The Plant

My daughter needed two potted plants for a science experiment.
I bought them, then left them in the back of the van for a week.
They stayed in place, and the soil was still moist when I finally removed them from the van.
As I brought them into the house, I noticed that they looked very different from one another.
One was healthy...
and the other wasn't...

Both plants were the same, grown at the same nursery, both were shipped in the same truck, both sat for sale at the same store, were bought by the same person, were checked out at the same check stand. Both plants endured the same harrowing ride in the back of the van over the next week. I hadn't forgotten about them. I know they were safely nestled in their places and wouldn't fall over. I knew they had plenty of water, and I had a plan for both of them.
But they reacted differently. One plant stayed healthy and whole, beautiful to look at.
The other one...didn't. It is in a sad state. The leaves are wilted, and it seems to have no desire to return to it's healthy state.
Both plants are now in a sunny window, both are being cared for and looked after. I still have a purpose for both plants. I can still use them. Even the sad, sick one.
I hope the healthy one continues to flourish.
I hope the sad, sick one becomes healthy and whole.

Just a Short Little Nap, Please?

"One day, Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's cross over to the other side of the lake." so they got into a boat and started out. On the way across, Jesus lay down for a nap. And while he was sleeping, the wind began to rise. A fierce storm developed and began to swamp them, and they were in real danger."

Luke 8:22-23

I'm guessing that Jesus didn't take a nap because he was in a bad mood, or that he wasn't content with his ministry. I can be certain, because of scripture, that Jesus didn't lay down for a nap because he just couldn't handle his hectic schedule and wanted to get away from it all.

He DID have a hectic schedule. He DID have people clamoring for his attention everywhere he went. He DID have people constantly question his wisdom. He was away from his family and home during his ministry.

Any bets that Jesus lay down for a nap because he was tired?

Moms, when you say you need a nap, when your flesh is ready for a rest, does it happen this way for you, too?

I lay down, I close my eyes. My muscles begin to relax, my joints loosen, then BAM! The "wind begins to rise". Something happens that calls me out from my place of rest.

If I went to the resting place with an attitude of having 'had it up to here', then when something with the children requires me to get up from my rest, I am going to be, well, less than happy about it.

If I have been joyful (choosing to be content, even when things aren't going MY way), then an interruption to my rest will be dealt with peacefully and perhaps I can return to rest.

May those times I seek out rest be to renew my flesh, not to escape life!

Hard Life

We sift through the advice, the warnings, the advertisements. We ask questions, we pray, we read and research. And sometimes, sometimes we just stumble around.

Parenting is sometimes just hard. There are days when life happens, you know how you ought to respond, you love your children, and it still feels really difficult.

Did anyone ever tell you that? That life is hard?

I browsed an online book store this week and saw titles that had all the answers! They had phrases like 'Three easy steps to...' and 'One week to a better...' and '...has never been so easy'.

I understand the desire to have some things be made less work. Streamlined process is more efficient. But what if efficiency would ruin something, rather than make it better? What if time spent in the trenches, sweating it out, working so hard you feel sore for days after, is the best way?

Parenting is like that. Somedays you just have to sweat it out.


And today, October 30th, 2014, I feel exactly the same as I did when I originally posted this content on January 13, 2011. It's still true.

Messy Pentameter

I wrote a short poem the other day. A rhyme-y one. It was quite rhyme-y.

Do you remember Ideals magazine? My grandmother used to have them. I loved them.
Anyway, this little ditty could have appeard there.

It was rather amateurish. The pantameter was unidentifiable, unless you read it in a completely sing songy voice. It was, however, heartfelt and hey, lots of my facebook friends liked it!

Here it is for you to enjoy.

How I wish that christmas cheer
would stay with us throughout the year
Not the lights and presents and trees
but the hope and goodwill that is given with ease
That our mouths would form, without a thought,
a joyous greeting more oft than not
What a place this world would be
if we chose to give more happily

How Will I be Known?

Another new year is approaching. Somehow, the arrival of another January, along with a fresh calendar for the wall, inspire retrospection and planning ahead. Something that I have come to find is really important at any time of the year.

Still, the New Year brings with it some extra measure of hope and plants stars in my eyes as I envision what things are held in the months to come. Everything looks happier, easier and more successful when I project them onto New Year.

Well, I'm tired of looking at life starry eyed, only to have the stars fade away, and take their rose colored lenses with them.

I began a new personal tradition this year. I hope it will be a tradition. I hope that my hope isn't starry.

I began my "New Year Resolutions" this month. I want to be able to say "Oh, I've been working on that since last year." Somehow, the difference of a week or two gives me the idea that failure isn't an option. That my resolutions won't stall just because I'm not used to a new routine.

I refuse to be known any more as someone that makes big extravigant plans and isn't able to see them through. Yes, I know that sometimes our plans just don't materialize. Circumstances happen. I get that. I'm not talking about never failing at anything. I'm talking about making those changes that really do make things better.

For instance, do I really want to be known for another year as a grumpy, grouchy mom who laughs only on occasion?

I really want to be a joyful mom. One who delights in her children and the wonderful job I have of raising them. Yes, I even want to be joyful about all of the tasks that come with that job.

I know how to go about achieving that goal. I have all of the tools. I know what it takes.

And I vow to do it.

I want to be known as a joyful person. One who chooses to be happy even when things don't go my way.

Heaven knows, my way is rarely the best way.

Tid Bits

Just a bit or two to get us through!

Evie Joy is eating solid food. Semi solid food? Rice flakes mixed with apple or banana. Mostly she just wants to suck it off of my finger. She isn't so thrilled with the spoon.

I'm longin for a 'pink' day. A day with my girls. I love all of my kiddos. The boys are joys. Hehe.

I just rhymed! But I would love to have some girl time.

Hubby has several days off from work. I am looking forward to this time of of (hopefully) rest.

He took the kiddos sledding today. The three yo calls his brothers "The Guys" and says that he is big now and is of the "The Guys" now too. *sigh*

Marli bug will be with us over Thanksgiving. She'll be spending some time with extended family and be involved in some of our pre-Christmas traditions!

Tid bits. The Little bits that make up The great big picture.

The 'En-En' Game

It's game a couple of the Smallers made up. They must be wearing appropriate Burn-Off Pajamas. These are either footie sleepers, or pajamas with a good clean pair of socks. You know, to make burn-offs on the hard floor more exciting. They hold their hands out in front of them as though on a steering wheel, sliding their feet across the floor saying "en, en, en!" to sound like an engine. They invite one another to "Play En-En".

They made it up. It's all their own.

I am thrilled to know that my children have active imaginations!