Saturday Six

Back in “ye olden days” when we were but five, I always wrote my “Friday Five” editions. Now we live in this new and modern era of six and now my title is irrelevant as none of us is getting “voted off” the 1100 square feet anytime soon. I found myself considering such titles as the “Friday Five: The Not Five Edition” or concepts such as cutting the least interesting person of the week. Seriously, my worst idea in quite some time. So for now, I gave you the “Saturday Six“!

… or rather I will give you the “Saturday Six” after I stop one of my children from eating a refrigerator magnet…
As my sister Carrie would say: “Real talk“.

The topic that’s coming to mind as I compose this is thankfulness.

Bob: This week, Bob’s tireless effort was officially recognized by his employer and they gave him Friday off of work. If I were tweeting this, I would say #AWESOME.

Ellie: My moment of the week actually has to do with Bob as well. My husband does heroic things for us every day, but there are some days that he goes above and beyond into something truly amazing. I won’t elaborate further at this time, but yesterday was one of those days and I’m still smiling as I think of it. See? 🙂

Darcy: …is most likely thankful for the safe removal of a splinter from her finger yesterday. This girlie has her mother’s sense of drama and there has never been anything so horrifying for her, I’m sure. It is still much discussed. Oh, and I’m sure she’d also be fairly thankful for parental bribe of ice cream she got after said splinter. Come to think of it … So am I!

Aidan: When I talked to Aidan, he informed me that he was thankful for chocolate. Aren’t we all? Definitely a proud mothering moment right there.

Chase: When I pinned Chase down for a little chat, all I could get out of him was “Uh….I TWO!!!!”. That in and of itself is a point for rejoicing. Here’s hoping that he makes it to three.

Karsten: If chins could talk, Karsten would tell you that he’s thankful that he acquired the neurological skills to pick up and devour dry cereal. But they can’t and he won’t … Yet, he is. Are you with me?

There! You made it through the first “Six“! Are you stunned, stymied, suspenseful…? Okay, I’ll stop…

But hey, what are you thankful for this week/end?

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Oh yes…I’m also thankful for this picture because it makes me laugh.

Commonplace … Or Not

 

Just recently, I was putting the kids into the car and we saw a caterpillar.  It was fuzzy, green, and directly behind the front wheel of our van.  I probably would have forgotten about him, climbed into the driver’s seat, and gone into reverse without a second thought, but one does not do this in front of small children to whom each bug is a new best friend.
After once and for all time settling the question of whether or not the caterpillar could be our new house pet (“He could be like our dog, Mom!”), we decided that the best thing we could do for him is move him away from the path of the van so as not to “goosh” him (as Aid said).
I poked him with a stick, and then two sticks.  I tried to get him to climb onto one or the other so I could move him.  I tried picking him up in every way I could think of without the aforementioned “gooshing” occuring.  Still, the caterpillar refused to be rescued.
I finally got him to move enough that my car wouldn’t kill him and we were able to move on.

 

As we were driving, I got to thinking about this picture a little more…
Metaphorically, I think I must look a lot like that caterpillar … I’m often stuck behind a giant wheel of sin and pride that will “goosh” me, yet how often I refuse the gentle prodding of offered rescue because I – in a grand delusion of deceit – believe that the stick will hurt me and that I must move in my own strength, will, and time.
The verse that kept coming to my mind is a passage from the book of Hebrews: “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”   (Hebrews 3:13, ESV)

 

Even thought my little caterpillar picture is silly and ordinary, there is nothing silly, ordinary, or commonplace about grace.  Grace saved me and teaches me – now and until the day that I will see Christ face to face.
The hand of Grace is extended – have you reached for it?

 

He breaks the power of canceled sin, he sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean, his blood availed for me

The 87 Hour Day

Today was an 87 hour-long day in which bedtime was always 86 hours away no matter what time it was.  It was a day when the last person standing was the winner, and if only one person was crying at a time, the winner was me.  Even as I attempt to compose my thoughts here [writing in real-time!], I have been interrupted to 1) answer the question “Mom, am I being quiet enough in bed?“, 2) deal with the child who doesn’t care if he’s being quiet at all – in fact, the louder, the better, and 3) answer the evening questions from the training potty: “Yes, that is where you go to the bathroom.  Yes, that is where you take a shower.  Yes, that is where you wash your hands.  No, you may not read a magazine.” (still unclear if he actually had to use the facilities or wanted a quick round of bathroom-style ’20 questions’).

Still, despite the giant cup of crazy that is my life right now, it’s a great place to be.  Here are just a few of the reasons why:  (Just so you know –  I’m writing these down as much for myself today as for anybody else…)

  • I live in a land where the phrase “Who wants a popsicle?!” makes me a national hero.
  • I live in a land where all injuries, real or imagined, are healed with a kiss and hug.
  • …where playing play-dough makes me cool.
  • …where flights of fancy are celebrated and even required.
  • …where “therapy” is a fuzzy baby head pressed on my shoulder.
  • …where just because my name is “Mom”, I am invincible. (and can even resuscitate the caterpillar that Chase ate) (not really) (but they thought I could)

Thinking about what a fun land I live in reminds me to be thankful on these long days.

Now I’m back to real-time.  I need to go tell them to put their heads on their pillows and be quiet (again) (you’d think they’d be tired after 87 hours) … and maybe kiss them and snuggle them in … just one more time.  🙂

Good Night.

 

 

The Face On The Move

This child, affectionately referred to as “The Face” had a 7 month milestone recently.  He also celebrated a milestone of a different sort … the MOBILE kind!  I hope you’ll forgive me if I’m not jumping up and down just yet.  I 1) just realized that my house while Chase-proof, is shockingly un-baby-proof, and 2) my baby is growing up!  [moment of silence, please]

Okay, the moment is passed and I’m happy.  Seriously, how could you look at these adorable chubby-chub rolls and not be happy?  I dare you.

“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

(I just blew my cool quote arsenal for when he actually walks…)

A Very Lincoln Weekend

Mrs. Lincoln speaks about the Battle of Gettysburg

This weekend, we went to Civil War Days.

Actually, I need to back up a little on this story …

This winter, Darcy’s school presentation assignment over 7 weeks was to work on memorizing a famous historical speech (her history major mother did a little happy dance, I assure you).  We settled on The Gettysburg Address and got about 2/3 of the way through.  This piqued a Lincoln interest in her and so we decided after a very Lincoln-focused Winter/Spring that we needed to try out Civil War Days.

I can honestly say that I’ve never seen anything like it.  In case you didn’t know this about me already, be warned: I didn’t just major in history – I’m a complete history geek.  As we strolled through the town along the green, I shared the street with the likes of Generals Custer, Sherman, Jackson, and Lee.  I also saw Mr. Jefferson Davis, and of course, our beloved Mr. Lincoln.

It's Mr. Lincoln!

Our time culminated with a view of an afternoon battle between really amazing re-enactors (or re-en-actors? or reen-actors?) posing as Union and Confederate soldiers.  Very real.  In fact, so real that my kids at 6 and 3 only made it past the first few minutes of the full artillery before they were asking if we could please take it all in from a sizeable distance.  Judging by my son’s grimace, I equate “sizeable distance” to some 50 miles give or take.  Luckily, they were both comforted with some kettle corn – leading to a discussion of whether the kettle corn they were eating was actually around during the Civil War (uh, sorry, FDA…) .

Enjoying the porch on the Mitchell Manor

Such a fun afternoon … even the discussion on 150 year old kettle corn.  If you ever get the chance to re-live history this way, jump at it!