Not Me Monday! - My first attempt

I love reading Not Me Monday! started by MckMama. I shied away from trying them myself because, well it just seemed a little too difficult. Not the part about writing things backwards, but the part about remembering what I did yesterday not to mention details from a week ago.

You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week. Or you can see what my BFF Megan did NOT do cuz she's who started me on this:)


Well, here I go.



This weekend was so NOT hot and humid!



My husband left on Friday to go to a Motor Cross race about five hours away so I was home with the kids. I did NOT have lots of plans. I was going to NOT be painting, NOT cleaning and NOT getting my kids grown out of clothes organized.



I did NOT do absolutely nothing!



I did NOT decide that watching P.S. I Love You was a good idea while missing my husband. It was NOT not a good idea.



On Saturday I did NOT decide in the early morning hours that jeans were a good idea for the day. Then continuing to have bright ideas I did NOT attempt to take my kids to a local country fair in the blazing heat.



I did NOT feel like I was going to pass out after being there for only half an hour.



I am NOT a baby when it comes to either extreme of weather.



While I was NOT struggling with the children in the heat my husband was NOT sneaking into the VIP area of the races. I was NOT so proud of him for that is something I might NOT do;)



After the fair I did NOT change into a NOT too skimpy dress, reserved only for desperately hot occasions;) Then I did NOT take my girls to a birthday party. I was holding Brayden and my brother in law came over with a video camera to "give Brayden a close up". I really think he was NOT getting a close up on my breasts. I did NOT feel majorly annoyed with him and my dress and the heat!

On Sunday I figured out how to be happier in the heat. It did NOT consist of eating lots of sour watermelon candies and drinking sugary lemonade. Then I did NOT drive around in my air conditioned gas guzzling suburban, giving up all together on housework! Of course NOT!



That's all I've got. I have NOT forgotten what happened before Friday and Saturday.

P.S. How'd I do Megan?

Jesus Calling

It was so hot yesterday and I was in such a bad mood. Partly because of the heat I'm sure and also just having too much to do and ABSOLUTELY NO energy!

My low point came late in the afternoon. My girls were all gone, my husband has been gone all weekend, my little boy was sleeping and I was staring at my sink full of dishes.

That was it, all I could handle. I broke down and started sobbing. Suddenly the tears that had been waiting to spill over all came at once and I found myself incredibly weighed down by it all.

I sat down on the floor and just prayed "Jesus, please help."

When I looked up and out of my kitchen window toward the East I cast my eyes on the sky suddenly darkened with clouds.

Rain!

"Oh thank you Jesus!"

I went and woke up Brayden and carried him in his diaper to the car. I was needing to pick Emma and Ruby up from a birthday party anyway, so we set out and I drove straight into those dark clouds waiting for the first drops to hit my car windshield.

(If you are reading this and you're not from Washington I may sound a little ridiculous at this point...the fact is Northwest people just do not ever fully acclimate themselves to either extreme of heat or cold.)

I picked Emma and Ruby up from their birthday party and headed further east. It had already been raining, but now I was looking for lightning and listening for thunder.

I was chasing the storm! (Okay, I'll admit now, it was ridiculous).

The truth is I was feeling so down and dark and I wanted a distraction, and some BIG answer from the Lord about my feelings. (Am I the only one who has been there?)

So here I am chasing a storm and dragging my kids along for the ride and this song comes on the radio. One of those songs that I have not really listened to before yesterday.

Jesus Calling by 33 Miles:

When you see the rushing wind, feel the pouring rain
Hear the thunder now as the clouds roll in
You’re blinded by the lightning
Do you also hear that still, small voice saying
It’s okay you’re not alone
You may be scared to death but I won’t let you go
You may think the sky above is falling
But can you hear Jesus calling


What do you see when you look at your world today
Do you see a glimmer of hope, or has it all turned to gray
Well start by counting your blessings one by one
Oh and I’m sure right there, you’ll start to see the sun
You see there’s always another story, another side to every coin
And how you see your circumstance is all about a choice

Because the darker the night, the brighter He can shine

I sometimes feel irritated by the "Christian" act of counting your blessings, but there is something to it...a lot to it!

So I did, and I started by repositioning my rear view mirror for a second to see the quiet faces of three of my biggest blessings riding behind me (quiet because they were eating candy from the party - it didn't last long). I'll be honest in that sometimes my kids do NOT feel like blessings. They always are though, even in the moments when they are "teaching me something".

I woke up feeling so much better today and even though it's hot, I feel in it the bright light of my Father.

Even though the sink is once again full!

Things Kids Say: Neighbor Edition

I'm just trying to get caught up here:) I feel like I've been away for awhile, in some ways physically away and other ways mentally.

So, this is a little bit funny and a little bit sad and it makes me think...hmmm, what do my kids mumble to people we somewhat know?

I dropped Emma off at her karate class and decided to walk with Ruby to the Dollar Store. I saw a couple of girls from Azzie's school, Chelsea and Elizabeth.

In Second Grade I volunteered in Azzie's class and that's when I met Elizabeth. She came in from recess and inquired what I was doing.

"Correcting papers" I told her and then she showed me her cell phone. "I'm waiting for a call."

"Oh yeah?" I smiled.

"Yeah, you see I just found out that I'm adopted and it didn't go well. So, now I'm waiting for my 'parents' (she actually used finger quotes) to call so we can talk."

I did NOT know how to take what this little girl was telling me. I sensed she was telling me a story, but I had not been around a lot of second graders so I didn't want to assume anything.

"Yeah", she continued. "They really dropped a bomb on me with this." She shook her head and I think class had to get started.

So, when I saw them outside of Dollar Plus Chelsea said "hi" and I smiled and said "Hi Chelsea, how are you?" Then, "Are you girls having a good summer?"

I think Chelsea said something like "Yeah, lots of fun," but Elizabeth said "NO!"

"Oh, why not?" I asked.

"Well, my dad (she forgot the finger quotes this time) just leaves us home alone all the time. And when he is there, he just ignores us."

I think I said something like "Well, you're right, that wouldn't be fun."

The sad thing is I know telling stories like that comes from somewhere, but it is kind of funny too. I'll have to remember to pray for Elizabeth.

And on a totally cute note, Ruby and Brayden were playing House in their room while I was in with them but resting on Ruby's bed. Ruby said "I need to go get a baby bottle out of Emma's room, Mom, can you watch Brayden for me?" She was totally serious! She is such a little mama. I just laughed and said "Sure honey, I'll keep an eye on him for you."

(Here's Ruby with all of her babies.)

Good Books Inspire Adolescent Girls

Our oldest daughter Azzie is sooo into the Twilight books right now. All she can think to ask for her birthday is "Breaking Dawn". If you ask her about any of the characters or books, she'll talk until your eyes are glazing a little. Ask my friend Megan!

I skimmed through the first book making sure it was appropriate for our still eleven year old and I took her to the movie. I see the draw, I mean, a nice mysterious good looking guy who turns out to be a vampire, but it's okay, because he's a vegetarian (meaning he sucks the blood of Forrest animals and not people) and is drawn by scent to this awkward girl who doesn't know how pretty she is. And you don't have any scenes where you see little girls turn into ashen statues when the sun hits like in "Interview with a Vampire" because these vampires sparkle in the sunlight. Plus, he just wants a innocent romance with Bella, that consists of sleeping in the grass together, watching the Ocean from tree tops and watching her sleep. Creepy, but remember being 14?

My point is that I told Azzie she could read the books, but in between each book she needed to read something else. I gave her some options. I said she could read a book in the bible or a classic or something I pick out.

The first time I picked it out and gave her a Beverly Lewis book about courting Amish teenagers and had her also do a compare and contrast between dating customs in the different books she was reading. I thought it was a great idea, but she did not!

This time she picked Camilla by Madeleine L'Engle, a book I read again and again between the ages of 12-15. In fact it's falling apart. I carefully handed over my old library discarded book, while certain scenes came to mind causing me to smile. I hadn't really looked at it in years and I quickly noticed the phrase on the cover "Her life is filled with confusion. Will is ever make sense?"

"Wait" I said as something sparked in my memory. Let me look through this. Sure enough in blue and purple ink throughout the book is my own poetry inspired by L'Engle's outpouring of inspiration.

Here is some of it for your enjoyment. I believe I was 13...

~ Title page ~

And wishful thoughts reveal innocent smiles taken wrong.

Just leave me here along.

While tears fall like dew from autumn leaves.

Small attempts to bring life.

If only it all weren't so naive.

~ Page 3 ~

Dry sticky fingers are warmed in summer sun.

Small child gently weeping under rollercoaster lines of people.

~ Page 7 ~

Keep your eyes on the Lord...:)

~ Page 49 ~

Shy eyes wonder aimlessly

Nothing to occupy me...

~ Page 158 ~

Innocent smiles reveal conspicuous thoughts

And alas he's gone.

Too bad he wasn't smiling at me.

~ First page of book ~

12 o'clock at the train station

~ Last page of book ~

Will he even come?

And do what I want?

Wishful thoughts...

So, there you go. I was in therapy two years later by the way. I suppose I'll have to include a few discussions with my daughter during her time with Camilla.

Some Summer Fun

Ruby is saying "Yee-Hawwww"

Shariah and her friend Dani scaring Mom. After this I let them continue jumping from the trampolene into the pool, only one at a time!

Brayden (the little prince of our brood) chillin while Grandma pushes him gently around the pool.

Ten Things I Love About Him

1. He's handsome. I'm sorry to say but that's important and I remember being a young girl, unsure about how my life would unfold and I clearly remember thinking "What if God has an ugly guy picked out for me." I am picturing the pouty face as I said it too. LOL

2. He challenges me...a lot! I like being challenged but sometimes it hurts. Before we got married I was really a spoiled little girl and I had no freakin clue!

3. He's a great daddy. That is why I fell in love with him in the first place and I have tried to remember that while facing challenges that come along with being a blended family. He was a sweet daddy to his little girl. Then he adopted my little girl. Then he put up with and actually loved having girl after girl and living a life surrounded by pretty ladies:) Now I watch him with his son and can't imagine a more tender and loving as well as playful and challenging father for our kids.

4. He is an amazing provider for our family. He works hard six sometimes seven days a week and so I can be a home maker and be here for our kids.

5. He loves the Lord. I remember having the picture of the perfect spiritual leader, you know the guy who tenderly takes out the family bible every night for devotions. We have had family devotions maybe once during our marriage, but he is an amazing leader by example as well as by being faithful to listen and obey God when it comes to relationships. He's so good at seeing how each person in our family is unique and therefore has their own set of unique needs for their soul and spirit. I'm glad I forgot about "Mr. Family Devotions" because otherwise I might have missed the annointed man of God my husband has become.

6. He loves me. I was listening to Focus on the Family the other day and they were talking about the physiological differences between male and female brains. They were talking about women's brains being like a ball of yarn (I like the thought of spaghetti more still) and men's brains being like drawers and how they have a "nothing drawer". I thought my husband would get a kick out of it so I asked him to listen. As soon as he started listening they started going on and on about how women need to be touched tenderly, carassed and hugged. I laughed at him rolling his eyes and saying "of course". But later, he caught me in the kitchen, gave me a big long hug and a couple of kisses on the forehead and told me he listened to that and he would try to be more tender because he loves me. Ahhh....that will stay with me for a long time:)

7. He's a guy's guy. I love it that guys like my husband. I also love it that he takes that as a serious responsibility and tries to be someone who is worthy of being looked up to.

8. He's a very good lover;)

9. He works on our marriage. He goes out of his way to be a better husband, even going to marriage conferences...okay so we've been to all of one, but still, he enjoyed it and learned from it and applied what he learned when he got home.

10. He's my best friend. I have heard that your husband isn't supposed to be your best friend and I disagree. I mean, of course it's important to have friends who are the same sex because there are some needs for both women and men that can only be met by someone who truly understands, but my husband is definitely the one I want to run to and tell as soon as something great happens. He's definitely the one I miss if I don't see every day.

Happy Anniversary Honey

Today is our sixth anniversary! This has been one good heck of a ride. We've definitely had so many ups and we've definitely had some downs too. I think this was the first year that I actually held one of "those" cards. You know the ones that talk about bad times and good times and I considered getting it. Then I slipped back into my denial and went for the lovey dovey "newlywed" sounding card.

Anyway, I would like to tell you about the man I am proud to call my husband. But I'm supposed to be cooking him dinner and I keep telling him he does come before blogging, so I better show him it's true.

But I have to tell you about my conversation with Ruby.

Ruby (holding up a giant chocolate bar): Mommy, can I have this?

Me: No honey, that's for daddy.

Ruby: Is it his birthday?

Me: No, it's our anniversary...it's the day we got married:)

Ruby: Oh yay Mommy, you're married now!

Me (lol): Well, actually we got married awhile ago and we're celebrating it today like we do every year.

Ruby: Can I get married?

Me: Well, yes, when you're older and you meet someone you love.

Ruby: I'm going to get married to Violet.

Me: Well, it needs to be a boy.

Ruby: Okay, I'm going to get married to Brayden.

Me: Well, someone who's not your brother.

Ruby: Hmmm (thinks about it for a moment), can I get married to Joseph?

(Joseph is her Sunday school classes Compassion International child.)

Me: Yes, Ruby if you grow up and Joseph and you fall in love you can get married:)

Another Crazy Story

Well, we're away from home and actually I'm sitting in front of a huge plasma TV typing on a little device called Logitec. Sort of like a big phone key board.

And I just found the regular keyboard and it is a lot easier.

Seriously this is the life. Well, sort of. I was hoping to do some other writing this week on my "vacation" but I'm feeling kind of blocked by all this luxury. Plus, I'm chasing after my kids to keep them from damaging anything or spilling on the carpets or furniture.

Speaking of which, I feel like all I'm writing about lately are crazy dramatic happenings.

So, this morning I decided to take a shower in their HUGE master bath...did I mention this is my dream house? I brought Brayden in with me because I wanted to keep an eye on him and set him up playing on the floor. After a few minutes Ruby burst in to tell me something, I don't remember what, because I was irritated that she allowed my son to escape.

I was almost finished rinsing my hair and so I let it go and Ruby left the room following Brayden.

There was a mirror, a HUGE mirror, held up by large pieces of blue painters tape. I'm guessing the mirror had come unglued and they taped it up before a permanent vanity could be built.

I opened the shower door, grabbed a towel and suddenly this horrible crash happened behind me. I screamed and I think I jumped back in the shower and turned around to see that GIGANTIC mirror crashing to the ground into hundreds of pieces.

Crashing to the ground right where my boy had been playing only a couple of minutes before!!!

Angels were surely watching over him. I'll upload a picture of the disaster later, but for now I have some cleaning to do.

I called my husband right after it happened and he said "Oh no, we were afraid that would happen somehow." I'm sorry for the snottiness in light of the whole situation, but next time someone is afraid something could happen, please let me know. Okay? Thanks:)

I'm outta here!

I know, I just got back.

I actually get to go with my entire family to housesit for one of my husband's builder friends. They live in a very nice house...okay it's my dream house. No joke.

I visited one of the houses they built (and my husband finished for them - he's a finish carpenter) and I said "Yup, honey, this is the house I want." The floor plan was perfect and it had everything I'd dream of having in my own house. There is a trend toward big open living spaces but I would like to have a formal dining and living room and a butlers pantry and a wine cellar.... ~sigh~

This house is the same floor plan but has some extras like a movie theater, and a water slide in the back yard.

How nice of them to let us come take care of it for them...seriously with our five children? What are they thinking?

I know I posted a picture of our dining area awhile back and the reason I haven't updated it is because it hasn't changed and now the living room looks like that as well.

I think I mentioned it before but our house (built in 1912) was built before drywall must have existed. Most homes at the time uses plaster but there was an alternative....wall paper.

So, that's getting covered with actual drywall (never take it forgranted) and then I get to pick out paint colors. My inspiration is a mug from Starbucks. Then he's going to put new trim on and I'm insisting he go big to keep with the feel of the old house. Then the hard wood floors are going to get sanded and stained a nice dark walnut color.

When we return it's going to be very very pretty.