Another Reason

I think that my kids are pretty awesome.

For some reason, I have had on and off bouts of dizziness. I don't know why, but it happens. Today was one of those days. I found myself listing and getting dizzy when I would change position. My mom gets on my case and so she should. After an extreme case that found me in the ER a few months ago, I now carry a prescription to help. I decided that today was a good day to take advantage of some help. One of the side effects is drowsiness. By 11:00 am, I couldn't keep my eyes open. Skipping lunch, I headed straight to bed leaving instructions for the kids as they finished their work. Three and a half hours later, I emerged from my room less dizzy but for some reason still tired.

As I walked down the stairs, I heard a flurry of activity from the family room. After the kids finished school, they had worked together to prepare something special just for me. My little man started some great praise music. My little one sat at my feet and proceeded to give me the best foot rub (with cream). Her little five-year old hands worked their magic. Speaking of magic, my little man had pulled out his new magic set, studied the book, and had practiced his sleight of hand to wow me with his magic show. My princess set out to make me the most incredible cup of hot chocolate. I mean this was so rich, loaded with whipped cream, drizzled with caramel and chocolate, and sprinkled with chocolate chips. Simply, deliciously divine. All this for the price of three hugs. Quite the deal if you ask me. Which, of course, you did.

Sometimes, it is hard to sit and enjoy the life that God has given me. I don't know why. I came downstairs this afternoon with a list in my head of things that had to be done in the next two hours. My kids helped me realize that those things were not necessary at that moment. What was necessary was that I sit with them and enjoy what they had to offer – their love for mom shown in their own special way. God help me to not miss these moments.

A Moment in Time

Working with my son on vocabulary and spelling

Helping my daughter choose a book for her book review and biographical research paper

Loading a program on the kids' computer so my daughter can "play" reading

Changing the laundry

Filling the dishwasher

Taking a child to a play date

Picking up a child from a play date

Dropping off my daughter for her science class

Picking up my daughter from her science class

Having tea with Mom

Editing a book report with my son

Editing a research paper with my daughter

Making dinner

Going out to the bookstore with my sweetie

Filling out paperwork

Watching a little Olympics

Heading to bed

Patriotism and Family

Exemplified or lost?

The Olympics intrigue us, capture our attention, and inspire dreams and motivations. What an amazing sight to see the world come together on this grand stage of sport. Flags wave and anthems peal and the national favorites play the game of their lives. Heartwarming stories give us pictures of families who would follow their child or spouse to the ends of the earth. Each athlete gives it his all.

For whom and at what cost?

Despite the national pride that is inherent in the Olympic Games, I am surprised by how many athletes have left their home country for the opportunity to play their sport. While this thinking defines a minority of athletes, it makes me think. These athletes have changed their citizenship. They have left all they have known for the sake of the sport.

Some stories relay a sad side of family. These athletes have left all that behind as well. One coach hasn't seen his family in twenty years and can't even recognize his son. The phrase "I have given up everything for this" is a sad indicator. Other athletes were identified as young children and taken from their families just to study, practice, and compete for their country. Maybe, I am an old fuddy duddy, but I love my country and would be lost without my family.

It is honorable to be passionate. We are all passionate about something and to some degree are willing to sacrifice for that passion. Christ is the perfect example. He is passionate about us. He gave up his throne, came to earth as a baby, and suffered and died on the cross all because he loves us and wanted us to be in heaven with him forever. That's sacrifice. That's passion.

However, back to the Olympics. When do passion and sacrifice go too far? Maybe we should chalk it up to an individual decision. I don't really know. I just know that this made me think. Being willing to give up your identity with your home country (and in some cases, choose to live in Communism) and giving up the closeness of family appear to me to be over the edge.

In any case, my opinions don't really matter. The Olympics are incredible. The abilities that these athletes have been given are mind-boggling. I mean, really, how do they do those flips? I have enjoyed the show. I am proud of our country's athletes. In two weeks, when the games are over, life goes on both for me and all the athletes who have worked so hard for their chance to shine.

Happy Birthday, Mom

I decided to repost from last year. Thank you, Mom, for always being there. I could not have made it through this last year without you.

My precious mom had a birthday today. I thank God for the multitude of memories we have shared. She chose to stay at home with us instead of working out of the home. Sacrifice is an understatement. We had little, but that was ok and we didn't mind. She makes things work. If God is in it, it is always a good thing.

My mom loves God and enjoys being a wife and mother to her family. There are ten grandkids now who call her Nana. My family has the blessing of visiting with her every day. During those moments they share silly stuff, life lessons, and of course pretzels. And, if we stay for lunch anytime, that is the best in my kids' minds.

I am still finding out more about my mom even as an adult with four children of my own. I enjoy times to sit with a cup of tea and chat about most anything: church, family, politics, education, food, whatever.

My mom is beautiful - even in a flannel coat and slippers. We talk about wrinkles and sags, yet in the scheme of things, those have no importance. They show years of life lived: laughter, tears, adventure, crisis, and love.

Many say that I look like my mom. I hope so. We are different women, but the similarities are a blessing.

Birthdays come and go. As we get older, they seem to come even more frequently. My mom never really minds the birthdays as they are simply another chance to celebrate the life that God has given her. I like that perspective.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Marketing Works

Our family joined the millions of others who watched the Super Bowl last weekend. One of the commercials promised a free breakfast on the next Tuesday. Free? Really? We took them up on it. Despite snow battered roads, we ventured out early for a free Grand Slam breakfast at Denny's. Of course, nothing can be completely free in this world. The drinks were not on the house.

There is something great about sitting together for meals. If you don't practice that, you should. We manage to get into the most intriguing conversations while we eat together.

Twelve pancakes, twelve eggs, twelve sausages, twelve slices of bacon, five orange juices, and two teas later we headed back into the cold. Daddy had to get to work. The rest of us needed to get back to school. We all enjoyed a special treat.

Thankful Thursday

In light of the mounds of snow in my yard, I am thankful for a snow blower that works and for my husband who not only does our property but also the neighbors' driveways that were covered because of the snowplows. I am thankful we never lost electricity even though the power lines were laden with heavy snow. That means we had heat, light, and Wii. You know – the important things. I am thankful for the flexibility that homeschooling provides to choose the days that we take off from the books. Today was such a day. At least for a day, Mom was the hero. I am thankful that my kids actually like playing with each other. I am thankful that the pizza place where I go every Thursday for lunch with my hubby had a clear parking lot and barbeque chicken pizza. Six people plus friends equals lots of wet snow clothes and boots. I am thankful for a laundry room on the main floor directly in from the garage. I am thankful for a teenage daughter who wants me to work with her on a project. So on that note, I gotta go. There is so much more to be thankful for on this beautiful day. What are you thankful for today?

Reality

Let's be honest. Sometimes accepting God's reality for my life is just plain hard.

Truth be told (again), my reality is not bad. I have a totally awesome husband who loves me unconditionally, works hard for our family, parents alongside me, and is obvious in his love for God. My kids are not perfect, get on each other's case, and make me tired, but I think they are amazing and pretty cool. I have the privilege of combining two of my passions, teaching and my family, into one as I teach my kids in our home. This reality to some may be a dream and the polar opposite of their reality. I don't take this reality for granted.

Today, I wish I could change a part of my reality. I wish there was a bassinet in my bedroom holding my little girl breathing sweetly and sleeping peacefully. I wish I could hold my daughter in my arms just once. I wish the mailman didn't bring formula samples again. (I know I canceled that already!) I wish Julia was here.

The reality is she is not here, but she is in heaven. True, I was ready for the reality of dirty diapers, a crying baby, and sleepless nights. God had a different reality for me. I am still struggling with that.

Heaven is reality too, friends. I am confident that someday I will be there to worship God forever as he has forgiven my sins. Nothing I can do can merit my salvation. He is the reality that is constant no matter what uncertainty and sadness I am feeling. Seeing Julia and my other little ones will make heaven that much sweeter (as a dear friend reminded me).

I can only see a small glimpse of reality. I don't always like it, but I am confident that God's reality is perfect in the end.

Something . . .

to think about and mull over. Beware, the following verses may challenge you.

I Peter 5:6-7, 10-11

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

What is my life’s purpose?

Ephesians 5: 15-17

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

 

I don't know how to answer that question today.

Opportunities present themselves daily.

What is my overall purpose?

What does He want me to do today to follow his will and impact others?

I am a mom. I am a teacher. I am a child of God.

I want to be wise.

I hate wasting my time, but am I wasting God's time?