Clever Ek

2 clever moments from my Ek: We were talking yesterday about the Texas/ Alabama game tonight. We were talking about the important things like team colors and mascots. They were very intrigued to hear that the Texas mascot was a longhorn bull. Ek said, I cannot remember the direct quote, but something to the effect of, I sure hope the other team doesn't wear red because that bull would be chasing them all over the field! How hilarious that Alabama does actually wear red. And I do think the Horns will be chasing them down!

Today when I took L to school, they were beginning their day by painting penguins. L's shirt was covered in yellow and orange paint. Ek said that it must have been a macaroni penguin. You know, macaroni and cheese, orange and yellow. There most certainly is such a thing as a macaroni penguin, not so much orange and yellow or covered in pasta, but I like the pun. That girl, I tell you what, how clever.

Football Reminiscing

Eleven years ago, during half time of the Peach Bowl, J officially asked me to start dating him. He said he was serious though, and for me to say yes was with the intention that we were moving in a serious direction. When back at school, I felt like I was officially into his life when he was talking with some friends about coming over to watch the national championship football game and I asked him if he wanted me to come. "Of course," he said with a look that made me know that now where he was invited, I was too. "Lucky" for me, when J decides he likes something, he commits to it forever, football teams, coffee creamer, shoes, etc. So thankful the Lord brought us together. Just a little reminiscing with the game on Alabama/ Texas... And I will never be the same when I think about Texas... So thankful for that place and those people for pouring into J and my lives. And speaking of ole' Alabama, I'm sure glad Alabama didn't keep my J from coming to Augusta, but just held him off long enough for me to get to Augusta. Ok that's enough for one night. I'm just thankful for my guy.

Play friends

Today we visited a sweet friend of Ek's for her birthday. The G's have kids the same age and sex but went ahead of us several months ago with a baby boy. As I was there Susanne popped in with her boys. We joking laughed about the age around 1 1/2 where a younger friend has been tormented. H- BP, BP- my L, L- MG, MG- TP, soon it will be TP's turn with JG. Ahhh, so glad its not mine right now!-- either giving or receiving. Their play time was so peaceful, well for a 10 kids age 6 and under. The most interesting thing was how they all paired off-- Ek was playing trains with JP and MG. H was off playing ball with WG (not surprising) and BP. L was playing on the couch with KG and TP. They all had great fun and it was not easy to leave. Thankfully we can do it again.

Learning through tears

Several years ago, a friend in TX was talking about a recent dinner when his daughter would not obey in taking one bite of something that he really felt she should take a bite of. One bite was all he asked. He said they sat for about 2 hours. He finally prayed in his heart, "God if this about me and my stubborn heart, I hear ya, can we please be done sitting here?" Immediately, she took a bite. I have thought about that several times and prayed that prayer several times. L loves a bath. She usually climbs in herself and we have to drag her out. Then onto the lotion that she will put on until her skin will hold no more. Last night she cried from the minute I picked her up to put her in until I got her PJ's on. I looked at J at one point, trying really hard to stay calm and said, 'why is she doing this? I'm just trying to take care of her!' I reminded her of that throughout and told her I loved her and was being kind to her. Then I looked at J and asked him if her thought this is how God feels about us sometimes-- I am just trying to clean you up a bit, get you ready for a good rest. When we were done, I took her in my arms and told her I loved her, she snuggled in to my arms and I knew she loved me too. We have a had a bit of a trial lately with Ek's teacher at school, it has been hard to understand the whys, but with all my heart, I do not want to act as L did last night. I want to live a life of trust in the God of Love and know that all is well where He is, let the joy of the Lord be my strength and peace. I long to trust him more at his word.

my Helpful Puppy

When in G'ville at church, H was not quite sure of an unfamiliar class even though his cousin would be with him. I told him as I did last time we were visiting church that he was more than welcome to come with us as long as he acts as we do, sitting still and listening, if he wants to play then he needs to go to his class. He was wonderful and i was so glad for the time to sit close to him while there. At the end during the alter call, I asked him how I could pray for him. I told I would pray for him to be brave and strong. He said for me to pray for him to be helpful. He really is quite helpful around the house, when I give direct directions and my timing is right. Not so much when he is needing to get outside, if you know what I mean. Several times lately too, he has played helpful puppy. It is a bit tougher for a puppy to carry things where they need to be and communication is a bit harder, but I'll take all the help I can get.

Laughing with, not at, L

While in Athens, L gave us a good laugh, thankfully not a good scare. The GA game was on. I tried hard to keep the kids occupied so J could enjoy the game. The kids and I had a blast on the swing with Pops. L wasn't quite big enough to swing on her own so I had the huge joy of holding her while Pops pushed us. The sheer joy on her face almost brings tears to my eyes to think about, she loved it so much. We had so much fun on that amazing swing. We came in and the kids mostly played garage. It was one of those amazing times where they were all quietly and happily playing side by side. I fixed a bit of dinner for the kids and grown ups. I tried to time it for half time so J would actually eat. I served mom and dad with about a minute to go and sat down too. Then L, sweet little L, locked herself in the bathroom. She wasn't upset, I think she was actually pleased with herself. She tried to turn the knob, I guess she forgot that she turned the knob below to lock the door and realized she was stuck. She at no point even let go of a tear, she just played naively while we wondered how to get her out. "L, can you unlock the door" mom said. "I can't, I don't have the key!" was her reply. A minute later, "L can you turn the little knob?" To which L replied, "Not now, I'm gonna take a shower." Little big person. So brave J and Dad put up the ladder to the second story window, performed a marvelous Spiderman move to reach from the ladder to the window and crawled through. I think J was a bit surprised the next morning to see how far it was from the ladder to the window. L wasn't surprised to see J climb through and not concerned at all to get out. She's a hoot. And a joy to watch grow up.

One more quick L story. The other day in McRae, she was really upset with H at one moment, she came crying and whining. We were trying to comfort her and ask what H had done. She is great with an instant reply reenactment to report wrong doing. Her reply to this tragic moment was "H said rrrroooaaarrrrr!" I asked her again just so J could hear, what happened L? "H said rrrrroooooaaaaarrrrr!" We couldn't help but bend over laughing. She did too.

Unity and Joy

I guess the New Year brings resolutions. I think we all make resolutions all the time, I guess it is just more official on Jan. 1. I didn't really set out to make resolutions, they just fell in my lap this year. I have 2. The first is to make it through the New Testament this year with John. Two years ago, his Thursday morning crew read the One Year Bible all the way and last year they read the Chronological all the way. This year they decided to read the New Testament. I think it is a great idea, less text to read gives more time for deeper reading and deeper pondering. We began with Matthew 1:1 -2:12. We read it over about 3 times yesterday, so familiar and so new. Amazing to think that Jesus saved us from our sins, I think of him just snatching us out of a briar patch. He doesn't just tell us, its ok that your were unkind. He says, you can stop it, I'll rescue you from it. I like that. So, day one, so far so good. I hope for a sweet year in unity to my J. We will begin our 10th year this summer, can't wait for that. Who knew it could be so good. Secondly, I was reading a magazine yesterday and an article about contagious behaviors, like being fit and healthy. Thankfully I am in a community that is fit and healthy, it is very normal to pursue good health. The article was talking largely about the community of our homes and that if parents walk it, there is a great probability the kids will too. And that seems to be true for my kids. But the direction I am wanting to pursue this year is for my home to be a house of joy. That I will seek to live in the fruit of the spirit, putting away my fleshy desires to seek after the things of God, knowing that his fruit will come. And look expectantly for my children's tone, attitude and life to move that way as well. I pray that I will seek to trust God for everything I need, including strength and direction and He will meet me with peace and joy. So here's to 2010, a year of unity and joy.