. Off-white matte flats with slightly raised heel, cut-outs, and rhinestones. Ruffle socks. Stunning.
Noodle - blue cotton-blend sleeveless, white floral with tucks on the front, tied in the back. Gathered bottom. Lovely faux daisies (three) with blue beads in the center of each flower. Simple and elegant. White headband with gigantic white flower at the side. White sandals with silver flowers down the middle. Ruffle socks. Lovely.
Banana - blue plaid-patterned shorts with sky-blue belt, white button-down pique short seeve with collar, blue sweater with bunnies around the bottom edge. Argyle socks, white canvas strap shoes. Very country-club. Quite handsome.
Baby Butterbean - blue plaid Classic Pooh one-piece romper, short sleeves. Argyle socks. Blue puppy bib. Adorable.
Last night was fun; we dyed our Easter eggs. Again, due to stupid digital camera, please picture eggs colored with crayons and then dyed pastel pink, yellow, green, and blue. Twelve of them. After the dying, we made hamburgers and hot dogs. Then fixed up our Easter baskets with grass and our dyed eggs; Noodle had drawn about 12 pictures for the Easter Bunny, so she also put those in her basket; the Easter Bunny must have loved them, because he took them with him. Today, after church, I hid eggs for the kids, but inside; it was raining. They didn't seem to mind. I got nervous when one of the hard-boiled eggs still was not found, but thankfully it turned up about an hour later.
Church was good this morning. We had a cardboard testimony service. I had never seen one, and it was very moving, even for me - a dried-up cynic at this point. Most moving were my friends who held up their cardboard sign that said, "Three Failed Marriages Between Us" and on the other side, "Now a Blended Family Growing in Christ - Just Celebrated 4-yr Anniversary."
I don't know, still, about a lot of stuff, but I know that today's service was meaningful, and that the church's stage was full of people, my friends, who had found some kind of restorative power in a God that they personally know. Look at this to see a cardboard testimony service. I wish ours from this morning was on youtube, but this will give you the general idea anyway.
Hope you all had a blessed Easter, and found what you needed today. Much love to you all -
Chicken Nugget - satin-esque, sleeveless, white with diagonal blue stripes, wide waist of white ribbon with blue ribbon making a bow and a lovely blue jewel in the middle of the bow. White headband with flat bow. Off-white matte flats with slightly raised heel, cut-outs, and rhinestones. Ruffle socks. Stunning.
Noodle - blue cotton-blend sleeveless, white floral with tucks on the front, tied in the back. Gathered bottom. Lovely faux daisies (three) with blue beads in the center of each flower. Simple and elegant. White headband with gigantic white flower at the side. White sandals with silver flowers down the middle. Ruffle socks. Lovely.
Banana - blue plaid-patterned shorts with sky-blue belt, white button-down pique short seeve with collar, blue sweater with bunnies around the bottom edge. Argyle socks, white canvas strap shoes. Very country-club. Quite handsome.
Baby Butterbean - blue plaid Classic Pooh one-piece romper, short sleeves. Argyle socks. Blue puppy bib. Adorable.
Last night was fun; we dyed our Easter eggs. Again, due to stupid digital camera, please picture eggs colored with crayons and then dyed pastel pink, yellow, green, and blue. Twelve of them. After the dying, we made hamburgers and hot dogs. Then fixed up our Easter baskets with grass and our dyed eggs; Noodle had drawn about 12 pictures for the Easter Bunny, so she also put those in her basket; the Easter Bunny must have loved them, because he took them with him. Today, after church, I hid eggs for the kids, but inside; it was raining. They didn't seem to mind. I got nervous when one of the hard-boiled eggs still was not found, but thankfully it turned up about an hour later.
Church was good this morning. We had a cardboard testimony service. I had never seen one, and it was very moving, even for me - a dried-up cynic at this point. Most moving were my friends who held up their cardboard sign that said, "Three Failed Marriages Between Us" and on the other side, "Now a Blended Family Growing in Christ - Just Celebrated 4-yr Anniversary."
I don't know, still, about a lot of stuff, but I know that today's service was meaningful, and that the church's stage was full of people, my friends, who had found some kind of restorative power in a God that they personally know. Look at this to see a cardboard testimony service. I wish ours from this morning was on youtube, but this will give you the general idea anyway.
Hope you all had a blessed Easter, and found what you needed today. Much love to you all -
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Our Day in Downtown Houston at the Houston Zoo
We did park-and-ride. Houston has some good public transportation. Too bad it's not so good for getting into Houston, like the public transportation in San Francisco's Bay Area. It's getting better, though. There's now a bus you can catch from Baytown, but only at certain times of the day. But this is a post about our day in Downtown Houston and at the Houston Zoo, not about public transportation! So, the above picture is Buffalo Wings and the big kids walking to the train.
Here are the big kids waiting for the train to arrive.
As we waited for the train, I took some pics of downtown Houston. Above is a statue of a lady's head. Don't know who she is or why there's a statue of her head, but I thought it was cool.
Above and below: downtown Houston cityscape. I LOVE driving around in a big city. Though I like San Francisco better, Houston is still really fun to drive and walk around in.
The dazed children ride on the Metro.
The Houston Zoo is inside Hermann Park. George Hermann (whose lovely statue you can see above) is known as one of Houston's greatest benefactors, and Hermann Park is a wonderful place with lakes, trails, a train, playgrounds, and fountains.
The big kids in front of one of Hermann Park's fountains.
At the zoo - are those Houston lawn ornaments? Nope, those are the real thing!
Baby Butterbean was all like, "Man, I love those flamingos. I mean, they are really something!"
What was it with me and water fowl today? Above, Chicken Nugget and some pelicans.
Above, Noodle at the petting zoo. Below, Banana at the petting zoo. Goats are very friendly.
Above and below, the big kids at the reflection pool.
A picture of Hermann park's palm trees. That's right - green and lovely, and have been that way since mid-February. I'm not bragging. I'm just saying. To the right of those palm trees is the spray park, and let me tell you, there were plenty of kids getting soaked and cooling off after a long day in the toasty Houston sunshine.
Heading back to the train after a long day at the zoo.
One of downtown Houston's Metro trains.
A cool church downtown.
Did I mention that I like cityscapes?
Well, I do. A lot.
And while Houston is no San Francisco or Chicago, it's pretty spectacular in its own rite.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Saint Patrick's Day Adventure
Today, took the big kids to the San Jacinto Battleground and Monument. The monument has a museum in it; you can also watch a movie about the Texas Revolution (we opted not to today) and ride an elevator 50 stories up to the observation deck, which is just below the star at the top of the mounument (we took the elevator ride - scary!).
It started out to be a foggy and drizzly Saint Patrick's Day. Even so, I wanted to take a picture of all the kids in fron of the azalea bushes before we got into the van. Baby Butterbean didn't care to accompany us on our tour of Texas history, so he stayed home with Dad. Besides, BB had had a long night of teething and Dad had stayed up with him, so they were both pretty tuckerd out. And believe you me, learning about the Battle of San Jacinto can really use up lots of energy.
Our journey began as we traveled for minutes and minutes to get to the monument (which is like two miles from our house). Most exciting on our journey was the ferry ride. The ferry pictured is not the one on which we rode, but it's just like the one we rode. I took this picture from the van (which was on the ferry at the time).
At last! Our perserverence paid off. We made it to the monument. We looked around inside for a little bit, exclaiming over swords and guns and the portrait of the evil Santa Anna, and rejoicing over at portraits and articles of Colonel Sidney Sherman and Sam Houston. OK, so it was more like me going, "There's Sidney Sherman! Say, 'Yay, Sidney Sherman!'" and the kids repeating, but I think it sunk in a little bit.
All around the monument is the battleground. There are also lots of nature trails as *the oil companies try to make up for all the damage they have done* the historical society has tried to recreate the natural coastal prarie as it was at the time of the battle. We went on a great nature trail.
We did't see any crabs, otters, fish, or snakes, as the nature trail sign had promised, but we did see lots of birds. It was really cool.
Too bad it was so dang foggy. It would have been a great shot of the monument in the background.
We stopped for a quick photo op in front of the reflection pool before going across the street to see the rest of the battleground and to look at the Battleship Texas, which is docked there. We didn't get out and go in, just looked at it from the van. We decided to save it for a day when Grandma and Pappa are here.
But our adventure was not quite over! Banana and Noodle were in severe need of haircuts. So we had some lunch at KFC and then went to great clips, but we had to get a "before" shot of the overgrown mops.
Oh, so nice! After - now we can see Banana's eyes again! And Noodle, well, she had done some damage to her hair previously which could only be corrected with layers. Now, it's all one length again. However, no matter the length or layer, those kids are adorable, if I do say so myself!
Home again and the fog had burned off, so the three big kids went back to where we started this morning, with the blooming brillant azaleas - and a brilliant St. Patrick's Day adventure - behind them.
It started out to be a foggy and drizzly Saint Patrick's Day. Even so, I wanted to take a picture of all the kids in fron of the azalea bushes before we got into the van. Baby Butterbean didn't care to accompany us on our tour of Texas history, so he stayed home with Dad. Besides, BB had had a long night of teething and Dad had stayed up with him, so they were both pretty tuckerd out. And believe you me, learning about the Battle of San Jacinto can really use up lots of energy.
Our journey began as we traveled for minutes and minutes to get to the monument (which is like two miles from our house). Most exciting on our journey was the ferry ride. The ferry pictured is not the one on which we rode, but it's just like the one we rode. I took this picture from the van (which was on the ferry at the time).
At last! Our perserverence paid off. We made it to the monument. We looked around inside for a little bit, exclaiming over swords and guns and the portrait of the evil Santa Anna, and rejoicing over at portraits and articles of Colonel Sidney Sherman and Sam Houston. OK, so it was more like me going, "There's Sidney Sherman! Say, 'Yay, Sidney Sherman!'" and the kids repeating, but I think it sunk in a little bit. 
All around the monument is the battleground. There are also lots of nature trails as *the oil companies try to make up for all the damage they have done* the historical society has tried to recreate the natural coastal prarie as it was at the time of the battle. We went on a great nature trail.
We did't see any crabs, otters, fish, or snakes, as the nature trail sign had promised, but we did see lots of birds. It was really cool.
Too bad it was so dang foggy. It would have been a great shot of the monument in the background.
We stopped for a quick photo op in front of the reflection pool before going across the street to see the rest of the battleground and to look at the Battleship Texas, which is docked there. We didn't get out and go in, just looked at it from the van. We decided to save it for a day when Grandma and Pappa are here.
But our adventure was not quite over! Banana and Noodle were in severe need of haircuts. So we had some lunch at KFC and then went to great clips, but we had to get a "before" shot of the overgrown mops.
Oh, so nice! After - now we can see Banana's eyes again! And Noodle, well, she had done some damage to her hair previously which could only be corrected with layers. Now, it's all one length again. However, no matter the length or layer, those kids are adorable, if I do say so myself!
Home again and the fog had burned off, so the three big kids went back to where we started this morning, with the blooming brillant azaleas - and a brilliant St. Patrick's Day adventure - behind them.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
More Saturday Morning Pictures
When Noodle saw I was taking pictures, she also had to ham it up. She said, "Take my picture holding Baby Butterbean's puppy!"
Well, when Banana realized we were now incorporating props into the photo session, he ran to get his monster-truck-tire earmuffs that he got at the monster truck show a couple of months back.
Then they posed.
Then I said, "Give me your biggest smiles EVER!"
So they did:
Well, when Banana realized we were now incorporating props into the photo session, he ran to get his monster-truck-tire earmuffs that he got at the monster truck show a couple of months back.
Then they posed.
Then I said, "Give me your biggest smiles EVER!"So they did:
Baby Butterbean and Baby Butterbean's Brother
Baby Butterbean is getting big. Too big, if you want my opinion. I don't like it. Not even a little.Anyway, here's a list of Baby Butterbean's milestones:
*He turned 9 months old on the 12th of this month.
*He's babbling. "Da da da da da da da . . . " It's way cute.
*He has four teeth and is in the process of getting his fifth. Again, serious cutness. Well, they're cute after they come in, but getting them is a nightmare for him. Poor guy.
*He's getting some adorable, fuzzy, chicken-type fluff on his head. Nice to pet.
*He's trying to crawl. He's getting close. Way too close.
*The strawberry on his nose is fading. But even that makes me sad. It's like the last mark of his very tiny infanthood. I think his red nose is absolutely adorable.
*He can hold his bottle.
*He is eating all kinds of food.
*He thinks he's all big and almost not like a baby anymore. I like to remind him that he's wrong about that. I remind him a lot.
Also, Baby Butterbean has the best big brother in the whole, wide world. Banana wanted in on the picture-taking action this morning. I said I would take his picture if he gave me his very best and biggest smile. What do you think:
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Someone Comment Already!
Please note:
The below post (something fun) still needs one more comment.
I know you want something! Be the fifth person!
Thanks! :o)
*********************************************
Hey, everybody!
Scroll down till you get to my previous post . . . now read it . . . now comment!
I want to bring you joy and handmade goodies! Even if I'm already getting goodies from you!
It will bring me joy as well!
So let's ALL have fun, ok???!!!! :o)
I already have some good ideas about what I want to make.
Sending love . . .
The below post (something fun) still needs one more comment.
I know you want something! Be the fifth person!
Thanks! :o)
*********************************************
Hey, everybody!
Scroll down till you get to my previous post . . . now read it . . . now comment!
I want to bring you joy and handmade goodies! Even if I'm already getting goodies from you!
It will bring me joy as well!
So let's ALL have fun, ok???!!!! :o)
I already have some good ideas about what I want to make.
Sending love . . .
Friday, March 06, 2009
Something Fun
Thanks, Peanut! (See Turning the Truck in my blogroll list.)
The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me!
My choice. For you.
This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It’ll be done this year. {translation: you may be waiting a little while}
4. You have no clue what it’s going to be … it may be cards, a poem, a bookmark, something yummy or a complete surprise to you (and me!) … who knows? not you, that’s for sure!
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.
The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me!
My choice. For you.
This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It’ll be done this year. {translation: you may be waiting a little while}
4. You have no clue what it’s going to be … it may be cards, a poem, a bookmark, something yummy or a complete surprise to you (and me!) … who knows? not you, that’s for sure!
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Big Enough
I think I've posted this before at some time.
I just love Chris Rice. He's the best.
Big Enough by Chris Rice
None of us knows, and this makes it a mystery
If life is a comedy, then why all the tragedy?
Three and a half pounds of brain try to figure out
What this world is all about and is there an eternity?
Is there an eternity?
God, if You're there, I wish you'd show me,
And, God, if You care, then I need You to know me
I hope You don't mind me asking the questions
But I figure you're big enough
Lying on pillows we're haunted and half-awake
Does anyone hear us pray
If I die before I wake?
Then the morning comes and the mirror's another place
Where we wrestle face to face
With the image of diety
The image of diety
God, if You're there, I wish You'd show me,
And, God, if you care, then I need You to know me
I hope You don't mind me asking the questions
But I figure You're big enough,
I figure You're big enough
When I imagine the size of the universe,
And I wonder what's out past the edges,
Then I discover inside me a space as big
And believe that I'm meant to be
Filled up with more than just questions
So God, if You're there, I wish You'd show me,
And, God, if You care, then I need You to know me
I hope You don't mind me asking the questions
But I
Figure You're big enough
I figure You're big enough
'Cause I am not big enough
I just love Chris Rice. He's the best.
Big Enough by Chris Rice
None of us knows, and this makes it a mystery
If life is a comedy, then why all the tragedy?
Three and a half pounds of brain try to figure out
What this world is all about and is there an eternity?
Is there an eternity?
God, if You're there, I wish you'd show me,
And, God, if You care, then I need You to know me
I hope You don't mind me asking the questions
But I figure you're big enough
Lying on pillows we're haunted and half-awake
Does anyone hear us pray
If I die before I wake?
Then the morning comes and the mirror's another place
Where we wrestle face to face
With the image of diety
The image of diety
God, if You're there, I wish You'd show me,
And, God, if you care, then I need You to know me
I hope You don't mind me asking the questions
But I figure You're big enough,
I figure You're big enough
When I imagine the size of the universe,
And I wonder what's out past the edges,
Then I discover inside me a space as big
And believe that I'm meant to be
Filled up with more than just questions
So God, if You're there, I wish You'd show me,
And, God, if You care, then I need You to know me
I hope You don't mind me asking the questions
But I
Figure You're big enough
I figure You're big enough
'Cause I am not big enough
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
How to Survive a Personal Crisis
1. Have a long talk with a great friend. (thanks. I love you.)
2. MGD. It's no longer just for your Beer Can Chicken recipe.
3. Don't be afraid of new thoughts or of new things happening; things will always change forever and ever.
4. Have a good laugh, thanks to Noodle. She said that when Uncle Matt, Aunt Lisa, and Trevor come to visit, she is going to throw her big coat at Uncle Matt's face "and he will laugh," and that she is not going to hug them because, "they're too crazy."
5. Brownies.
6. Ice Cream.
7. Reese's Cups.
8. Spoonfuls of straight sugar if you have to.
9. Hugs and sugars from four sweet little people who are always pulling on my pants legs.
10. Keeping a sense of humor.
11. Believing - if not feeling - that things will be OK later.
12. Feeling OK about letting things not be OK right now.
13. Blog.
14. Bubble baths.
15. More brownies.
2. MGD. It's no longer just for your Beer Can Chicken recipe.
3. Don't be afraid of new thoughts or of new things happening; things will always change forever and ever.
4. Have a good laugh, thanks to Noodle. She said that when Uncle Matt, Aunt Lisa, and Trevor come to visit, she is going to throw her big coat at Uncle Matt's face "and he will laugh," and that she is not going to hug them because, "they're too crazy."
5. Brownies.
6. Ice Cream.
7. Reese's Cups.
8. Spoonfuls of straight sugar if you have to.
9. Hugs and sugars from four sweet little people who are always pulling on my pants legs.
10. Keeping a sense of humor.
11. Believing - if not feeling - that things will be OK later.
12. Feeling OK about letting things not be OK right now.
13. Blog.
14. Bubble baths.
15. More brownies.
Monday, March 02, 2009
Desert Places
Snow falling and night falling fast, oh, fast
In a field I looked into going past,
And the ground almost covered smooth in snow,
But a few weeds and stubble showing last.
The woods around it have it -- it is theirs.
All animals are smothered in their lairs.
I am too absent-spirited to count;
The loneliness includes me unawares.
And lonely as it is that loneliness
Will be more lonely ere it will be less --
A blanker whiteness of benighted snow
With no expression, nothing to express.
They cannot scare me with their empty spaces
Between stars -- on stars where no human race is.
I have it in me so much nearer home
To scare myself with my own desert places.
"Desert Places" by Robert Frost
From "A Further Range," 1936
In a field I looked into going past,
And the ground almost covered smooth in snow,
But a few weeds and stubble showing last.
The woods around it have it -- it is theirs.
All animals are smothered in their lairs.
I am too absent-spirited to count;
The loneliness includes me unawares.
And lonely as it is that loneliness
Will be more lonely ere it will be less --
A blanker whiteness of benighted snow
With no expression, nothing to express.
They cannot scare me with their empty spaces
Between stars -- on stars where no human race is.
I have it in me so much nearer home
To scare myself with my own desert places.
"Desert Places" by Robert Frost
From "A Further Range," 1936
Sometimes
Sometimes we go through hard stuff. All of us do.
Things at work are hard. Other stuff is hard right now, too.
My friend Lisa died. We will miss her very much. Her visitation was yesterday and her funeral is this morning. Please pray for her family. Sometimes things just do not make sense. Lisa has left a great legacy. I've been thinking a lot about my life since learning of her death on Wednesday. I want to leave a great legacy, too. But sometimes . . . I am afraid that I won't.
I just want to say how much I love my family and all of my friends. You are all so very dear to me, and if I have ever caused any of you hurt, then I am so sorry.
Sometimes you just wish you could take back all of your mistakes, but you can't. You just have to hope to be forgiven.
I know that later there will be good times. But we have to live through the hard stuff too. And we don't have a guarantee that things will make sense.
Things at work are hard. Other stuff is hard right now, too.
My friend Lisa died. We will miss her very much. Her visitation was yesterday and her funeral is this morning. Please pray for her family. Sometimes things just do not make sense. Lisa has left a great legacy. I've been thinking a lot about my life since learning of her death on Wednesday. I want to leave a great legacy, too. But sometimes . . . I am afraid that I won't.
I just want to say how much I love my family and all of my friends. You are all so very dear to me, and if I have ever caused any of you hurt, then I am so sorry.
Sometimes you just wish you could take back all of your mistakes, but you can't. You just have to hope to be forgiven.
I know that later there will be good times. But we have to live through the hard stuff too. And we don't have a guarantee that things will make sense.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
It's Almost 100% Certain . . .
That we will be getting this house.
Take a look and let me know what you think!
We love it; the kids love it. They are always begging to go over and see "The Big House."
We'll have plenty of room! Come visit us!!!!
Take a look and let me know what you think!
We love it; the kids love it. They are always begging to go over and see "The Big House."
We'll have plenty of room! Come visit us!!!!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Noodle
Chicken Nugget had an overnight event this weekend, so I left the boys at home to watch wrestling and basketball, and Noodle and I had a date! We ate at Cracker Barrell, and Noodle picked out a dress-up set that was on sale for 70% off. We went to see the movie Coraline ("That mean mom was scary!" was Noodle's review of the movie.). I had to make a quick trip to JCPenny to get some pants ("You're just killin' me, Mom, with all this stuff you have to do at the mall!" was Noodle's impatient review of my shopping excursion to Penny's.) Last, we painted at a ceramics place in the mall. Noodle painted three hearts to hang up in her room, and I painted a rose. We even got sparkles srayed on them before we left.
Have I mentioned at all how super stressed I have been lately? No? Well, I have been. Probably more stressed than I can ever recall feeling, EVER. It is a combination of lots of things, but let me just reiterate that the ending result of the combination has been STRESS.
Leave it to Noodle to make me feel better.
Yesterday, as we were leaving Cracker Barrell, I said, "Noodle, did you know that I love you? I love you so much. I love you more than the world!"
Noodle wanted to let me know how much she loves me, too. She said, "I love you more than chicken!"
Thanks, Noodle. I really needed that laugh! And I need you. And I even love you more than chicken, too!
Have I mentioned at all how super stressed I have been lately? No? Well, I have been. Probably more stressed than I can ever recall feeling, EVER. It is a combination of lots of things, but let me just reiterate that the ending result of the combination has been STRESS.
Leave it to Noodle to make me feel better.
Yesterday, as we were leaving Cracker Barrell, I said, "Noodle, did you know that I love you? I love you so much. I love you more than the world!"
Noodle wanted to let me know how much she loves me, too. She said, "I love you more than chicken!"
Thanks, Noodle. I really needed that laugh! And I need you. And I even love you more than chicken, too!
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