Don't Make Me...

We've all done it! Given our children empty threats at moments of desperation, trying to get them to obey. We think we are only saving ourselves from the humiliation of what could possibly happen that might make us look as if we don't have it together. What we don't realize is that we have already made fools of ourselves because we are letting our children control our lives. Why do I bring this up you may ask? Summer is here and I am getting the opportunity to view lots of parenting (or lack there of) at the pool. It absolutely grates on my nerves for a mother to YELL all the way across the pool at her children just because she doesn't want to leave the conversation she is in to take care of the children she brought into this world. How do you like that run-on??? Anyway, the worst practice that I witness is the counting thing!! I just don't understand it. Are you giving your children a "chance" to obey you? Do you not expect them to obey you the first time you tell them? What happens when they are running toward the street, a car is coming, and you tell them to stop? Do they think they need to stop right then or will they have that extra 3-5 seconds for you to count? Immediate obedience! That is what we should all expect. Not only will it save us time and energy, but it could possibly save the lives of our children. I don't think it's too much to ask. Yes, it is very easy to become frustrated and lazy and just not want to deal with it. We must be consistent so that our children know exactly what we expect of them. I must say that consistency is definitely a big struggle for me. What do you say we all get off our duffs and be active parents! What a difference it could make in our lives and in the lives of our little ones. It's worth a try, right?

She Said I Was "Cool"

This past Tuesday, my oldest niece turned 18 and wanted to have a "dance" party. While I was talking to her mom, I jokingly said, "Ask her what time I need to be at her party?" I was surprised to hear her say, "she's cool...she can come". I had to laugh. To someone in her 30's (being me) that was a huge compliment coming from an 18 year old. So, later that night, I got myself all dressed and ready for a "dance" party. As I arrived, it didn't take long for me to realize that I was way out of my element. I did not recognize ANY of the music! That may have been a blessing in disguise. I had become the "old lady" sitting on the other side of the room watching the young ones dance while the young at heart only wish they were. I have always heard people say that they feel as if they were still in their 20's no matter what their chronological age was. Now...I understand. I felt, in my heart, that I belonged over there dancing with everyone. Did I dare make a fool of myself and get out there and dance like we use to dance "back in the day"? I think not! So, as the 13 years difference seemed to grow into more like 30 years difference, I came to a harsh reality. I am no longer "cool"! Shattered dreams and harsh reality!

Celebration of Life

Just as part of our family was celebrating the birth of a child, the other side of our family was mourning the loss of theirs. I had a dear cousin pass away this past week at a fairly young age of a sudden illness. Her memorial service was today. I normally call it a funeral, but this time I truly feel as if I attended a memorial service. You see, while there was no doubt that this was a difficult time for them, I truly feel that they were embracing the parts of her life that needed to be celebrated. Her nephew gave the eulogy and did an amazing job of describing her life and summing it up in such a short amount of time. She had a love of people and as he said, her love was not based on anything that person had done for her and for anyone else. She just loved so that others would feel love. It was her gift to anyone who wanted it. He closed with Eph. 2:4-9 which speaks of Christ's love for us. Christ has an amazing, unconditional love for everyone. All we have to do is receive it. What an amazing tribute for her love to be compared to the love of Christ. Shouldn't we all strive to have a Christ-like love for those around us. Even those who haven't done anything to deserve it.

What Weekend?

Did the weekend really just come and go in the blink of an eye? I woke up this morning, back in my own bed, and thought to myself, what day is it? Does he (he being my husband) have to go to work this morning? Do we need to get ready for church? I was totally off schedule in every sense of the word. It was a very busy weekend, but we got the opportunity to celebrate the birth of our niece. She was born less than 2 hours after they arrived at the hospital and weighed in at 6 lbs. 1 oz. Such a sweet little bundle of joy. I could've held her for hours. We got up first thing Saturday morning, drove up, checked into our hotel, went to her house, then the hospital, then back to her house. We then went out to eat, got ice cream, took ice cream to the hospital for the happy parents, then back to our hotel for a good nights sleep. We woke up the next morning, went back to their house, then to the hospital for one last "baby fix" before we headed back home. Oh, and I was wrong. It wasn't a 4 hour drive, it was a 5 hour drive. So, needless to say, after a full weekend in the car, we were all glad to be back home. It was such an exhausting weekend for all of us, but we wouldn't have missed it for the world.

Just When I Thought I Had Nothing to Blog About...

My sister-in-law went into labor tonight. We are thinking about heading up in the morning to see the newest addition to the family. How exciting!!! It's about a 4 hour drive, so we are trying to make a decision tonight. Just in case we decide to go, I made lil' miss priss these pair of shoes. She has an older brother and they wouldn't let me dress him in smocked clothing (gasp...i know...every baby should wear smocked clothing), so you'd better believe this little girl is going to be prissy if I have anything to say about it. (Which I probably won't) It's ok...as long as they let me think I have a say in the matter then everyone's happy! Thanks to them for making my night (and blog) interesting.

A Must Read

I don't really have that much to blog about today, so I thought I'd give you all a little something to laugh about. I was "blog stalking" again and came across a hilarious post from a fellow blogger. Hope you all enjoy...I know I sure did!

http://dreamscountrygirl.blogspot.com/2008/06/mortification-memoirs.html



Disclaimer: This is the first time I've clicked on her blog, so do not hold me responsible for anything else that country girl's blog may reveal!

Next on the List

Here is the lamp I was referring to in my "Breathe" blog. I really do need to learn how to "link". Pink Dreaming, can you help me with this linking thing? As I was saying, here is my next project.

I wish you could've seen the lamp shade that was on this thing!

I found this lamp at a yard sale I was having. Yes, I just said at a yard sale I was having. You see, the company my dad has worked at for a zillion years is closing and he brought "stuff" (and I use that term lightly) from the office to sell. I saw this lamp and thought it had GREAT...oh, what's the word...it's an artsy word...ahhh, well, we'll just go with form. I hate when I can't think of a word. Anyway, it has potential. So, I will keep you posted (no pun intended) on the progress. I plan on painting it or doing something "the nester" like. If you have any tips or ideas, let me know. Oh, and if any artsy people read this and can think of the word I'm looking for, please let me know. Wait...I think I thought of it! It has great lines! That's the word I'm looking for. Wow! Talk about a brain freeze.

A Father's Role

I had a post all typed up about this lamp I am getting ready to "re-do", but I couldn't get the image to upload. So, here is a little something else that has been on my mind recently. Given the fact that father's day has just passed and the fact that I wrote about my mom, I thought I'd let you know a little about my dad. You will never find a daughter who thinks more highly of her father than I do. I have the most incredible father you've ever met. He is such a godly man who loves the Lord and has always set such a good example of what a father and husband should be. He is selfless, loving, compassionate, and easy-going. He spoiled me rotten as a child and truth be told, he probably still does. It is one of my greatest fears that my children will not remember (when they are my age) what a great man he is. I have so few memories of my grandparents and as I watch my parents interact with them, I pray they will remember what wonderful times they have shared. I have always said that it will take an impressive man to measure up to my dad and I am blessed to say I've found him! When I see my husband interact with my girls, it just brings so much joy that it's hard to explain. He loves them with every fiber of his being and he is like putty in their hands. He takes care of them when their sick and runs to their rescue in time of need. He is an awesome father and I have no doubt that when my girls grow up, they too will say..."you will never find a daughter who thinks more highly of her father than we do!"

All in a days work

So maybe it took a little longer than a day, but I can cross a few things off my summer list. Some of you may have read my blog entitled "Breathe". I'm not smart enough yet to link you to it, so just search my blog list to find it if you so desire. Anyway, I thought I'd give you an update on the kind of progress I'm making. You'd be glad to know that I finished my niece's coming home outfit, have taught the girls three Bible verses (Eph. 6:1, Eph. 4:32, and John 14:6), made my euro shams (I know, I still need small decorative pillows, but I'm waiting for just the right fabric),


and planted the flower garden.

I wish I could take all the credit for the beautiful perennial garden, but truth be told I really only have sweat equity and financial responsibility. My wonderfully talented sister-in-law came this past weekend and helped me pick out all of the flowers which should be a beautiful display by the end of the summer. We have secretly vowed that if we ever decide to sell this house, it will have to be in the winter so that we can dig up all of the full grown perennials. (She has done this in the past...gasp!) I, too, would be heart broken to have put all the work into such a beautiful yard for someone else to appreciate it...or not. So that's how the summer has gone so far. Off to a good start I would say. The vegetable garden will need picking within the next couple of days, so I have a feeling that will put a stop to some of the progress. I hope not. I love getting things accomplished...can you tell?

A Mother's Role

Have you ever just assumed that all mothers were like yours? It has only been within the past couple of years that I have realized that all mothers were not created equal. Yes, there are things that bring us together like the common bond of children and household responsibilities. But there are many things that make us different. I've thought a lot lately about how my children view me and how that will affect the kind of person they are. You see, I have an excellent example of a mother. She is so sacrificial and has an awesome attitude toward life in general. She is 68 years old (I know she wouldn't mind me telling her age because I will follow it up with...) and she runs circles around me. She can work twice as hard and at the end of the day, be half as tired. I just don't understand it. She will, at the drop of a hat, rescue me from whatever it is I have gotten myself into. Most of the time this will include an extremely high stack of ironing and a little too much self-induced stress. I know that anytime I need her she is just a phone call away. I try not to take advantage of this, but there are just times when we need our "mammas"! I thank God that she is the kind of mother that I can depend on because not all mothers are like that. I also thank God for opening my eyes to the fact that you should never take your mother for granted. I am so fortunate to have such a good role model and I hope my girls will one day see that in me.

Girl Time

I must tell you a little about my Bible Study girls. I first met most of these girls about a year and a half ago. We did a study together and I would see them occasionally here and there after the study, but nothing really consistent. Then we started a new study a few months ago and I have really gotten to know these girls so much better. Let me just tell you that one of the things I've found out about these girls is that they are FUN!!!! You can't help but smile when you are talking to them and laugh when you are around them. They truly have been such a blessing to me. The study is over now and I will truly miss all the fun we had. I'm sure there will be another study, but until then...Girls, you were incredible. Thanks!